An Alum of St. Stephen’s College and Ashoka University (Young India Fellowship), Ananya studied Chemistry, Neuroscience and Liberal Arts before switching to Education. She was a teacher in a rural school, opened a school in a village, and designed, implemented and evaluated at-scale interventions. She is driven by interdisciplinary educational approaches aimed to reduce social inequalities. A recipient of the coveted Illinois Innovation Prize, the Illinois International Achievement Award, Due and Ferber Research Award and the Bailey-YMCA Fellow, Ananya is a regular swimmer and an occasional runner.

Anju Rani hails from Hisar district in Haryana. She graduated with first-division honors from K.U.K. University in Kurukshetra. She then pursued a postgraduate degree in yoga from Uttarakhand Sanskrit University. She also has six months of experience as a yoga teacher. She aspires to build a promising career in teaching.

Aradhana Saikia is from Guwahati, Assam. She has a masters degree in Labour Studies and Social Protection from Tata Institute of Social Sciences. She worked as a teacher for almost a year. Her experience in teaching enhanced her confidence level in teaching and gave her a better understanding of the students’ needs. She has also worked as a Gandhi fellow under Piramal Foundation where she got the opportunity to work with government at the district level, work with government schools on various projects etc. The two years of fellowship improved her skills and created her interest in working towards development of underrepresented communities. She is a motivated and positive person who hopes for a better future.

Asha, a graduate in Management Studies from Mumbai University, embarked on her journey in the challenging times of the pandemic by dedicating six months to child education. She further enriched her experience with a two-year Gandhi Fellowship at the Piramal Foundation, focusing on uplifting women and child health and education in aspirational districts. Currently, Asha is making a difference as part of the SwaTaleem team at KGBV School, championing girls’ education. Outside of her professional endeavors, she’s a passionate traveler who revels in exploring diverse cultures and places.

Dev Rani is from Kondal in Haryana. She has done Master’s in Hindi from Goswami Ganeshdutt Sanatan Dharam college palwal. She has done computer course and Yoga course from Kota University in Rajsthan as well as taught Hindi subject in Government girls school in Hathin for students in class 6th to 9th for six months. She likes to do activities with children. She wants to improve Education among children.

Hadisha Tyagi is from Panipat, Haryana. She has done her Bachelor’s in Education from Chaudhary Charan Singh University. She also has a one-year Office Automation & Publishing (DOAP) diploma from Rajiv Gandhi Computer Saksharta Mission. From Azim Premji University, she also completed her master’s in Education. She believes in learning through life experiences and creating an identity through her work. She imagines a healthy society through Education. She loves gardening, dancing, listening to music, and exploring new things.

Huda is a dedicated changemaker who strongly believes in community-led solutions to drive positive transformation. She holds a gold medal in Social Work from the University of Delhi and has further pursued dual master’s degrees in Conflict Analysis and Peacebuilding and Social Work from Jamia Millia Islamia. Over the years, Huda has contributed to numerous projects and initiatives focused on community empowerment. Her practical experience includes working in some of the remotest areas of India, particularly with marginalized communities and women collectives. At SwaTaleem, Huda and her team work to foster a culture of inclusivity, empathy, and operational excellence, striving to make a meaningful impact.

Jumman is from Buddha Khera Uklana Mandi (Hisar). Jumman is a graduate from IGNOU. Teaching is her passion and by joining this organization her teaching dream came true.Before joining this organisation she had teaching experience in a private school but that was not satisfactory. Now she learned what is the real truth of life and how satisfying it is to educate someone. Her hobbies are Traveling, spending time with children and dancing.

Khalida Akram is from the village of Nuh (Mewat), she has distinguished herself through remarkable academic and professional achievements. She graduated from Aligarh Muslim University and earned her B.Ed. from MDU Rohtak. With two years of teaching experience, Khalida further enriched her professional journey by completing the Kruna Fellowship with the Piramal Foundation. During this fellowship, she collaborated with district-level government bodies, contributing to initiatives in government schools, hospitals, and gram panchayats on a range of projects. She is a passionate sportsperson and scout guide, Khalida is unwavering in her commitment to community service and social work. Her self-motivation and drive fuel her dedication to uplifting her community and making a positive impact through her efforts.

