Smita Tatewar Email & Phone Number

Yavatmal, Mh, In

Yavatmal, Maharashtra, India

We are democratizing Higher Education and Enabling Grassroots Leadership among the first-generation learners of marginalized communities. In the Post-Graduate Mentoring Program, We orient students to quality higher education in premier institutes and modern career opportunities in the field of humanities and social sciences and development fellowships in India through in-person and online workshops. Therefore we provide short-term in-person & and online preparation courses to prepare… Show more We are democratizing Higher Education and Enabling Grassroots Leadership among the first-generation learners of marginalized communities. In the Post-Graduate Mentoring Program, We orient students to quality higher education in premier institutes and modern career opportunities in the field of humanities and social sciences and development fellowships in India through in-person and online workshops. Therefore we provide short-term in-person & and online preparation courses to prepare students for entrance exams and interviews where we also connect students with mentors matching their career interests. We also support them in college, hostel, and scholarship admissions. We ensure continuous mentoring throughout their education and career journey. We offer training to our students through Youth Resource Centers (YRCs) in underprivileged districts, designed to provide information, mentoring, and coaching to rural and tribal students. These centers are equipped with digital resources and are run in partnership with local institutes. We offer blended (online and offline) programs at a low cost, making them accessible to students from poor families. Currently, we have centers in Yavatmal, Nagpur & and Aurangabad in Maharashtra. Most of our students come from rural and remote areas with a lack of adequate digital infrastructure i.e. lack of smartphones, poor internet, and lack of environment which becomes a barrier to online learning.In the last five years, our intervention enabled over 1000+ first-generation students to get admission into India's top 60+ Higher Education Institutes and universities and Social Sector Fellowships. Out of them 450+ are working in the development sector and giving back to society as a grassroots changemaker. Show less

Digras, Maharashtra, India

As the Vice President of the Gram Panchayat/ Village Council, My role involves implementing the policies and village development plans of both the state and central governments. This includes ensuring the effective execution of sustainable development goals at the grassroots level, with a focus on promoting actions that lead to long-term and inclusive development in our rural communities.One of my key priorities is to enhance youth engagement in local politics and decision-making… Show more As the Vice President of the Gram Panchayat/ Village Council, My role involves implementing the policies and village development plans of both the state and central governments. This includes ensuring the effective execution of sustainable development goals at the grassroots level, with a focus on promoting actions that lead to long-term and inclusive development in our rural communities.One of my key priorities is to enhance youth engagement in local politics and decision-making processes. Recognizing the importance of involving the youth, I actively encourage youths and community participation and provide platforms for their voices to be heard and involve them in the decision-making process. By empowering young individuals to contribute to the development of their communities, we can foster a sense of ownership and create a sustainable future for all which I believe.Furthermore, as a young woman leader from a marginalized community, I am dedicated to democratizing access to opportunities and resources for marginalized individuals. I strongly believe in equal representation and ensuring that the voices of all community members, regardless of their background, are heard and considered in decision-making processes. Through inclusive policies and initiatives, we strive to create an environment that promotes social justice and empowers marginalized individuals to actively participate in shaping their own destinies.Currently, I am working in my own village called Loni-Netaji Nagar which is a one Panchayat as council for two villages collectively, Here I am representing two villages which include a population of nearly 1000. A village which is 5km away from the mainstream transportation connectivity. Show less

The Women in Government Fellowship is a six-month program that is focused on capacity-building, training, and mentorship of women in politics. It seeks to enhance and improve the quality of political participation of women. The fellows will undergo in-person workshops, intensive virtual learning sessions, and hands-on mentorship by seasoned women politicians. This three-pronged approach will provide an academic grounding of democratic frameworks and policy-making, up-skill them with the… Show more The Women in Government Fellowship is a six-month program that is focused on capacity-building, training, and mentorship of women in politics. It seeks to enhance and improve the quality of political participation of women. The fellows will undergo in-person workshops, intensive virtual learning sessions, and hands-on mentorship by seasoned women politicians. This three-pronged approach will provide an academic grounding of democratic frameworks and policy-making, up-skill them with the practical know-how of electioneering, build the fellows' personal brands through personalized Public Narrative pieces of training by coaches from Harvard Kennedy School, and learn the ropes of politicking directly from a mentor who is undergoing the realities and tackling the challenges of being a woman in public office. Show less

Aspire Leaders program, is aligned perfectly with the values & mission we are driving at Eklavya India Foundation. As a co-founder of the Eklavya India Foundation, a nonprofit organization, and A Proud Alumni and Ambassador to Maharashtra, India I have been actively involved in mentoring students and helping them access higher education opportunities. Witnessing the transformative power of education and mentorship in my community has fueled my passion to make a lasting difference.Having… Show more Aspire Leaders program, is aligned perfectly with the values & mission we are driving at Eklavya India Foundation. As a co-founder of the Eklavya India Foundation, a nonprofit organization, and A Proud Alumni and Ambassador to Maharashtra, India I have been actively involved in mentoring students and helping them access higher education opportunities. Witnessing the transformative power of education and mentorship in my community has fueled my passion to make a lasting difference.Having the privilege to conduct workshops in Maharashtra, India, alongside Mr. Anil Nair, the Aspire Institute's India representative, allowed me to contribute to expanding the program's reach where we reached more than 700 students. Guiding and supporting qualified students in applying to the 2023 program has been a gratifying experience, as I believe in the potential of other first-generation learners to thrive and succeed. Where I have been mentoring more than 100 students who are currently in different stages of Aspire Leaders Program 2023. Show less

