OUR STORY
The word ‘Avaazein’ resonates with us because we support groups, organisations, and individuals working at the grassroots to amplify the voices of people marginalised by society. It started as an idea by two individuals who believe in an equitable society where everyone can live a life of dignity. The idea grew firmer each day, and passed through many important ears, picking suggestions from friends, family, co-travellers till it got registered as Avaazein Foundation in 2021.
We believe that communities have always stood up and supported each other, in times of adversity. It was also evident during the COVID pandemic and the nationwide lockdown in 2020, when the divisions based on class, caste, religion, gender, disability, and region, deepened. It affected those people and communities the most, who are at the intersection of two or more oppressed identities. Individuals and groups, came together to contribute in all possible ways.
We see Avaazein Foundation as a part of this community of support, contributing resources to communities living in difficult and inaccessible places and working on challenging issues.
Music is part of the DNA of different social movements. For us at Avaazein, it is one of the many art forms that expresses voices. It blends the uniqueness of each context, the commonality of struggles, the diversity of issues, and the melodies of pain, anger, joy, and solidarity. 'Music of the day' on our website captures sounds ranging from the music that heals to the music that leads.
OUR TEAM
MRIDU KAMAL
Executive Director
MRIDU KAMAL
Executive Director
Feminist, Loves to explore synergies between music and her work
Believes that voices from the community should reach the policymakers and other relevant stakeholders to bring change, that can ensure human rights and dignity for all. She enjoys being part of processes involving critical thinking, participatory learning, shared leadership values, and the use of intersectional lens to understand the lived realities of individuals and communities. Mridu believes that movement building, networking and partnerships are very strong and sustainable strategies to reclaim as well as increase access to basic human rights.
NISHA SINGH
Programme Director, Grants and Resources
NISHA SINGH
Programme Director, Grant and Resources
A Dalit feminist activist, researcher, and writer from rural Haryana. Nisha loves traveling, exploring new places, learning about different cultures, listening to music, and watching movies. Food is always welcome, but cooking is not her cup of tea!
She has had opportunities to travel to different parts of rural and urban India and learn about the diversity of cultures. Her interest lies in working on women’s leadership and empowerment. She has engaged and learned from various movements, including Dalit & Bahujan Dignity and Social Justice, Feminist, Queer Rights, and Disabled People’s Dignity and Inclusion.
ASHMA IZZAT
Programme Manager, Fellowship
ASHMA IZZAT
Programme Manager, Fellowship
Ashma proudly identifies as a feminist woman who wears multiple hats - a lawyer, a story writer, an avid reader, a painter, and a passionate cook. She loves to explore new places. She believes in gender equality. Having grown up in a village in North India, and transitioning to a city life for her education, was transformative for her. This was when she found her voice and began advocating for historically marginalised people and communities.
As a lawyer, Ashma fought for justice within the legal system and is deeply committed to standing up for justice and equality.
BINDU BHATIA
Programme Coordinator, Human Resource and Admin
BINDU BHATIA
Programme Coordinator, Human Resource and Admin
Bindu, a first-generation learner in her family. She believes that her Dalit feminist identity has been shaped by her rural upbringing. Education has played a big role in her life, empowering her to fight unjust social structures. In her free time, she can often be found sitting and listening to the sounds of water, birds, and the forest. Sometimes, she thinks that if she had wings, she would have her own house everywhere, and would not be afraid to walk alone to her favourite place at midnight.
She is also a member of a young women's collective in her district, called ‘Dhaarchidi’. Her interest areas include gender rights and transitions in agriculture practices, and exploring the history and oral transitions in the traditions of her native region.
SANDEEP KUMAR
Finance Consultant, Accounts
SANDEEP KUMAR
Finance Consultant, Accounts
Sandeep is a seasoned Chartered Accountant and Company Secretary. Sandeep has a passion for simplifying complex financial topics, and processes and creating a meaningful impact. He strongly believes in diversity, inclusion, and constitutional values. From serving in the National Service Scheme to recording audio books for differently abled children, Sandeep tries and find ways to serve society.
He brings over 15 years of diverse experience in Audit, Accounting, Statutory compliances, and Financial Management. Throughout his career, he has been dedicated to achieving financial excellence and supporting organisations in their growth journey.
MAYURI
Programme Director, Fellowship
MAYURI
Programme Director, Fellowship
Mayuri is a feminist, activist, writer/poet and a development professional. She has a deep understanding of resource justice, equity, diversity and inclusion, gender equality, sexuality, disability, movement and network building, and strengthening the leadership of structurally excluded groups. Her expertise includes training, grant-making, fellowship management, programme implementation, and relationship-building.
She enjoys swimming, dancing, and travelling.
