WOMEN IN GOVERNMENT FELLOWS
Amandeep
Skill Development Coordinator,
SEWA Bharat
Amandeep started her professional journey in 2012 as a Gandhi Fellow in the rural areas of Rajasthan. She was responsible for providing support to schools for their capacity building programs, improving the functionality, and creating better learning spaces for children.
In pursuit of her passion to make a meaningful difference, she joined Saajha in June 2014 where her work involved engagement with schools of Delhi Government to improve parental participation in government schools. In her five years-long tenure at Saajha, she changed multiple hats from a facilitator, training content designer to leadership roles for projects in Jharkhand and Maharashtra.
After realising her inclination towards gender equality and women empowerment, she joined Sewa Bharat in 2020 and currently she is enabling women through skill and capacity building and exploring non-traditional livelihoods for women in different states to ensure & generate a regular source of income.
Amandeep completed her graduation from Delhi University with a specialization in Education.
Ankita Shree is a development professional with more than 14 years of experience in child protection, right to food and early childhood development along with women empowerment. She has created three Model Nursery Anganwadi Centres and one Model Creche Home in Jharkhand. Ankita also runs a Play School, Creche & Day Care centre and aspires to set up chain of creche & day care centres in both urban & rural areas to support women to work & earn. By training, she is Post graduate in Psychology and currently associated with Pankhuri Play School as Founding Director.
Ankita wants to join politics to bridge the gap between Government schemes and community knowledge about these schemes.
Ankita Shree
Development Professional
Arpita Dutta
National Coordinator, NSUI
Arpita Dutta is currently working as National Coordinator at the National Students’ Union of India and is also serving as the Media Panelist of the Indian National Congress - Assam. She is the Founder and Trustee of The Anjan Dutta Foundation. She has been a panellist in debates on NDTV, Times Now, Mirror Now and other media houses, discussing women’s safety, and several political issues.
Arpita has graduated in Political Science from Miranda House, University of Delhi. She has participated as well as presided in many debates and MUNs across the country since her childhood. As a student activist, she has led protests, organised donation drives and other events focusing on the student community, women's rights and the current problems of Assam.
Arpita is also a dancer and a choreographer. She has been training in Bharatnatyam and Sattriya from a very young age. Currently, she is specialising in the dance style called Dancehall. She has participated in various national and international dance competitions and shows, including Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa and Dance India Dance. She runs a YouTube channel which has over 25,000 subscribers and over 4 million views where she posts her dance videos, tutorials, travel vlogs and other content. Along with that, she is also teaching dance professionally.
Bansari Kamdar is the founder and managing editor of Newspaperwali, a newsletter on gender and South Asia. She reports on gender, immigration, security, and political economy of South Asia as an independent reporter. Her bylines include Boston Globe, Conversation, World Politics Review, AP News, The Diplomat, Huffington Post, CNN-News18, and more.
Kamdar also works at the Gastón Institute for Latino Community Development and Public Policy and Harvard University’s Center for International Development. She studied MA International Relations and Journalism from Boston University and also MA Applied Economics, University of Massachusetts, Boston.
Bansari Kamdar
Freelance Journalist
Binjal Shah is a political strategist and independent journalist advocating for social justice issues with a special focus on gender, sexuality and caste. Currently, she is working on the election campaign of a major national party for the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. Her articles have appeared in publications like HuffPost India, Outlook Magazine, Newslaundry, The News Minute and Feminism in India.
Binjal completed her Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism from Asian College of Journalism, Chennai and Bachelor of Mass Media from Mumbai University.
Binjal Shah
Political Consultant
Chongtin S.
Women Co-Ordinator,
Khiamniungan Students' Union
Chongtin belongs to the Khiamniungan tribe of Nagaland. In a state like Nagaland where no woman has ever been elected as an MLA till date, Chongtin aspires to join politics and give back to the society. In pursuit of excellence, she believes that she is a citizen of the world. She has participated and served different students', cultural, religious and tribal organisations since her elementary school days. From 2014 onwards, she has been working as the General Secretary of Nokhu Range Students' Union. She is also the Women Co-Ordinator of the Khiamniungan Students' Union.
Chongtin is also a writer and an Independent researcher with an interest in Gender. She studied MA English and M.Phil. from Nagaland University.