The TRD-CREA Fellowships are designed to nurture young women leaders keen on driving positive change in the areas of disability, mental health, gender, and sexuality. I have dedicated my efforts to empowering girls and enabling them to address the mental health challenges they may face in relation to education and societal expectations. I have also focused on engaging with parents and understanding their perspectives on girls' education to break traditional gender roles and stereotypes… Show more The TRD-CREA Fellowships are designed to nurture young women leaders keen on driving positive change in the areas of disability, mental health, gender, and sexuality. I have dedicated my efforts to empowering girls and enabling them to address the mental health challenges they may face in relation to education and societal expectations. I have also focused on engaging with parents and understanding their perspectives on girls' education to break traditional gender roles and stereotypes that hinder girls' educational journeys. Through this process, I have encouraged parents to support their daughters in pursuing higher education, promoting positive mental health, and embracing their own self-identity. Which ultimately helped me to change myself positively in terms of my personal growth and development through the TRD-CREA Fellowship. Moreover, I could enable them to overcome barriers and pursue their educational aspirations for what I was keen on the objective of Enabling girls for higher education opportunities through their capacity building and parents' perspective on girls' education by mentoring 25 girls & enable them to get into undergraduate studies and Build parent's perspective on girls' education. where I have conducted many meetings, and home visits with them towards having discussions with girl students and their parents on Introspection & Inferiority Complex, Building a mindset of moving out, and also Building an understanding of higher education & career opportunities also about the Learning Skills. Show less

Dewas District Of Madhya Pradesh, India

During my SBI Youth for India Fellowship in Loharada, a tribal village in Madhya Pradesh, I addressed the challenges faced by the community, particularly during the summer when employment opportunities declined, leading to migration. This posed difficulties for women in conducting transactions within their Self-Help Groups (SHGs). To tackle this, I initiated the project "Making Digital Payment Accessible to the Members of Self-Help Groups" in collaboration with Samaj Pragati… Show more During my SBI Youth for India Fellowship in Loharada, a tribal village in Madhya Pradesh, I addressed the challenges faced by the community, particularly during the summer when employment opportunities declined, leading to migration. This posed difficulties for women in conducting transactions within their Self-Help Groups (SHGs). To tackle this, I initiated the project "Making Digital Payment Accessible to the Members of Self-Help Groups" in collaboration with Samaj Pragati Sahyog.Recognizing the importance of online payments for empowerment and financial inclusion, I introduced digital payment systems to 95 SHG members. I also established a night school for over 30 tribal and minority women, providing training in digital literacy and entrepreneurship. Through this project, 35+ members successfully linked Aadhaar cards, registered nominees, and applied for ATM cards.The initiative aimed to bridge the gap between traditional practices and digitalization, empowering women and facilitating financial transactions. Samaj Pragati Sahyog continued the work by issuing ATM cards and providing training on digital payment platforms. The project's impact extended beyond financial empowerment, fostering a supportive community where women uplifted one another. This collective progress enhanced economic independence and created a more inclusive future.By leveraging technology and promoting digital payments, the project enhanced financial access, reduced barriers, and empowered women in marginalized communities. It combined education, entrepreneurship, and digitalization to pave the way for a prosperous future in Loharada. Show less

Dewas, Madhya Pradesh, India

Samaj Pragati Sahyog organization with whom I have placed they are already working in the field of women empowerment and SPS is running a self-help group program for many years. The module of the self-help group at SPS is very encouraging. Every location of the organization which runs a self-help group program use laptops and printing machine in the meetings of self-help groups and all work of documentation related to SHG is done by digital platforms. Employees of SPS use laptops for… Show more Samaj Pragati Sahyog organization with whom I have placed they are already working in the field of women empowerment and SPS is running a self-help group program for many years. The module of the self-help group at SPS is very encouraging. Every location of the organization which runs a self-help group program use laptops and printing machine in the meetings of self-help groups and all work of documentation related to SHG is done by digital platforms. Employees of SPS use laptops for all records of SHG-related things. Considering the all circumstances, requirements, and need for online transactions Samaj Pragati Sahyog has taken this project ahead. Show less

Aspire Leaders Program 2022. (Aspire Institute), Leadership Development Course

Activities and Societies: Exercising fundamental leadership fully funded course & various seminars and case studies offered by Aspire.

Pg Diploma In Sustainable Rural Reconstruction, Social Entrepreneurship, B+

Activities and Societies: Initiated a group livelihood project of cloth bag making for Self-Help Groups in a village called Khairi.

Bachelor Of Social Work, Social Work, B

Activities and Societies: Published a Research on "The Socio-Economic-Education Status & Problems of Garbage Pickers" In The Area.