ABHILASH DURUGKAR
Programme Manager, Grants
ABHILASH DURUGKAR
Programme Manager, Grants
Abhilash is an Ambedkarite social worker whose interest in mental health is grounded in psychosocial and social justice perspectives. He has worked on mental health rights advocacy, the rehabilitation of homeless persons living with mental illness, and grant-making initiatives. Outside of work, he enjoys cooking, writing, and reflecting on the ordinary moments of everyday life. A mood-driven reader, he also likes documenting his observations of the world around him.
GAUTAM RAMCHANDRA
Programme Manager, Fellowship
GAUTAM RAMCHANDRA
Programme Manager, Fellowship
“Rebellions are built on hope.” – Jyn Erso
As a Dalit, neurodivergent, transmasculine person, Gautam has learnt that hope is built through collective care, resistance, difficult conversations, and the courage to imagine a world beyond the one he inherited. Rooted in Ambedkarite and queer feminist thought, his work lies at the intersections of caste, gender, sexuality, disability, and social justice. His work centres lived experience as knowledge and covers several strands including sexual and reproductive health, rights and justice (SRHRJ), LGBTQIA+ rights, community engagement, and trans-affirming healthcare.
Gautam believes that meaningful change begins with listening, asking uncomfortable questions, and redistributing power. For him, revolutions require imagination, solidarity ... and the occasional follow-up email. He carries the conviction that accessibility and care are not acts of kindness, but are matters of justice.
He spends his free time collecting stories from online platforms.
OUR BOARD
NANDINI RAO
Founding Director and Board Member
NANDINI RAO
Founding Director and Board Member
Nandini is a feminist trainer, writer, counsellor, and activist. She loves reading, singing, trekking, birding and running. She dreams of a world suffused with anekta (diversity), peace, colours, laughter, mountains, animals, and always, music.
She is part of many vibrant movements across the country – feminist, disability rights, queer rights - spaces where she continues to learn about power and privilege, and about humility. She works with people of rainbow genders belonging to villages, bastis, collectives, sangathans, NGOs and women’s groups, to Big Corporate. Her favourite place to be is at women’s meetings, that may start with discussions about discrimination and violence, but often end with singing and dancing (and sharing of food!).
SRIDHAR VENKITESWARAN
Founding Director and Board Member
SRIDHAR
VENKITESWARAN
Founding Director and Board Member
Sridhar is an entrepreneur and a key founding member and Director of the India-based Avalon Group. In his other life, Sridhar loves to cook and feed people. One of the things he enjoys the most is being outdoors with his dogs. He is also an avid nature photographer.
He is currently the CEO of Avalon Consulting, the only Indian-owned consulting firm ranked in the top 10 Strategy Consulting firms in Asia and one of the largest locally-owned consulting firms. He has extensive experience interacting with Boards of listed and privately held companies. He is also an active direct investor in growth-stage start-ups.
VIHAAN VEE
Board Member
VIHAAN VEE
Board Member
Vihaan is an Ambedkarite Queer Feminist trans man. He loves meeting new people, listening to their stories and learning from them. In his free time, he loves cooking and feeding people.
He has been a part of anti-caste, feminist, queer and trans* movements spaces. Vihaan works in the field of gender, sexuality and climate change through an intersectional lens.
KULSUM RASHID
Board Member
KULSUM RASHID
Board Member
Kulsum’s heart remains connected to the forests of Satpura in Madhya Pradesh, where she, one day, aspires to return. Her dedication to social work and her extensive experience with various Indian charities demonstrate her commitment to making a positive impact.
Her diverse experience of collaborating with several Indian charities has likely broadened her perspective and allowed her to address various social issues. Her discovery of fundraising during one of her partnership management roles, showcases her adaptability and willingness to take on new challenges. Kulsum’s expertise in monitoring, evaluation, and learning, along with her strategic partnership management skills, positions her well to drive positive outcomes.
MERRY BARUA
Board Member
MERRY BARUA
Board Member
Merry is an activist, educator, trainer, and writer who pioneered the autism movement in India. She is an Ashoka Fellow, an INSAR awardee, and parent to Neeraj, an adult living with autism. She loves to run, but has been warned against it. So, she walks. She enjoys trekking and pottering around with plants. In her interesting life, she also once worked as a detective!
She started the first autism specialist school, Action for Autism, and initiated the first teacher training course, started the journal Autism Network, and facilitated the start of services across South Asia. Her focus is on creating enabling environments for autistic individuals as she advocates for their rights as equal citizens of the country.
OUR COMPLIANCE & POLICIES
We are also committed to creating a safe workplace for our employees and safe environments for the individuals and the communities we work with.
