... Linking learning with action
KNOWLEDGE LINKS
Crafting Innovative Development Solutions
For a Safe and Resilient World
Footprints
07
COUNTRIES
24
STATES
201
Districts
1603
Blocks
87327
GPs
184436
Villages
More then 4000 Participants Trained so far
Organisational Structure
Team
Nisheeth Kumar is the founder and Chief of Operations at Knowledge Links, specializing in strategic policy advice, program/project management, and large-scale capacity-building interventions for good governance, inclusive development, and sustainability. He is also a founder of the Alliance for Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction (AADRR), India’s largest civil society network, with over 200 NGOs working on disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA) initiatives.
With 35 years of experience in development and disaster management, Nisheeth focuses on policy, planning, strategy, and knowledge management, emphasizing gender equity, climate resilience, and sustainable development. He has worked extensively with governments, development agencies, and communities, particularly in DRR, CCA, and WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene).
In 2020, he served on the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) Task Force under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India, providing strategic advice for the nationwide rollout of JJM. His work bridges policy formulation with grassroots implementation, ensuring inclusive and resilient development. Nisheeth’s expertise lies in engaging policymakers, aid agencies, and communities to drive impactful, sustainable change.
Satya has over 25 years of experience in program and project management, specializing in urban and rural WASH, solid waste management, and menstrual hygiene management (MHM). She recently led a community-driven waste management initiative across 20 sectors in NOIDA, engaging Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) and integrating COVID-19 safety protocols.
From 2018-19, she supported Assam, Bihar, and Jharkhand in developing State Guidelines for Menstrual Health and Hygiene. Between 2013-18, she led a UNICEF-supported team in Chhattisgarh, helping districts achieve ODF statusthrough capacity building and technical support.
With 11 years of experience in Community-Based Disaster Management (CBDM), Satya is a seasoned professional in disaster resilience, women’s empowerment, and social development. Her work emphasizes grassroots engagementand sustainable development through participatory approaches. She has played a key role in policy formulation, capacity building, and community-led initiatives, making a lasting impact in water, sanitation, hygiene, and disaster management.
With over 36 years of experience in WASH and community development, Subir Pradhan has worked on sustainable livelihoods and rural development across India and internationally. A skilled Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) trainer, he has conducted multiple Training of Trainers (ToT) programs in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Punjab, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Madhya Pradesh.
Since 2015, he has mentored the Knowledge Links field team in West Bengal, focusing on ODF sustainability and Solid & Liquid Resource Management (SLRM) in districts like Cooch Behar, Malda, Murshidabad, and South 24 Parganas. His efforts include capacity building for block facilitators and triggering exercises in SLRM.
Subir has also led handwashing awareness programs in schools and Anganwadi Centers and conducted a 2019 research study on handwashing behavior in Kolkata, funded by Splash. His expertise in PLA/PRA participatory tools has supported the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), including the development of Village Action Plans (VAPs) for sustainable water management.
Ajay Kumar Singh carries around 17 years of experience of working with top professionals and organisations in the field of accounting, auditing, financial management and administration besides procurement and delivery of services from and to vendors and organisations.
His special skills include: effective accounts keeping and financial management; working in diverse teams; and solving problems creatively as per emerging needs and challenges within the organisation.
His work experience includes managing finances and accounts on assignments commissioned by the World Bank, UNICEF, UNDP, National Institute of Disaster Management, NDMA-India, SAARC Disaster Management Centre (Gender Studies), Government of Combodia, Government of Indonesia, Government of Afganistan, Government of Srilanka, IDS Sussex (UK) and leading international NGOs like PLAN International Combodia, Plan International Indonesia, Practical Action Sri Lanka.
Ajmal Khan carries an experience of around 11 years in social and human development on community-based projects, particularly in the rural and urban water and sanitation sector at the State, District and Village levels across several states in India. He specializes in devising and implementing innovative community engagement strategies for participatory planning and management of community empowerment initiatives on the ground.
