About
Diganta Swaraj Foundation is a movement of the tribal youth from Mokhada (District Palghar) led by 2 dynamic individuals - Adv. Rahul Tiwrekar and Shraddha Shringarpure - who believed that -an integrated development approach – can resolve the deep-rooted issues of poverty, forced migration, water scarcity and social justice in rural Maharashtra
Formed in September 2017, we have been empathetic to the urban, rural and tribal issues and brought them in perspective by decoding the association between these issues.
The organisation was formed as a serious need to educate and train local leadership in social, economic and development spheres
We have observed that any community (urban or rural) included in the process of integrated development shall show a spur of progress with sustainability.
Our Team
Rahul Tiwrekar
Rahul is a law graduate who further pursued Masters in Globalization and Labour from Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai. He has spent over a decade working on tribal reforms and advocacy in rural Maharashtra including legal aid, right to food and agricultural development. He also consults with Maharashtra State Government as a water expert on water scarcity issues faced by villages. His experience with the State Government of Maharashtra and Chattisgarh brings in a blend of understanding of the public policy. His area of expertise are labour issues, Employment guarantee Act and Forest Rights. His fieldwork is reflected in his writing which is published through various mediums. His work has been accredited by various awards and recognitions.
Shraddha Shringarpure
A social worker by training, Shraddha Shringarpure brings over 12 years’ work of experiences, working in tribal areas of rural Maharashtra. Since her graduation, she has worked with villagers in Mokhada to address social issues including women and children’s rights and wellbeing. She specialises in life skills training for youth and is a strong proponent of sustainability and livelihood mission. She has also been appointed by the Maharashtra State government to conduct and train elected representatives to conduct social audits. Her passion and dedication have won her various awards and recognitions including the prestigious Award from Sakal group of papers, women impact award.
Dr. Sumeet Mhaskar
Dr. Sumeet Mhaskar is an Associate Professor and Associate Dean (Student Affairs) at the Jindal School of Government and Public Policy, O. P. Jindal Global University. He holds a Research Partner position at the Max Planck Institute for the Study of Religious and Ethnic Diversity in Germany. Dr. Mhaskar received his D.Phil in Sociology from the University of Oxford, and MA and MPhil degrees in Political Science from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. He has previously held positions at the Center for South Asia (Stanford University, USA), Centre for Modern Indian Studies (University of Göttingen, Germany), International Centre for Development and Decent Work (Kassel University, Germany).
Dr. Mhaskar has been a recipient of the prestigious research award from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation for conducting his post-doctoral research in Göttingen on the rural-urban migration to Mumbai city. His research interests are economic sociology of labour, rural-urban migration, educational attainment, and occupational choices, and labour history. Dr. Mhaskar’s doctoral thesis examined Mumbai’s mill workers responses to joblessness as a result of textile mill closure. He has published opinion pieces in The Wire, ThePrint, Hindustan Times and The Outlook. His academic writings have been published in edited books, policy reports and peer-reviewed journals.
Ms. Rucha Jog
Rucha Jog Raheja, B.L.S. L.L.B. Solicitor, M/s. R.V.J. Associates | Board of Director, Diganta Swaraj Foundation Rucha Jog Raheja is a seasoned legal professional with over 15 years of experience, practicing as a solicitor at M/s. R.V.J. Associates since 2008. With a robust foundation in law and a keen understanding of legal intricacies, she has built a distinguished career in providing exceptional legal counsel across various sectors. Her deep commitment to justice and ethics drives her work, and her expertise has consistently delivered meaningful outcomes for her clients. Beyond her legal practice, Rucha is equally passionate about social impact. As a Board of Director at Diganta Swaraj Foundation, she plays an integral role in shaping the foundation's mission to empower marginalized communities. Her active involvement in strategic decision-making and project oversight has strengthened the foundation’s initiatives in areas like sustainable development, education, healthcare, and women’s empowerment. She brings a unique blend of legal acumen and social responsibility to every endeavor she undertakes. Her inclination towards social work is evident in her dedication to uplifting underserved communities and promoting equitable growth. Rucha’s leadership in impactful projects, including rural development, environmental sustainability, and livelihood programs, has made a significant difference, particularly in tribal areas of Maharashtra. She is a strong advocate for women’s empowerment, promoting self-reliance and independence through livelihood opportunities. With her combined expertise in law and social impact, Rucha Jog Raheja is a formidable force in driving change. Her legal proficiency, coupled with her deep empathy for societal issues, makes her an ideal partner for donors and philanthropists who seek to support meaningful causes with lasting impact. Her commitment to integrity, accountability, and sustainability ensures that every contribution is leveraged for the greatest good. Key Highlights: Practicing solicitor at M/s. R.V.J. Associates since 2008. Board of Director, Diganta Swaraj Foundation, contributing to transformative projects in tribal and rural development. Champion of women’s empowerment and sustainable development through innovative community projects. Proven track record in combining legal expertise with social work to deliver tangible results.
Adv. Rajiv Hinngu
Rajiv is practising Advocate with standing of 12 years before the hon'ble Bombay High Court and various courts across india. He has been associated with various philanthropic activities of DSF. We are proud to have him as our Director (Pro Bono).
Nikhilesh Chitre
Is a veteran speaker on films has vivid experience of editing, documentation and translation. He has an eclectic taste in book selection and has his own library, which constitutes around 3000 books in various languages like Marathi, Hindi, English, Urdu, Sanskrit and Prakrit.
His passion for languages and the local culture has won him many laurels, currently is a sitting member of the Films study group of Marathi Encyclopedia (Marathi Vishwakosh). Nikhilesh has directed and produced a short film “Pathaar" in 2016, which has selected for many international film festivals like Cannes Film Festival in France.
He has published a Translated book "Selected Letters of Rainer Maria Rilke" for Sahitya Akademi in 2001. His review on Cinema and Literature has appreciated in various magazines and newspapers. Nikhilesh is also working as News Reader at All India Radio, Mumbai for the last 15 years. He is also working with DD Sahyadri for last 14 years.
Our Values
The Gandhian idea of Gram Swaraj has inspired us. A self-sufficient community (village) that manages its own resources is the guiding principle of our organization. Therefore our belief is to equip the community (Gram Sabha) with vibrant planning mechanism that will result in their sustainable growth and development
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The Constitutional principles of Justice, liberty and Equality inspires us to believe that transparent governance processes will ultimately lead to inclusive growth of citizens. We will frame puri programmes to ensure transparency and good governance.
The complex issues of society make it imperative that new and innovative thoughts and process are required to resolve them. We will always be open to new ideas and innovations that will bring sustainable, ecological and social development.
While we are asserting the interest of the marginalized sections of the society, their growth will be determined by equity of access. We will always frame our policies and programs to ensure this.
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