Amaraja Kulkarni is a sustainability and policy researcher with 14 years of life sciences industry experience, now leading the Environment & Sustainable Development Division at the Policy Advocacy Research Centre. She co-authors global SDG guidebooks, develops policy toolkits, and bridges grassroots realities with systemic reforms for circular economy transitions.
These are the backbone, minds, hands and hearts of the Policy Pioneers Program, a dynamic collective of individuals from diverse regions, academic disciplines and professional experiences. United by their varied expertise, they work together to craft holistic, practical solutions to pressing societal challenges.
Guided by a shared purpose, they are driven by the conviction to contribute to a cause greater than themselves, advancing equity, fostering inclusion and strengthening the fabric of our communities and our nation.
These are the Policy Program delegates of 2025, working with passion and purpose for the future they believe in.
DELEGATES: Cohort of 2025
Dr. Sanket Naik Dessai, with over 12 years of experience, is a PhD in Electronics and Communication Engineering with a focus on advanced embedded and VLSI systems. He is passionate about advancing innovations in 5G/6G communication, sustainable energy, and AI, and aims to bridge technical expertise with strategic governance through collaborations with think tanks and policy bodies.
Jhanvi Dubey
Jhanvi Dubey, a litigation lawyer with extensive experience before the Supreme Court of India and Delhi High Court, is a graduate in Law from Bharti Vidyapeeth University and holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Jesus & Mary College. She is passionate about transitioning her legal expertise into policy to drive systemic change and advance justice, sustainability, and public interest solutions.
K B S Venkat Sai, pursuing his LLB with a specialization in Criminal Law, is the Founder of Courtroom Voice – a national debate club – and Plea Point Consulting. An avid public speaker, TEDx presenter, and Toastmaster for nearly four years, he is passionate about combining law, leadership, and effective communication to drive legal awareness and empower communities, and has authored the award-winning book A Guide to Women’s Laws and How to File an FIR.
Akshay Patil, an experienced EdTech professional and alumnus of IIT Madras, has expertise in stakeholder management, delivery operations, and governance. He has scaled e-learning initiatives across India by building partnerships with over 200 NGOs, CSR bodies, and government agencies, and is passionate about teaching and learning languages.
Devesh Singh, a public health practitioner with three years of experience, has worked with organizations such as Jan Swasthya Sahyog, Sangwari, and UNICEF on government-collaborative projects. A Master of Public Health, he is passionate about advancing health equity by bridging policy and community action, and has worked closely with healthcare systems to deliver lasting change for marginalized populations in central India.
Rupali Gupta, a seasoned public health professional, is currently working with NITI Aayog and holds a Master’s in Public Health along with a Bachelor’s in Nutrition and Dietetics. She is passionate about strengthening health systems and advancing community and social service through impactful initiatives in program planning, policy implementation, and stakeholder engagement.
Hoimontick Gogoi, a recent postgraduate in Geopolitics and International Relations from the Manipal Academy of Higher Education, holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Shaheed Bhagat Singh College, University of Delhi. A native of Assam, he is passionate about researching major policy issues such as flood management and community cleanliness to drive sustainable and impactful change.
Shaurya Garg, a Gold Medalist in Masters in Social Work with a Law background, has seven years of professional experience in CSR programme implementation, driving impactful projects in semi urban settings. She is an avid writer and reader and is passionate about fostering inclusive education and skill development through policy research, stakeholder engagement, and capacity building.
Dr. Aishwarya Rohatgi, a dentist-turned public health professional, works at the intersection of digital health, policy, and delivery. At PATH, she co-developed World Bank recommendations for Pacific nations, advised Fiji’s Ministry of Health, and helped secure a $5M CIFF grant for Maharashtra’s digital PHC. With prior roles at NHA and BMGF projects, she integrates policy design, partnerships, and execution to drive digital health adoption.
Urwashi Khandare, an M.Tech. graduate in Instrumentation and Signal Processing from IIT Kharagpur, has over eight years of experience as a Pre-Silicon Verification Engineer at Intel India. While her professional background is rooted in engineering, she is deeply passionate about environmental sustainability, particularly in plastic waste management, eco-tourism, and permaculture. She aims to complement her technical expertise with policy frameworks to help shape inclusive, sustainable solutions for environmental transition.