Ajmal is also a trained film editor and media manager. He carries extensive knowledge of the use of various computer applications for design of media products of a wide variety. He has edited many documentaries/films related to development sector, particularly in the rural and urban sanitation, across many Indian states including Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Uttarakhand, which have been extensively used by trainers and development practitioners in India and abroad.
He has been providing his professional services on a number of assignments for a range of national and international clients and programs including UNICEF, DFID, IDS, Sussex, UK, HCL Foundation, WSSCC, MDWS, Mission Nirmal Bangla, and “Swachh Bharat Mission”.
With over 17 years of experience, Nishi Kant Giri specializes in community mobilization, capacity building, and sustainable solid and liquid waste management (SLWM). He has led several impactful projects across India, including a solid waste management initiative involving 20 Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) in NOIDA.
From 2015 to 2018, Nishi worked in the districts of Malda, Cooch Behar, and Murshidabad in West Bengal, helping communities implement sustainable waste practices. In Odisha, he supported NGOs to create Open Defecation Free (ODF) villages through DFID-backed CLTS (Community-Led Total Sanitation) projects.
Nishi has also worked with UNICEF in Chhattisgarh, leading CLTS training for natural leaders and facilitating ODF community creation in Rajnandgaon and Guna districts. He has provided technical guidance and training across several states to promote sustainable sanitation solutions.
His expertise in SLWM and community-led sanitation initiatives has made a significant impact in fostering cleaner, healthier environments in both rural and urban areas.
Mr. Mohan P. Sajnani is a Senior National-level Disaster Management Expert with 45 years of experience in government, UN, and consulting domains. He worked with the Disaster Management Division, MHA, for 15 years as Director and later as Advisor, contributing significantly to the drafting and enactment of the Disaster Management Act 2005, National Policy on Disaster Management, and various national guidelines. He played a key role in the GoI-UNDP DRM Programme (2002-2008), reviewing 13 State Disaster Management Plans, and preparing the first Status Report for Disaster Management in India (2004). He was instrumental in formulating the National DM framework, School Safety guidelines, and Community-Based Disaster Management (CBDM) initiatives.
Mr. Sajnani developed comprehensive DM plans for Greater Mumbai and SOPs for nuclear emergencies in consultation with the Department of Atomic Energy. He supervised the work plans of 29 ATIs, including financial support and DM faculty structure, and contributed to the development of IDRN and IDKN under MHA. He also collaborated with CBSE and UNDP as a key resource person, creating training modules for CBSE teachers and imparting DM training to school principals, teachers, and officials. His international experience includes work in India, Nepal, and Bhutan, showcasing his expertise in disaster management policy planning and institutional frameworks.
Dr. Sanjay Verma Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist | Climate Change & Sustainable Development Expert . Dr. Sanjay Verma is an M&E Specialist with over 30 years of experience in research, data analysis, and policy advisory across water, sanitation, climate change, agriculture, forestry, and natural resource management. He has worked extensively with indigenous communities, developing adaptive strategies for climate resilience and sustainable development.
Dr. Verma has worked with global agencies like the World Bank, JICA, ADB, UNICEF, and UNDP. He has completed over 60 consultancy projects, focusing on institutional assessments, participatory monitoring, financial management, and governance models. He has also designed M&E systems, impact surveys, and social audit frameworks.
Dr. Verma has worked closely with community-based organizations and tribal communities like Buxa, Tharu, and Jaunsari. He has published nine research papers, including Community-Based Forest Management in India: Policy Transition and Sustainability Initiatives in the International Journal of Innovative Science.
Committed to addressing climate and governance challenges, Dr. Verma integrates research and policy for sustainable, community-led solutions.
Devi Prasad Mishra is a renowned media and communications specialist, currently serving as Chief Media at Knowledge Links. With a distinguished career in scriptwriting, journalism, and filmmaking, he has created impactful audiovisual content on social development themes, including sanitation, water quality, and women’s empowerment. His work includes scripting and directing films for UNICEF, the World Bank, and the Government of India, with a strong focus on community-led total sanitation (CLTS) and behavioral change communication.
