Major General Surjit Singh, AVSM, VSM, FNAE(Trustee)
Major General Surjit Singh, AVSM, VSM, FNAE was commissioned in the army through the NDA in December 1961 and served for forty years. With a post graduate degree in electronics from the IIT pertaining to missile systems and computer based training simulators. He is one of the few military officers who have been admitted into the Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE) He perhaps is most well known for his work involving the fourth and fifth Pay Commissions at army headquarters.
Maj Gen Singh is prolific writer. Most of his books and online contributions and paper publications address the contemporary issues and serve as a guiding light to furure generations of vigilant citizens and armed force officers. He has also conducted extensive research on Indian road safety and has inspired Nishan to undertake road safety as one of its campaign priorities.
Aridaman Jit Singh
MA in history, graduate of International Civil-Military Coordination from UN OCHA and associated with NATO’s High Readiness Land Forces and REDR as trainer on International training exercises and his practical stint with special courts in dealing with prosecution and defence in the cases of henious crimes and corruption cases, acquainted him with pitfalls of existing “Colonial Coercive Criminal Justice System”, That ignited and fueled his endless endeavour of democratizing India’s colonial “Security & Justice” sector . He is the main driving force of Nishan campaigns and his quest for learning from the victims and grassroots is proving greatest strength for the campaign in seeking solidarity from top political leadership, grass roots community leaders and frontline police officers.
Captain Ramesh Kumar, Ex-Deputy Inspector General (Trustee)
The quest of always touching new heights that epitomises not only the spirit of attempting the impossibles but achieve them , describes the persona of captain. His carrier spans two decades as an armed force officer with government of India who created history by qualifying as a professional pilot in the elite central police organisation, he was serving as DIG, but the organizational hypocrisy that is pervasive in the Indian police forces was taking its toll on his flying skills and inspired him to take the leap and become an international flier. Captain Ramesh is associated with Nishan as a crusader against corruption and injustice prevalent in Indian Police Forces.
(Dr.) Harjinder Kaur, MA, M.Phil, Ph.D (Trustee)
Academic by profession, human rights activist and Research analyst by soul and spirit. Harjinder is a gold medalist of MA & MPhil from Kurukshetra University and completed Phd from Delhi University. She has taught at colleges in the state of Haryana and Delhi and has honorably sacrificed her prosperous career in order to offer her full commitment to the Nishan, and the cause of widows and children of martyrs from Police Forces of India. She has worked tirelessly and remains the moving spirit of all the Nishan endeavors and is a passionate believer in mobilizing and empowering the people.
Mani Ram Sharma, B.Com, CAIIB, Llb, Campaign Convener
He is the spirit of campaign on democratization of “Security & Justice” sector.Began his career with banking service and developed his expertise as practicing Advocate and critical thinker on existing colonial legal system of India. He is President of Indian National Bar Association-Churu, took voluntary retirement from banking after twenty years of service and devoting all his time to spearhead the campaign for “Democratization of Colonial Coercive Criminal Justice System”. He is at the forefront of RTIs too to wake up the colonial governance apparatus and make it performance oriented with relevant democratic reforms and keeps sounding top political leadership with his communications on policy formulation.
Captain Satvir Singh
An Ex-Army officer, who served with Indian army in anti insurgency operations and got acquainted with the challenges of weaker sections and marginalised groups, whose democratic aspirations come in conflict with colonial work culture of the authoritative state institutions.He left army to take plunge in the campaign to make real difference in the lives of these people in India’s transition to democracy. He has remain main driving force of Nishan campaigns for mobiligation of masses in campaigns against SEZ and land acquisition by state.He is a true leader and resource magnet for successful campaigning.
Vijay Thakur
Vijay Thankur is a second generation journalist who has strong belief that publicity is soul of justice and credited with pathbreaking stories in print media. With more than 20 years of experience of covering security and intelligence sector , He has vast experience and indepth knowledge of criminal politician/bureaucratic nexus and has been reporting on these issues. He is currently associated with the Statesman as Special Representative and volunteers his time with Team Nishan on security and justice sector reforms campaign.
Sajad Rasool, Campaign Coordinator, Jammu & Kashmir
MA in Mass Communication and associated with J&K RTI Movement, he is social activist, full of creativity and perseverance. He is currently supporting Video volunteers to high light the pitfalls of past two decades, where cries of hapless people are buried. His dedication hard work and past experience of activism proves to be an asset to lead the Police Reforms from People’s Perspective Campaign For J&K. He is also associated with the news magazine “Tehelka”.
Anup Kumar Sharma, Computers-Coordinator
Graduate from Chaudhary Charan Singh University he volunteers to assists Team Nishan on Computer related issues of Hardware and software requirements and its maintainance of the Campaign Headquarter Nishan.
In addition to his computer related fields, he also assists in volunteer field work of the campaigns.
‘TRAILBLAZERS’– we are greatly indebted to the following international professionals who made outstanding contributions on “NISHAN” campaigns:
Eduardo Landin - Mexico
Eduardo started his career as a media producer and five years later moved to the UK to pursue a MA in multimedia journalism. His passion for travelling has brought him to different countries and it wasn’t long before he was approached about collaborating for different projects and organisations in the international arena. Eduardo joined our team from Hague to work on our new media and public information project and gave real visible shape and impetus to the work of Nishan.
Federica D’Alssendra - Italy
Federica D’Alessandra joined from the Carr Center for Human Rights Policy at the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University. MSc in International Relations from the University of Milan and International Law at the Sorbonne University in Paris. Her field of expertise is mass atrocity, genocide and post-violence reintegration of ethnic minorities. She has previously worked with the U.S. Department of State and also collaborated with Médecins Sans Frontières, the United Nations and NGOs. She spearheaded the Police Reforms From Peoples’ Perspective Campaign as Campaign Coordinator
Josephine Gerrard - Australia
Jo joined us from Australia after completing her bachelors’ degree in development studies from the University of Newcastle. Before joining us she worked in Costa Rica. A self motivated and diligent performer, she contributed on the Nishan’s project on Police Reforms from People’s Perspective and assisted in the field research work in the states of Punjab, Haryana & Uttar Pardesh.
Brett Watson - Australia
Brett came with an International Development degree and made outstanding contributions in conceptualising and strategizing “Power to People” campaign. He also laid the foundation of Nishan’s website. He steered the campaign and organizational work with passion.