Privacy policy

INTRODUCTION
This Privacy Policy (“Policy”) sets out the principles and practices adopted by Passing Gifts Private Limited (“Company”, “we”, “our”, or “us”) regarding the collection, use, processing, storage, and protection of Personally Identifiable Information (“PII”), which refers to any data that can directly or indirectly identify an individual, either alone or when combined with other information, including but not limited to your name, email address, location data, etc. This definition includes, but is not limited to, identifiers such as names, contact details, identification numbers, biometric data, and other personal attributes, as recognized under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (“DPDP Act”). We are committed to safeguarding the privacy rights of all individuals whose PII we handle.

SCOPE AND APPLICABILITY
This Policy applies to all PII collected or processed by the Company across its business operations, including information related to applicants, employees, contractors, interns, agents, project partners, former employees, and visitors (collectively referred to as “Data Principals”).

ACCOUNTABILITY
The Company is responsible for ensuring compliance with this Policy and applicable laws, including the DPDP Act. The Human Resources Department or any officer designated by it oversees the implementation and adherence to this Policy and data protection obligations.

LIMITING COLLECTION
We collect only such PII as is reasonably necessary for legitimate and lawful purposes, using fair and transparent means consistent with the DPDP Act. Such purposes include but are not limited to collecting and storing information to provide, improve, and administer our services, communicate with you, for security and fraud prevention, and to comply with law. We may also process your information for other purposes with your consent.

CONSENT
We obtain free, specific, informed, unconditional, and unambiguous consent in writing from Data Principals before collecting, storing, or processing their PII, except where otherwise permitted by law. Consent shall be taken prior to collecting any information of the Data Principal and will be valid only if it involves a clear affirmative action explicitly agreeing to the processing for specified purposes. For instance, when a Data Principal visits our website, we will seek consent in the form of a tick-box prior to collecting any PII of such Data Principal.

TRANSPARENCY AND NOTICE
Every request for consent will be accompanied by a clear notice specifying the PII to be collected, the purposes of collection and processing, the Data Principal’s right to withdraw consent at any time, details of the grievance redressal officer, and instructions for filing complaints with the Data Protection Board of India.

LIMITING USE, DISCLOSURE, AND RETENTION
PII will be used strictly for the purposes for which it was collected, unless the Data Principal provides written consent for other uses. Disclosure to third parties will occur only with consent or as required by law. PII will be retained only as long as necessary and securely disposed of thereafter.

ACCURACY
We will maintain PII in an accurate, complete, and up-to-date form required for the purposes for which it was collected. Data Principals may request correction, updating, or deletion of their PII, and such requests will be addressed promptly in accordance with the DPDP Act.

SAFEGUARDS
Any PII collected, stored, and/or processed by us is safeguarded against unauthorized access, alteration, or disclosure, in accordance with the standards prescribed under the DPDP Act using appropriate organizational and technical security measures, including but not limited to encryption, Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), password protections, and physical security controls. Employees handling PII are trained on their data protection responsibilities.

OPENNESS AND INDIVIDUAL ACCESS
Data Principals may request information of where their PII is stored, access such PII, and seek correction or deletion, subject to legal restrictions. The Company maintains transparency about its data management and protection practices.

RIGHTS OF DATA PRINCIPALS
Data Principals have the following enforceable rights, supported by robust internal procedures:
(a) Right of access information pertaining to their PII, including a summary of their PII and identities of any Data Processor appointed by the Company.
(b) Right to rectification, deletion, or restriction of data processing.
(c) Right to object to processing for legitimate purposes or profiling.
(d) Right to withdraw consent anytime.
(e) Right to nominate any other individual to exercise these rights in case of the Data Principal’s death/incapacity.
(f) Right to seek remedy and/or complaint redressal.

Data Principals may exercise any of their aforementioned rights by contacting the Human Resources Department at the contact details provided hereinbelow.

GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL
To address any concerns or complaints relating to the handling of your PII, the following Grievance Redressal Officer has been appointed:

Grievance Redressal Officer: Ms Kavita Nathan, Director of Finance
Contact No.: +91-12043 33019
Email Id: contactus@heiferindia.com

Please feel free to reach out to the Grievance Redressal Officer for timely resolution of your data privacy-related grievances. A response to your complaint will be provided within 30 days from the date of its submission.

CONTACT INFORMATION
For any inquiries, requests relating to Data Principal’s rights, or other privacy-related communications, please contact our designated personnel at:

(a) Human Resources Department: Ms Ankita Chowdhary
(b) Email: contactus@heiferindia.com
(c) Phone: +91-12043 33019

We are committed to responding to your concerns promptly and ensuring the protection of your personal data.

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Dr Shyam Kumar Katta

Program Director, Andhra Pradesh

Dr Shyam Kumar Katta is an Atlas Corps Scholar and Climate Base Fellow with over 20 years of experience in rural economies and social development.

