About Us
Anahat For Change Foundation is a women-led, non-profit organisation working at the intersections of gender, health, sustainability, and culture. We envision a gender-just society where women and adolescents live with dignity, equality, and choice. Partnering with vulnerable communities across India, we co-create solutions that challenge harmful norms and tackle the systemic roots of gender-based violence. Our peer-driven model builds leadership from within, enabling communities to continue driving change long after our projects conclude. From creating financial independence through women-led sustainable initiatives, to keeping girls in school through sports based life-skills education, to strengthening awareness on menstrual, sexual and reproductive health, we transform knowledge into agency. At Anahat, we believe transformation begins when every voice is heard and every person can shape their own future.
Meet The Team
Meet our small team of superhumans who are at the forefront of social activism!
Co-founders & Managing Directors
Purvi recognizes herself as a people’s person. An avid reader and a cynophilist, Purvi found her passion in building capabilities and promoting equality in the grassroots of India. She ditched her 9 to 5 corporate job in Bangalore to find her passion amidst her roots. But her tryst with data has not ended, she believes in the power of data driven decisions and has designed and implemented pan-India impact evaluation projects. She has been a part of several global fellowship programs. Purvi is an alumni of Swedish Institute and holds a dual diploma in gender & advocacy. She has also been awarded as a Young Social Entrepreneur by The Singapore International Foundation in 2022.
Namrata is a mom turned entrepreneur who wanted to create a sustainable world for her kids. Being a mom, she understood the importance of a sustainable environment and hence when she started Anahat, her vision was clear about the goal of the organization. She has 14 yrs of experience in social development sector and is currently involved
full time in turning her passion into reality through Anahat. Besides, she is also a bookworm and is sometimes seen sketching in her sketchbook when she gets time.
full time in turning her passion into reality through Anahat. Besides, she is also a bookworm and is sometimes seen sketching in her sketchbook when she gets time.
Advisors
Pauline comes from Paris and has lived in Kolkata for the past 4 years. She holds a Master’s degree in Sustainability and Social Innovation from HEC Paris, has developed expertise in strategy consulting, social entrepreneurship, impact assessment and community building over the years. Pauline is associated with the Techno India Group as Sustainability Director, and also co-founded Eastern India focused, SDG-focused, network-based venture Y-East just after she moved to India. Overall, she has developed a passion for building communities of organizations towards sustainability, through her work at Y-East, Youth for Sustainability India Alliance and the LearningPlanet Alliance.
Dr. Kailash Brijwasi has over 35 years of grassroots experience in Education, Life Skills, and Gender and holds a Doctorate in Sociology and degrees in Social Work, Sociology, and Law. He has worked with Seva Mandir, Vidya Bhawan Education Center, and the Lok Jumbish Project, and served as Associate Professor at the Centre for Women’s Studies, Janardan Rai Nagar Rajasthan Vidyapeeth University, Udaipur. His interests span women’s health, reproductive rights, and positive masculinity.
A National-level Trainer on Gender, Life Skills, and Community Participation, Dr. Brijwasi has worked with organizations like Futures Group International, Agha Khan Foundation, Rajasthan's Education and Women & Child Development Departments, Aajeevika Bureau, and Seva Mandir. He has also authored several training modules on these subjects.
Believing deeply in youth empowerment, he founded Jatan Sansthan in 2001. Under his leadership, Jatan has grown across 6000 villages in Rajasthan, working with rural communities on education, life skills, reproductive health, and gender equity. Jatan’s work with UNFPA, UNICEF, USAID, and others has received national and international recognition.
Dr. Arundati Muralidharan is a public health professional with two decades of experience in public health programs, research and policy advocacy. She is a passionate advocate of menstrual and women's health, and works globally and in India to build and strengthen the menstrual health eco-system through knowledge sharing, evidence generation, policy advocacy, financing, innovations, and collaborative action. Arundati is the Founder of Menstrual Health Action (MHAi), an ecosystem enabler for menstrual health in India. She has previously worked with WaterAid, the Public Health Foundation of India, and Population Services International.
Arundati has a Doctorate in Public Health from Boston University, and a Masters in Social Work from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences.
Core Team members
Soumit Das is working as a Social Media Executive for Anahat to highlight trending social changes through virtual platforms. Besides managing the social media platforms, he also creates engaging creative content.
Rupam is responsible for handling the accounts and back office activities for Anahat. With over eight years of experience in the paints industry, he is an expert in the field. He maintains tally data and is our point of contact for any account-related queries. Engaging in sports is one of his favorite ways to relax when he isn't working.
A social development professional with over 8 years of experience working in the Health Sector. A versatile social activist having a MSW degree from Visva-Bharati University, Deblina had previously worked for CINI & Jabala Action Research Organisation. Currently she is designated as a Training Co-ordinator at Anahat For Change Foundation. With a vivid experience in organising sessions and providing knowledgeable training in the field of Menstruation, Reproductive Health, Sex & Gender and Child Sexual Abuse. Using her communicative and interactive skills, Deblina dreams to follow her passion to be a change maker in the society.
