Chetna Gala Sinha

Chetna Gala Sinha is an Indian social activist working to empowering women in drought prone areas of rural India by inculcating entrepreneurial skills and providing them access to land and other means of production.

Born in Mumbai, she earned her master's degree in Commerce and Economics at the Mumbai University in 1982.

She founded chairperson, Mann Deshi Mahila Sahkari Bank, a micro finance bank which lends to women in rural areas.

She is founder and President of Mann Deshi Foundation.

"Entrepreneurship Development Award" on 29 July 2010 by Entrepreneurs’ International, Pune.

Chetna Sinha received the first Godfrey Phillips Bravery Amodini Award on 11 September 2009 by Godfrey Phillips.

Chetna Sinha received "Rani Laxmiibai Puraskar" on 7 March 2009 from Cyclo Transmissions Ltd., Satara. This award is given to the women who have done outstanding work in various fields.

Jankidevi Bajaj Puraskar Award for Rural Entrepreneurship 2005.

Shri Nanaji Deshamukh and the Rajiv Sheth Sabale Foundation Award 1999 presented by for work completed with drought-affected women. Governor of Maharashtra Shri P. C. Alexander Award 1994 for work in development.

Chetna Sinha is Yale Fellow, Schwab Fellow and Ashoka Fellow.

She was a speaker at TEDxGateway 2013

Chetna is the mother of three sons and lives in Mhaswad, where Mann Deshi Mahila Bank has its headquarters.

Mann Deshi Mahila Sahkari Bank is a micro finance bank which lends to women in rural areas. Mann Deshi bank is now helping rural people with 500 rupees of coins by exchanging 500 note. Mann Deshi has a business school on wheels through which is providing training to rural women, in this crisis of demonetization of currency note most affected are people in rural areas. To address this challenge, Mann Deshi is enabling rural citizens to cope with demonetization scheme and providing currency which will help them in their day to day needs.