Our Champions

A highly motivated and self-driven individual from Central Travancore. My journey in the social sector services began with humble beginnings as a volunteer during critical times such as floods and the COVID-19 pandemic.Over the span of more than seven years, I have transitioned from a dedicated volunteer to an effective leader successfully managing and executing multiple projects and collaborating closely with various NGOs , district and state governments.I am committed in leveraging my skills and experiences to continue making a meaningful difference in the social sector, collaborate with diverse stakeholders, and contribute positively to our community’s well-being.

Bharat Bansal is a dedicated and passionate individual with a proven track record in climate action, youth development, and grassroots leadership. In his journey of past 7 years, he has facilitated over 50 climate-focused programs in partnership with various institutions and raised awareness in more than 2500 youth from rural, semi-urban and urban areas across India about climate-related challenges. Currently, he is on a mission to build a community of young people who take meaningful actions against climate issues and inspire other young people from the state of Punjab to join the fight against climate change.

Ankita Banra, hails from the HO Indigenous Community in Jharkhand, is a dedicated advocate for climate change. She is an environmental and grassroots leader who spearheaded the Fridays For Future, Jharkhand Chapter—the only indigenous-led chapter in India—mobilizing over 200 youth through clean-up drives, climate strikes, and advocacy for eco-friendly practices rooted in indigenous traditions. Over the past three years, she has directly engaged more than 300 youth, including young married women who are survivors of child marriage and youth involved in coal mining.

Ankita is also the co-founder of ASMITA, a youth-led feminist organization focusing on local governance and creating youth participation in tribal regions. Through ASMITA, she has directly reached over 350 adolescents and 100 youth, empowering them to build collectives that advocate for their rights and promote sustainable green jobs. The organization actively campaigns against illegal coal mining and collaborates with local administrations to address environmental concerns. Ankita’s grassroots leadership is shaping a generation of young activists committed to environmental justice and community empowerment, driving meaningful change across Jharkhand's tribal areas.

Debarati Sengupta is a youth ocean-climate advocate with a strong passion for ocean literacy and science communication. She holds an M.Sc. in Marine Science and her research works are focused on Indian Sundarbans. Presently, She is the Ocean Literacy Coordinator of Estuarine and Coastal Studies Foundation (ECSF), a research and educational organization in West Bengal. She is a member of Ocean Literacy in Asia coordinated by the UN Ocean Decade endorsed ECOP programme and alumni of World Ocean Day Youth Advisory Council (2023-24). She leads an Ocean Literacy initiative titled ‘Beyond the Waves’, where she educates youth about ocean-climate nexus.

Dhakshina is a dedicated grassroots leader with extensive experience in local governance and sustainable development. He has worked as a Gram Panchayat Development Plan consultant in two panchayats, where he played a pivotal role in creating facilitation teams focused on climate resilience, child-friendly initiatives, and social entrepreneurship. By engaging 60 youths as community leaders, Dhakshina successfully mobilized over 1,230 individuals in these panchayats, emphasizing the importance of localized Sustainable Development Goals.

As a trainer and community facilitator, he has mobilized approximately 650 people, focusing on empowering individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through training in organic farming and related activities. His work has enabled over 450 youths to develop careers resilient to climate change.

Throughout his career, Dhakshina has collaborated with government bodies to implement developmental projects and enhance participatory planning, consistently striving to improve climate change solutions and promote sustainable development in his community.

Hailing from Wokha, Nagaland, Thungbeni Murry, also known as Beni, is dedicated to driving meaningful change in her community through climate action and environmental education. With a Post Graduate degree in Development Management and a Master's in Social Work, Beni has a strong foundation in community development, which she applies in her work across various states, from Nagaland to Gujarat.

With three years of experience in the development sector, she has focused on livelihood generation, enterprise development, and climate change-related activities. Beni has successfully mobilized around 5,000 youth in Nagaland and empowered over 3,350 women through Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in Gujarat, working across three blocks. Additionally, she has engaged with 4,000 farmers in 70 villages to promote sustainable agricultural practices and tree planting initiatives.

As a member of a tribal community, Beni is passionate about youth and women empowerment, sensitizing them to the importance of environmental stewardship and sustainable development. Her efforts aim to create resilient communities that can adapt to the challenges posed by climate change.

Hina Saifi, a dedicated climate advocate from Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, and one of the 17 young Climate Leaders of India recognized by the United Nation, has mobilized over 1,000 young people in her city through community-led initiatives. She leads the "Suraj se Samriddh" (Solarising Cities of UP) campaign, raising awareness about the potential of solar energy. Her efforts contributed to the government’s decision to develop 20 cities, including Meerut, as Solar Cities. She comes from a low-income family where her access to education despite facing societal challenges became the foundation of her climate advocacy. With over seven years of experience, Hina has focused on air pollution, sustainable practices, and the adoption of solar energy at the community level.

