In the rolling hills of Meghalaya, where misty landscapes meet vibrant cultures, a tireless advocate has been working for decades to protect the vulnerable. Hasina Kharbhih, an acclaimed anti-trafficking activist and the founder of Impulse NGO Network, has dedicated her life to combating human trafficking and promoting human rights across Northeast India and beyond.
This blog explores Hasina Kharbhih’s inspiring journey, her significant contributions through the Impulse NGO Network, and her impact in reshaping the fight against human trafficking in India.
Early Life and Education
Born and raised in Shillong, Meghalaya, Hasina Kharbhih grew up witnessing the unique socio-economic challenges faced by the tribal communities of Northeast India. Deeply aware of the issues of poverty, lack of education, and unemployment, Hasina realized early on how these vulnerabilities could be exploited by traffickers.
Determined to make a difference, she pursued her education at North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU). Her academic grounding, combined with her passion for social justice, prepared her to take on some of the most pressing human rights issues affecting her community.
Founding of Impulse NGO Network
In 1987, Hasina Kharbhih founded the Impulse NGO Network (INGON) with a simple but powerful mission: to address issues of child and women’s rights, with a special focus on human trafficking.
Initially starting as a small grassroots organization in Shillong, the Impulse NGO Network grew under Hasina’s leadership into a regional powerhouse tackling cross-border trafficking across India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, and Thailand.
The organization’s work centers around the Impulse Model, an internationally recognized system to address trafficking through a multi-sectoral approach involving government agencies, law enforcement, legal experts, NGOs, and the media.
What is the Impulse Model?
The Impulse Model is a holistic and sustainable method to combat human trafficking, especially in the Northeastern region’s context where complex borders and marginalized communities make anti-trafficking efforts more challenging.
The model emphasizes:
- Prevention through awareness campaigns and livelihood programs.
- Protection by creating safe spaces and rehabilitation plans for survivors.
- Prosecution by ensuring legal assistance and strong coordination with law enforcement.
- Partnership through building networks with national and international stakeholders.
The Impulse Model has been adapted and replicated across several Indian states and countries in South and Southeast Asia, showcasing its effectiveness and scalability.
Impact and Achievements
Hasina Kharbhih’s work has directly contributed to rescuing thousands of trafficking survivors, offering them rehabilitation, legal support, and sustainable livelihood opportunities.
Some of her notable achievements include:
- Policy Advocacy: She played a crucial role in influencing anti-trafficking policies at the state and national levels in India.
- Cross-border Collaboration: Her initiatives strengthened cooperation between India and neighboring countries to combat transnational trafficking.
- Skill Development Programs: Through Impulse Social Enterprises, Hasina helped promote sustainable livelihoods for vulnerable populations, particularly women artisans in Northeast India.
Awards and Recognition
Hasina Kharbhih’s groundbreaking efforts have earned her several national and international accolades, including:
- Ashoka Fellowship (1999) for her social entrepreneurship.
- Vital Voices Global Leadership Award (2011), recognizing her as a global changemaker.
- UNWTO Award for Innovation in NGOs (2013) for the Impulse Model.
- Featured among the BBC 100 Women in 2014.
- Recipient of the Woman PeaceMaker Award by the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice.
These awards reflect her enduring commitment to human rights and her innovative approaches to solving complex social problems.
Challenges in the Fight Against Human Trafficking
Despite her success, Hasina’s journey has not been without challenges. Fighting human trafficking in Northeast India involves navigating:
- Geographical complexities of international borders.
- Political instability and insurgency in some areas.
- Deep-seated patriarchal structures and gender discrimination.
- Limited government infrastructure in remote areas.
Yet, through resilience and innovative thinking, Hasina Kharbhih and her team at Impulse NGO Network continue to push boundaries to protect the vulnerable.
Vision for the Future
Hasina envisions a future where trafficking is not merely responded to, but prevented at its roots through education, empowerment, and cross-border cooperation.
A strong advocate for systemic change, she believes that:
- Community engagement is essential for sustainable prevention.
- Empowering women economically can significantly reduce their vulnerability to trafficking.
- Governments must invest in strengthening law enforcement and rehabilitation services.
- Regional partnerships must be deepened to tackle trafficking networks operating across borders.
Her emphasis on livelihood creation through fair trade, skill-building, and micro-enterprise development continues to play a vital role in empowering survivors and at-risk communities.
Inspiring a New Generation of Changemakers
Hasina Kharbhih’s life and work serve as an inspiration to young leaders across India and beyond. She often emphasizes the power of local action and community leadership in solving global problems like human trafficking.
Her leadership style — empathetic, collaborative, and strategic — sets a model for how activism can lead to tangible, long-lasting change.
By combining grassroots action with policy advocacy, and local wisdom with global best practices, Hasina Kharbhih has shown the world that real change is possible, even against deeply entrenched issues like human trafficking.
Conclusion
Hasina Kharbhih stands as a beacon of hope in the ongoing battle against human trafficking, especially in Northeast India. Through the Impulse NGO Network and the Impulse Model, she has not only rescued and rehabilitated thousands but has also created sustainable frameworks that many other regions are now adopting.
Her work reminds us that change is possible when compassion meets strategy, and when individuals commit their lives to uplifting others.
As trafficking continues to threaten vulnerable communities across the world, Hasina Kharbhih’s journey offers a roadmap — one that blends innovation, empathy, and resilience — to create a safer, more just world for all.