Babu Sandeep Kumar is the Co-Founder and Director of India4IAS, a unit of Re-imagining India Edu-Innovations Pvt. Ltd. With a decade of experience in education and governance, he has mentored UPSC and KPSC aspirants while designing policy-relevant modules and outreach programs. Passionate about democratizing access to civil services preparation, he envisions reforms that strengthen equity, innovation, and institutional capacity in public systems.
Kavita is a chartered accountant with over 13 years of experience in corporate finance and more than two years in the social and political sectors. She has held leadership roles at Cummins India and contributed to electoral research, rural skill development, and infrastructure policy. She combines financial expertise with grassroots engagement, applying data-driven strategy and process excellence to advance community-focused initiatives.
Dr. Aradhana Gandhi is a professor and researcher at the intersection of consumer behavior, marketing, and technology adoption. Her award-winning work spans innovation, neuromarketing, AR/VR, influencer marketing, and telemedicine, with publications in leading journals and IEEE conferences. Through faculty development programs, MDPs, and consulting, she builds capacity in academic writing, research, and consumer strategy.
Harsha Paike is a policy generalist with a background in physics, integrating quantitative tools with systems thinking. A Takshashila-trained practitioner (Advanced GCPP), he applies Python-led analysis and GIS mapping to policy design. At IIT Bombay, he worked on microfluidic diagnostics and soft-matter sensors, honing experimental and data skills. As an independent researcher, he translates technical clarity into accessible public writing and policy problem-solving.
Sonal Ghodge is a development professional passionate about career education for young adults. At Antarang Foundation, she leads partnerships with municipal, district, and state education departments to integrate career guidance in schools. With experience in youth development and policy alignment, she combines stakeholder management, program scaling, and sustainability to make career education accessible.
Shashwat Shekhar is an enterprise sales leader with over 11 years of experience in SaaS, cybersecurity, and AI, specializing in GTM setup, C-suite engagement, and account growth. At Metadome.ai, he built a $300k pipeline, renewed $120k+, and added four strategic accounts; earlier at Rubrik, he launched North India’s motion and built a $750k pipeline. He combines structured discipline with outcome-driven execution.
Sangramsinh is a water policy and governance professional (TISS) with ESG and climate expertise in evaluation and field implementation. His evaluation of Maharashtra’s Tribal Sub-Plans spanned 20 villages and included FRA consultations. With prior roles at CEE Pune and Yuva Mitra, he advanced climate-resilient livelihoods, supported FPO formation, and facilitated SDG-linked trainings, effectively integrating grassroots engagement with broader policy perspectives.
Shardul Dabir is a Senior Associate at the Institute for Climate Innovation, building field initiatives across science, policy, and industry for decarbonization in high‑impact sectors. Formerly Director at Effective Altruism India and Innovation/Operations Specialist at The Good Food Institute India/USA, he has led ecosystem programs, communities, and sector‑building for alternative proteins.
Vipul Shukla, a law graduate from NLIU, works at the intersection of law, policy, and political intelligence. He has drafted briefs on IBC, RERA, GST, and PSB mergers, advised on law-and-order reforms, and authored a digital sovereignty report. With experience in campaigns, MCC compliance, insolvency, and arbitration, he brings sharp research and practical policy insight.
Vivek is a social entrepreneur and cancer advocate, building patient navigation and caregiver ecosystems through UHAPO and the Mickey Amogh Foundation. He delivers end-to-end oncology support physical, emotional, social, and financial via community partnerships and digital outreach. He combines free wigs, treatment access, and patient services with public engagement to reduce care barriers.
Kuheli is a public health consultant with 8+ years of experience spanning healthcare research, and government advisory. Currently Senior Consultant at the Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, she has worked with Global Health Strategies, University of Toronto, and international donors including UNICEF, and Gates Foundation.
Kiral Singh is a Research Associate at FICCI, developing policy briefs, bilateral reports, and delegation notes on trade, investment, and multilateral frameworks. Previously, he managed civil aviation and railways advocacy at PHD Chamber. He specializes in policy analysis, strategic engagement, and cross-sector collaboration.
