PRIA's 100th Governing Board Meeting: A Landmark in Governance

12 August 2016 was a landmark day in the governance of PRIA, when we held our 100th Governing Board meeting. 

The Governing Board is the statutory body for the management of PRIA’s affairs. It performs the following functions:
• Appointing the President/CEO
• Making institutional policies for programmes, funds, HR/admin, etc.
• Setting programme directions and strategies
• Reviewing institutional performance (annual and programme reports)
• Approving annual budgets
• Approving annual audits

Governance of institutions is important, and PRIA's Governing Board has provided inspired leadership to steer the organisation strategically since it was first set up in 1982. PRIA's Governing Board has always comprised professionals in diverse fields from the corporate sector, the NGO sector, education, academia and government. Diversity is institutionalised with an almost equal representation of male and female board members. PRIA's current chairperson is Sheela Patel, a Padma Shri awardee.

Last year, the board had signalled its intention for renewal. Following through, two long-time board members retired from the board on 12 August. Joe Madiath and D. Thankappan have served PRIA for more than two decades each. They have provided strong support, advice and leadership to the institution. They continue to remain associated with PRIA in many ways.

On the occasion, we  also welcomed two new board members: Ashok Kumar Singh, Founder-Director of Sahbhagi Shikshan Kendra, Lucknow and Shobha Mishra Ghosh, Senior Director, FICCI. We welcome them to the PRIA board.