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An Interview with Shruti Nagvanshi, Co-Founder and Managign Trustee of JanMitra Nyas

  • Writer: Great Companies
    Great Companies
  • May 19
  • 2 min read

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Empowering Marginalized Communities through Dignity, Non-Violence, and Rights-Based Development


Great Companies: How did you get your idea or concept for the business?

Shruti Nagvanshi: The idea for JanMitra Nyas emerged from my deep engagement with marginalized communities in Varanasi and eastern Uttar Pradesh. As a social activist and co-founder of the People’s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR), I witnessed the harsh realities of caste-based discrimination and systemic denial of rights.


There was a need for an organization that could go beyond advocacy and implement community-driven development. JanMitra Nyas was born to build model villages rooted in dignity, hope, resilience, non-violence, and participatory democracy.


Great Companies: What are the various services provided by JanMitra Nyas?

Shruti Nagvanshi: JanMitra Nyas provides a holistic range of rights-based services tailored for vulnerable and marginalized communities, including:

  • Life skill education and scholarship support for girls

  • Health interventions, focusing on maternal-child health and malnutrition

  • Livelihood promotion through kitchen gardens and skill development

  • Legal and psychological support for survivors of caste and gender-based violence

  • Community mobilization and grassroots leadership training

  • Policy advocacy with local and national government agencies to improve public service delivery



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Great Companies: What makes JanMitra Nyas different from hundreds of other similar service providers?

Shruti Nagvanshi: What sets JanMitra Nyas apart is our deep-rooted commitment to dignity and non-violence. Our work is not just service-based — it’s about structural change through community empowerment.


We ensure that beneficiaries become leaders and change-makers, creating sustainable impact. Our approach is uniquely inspired by Ambedkarite and Gandhian values, blending social justice with community healing and grassroots democracy.


Great Companies: What were the struggles and challenges you faced and how did you overcome them?

Shruti Nagvanshi: Operating in a deeply patriarchal and caste-stratified society, we faced resistance from the very beginning. Challenges included:

  • Political hostility

  • Threats to personal safety

  • Funding issues, particularly delays in FCRA renewals


We overcame these hurdles through resilience, community solidarity, and alliances with national and international organizations. Transparent practices and strategic partnerships — including those with the NHRC and global human rights networks — helped us sustain and scale.


Great Companies: How do you plan to grow in the future? What does 5 years down the line look like for JanMitra Nyas?

Shruti Nagvanshi: Our five-year vision includes:

  • Scaling the dignity village model across multiple districts in Uttar Pradesh and beyond

  • Integrating technology in healthcare and education delivery

  • Strengthening local youth leadership and women-led initiatives

  • Launching digital platforms to amplify rural voices

  • Expanding climate resilience and sustainability initiatives


Collaborations with academic institutions, civil society, and government bodies will further enhance our reach and systemic impact.


Great Companies: If you had one piece of advice to someone just starting out, what would it be?

Shruti Nagvanshi: Start with empathy and humility. Listen closely to the communities you aim to serve. Co-create solutions, don’t impose them.


Be ready for setbacks — they’re part of the journey. But if you stay grounded in your values and vision, your work will create meaningful change. Build a strong, passionate team, take care of your mental health, and let your integrity and impact lead the way.


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