Deepa Pawar
Founder & Director,
Anubhuti Charitable Trust
Deepa is a Nomadic and Denotified Tribe (NT-DNT) activist, and founder of the feminist organization, Anubhuti. She is one of the first and few Gadiya Lohar (a nomadic tribe) women across India to post graduate.
Having started work at age 14, she has worked for over 20 years in the social development sector in areas of grassroot youth leadership, community development, mental health, sexual reproductive rights and movement-building. She has won national and international awards and fellowships for her work. Deepa was the Grand Prize Winner of UC Berkeley's Tell Her Story 2018 contest from across South Asia, for her work with youth on Gender. She is a Samvaad Fellow, creating the first ever book documenting the occupation of the Gadiya Lohar nomadic community.
She aspires to contest election and represent the Nomadic and De-notified Tribes in the State Assembly.
Jyoti Dubey
District Secretary,
Aam Aadmi Party
Jyoti Dubey is currently the District Secretary with Aam Aadmi Party. Sha social worker and a political activist and has completed her Master's degree from Ambedkar University and a BA in Political Science. Jyoti has worked with Azad foundation, Laadli foundation , Delhi Commission for Women etc. Currently, she is working as a volunteer with Aam Aadmi Party.
Dubey is also a contemporary dancer and Astang Yoga practitioner.
Kangjam Indira Devi
Campaign Manager,
Times of India Group
Indira Kangjam is currently working as a campaign manager in OMSL- TIL ( Time of India group). She belongs to the Meitei community of Manipur and is the first generation woman to pursue higher education from her family. Amidst starvation and extreme poverty during her childhood, she tutored young children to fund her own school education. Due to lack of employment opportunities in her hometown, she moved to New Delhi and worked in the retail sector for years to support her college education as well as for her two younger siblings.
Defying all odds, Indira is determined to create a positive impact on people's lives and be the voice of change in her community. She is curious to look at the existing policies through a gendered lens and understand the importance of the feminist model of leadership.
In her free time, she loves to cook and also backpack,
Nandita Sharma
Research Analyst, Govt. of India
Nandita is a development sector professional, presently working as a domain expert with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India, in their policy vertical. She is also a founding member of an organisation (Women in Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry-National Legal Awareness Council) committed to driving fundamental changes with a view to encourage and empower women in business, industry and commerce across multiple sectors.
Through her experience of over 8 years, she has worked in diverse environments ranging from top bureaucracy in the Government of India to international grassroots organisation. She has formulated policies on skill development, designed ICT systems for climate change and agriculture, and implemented capacity building and livelihood programs at grassroots for rural adults, cross cutting gender and ICT4D. Her rich and varied experience speaks of her determination to push boundaries and work in sectors which are essential for developing nations.
With the knowledge that development is interdisciplinary and requires key stakeholders to come together and collaborate, Nandita is committed to utilizing her strengths and abilities to push development objectives.
Neelam Pathak
Director - Sourcing & Analytics,
Nordex India Pvt Ltd
Neelam is a passionate Mechanical engineer and an active promoter of “Diversity & Inclusion” at workplace and social life.
Since childhood she was challenged for bringing in education and equality for women. Even during her college days when she chose Mechanical engineering she was told that “Girls do not get a job in Mechanical Industry”
She decided to take a job in the mechanical industry which has been primarily a male dominated industry in our country and continued working in that domain while promoting and getting more women in this field. Neelam has over 20+ years of working experience in Automobile & renewable energy domain with various multinational companies. She has been an Active Project Management Professional and speaker at various national/ international forums. While being in the corporate sector she has also been active in the social development area through volunteering and social work in the fields of women education and empowerment in rural areas. She has taken up roles as a Global Ambassador for Society of Women Engineers (SWE) as well as volunteering work including the “National Rural Vision” working for the up-liftment for rural youth and is currently VP NRV Mission Bihar too.
She feels very strongly about having more women participation in the workforce which she believes come through improving basic education and more awareness in women about the opportunities. For the same reason, Neelam would liked to become more active in her social and political career. While going forward she is keen to contest the next Bihar Assembly elections and work for the upliftment of her state and people.
Ramya Kapoor
Research Officer, Govt. of Australia
Ramya began her career as a grassroots public health activist and explored various aspects of international development including environmental concerns, education and livelihoods. Her research and professional experience span across political and geo-strategic affairs, diplomacy and economic cooperation. She has worked with the Government of Australia, the Strategic Foresight Group and IIM-Ahmedabad.
