Rituparna Neog is a queer rights activist, social worker, and library educator with deep roots in grassroots community work across Assam. Born and raised in a remote village in Jorhat, her lived experience as a trans woman growing up in rural Assam has shaped her unwavering commitment to advancing gender justice, education, and queer rights. With a Master's degree in Social Work from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Guwahati, Rituparna brings years of experience in community mobilisation, nonprofit management, participatory learning, and leadership development. She has led initiatives focused on children, youth, women, and LGBTQIA+ communities, with a special emphasis on transgender empowerment and free community library development.
Rituparna founded the Akam Foundation to assert the rights of herself and her community. Her vision is grounded in the belief that social transformation must be community-led, culturally rooted, and deeply intersectional.
She is also a nationally recognised voice in queer advocacy. Rituparna currently serves as:
-Associate Vice Chairperson, State Transgender Welfare Board, Government of Assam -North East India Representative, National Council of Transgender Persons, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India
Munmi Borah is a social development professional from Sivasagar with over three years’ experience in community mobilization, project coordination, and capacity building across Assam. As Program Coordinator at Akam Foundation, she works on gender equality, health, livelihoods, WASH, skill development, and youth empowerment. She holds a Master’s in Social Work from Mizoram University.
Nabajyoti, a non-binary person, hailing from Jorhat, has been working with Akam Foundation since its inception. Nabajyoti, a graduate in Anthropology from Dibrugarh University, is involved in the communication and operation vertical of Akam Foundation. They are currently pursuing an MSW from TISS, Guwahati, Assam.
A non-binary person, hailing from Jorhat, has been instrumental in shaping Akam Foundation since its inception. Lipi is involved in mobilising the queer community in Upper Assam, with a focus on Jorhat. Now their work is concentrated on the research on the mental health of trans* queer individuals in Assam, capacity-building programs, and awareness programs at the college level, and managing the organisation’s social media handles. They have an M.A. in Women’s Studies from Gauhati University, Assam.
Hailing from Tengakhat, Bhukhan has been involved with Akam Foundation since its inception as a volunteer and is now working as a full-time team member. Bhukhan is involved in the Access to Rights and Entitlements program for trans* queer individuals in Assam. He has an M.A. in Women’s Studies from Dibrugarh University, Assam.
Narsi brings her decade-long experience of working with women, girls at the grassroots of Assam to Akam Foundation. Hailing from Guwahati, Narsi has been involved in Akam Foundation since August 2024 as a full-time member. Narsi is involved in the livelihood security program of Akam Foundation.
Akansha joined Akam Foundation in February 2025, and since then,she is managing the accounts and finance and the admin work in the organisation. She has a Bachelor's in Commerce from Dibrugarh University.
Hailing from Dhemaji, Dipjyoti has been involved in Akam Foundation since January 2025, involved mostly in mobilizing community members for community gatherings and assisting in organizing community events and workshops. Dipjyoti creates the content for the organisation’s communication. Dipjyoti is a graduate in Assamese Literature from Dibrugarh University.
Trishan has been involved in Akam Foundation since January 2025, involved mostly in mobilizing community members for community gatherings and assisting in organizing community events and workshops
Sania is currently working as a Community Mobiliser at Akam and is responsible for mobilisation activity at the Jalan Nagar community intervention. Along with working at Akam, she is pursuing her graduation from City College, Dibrugarh.
Prof. Vauquline has been a prominent contributor to the feminist movement in north-east India for over two decades. As an academic, her work in the women's rights movement is widely appreciated. She has also served as an expert member in ICC with Airport Authority of India, Guwahati Airport, and as a Former Governing Board Member with North East Network.
Dr. Sunita Agarwal is Retired. Vice Principal of Dispur College and an eminent teacher on education. She has written textbooks for undergraduate students of Bodoland University. A passionate individual on social issues, and also a translator. Now in her retirement innings, she is actively working with NGOs and translating Assamese literature into Hindi.
Dr. Sathyashree is a senior development professional from Assam currently based out of Bangalore. She was a co-founder of Rural Volunteer Centre in Assam during the early 2000s and has worked with organizations such as National Foundation for India and CRY. She has been working with youth, women, and sex workers on SRHR for a long time.
Sadam is a queer rights activist based in Imphal, Manipur. He is recognized for his work on mental health within the queer community and promoting transgender inclusion in sports. He has represented India at international platforms, including the United Nations, advocating for the queer community in northeastern India.
Dr. Amrita is an indigenous woman with a PhD from TISS, Guwahati. She specializes in ecology, gender, and conflict within academic spaces and is actively involved in the feminist and queer rights movements in Assam, particularly in Upper Assam.
Mayuri Deka, a queer rights activist and poet from Assam, has revolutionized Assamese literature with her queer poetry. She is actively involved in promoting feminist ideals in Assam.
Purnima Rao is a documentary filmmaker and free library activist. She started volunteering with The Community Library Project in Delhi in 2015 and now serves as the Director of Free Libraries Network, India.
