Shriya
Fabien
Azeem
Introducing Shriya Sanjay Mahadik, a dynamic individual with a passion for Politics and a commitment to Rural Empowerment. Hailing from Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, Shriya is armed with a bachelor's degree in Political Science from Fergusson College, Pune. Her recent achievement includes AIR 28 in SSCW (Non-tech) for OTA after a recommendation from SSB Allahabad. Beyond her academic pursuits, she finds solace in strumming the ukulele, immersing herself in reading mostly mythological fiction, capturing moments through photography, and expressing herself through art. Contrasts that she has seen during her journey from a rural upbringing to urban education have ignited her fervour for rural empowerment. She envisions a future where rural communities are equipped with the tools and opportunities they deserve. Moreover, Shriya is on a mission to challenge the stereotypes surrounding politics. She firmly believes that politics, when driven by noble purposes, has the power to bring about positive and transformative change.
A transformative journey for Fabien was on the cards after doing his bachelor of business administration from Delhi and working as a Risk Analyst at Ernst & Young for more than a year. His passion to understand our nation better especially rural India led him to pursuing MA Social Work with specialisation in Livelihoods & Social Entrepreneurship from Tata Institute of Social Sciences,Mumbai. He was awarded the Right Livelihood Shield for his field work efforts towards Innovative Livelihoods promotion of Adivasi Farmers & Women. Before joining Nehru Fellowship, he prepared for the Civil Services Exam which further enhanced his perspectives towards politics & governance. He believes that every era in history has had a vehicle of scalable & lasting Change and Politics has been that vehicle for the past century and will continue to be so for India. Some of his interests include Reading,Dancing and Reimagining new ways of Social Justice & Livelihoods of Vulnerable groups in society.
Azeem Ali, who originates from the fort city of Chitradurga in Karnataka, holds a master's degree in computer applications from PES University Bengaluru and proudly earned the distinction of being a BCA gold medallist from Davangere University. His professional trajectory began as a software engineering intern at Tuebora Software Private Limited and progressed to the establishment of Loopit Digital, a social media marketing agency. His passion for politics and policy finds its roots in personal experiences. Having proudly represented Karnataka in the Parliament of India, New Delhi, he is driven by his background, often marginalised, propelling him to take action rather than merely observe. Through the Nehru Fellowship, his aspiration is to actively engage in politics, striving for meaningful change in the upcoming 2024 elections. His vision revolves around establishing a platform where every citizen, irrespective of their background, receives due respect. His aim is to utilise the potency of social media to safeguard democracy. He firmly believes that individuals like himself have a significant role to play in the political sphere. His goal is to collectively celebrate diversity, protect democracy, and amplify the voice of every citizen.
Garima Goel has a background in social science research and communications. She is a political science graduate from the University of Hyderabad, with a Research Masters from King’s College London. She also has experience in reporting with Reuters and teaching. As a Nehru Fellow, she seeks to engage with the emerging political consultancy space and understand the inner workings of elections, particularly in the run up to India’s crucial 2024 general election.
Samiksha, a graduate of Indraprastha College for Women, University of Delhi, with a degree in Hons. Multimedia and Mass Communication, considers herself a jack of all trades, on her way to master them all, one at a time. While working with an NGO during the first year of graduation, she understood that her purpose lies in the service of the people, directly or indirectly. And thus, her keen interest in the political sphere was established. Over the next two years, she worked with Hindustan Times, Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights, and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in various capacities to gain essential experience. While politics holds her attention, she can be found singing her heart out, sketching or buried with her nose in a book at other times. Her purpose and passion is driven by the urge to work for the people of the country by making politics a viable medium.
Hailing from the garden city of the country, Rohit holds a Bachelor’s in Political Science, English, and History from Christ (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru. His time at the University nurtured his research abilities and defined his soft skills. Rohit has gained substantial experience on his professional front having worked with few of India's most prestigious think tanks and governmental organisations such as the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, the National Maritime Foundation, Council for Strategic & Defense Research, Centre for Public Policy Research, and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung. He was also engaged with the G20 India’s official engagement group – Civil20 India 2023 for research & coordination under the office of the Sous-Sherpa. Rohit is a cinephile at heart and an ardent follower of cricket. He strongly believes in living life like a test match – you win some, you lose some, and you hold strong to draw even on some.
