Nalini Shekar

Nalini Shekar (born 1964) is an Indian social activist and entrepreneur who co-founded Hasiru Dala (Green Force), a non-profit helping marginalised waste pickers in Bengaluru, India, become recognised for their work and developing a more sustainable waste management system in the city.[1]

Education and early years

Shekar was born and brought up in Bengaluru. She spent 23 years of her life in the United States and Maharashtra.

She worked extensively on the issue of violence against women and children in the United States. She supported the facilitation passage of legislation to support victims of human trafficking in California. For immigrant women affected by domestic violence, Nalini ran a shelter in the past.[1]

She also co-founded Kagad, Kach Kashtakari Panchayat (KKPKP), union of waste pickers in Pune in 1997.

Hasiru Dala

Shekar return to Bengaluru in 2010, intending to retire. But a growing garbage issue and her knowledge of the skills of the waste-pickers led her to found Hasiru Dala.

Shekar has generated 540 new jobs and has helped organizing 7,500 waste pickers to work in 175 residential societies and office buildings. The NGO has successfully managed to get these marginalized waste pickers government recognised identity cards and other loan and health facilities, giving them legitimacy.[2] Recently in 2015, the NGO also set up Hasiru Dala Innovations which has helped in creating new and long lasting livelihood options for the waste pickers. Today, Hasiru Dala has waste-pickers representing the larger goal in workshops abroad.

Shekar says that she images a future where rag pickers become experienced entrepreneurs, building bio-gas generators and dry waste collectors in every corner of Bengaluru.

Career highlights
  • Received Bangalore city's Kempe Gowda award in 2014
  • Shortlisted for Individual category of Namma Bengalure Award in 2013
  • Received an award from Santa Clara County Human Relations Commission
  • Was honoured by San Jose City Government for her work with immigrants
  • Received certificate of Honour from Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger 
  • Star award from Asian Community in the San Francisco Bay Area

References
  1. Soumya, Elizabeth (2014-12-12). "Nalini Shekar put aside retirement to help India's waste pickers". Christian Science Monitor. ISSN 0882-7729. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  2. "They pick waste not just for money, but environment too". The Times of India. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
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