EMPOWERING SOCIAL LEADERS
An Initiative of Sahaj Foundation
ABOUT US
The Vriksh is an incubation platform for early-stage social leaders who are working for the benefit of economically or socially disadvantaged section of Indian Society.
WHAT DOES VRIKSH STAND FOR?
Vriskh stands for a Tree (in English). Just as a tree gives shelter to pilgrims on their pilgrimage, we at The Vriksh envision to serve our social leaders on their journey towards societal transformation. The Vriksh in nature inspires us to become The Vriksh of the social leaders.
OUR FELLOWS
THE ONGOING VRIKSH FELLOWS
Aksabanu Vahora
Earth Rakshak Foundation
Adopting and building efficient and sustainable solid waste management systems for government local bodies in rural Gujarat.
Rameshwar Walkikar
Technoloshala Foundation
Providing technology-aided education to strengthen the existing government school ecosystem to improve student learning outcome.
Neerajana Pradhani
VasudhaivaKutumba
Community strengthening activities through practicing regenerative farming/forestation as a part of life and lifestyle: starting from the selves
Sahebrao Rathod
Zep Samaj Vikas Sanstha
Facilitating upliftment of tribal and nomadic communities, child rights and educational issues of the children in Vidarbha region of Maharashtra
Amruta Naidu
URVEE Public Trust
Providing Eco-friendly and sustainable housing solutions to make villages self-reliant in Maharashtra
Amit Raj
Feel Parmartham Foundation
Leading the Foundation to feed, rescue and rehabilitate the helpless elderly and mentally ill people in the city of Bhilai, Chattisgarh
Rebek Khiangte
Full Life Access Trust (FLAT)
Creating safe spaces for Youth, tackling issues such as child abuse, addiction in youth, lack of self-awareness and providing career guidance
Aparna Chaudhary and Sachin Mohite
SpacECE India Foundation
Working in the field of Early Childhood Development and Care with the communities of urban slums, towns and villages of Maharashtra
Kaviarsai Mariappan
Tarunya Foundation
Facilitating value-based holistic development of children and youth in Tenkasi and Tirunelveli Districts of Tamil Nadu
Our Alumni Fellows
Pranali Jadhav
Ovee Trust
Working for the education and social empowerment of nomadic tribal communities in rural Maharashtra
Siddhesh Sakore
AGRO RANGERS TRUST
Promoting regenerative organic agriculture practices to make farming sustainable in rural Maharashtra
Aksabanu Vahora
Earth Rakshak Foundation
Adopting and building efficient and sustainable solid waste management systems for government local bodies in rural Gujarat
Amreen Farooq
Each One Feed One
Providing skills training programs to single mothers underprivileged women and refugees in South East Delhi
Rameshwar Walkikar
Technoshala Foundation
Providing technology-aided education to strengthen the existing government school ecosystem to improve student learning outcome
Prashant Anand and Tanya Khera
Samanta Foundation
Providing Education, Healthcare and Women Empowerment support to the Forest Communities of the Lower Shivalik Himalayas in state of Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.
OUR OFFERINGS
THE VRIKSH FELLOWSHIP
The fellowship aims to financially support early-stage Social Leaders who are working for the benefit of economically or socially disadvantaged section of Indian Society, residing anywhere in slums, rural or tribal areas of the country. The financial support includes a monthly support of Rs 12,000 for the chosen leaders’ personal daily sustenance for a minimum period of 2 years.
APPLICATION CLOSED
THE LEADERSHIP ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM
The Leadership Enhancement Program is designed for the risk-takers who have already taken the plunge to serve the society, but who lack the required vision, tools or know-how to create a long-lasting impact. This program shall support these risk-takers so that they do not burn out in their journeys.
THE LEGAL SAHAAYATAA
We envision to provide The Legal Sahaayataa to all those social leaders who have successfully launched their initiatives to work with the communities, but who do not have much exposure to the legal compliances associated with their chosen legal entities, namely Society, Trust or Section 8.
LAST SESSION
with CA Kulwinder Kaur
OUR TEAM
ASHISH ARORA
Ashish graduated from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Roorkee in the field of Electrical Engineering in 2009. Post studies, he pursued his corporate career for a few years before deciding to move on to his passion to work with rural communities. Since then, Ashish has lived in the villages of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh and worked for many rural projects related to Education and Livelihood sector. He has also worked with Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi to help set up their ‘Center for Innovative Technologies in Himalayan Region’.
Presently, Ashish lives a simple and peaceful life in Bir village situated in Kangra District of Himachal Pradesh. He has chosen Education as his primary medium of service while he continues to explore more on organic farming and holistic healing with an aim to simplify his lifestyle and benefit the society as much as possible.
Ashish has also co-founded Sahaj Foundation in 2013 and Vasudhinity in 2021.
ANKIT SRIVASTAVA
Ankit focuses on early-stage technology companies solving the climate challenges that our planet faces currently in our race to prevent irreversible damage to our environment and create a sustainable planet for us and our future generations.
Ankit has been working in venture capital with experience in investing in Clean Energy and Smart Cities Tech in the UK and India. He is also an Advisory Board Member with multiple start-ups in Europe and India. Ankit has an MBA from the London Business School and an engineering degree from IIT Roorkee.
Currently, Ankit lives with his wife and son in London, where he is still trying to adopt to the English concept of summer.
Ankit is also the host of Dowell, a podcast that is focused on discussing steps to create a more sustainable planet. He also co-founded Levnet Ventures, which is an impact investment platform focused on early-stage companies in the UK and India.