An accomplished scriptwriter, Devi has contributed to several fiction and non-fiction television series, including docudramas on tribal children, folk music, and women’s empowerment. He has also worked with leading media houses such as Star News and Channel 7 as a senior scriptwriter.
Beyond media, Devi has an extensive background in journalism, having worked with prominent publications like Dinman, Manorama, and Rashtriya Sahara. His editorial experience includes labor rights and socio-political issues, contributing to esteemed platforms like Navbharat Times and Jansatta. Recognized for his literary contributions, he has received multiple honors, including the Sanskriti Samman and Bharat Bhushan Smriti Samman. His deep engagement with film society movements and passion for storytelling make him a pivotal figure in development communication
With 13 years of hands-on experience in social and human development, he specializes in designing and executing innovative community engagement strategies to drive participatory planning and sustainable impact. His expertise spans rural water and sanitation projects across State, District, and Village levels, empowering communities to take ownership of their development journey.
Beyond program management expertise, he brings a unique blend of storytelling and advocacy through film and media, having edited impactful documentaries. These films continue to shape behavior change in India and abroad, promoting transitions from Open Defecation Free (ODF) to Open Garbage-Free communities.
I have successfully led projects for global and national organizations, including UNICEF, DFID, IDS Sussex (UK), World Vision (US) HCL Foundation, SBI Foundation, WSSCC, MDWS, along with the flagship centrally sponsored program of GOI across 17 Indian states, ensuring measurable, long-term change on the ground.
Ravi Shankar is a sanitation and WASH specialist with 18 years of experience in India, Ghana, and Burkina Faso. He has worked with government agencies, UNICEF, the World Bank, and other organizations, leading sanitation programs and policy initiatives. A key contributor to Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), he specializes in urban and rural sanitation, solid and liquid waste management, behavior change communication, and sustainable sanitation strategies, including Swachh Survekshan, ODF sustainability, and Garbage-Free Cities ratings.
He has facilitated 200+ training workshops in India and Africa and authored key policy documents and SOPs on solid and plastic waste management. His expertise spans program management, strategic planning, capacity building, M&E, and knowledge management.
Ravi has held leadership roles, including State Consultant for Waste Management with UNICEF Bihar and Team Leader for the State Water & Sanitation Mission, Jharkhand. He has contributed to WASH policy development and SDG 6 initiatives in Ghana and Burkina Faso, advancing sustainable sanitation and water security through community-led approaches and strategic partnerships.
Sujoy Chaudhury is a Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) specialist with over 25 years of experience in strategic planning, project management, and policy development. Currently leading the DRR/CCA Division at Knowledge Links, he provides technical expertise for disaster management planning at state, district, and city levels in Assam, Bihar, and Tripura. His expertise spans disaster resilience, climate adaptation, WASH, and sustainable development, working with governments, UN agencies, and NGOs.
As a co-founder of the Center for Sustainable Solutions, Sujoy balances consulting with nonprofit initiatives. He has played key roles in disaster response, urban resilience, and community-driven sanitation projects, including Swachh Bharat Mission interventions. His leadership in post-disaster housing reconstruction and climate risk mitigation has gained global recognition, including UN-Habitat acknowledgment for best practices.
Sujoy has led large-scale programs such as the UNDP-DRM initiative in Northeast India and innovative sanitation projects in the Sundarbans. He specializes in strategic partnerships, capacity building, policy advocacy, and evaluation, ensuring sustainable, community-led development in disaster-prone regions.
Adarsh Tiwari is a seasoned documentary filmmaker with a rich foundation in journalism. His career spans leading TV channels and prominent news websites, where he has excelled as both a journalist and a news producer. Adarsh has directed, edited, and written a wide array of documentaries that delve into the lives and works of celebrated Hindi writers, shedding light on their significant contributions to Indian literature.
His expertise extends beyond the literary realm, as he also creates compelling films that focus on pressing social issues, giving a voice to marginalized communities and addressing challenges faced by diverse groups in society. His work is marked by a commitment to storytelling that informs, educates, and inspires action.
