Profile

I am urban-bred and have, predictably, taken a lot of governance issues for granted – be it water supply and sanitation or having quality monitored meals in schools. I previously worked with an NGO where I obtained grassroots level experience and came to understand the immense difficulty and scale of implementing government schemes. This certainly helped in widening the scope of my knowledge and taking some of the edge off of my cynicism for governance issues in the country. But I wanted to learn more. To be more precise, I wanted to know how things functioned at the penultimate level - public policy, governance and legislative business upfront in the Parliament. This led me to the LAMP Fellowship. 
The Fellowship is expected to render a unique opportunity to observe and learn from the leading members of the system. I am looking forward to the experience of interacting with Members of Parliament; working alongside them and assisting them in their daily tasks should be of even greater import in understanding policy-related issues and should help in developing a skill-set that would be invaluable in the future. Having said that, I have come to understand that the Fellowship requires an immense amount of resilience, patience and motivation to take initiative and engage oneself fruitfully – to say the least. 
I don’t have a very tall or righteous agenda to change the world or society single-handedly or through the vagaries of a single Fellowship but what I do hope is to at least be a cog in the wheel of the vast machine that works towards that goal. With my professional experience, coupled with a background in International Studies and Law, I hope to pursue a future in policy-oriented work, specifically research and advocacy in the development sector.

As a journalist, I have skimmed through several drafts, bills and acts to translate ‘legalese’ and ‘technical’ to ‘lay man’. But it wasn’t till the Justice Verma Panel recommendations were in my hands that I was hooked to understanding policy from the other side – indeed from many ‘other sides’. LAMP for me, is a step in that direction. Helping my MP with her Parliamentary work, including standing committee meetings, has made me explore a wide range of subjects, and has made me think about the issues we face as a country from a different perspective.

As a student of Sociology I have developed deep insight into the functional structure of the society and its role in the development of a democratic country like ours. When I learnt about LAMP fellowship and its objective I believed it was an apt programme to work with the parliamentarians and learn the policy making process in order to develop the approach and insight to deal with obstacles and lacunas in policy making process, objective of the policies and its implementation. 
During the course of the fellowship, I get to closely learn about parliament’s functioning and various related aspects . The fellowship has given me the insight and the right approach to think and find the solutions to address key issues. In the nutshell, the fellowship has equipped and nurtured me to serve my aspiration to become a civil servantin the future.

Since the age of nestling dreams and ambitions, I have aspired to find a higher calling in the domain of public policy. For someone who foresees a career in policy implementation, LAMP fellowship was the natural next step . 
As a LAMP fellow I am constantly learning to develop a balanced understanding of the various ills that are hindering the development of our society and their plausible solutions. I research on a wide variety of topics and issues concerning our country which helps me to gain knowledge. The fellowship has provided me an opportunity to not only interact with the leaders at the forefront, but also make my little contribution in the domain of policy making. 
Ultimately, I wish to pursue higher studies in public policy and thus this fellowship and the precious lessons that I learn from it perfectly align with my future career goals.

Everyone talks about changing things in our country but change comes only through participation. When I heard about the LAMP Fellowship I knew this is what I want to do as it gives us youth an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of how our political system works, how our Members of Parliament function and how change has been brought about in the country. It has not helped me understand the functioning of our systems better but also is a test of our personality. The fellowship is what you make of it and a test of how hard you can work to push boundaries and make the most of this unique chance given to you. 
Coming from an economics background with a passion for developmental studies, my work has given me a chance of understanding and working on issues close to my heart not just in theory but in has helped me comprehend ground realities. I do not know what career path I will follow in the future but whatever it may be, I know the fellowship has given me a solid foundation that will help me in all walks of life.

"Be life long or short, its completeness depends on what it is lived for." These famous words of David Starr Jordan have always motivated me to truly work for the betterment of the society, I aspire to be a distinguished economist one day. The LAMP fellowship has not only give me a broader outlook of decision making but also the complexities involved in designing and implementing government schemes. I do the research that happens behind the scenes in any legislative decision. I have realised, it is very easy to criticize politicians and bureaucrats over a cup of tea but it is extremely difficult to be out there, face the daily hassles and run the country with the best of your abilities. Being young and energetic, I am neither cynical nor do I shy away from responsibilities. I could afford to prioritize cognition and experience over heavy pay cheques and this is why I believe that LAMP was the logical step in my life. I believe the LAMP fellowship has provided me with the impetus to work for the infrastructural and fundamental privileges of the disadvantaged by not only honing my analytical skills and logical thinking but also endowing me with virtues such as perseverance and astuteness.

