“ Support our Women, Children, and Communities.”
Smt. Gwal's work was instrumental in the implementation and oversight of crucial state-level programs. She played a pivotal role in the administration of various welfare schemes, particularly those benefiting Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, and Physically Handicapped individuals. Her efforts were recognised for their effectiveness in achieving targets for self-employment, health, and rehabilitation initiatives. She actively participated in the successful execution of multi-purpose development projects aimed at the holistic upliftment of marginalised communities.
A key highlight of her career includes her substantial contributions to the reorganisation of the social welfare department in Uttarakhand in January 2001. Her input was vital in proposing and establishing new departments, including Social Welfare, Minority Welfare, Other Backward Classes Welfare, and Physically Handicapped Welfare, at the state level. She was also instrumental in forming the State Social Welfare Advisory Board, underscoring her commitment to robust institutional frameworks for social development.
She possesses a strong academic background with an MA in English Literature, a BA in Politics and Social Policy from the University of Wolverhampton, England, and specialised certifications such as CELTA (Cambridge Certificate of Teaching English to Speakers of other Languages).
Her international exposure, having studied, lived, and worked in the United Kingdom, Europe, Nepal, and India, further enriches her global perspective and adaptability.
Key Strengths & Expertise: Communication & Skill Development, Teaching & Curriculum Development, Social Welfare & Community Engagement and Inclusive Education & Digital Accessibility
Dr. Thakur has been recognised for her contributions, receiving the National Shree Award with Honour Causa from Socrates Social Research University and the National Gaurav Award in 2023.
Since 2018, she has been actively volunteering with Akhil Bhartiya Mahila Evam Bal Vikas Samiti, contributing to legal awareness campaigns, counselling services, and documentation support for vulnerable communities.
In 2019, she interned at the Uttarakhand Human Rights Commission, where she assisted in legal research, case analysis, and human rights documentation. Before that, she served as a Volunteer Educator with Make A Difference (MAD NGO) in 2018, mentoring underprivileged children and promoting holistic education.
Srishti’s core skills include legal research and documentation, community outreach, child and women welfare advocacy, and basic administrative proficiency. She aspires to continue contributing meaningfully to initiatives focused on justice, inclusion, and rights-based development.
Shatakshi Sharma is an accomplished Architectural Designer with a strong background in conceptualization, design development, and project coordination across diverse scales, from intricate apartment modifications to large-scale transportation hubs. She is currently an Architectural Designer at Ronnette Riley Architect in New York, New York, a role she has held since 2019.
Shatakshi's academic background is equally impressive, holding a Master of Science in Design - Advanced Architectural Design from the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Architecture with a Major in Interior Design from Aayojan School of Architecture. She also completed a Career Discovery program in Architecture at Harvard University.
Her academic projects include the design of an Airport Terminal at JFK, published in the 2019 issue of Asset Architecture, and "15 minutes and counting - An Andy Warhol Museum," published in Pressing Matters 7.
Her leadership experience includes a role as Project Associate for Knowledge Works (UNICEF), where she researched vernacular architecture and stable structures in earthquake and flood-prone areas, and conducted workshops on safety and construction.