Komal Kumari is from Sitamarhi district of Bihar. She has a Master’s in Rural Development from Ranchi University, which has equipped her with the skills to impact the community positively. She was also a Gandhi Fellow (Batch -14) with the esteemed Piramal Foundation. Her deep commitment to creating social change inspired her to participate in a two-year Gandhi Fellowship. She is a motivated individual who has a strong drive for rural development. She loves to bring sustainable changes to society.

Manisha devi is from Jind,Haryana. She has done her bachelor’s of education Saraswati college of education Gangoli ,Jind.She also has a one year diploma in yoga & Naturopathy. Haldwani,Nainital uttarakhand. After completing her education.She joined the chetna senior secondary school. 3 year experience as Primary teacher. She believes in learning through life experience and creating an identity through her work.She loves listening to music, sports and exploring new things

Manisha is from a small village Karnal in Haryana. She has done her Master’s in Commerce from Karnal district of Haryana. She is an alumnus of the Medha Foundation. After completing her education, she joined the NGO Varitra Foundation and started her career in the development sector. For the past five years, she has been engaged with Varitra Foundation, where she explored content designing, staff training and development, and ground realities in educational institutions. She was directly connected with students, teachers, parents, village communities, and the local government of Karnal district. She loves to make educational videos of children and paintings.

Mathu, with her roots sprouting from Tamilnadu, has grown through various geographies, which has become a home through her educational and professional endeavors. Her Master’s in Education ignited her passion for working with educational systems as a foundation for creating holistic and sustainable change. This drive has led her to explore various perspectives and contexts, including rural, tribal, and migration settlements. She is passionate about working with children, and learning from and alongside them. As an applied arts and theatre-based practitioner, Mathu loves designing and facilitating spaces of safe dialogue, reflection, and learning for people of diverse backgrounds and varied age groups. Her passion for the ever-dynamic education sector keeps her curious, always looking out for new things to learn and try, this characteristic aspect drives her personal life too; but she finds her rest, and recharge outlet through traveling, adventure activities, listening to multilingual music, dancing, writing, journaling, going to concerts, binge reading books, playing with children, meeting new people & friends.

Nirmal, a resident of Palwal district in Haryana, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Arts from Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU). With experience teaching children as young as one year old, she has cultivated a deep passion for education. She takes joy in reading to children, supporting their development, and ensuring they receive a quality education. Additionally, Nirmal has one year of experience in data entry work in Gurgaon, which has enhanced her organizational and technical abilities. She enjoys painting on clay pots, a creative activity that allows her to express her artistic talent.

Nisha is from a small village Kanwi in Mahendragarh district of Haryana. She has done her B.sc. degree in Life Science from Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra, and a master’s degree in Botany from University of Rajasthan, Jaipur. She has various diplomas and certificates on computer, English speaking, and B.ed courses. She has worked as a volunteer in NSS programs and Red Cross club programs. She teaches students tuition classes from 6th to 12th class.

Pallav holds a postgraduate degree in Public Policy and Governance from Azim Premji University, Bangalore. Passionate about rights-based research, they have gained valuable experience through engagements with leading Indian think tanks such as the Centre for Civil Society and the Centre for Equity Studies, as well as various independent research projects. Their work is grounded in Indian constitutional values and the capabilities approach, informed by an intersectional feminist and pluralistic perspective. Pallav’s research interests span legal, policy, and social dimensions, with a focus on areas including land rights, SOGIESC rights, gender, and education. They were awarded the Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness Fellowship in 2024, as part of which they led the MEL efforts at Seeds of Peace India. When not working, they love to read, cook, and spend time with all the animals they come across.

Parmjeet is a graduate in Arts from Chaudhari Devi Lal University, Sirsa. She is currently dedicated to making a positive impact as part of the SwaTaleem Foundation, focusing on girls’ social-emotional learning and English improvement. Apart from her professional pursuits, Pramjeet finds joy in sports activities and cherishes the time spent with children.

