The Chintan Team

The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself
in the service of other.

Aditi Joshi

Senior Project Manager

I am a Political Science graduate dedicated to inclusive and sustainable development. As a Manager at Chintan, I work with diverse stakeholders to address air pollution in Uttar Pradesh. Using a gendered lens, I develop strategies to raise awareness, drive behavior change, and advocate for community-led solutions to create cleaner, more inclusive urban spaces.

Akanksha

City Coordinator, Ayodhta

I am an Environmental Engineering graduate passionate about tackling air pollution and climate change. As a City Coordinator in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, with Chintan, I help communities reduce air pollution exposure and build resilience. Organized and sustainability-driven, I strive to create impactful change through coordinated efforts, empowerment, and the promotion of cleaner, healthier ecosystems.

Akhlesh Kumar Singh

Specialist

I am a supervisor who is also trained to drive and oversee quality control for Chintan's recycling centres and other such spaces apart from checking inventories for green livelihoods.

Akshay Seth

Senior Assistant Manager

I work with programmes to manage their data and to help teams monitor their work, diagnose potential challenges and build insights.

Apoorva Agrawal

Manager- Stakeholder Management

After years in the development sector, I have joined Chintan as Manager of Stakeholder Engagement and Fundraising to strengthen partnerships and build sustainable ecosystems. I focus on fostering meaningful collaborations and securing robust support to enhance Chintan’s impact.

Arzoo Verma

ULB Lead

Diligent Environmental Engineer with expertise in research, data analysis, and sustainable solutions. I have worked as an Assistant Professor at ABESIT, Ghaziabad, and RVIT, Bijnor, and as an Environmental Engineer at Airshed Professionals, Kanpur. Currently, I am the ULB Lead at Chintan, Lucknow. I hold a Civil Engineering degree and a Master's in Environmental Science & Engineering.

Ashraf Ahmed

Specialist

I manage waste, which is not easy because most waste generators don’t like to play their part by segregating, composting or paying for services. But I believe that this is changing thanks to the Swachh Bharat Mission and I see myself as a soldier in the mission, despite never being able to study beyond the 10th standard.

Avinash Singh

Manager

I understands urban systems and governance. I have worked with Ernst and Young managing inititaives in Uttar Pradesh, But I saw first hand environmental degradation and needed to safeguard environmemt in an inclusive long term manner, that's why I am at Chintan where my focus is on reducing plastics.

Ayush Garg

Chief of Staff

I studied Urban and Regional Planning specialized in Environmental Planning, I have worked in Madhya Pradesh overseeing projects related to social security and governance following that I joined Chintan to work on Air pollution and Climate change.

Bal Kishan

Coordinator- Trainings

Challenge me. That’s my life’s motto. I have a Master's Degree in political science and then I studied journalism. I train young people to combat air pollution in tangible ways.

Bharati Chaturvedi

Director

I am the founder and current Director of Chintan. I have studied International Public Policy at the School for Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University. I write a weekly column on the environment in the Hindustan Times. I try to overload my spare time with the visual arts and the wilderness.

Bhavleen

Senior Assistant Manager

I lead the Gen-Next Program at Chintan, bringing extensive experience in project management across various domains, particularly in education. I have worked with esteemed organizations like United Way Delhi, Smile Foundation, and Indo Global Social Service Society, leveraging my expertise to drive meaningful change.

Dr. Bhavya Singh

City Coordinator

I am a medical professional with an MBBS degree and experience in clinical practice and healthcare writing. I have worked in high-pressure Emergency Departments at RML and Aruna Asaf Ali Hospitals in Delhi before transitioning to medical writing. Now, as City Coordinator at Chintan in Lucknow, I am committed to building a healthier, more sustainable society.

Dastagir Qumar

Assistant Manager

I work on livelihoods at Chintan, helping upgrade existing but unsafe work by wastepickers. Gardening is my after-hours pursuit-the green foliage reminds me of my home in Jharkhand.

Devendra Khatter

Manager

I spent over two decades at Moser Baer, where I gained extensive knowledge of finance and honed my skills in strict controls. I'm excited to bring this experience to Chintan as the Head of Finance and Compliance. As passionate as I am about my work, I'm equally passionate about exploring the city's culinary scene.

Gaurav Sharma

Senior Specialist

If cricket is my first love, so are young people. I feel lucky that I am able to work with young people on Delhi’s landfills, helping them to stop working and getting an education instead. By fighting child labour, I see myself as making the future of my country even better.

Ghazal Naeem

Social Media Specialist

I’m a post-grad from Jamia’s MCRC department, and I handle social media at Chintan. For me, social media is all about creativity, and at Chintan, our approach is storytelling. What better way to tell a story than with a touch of humor? I’m passionate about cinematography, and growing up with Radio artists has given me a love for radio production and voiceover work.

H. Karan Minz

Assistant Manager

I specialized in rural management and have more than a decade experience of working in team fighting child labour in recycling, by enabling such children to access formal education and run support classes with also focus on developing reading skills through state of art library. Through imparting digital skills we make these children ready for 21st century skills.

Hari Kishan Sharma

Assistant Manager

Twenty years ago, as a newspaper delivery boy, I learned the fundamentals of management—planning, coordination, and time management. Today, with an MBA, I apply these skills as an Assistant HR Manager, fostering a strong, motivated team to drive sustainable, zero-waste solutions. My goal is to build an efficient workforce that helps India stay clean and breathe fresh.

Jyoti Sharma

Coordinator

I am a passionate social development professional with 12 years of experience in women’s empowerment, environmental sustainability, and community-led development. I hold a Master’s in Commerce (M.Com) and specialize in program implementation, stakeholder engagement, and financial management. My expertise includes waste management, sanitation, reproductive health, financial literacy, and advocacy for marginalized communities.

