Our Team

Chetna Joshi

Head, Programmes & Operations

Chetna is a driving force behind ‘Aarangar,’ bringing together diverse expertise to develop impactful, low-cost projects that address societal issues through climate and environmental solutions. With over 10 years of experience, she has worked with organizations like The Flow Partnership (UK), PAIRVI, and Gene Campaign, focusing on climate adaptation, rainwater conservation, agro-biodiversity, and farmer income enhancement. She has also contributed to a bilateral project with SDC and DST. Chetna holds a Ph.D. in Microbial Biochemistry from IIT Delhi and shares her journey through travelogues on her personal blog.

Rajendra Pant

Director

Rajendra Pant has over 25 years of experience working with various Ministries and Departments of the Government of India, including the Press Information Bureau, PMO, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation, and Ministry of Human Resource Development. His extensive expertise includes translation, vetting, proofreading, editing, and the administrative implementation of the Official Language Policy of the Government of India. He is retired from government service. In addition to overseeing Aarangar’s work, he is an avid reader and analyst.

Manju Shri Mishra

Director

Manju Shri Mishra has worked with the Institute of Social Science Training (ISST) for over 40 years in various capacities. She has a deep understanding and sensitivity towards environmental and societal issues. An avid reader, traveler, and thinker, she has a strong grasp of the rural landscape of India and the diverse traditions of water conservation practiced by communities. Currently, she resides in Ghaziabad and actively oversees the organization’s work.

Shruti Khaitan

M&E and Documentation

Shruti holds an MBA in Marketing and brings two years of experience in a corporate setting, where she developed strong skills in communication, coordination, and strategic planning. Driven by a genuine passion for helping others, she developed a keen interest in the social development sector during her internship with our organization.
As a member of our team, Shruti actively contributes to our initiatives through monitoring and evaluation, documentation, and supporting program implementation. Her professional experience, attention to detail, and collaborative approach enable her to make meaningful contributions to our work.
Shruti believes in the power of collective action and is committed to supporting our mission of empowering communities and fostering positive, sustainable change.

Bhupesh Sharma

Admin & Accounts

Bhupesh Sharma is our experienced Accounts and Finance Professional , he brings strong expertise in accounting, Income Tax, GST, TDS, and financial reporting. With a deep understanding of statutory compliance and financial systems, he plays a key role in ensuring accurate record-keeping and transparent financial practices within the organization. He actively manages budgeting, financial planning, and documentation processes, helping streamline operations and maintain accountability. His work supports the organization’s mission by ensuring that resources are utilized efficiently and responsibly.

Manish Koli

Field Team

Manish Koli, from Nabhawala, Jaipur, Rajasthan, is our dedicated Field Assistant who supports and manages field-level project activities. He regularly monitors project interventions, conducts farmer training sessions, and provides technical guidance to improve agricultural practices. Manish actively engages with the community, encouraging farmer participation and raising awareness about project initiatives. He also identifies field-level challenges and coordinates with the project team to ensure timely solutions. His proactive approach and commitment contribute significantly to the effective implementation and overall success of the program.

Rohitash Sain

Field Team

Rohitash Sain, from Khoh Dariba, Rajasthan,is our Field Assistant and plays an active role in implementing project activities at the grassroots level. He works closely with farmers by conducting training sessions, sharing practical knowledge, and providing technical support to strengthen agricultural practices. He regularly visits the field to monitor project progress, engages communities to encourage participation, and helps identify local challenges. By coordinating with the project team to address these issues, Rohitash contributes to the smooth execution and impact of the program.

Guidance

Swati Melkani

Swati has more than 15 years of experience of working with school and college students in remote locations of Uttarakhand, a Himalayan state in northern India. She is currently serving as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Education at Indira Priyadarshini Government Girls PG College of Commerce, Haldwani, Nainital, Uttarakhand. Additionally, she works with women and marginalized communities on various social issues. Swati is an accomplished writer and a recipient of the Young Writer Award from ‘Gyanpeeth,’ one of India’s most prestigious literary organizations.

Mahendra Pratap Singh

Mahendra Pratap Singh is an agripreneur and Co-founder of Mewar Exotic Fruit Farm in Ghodach village, Rajsamand, Rajasthan. With an MBA, a PG Diploma in Hotel and Tourism Management, and over 20 years of experience in sales, business development,
marketing, and team management, he brings a strong combination of business expertise and hands-on farming experience. At Mewar Exotic Fruit Farm, he has applied this experience to develop a diversified farming model focused on fruit cultivation,
organic practices, efficient irrigation, intercropping, and market-oriented farm management. His practical understanding of taking produce from cultivation to market brings valuable perspective to Aarangar’s work on orchard-based livelihoods, farm diversification, and sustainable income opportunities for farmers.