Coming from a traditional and joint Muslim family from the Malvani region of Mumbai, Shahnaz has closely experienced the prohibitions that are imposed on individuals, particularly women, in a conservative society. While very young she witnessed family situations which made her understand the reality of gender inequality changing her perceptions about society. Opposing conservative thought, She started believing that women have their own identity and can achieve anything if they so desire and find opportunity.

Joshua Hishey, 29, is a Design professional with a keen interest in applying Design for Development initiatives. Since 2005, he has been leading a furniture manufacturing enterprise to provide training and employment to local youth in Rajpur, Dehradun. In 2008, he established Studio Alaya, a platform to facilitate capacity building of craft and skill based producers in Uttarakhand and improve market access for their craft produce. Joshua serves as a member of the Cooperative of Artisans supported by a state nodal agency Uttarakhand Bamboo & Fiber Development Board.

Born in the Amaravati district of Maharashtra, Chinmay comes from a farming family that believes in the Sarvodayi philosophy. While feeling very strongly about sustainability, his family practices organic farming. Chinmay is 23 years old; he has received training in media from the Nasik based organisation 'Abhivyakti'. Since 2004 he has been associated with 'Samvad Rawala' an organisation that organises camps for children on organic farming. He believes that education should contribute to the development of scientific temperament and has been coordinating the Jeevanshala project in Vidarbha.

Richa has formal training in communication and has studied filmmaking in the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune. The experience of working with Majlis, a centre for multicultural art initiatives, has helped her develop a better understanding of the politics of image creation. She has made a film titled Love Song, that was commissioned by Public Service Broadcasting Trust (PSBT).

Journey Period: May 2008 - April 2009

With his father who works on various social issues as his biggest influence, Ravindra decided quite early on to devote himself to grassroots work. He joined the Swadeshi and Swaraj campaigns after completing high school from Bhopal in 2001. Later he worked with various organizations in a number of villages on various issues of development. Ravindra believes that people are inherently good and well meaning. They just need some guidance and capacity building for pursuing the correct action.

Journey Period: May 2008 - April 2009