She is joining politics with a firm belief that women leaders can enhance policy-making to find equitable and sustainable solutions for global concerns. She seeks to influence and bring down walls that pose a challenge to diversity and democratic governance. Ramya’s vision is to enable ‘Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam’ and promote a ‘Stronger Together’ approach.
Ramya was trained in Public Policy and Development at the Azim Premji University.
Sakshi Sohoni
Associate, Government Relations, Teach For India
Sakshi Sohoni was a Teach For India Fellow (Cohort of 2019) and is now a part of the staff at Teach For India (Pune) as the Government, School and Community Relations Associate.
Sakshi graduated from Fergusson College, Pune with a Bachelor's Degree in Economics, and minors in Political Science and Philosophy. She genuinely believes that strong legislation supported by purposeful implementation is the only sustainable way for our country to progress. Adequate representation of women in politics is a step in that direction. Her areas of interest are local governance, education, women empowerment and electoral reforms.
Sangeeta Mittal
Associate Professor,
University of Delhi
Sangeeta Mittal is Associate Professor in the Department of English, Maharaja Agrasen College, University of Delhi. She has over 25 years of experience of teaching English literature. She has several research papers and edited books to her credit.
She is the Chief Editor of an on-line journal called International Journal for Digital Ubiquitous and Situated Learning (IJDUS) and founder member of Initiative for Shouldering Ecological Responsibility and Conserving Heritage (INSERCH). She has contributed extensively to the corporate life of the College serving in statutory and administrative positions. She has led teams in the College, being convener of many committees, conferences and publications.
She has contested and won elections for the post of President, Staff Association and also campaigned and participated in other Delhi University teachers’ elections. She aspires to make meaningful contribution to education in India and to establish leadership centers for women politicians of tomorrow.
Shruti Bose is currently a National Vice Chairperson of the social media team of the National Students' Union of India (NSUI). She was appointed National Coordinator of NSUI in 2017 and worked as In-Charge of the states of Jharkhand, Assam, and Sikkim. She was also elected as the Burdwan district president of the Chhatra Parishad.
She has worked in various state assembly election campaigns across India, digitally as well as on the ground. She is a vocal proponent for the rights of women.
Bose studied MA English and loves to read.
Shruti Bose
National Vice Chairperson,
NSUI Social Media Team
Tanya Aneja
Business Journalist, India Today Group
Tanya is a Business Journalist at the India Today Group and has worked with various media organisations as a Content Writer and Anchor. She is an NSE Academy Certified Market Professional and has experience of covering business news as well. From writing news stories to conducting interviews, she has done it all. Working as a Business Journalist with Zee Business, Tanya covered challenging and dynamic business and stock market stories including Budget 2018. Prior to Zee, she was working with MakeMyTrip as a Senior Executive cum Corporate Anchor. She has also worked in SAMPURNA, TOWARDS TOTAL DEVELOPMENT (A Non-Governmental Organization). She has assisted FCC (Family council cell) Counselor and organised various awareness events at NGO.
She holds a BSc (Hons) from Hindu College, Delhi University, and MBA (Financial Markets) from USMS, GGSIPU. She has penned poems on various social issues and recited several of them on various platforms. She believes that poetry can change the world and also plans to get her work published.
Varsha Nikam
Ex-Sarpanch & Joint Secretary, NCP Maharashtra
Varsha Nikam is the Joint Secretary for Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Maharashtra. She was elected as the Sarpanch of Mankapur from 2015-2020 and is currently, a gram-panchayat member (2021). She was also a district president of the Nationalist Congress party. For three terms now, she has been elected in the local government.
Besides active participation in politics, she also works for social causes. To serve the goal of free education, she runs a school in her village, Mankapur. She works tirelessly for girl child education, upliftment of tribal women-youth and environment.
She has completed her M.Com, B.A., B.Ed. and has been active in the education sector since last 27 years. She enjoys painting, travelling and reading.
Zara Farooqui Parwal
State Secretary, AIPC Maharashtra
Zara Farooqui is currently a State Secretary with All India Professionals' Congress (AIPC), Maharashtra. Prior to this, she served as the Chapter Secretary of Pune Central.
Her philosophy in life & politics is simple: equal rights, opportunity & respect. To strive for the same, she believes that the greatest tool is dialogue and the greatest asset is building alliances.
Zara has always been a fierce advocate of animal & environmental rights. She is a proud LGBTQ Ally. By profession, she is an Author & Content/Short Film Creator.