Dr. Dash is a seasoned academic, policy consultant, and institution builder with 25 years of experience in higher education, governance, and sustainability. Currently a Senior Fellow and part-time PhD scholar at BML Munjal University, he has advised governments, built policy networks, and co-founded platforms like the Kalinga Literary Festival.
Bhavana Kashyap is an entrepreneur, educator, and policy enthusiast, currently Co-Founder at Lasting Start supporting student entrepreneurs. She consults on disability innovation with CBR Network and previously led Milletzkart India as Executive Director. With an MBA from the University of Southampton and experience in pharma, CDM, and product development, she brings expertise in compliance, pedagogy.
Gautam Bhatia is pursuing his Master’s in Public Policy & Administration at PDEU, Gandhinagar, and holds a Bachelor’s in Economics (Hons) from Christ University, Bengaluru. He interned at GRIT, Government of Gujarat, evaluating education strategies for Viksit Gujarat @2047, and engaged with children through CSA and AIESEC SDG-4 programs. He is passionate about inclusive and holistic education.
Ishita is a product and marketing professional driving data-led execution across insurance and consumer finance. At Bajaj Finance, she is scaling engagement for a D2C loyalty platform through targeted campaigns, internal activations, and influencer-led content; earlier she led paperless re‑KYC rollout pan‑India, cutting annual costs and TAT. Anchored in analytics and stakeholder cadence, she translates strategy into measurable adoption & process gains.
Snehal Rajguru, with over eight years of experience in the education sector, is pursuing a Master’s in Public Policy and Governance. She has worked across communities and with key system leaders to drive sustainable change, and is passionate about advancing systemic reforms, strengthening governance practices, and integrating creativity and innovation into grassroots solutions.
Khanin Baruah, a commerce graduate from Northeast India, works at Dr. Reddy’s Foundation as a Core Employability Skills Trainer for Persons with Disabilities. He is passionate about fostering inclusion and advancing sustainability, believing in protecting our one Earth for the well-being of future generations, and is committed to empowering individuals with the skills and confidence needed to create a more equitable and resilient society.
Sandip Pandey
Sandip Pandey, a PhD scholar in Political Science with a focus on Political Economy, holds a Master’s in Public Policy and a background in Education. With two years of freelance research experience and work on ICSSR-sponsored projects, he brings strong grassroots governance insights and is passionate about geopolitics, policy analysis, and crafting inclusive governance solutions.
Nalin Khare, a recent graduate in Public Policy, has a keen interest in urban planning, governance, and development. He is passionate about understanding public policy through ground-level observation and research, and aims to contribute to building sustainable and inclusive cities that balance governance with community needs.
Dhruti Muzumdar, an architect in training, is passionate about urban development, design for social impact, and inclusive policy-making. She is keen on exploring how cities can become more equitable, sustainable, and responsive to the needs of their people, combining creative design with a commitment to community-centered urban solutions.
Vaibhav Rajaram Dalavi, a public policy enthusiast from rural Maharashtra, has grassroots experience in education, youth empowerment, and community development. He is passionate about combining policy learning with field experience to drive systemic change and create equitable opportunities in underserved communities.
Pranesh Raam
Pranesh Raam, a final-year BBA LL.B. (Hons.) student at Symbiosis Law School, Pune, is the founder and director of the Modern Language Community, a Section 8 company dedicated to linguistic activism and the protection of endangered languages. A resident of Tamil Nadu, he envisions expanding this work to a wider range of languages. Passionate about history, he is also a writer of short poems and stories, combining his interests in law, culture, and advocacy.
Mansi Gupta is a B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) student at NUJS, Kolkata, interested in technology law, corporate practice, dispute resolution, and policy. She has worked at CMS, IndusLaw, Grynow Media, Fox Mandal, UKCA, and senior advocates’ chambers on IP/privacy, FDI, SEBI/RBI, and constitutional litigation. As a research assistant, she contributed to publications on defamation and fiscal federalism, combining legal training with policy research.
Anusha Gupta is an experienced Medical Affairs professional, currently Area Medical Advisor at Pfizer India, specializing in vaccines and adult immunization initiatives. She has previously worked with Abbott India, leading therapy-shaping programs, national webinars, and training modules. A certified medical writer and clinical researcher, she combines scientific expertise with stakeholder engagement, cross-functional collaboration, and leadership.
