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One of the valuable lessons I learnt early on was to find what you enjoy doing the most and you will automatically make a difference with your work. Due to my interest in Research and Legislative process, LAMP Fellowship was an opportunity to enter that phase of ‘enjoying what you do’. And it is all the more satisfying to know that your work goes into improving the quality of discourse in Parliament. Apart from research and learning opportunity by assisting the Member of Parliament, the LAMP Fellowship provides enough challenges to inspire you in contributing to the growth of your country actively. The Fellowship comprises of an academically diverse and extremely talented peer group from whom one learns every day.  

The LAMP Fellowship for me was always a year meant for reflection. I came into this Fellowship seeking greater clarity on what I wanted to do in the future and how I could achieve that. The Fellowship gave me exactly that - a tonne of perspective that will help me in making informed career choices in the future. As clichéd as this may sound, but the Fellowship is really what you make of it. There will be peaks and troughs in the amount of work that Fellows get, but it is really up to us to make the best use of our MP’s office and the one year that we have invested in this Fellowship.

During my time as a law student, and as a lawyer I had come to realize that our engagement with the law was largely a retrospective endeavor. We look at the law once it has been passed by the legislature, and assess its effect, its flaws, its application and implementation. The entire process of law-making, on the other hand, is often disregarded, or is only considered valuable to the extent of determining the context in which the final law is to be understood. I joined the LAMP Fellowship in the hope that I go would be able to fill up this lacuna in my understanding of law-making, and the processes and inputs that towards drafting of laws. The LAMP Fellowship, and the experience of working with a Member of Parliament has been instrumental in this context. Having worked with an MP who is part of the Opposition has been particularly eye-opening. I have borne witness to the steadfast commitment with which legislations are discussed and debated and criticized, and the healthy marketplace of ideas that the Parliament can be. Most significantly, however I have learnt that the law-maker’s commitment extends well beyond making laws, and their time at Parliament. A law-maker dons many hats by virtue of the position they hold, and the mornings and evenings before and after Parliament sittings are devoted towards their responsibilities towards their constituency, their party and their people. This can make the work in an MP’s office quite diverse in nature, right from drafting questions, and private member bills to drafting press releases and liaising with various ministries for constituency related needs.

My keen interest in public policy and my curiosity to witness the policy making process at the policy arena itself inspired me to apply for the Fellowship. My graduate program in Public Policy trained me to think critically of the policy issues. The Fellowship became the right place where I could articulate my thoughts and engage with other peers and policy experts and gain valuable insights. I have had the privilege of being nurtured under the best guidance possible. The Fellowship allows you to contribute to the parliamentary process through your MP. This has helped me gain an insider’s perspective to the whole policy making process and the dynamics of politics, which I value a lot. I have also gained extensive knowledge about the nexus between law and policy from working on a various range of bills, debates, standing committees, etc. It has been an exciting journey throughout and one that has always kept me on my toes. The Fellowship has provided me with both broader and deeper understanding of our system and has definitely equipped me well to face the future. 

Understanding how policies were made at the top level was one important thing that made me apply to LAMP Fellowship. I wanted to get an understanding of how different stakeholders interact in making policies and bills. This was important for me as my undergraduate research experience could not enable me understand how academic research in social sciences impacted policies. The LAMP Fellowship largely helped me understand this. Working with a Member of Parliament enabled me to gain access to the various consultations with different groups that happen before a MP makes an intervention in the parliament. I could also understand the things that motivated my MP to raise certain issues in the Parliament. Through this, I could understand how academic research and public discourse of opinions in newspapers and social media influence policy makers. Politics also plays a big role in influencing MPs in the policy making process. Observing all these from close quarters helped me understand how policies are made. Apart from this, I also got opportunities to meet other like-minded fellows who are interested in public policy. Interacting with them helped me develop newer perspectives on various topics and issues. Finally, I also got an opportunity to read and write about various government documents and reports on various issues. This helped me increase my comfort level in understanding a wide variety of topics and enabled me to connect them with what I have studied before.

