Our Champions
28 NYCC Fellows (2024-25) from 26 States and Union Territories of India. We are proud to have concluded our first Cohort's fellowship with monumental success. With grants of over 18.2 Lakhs and more than 245 nationwide climate actions, our Champions have mobilized more than 62,500 individuals across the country.
From managing 3500 kgs of dry and wet waste during the festivities of Ahmedabad, Gujarat to creating climate change awareness with sustainable methods in relief camps at Churachandpur, Manipur, our champions have left no stone unturned in making climate action and advocacy a priority. Keeping youth-government partnerships at the center of our approach, we created a strong momentum of building effective leadership with a strong 22-member Technical Resource Group and over 370+ localized partnerships.
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.
Agnesia Dung Dung, hails from Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Recently completing her B.Sc and M.Sc in Botany, she has actively contributed to environmental research and education. Agnesia has worked as a Field Assistant on two research projects, studying spiders as Agrobionts and Ant-mimicking spiders, gaining hands-on experience in biodiversity conservation.
She later became a Teaching Assistant in the "Local Voices in Conservation" program, which introduces island youth to conservation practices through classroom sessions, field trips, and hands-on activities. This role allowed her to share her passion for the island's natural beauty and conservation efforts.
Agnesia has also organized various programs in local panchayats, engaging youth and students on occasions such as Environment Day and Earth Day, fostering environmental awareness and stewardship. Dedicated to the welfare of her community and island, she envisions a sustainable future for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands through education and grassroots mobilization.
Far far away, behind the word mountains, far from the countries Vokalia and Consonantia, there live the blind texts. Separated they live in Bookmarksgrove right at the coast of the Semantics, a large language ocean. A small river named Duden flows by their place and supplies it with the necessary regelialia. It is a paradisematic country, in which roasted parts of sentences fly into your mouth.
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.
Prashanth Eerekar is an eco-innovator from Hyderabad, dedicated to empowering youth and driving climate action. He has organized mock Conferences of Parties (COPs) in collaboration with government stakeholders to raise environmental awareness. As a leader in organizations like Youngistaan, Vandemataram Youth Front, and Akshayapatra, he has led youth-focused initiatives, campaigns, and workshops.
With CAP Foundation and Plan International, Prashanth conducted awareness programs and worked with Gram Sabhas to improve community resource management. His role in organizing COP events with the Council for Green Revolution further highlights his commitment to sustainable practices and collective climate action.
Prashanth’s leadership and dedication to community engagement position him as a key figure in driving youth-led climate initiatives.
Hailing from Barpathar, Golaghat in Assam, Lekhashri Bora is a passionate advocate for environmental sustainability and youth engagement in climate action. Her commitment to making the Earth greener and pollution-free drives her efforts to help the people of Assam address climate-related challenges.
Previously, Lekhashri served as a fellow in the Chief Minister’s Climate Resilient Village Fellowship in Assam. During her time in Nabill Village, Dhanshiri subdivision, she conducted a comprehensive study under the guidance of Dr. Himangshu Kaushik Bora, Principal Scientist at CSIR-NEIST. This involved organizing focus group discussions with community members, social workers, and village leaders to understand local climate issues. She also carried out a household survey among 80 families, identifying major concerns such as soil erosion and drought.
To tackle these challenges, Lekhashri facilitated awareness programs that connected villagers with irrigation policies and demonstrated how to prepare biofertilizers using local resources. Her initiatives culminated in a successful plantation drive, further promoting sustainable practices within the community.
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.
Tanuz is native to Assam and has spent his childhood in Guwahati before moving to Delhi to pursue higher education. He has completed his graduation from SGTB Khalsa College in Delhi University and opted for Masters in Political Science from Jawaharlal Nehru University. During his education, he would also participate in multiple volunteering opportunities in underprivileged areas of Madhya Pradesh and Bangladesh. After his education, he has fully committed to work for marginalised people. He has worked with refugees in harsh climatic conditions of the Thar Desert and implemented, supervised relief projects for disaster prone communities in Assam. After gaining modest knowledge about natural disasters, Tanuz is currently researching the role of indigenous knowledge in coexisting with natural disasters. He can speak Bahasa Indonesia, Assamese, Hindi, English and his core interests are travelling and research.