Sumit Shende, with over four years of experience in education and rural governance, has worked with district administrations in Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh. A postgraduate in Political Science, he is passionate about empowering rural youth and strengthening decentralized governance, envisioning systemic reforms that foster collaboration, innovation, and inclusive grassroots development.
Anushka Dubey
Anushka Dubey, a recent B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) graduate with a specialization in Criminal Law from NMIMS Indore, is passionate about technology law, governance, and social equity. With strong interests in intellectual property, AI regulation, and inclusive policy-making, she values community service and communication, and aims to explore innovative policies that combine fairness with forward-thinking solutions.
Sonal Upadhyay, a postgraduate trainee historian from Jamia Millia Islamia, focuses on the intersection of politics, economy, and society in post-independence India. A graduate in History from the University of Delhi, she is passionate about political finance, women’s representation, and demographic change, bringing interdisciplinary methods to understand contemporary challenges through long-term institutional transformations.
Sriram Bhamidipati, a systems architect with over 25 years in software engineering, is transitioning into public policy with interests in sustainability, urban systems, and education. Having held leadership roles at Juniper Networks and led ML-driven platforms in cloud and telecom, he brings an All-India Rank 1 in MTech and rural enterprise IT experience to structured policy problem-solving. He is passionate about applying technology and data-driven insights to design scalable, inclusive solutions.
Sainath Gedam is an emerging professional with a background in science and research, having worked as a Project Assistant at IIT Bombay. With interests in applying scientific methods to practical problem-solving, he has developed strong analytical and research skills early in his career. Sainath is keen on exploring how evidence-based approaches can address public challenges and inform better policy-making. He aspires to contribute to creating scalable, impactful solutions.
Jahnavi Padmanabham, a legal professional and Advocate at the Madras and Andhra Pradesh High Courts, has experience as Research Associate–Judicial Clerk assisting judges across civil, criminal, and service matters. Skilled in legal research, drafting, and judicial assistance, she advances social justice through legal aid, prisoner rights, and child welfare initiatives, alongside volunteering and community outreach. She also manages social media for Mytri Wellness and supports NGOs and DLSA in community impact initiatives.
Khyati Thaker is a public health program leader with eight years of experience across CPHC, RMNCHA, nutrition, TB, NCDs, and health systems. As State Program Manager at ARMMAN, she aligns digital RCH programs with NHM, strengthens MIS and M&E, and builds state team capacity. Previously, she led women’s health programs, fostered PRI partnerships, and mentored grassroots leaders to advance community health.
Kamaleshwari is a social worker advancing education, health, and livelihoods through community-led change. As Program Leader at Piramal Foundation, she leads women and youth empowerment, digital skills training, and CSR initiatives with Piramal Pharma. A Gandhi Fellow alumna, she has worked on Kayakalp certification, Anganwadi mentoring, menstrual hygiene awareness, and promoting reading through the Read Along program in schools.
Vaishali is a lawyer and visiting faculty at GLC Mumbai, specializing in environment, energy, and climate law. She holds an LLM from JGU–WWF India with a focus on adaptation, ESG in extractives, climate mobility, and restoration of mined lands. Her work spans plastic pollution, biodiversity, and protected area governance, backed by prior experience in trade, insurance, and securities law. She is passionate about bridging law and sustainability practice.
Ravdeep Singh is a media professional currently creating a docuseries on Sikh Gurdwaras, drawing on experience as a Digital Journalist Trainee at BBC News Punjabi and with the Department of Information and Public Relations, Punjab. Skilled in communication, storytelling, policy analysis, social media, and visual editing, he has covered railways, climate, and farmer issues. He contributes to Knock TV and is pursuing a Master’s in Journalism and Mass Communication.
Rahul is an operations and program delivery professional with experience at McKinsey & Company and BioTecNika. He has managed over 15 programs across healthcare, policy, and non-profits, while developing SOPs and delivery playbooks. Skilled in program management and stakeholder coordination, he blends analytical rigor with certified project management training to drive efficient, impact-focused execution and sustainable program outcomes.