I was always interested in understanding how laws are made and its effect on the general populace. Law School further piqued my interest in the policy sphere. To be able to observe the same from close quarters while also contribute to the field was too good an opportunity to miss. Hence, I applied for the Fellowship. The Fellowship has helped me gain a better understanding of the working of Parliament and the importance of the institution to a democracy. It has also helped me shed preconceived and false notions about our politicians and their work. The responsibilities they discharge, the different stakeholders they address and the variety of work they undertake is unparalleled. The Fellowship, replete with workshops and mentoring by a MP, has opened me up to new ideas while continuously challenging my notions on various issues I held strong opinions about. All in all, it has been a truly enriching experience.

The LAMP Fellowship provides me with a rare opportunity to understand impactful law-making. It encompasses a pillar of government which was otherwise elusive to me as a law graduate, the legislature. Being able to directly observe the legislative process has been a fascinating experience. It has allowed me to appreciate the impressive complexity involved in formulating laws. I have been exposed to a spectrum of perspectives and a wide domain of relevant subject matters. A vital component of the LAMP Fellowship for me has been the training which prepares one to be able to function effectively in the office of a Parliamentarian, and also throughout one's professional career. Creative problem solving and adaptability are some of the important skills that the Fellowship inculcates in young professionals. Finally, working under a Member of Parliament has been a unique learning experience through which I have been able to engage with crucial developmental issues concerning the people of India. Contributing towards making a positive national impact is something very few people at my age are able to experience in this manner.

I applied for LAMP in order to realize my passion to contribute to the social sector, thereby leading to a desired career path in the development space. I have been sensitized towards a diverse range of issues like poverty, gender inequality, slum development and child education. My MP is extremely open to new ideas and this helps me in proactively contributing to the issues he wants to highlight. In-depth research on different topics such as Healthcare and Sanitation, Population, Environment, etc. has helped me broaden my understanding of an issue. The diversity of subjects the Fellowship allows me to work on is in itself an enthralling experience which no one interested in policy making should miss out. Among other things, I have researched on and written speeches for the innumerous conferences that the MP has attended and provided him with talking points for media appearances as well. I saw my MP reading out questions, speeches, special mentions on which I had spent so much time researching. I felt a thrill every time I saw my MP use my research on the floor of the Parliament. 

Being a student of Political Science, I had developed a keen interest in understanding how law and policy mediate the relationship between the State and its citizens, by empowering and disenfranchising different social identities. However, my knowledge of the same was restricted to theory. The LAMP Fellowship provided me the opportunity to move beyond mere theoretical knowledge of the legislative process, and actively engage in it through various parliamentary interventions. The Fellowship has nuanced my understanding of how policy is formulated, monitored and amended with regard to changing socio-political contexts. It has enabled me to engage with policy makers and experts, accommodate a variety of perspectives and understand the interplay between policy and politics.

As a student of law, I observed that laws, new and old, constantly faced or faces a challenge in the courts of law. Looking at this, I wanted to understand what actually goes on before such a law comes into effect. This primarily inspired me to apply to the LAMP Fellowship. I had also wanted to learn about how public policy connects with people. As the Fellowship progressed, my readings took me through a wide range of policy subjects and it definitely is one of the best ways to introduce oneself to an interdisciplinary approach. It is all the more exciting when we are made to work on amendments to a certain bill. This is when we realise that every word of a bill makes a difference. It is an interesting journey and I am delighted that I have been given this opportunity. 

I was lucky to stumble upon the LAMP Fellowship through a friend. Before January of 2019, I had no idea of the existence of the Fellowship and the fact that something like this existed. Sending me the flyer, one evening, she decided that it would be a great idea for me to apply for this, and I do not regret having that conversation with her one bit. As a Graduate in European Studies, who had just returned to India, I was still trying to figure out avenues, through which I could work in the sphere of public policy. My experience so far has been positive insofar that the Fellowship has helped give me a great stepping stone in understanding the means by which Legislation is formulated. The Fellowship also gives you access to a large network of individuals, organisations and the opportunity to attend workshops and conferences through which my knowledge of policy issues has only expanded. I have enjoyed immersing myself into the intricacies of policy-making and thankful for the opportunity that is the LAMP Fellowship in making that happen.

