Over the past 8 years, we have gone from working in partnership with schools, to districts, to the state education department. We have worked on strengthening parent participation and activating participatory platforms such as SMCs and PTMs in Delhi, Haryana, Punjab and Nagaland. Currently, our work reaches 35,000+ govt. schools across three states- Punjab, Haryana and Nagaland.

Our approach has always been systemic, because systemic is sustainable. A layman may think that government systems do not work- it is riddled with red-tapism and bureaucracy. They may think that any effort to bring change is futile. But, it is not always so black and white. There is nuance. Change may be hard to achieve, but it is definitely possible. It requires patience and concentrated effort. It requires one to work around the constraints and challenges of the system, without opting for shortcuts.

Q 2: You have served 2 years as a Fellow at Teach For India. How was your experience there and would you recommend it to BITSians who are interested in this field of social work?

Yes, I would recommend the Teach For India (TFI) fellowship. It gives      exposure to the realities of a government school or a low-income private school, which can spark ideas that have the potential to change the country. This exposure, combined with the intellect, enthusiasm and passion of a BITSian can serve the world in a great way.

Over the two years of my fellowship, I learnt to be patient. Teaching is an extensive daily process and it teaches you to be resilient. As I was placed in a government school, I had to learn how to channel my frustration in a system that was not fully effective. It was a great opportunity for me to grow my leadership abilities as well.

TFI gave me the opportunity to explore various paths after the fellowship. It helped me lay the foundation as an entrepreneur. The TFI ecosystem was a huge enabler during and after my fellowship- my managers, peers, alumni - everyone offered timely support.

Q 3: During your time at BITS Pilani, you were the Marketing Head for the Department of Sponsorship and Marketing. Do you think the opportunity to play such a role, has shaped you Today?

Without a doubt, being the Marketing Head for the Department of Sponsorship and Marketing has shaped me. During this stint, I realized my passion and love for leadership. I realized my ability to do sales. It filled me with a high sense of possibility.

I was able to motivate the team and raise money through all the team members. I learnt to deal with freshers and build their skills and confidence to take up this work. I also learnt to navigate through the ambiguities that come with the role and raise funds along with it.

Q 4:With a wealth of experiences, you have had and all the great work you have done, what plans do you have for the future?

I want to take the cause of participation to more places- nationally and internationally. I want to sensitize the youth, the development sector at large, and the philanthropic space on the need and importance of participation, so that more people are encouraged and supported to take up this work