Impact Stories
Pankaj Mahalle
For Pankaj, Growing up in a smallholder farming family in Yavatmal district, often referred to as the epicenter of India’s agrarian crisis—fueled a deep commitment to championing the cause of farmers. With experience in leading community initiatives during his tenure at Tata Steel’s CSR department, Pankaj transitioned his focus to building long-term solutions through GramHeet. He holds a Master’s degree in Livelihoods and Social Entrepreneurship from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai.
Pankaj’s leadership and vision have been recognized globally; he was named an Acumen Fellow (2020), the Social Alpha Entrepreneurs for Impact Fellow (2019), and has been featured in Forbes Asia’s 100 to Watch (2022). In addition, he has been honoured as an Asia Development Fellow (2022) and a recipient of the 100 Meaningful Business Award (2023).
His unwavering drive continues to shape GramHeet’s efforts in transforming farming practices for a sustainable future.
Shweta Thakre
Shweta’s journey from witnessing the struggles of farmers to becoming a champion for their cause has been nothing short of transformative. Her innovative work at GramHeet has earned her international recognition, including features in Forbes Asia and Forbes India. Shweta has been at the forefront of addressing the challenges faced by India’s agricultural communities. One of her notable achievements is leading the development of a mobile-based helpline that serves 5,000 farmers in Yavatmal, supported by 280 volunteers and 15 government departments—a testament to her impact-driven approach.
Shweta holds a Master’s degree in Development Studies from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Hyderabad, and a Bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering from Amravati University. Her efforts have been acknowledged through numerous fellowships, including the Upaya & MIT D-Labs Fellow (2020), Lead Tribe Fellow (2020), Westerwelle Foundation Fellow (2021), Pusa Krishi Fellow (2021), and Action for India Fellow.
With her unwavering commitment to empowering farmers and her relentless pursuit of innovation, Shweta continues to inspire hope and drive meaningful change in India’s agricultural landscape.