Abhishek Likam, a former aeronautical engineer turned sustainability warrior, has been selected as an INK Fellow for his outstanding contributions to environmental conservation and water security. As the Head of Springshed Management & Strategic Partnerships at Central Himalayan Rural Action Group (CHIRAG), Abhishek has led transformative initiatives in springshed management, helping 6,000 villages across the Indian Himalayan region to successfully restore the spring sources. His work has not only improved water security but also revitalized local ecosystems and supported community development, closely aligning with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. His innovative approaches to water management demonstrate a strong understanding of the local challenges faced by these communities. Abhishek’s transition from the corporate world to the sustainability sector reflects his deep commitment to creating lasting, positive impact.
Akshat Dave, a Postdoctoral Associate at MIT Media Lab, has been named an INK Fellow for his pioneering work in developing AI-enabled imaging systems that push the boundaries of visual perception. His research focuses on creating next-generation cameras capable of capturing light dimensions invisible to the human eye, with transformative applications in automotive safety, infrastructure monitoring, and medical diagnostics. These innovations align with UN Sustainable Development Goals promoting industry innovation and infrastructure resilience. Akshat’s impressive academic track record, which includes collaborations with leading tech companies like Samsung and Hyundai, highlights his potential to drive significant advancements in imaging technology. The real-world applications of his work are vast, with the potential to revolutionize multiple industries.
Ashwini Hiremath, co-founder of the Wild Wild Women collective, also known as “Krantinaari,” has been selected as an INK Fellow for her impactful work in empowering women through music, particularly rap and grassroots activism. As a multidisciplinary artist, Ashwini uses her art to advocate for gender equality, sustainability, and social justice. Her unique approach blends music with local-level activism, enabling women to address critical issues within their communities. Ashwini’s latest initiative—a mobile music studio for women in collaboration with Manzil Mystics—provides safe spaces for music creation and educational workshops, aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goals on gender equality and quality education. Her work has already impacted hundreds of women and children, and her goal to empower women to gain recognition in music reflects her commitment to breaking gender barriers in the industry.
Chandrashekhar Mandal, Founder, Gaudrika Digital Labour Chowk (DLC), has been selected as an INK Fellow for his groundbreaking work in digitizing India’s informal labor market. His innovative platform not only connects daily wage and domestic construction workers with job opportunities but also offers crucial benefits such as health safety, insurance, and financial assistance. By formalizing the informal labor sector, DLC aligns with multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals, including poverty alleviation and economic growth. Chandrashekhar’s commitment, creative business model, and the platform’s significant impact—already benefiting over 1 lakh workers—demonstrate its strong potential to scale its reach and ensure even more workers benefit from its innovative solutions.
Prabhat Sinha, the founder of Mann Deshi Champions, is an athlete, sports agent in the US, and a writer from rural India. With a decade of experience, he has pioneered India’s first skilling and Incubation center for sports, empowering over 8,000 athletes and creating sports-related jobs for rural women.
As a sports agent, Prabhat has collaborated with NBA and Track & Field athletes. His remarkable achievements have earned him recognition as a guest speaker at esteemed institutions like Georgetown University, Trinity College, NYU, Madrid University, the World Bank, G20 SEWA, as well as TedX events. He is also an esteemed Acumen Fellow.
Richa Gupta, CEO and co-founder, Labhya, has been selected as an INK Fellow for her pioneering work in improving the social and emotional well-being of vulnerable children through education. In partnership with state and local governments, Labhya integrates well-being education into public school curricula, driving sustainable, systemic change in underserved communities. By creating locally relevant curricula, offering teacher development, and ensuring rigorous program evaluation, Labhya addresses the diverse needs of both students and educators. Currently implemented in 22,000 schools, Labhya’s programs positively impact 2.4 million children. Aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals on quality education and well-being, Richa’s vision to reach 30 million children in India by 2030 reflects her commitment to scaling this critical impact nationwide.
Rishi Sharma, CEO and co-founder, Faclon Labs, has been named an INK Fellow for his work in Industrial AI. Faclon Labs, based in Mumbai, utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) and IoT technologies to improve industrial productivity and sustainability, aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals on industry innovation and climate action. The company’s innovative solutions have optimized operations in over 400 factories across India and internationally, resulting in significant reductions in energy losses and enhanced efficiency. Driven by a vision to revolutionize industrial operations, Rishi aims to make factories and manufacturing processes smarter and more sustainable. His work holds strong potential for scaling and expanding Faclon Labs’ impact in the industrial sector.
Siddharth Agarwal, Founder Director, Veditum India Foundation, has been selected as an INK Fellow for his pioneering work in environmental and social sustainability. His unique approach of “learning by walking,” covering over 6,000 kilometers along major Indian rivers, sets him apart as a dedicated changemaker. Siddharth’s flagship initiatives—Moving Upstream and India Sand Watch—have made a tangible impact by documenting ecosystems, supporting local communities, and utilizing open data to develop evidence at scale and address illegal sand mining. His work aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in clean water and environmental governance. Siddharth’s potential to scale these projects, foster NGO collaborations, and broaden the impact of his work makes him a valuable addition to the INK Fellowship.
Vibha Nadig, Founder Director, OutLawed India (OI), has been named an INK Fellow for her innovative work in addressing legal access for marginalized communities. OutLawed India enables last-mile justice by training and deploying paralegals, or “Nyaaya Mitras,” from underserved areas, bridging the gap between people and the legal system. OI’s model empowers these communities to navigate legal challenges, such as filing FIRs, sending legal notices, and applying for identity documents. With one cohort of paralegals already trained and a second in the pipeline, Vibha’s initiative has demonstrated tangible impact, and her vision for national scalability holds great potential to transform access to justice across India. Aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals promoting peace, justice, and strong institutions, Vibha’s work addresses critical social justice challenges at the grassroots level.
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