Democracy is hailed world-over as one of the best forms of governance and its essence is embedded in the functioning of the Parliament. The democratic governance of a country as diverse as India, has always fascinated me and the idea of assisting an elected representative of the people in performing his/her Parliamentary duties, was greatly appealing. Prior to the fellowship, I worked with a humanitarian organization which seeks to fight poverty and exclusion by empowering women from marginalized communities. My interaction with the beneficiary communities on the field and various other stakeholders involved, provided me with exposure to issues of socio-economic development in India. The LAMP fellowship would help me gain further insights into these issues, by exploring the policy frameworks that govern them. The fact that my contribution as a LAMP, would help in framing policies which impact the lives of so many people, is extremely motivating. The LAMP fellowship is also an ideal platform to observe at close quarters and understand the dynamics of the Indian political system.

The overarching discussions, the wit and repartees of the leaders drew my attention to Parliamentary debates since school. With a background in Economics, the role of legislators in developing good policies only became more apparent. With a brief experience in the rural development sector, LAMP fellowship seemed the right opportunity to get an insight into the policy making process in the country. It complements the grassroots experience on policy implementation that I gained over my previous experience. Being a LAMP Fellow will come a long way in pursuing a career in public policy and my passion for active politics.

Throughout academic reading, it has struck me quite frequently and frustratingly, the gaping differences between the policy formulated by the academicians, the policy adopted by the government, and the policy that is actually implemented. And nowhere more is this disconnect felt than in the field of environmental issues, more often than not, relegated a secondary position in relation to developmental concerns. To a fresh graduate, the LAMP Fellowship provides an overview of the miasma that is Indian Politics, and a chance to not only observe, but also to raise question about the policies that shape the present, and color the future.

John F. Kennedy said, “Ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.” LAMP Fellowship offers a great opportunity to Indian youth in their early twenties to come together and work for the supreme legislative body of the country i.e. Indian Parliament. After exploring fashion, theatre and documentaries joining LAMP fellowship is an interesting journey for me. I have always remained an ardent follower of politics & parliamentary debates. I have great faith in politics & democracy of this country. Through fellowship I want to understand the functioning of one of the most complex & largest democracies of the world.

After completing my engineering in 2012, I had been working as a Business Analyst at a management consulting firm. Public Policy is a space that really excites me and I wanted to spend some time working in this domain. LAMP fellowship provides a unique opportunity to work directly with an elected representative and gain insight into legislative and policy making process of our country. I believe that cynicism surrounding governance and politics in our country can be addressed only if we understand the system and engage with it. I see this fellowship as my first step towards that. 
This is a huge learning experience for me primarily due to two reasons. First, my engagement with an elected representative, the policy makers and experts from diverse sectors helps me to understand the nuances of public policy making in the Indian context. Second, my research work covering a broad range of topics helps me discover my areas of interest where I can strive to build an expertise. LAMP is a great starting point for my endeavor in the field of public policy making.

Most of us grow up largely seeing politics through a cynical viewpoint ,but we conviniently ignore that the answer to cynisism is not apathy. The answer is to jump in the pool and see how you can make a difference. LAMP is a platform which gives you an insight in the Parliament via a member of parliament. With a Bachelors in Media Studies from Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication (UG) that gave me an insight in the theoretical side of political science, international relations and journalism, LAMP was the next step to get a hands on experience as to how the country functions. My main takeaways from the fellowship will be to understand the process of making a change through policy and pursue it as a career option in due course of time.

owe my interest in the civil liberties and policy to several factors, particularly the opportunity to grow up in New Delhi. The paradoxes presented by the city, where the economic and information technology giants of India share a common wall with millions of people below the poverty line, beautiful Lutyens architecture sits next to numerous slums, citizen rights’ activists rub shoulders with the biggest violators of the rule of law, made me question the policy implementation structure in India at an early age. During law school, I had several opportunities to critique the drafting of legislations through discussions, research papers, mock parliamentary debates etc., yet I found these efforts distant from effectuating any change in the legislative framework. Thus, LAMP fellowship provided a unique opportunity to use my understanding of law beyond the closed doors of classrooms and assist a Member of Parliament in participating in performing his parliamentary duties with extensive legal and empirical research. Working closely with an MP has given me the first hand experience of challenges presented before our legislators for effective policy implementation and constructive lawmaking. As an aspiring civil liberties lawyer, LAMP has helped me learn the nuts and bolts of the Indian political structure and bestowed me with a capability to think from different perspectives before coming up with one, which I believe is crucial for anyone willing to work in the field of public policy.