Pooja Didharia belongs to Fatehpuria in Sirsa. She completed her degree from IGNOU. She always wanted to work in the social sector. Now she is satisfied working for Girl’s education.

Preeti, an inspiring educator from Haryana, combines her science background with a passion for alternative education. She holds a Master’s degree from Azim Premji University and currently serves as an SEL Fellow, focusing on creating supportive and inclusive learning environments that nurture emotional resilience, empathy, and strong interpersonal skills in students. With over five years of experience as a science educator, Preeti also brings expertise in social-emotional learning (SEL) and is certified in comprehensive sexuality education. She is committed to advancing the safety and well-being of both students and adults. In her free time, Preeti enjoys reading, writing Hindi poetry, creating mandala art, and experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen. Guided by her belief that true education is demonstrated through action, she is dedicated to making a meaningful impact through her professional endeavors and personal passions.

Priyanka completed B.ed from Choudary Ranveer Singh University, Jind. She taught social-emotional learning and English improvement. Apart from her professional pursuits, joy in sports activities and cherishes the time spent with children. She is a motivated and positive person who hopes for a better future.

Rachna, a resident of Gharaunda in Karnal district, Haryana, holds a postgraduate degree in Commerce from Kurukshetra University. Writing and reading are her true passions, as words serve as the wings of her thoughts, enabling her to express ideas and connect with others. She has also completed a Yoga Teacher Training Certification (YTTC) course from Rishikesh. With three years of experience in the development sector and a six-month internship for practical exposure, Rachna began her career at the Varitra Foundation. Since then, she has contributed to organizations such as e-Arth Samvarta Foundation, Women Empowerment, Medha Foundation, Piramal Foundation, and iDreamCareer. Her heart has always been drawn to the social sector. She is an avid traveler with a special fondness for solo trips, which allow her to explore new places and deepen her connection with herself. Additionally, she enjoys experimenting in the kitchen, trying out new recipes that ignite her creativity. Though often perceived as quiet and reserved, Rachna’s inner drive pushes her to continuously learn, grow, and uncover new opportunities. Her journey reflects a blend of professional dedication, personal exploration, and a strong passion for creating a meaningful impact in society.

Raghu Ramanujam, based in Bangalore, holds an MA in Education from Azim Premji University. With over 14 years of diverse experience in corporate and development sectors, Raghu has dedicated his career to collaborating with the Departments of Education in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. He is passionate about working with teachers and children, aiming to foster supportive and inclusive educational environments, particularly in marginalized communities. Raghu is committed to effecting positive societal change through education. Beyond his professional endeavors, he enjoys public speaking, freelance writing, playing cricket, gardening, natural farming, cooking, traveling, and appreciating music

Ragni has over six years of experience in the development sector across domain-agnostic profiles focused on research and impact evaluation. A graduate of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences Mumbai, she has worked with pioneering institutions, including the World Bank, J-PAL, and IIT Kanpur across interdisciplinary development initiatives. Her passion lies in driving tech-led innovation and empowering community-led practitioners to shape impactful interventions. Previously, she has spearheaded projects on promoting women entrepreneurs in the informal labor economy, empowering long-absentee students to resume education, and pioneering tech-driven child rights advocacy and education initiatives.

Raman devi is from Bhiwani(Haryana). Raman is a graduate in Arts from Maharshi Dayanand University Rohtak and post graduate in Social Work from Chaudhary Bansi Lal University Bhiwani.During the post graduation, she had assigned field works .During field work, she got the opportunity to know the society closely. She got to know the real condition of poor and helpless people of the society.From that very day Raman was determined to do something for them and today through her work she is putting her efforts for them. Her hobbies are dancing, traveling and listening to Haryanvi songs

Reema from Keharwala, Sirsa, Haryana. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Art from C.D.L. University Sirsa and one year Diploma (NTT). She wants to teach children and give them a better future through Swataleem foundation.

Born and brought up in a small town in Uttar Pradesh, Rubeen did her bachelor’s and B.Ed. in fine arts. After her graduation, she joins a 2 years residential fellowship as Gandhifellow and worked for children dwelling in the urban slum of Surat. The inception of the ambitious Aspiration District Transformation Program brought a new dimension to her. She joined the program and supported the district administration of Bahraich in improving educational indicators. Later, she brought her experience to Room to Read India trust for improving the learning outcome at scale. She facilitated educational functionaries on children’s literature and foundational literacy as a stride of the new education policy in 2020. She is an avid traveler and like exploring new geography and culture.

