Grassroots Leadership, Global Vision

Pravin Nikam’s Samavesh tackles invisible barriers—missing documents, lack of guidance, absent mentors—helping thousands of marginalised students reclaim education, dignity, and opportunity across India

- ANIL SWARUP

A youth-led movement, Samavesh protects education as a right, ensuring barriers of identity never block opportunity

Pravin Nikam’s journey is a testament to resilience—a story that begins in the industrial belts of Maharashtra and reaches the global stage of education and justice.

Born in Rajgurunagar (Khed-Chakan) in the early 1990s to parents who migrated from rural Satara in search of work, Pravin’ early life was marked by precariousness. His father moved between factory jobs before joining Hindustan Antibiotics; his mother ran a tiffin service and took on odd jobs. Wages often came late, and hunger arrived early, but these hardships planted the seeds of dignity, solidarity, and justice in Pravin long before he entered a classroom.

‘A Spark Called Roshni

As a teenager, Pravin gravitated toward activism. Inspired by the ideals of Savitrimai Phule and Dr Ambedkar, he performed street plays and organised youth groups. His parents hoped hed pursue a stable career in engineering, but a pivotal study visit to North-East India changed his path. ‘There, a girl named Roshni confided shed left school because menstruation had triggered a community taboo. Her story inspired Pravin to found the ROSHNI Collective (later SAMAVESH), a youth movement dedicated to education and gender equality.

Finding His Voice and Purpose

Pravin switched from engineering to Political Science at SP College, Pune, leading street theatre groups that highlighted inequality. His work with the Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan took him across rural and tribal India, teaching him that true leadership means standing with communities, not above them. He deepened his commitment to justice by pursuing law, interning with social movements and NGOs, and advocating for those denied their rights.

Samavesh: A Movement is Born