Rituparna Neog
Founder- Director

Rituparna Neog

Rituparna Neog is a queer rights activist, social worker, and library educator with deep roots in grassroots community work across Assam. Born and raised in a remote village in Jorhat, her lived experience as a trans woman growing up in rural Assam has shaped her unwavering commitment to advancing gender justice, education, and queer rights. With a Master's degree in Social Work from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Guwahati, Rituparna brings years of experience in community mobilisation, nonprofit management, participatory learning, and leadership development. She has led initiatives focused on children, youth, women, and LGBTQIA+ communities, with a special emphasis on transgender empowerment and free community library development.

Rituparna founded the Akam Foundation to assert the rights of herself and her community. Her vision is grounded in the belief that social transformation must be community-led, culturally rooted, and deeply intersectional.

She is also a nationally recognised voice in queer advocacy. Rituparna currently serves as:

-Associate Vice Chairperson, State Transgender Welfare Board, Government of Assam -North East India Representative, National Council of Transgender Persons, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India
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Our Advisory Council

Dr. Sunita Agarwal

Dr. Sunita Agarwal

Vice Principal, Dispur College

Dr. Sunita Agarwal is Retired. Vice Principal of Dispur College and an eminent teacher on education. She has written textbooks for undergraduate students of Bodoland University. A passionate individual on social issues, and also a translator. Now in her retirement innings, she is actively working with NGOs and translating Assamese literature into Hindi.

Prof. Polly Vauquline

Prof. Polly Vauquline

Professor, Dept. of Women’s Studies, Gauhati University

Prof. Vauquline has been a prominent contributor to the feminist movement in north-east India for over two decades. As an academic, her work in the women's rights movement is widely appreciated. She has also served as an expert member in ICC with Airport Authority of India, Guwahati Airport, and as a Former Governing Board Member with North East Network.

Sadam Hanjabam

Sadam Hanjabam

Founder & Director, Ya_All Manipur

Sadam is a queer rights activist based in Imphal, Manipur. He is recognized for his work on mental health within the queer community and promoting transgender inclusion in sports. He has represented India at international platforms, including the United Nations, advocating for the queer community in northeastern India.

Governing Body

Bhaswati Deka

Bhaswati Deka

Member (Incorporated)

Ms. Bhaswati Deka is a trained social worker holding a master's degree in social work from TISS Guwahati. With extensive experience in gender justice, women’s reproductive rights and government schemes empowering women, she drives meaningful societal change. For the past decade she has worked with regional and national-level civil society organizations, including North East Network, Ipas Development Foundation, Jhpiego.

Dr. Amrita Pritam Gogoi

Dr. Amrita Pritam Gogoi

Member (Non Incorporated)

Dr. Amrita Pritam Gogoi is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at Dibrugarh University, Assam, specializing in gender studies, conflict and ecological politics. She holds a PhD from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) and focuses her research on women combatants, memory and environmental issues in Northeast India.

Mayuri Deka

Mayuri Deka

Member (Non Incorporated)

Mayuri Deka, a queer rights activist and poet from Assam, has revolutionized Assamese literature with their queer poetry. They are actively involved in promoting feminist ideals in Assam.

Rituparna Neog

Rituparna Neog

Member (Incorporated)

Rituparna is the founder of Akam Foundation, queer feminist activist, poet, storyteller and development sector worker.

Sawang Wangccha

Sawang Wangccha

Member (Incorporated)

Sawang Wangchha is a graphic designer, illustrator and queer-trans activist from Arunachal Pradesh. As the founder of AP QueerStation, he works to amplify queer voices and build support systems for LGBTQIA+ communities. Sawang blends storytelling, art and grassroots activism to challenge narratives and create inclusive spaces.

Dikshita Gogoi

Dikshita Gogoi

Communication & Documentation Associate

Dikshita, from Golaghat, has recently joined Akam Foundation as the Communication & Documentation Associate. She holds an M.A. in Women’s Studies from Gauhati University. With interest in gender justice and storytelling, she supports the documentation of programs and develops communication content that strengthens the organization's voice and outreach.

Dipjyoti Gohain

Dipjyoti Gohain

Junior Associate

Hailing from Dhemaji, Dipjyoti has been involved in Akam Foundation since January 2025, involved mostly in mobilizing community members for community gatherings and assisting in organizing community events and workshops. Dipjyoti creates the content for the organisation’s communication. Dipjyoti is a graduate in Assamese Literature from Dibrugarh University.

Kasturi Saikia

Kasturi Saikia

Junior Associate

Kasturi Saikia is from Dibrugarh, Assam. She is currently working as a Community Mobilizer with Akam Foundation. She is mainly involved in community mobilization work, field activities, and assisting with administrative tasks. She holds a Diploma in Textile Design from Residential Girls’ Polytechnic, Golaghat.

Lahon Lipi

Lahon Lipi

Program Coordinator

Lahon has been instrumental in shaping Akam Foundation since its inception. A queer nonbinary person from Jorhat, they bring lived experience and a strong commitment to social justice into their work, leading program implementation, management and facilitation within Akam. They hold an M.A. in Women’s Studies from Gauhati University.

Mayur Borah

Mayur Borah

Finance & Admin Associate

Mayur Borah is from Sivasagar, Assam. He supports the finance and administrative work of the organisation. He has over two years of experience in accounting, financial reporting, and monitoring, and has worked with banks and NGOs. Mayur holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounts and Finance, Commerce from Dibrugarh University.

Trishan Jyoti Gogoi

Trishan Jyoti Gogoi

Community Mobiliser

Trishan has been involved in Akam Foundation since January 2025, involved mostly in mobilizing community members for community gatherings and assisting in organizing community events and workshops.