Sakshi is from Fatehabad, Haryana. She holds an ITI Diploma in Stenography and a Bachelor’s degree from IGNOU. She loves dancing and has a passion for working with girls, which started when she joined SwaTaleem. Sakshi enjoys spending her time with the girls and is dedicated to their development and empowerment.

Santosh is from Sirsa, Haryana. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Art from Kurukshetra University in 2020. After that she completed DECE diploma from IGNOU University. She always had a passion for working for children. She finds it incredibly rewarding to be a positive influence in their lives and help them learn and grow. She is very excited about the opportunity in SwaTaleem to contribute to the well-being and development of the children

Saraswati, hailing from the scenic coastal belt of Karnataka, holds a postgraduate degree in Education from Azim Premji University, having transitioned from a background in commerce. With over five years of experience, she has contributed to various projects focused on empowering primary and high school teachers and students, fostering a strong and enduring bond with learners, and supporting their holistic development. Currently, Saraswati is expanding her expertise in early childhood education, driven by her passion for continuous learning and embracing new opportunities. In her personal life, cooking is her favorite way to unwind. She also enjoys traveling and reading, particularly with a like-minded companion. Most of all, she cherishes spending quality time with her beloved toddler.

Shehnaz Khan, hailing from Mewat in Haryana, has completed her D.Ed from Al-Falah University, Faridabad, and her Master’s degree from Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi. She has one year of teaching experience and is known for being hardworking and goal-oriented. In her free time, Shehnaz enjoys writing poetry and cooking.

Shruti Soudi, a native of Vijayapura, Karnataka, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from SDMCET Dharwad. With five years of experience in the education sector, she is deeply passionate about working with teachers and students. Shruti has worked extensively with students in grades 6 to 10, introducing them to coding concepts and life skills while also facilitating teacher training sessions on integrating technology into teaching practices. She joined the SwaTaleem Foundation to contribute to KGBV schools across Karnataka, focusing on enhancing language skills and making a meaningful impact. In her leisure time, Shruti enjoys reading books, writing poetry, creating paper crafts, listening to music, and traveling.

Shwetha, hailing from Udupi, Karnataka, completed her bachelor’s degree in Allied Health Sciences in 2018, followed by a Master’s in Public Health in 2024 from the Manipal Academy of Higher Education (Deemed to be University), Manipal. With four years of experience in clinical settings and academia, where she worked as an Assistant Lecturer, she joined the SwaTaleem Foundation driven by her passion for creating meaningful change in the education sector. Her experience in both clinical and academic roles highlighted the transformative power of education, especially for underprivileged communities. The chance to work on innovative initiatives, such as enhancing socio-emotional learning and language skills for KGBV girls, enables her to make a tangible impact on the lives of young learners. In her leisure time, Shwetha enjoys cooking, dancing, and playing.

Born in Rathiwas village of Gurugram district of Haryana state, Sushila has done B.A from Government college Sidhrawali. In B.A her subjects were geography and political science. She likes to study and explore political science more, she taught in a private school and run her own play school. She liked to work for marginalized girls in her village itself so that she can bring a huge change by being a role model to them.

Tamanna hails from Haryana and earned a B.Tech degree from NIT Kurukshetra in 2015. Her quest for purpose led Tamanna to pursue the social sector. She enjoys being with children and women and strives to create empathetically supportive and inclusive environments alongside them, especially in marginalized communities. She also loves evolving with arts and crafts, reading books, going for long walks, and having reflective talks.”

Vaibhav, driven by the commitment to equity, has been working at the intersection of development and education since 2013. Having a background in Mechanical engineering (NIT Bhopal & IIT Kanpur) and liberal arts (Young India Fellowship at Ashoka University), he has served as a teacher in a rural school, opened a school in a village, and designed and facilitated at-scale interventions in partnership with state government. He also practices distance running in his free time.