Ankita Rao

Indian social entrepreneur connecting 2 million migrant workers through Banyan Nation platform

Ankita Rao (b. 1990) founded Banyan Nation in 2016 to address India's migrant labor crisis. The digital platform connects over 2 million informal workers with verified job opportunities, healthcare access, and legal aid. During the 2020 lockdown, Rao's team distributed 500,000 emergency food kits using the platform's network. Banyan Nation's 2023 report highlights a 40% reduction in exploitation cases among registered workers.

Rao pioneered the 'Worker Empowerment Index', a blockchain-based system tracking labor rights compliance. Her 2021 TED Talk 《The Invisible Workers Powering India》 has over 2.3 million views. Recent initiatives include a partnership with Oxfam for climate-resilient job training programs. In 2024, she launched Migrant Voices, a media platform amplifying worker narratives. Her work is featured in Harvard Kennedy School case studies on tech for social good.