Hina has also trained 150 women in football stitching to help them start micro-enterprises, and created a youth collective for girls aged 14-25 working on climate awareness. Through her grassroots efforts, she has transformed her community, advocating for clean energy, cleaner roads, waste-free water bodies, and increased greenery.

Manisha grew up in Ranikhet, Uttarakhand, surrounded by a sustainable village environment, which nurtured her passion for sustainability. After graduating from the University of Delhi, she worked as a Program Coordinator at an NGO, organizing health camps during COVID-19. Now, as a Program & Community Manager at EarthJust Ecosystems, she leads the Satat Shikshak Samudaya, a community of 5,000+ sustainability educators, youth, and collaborators re-imagining environmental education. Manisha has a keen interest in promoting sustainability and has worked extensively with 100+ educators in Himachal Pradesh, and collaborated with 52 partners in her sustainability initiatives over the past 2 years. Her initiatives, in partnership with the Himachal Pradesh government, aim to influence policy and foster grassroots leadership among youth. Manisha has also led youth-focused projects and wellness circles, organized health camps, and is deeply committed to community-level sustainable change and climate action.

Naveen Kumar is an LGBTQIA+ climate action advocate from Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, dedicated to empowering youth through impactful climate initiatives. With extensive experience leading projects in over 30 slums and five schools, Naveen has cultivated grassroots leaders and organized eco-clubs while establishing Panchayat-level climate committees.

He has actively engaged with more than 1,000 young people, particularly in the Hitku Panchayat of East Singhbhum, where he collaborated with local Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) members to raise awareness about climate change. One of his key achievements was forming a Panchayat-level Climate Action Committee composed of local youth, facilitating active community participation in climate resilience efforts.

Naveen's work extends to five government middle schools, where he introduced nutrition gardens, providing students with hands-on experiences in biodiversity and sustainable agriculture. Through his initiatives, Naveen is fostering a generation well-versed in climate issues and eager to drive meaningful change. His passion for collaboration positions him as a catalyst for collective climate action across India.

Priyanka is a grassroots social activist from Uttarakhand, deeply passionate about forests, wildlife, and empowering young people. Growing up in the hills, she has forged a strong connection with her community and the environment. Priyanka is intensely working in 20 villages and has a reach in another 40, actively engaging with local youth, Gram Panchayats, and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to raise awareness about waste management, prevent forest fires, and promote the planting of native trees in the Himalayas.

Through her organization, ARPAN, she has mobilized over 200 young people across 35 villages in the Didihat, Kanalichhina, and Dharchula blocks. In May 2024, during a significant forest fire crisis, Priyanka successfully organized community members and local Panchayat leaders to extinguish fires threatening their village, underscoring her belief in the power of collective action and local governance.

Her vision includes creating a model campaign that unites young people, village leaders, and government entities to address forest fires through community-based prevention measures. With a goal to reach 600 young people aged 12 to 22 over the next two years, Priyanka is committed to integrating climate-resilient practices into local development plans, focusing on sustainable agriculture, water conservation, and enhancing forest health.

A young Indigenous Idu Mishmi woman from Arunachal Pradesh, Niya is committed to preserving the ancestral conservation practices of her community. She advocates empowering local Indigenous Youth to be part of critical climate policies and to integrate climate education with indigenous knowledge to address climate challenges. While helping establish Idu Mishmi's first community conservation effort, she envisions her work to emphasize on the value of Indigenous knowledge in sustainable environmental practices. Her involvement with international youth organisations like Hey Campaign and Their World as Global Youth Ambassador, she has played an important role in building local to global pathways of climate advocacy.

Ram Chaudhary is a young social worker, researcher and climate advocate working in the field of tribal and rural development in Maharashtra since past 6 years. He is dedicatedly working at the grassroots level for the rights, education, and culture of the PVTG (Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups) Kolam and Madiya communities affected by Naxalism in the Chandrapur-Gadchiroli district. Since completing his post-graduation in social work, Ram has made significant contributions to making his village, Ghatkul, a model and smart village in the state, by installing more than 267 sanitation units within the village in a matter of 2 years. He has played a crucial role in implementing the PESA and Forest Rights Act in Chandrapur district by raising awareness in more than 50 village assemblies, while also being hyper locally involved in mobilizing more than 100 young people including students, farmers etc. Ram is also known as a healer for the water, forest, and land issues of the tribal communities.

Rashmi, from Korba, Chhattisgarh, is a dedicated community leader focused on addressing health disparities through climate action and youth engagement. She has made significant contributions to menstrual health advocacy, community health projects, and policy development, working closely with government stakeholders to improve healthcare services in rural areas.