I applied for this Fellowship because I wanted to be a part of the change which a Parliamentarian brings through different Acts, Questions, Notices and debates. In addition, it also serves as a learning opportunity, working for an MP, and understanding the different dynamics and discourse around Policy and Politics. My key takeaway from this Fellowship would be to understand and acknowledge the hard work put in by a Parliamentarian. The tremendous amount of work an MP does at many levels - constituency, national, policies, seminars, discussions, debates, field work etc - has to be seen first-hand to be truly appreciated. During the Fellowship I had the opportunity to work with an MP on issues of national importance, policy briefs from very different perspectives, which enriched my understanding of Public Policy. It was also exhilarating and humbling at the same time, to be part, however small it may be, of the inner-workings of government and to have that insight, and input into policies that shape the future of our nation. 

From the outside, it seemed like the LAMP Fellowship offered a unique opportunity to work closely with a Member of Parliament and learn about the imperatives that an MP answers to in their Parliamentary work. This, and much more, has proven to be true. While I have been able to assist my MP in  parliamentary interventions like Questions, Matters of Urgent Public Importance, drafting Private Member Bills, etc., the Fellowship has crucially helped me better understand some vital public policy issues of our times. Special mention must go to the month long training programme, and the numerous workshops organised throughout the year. PRS undertakes meticulous planning and care to ensure that the Fellowship is a rigorous and challenging learning experience for all Fellows. Such care is also seen in the quality of speakers invited for the workshops, and the wide and nuanced range of topics covered. The structure of the Fellowship also allows each Fellow flexibility to personalize their experience - such as in the ability to develop individual rapport with their respective MP, constituency visit to Maharashtra in my case, etc.The uniqueness of the Fellowship is complemented by the multi-disciplinary academic backgrounds and professional aspirations of the Fellows. It has allowed me to build fruitful networks, and learn from others' varied experiences.

LAMP was an idea, a work opportunity too good to be true when I first heard about it. Talking to an excited senior who had just gotten accepted, I already knew what my primary shot was going to be for the next year. I was preparing before the application was even out, because I could not miss an opportunity to work for a Member of Parliament. The policy space was extremely interesting to me and the framework of LAMP felt like the perfect out of college step I needed to take. I spent long hours reading other's experiences, looking up people who had been LAMP Fellows to try and connect with them, and found myself more and more intruiged by the opportunities this space claimed to offer. Fortunately, I got through, and a couple months in, I'm still amazed at how my work is as exciting as it is challenging. LAMP, in a short 3 months, has delivered to every single expectation I had. Working directly with Parliamentarians of the largest democracy in this world is a rigorous and never-ending job. However, the sense of fulfillment I feel after completing a task is unparalleled. It is hard to imagine any other workspace- one wherein my life is not consumed by what's happening in Lok Sabha, what Bills have been passed, and what's next in the Brown paper bag delivered everyday. The Fellowship is tailor-made for people looking to enter the system of change, to play their part in impacting legislations catering to citizens across the country. But mostly, the Fellowship is exactly what you want it to be- it requires a sense of initiative, drive, and constant dedication that is unlike any other workplace. And although I am fresh out of the Delhi University world, the student life feels so far away- simply because of how utterly consuming yet wonderfully challenging my work has been.

LAMP is an opportunity for me to discover and understand the policy space. With my background in engineering and interest in policy, the Fellowship shall act as a perfect bridge for me. The learning and exposure at the Fellowship is unparalleled. I feel fortunate to have got the chance to understand the nuances of legislative processes and policy formulation at the apex level. During the Fellowship I have researched varied subjects like infrastructure, energy, women and child development, aspirational districts etc. I also look forward to visiting my MP’s constituency which shall bring its own set of learning experiences. LAMP is a wonderful opportunity which exposed me to a blend of pragmatic decision making, political challenges and theoretical underpinnings of policy making.