I am an energetic and passionate youth working with grassroots communities of women domestic workers, waste workers and construction workers. Besides, I am also pursuing post graduation through distance education. With over four years of experience, she has focused on empowering and mobilizing more than 5000 young migrant women by enhancing their skills, securing fair wages, and ensuring protection from violence. She has also invested herself in learning the skills of community organization, mobilization, and capacity building.
Her climate work centers around advocating for waste workers and domestic laborers to be recognized as contributors in climate action. Nidhi has mobilized more than 500 young people and engaged in policy discussions on heat action plans, demanding better working conditions such as water breaks and cooling shades, and pushing for a just transition for construction workers by training them in sustainable technologies like fly ash bricks and solar panel installation. She is committed to ensuring the participation of vulnerable communities in addressing the climate crisis.
I am Rakesh Chandra Saha, a dedicated biology enthusiast with a Master's degree in Zoology from Mizoram University. My passion lies in biodiversity and environmental protection, with hands-on experience in rescuing and protecting endangered species. I aspire to inspire and educate the youth of Meghalaya about the importance of conservation efforts. Committed to societal development, I aim to foster a culture of environmental stewardship in the community. My ultimate goal is to contribute significantly to the preservation of our planet's biodiversity and environment, empowering young minds to join these efforts and create a sustainable future for generations to come.
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.
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.
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.
Reeya is an unshakable optimist who believes in a bright future and our collective ability to build it together. Passionate learner, curious thinker, and purpose-driven performer, whose experience working with non-profit organization has deepened her understanding of complex social and environmental challenges. Her passion lies at the intersection of social entrepreneurship, climate action, advocacy, and gender equality, having a strong bent towards community empowerment. Empathy, empowerment, and collaboration are at the core of her advocacy and action. Aiming to work within systems and communities through a lens of social and environmental justice she intends to broaden her goals to include planning and advocating for social and environmental resilience through a policy lens.
Shibani Padhy is a dedicated climate leader and innovator from Berhampur, Odisha, with over four years of experience working to create lasting environmental and social change. Through her involvement with the Sattvic Soul Foundation while engaging with more than 10,000 young people since past 4 years, she has led grassroots efforts in mangrove restoration, child education, and improving menstrual health and hygiene for rural tribal girls. She has also focused on innovating devices and prototypes which have the potential of cleaning plastics in polluted water bodies. Her commitment to her community extends to organizing awareness campaigns and seminars on climate change in schools and colleges, inspiring young people to take action for a sustainable future.
Shibani also focuses on empowering rural tribal youth, particularly girls, to become leaders in their communities by promoting sustainable practices and environmental stewardship. In addition to her work in climate advocacy, she shares her passion for the arts by offering free dance lessons to underprivileged children, using creative expression as a way to uplift and inspire others. Shibani’s efforts continue to mobilize communities towards meaningful, climate-positive actions.
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.
Vaibhavi Vishwas Naik, an Assistant Professor with experience in teaching Zoology and Environmental Studies. She has worked on Jackals in Goa. She's actively involved in conservation efforts through organizations like Goa Bird Conservation Network (GBCN), Arannya Environment and Research Organization (AERO) and O.C.E.A.N community organization - conducting talks, workshops, biodiversity trails, public outreach, and participating in citizen science projects like the Goa Bird Atlas and the All-Goa Wetland Bird Count. She has contributed to documenting ecological knowledge as part of the People’s Biodiversity Register, volunteered for the All-India Tiger Estimation, and participated in making of wildlife documentaries and films for the Forest Department of Goa.
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.