Patit, aka, Patit Da handles accounts, financial reporting and financial information for Anahat. He has over 13 years of experience in the NGO sector and a degree in B.Com with specialization in accounting. He maintains tally data and is our one point “go to person” for any account related queries.
Bishal is in charge of Anahat's accounting, financial reporting, and financial information. His experience in the NGO sector spans over four years, and he holds a degree in B.Com with specialization in accounting. Tally data is maintained by him. Bishal loves to play and watch movies when he is not working.
An optimist, dedicated, and open-minded professional Social Worker, having 2.5 years of experience in the social sector. She completed her master's in Rural Studies from Visva-Bharati University. Previously she worked in Bihar & Jharkhand with adolescent girls in life-skill projects. Currently, she is working as an associate trainer at Anahat for Change Foundation, responsible for delivering training on life skills, child safety, and Menstruation Health & hygiene.
Dipika is a vital member of our accounts team, excelling in maintaining Tally data and managing the books of accounts with precision. She also prepares board minutes meticulously, ensuring organizational transparency and compliance. Dipika's collaborative spirit and dedication make her a valuable asset to our team, driving our financial success with her attention to detail and professionalism.
Nilam Kujur is the President of Lankapara Women Cooperative and is currently working with Anahat as a Project Coordinator in Alipurduar district of West Bengal. She proudly belongs to the tribal community of tea pluckers from Lankapara Tea Garden in Alipurduar. She has a rich background in child protection and rights realization in her area and has previously worked with ActionAid. Currently she is coordinating Project Udaan for Anahat in Alipurduar which empowers women with sustainable livelihood options through goat rearing & breeding along with social and behavioral change around sexual reproductive health rights of men and women of the tea garden.
Sujit Oraon is a young dynamic professional from Dalmore tea garden of Alipurduar. After graduation, he is pursuing Masters in social work. In February2024 he has started working with Anahat for Change foundation as a Community Mobilizer. Being young, he is very well connected with the young adolescent group of the garden and everybody refers to him as “Sujit Dada”. The adolescents enjoy sessions with him and within a few months he has become quite popular among the community . In future he wants to work more for his tribal community and want to address all the problems of the tea garden. When he is not working, he is found exploring new areas which is his another field of interest.
Anil Bomjan is working as the ‘Community Facilitator’ for Anahat in the Alipurduar district of West Bengal. He conducts session on gender and sexuality with adolescent boys of the tea gardens. Being a senior person, he has also been able to popularize the program among the parents of the adolescents. He is also involved in several rescue operations related to unsafe migration of children. He believes he is very skilled ta communication and hence the participants enjoy his sessions. He spends his spare time by watching south Indian movies.
Prabhakar Kumar Das has over seven years of experience in the social sector, working with various organizations across Jharkhand. Since July 24, he has been associated with Anahat as a Project Facilitator, focusing on empowering adolescent girls and women in mica mining areas. Passionate about learning, Prabhakar enjoys reading and takes a deep interest in exploring diverse cultures, understanding community traditions, and analyzing social structures.
K. Rolaksi holds an M.A. in Sociology and hails from Malkangiri district, Odisha. She is currently working as a Female Health Trainer in Lanjigarh, Kalahandi district, where she conducts sessions on adolescent reproductive and sexual health in schools and communities.
Rolaksi is known for her ability to connect easily with people and for being a quick learner. While she faces challenges such as low community participation and the stigma around sensitive health topics, she remains deeply committed to creating safe spaces and breaking taboos. She believes that real change starts at the grassroots and is dedicated to empowering and educating the community.
Anchal Baraik is a passionate social worker with over two years of experience in the development sector. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Social Work from Mangalore University and a Master's degree from Visva-Bharati University. Her professional journey includes diverse internships in livelihood initiatives and community development programs.
Currently, Anchal serves as an Assistant Project Coordinator at Anahat, where she conducts impactful training sessions on youth development, menstrual health, and hygiene. She is committed to creating positive change through community engagement and empowerment.
Akshaya Chavhan has completed her 12th grade education and has three years of experience with the organization Uninhibited, where she worked on menstrual health, hygiene, superstitions, and discrimination. She conducted sessions with adolescent girls and peer mentors in Ashram schools, and also engaged with village women, Anganwadi workers, ASHA workers, and health centers.
Akshaya takes pride in this work, which has not only helped her grow but also allowed her to connect with many new people. She strongly believes that spreading awareness about menstrual health among girls and boys can lead to meaningful, positive change in society.
Jayashree Wargade holds a B.A. degree and has three years of experience working with adolescent girls, peer mentors, and community health workers through her time at Uninhibited. She is passionate about menstrual health and believes open conversations can lead to personal and societal change. Jayashree takes pride in this work and is committed to ensuring that every girl, boy, and woman has access to the right information to lead healthier lives.
Vocational Training Members & Community Mobilizers
