Meet our Judges
Judges are essential to take control of the events and direct them, to fairly define the winners, to encourage and motivate those who lost, and make events potentially beneficial by increasing their prestige.
Mrs. Vidya Kandoi
Counseling Psychologist
Mrs. Vidya A. Kandoi is a Counselling Psychologist with a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology from S.N.D.T. Women’s University, Mumbai, and over years of professional experience in the field. She specializes in one-on-one counselling for school children, addressing academic, social, and emotional concerns, and is adept at therapeutic techniques and psychometric testing.
Vidya has conducted workshops on time and anger management for children and adults and implemented parent intervention programs. She has a deep interest in research, having explored topics such as the relationship between stress, happiness, and self-esteem among young adults and the state of primary education in municipal schools in Mumbai.
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Recognized for her ability to build rapport with students and foster collaboration with teachers and parents, Vidya is passionate about creating a supportive environment for those seeking help. Her accolades include a scholarship for excellence in Child Development, certification in psychotherapy, and expertise in handwriting analysis.
Fluent in Hindi, English, Marathi, Kannada, and Konkani, Vidya has participated in prestigious conferences and workshops, including a presentation by Prof. Jennie Pyers at Stanford University and the Annual Conference of the Global Society for Digital Psychology. Her dedication to nurturing young minds makes her a valuable judge for the story-writing competition.
Sonia Menghani
Educationist, Author, Podcaster, Storyteller and Voice Over Artist
Sonia Menghani is a literary and creative force, weaving her expertise in communication, storytelling, and personal development into a career that spans over two decades. A natural storyteller, Sonia has enchanted audiences as the author of two children’s books, Bunny and Bot and Adventures of Molly, and the host of her podcast, Happy with Sonia. Her journey in the media world has seen her excel as a Voice Over Artist for educational content, corporate systems, and documentaries, as well as a host for Pune’s first cable TV channel, where she interviewed luminaries like Sushmita Sen, Pankaj Udhas, and Jackie Shroff.
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As a Corporate Soft Skills Trainer with over 14 years of experience, Sonia has guided more than 1,000 students and professionals in the art of communication, presentation, and life skills. Her workshops, tailored to inspire confidence and self-expression, reflect her passion for nurturing young talent. Her literary roots run deep, as she has not only written for children but has also shaped their communication and storytelling abilities through her training and mentoring roles at institutions like ICFAI Business School.
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A certified Happiness Coach, Sonia believes in the transformative power of words, whether through books, podcasts, or personal interactions. Her fluency in Hindi and English, combined with her voice modulation expertise, allows her to convey emotions and ideas with finesse, making her a trusted voice in the literary and media landscapes.
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Sonia’s leadership roles, including her tenure as President of the Rotary Club of Pune Amanora, highlight her commitment to fostering creativity and connection within her community. With a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature and a career steeped in storytelling, Sonia brings a unique literary perspective to her role as a judge in the story-writing competition, inspiring young writers to craft their own imaginative worlds.
Dr. Paramjit Anthappan
Educator, Author, Microbiologist, Secretary at IWSA, Former Vice Principal and Head of Microbiology at Bhavan's College
Dr. Paramjit Anthappan is currently the Secretary at the Indian Women Scientist Association (IWSA), a freelance educational consultant, a board member of Dr. Dhala’s Felicitation Fund, and the Secretary of the Computer Education Centre (2021-2023). She has an academic and research career spanning almost four decades at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan’s College, Andheri, Mumbai. She retired in April 2017 as the College Vice Principal and the Head and Associate Professor of the Department of Microbiology. Dr. Anthappan's journey began as a demonstrator conducting B.Sc. Microbiology practicals. Her dedication led her to serve as an assistant scientist for mycobacterial research at the Foundation for Medical Research and later as a full-time lecturer in 1980.
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Her notable achievements include obtaining recognition for M.Sc. teaching in 1987, M.Sc. and Ph.D. research guidance in 1998 and 2007 respectively, and leading the Microbiology Department as its head in 2002. She has also served as the Joint Coordinator of Bhavan’s Research Centre for Microbiology and as the I/C Principal of the College. Her research expertise encompasses various areas including bioconversions of agrowastes, probiotic applications, textile bioprocessing, actinoflora of soybeans, sustainable wastewater treatment, plant-microbe interactions, microbial siderophores, mushroom production, and antimicrobial components of mangroves.
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She continues to coordinate alumni reunions and legacy projects at Bhavan’s College. She has guided around 50 students in their M.Sc., M.Phil., and Ph.D. research, and has 23 scientific publications to her credit. Additionally, she is a certified Neuro Linguistic Programming [NLP] counsellor, practitioner, and coach trainer.
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Her recent contributions include serving as the Convener of the Library Committee and a member of the Internship Core Committee (2021 – 2023).
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We are honored to have Dr. Paramjit Anthappan as a judge for the Once Upon In Our Minds International Story Writing Competition. Her extensive experience and dedication to fostering research and education make her an invaluable addition to our panel.
