Saleem Ebrahim - President

Saleem was born in Nairobi, Kenya and studied at the University of Geneva, graduating in Political Science and International Relations in 1976. Having lived in different countries (Kenya, Switzerland, Italy and France, where he has now settled), Saleem has integrated aspects of these various cultures, which have all impacted him deeply. Beyond these cultural labels, he has a passion for discovering what is universal as well as unique in each person he meets.

After graduation, Saleem went to Drama School and also taught and practiced Aïkido, a Japanese martial art, for many years. Since 1985, he has been involved as a full-time corporate trainer, working for major French companies and leading seminars in Negotiation Skills and Public Speaking Skills.

Saleem’s encounter with Marshall Rosenberg and NVC in 2000 was a major paradigm shift, both in his personal and professional lives. He immediately integrated NVC in his corporate seminars and created a seminar called “Empower your Interpersonal Skills,” in which he integrates Aïkido, NVC and improvisation techniques. This seminar has become a key reference for managers in one of the multinationals where he works, and it has gradually led to a change in vision and the implementation of a new win-win culture.

Saleem has been involved in NVC-India since 2006, wanting to contribute to its growth, empowerment and autonomy. He feels deeply honoured and privileged to contribute to the spread of NVC in the country of his origins and to build a bridge of support between NVC-India and the French-speaking NVC network.

Aniruddha - General Manager

Aniruddha is an MBA graduate from a reputed management institute in India, and he has been associated with and worked for many reputed companies for over 18 years.

As an internationally certified trainer in Nonviolent Communication, Aniruddha has got an extra edge in the field of communication. He specializes in mediation, conflict resolution and reconciliation, as well as in leadership development and team building. Aniruddha is a master facilitator and offers trainings to different corporate houses and NGOs. Being down-to-earth, he’s well known for his warmth and insightful teaching approach. Aniruddha is constantly on the move, offering workshops, addressing seminars and giving keynote speeches.

Aniruddha’s mission is to make this planet Earth a peaceful and harmonious place.

Chitra - Regional Manager, North India

Chitra Rekha Panchkaran is from New Delhi. She did her Masters in Social Work at the Delhi School of Social Work, and she also has a P.G. Diploma in Counseling. After being deeply challenged by life, Chitra turned to spirituality in 1996-97. She studied Reiki, Vipassana meditation, and the Art of Living, and visited several spiritual places. This journey of self-discovery brought peace, strength and compassion to Chitra’s life. Then she was mystically given the opportunity to attend an IIT (intensive Nonviolent Communication training) in 2004, and that was the missing link in her life. Chitra feels complete now, as NVC has brought her closer to herself, and it shook up her belief system of right and wrong. It brought healing to her life and helped her gain a deeper understanding of family relationships.

Chitra works for the women’s unit at the All India Association for Christian Higher Education. She’s the Counselor and Programme Secretary in Vikasini. Apart from offering higher education, the Association offers Women’s Empowerment Programmes for the local community. As Counselor, NVC helps Chitra give empathy to both the women (who face the violence) and the men (who commit the violence). She’s touched seeing the atmosphere change and couples reuniting in the spirit of love and understanding. As Programme Secretary, Chitra is responsible for local programmes for women and NGO activists, such as workshops in gender issues, counseling skills and now NVC. She’s grateful to be offering the empowering tool of NVC to local women and social workers.

Chitra has invited India’s NVC trainers, Kumarjeev and Aniruddha, to conduct NVC workshops for women counselors. She’s touched to see how attitudes change and how the principles of NVC provide possibilities for social healing. Chitra’s desire is to serve and connect with life on a personal, interpersonal and community level, as well as to help people awaken to their hearts.

Vijay - Regional Manager, Central India

Dr. Vijay Adsule is from Pune. He graduated in medicine and homeopathy from Pune University. Vijay have been practicing medicine for 8 years, and it has been a gift for him to be able to experience life through others.

As a medical practitioner, part of Vijay’s job is to listen to the patient and take note of his/her symptoms, examine and investigate further if needed, then diagnose and prescribe, and finally decide whether to arrange for a follow-up. The patient’s symptoms may improve, and if not, Vijay reassesses and prescribes again, and so on. This used to seem so perfect to him. He did his job and didn’t need to worry about any more.

But Vijay has experienced that if you ask a doctor questions, he answers with “Yes, this is it.” If you insist and ask again, “Is this really all, Doctor?” he usually frowns, looks out into the open, takes a few seconds to introspect and then answers, “Well, there’s a lot more than this, actually.”

Vijay believes that many patients are left feeling incomplete and would like to be fully heard by their doctors. He has seen that doctors are often under time constraints, and thinking that the patient’s complaints are not helpful in diagnosing the problem, they choose not to give too much attention to what the patient is sharing.

For Vijay, this was sometimes disturbing, sometimes frustrating, and sometimes even a celebration. At times he wanted to alienate himself from reality, so that he wouldn’t have to go through the emotional ups and downs. This was when his friends Harsha and Pradnya invited him attend an NVC seminar in Bhaje (near Pune), lead by CNVC Certified Trainer Shantigarbha. This was what he was looking for in life, and since then he has been in love with NVC. It helped him have clarity and emotional stability, and it has transformed his life.

L’aura - Regional Manager, South India

L’aura’s love affair with NVC started in November 2007, when Aniruddha was invited to share his passion in Auroville, Tamil Nadu. L’aura experienced it as finally coming home, being able to look inside and connect with her Self within. She was amazed by the authenticity and vulnerability she was able to tap into, and she was amazed by the trust she had in sharing with others and seeing their beauty. L’aura knew that there was no going back…! Her journey since has been intense, attending several NVC workshops with different trainers, attending an IIT with Marshall, as well as organizing and hosting NVC events in Auroville.

L’aura was born and grew up in Auroville, an international community founded in 1968 and striving for Human Unity. Although this is her home, she has also lived, traveled and studied in North America and Europe. L’aura was a high school teacher for 6 years, when she finally quit because she hated being the police-woman! She was discouraged to have not found a way to bring out the students’ freedom and creativity, while being satisfied with their level of commitment and responsibility in return. L’aura doesn’t intend to go back to teaching high school, especially not knowledge-based classes, but she does wonder how she’d do it differently now with NVC as an integral part of her life.

L’aura has been very active in Auroville’s new and growing NVC community. Because of Auroville’s international nature, it’s constantly attracting visitors, some being NVC trainers and others who are looking for deep connection. Auroville has been a real NVC-hub, and L’aura has turned her guest house and property into the Joy Living and Learning Centre, which functions as a living NVC community As Regional Manager for the South, L’aura’s intention is to expand her focus and put energy into sharing NVC in her larger “neighborhood:” Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Goa, Karnataka and Andra Pradesh.