Driven by a passion for social change, Rajeev Purohit leads women-centric enterprise development initiatives at Hand in Hand India. Through his work, he helps women become financially independent, strengthen their businesses, and build a future rooted in self-reliance and sustainable growth.

Rajeev Purohit serves as the Chief Manager and State Lead (Rajasthan) at ‘Hand in Hand India’, an internationally recognized organization dedicated to creating sustainable livelihoods and strengthening communities. Through his leadership, thousands of women are being equipped with the skills, resources, and opportunities needed to become financially independent and self-reliant entrepreneurs.

Currently, Rajasthan State Lead at Hand in Hand India, Rajeev Purohit oversees large-scale initiatives focused on Self-Help Group (SHG) formation, cluster and federation development, enterprise promotion, digital marketing, market linkage, and business growth support. Under these initiatives, more than 10,000 women across Udaipur, Jodhpur, and Sirohi districts are actively engaged in entrepreneurship and livelihood activities. The organization helps these women connect with vendors, access wider markets, strengthen their businesses, adopt digital platforms, and improve their income generation capabilities. The ultimate goal is not merely to support women-owned enterprises but to help them become sustainable businesses capable of competing on national and global platforms.

Headquartered in Chennai and led by Dr. Kalpana Shankar, Hand in Hand India works across five major development pillars: Child Labour Elimination, Women’s Empowerment, Skill Development & IT, Health, and Environment. While all five areas contribute to holistic development, its Rajasthan Chapter’s major focus remains women’s empowerment through Self-Help Groups and enterprise development. Several ongoing projects are supported by Sweden-based partnerships, reflecting international confidence in the organization's development model. Today, digitalization and enterprise scaling have become central to the organization's efforts, helping rural women expand beyond local markets and embrace new business opportunities through technology.

At Hand in Hand India, Rajeev Purohit and his team continue to focus on creating opportunities that go beyond financial assistance. They work to strengthen women-led enterprises by providing business training, vendor linkages, branding support, digital marketing guidance, and market access. Women are encouraged to embrace technology, digitize their businesses, and scale their products through online platforms. Importantly, these services are provided free of cost, ensuring that women from economically weaker backgrounds can benefit from them without barriers.

For Rajeev Purohit, social service is much more than a career—it is a purpose deeply rooted in his upbringing and family values. Born in Ajmer, Rajasthan, and raised in Rani village, he grew up observing the dedication of his mother, who has spent over three decades working for community welfare through public service and politics. He watched her listen to people's concerns, resolve local issues, and earn the trust and respect of the community. Those experiences left a lasting impression on him. Seeing the positive impact that one person's efforts could have on the lives of many inspired him to choose a path where he could contribute meaningfully to society.

His education began at Mahaveer Bal Mandir Senior Secondary School in Pali, where he studied until Class 10. He later completed his higher secondary education in Varkana, Rajasthan, and earned his graduation degree from Govt. Bangur P.G. College, Pali. Although he initially planned to pursue higher education in Udaipur, a suggestion from his uncle changed the direction of his career. Encouraged to pursue a Master's Degree in Social Work in Pune, Rajeev Purohit stepped into a field that would ultimately become his lifelong mission.

Interestingly, Purohit describes his younger self as a mischievous child who was often afraid of darkness and ghost stories. Like many children, he had his fears and insecurities. However, with time and experience, he developed courage, confidence, and resilience—qualities that later helped him navigate challenging professional environments and take on leadership roles in community development.

Another major source of inspiration in his life has been his father, whom he considers his role model. Rajeev Purohit admires his father's strong willpower, calm demeanor, and ability to face challenges without succumbing to pressure. Even today, despite age-related difficulties, his father remains active, hardworking, and energetic. He often reflects on how his father's determination continues to motivate him to remain committed and focused regardless of obstacles.

His professional path began in Mumbai, where he worked during a period when HIV/AIDS awareness and intervention programs were gaining importance. His responsibilities involved counseling vulnerable populations, working in slum communities, and supporting abandoned street children. These early experiences exposed him to the realities of social inequality and deepened his understanding of the challenges faced by marginalized communities.

Life in Mumbai itself became an education. Living in Nala Sopara near Palghar, with four to five friends, Rajeev Purohit would wake up at 5:30 every morning and undertake a long commute to Andheri using Mumbai's local train network. The daily struggle of navigating overcrowded trains became part of his routine. He often recalls how one of his friends from Manipur would try to reserve a place for him on the train, though success was never guaranteed because of the immense rush. After a full day of work, he would often return home close to midnight. Those years taught him invaluable lessons in discipline, punctuality, perseverance, adaptability, and time management—lessons that continue to guide him throughout his career.

Over the years, Social Changemaker Rajeev Purohit has contributed to several impactful development programs. One of his significant achievements came during his tenure as District Manager under the Livelihood Mission at Pali Nagar Parishad. His responsibilities included mobilizing women into groups, facilitating access to government schemes, and promoting livelihood opportunities. Working closely with government officials and local stakeholders, he successfully facilitated the establishment of seven shelter homes across the district. He also helped approximately 70–80 women secure revolving funds and connect with enterprise development opportunities. His dedication and results earned him recognition from the District Collector during Independence Day celebrations.

However, the achievements that bring him the greatest satisfaction are not awards or recognitions—they are the stories of transformation he has witnessed firsthand. In areas such as Gogunda, a town near Udaipur, women who once struggled to access financial resources have now built thriving self-help groups with savings exceeding ₹1 lakh and ₹1.5 lakh. These groups have become financially strong enough to grow their businesses independently without depending on banks or external loans. Seeing women become entrepreneurs, decision-makers, and contributors to their families' prosperity reinforces his belief in the power of empowerment-driven development.

Social Worker Rajeev Purohit firmly believes that genuine social service is not about creating dependency; it is about building capacity. His philosophy is beautifully captured in his message:

'समाज सेवा सिर्फ किसी की मदद करना नहीं है, बल्कि लोगों को इतना सक्षम बनाना है कि वे अपनी मदद खुद कर सकें और आत्मनिर्भर बन सकें।'

According to him, real change occurs when people are empowered with knowledge, skills, confidence, and opportunities. When individuals become capable of solving their own problems and creating their own opportunities, communities become stronger and more resilient.

For aspiring social workers and development professionals, Rajeev Purohit offers practical advice. He believes that while education is important, success in the social sector depends more on one's ability to connect with people. Empathy, communication skills, teamwork, patience, report writing, problem-solving abilities, and a willingness to understand the challenges faced by others are essential qualities for anyone entering this field.

He also has a powerful message for the younger generation “Nation-building is not the responsibility of the government alone; it is the duty of every citizen. Through honesty, dedication, and sensitivity toward society, each one of us can contribute to building a stronger, more prosperous, and empowered India”.

Committed Social Worker Rajeev Purohit continues to dedicate himself to Hand in Hand India's ambitious mission of empowering 50 lakh women by 2030. Through entrepreneurship, digital inclusion, market connectivity, and sustainable livelihood creation, he is helping women move from dependency to self-reliance and from aspiration to achievement. His growth from a small village in Rajasthan to becoming a leader in social development stands as a powerful example of how compassion, commitment, and purpose-driven work can transform countless lives and create lasting social impact.