Of one’s own
free will

Vimlendu founded Swechha in 2000 and has turned it into one of India’s most influential organisations on youth matters. In 2004, India’s leading news magazines, India Today and Outlook, acknowledged Vimlendu as one of the top 25 youth leaders of India. In the same year, he was profiled as one of the top 25 youth leaders of the world by the International Youth Foundation through the international publication ‘Our Time is Now’. In 2007, Vimlendu was selected as one of 6 worldwide change makers by CNN International to be part of the Be the Change programme, which followed his work for over a year and was viewed by more than 100 million people worldwide. Vimlendu also anchored the International Year of Volunteers 2001 initiative in India through UNV, heading the Volunteer Promotion Unit in New Delhi. His ability to network with youth organisations across the country, as well as his keen understanding of the issues facing young people, makes him regularly sought after for advice and experience – his international experience spans over a decade and includes associations with Civicus World Assembly, The British Council, IVLP (State Department of the USA), UNV, UNDP, Inoue Public Relations Inc. (Tokyo), World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Japan Bank for International Cooperation, GIZ (Germany), Volunteer Service Overseas (VSO), Sarvodaya Sri Lanka and several Heads of State.

Vimlendu serves on the board of several national and international foundations. In 2011, he was invited to speak at the UN General Assembly on youth issues in the global south. Vimlendu is also a successful green entrepreneur, having set up Green the Map , Swechha’s fair trade initiative that produces innovative products from waste material. Additionally, he has made award-winning documentaries on environmental and youth issues that have been broadcasted by national and international news channels. His films include Disposable and Wasted, which deals with solid waste management; Jijivisha, which deals with water issues and the plight of the river Yamuna; and Tatva, which deals with climate, water and energy issues. Vimlendu’s innovative and unconventional approaches to contemporary environmental and social issues have touched millions of people worldwide.

With over a decade of dedicated work in youth development, Ashim Bery brings a wealth of experience to his role as Director of Programs at Swechha. Holding a Bachelor of Arts degree in History Honors from Ramjas College, Delhi University, Ashim has been instrumental in shaping sustainable lifestyles and education programs at Swechha.

Ashim has directly engaged with several hundreds of school-going students from diverse backgrounds, both in private and government institutions. His commitment to fostering positive change in communities has earned him recognition and respect among peers and beneficiaries alike.

Beyond his work in the development sector, Ashim is a seasoned musician with over 20 years of formal training in Hindustani Classical Music. He has graced stages across Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Goa, Dehradun, and Jaipur, collaborating with prominent theatre artists, classical dancers, and storytellers.

Ashim’s passion for nature extends to facilitating immersive forest therapy experiences and ‘Music in Woods’ walks for citizens across Delhi. His diverse interests include writing, traveling, reading, and spending time in nature, reflecting his holistic approach to life and work.

Neeraj has been a part of Swechha since November 2014 and currently manages the accounts of the organization.

Naveen is an avid traveller, humble and compassionate person who loves exploring places. Jack of all trades. Naveen founded Amazing Ganga Adventures in 2013, for river rafting in holy Ganges in Rishikesh.

Nikhil is a musician, educator, and social entrepreneur with over 14 years of experience creating spaces for self-expression, learning, and livelihood through the arts. He brings music, theatre, and storytelling into classrooms and communities, and has collaborated with organizations such as Peepul, SEF, Vidya, Teach For India, Pratham, UnLtd India, and more.

A Changeloom Fellow, he also manages The Remakery at Swechha, an imaginative space where creativity, sustainability, and community come alive; working closely with children while engaging diverse stakeholders. Currently pursuing a degree in Psychology, Nikhil is as fascinated by understanding people as he is by creating with them. His facilitation style is playful yet reflective, always making space for voices from the margins to shine. When he isn’t leading workshops or strumming his guitar, you’ll likely find him working out, deep in conversation over chai, or sketching ideas for his next adventure that blends travel, people, and plenty of music.

Anushka Sree holds a bachelor’s in Journalism and a master’s in Social Design. Her love for art first drew her into design, but she soon realized design is much more than aesthetics or functionality. For her, it is also a way of problem-solving, to question, challenge, and create change, making it a tool for social justice and systemic impact.

An outdoor enthusiast and lifelong animal lover (on her way to becoming a bona fide cat lady), Anushka is passionate about working at the grassroots to create sustainable, community-led impact.

Her strengths lie in participatory design and research, alongside a knack for visualization and storytelling, turning complex issues into narratives that feel clear, grounded, and engaging. Always curious and collaborative, she loves contributing to initiatives that center equity, sustainability, and accessible communication, especially when they make tough conversations feel personal, tangible, and even a little fun.

Passionate about the environment, gender, marginalized communities, and the possibilities for change, Srija is a part of the Swechha India team, where she blends sustainability with community-level action. From working with schools and young changemakers to planning grassroots initiatives, her journey revolves around making environmental education not just informative, but inspiring and fun.

She recently completed her Master’s in Natural Resources and Governance from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Hyderabad. With a knack for turning ideas into actionable projects, she enjoys curating campaigns that create real-world impact.

Outside work, you’ll probably find her traveling, buried in a book, experimenting with different art mediums, or deep in conversation about climate, geopolitics, or cinema. She also enjoys connecting with diverse groups of people- students, teachers, activists, and academics- believing that every perspective adds value to our collective story.

Chhavi is an avid environmentalist with a deep love for nature, animals, and the connections between people and the environment. Her journey has taken her from studying Human Geography at the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom, where she focused on the relationship between humans and the planet, to hands-on work in environmental education, habitat restoration, and advocacy for sustainable practices.

Chhavi loves working with both nature and people, and believes that real change begins when everyone feels involved. Over the years, she’s built skills in research, communication, campaign design, facilitation, and social media outreach, which have helped her share ideas and inspire participation. She enjoys bringing creativity and adaptability into every project. What drives her is simple: conserving ecosystems, protecting biodiversity, and finding creative solutions that balance social, environmental, and economic needs. Chhavi is curious about plants, flowers, insects, birds, and animals, and being outdoors, whether exploring new places, hiking in the wild, or simply spending time in nature, recharges her. These moments remind her why she does what she does: to ensure that future generations inherit a planet that’s not only livable, but thriving.