Program Manager, SAMARPAN Poonam Sahu is a qualified rural development professional who has spent the past 17 years working towards social change for women and adolescent girls. She is a Program Manager at SAMARPAN where she is currently running a campaign against gender discrimination with a focus on making women self-reliant and improving the lifestyle of women and children who … Read More

Senior Programme Person, Life Education and Development Support (LEADS) Nisha Tripathy is a community activist with expertise in the areas of women’s empowerment, child rights, financial inclusion, entrepreneurship development of self-help groups (SHG) for women, and gender equity. She is a passionate advocate for gender equity. Nisha has a master’s degree in social work. Rise Up Cohort: Jharkhand, India 2024

Program Manager, Darpan Upasana Verma is a Program Manager at Darpan where they work on a project called “chhalaang” for ELMS Sports Foundation. Prior to her current role, Upasana was an office administrator for Darpan and a city coordinator with Childline 1098, where she actively worked for children’s rights. Upasana holds a bachelor’s degree in commerce from Vinova Bhave University. … Read More

Programme Manager, Samaj Pragati Kendra Augustina Soreng is a young Adivasi woman and social activist committed to transforming the lives of vulnerable women and girls in the Simdega district in Jharkhand. With her rich experience, Augustina is creating awareness, providing legal support and counseling, collaborating with leaders to address sexual abuse, child marriage, witchcraft, and trafficking. She is a passionate … Read More

Integrator, Professional Assistance for Development Action (PRADAN) Prem Shankar joined Professional Assistance for Development Action (PRADAN) in 2007 where he currently is an Integrator. Prem integrates PRADAN’s programs in the South Chotanagpur Development Cluster of Jharkhand. Additionally, he oversees a partnership initiative between the CSO consortium and the government and anchors the forest theme in Jharkhand. Prem has worked extensively … Read More

Secretary, Abhivyakti Foundation Krishna Kant is the Co-founder and Secretary of Abhivyakti Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in Jharkhand. As the leader of the organization, Krishna designs and supports community initiatives for health and nutrition security and sustainable food systems for affected groups to achieve a life with dignity. He is passionate about community-based management systems for food and nutrition … Read More

Founder, People for Change Souvik Saha is the founder of People for Change and Jamshedpur Queer Circle, both of which work to co-create safe nurturing spaces that promote self-reflective, empathetic young leaders who can bring transformational change to their communities. Souvik is a development professional with over a decade of experience in fostering the growth and empowerment of adolescents and … Read More

Secretary, Youth Unity for Voluntary Action Barnali Chakraborty is a feminist leader dedicated to social change, with over 30 years of experience serving as the Secretary of Youth Unity for Voluntary Action in the Singhbhum district. Her remarkable achievements include fostering a cadre of young leaders committed to gender equality and raising awareness among the indigenous Sabar community over the … Read More

Treasurer and Community Mobilizer, Association for Social and Human Awareness (ASHA) Shubha Philomina Tirkey is a social worker and Treasurer and Community Mobilizer at the Association for Social and Human Awareness (ASHA). She offers training on gender equality, trafficking, and good governance. Shubha is passionate about working in the social sector for the rights of women, youth, and children. She … Read More

Programme Director, Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra Anand Abhinav has been a social worker for over 13 years, focusing on helping people at the local level. Right now, he leads Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra, an NGO that works at the grassroots level in Jharkhand and Bihar. Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra is working towards a just society, with focus on women and … Read More