Kriti holds a degree in Communication Studies and was a Young India Fellow at Ashoka University. Her professional experience includes over two years with UrbanCompany as Manager Brand Content and Social Media, as well as a brief stint consulting on an election campaign. She hopes to work at the intersection of gender and policy. When she’s not busy debating about politics, she can usually be found with her nose in a book.
Rochana B Hebbal is a lawyer, public policy enthusiast and a part-time educator. She hails from Davangere, a city from central karnataka. Growing up, her response to questions regarding what she wished to do in life was simply this - To positively impact people’s lives. So, she embarked on the journey to study law and completed BA.LLB (Hons) from Symbiosis Law School, Pune. While studying law she realized that politics and policies exist, not in a vacuum, but with real implications for people. So, it became her dream and ambition to be actively involved in the political landscape of our Country. Her previous experiences include working with a Supreme Court judge, Senior lawyer, law firm, NGO and a live project on “Welfare of OBCs” with a Member of Parliament. She is incredibly passionate about her work and is an effective team player. When not debating and discussing about everything politics and sports, she can be found planning her next trekking expedition.
Rutwik Ajit Khasnis is an MA Development graduate from Azim Premji University and a BA Economics graduate from Christ University. He has a diverse professional background, beginning his career with two years of journalism, where he learned a great deal about the power of communication and the media. He subsequently moved into sustainability-focused research and consulting. Rutwik was a Campaigner with Greenpeace India prior to receiving the fellowship, where he promoted sustainable food and policies that put people's health and the environment first. In addition to his deep commitment to preserving India as a secular, liberal nation that values inclusion and diversity, Rutwik is a skilled chef who spends his free time making culinary videos for YouTube.
Akshay Bhagwat is a Post Graduate in Nuclear Physics from the Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee. After college, while preparing for the Civil Services examination, he specialised in Political Science and International Relations. During this time, he was influenced by diverse political thinkers ranging from Arendt and Gramsci to Aurobindo and MN Roy. Between 2020 and 2023, Akshay worked for an environmental NGO, researching pesticide use and its effects on rural India, surveying farmers from 8 Indian states. His professional interests include political intelligence and strategy, governance and policy, and social science research. Akshay is an avid reader of both fiction and non-fiction with a special interest in subaltern histories. He is also a skilled musician and has performed at some of the nicest venues in Delhi.
Chaitanya is an Ashoka University graduate with a Bachelor’s in Political Science and Environmental Studies. His interests, academic and professional, lie at the intersections of politics and the natural environment. He is especially interested in questions concerning public spaces, sustainable cities, environmental justice and collective action. Following a short stint in content strategy, he has worked with monitoring and impact evaluation at an ed-tech NGO for the last year and a half. His interest in politics and policy comes from a passion for understanding the systems that govern our lives and his personal hope for sustainable and inclusive public spaces. While he has spent the last five years in and around Delhi, he is originally from Rajahmundry, a quaint riverside town in Andhra Pradesh. He spends most of his free time cooking, reading about food, googling random things and solving puzzles.
Aarushi completed her Bachelors in Political Science from Lady Shri Ram College and her Masters in Politics and International Studies from Jawaharlal Nehru University. She has previously worked at organisations such as PRS Legislative Research and Pratham NGO. Her artistic side has pivoted through a diverse range of extracurricular hobbies such as playing the piano and learning classical Odissi dance. Her academic side on the other hand incisively analyses developments within domestic and foreign policy of India, in the hope of cutting through the chaff while contributing a nuanced perspective.
Brought up in a defence background, Hargun is the quintessential army kid in town. Always chirpy and excited, her friends often describe her as the neighbourhood’s social butterfly, especially when it comes to making plans for mid-day/mid-week hangouts. She is a Graduate in Political Science, International Relations and Media Studies from Ashoka University. Her passion for politics ignited back in high school and further got fuelled during her undergrad years, when she was involved in analysing the 2019 General Elections through data analytics and research. She also has a knack for foreign policy and security studies and has written articles for various publications including ORF and E-IR.