As a law student, I was always motivated to learn about procedures that are involved in
formulation, deliberations and implementation of legislations for nation’s varying problems.
The unique LAMP Fellowship provided me with the coveted opportunity to assist
one of the nation's most renowned elected representatives and to observe policy-making from close
quarters.
A usual day at the mentoring MP’s office is full of activities such as analyzing bills,
identifying and clarifying concerns with full-fledged research inputs, and being available for
the legislative work at all functional times. Then there can be attending events or quick well-
informed consultation meets. This schedule may seem arduous to the most people but in
actuality, it is an exciting learning experience. You remain amazed and
motivated towards your duties as you look at the zeal and dedication with which your MP
executes his parliamentary responsibilities throughout the day and even after long and tiring
hours of work by the end of the day.
The exceptional chance to gain in-depth knowledge and hands-on experience in the field of
policy-making under the able guidance of a learned MP is extremely enriching. And so are
the ingenious LAMP training sessions and the diverse perspectives of co-workers. Realizing
an otherwise impossible feat of meeting some of the most prominent individuals from the
realm of policy and polity will remain as one of the best opportunities of my life. On a larger
level, a major take away of this unique podium is to learn to contemplate solutions for the
real- life problems at the highest level and be able to contribute your bit towards the good of
society.

The LAMP Fellowship is an opportunity like no other which provides young individuals a chance to work directly with Members of Parliament in close quarters. Also, the fact that I would be able to work on issues of substantial importance and contribute to the national debate made me apply to the Fellowship.
The Fellowship has equipped me with tools to be able to be more perceptive of government and governance, and provided an opportunity for me to exercise my research and analytical skills. The diverse range of topics which demand the attention of an MP has allowed me to delve deep into niche subjects and gain an understanding of several nuanced policies and processes. The highly informative workshops organised by PRS and conducted by experts have only further enriched my experience. Personally, another key aspect of the Fellowship for me has been the strength of the peer group which is extremely diverse in terms of educational qualifications and work experience. 
My experience as a LAMP fellow has been intellectually stimulating and unparalleled in terms of professional growth.

Having developed an interest in public policy through my coursework, the LAMP Fellowship proved to be the natural next step. The Fellowship is designed in a manner that allowed me to engage with policy right at its core. Not only did it provide an exposure to a diverse array of policy areas, it also gave me an opportunity to participate in the parliamentary procedures and, in the process, drive impact. The experience has equipped me with vital tools involved in formulating and critically analysing policies. The key takeaway from the Fellowship lies in the fact that it enabled me to delve further into the areas that pique my interest and, in doing so, make meaningful interventions in them. 

As a public policy enthusiast, I have always been very curious to know about the whole process of law making by our legislators. LAMP Fellowship seemed to be the perfect gateway to understand the working of the Parliament. No other career opportunity would give me the platform to interact so closely with a Member of Parliament and see their work beyond the politics that is covered by the mainstream media. I couldn't be happier to say that the Fellowship has been enriching far beyond my expectations. It is deeply satisfying to see my efforts being translated into meaningful contributions at the country's highest law-making institution. So far the Fellowship has been a learning experience- far beyond measure. It has improved my time management skills, research methodologies and critical thinking abilities. I have learnt to analyse a situation through multiple perspectives. It has instilled me with a greater sense of clarity regarding the policy issues that I am passionate about. The Fellowship, on a personal level has made me more appreciative towards our Member of Parliaments and our entire Parliamentary system which works tirelessly in the background. I can say for sure that the experience is moulding me into the self-aware, responsible citizen that I always aspired to be. I am quite confident that as I progress further, LAMP Fellowship will prove to be the perfect stepping stone into the field of public policy.

I have been a student of Law and Political Science, both of which have pushed me to explore the realm of Policymaking. This Fellowship has helped me go further and understand the behind-the-scenes of the lawmaking, the discussions, debate, the idea that finally evolves into a bill and then a law. Moreover, it has offered me a chance to finally see the genus of law. It is a great opportunity to work under a Member of Parliament and have resources at your disposal that I can otherwise only dream of. Moreover, it provides me with a possibility to observe from close quarters the administrative and legislative machinery of the Union of India and do research on a wide range of topics that otherwise might elude me. 

