Anuradha joined in June 2022 as a Project Coordinator in the Sanvedana Fellowship, before that she was a Youth Fellow with PUKAR from 2019 to 2020, researching on the youth’s awareness about the constitution. She completed her masters in commerce, sociology, and social work as well as her L.L.B. Anuradha being an integral part of the team believes strongly in the values of equality, equity, and freedom. For the last four years, she has been promoting the values of the constitution in various districts of Maharashtra. For the last twelve years, she has been working on gender, equality, and women empowerment. She has been recognised as ‘Dhadpadnari Navi Mule’ by Rashtra Seva Dal.  In her spare time, her personal interests and hobbies comprise of writing articles, poems, and blogs.

A quiet, unassuming person who believes strongly in the values of equity, equality and social justice, Arvind joined PUKAR in 2016 as a facilitator for the flagship program of PUKAR, the Youth Fellowship. With bachelor’s in economics, masters in social work  under his belt and large field experience working with deeply marginalized sectors of various communities across state, Arvind has been able contribute richly to the project and has helped evolved it with his proclivity for innovations.  Recently Arvind was one of the 20 youth selected across Maharashtra, for Gender Equity Workshop project. His strong faith in secular Republic  India and his  deep intellectual curiosity makes Arvind a prolific reader and commentator and these qualities has propelled him to take up the responsibility of becoming the Associate Director of Youth Fellowship Program.

With a heart full of passion and a mind committed to bring change, Bali brings more than 15 years of ‘on ground experience’ in community building and ‘Community Based Participatory Action Research’. Having worked in PUKAR’s critical projects like ‘SWASTH’, ‘Mental Health’, ‘Breast Cancer’ and the ‘1000 Days Project’, Bali has expertise in Interviews, Surveys and adorns the mantel of community leader in Kaula Bandar and that of a Field Researcher/ Facilitator in Mandala. Having completed his Masters in Commerce and Accounting, Bali chose the path of working towards community empowerment over corporate success finding a sense of satisfaction in transforming lives through his work at PUKAR.

A kind natured person with a curious mind, Jatin Tike joined PUKAR as the Project Assistant in the Youth Fellowship Program. He completed his degree in Psychology and Philosophy and aims to pursue his career in the social sector. As a Research fellow in Youth Fellowship Program in 2021-22, Jatin along with his group conducted insightful Research on ‘menopause’ fulfilling his commitment to understanding and addressing a crucial health topic. Apart from academics, he is passionate about exploring technology and interacting with people from different walks of life. He aspires to take a challenging path in the social field, especially working with downtrodden communities in the education sector where he can make a tangible difference in communities and empower future generations.

While completing second year of law degree, and working on the Mythologies of Mumbai-PUKAR project simultaneously, Kiran found his calling and he became the self-taught expert of photography, web design and mapping technology. His media and technology skills led him to become the creator and webmaster of PUKAR as well as program coordinator for ‘Research on Internet Access” project in which he coordinated with IIT-Bombay. Since 2015 Kiran took over as program director for Urbanism, launching “Information for All- E-Governance for All” project in tribal district of Palghar covering 17 villages for Digital literacy. And delivering extra-ordinary results.

Mahesh has extensive prior experience in data management, working for the Lal Bahadur Shastri CAMSAR Merchant Navy Institute for the four years. In addition, he has also managed data at Marine Engineering and Research Institute for six years. He was a Barefoot Researcher through the Youth Fellowship program, where he researched the decision-making power of girls. He joined Healthy Cities, Wealthy Cities, PUKAR’s public health project, in May 2010. He has been very effective in managing and organizing the large volume of data produced by all projects in PUKAR. He also facilitates data collection in the field with the research coordinators when needed.

Nagma started her journey in PUKAR as a Youth Fellow in 2017. She later got the opportunity to be the Advance Youth Fellow in September 2021. She is now the part of Youth Fellowship Team as the Project Facilitator. The Youth Fellowship Program is PUKAR’s flagship program and it involves working with the youth, researching, and writing on various social issues. She has completed her masters in economics and is currently pursuing her masters in social work. Her values match the team as she believes in equality, equity, and social justice. In her spare time, she loves to write poems and articles.

Nilesh(he/she) joined PUKAR as a Youth Fellow working on a project related to tribals and nature in Nalasopara during 2012-13. Following his/her fellowship, he/she completed his/her Graduation in Zoology, Post Graduation in Oceanography and worked with Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute for three years. In 2016, he/she joined PUKAR’s ‘Healthy Cities Wealthy Cities’ Team as a ‘Project Coordinator’ where he/she worked on various health and urban related projects for three and half years. Nilesh continues his/her impactful work as a ‘Field Researcher/Facilitator’ in ‘Journey Towards Dignity’ project since 2023 by working with Adolescents on topics related to Gender, Health, Nutrition, etc. Nilesh is also keen on exploring new places, cuisines, bird watching and cooking. His/Her passion for Gender studies has led him/her to attend numerous fellowships and workshops related to Gender in which he/she aspires to build his/her career.

Nilesh’s rich blend of academic knowledge, professional experience and diverse interest makes him/her a valuable asset to our Team.

Nizam’s usually quiet and peaceful demeanor changes dramatically when facing the poor and marginalized; be it in his own Kaula Bandar (KB) slum or Surya Nagar slum in Vikroli. Being the first generational learners, he has experienced the difficulties of learning new skills. But experience of PUKAR’s Mental health, TB, Diarrhoea and Immunization projects has imparted not just research skills but critical skills in communications and community building in Nizam. Armed with those vital capabilities, Nizam becomes an embodiment of patience, compassion, tolerance, communicative assertion and positive energy once he is on the grounds where he is fully in charge of building the team of Barefoot Researchers. His Urdu mother tongue becomes an added asset. After completing 8th grade Nizam had to give up his aspirations of further education but since joining PUKAR he has worked hard to complete his Ty. BCom.