As a Gandhi Fellow, Rashmi spearheaded menstrual health initiatives, conducting awareness programs and facilitating access to sanitary products for young girls and women. Her work has helped break taboos surrounding menstruation, promoting better hygiene and health practices in her community.

Her involvement in the THC Chhattisgarh project under RMNCH-A enabled her to lead capacity-building sessions for local leaders, focusing on reproductive and adolescent health. Rashmi also worked on tribal healer certification programs, integrating traditional knowledge with modern healthcare approaches to enhance community health services.

Additionally, she has contributed to policy development in TB Mukt Bharat, aligning local healthcare initiatives with national objectives. Rashmi's efforts reflect her passion for empowering women and youth to lead healthier, more sustainable lives, and her commitment to integrating health and environmental advocacy.

Roshni is co-founder and Director of Janta Express Welfare Foundation. Recognised and awarded by the UN (United Nations Young Activist Laureate 2023). A confidant and a great orator. Who gives light and hope to suffering. She was not born like this in contrast she never received any of this when she was in the dark. But she chose to do the opposite and became hope for the hopeless. Child marriage and domestic violence survivor turns into an activist despite all hatred and resistance she continues advocating for the oppressed.
Past seven years she saved more than 60 girls from child marriage, resolved 107 cases of domestic violence, connected more than 200 children back to school and saved more the 9 girls from trafficking. She touched more than 50 thousand lives so far. At present, she is working on her dream Project of building a rehabilitation centre in Bihar.

Kalpana has collaborated extensively with the Global Tiger Forum, Maaty Biodiversity Conservation and Social Research organisation and the State Forest Department of Sikkim to conserve, restore and mitigate the effects of biodiversity. I strive to conserve biodiversity by restoring degraded land and promoting organic farming through public engagement and collective action. To create a resilient and diverse ecosystem. Restoring nature with the help of biological barriers. Identifying ecologically sound solutions that can serve as a connection between the natural world and the application of those solutions.

Growing up in the pristine and ecologically senstive regions of environment of Ladakh, Stanzin’s connection with nature shaped his passion for sustainability. With over two years of experience in climate action and youth engagement, Stanzin is a passionate indigenous environmental leader from Leh Ladakh who has collaborated with organizations such as Little Green World, Charkha, and the Magic Bus Foundation to engage in grassroots mobilization. After Covid-19, he founded the United Youth Group in Ladakh, a youth-led collective working on waste management and community resilience, engaging over 20 youth and partnering with local organizations.

Stanzin’s deep commitment to environmental education and advocacy has earned him recognition from local panchayats and features in publications like Better India and IDR Online. He is committed to bring local change in his community and bring the youth voices of climate action from his community to national platforms.

Tirthraj Singh, based in Dholiya, Phalodi, Rajasthan, is a passionate advocate for climate action, particularly for last-mile communities often overlooked in the climate change discourse. With a deep commitment to local change, he leads climate-related conversations and actions in his community, focusing on creating sustainable, plastic-free villages through youth engagement.

Tirthraj has successfully mobilized the youth from three villages—Baru, Dholiya, and Dedasari—engaging approximately 100 young individuals in his initiatives. His efforts extend to educational work in four government schools across slum communities, where he has worked with around 700 children over a period of six months to raise awareness about health, hygiene, and the importance of sustainability.

By integrating climate action with community-driven solutions, Tirthraj aims to create lasting, meaningful change, making villages more resilient and eco-friendly.

I am Pranesh Nellyadi, born on February 11, 2001, in Belthangady, Mangalore, India. I have experience in social development, environmental sustainability, and youth rights-based advocacy. Currently, I work as a Youth Rights Advocacy Fellow at Samvada Baduku, focusing on advocacy design, implementation for youth rights. I have been part of significant initiatives, such as the Karnataka Youth Manifesto and the National Youth Manifesto, engaging with policymakers and mobilizing thousands of volunteers. I co-founded Ecofiya, a startup, and initiated 'Voice of the Western Ghats,' an environmental advocacy group. My experiences include fellowships, grassroots outreach, and policy engagement. I am committed to meaningful development and environmental conservation, leveraging my skills and experience to create positive change.

Mohsin is an ecologist pursuing Ph.D. in Wildlife Sciences at the Department of Wildlife Sciences, Aligarh Muslim University. His academic background includes a B.Sc. in Forestry and an M.Sc. in Wildlife Sciences. He has actively participated in various conservation projects focused on mammals and birds, collaborating with different national institutes and conservation organizations. His experience encompasses designing and conducting field trials for wildlife population assessments and related surveys. he is also skilled in performing micro-histological studies of plant and animal specimens, as well as using satellite tagging to monitor the movement and behavior of birds and mammals. Additionally, he excels in scientific literature reviews and the preparation of technical reports. His strengths lie in his excellent analytical and communication skills, along with his dedicated approach to working in highly controlled environments.