The only Official French Language Institute and Cultural Centre in Mumbai

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NOTABLE ALUMNI
The only Official French Language Institute and
Cultural centre in Mumbai
Read on to know why we say One Language, Many
Opportunities!
www.bombay.afindia.org
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About AF Bombay
Founded in 1938, Alliance Française de Bombay
aims to promote Franco-Indian relations in the
fields of education and culture.
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Ms Vanisha Hemrajani Campus France Manager
Mumbai
Vanisha, after completing her B2 level in French
at Alliance Française de Bombay in 2016, ventured
to France to work as an English Language
Assistant. Upon her return, she joined the
French Consulate in Mumbai as a visa executive in
2017. Between 2017 and 2019, she served as a
French Language Professor at Hill Spring
International School, during which she also
earned her FLE Certification from Alliance
Française de Vichy and her Pro FLE certification
from France Éducation International. After
achieving her C1 Level in French in 2021, she
became the Executive Solutions Consultant and
French Language Specialist at Zycus Infotech. As
of July 2023, Vanisha leads the Campus France
office in Mumbai, focusing on promoting French
higher education in the West Zone and supporting
student mobility to France.
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Mr. Nushad Merchant Alumni Relations Manager at
Audencia Paris, France
Nushad's career began with his active involvement
in the Student Cultural Body at Alliance
Française de Bombay, where he immersed himself in
cultural activities and completed French courses
in 2006. His early career saw him interning and
then advancing within the Consulate General of
France in Bombay, culminating in a role as the
Executive Assistant to the Consul General. In
2014, he pursued an MSc in International
Management at Audencia in Nantes, which led to
positions in prestigious organizations such as
Hilton France, The Price Hub, and Superprof in
Paris, before becoming the Alumni Relations
Manager at Audencia. Additionally, Nushad has
been contributing pro-bono to the Amicales des
Centres Internationaux Francophones (AMICIF) of
the Lions Clubs in France, managing content,
communication, and a network of ex-participants
in France.
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Mr Prashant Sonawala Technical Writer at Amadeus
Nice, France
Prashant began his French language learning
journey in 2009 at Alliance Française de Bombay
and quickly progressed, working as a translator
in 2010 and obtaining a DALF C1 level
certification in 2011, which led to a digital
content writing position at Praxis Technologies.
Opting for further education, he moved to France
to study at Charles de Gaulle University in
Lille, focusing on French language pedagogy, and
later at Stendhal University in Grenoble, where
he concentrated on language didactics, pedagogy,
and multimedia. Graduating in 2015, he embarked
on a technical writing career in the IT sector,
initially with Esker in Lyon, then moving to
Semarchy, and currently working at Amadeus in
Nice. Throughout his career, Prashant has
successfully applied his language and teaching
skills to simplify complex IT concepts for
diverse audiences, showcasing his expertise in
both French and English.
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Ms Sanika Vaze Educator at Dhirubhai Ambani
International School
Sanika, a distinguished French language
enthusiast, began her journey by acquiring her
DALF C1 from Alliance Française de Bombay in 2012
before pursuing an MA in French Literature at
Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). Her career
path included a diverse range of roles such as a
translator and radio presenter at Akashvani All
India Radio, where she promoted Indian culture to
the Francophone and French diaspora from 2015 to
2020, a tourist guide, and a voice-over artist.
After completing her Masters in Philosophy in
Francophone Literature from JNU, she taught
French at St Marys School in Delhi and then at
Hill Spring International School in Mumbai,
before taking her expertise to Dhirubhai Ambani
International School. Alongside her professional
career, she has been working on a Ph.D. in
Contemporary French and Francophone Literature at
JNU since 2019, demonstrating her deep commitment
to fostering a love for the French language and
cultural diversity.
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Ms Vallari Gharat Customer Service Advisor at
Intermarché Netto
Vallari has built a distinguished career driven
by her passion for the French language and
culture, beginning with her initial certification
at AF Bombay and evolving into a multifaceted
professional journey. After starting her career
as a self-employed tutor in Mumbai, she pursued
advanced studies in France, achieving C1 and C2
levels in French. Vallari's diverse experiences
range from an internship at the Consulat Général
de France à Bombay, furthering the promotion of
French language and culture, to engaging in
social and educational programs in Rennes,
France, such as the Service Civique and assisting
with employment services for disadvantaged
individuals. Her role extended into the legal
domain, supporting a lawyer aiding women affected
by domestic violence. Vallari transitioned from
a Travel Information Assistant, improving local
transport services, to her current position as a
customer service advisor for Intermarché Netto,
managing customer relations and training new
employees, showcasing a comprehensive career
trajectory rooted in her dedication to French
linguistic and cultural immersion.
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