Kriti Gupta

Assistant Manager

I support the women on landfills, dumps, on the streets and in our cities to adapt to climate change. Of course, this is hard work but it doesn't deplete me of the energy I need for my love for classical dance.

Mehak Verma

Project Coordinator

I am a Project Coordinator for an awareness and training project focused on youth and environmental stewardship. With a background in Zoology and Environmental Sciences, I am currently pursuing a PhD in Environmental Biotechnology. Passionate about sustainable water solutions, I have experience in teaching, publications, and hold a design patent in water filtration.

Pooja Gulati

Manager - Communications

As a Communications Manager in Chintan, my responsibility is the communication strategies. I work closely with cross functional teams to ensure that work is aligned with Organisational objectives. I am a post graduate in International Sales with experience in cementing healthy relations with the clients to have high client satisfaction levels.

Pragun Kumar Goel

Manager

For 12 years, I worked in the hospitality and pharmaceutical sectors. Now, I am actively involved in the Swachh Bharat Mission on the ground. My role involves facilitating trained waste pickers to access new assignments and provide professional waste management services

Prashant Poddar

ULB Lead

What if women in slums could not only grow vegetables but also improve their diets? What if they could combat climate change by consuming nutritious food despite challenges like extreme weather conditions and high food prices? I am proud to be a part of the team turning these 'what-ifs' into reality.

Puran Ram

Specialist

As an animator, I am always managing people. This is a task I am poud of, as I also struggle with a hearding disability. While it's not part of my official role, I'm passionate about sustainability. That's why I compost all the wet waste generated at Chintan.

Raja Babu

Associate Manager

I have a B.Com degree and belong to Darbhanga, in Bihar. My role at Chintan is as part of the finance team, which means I don’t spend time in the field, except to see how assets are being used and various items distributed. But I also discipline the team by helping them to plan their expenses and prevent over-spending.

Rajneesh Tyagi

Assistant Manager

I have been overseeing operations in our green livelihood sector, and education before that for 11 years. What I like about my work is that by ensuring quality and consistent education, life skills and confidence, I am also fighting climate change. I am a Delhi-ite, as they say, having grown up here and studied at Delhi University.

Ramesh Kumar Singh

Senior Specialist

Motihari, Bihar, is home for me. Before Chintan, I worked as a security guard, cellar keeper, driver, and restaurant assistant in Europe, giving me the confidence to connect with people from all backgrounds. I now supervise projects, ensuring quality and timeliness. People say I always discuss politics—I just find it the most interesting topic!

Revant Vashist

Assistant Manager

I’m a strategist, researcher, and climate advocate! Passionate about environmental and social justice, I focus on securing resources, drafting proposals, and building key partnerships to drive meaningful change. With a strong interest in research, advocacy, and climate diplomacy, I work to turn ideas into impact.

Rohit Kumar Kapil

Sprcialist

My education is a B.A degree in political science from Delhi University. These days, I lead the doorstep collection work that helps wastepickers earn better incomes. Like many other Indians, cricket is my passion.

Ronit Kumar Gautam

Project Coordinator

I’m a map wizard, eco-warrior, and your go-to for clean air! As a Project Coordinator, I mobilize communities to fight air pollution through workshops, data analysis, and awareness campaigns. Whether mapping rivers, planning cities, or championing fresh air, I blend sustainability with creativity—saving the planet, one breath and one map at a time!

Sandeep Kumar

Specialist

I spend my days out in the field, helping women wastepickers in the informal sector. I teach them how to use banks and digital tools, so they can gradually transition to a more formal economy.

Shahid Khan

Senior Specialist

Segregation is my goal. My grandfather and father both worked with waste, so I know first hand why this is important to everyone’s safety, dignity and to fight pollution. Right now, I oversee Chintan’s MRFs, and ensure waste is perfectly segregated and stored. I want to ensure that every Indian segregates.

Sonu Kumar

Senior Specialist

I have a Master’s degree in History from the Chaudhary Charan Singh University in Meerut but my passion is in digital work. I am also interested in how the poor access social security, which is why I work with wastepickers to help them learn to secure and use social security and explore new ways of resilience.

Vinay Kumar

Field Supervisor

Vinay Kumar breaks stereotypes - he's helping wastepickers to sell e-waste to formal, authorized recyclers and helping them earn better.

Chintan Volunteers and Interns

Chintan welcomes interns who are students pursuing a professional course, applying their academic knowledge for a minimum of 6 weeks. Volunteers can be anyone passionate about contributing their time and effort, with a minimum commitment of 2 weeks.

Join Us

Keshav Sekhri

Volunteer

Keshav Sekhri is a class 11 student at The British School in New Delhi. He set up 'Barefoot Warriors' because he was taken aback by how many people were unable to walk safely and comfortably because they did not own chappals or shoes. He is currently mentored by Chintan so that he is able to build this repair, reuse and sharing economy by reaching out to those with surplus shoes, repaired by trained wastepicker women and cobblers, and given away to those who need them. Keshav has already channelized 2000 plus donated shoes, slippers and sandals into desirable footwear for those who need it.

Parmeshwarya Adya Bhagat

Volunteer

Parmeshwarya Adya Bhagat is a Class 11 student at DPS R.K. Puram, New Delhi. She feels worried about how women will cope with climate change and its sudden impacts. She has been teaching young people about climate change as the first step to building resilience for themselves and their families. She has also been part of 'The Future We Want,’ a report on how the Indian youth sees climate change. She is currently exploring the linkages between climate change and women’s health in order to make health check-ups more able to address climate change impacts on wastepicker women.