Three years of sociological research and participation in various grass root level initiatives, together consolidated my interest in the field of public policy. The knowledge I held of this field was however partial. While my experiences had given me an insight into the bottom-up perspective of the issues in our country, I lacked a top-down outlook. LAMP seemed like an unmatched opportunity to understand the socio-political reality of India holistically.

 Given that a MP holds a diverse set of responsibilities, I have had the chance to work around a diverse range of policy areas. This has helped me discover and develop my interest in a varied set of subjects. Further, having had the privilege to work for a MP whose constituency is culturally distinct from my background, I have been able to better learn the skill of contextualization. This has helped me develop both as a researcher and as a Sociologist. While the work within the parliamentarian’s office has contributed significantly to the experience, what has further added to it is my engagement with fellow LAMPs. Meeting people from such different academic and social backgrounds has been a rewarding experience in itself and has helped me learn things beyond my work profile.

During the years of my graduation and post-graduation, I had the opportunity to work with a number of
grassroot level organisations. One of the primary motivations for me to apply for the Fellowship was to
understand the other side of the policy making sphere, the side which formulated and deliberated policies before it impacted all our lives.
The experience by far has been so diverse and intriguing. While during the Parliament session, my work mostly revolved around legislative research and drafting parliamentary interventions; the inter-session period has helped me gain a better understanding of people and policy as I not only get to interact with policy experts from different domains through workshops conducted by PRS and various civil society organisations, I also get the chance of understanding the issues and requests of individuals who visit my MP’s office. Working closely with an MP has also provided me a first-hand experience of how much work goes behind the functioning of the world’s largest democracy.
All-in-all the Fellowship is an immense learning opportunity. It provides us the platform not only to be mentored by a Member of Parliament, but also to interact with different think-tanks, academicians and policy makers to get a thorough understanding of policy formulation and implementation.

My early interest in civics and sociology led me to a course in law and while I was at it, I developed a peculiar interest in the subject of comparative politics and administration which in my opinion, serves as a basic foundation in gaining wide range understanding of public policy. As someone who was brought up in an urban area and then lived in a village for nearly five years, I took me a while to understand the practical aspects of policy implementation and therefore I wanted to learn more about it. Further, my work experience as a researcher piqued my interest in the sphere of public policy, hence, this Fellowship was a natural choice. As it suggests, the Fellowship provides a platform to understand the fine intricacies of overall policy formulation and assisting a Member of Parliament gives you an insight into what all goes behind the implementation. No two days are the same and the fact that one gets to work on different topics everyday is what excites me. Besides this, assisting your MP on issues of social relevance which have a large scale bearing, is itself quite inspiring and motivating.

When I was 15 years old, I was fascinated to watch the swearing-in ceremony of the first female Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Smt. Meira Kumar, on TV in the summer of 2009. As a parliamentary enthusiast, I had been closely following the live proceedings of the Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha sessions over the last decade. I acquired the technical knowledge about the laws after completing my education and also gained an understanding of the on-ground problems faced during implementation of the statutes related to accounting, auditing & taxation in my professional work. The LAMP Fellowship provided a unique opportunity to complete the 360° view of the legal spectrum with an exposure to the legislative aspect of policymaking & governance. Working directly with a Member of Parliament also taught me invaluable lessons in the intricacies of the democratic process and a new-found appreciation for the hard work that goes into resolving the issues of the constituency. The inflow of Innovative ideas and pragmatic solutions in the MP's office has led to a deeper understanding of the journey of a law from its inception. It was especially heartening to contribute in a small way in improving the quality of legislations through proposing parliamentary interventions, writing speeches, drafting questions & researching on private member bills. I hope to make the most of this enriching experience.

As a student of political science, I have always found myself interested in the field of policy making and politics. Therefore, the opportunity that the LAMP Fellowship provides - to work with a Member of Parliament and to assist him/her with parliament related work - is something that attracted me towards this Fellowship.
Till now, the experience has been both exciting and enlightening, with every day posing a new puzzle waiting to be solved. Also, through a variety of Internal and External workshops and sessions - I have been able to develop a far nuanced understanding of issues concerning our society and nation as a whole. LAMP Fellowship has helped in transformation of my attitude, from one that of merely finding problems to that of also looking at alternatives & finding solutions for the same.