Siddharth Desarda holds an LLB degree from Government Law College Mumbai and has also completed a Bachelor's in Liberal Arts, showcasing his diverse academic interests. His research focuses on interdisciplinary subjects like urbanisation, early childhood education, and migration, indicating his commitment to addressing pressing societal issues. Siddharth is deeply passionate about Indian politics, particularly grassroots movements and policy developments. He envisions a career that combines law practice with public policy work, aspiring to contribute meaningfully to the betterment of society.
Soumya is a qualified professional with a Master's degree in Development from Azim Premji University and a Bachelor's degree in Social Sciences from Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS). Her academic journey has been marked by active engagement in student politics and social movements, reflecting her commitment to societal issues. Her research pursuits are centred around urban planning, climate change, land conflicts, and women's reproductive rights. With a robust academic foundation, Soumya has contributed her expertise to various organisations, including Land Conflict Watch, MTV Staying Alive Foundation, Institute of Social Studies Trust (ISST), and the Telangana Social Welfare Residential Schools. Driven by a passion for understanding the intricacies of Indian politics, Soumya has chosen to embark on this fellowship. Her diverse experiences and academic background make her a valuable asset, and she is poised to make meaningful contributions in the realm of political understanding and social impact.
Ekshika Parnami is from JNU, and no she is not anti-national. She did her Bachelors in Journalism (Honors) from Christ University. A mass communication degree hasn’t solved her communication issues. She loves writing (check out Bonobology for relationship advice), dancing and curating playlists on Spotify. She prepared for UPSC and dreams of bringing change in this country. Working at Inclusive Minds is bringing her closer to that dream.
An AD MAN, Art, Adventure and Sports Enthusiast, he graduated from XIC, Mumbai after completing his PGDM in Advertising and Marketing Communications. Desai brings about three years of industry experience working in client servicing, brand strategy and as a liaison between agency and clients since he began his career at BBDO India in July 2019. He then moved to Leo Burnett Orchard (PUBLICIS GROUPE) in 2020. Most recently he did a short stint at McCann WORLDGROUP as Senior Project Manager. He is a music lover, enjoys good food, cooking and loves to travel. He wishes to become an all-round communications expert and continue exploring his many passions of collecting shoes, watches and vintage cars amongst other varied interests.
Borrowing words from Lenka’s Everything at Once, as cool as a tree, as scary as sea, Ritesh is an epitome of dedication on every field he steps on. He is yet another valuable contribution of IIT-K to the field of political consultancy. Strong like a family, strong as he wanna be, he has rightly earned the title of ‘A Family Man’ as he takes care of his own family and office family really well. A combat athlete, when he is not busy fighting with a complex task or working on a political situation, he can be found in a boxing ring or on a football field.
A spirited legal scholar, has a background in International Law and Human Rights. With a Master of Laws from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, she has been ardently involved in research and teaching. Swati's work at HAQ: Center for Child Rights and her publications reflect her commitment to social justice. Her passion for politics, particularly of her home state, Uttar Pradesh, led her to join the Nehru Fellowship where she worked on complex sociopolitical issues. She is eager to contribute her knowledge and skills to create a positive impact in the political landscape.
Aastha Rathore is a person with multiple passions owing to rich academic and co-curricular experiences. She is a Math(Hons.) graduate with a PGD in English Journalism from IIMC, New Delhi and a background in theater and public speaking. She worked as a Senior Sub-Editor, Anchor and Producer at The Lallantop, India Today Group before joining the Fellowship. Aastha is an avid reader who also enjoys writing, painting and dancing. Her love for literature, history, performing arts, society, politics, science and almost everything under the sun has contributed to her personal and professional growth. Factors, she claims, have enabled her to own and further hone a diverse skill set. One should always keep learning and widening their horizon for the better - she operates on that notion!