Kushala Simha is a fourth-year B.A., LL.B. (Hons.) student at Mahindra University, specializing in corporate and commercial law. She has interned with leading firms such as Luthra and Luthra and JSA Advocates, gaining experience in arbitration, due diligence, and contract drafting. An IMPRI Youth Fellow, she blends academic excellence with strong research, writing, and advocacy skills to advance her legal pursuits.
Arpit Awasthi
Arpit, a VLSI/ECE academic and engineer, bridges silicon verification and AI acceleration with classroom outcomes. He has taught digital systems and Verilog labs, and published technical work as an Assistant Professor. His industry roles span CNN deployment on FPGAs at MathWorks and RISC-V verification at AMD. Active in civic learning, he pursues policy fellowships, volunteers with liberty networks, and champions rigorous, reproducible pedagogy.
Abhinav Kadambi is a Ph.D. researcher in Sanskrit at Presidency College, University of Madras, focusing on psychology and mind sciences in Indian Knowledge Systems and comparative philosophy. A consultant on Indian Studies, he is also trained in Vedic chanting and Viniyoga. He integrates dharmic pedagogy, cultural heritage, and modern knowledge, advancing interdisciplinary scholarship and practice in Indian traditions.
Aishwarya Sam, a BITS Pilani Computer Science graduate, is a Data Scientist at Expedia Group. Her experience spans data analytics, customer journey modeling, and software development, with internships at BlackBerry QNX and IGCAR. She has published IEEE research on autonomous driving and AI. Aishwarya combines technical expertise with leadership, driving data-driven innovation and applying AI solutions to complex challenges.
Kamal Shukla
Kamal Shukla, an M&E and programs professional with an MBA in Development Management, brings expertise in livelihoods and incubation. At the Centre for Micro-Finance, he developed M&E frameworks, indicators, and donor reports. At IRMA ISEED, he supported program design, startup identification, and portfolio management. With strengths in planning, communication, and problem-solving, he translates field evidence into actionable insights.
Santhosh Maheswaran is a versatile content writer and community leader, serving as Verbal Ability Trainer at Balsu Success Academy, where his exam-prep workshops impacted 200+ students and were featured in Dinamalar. He has developed site content for tech firms, produced SDG-focused content as a UN75 Consultant Intern, and built campaigns. As Chapter Lead at U&I, he manages 30 volunteers and 34 students, contributing to fundraising.
Tanvi Gurjar is a dedicated biodiversity researcher with international field and lab experience in evolutionary biology, conservation, and ecology. She has worked on projects in India, Japan, Austria, and Germany, studying species behavior, amphibian conservation, and ecosystem restoration. A WWF Youth ECHO Fellow, she is also deeply engaged in science communication, indigenous literature, and wildlife outreach.
Jiya Malla is an early-career policy communicator with experience spanning research support, donor engagement, and program documentation across think tank and education settings. At Carnegie India, she contributed to the Global Technology Summit, managed convenings and editorial workflows, and supported proposals and metrics tracking, including podcast and speaker-series execution.
Dhananjay Raner, a Food Technology Engineer from Rajiv Gandhi College of Food Technology, specializes in quality control, ethanol processing, and sustainable packaging. With industry experience at Radico NV Distilleries Ltd, his projects cover ethanol analysis, packaging recycling, and yoga-based behavioral studies. Certified in accounting, IT, and entrepreneurship.
Vasistha Narayan Kumar serves as an Agriculture Entrepreneur Mentor with Syngenta Foundation India, advancing farmer livelihoods through entrepreneurship and sustainable practices. His expertise spans market development, and rural value chains. Currently a Subhash Chandra Bose Fellow, he focuses on agripreneurship, governance, and global security.
Govardhan Pinni brings over 9 years of experience across consulting, strategy, and finance, having worked with global firms such as Barclays, Goldman Sachs, Grant Thornton, and Miles Education Group. His expertise spans regulatory reporting, risk analysis. He is passionate about applying systems thinking and analytical tools to solve complex public challenges.
Kumari Vaibhav, an agriculture graduate, drives employability and entrepreneurship for rural youth in Bundelkhand. As Student Relationship Manager at Medha. She co-led Agriscape, curated an employer roundtable with 20+ leaders, and combines hands-on RAWE and ELP experience in mushroom and vermicompost production to bridge the education–workforce gap.