With a PhD in Digital Tools for Rural Economies and Social Development, he has led 23 impactful projects focused on women’s empowerment, sustainable agriculture, biodiversity, and climate-resilient farming.

Dr Katta holds five international patents and has published extensively, mentoring 54 scholars across 27 countries. A visionary leader in food security, women’s empowerment, and smallholder farmer livelihoods, Dr Katta has secured substantial funding for initiatives addressing hunger and poverty. He specializes in circular economies, women’s entrepreneurship, agri-preneurship, and agricultural value chains.

His insights on climate change adaptation strategies have positioned him as a thought leader in the social development sector, where he advocates for sustainable practices that empower marginalized communities and enhance resilience against environmental challenges.

Akshaya Biswal

Program Director, Odisha

Akshaya Biswal is a seasoned development professional with 29 years of experience in non-profit organizations, UN agencies, state governments, and research institutions. He holds proven expertise in designing and implementing programs, advocacy initiatives, and thematic research.

He is skilled at mobilizing diverse stakeholders towards change. This includes experience with think tanks, civil society, government, public sector units, and corporates, helping them foster meaningful dialogues on state-specific concerns and establish collaborations that address systemic social issues.

He demonstrates a strong understanding of the fundraising landscape and donor engagement. Adept at managing, monitoring, and evaluating programs with a solid track record in budget management and team performance, Akshaya has led and mentored large teams comprising senior, middle, and field-level staff. He possesses exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work diplomatically with culturally diverse groups.

Sonmani Choudhary

Program Director, Bihar

Sonmani Choudhary has over 20 years in the financial and development sectors. Her expertise extends across project implementation, government advisory, MSME management, gender mainstreaming, and policy advocacy. She has worked with SIDBI, MicroSave Consulting, PCI India, C3, and BASIX, driving women’s economic empowerment and inclusive finance.

At PCI India, Sonmani led a Gates Foundation-backed initiative in Bihar, providing technical support to the Rural Development Department to enhance MGNREGA’s impact on women and marginalized communities.

Passionate about bridging gender gaps, she leverages research, strategic advisory, and capacity building to achieve her vision. Choudhary has authored numerous publications and holds certifications in Project Management, Responsible Research, and the Farmer Field Schools Approach. She is currently exploring Development Economics.

Dr Anamika Priyadarshini

Director of Knowledge Management Research & Design

Dr Anamika Priyadarshini has over 23 years of experience in development and academia. She holds a post-graduate degree in International Development from Cornell and a doctorate in Global, Gender & Sexuality Studies from SUNY Buffalo.

A recipient of notable fellowships like the Margaret McNamara and Ford Foundation Fellowships, Dr Priyadarshini’s work has been published in journals such as The Lancet, Economic & Political Weekly, and India Development Review. At Passing Gifts, she focuses on enhancing economic opportunities for smallholder women farmers, particularly through women’s collectives.

She is dedicated to advancing evidence-based planning to develop sustainable economic models for women. In her free time, she enjoys travelling, storytelling, and music.

Kavita Sarah Nathan

Director of Finance & Administration

Kavita Sarah Nathan is a Chartered Accountant with over 30 years of experience in the development sector, specializing in financial management, donor compliance, and procurement. She has held key roles in organizations like ICRIER, Christian Aid UK, Habitat for Humanity India Trust, and SABI Consulting Pvt Ltd in Zimbabwe.

She is adept at achieving statutory compliance across multiple countries, including PF, GST, Income Tax, and ROC. She has a strong track record of emergency procurement and has successfully led multicultural teams spread across the globe.

A cornerstone of her leadership is her dedication to capacity building and team development. With strategic insight and a commitment to financial stewardship, Kavita continues to be a pivotal force in advancing our mission to enhance sustainable livelihoods.

Rina Soni

Executive Director

Rina Soni is a seasoned leader with over 28 years of experience in the financial services and development sectors. She holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and an MBA in finance. As a founding member of Max Life Insurance, Rina dedicated nearly 18 years to driving sales, business development, and strategic planning. In her transition to the nonprofit sector, she has successfully led impactful public engagement and fundraising initiatives for prominent organizations in India, employing innovative technologies and data-driven strategies to achieve meaningful results.

In her current role at Passing Gifts, Rina combines her strategic vision with a commitment to technological advancement, empowering marginalized communities and fostering sustainable growth. Her leadership mantra ‘One Team, One Dream’ reflects her collaborative approach to achieving shared goals. She is especially focused on building resilient food systems that support smallholder women farmers in adapting to the challenges posed by climate change.

Outside of work, Rina enjoys yoga and reading, which she finds instrumental to enhancing her leadership skills and fostering personal growth.

Privacy policy