With a progressive mindset and a commitment to social development, Siraj Mohammed has been working for women empowerment as an NGO worker.

Siraj Mohammed is currently working with an NGO called “Gramin Vikas Sansthan”, Mavli.

The “Gramin Vikas Sansthan” works in the skills development sector and conducts vocational training camps for the people who are below poverty line. They have worked with the National Commission for Women, New Delhi; have started “Mahila Salah Suraksha Kendra” in Chittorgarh with WCD, Jaipur and have conducted more than 100 training camps for women, with the Municipality giving employment opportunities to around 75 percent of the participating women. While working on women development, they have worked with ASTHA Sansthan, Udaipur and provided ASHA training to many women.

They made many women “Sarpanchs” aware of their powers and duties. In collaboration with the NCW, New Delhi, they also run literacy camps for Muslim women, helping raise their awarenesss about domestic violence in society. Due to their continuous and ardent efforts, many women are now employed and some are in government service too.

Siraj also has his own NGO, which he had registered in 2004 and has significantly contributed to women empowerment since then. Siraj has also been working during the COVID crisis to raise awareness, and donate masks and other necessary items to the public.

Siraj Mohammed is from Udaipur. He comes from a humble background. He completed his schooling in 1980, and then BSc. in 1983. During the final year of his graduation, he got a job in the Dariba Mines at a salary of 2000 per month. After some time, he quit the job and started teaching in the private sector followed by teaching in the government sector after some time. Later, he decided to study further so he did M.A. in History, in Hindi and in Public Administration, and then pursued LLB from MLSU and also a DLL course.

While pursuing higher studies, Siraj had also started working with various NGOs. He made successful projects for three NGOs of Udaipur. Although it was decided that he would work with the NGOs in partnership, he was removed from the partnership. He felt betrayed, but after some time, he got in touch with another NGO and started working again.

Siraj then decided that he should start his own NGO, so he registered his own NGO in 2004 in his wife’s name. Just after two months of starting his NGO, Siraj got the chance to conduct camps on women literacy in Rajsamand district. This proved to be a very good experience for Siraj and his team. His reputation grew and his positive thinking gained trust and support from government officials too, and he went on to train many women for the ASHA scheme.

Eminent social activist and writer - Arundhati Roy is Siraj’s role model. Siraj says she has worked for RTI, NREGA and many other social incentives to uplift the poor and improve the standard of living of the common people. Her selfless efforts for social development inspire him.

The Nimbahera based “Samajik Nyay Sanstha”, has also awarded Siraj and his NGO for their practical efforts to avail women of their rights.

Siraj says that one of the few difficulties they face during social work is about funding. But his transparent process of working and his commitment drives him to keep working without worrying about the money.

Talking about leadership, Siraj says that he learned it while working with ASTHA NGO, when he was given a huge responsibility and he did it while setting a role model.

In his free time, Siraj likes gardening, writing and reading books. He also devotes his time to plan his next meetings and projects relating to his NGO.

Siraj says that the biggest problem with today’s youth is, it is money-minded. He says the youth should focus on gaining experience over money. And he strongly believes that if youth also takes part in social work selflessly, then no one can stop our nation from developing.