Ram Pyara is a Teach For India Fellow and Science & Maths teacher working with 65 students in a low-income school while addressing systemic education challenges. He combines pedagogy, digital productivity, and AI tool with empathy. Passionate about grassroots change, he bridges classroom realities with policy reforms for equitable education access.
Advocate Shraddha Chughra is an independent legal practitioner with experience in litigation, consumer matters, agricultural laws, and legal aid. Skilled in legal research, policy analysis, strategic communication, and data‑driven reporting, she authored a dissertation on Article 32’s evolving role and papers on constitutional law, RTI, media rights, and governance.
Prateek Mehrotra is a political researcher and strategist with an M.A. in Political Science and International Relations. He has worked on Lok Sabha 2024 campaigns, managed social media for a Haryana MLA, and contributed to strategic political consulting projects. Skilled in research, data analytics, and digital campaigns, he applies policy insights to electoral strategy and political communication.
Kamana Singh is an educator with experience as PGT and TGT English, integrating drama, storytelling, and meditation to develop communication, critical thinking, and leadership. She has led editorial boards, designed skill‑based activities, coached students (VI–VIII), conducted dramatics workshops, and created digital content. Her expertise spans pedagogy design, classroom management, and editorial leadership.
Harsh Bohra, a law student at the University of Delhi and St. Stephen’s College history topper, has experience as Strategic Research Intern to Ambassador Rahul Chhabra, drafting policy briefs on G20, Indo-Pacific, and South–South cooperation. He leads events, publications, and social outreach with fellowships in diplomacy and foreign policy, and global conference representation.
Karanveer Singh Chawla supports leaders through complex operations and large convenings, blending hospitality training with systems-led execution. At Isha Yoga Center, he restructured front-office flows, set SOPs, ran surveys. He coordinated global representatives at the Sirpur Buddhist Summit and supported Heartfulness–Ministry of Culture’s million-participant event.
Banuprakash R. is a Gandhi Fellow at the Piramal School of Leadership, leading initiatives in education, health, livelihoods, and local governance. Collaborating with NITI Aayog on aspirational district projects, he builds dashboards for data-driven decisions and has conducted ASER-based assessments. He blends grassroots engagement with policy impact.
Kriti Gupta, a Chartered Accountant and development leader, has 9+ years across youth, gender, and livelihoods, now building skilling pathways in Bihar. As Associate Director at Project Potential, she launched a School of Programming for women and industry-linked programs in hospitality and healthcare. Previously, as Consultant at KPMG India, she advised government clients including the National Skill Development Corporation International (NSDCI).
Bhavani Shankar Mishra, electronics and instrumentation graduate who blends PLC/SCADA exposure at HPCL with on-ground delivery in retail automation and IIoT. He streamlined Mobile Dispensing Unit operations via geofencing and documentation, improving visibility and cutting misunderstandings at site level. He deployed an IoT key-lock solution that reduced support tickets and built a Power BI SNF-index report to assess milk quality.
Subhash Kumar Agrawal is a science educator specializing in pedagogy, assessments, and contextual learning. At Azim Premji Foundation, he mentors interns, manages labs, and aligns assessments with grade-level competencies. He promotes inquiry projects and community engagement, driving inclusive, outcome-focused learning across classrooms and beyond.
Arun, a CA Finalist, specializes in statutory audits, compliance reviews, and corporate filings. At Daleep Bhatia & Co., he worked on Jaquar Group’s statutory audit, including plant audits and TDS/GST checks. Previously at D M & Company, he handled incorporations, filings, returns, and independent audits. He delivers detail-led, deadline-true documentation and assurance services
Manvi Singh is pursuing an M.Phil. in Clinical Psychology at the Central Institute of Psychiatry, Ranchi, and has worked as a Sewa Fellow in Sikkim with grassroots communities. Her experience combines mental health training, rural development, and research in psychology. With a strong foundation in community engagement, therapy, and participatory development.
Theerthesha N is a public health professional with allied clinical training, experienced in M&E, field operations, and research. He supports NUHM Karnataka in monitoring, contributed to ICMR-NCDIR feasibility studies, and worked at IPH Bengaluru. Formerly an OT in-charge and ICU staff, he now advances preventive care and school health through data-driven insights.