Mr. Santosh Bishwakarma, Founder/President
Mr. Santosh Bishwkarma is the president of Nepal Grassroots Development Forum. As a Dalit human rights activist he has dedicated his time to the Dalit cause for over a decade. Mr. Bishwkarma has been fighting for the elimination of caste based discrimination and untouchability throughout the country, and has also been advocating for an equitable society where each individual can live a dignified life. He has contributed to organizational development of the various international development agencies, bilateral and multilateral donor agencies that he has worked for in Nepal. His expertise is in influence at policy-making levels, lobbying and advocating social mobilization, mass mobilizations, for social justice and human rights based upon social inclusion.
Mr. Suman Poudel (Bishowkarma), Director of International Relation and Development
Mr. Suman Poudel (Bishowkarma) is a development professional has more than 15 years experience of managing and supervising rural and integrated development project and programmes in Nepal with emphasis on empowerment of most marginalized and disadvantaged people. He belongs to Dalit (previously untouchable caste) group of Nepal and have fought, advocated and wrote against the caste discrimination in Nepal. He has contributed significantly in the Dalit NGO movement of the country. His expertise areas include Human Rights, Good governance, Fund raising, Social Inclusion, Training Delivery, Social Accountability and Anti-corruption.
Mr. Chet Narayan Rasaili – Director of Skills Development Fund
Chet Narayan Rasaili is a youth activist. He has been crucially engaged in an effort to influence decision making through activism focusing on the issues of marginalized communities and vulnerable groups. He is a former member of the United States Youth Council (USYC) and has also worked as a youth expert for the World Forum for Democracy 2014 was held in Strasbourg, France. Additionally, as an adjudicator he has participated in Asia Youth Forum 2012 at Thai-land, World Universities Debating Championship 2013 at Berlin. He is a management graduate and aspires to become a change maker in future.
Mr. Kamal Bishwakarma – Director of Communication and Public Relation
Mr. Kamal Bahadur Bishwokarma is a Social and Human Rights professional cum activist. He is involved in various social organizations to combat social stigma and discrimination. He has Master Degree in Management and one year diploma in Journalism (informal) from Nepal Press Institute. He has more than five years work experiences in journalism field. He has also worked in different rights based organizations in different capacities. Mr. Bishowkarma expertise areas include policy lobby and advocacy, social mobilization, mass mobilization, report writing and documentation etc. He has good exposures in attending various international social conference, meeting and symposium in Italy, Brazil, Thailand, Bangladesh, Pakistan and India
Ms. Nirmala Purkoti – Director of Cooperative ManagementMs. Nirmala Purkuti is the founder member of Nepal Grassroots Development Forum (NGDF).Ms.Purkuti works for upliftment of Dalit Rights throughout the country. Currently, she engages as manager of Dalit Bikas Saving and Credit Limited.