An overwhelming clout of cynicism surrounds our country’s political and public institutions. I see the fellowship as an opportunity to escape the derisiveness towards politics and governance; and understand the dynamics of policy making in the country. Being a LAMP allows one to comprehend the intricate political and legislative processes of our democracy by engaging closely with a Parliamentarian. It provides an intensive disciplinary approach to public policy within the realm of a relevant political context. 
With an economics-liberal arts academic background and having worked in the development sector, I believe this exposure augments my commitment to social change. The fellowship helps me put my theoretical understanding of governance and multi-perspective approach to problem solving to real-time test. The experience will certainly provide for a strong underpinning in my future engagements with the system.

Being an avid follower of polity, I was always interested to work in the field of policy making. LAMP fellowship was thus a distinctive opportunity as it gave me access to actively participate in Parliamentary interventions and policy making at the national level.
When one follows the legislative and policy making domain through media, more often than not he is likely to be disenchanted with the direction and sluggishness of developments. However, working with a Member of Parliament enhances the understanding of systemic issues and policy nuances. In my case, it has also led me to choose a select few sectors in policy making and work towards bringing some tangible solutions to the problems they are ridden with.

After graduating in the field of commerce from University of Delhi, I completed my law school from Campus Law Centre, Faculty of Law, University of Delhi. Through my Legal education, I developed a strong interest in the field of public policy, public affairs and the politics.Moreover, the fine link between Constitutional Law and politics, and the enormous scope of constitutional law in enforcing the rights of the citizens, and therefore, indirectly streamlining the politics of the country has intrigued me the most. 
LAMP Fellowship provides an extremely innovative opportunity to connect the political ideology of the Member of Parliament you are assigned to, with rational policy arguments, in-depth research, statistics and legal precedents. LAMP is different from any other research profile in the policy sphere that a fresher could get involved in, because the domain of possibilities and opportunities that one can get exposed to, while working with a Member of Parliament is indefinite. 
Moreover, watching your research culminate into a discussion on the floor of the Parliament, or on the news channels gives you an adrenaline that no other opportunity can.

After attaining my law degree, I spent a year in the corporate world. But I wasn’t entirely happy with what it had to offer and knew I had to establish my niche elsewhere. My experience of working on MNREGA at the grassroot level, voluntary activities during college, etc. triggered my aspiration to be part of a larger machinery for social advancement. Fortunately, the LAMP Fellowship was in store for me. The fellowship provides a platform and the opportunity to contribute to shaping the future of the country by working on its economic policies and legislative needs. Helping frame prospective legislation of the country at such a young age and the vast exposure the fellowship has to offer is truly overwhelming and exhilarating. From study halls to our living rooms, there is a general stereotypical perception and stigma against politics and politicians. The fellowship has helped change that and enabled me to look beyond these to recognize the efforts of Parliamentarians in the functioning of the democracy. I am certain that my experience as a LAMP fellow will be an immense asset in any career path I choose to pursue after the fellowship.

After graduating from the National Law School of India University, Bangalore my interest in interdisciplinary studies in law, economics and public policy grew. Through this fellowship, I hope to further my understanding of law and politics and acquire skills towards developing, advocating for, and implementing public policy.

Having studied theories of Political Science within four walls of classroom, it seemed only invariable to take them out of class and put them to test in the real world. That’s where LAMP fellowship fits into the picture. Not only is it a platform to understand nuances of politics from close quarters, but also enhances understanding of policy-making at higher echelons. The fellowship breaks the scepticism against politics and politicians by way of extending an opportunity to engage with legislators of the largest democracy in the world. Working on policy matters complements my personal interest in the field as well as my academic trajectory.

LAMP fellowship is an rare opportunity which cuts across multiple disciplines to aid you in understanding and experiencing in first hand the legislative process in India. The program helped me in strengthening my decision making skills and I expect it to help me in my future endeavours as a public policy analyst. The diverse nature of subjects that I have dwelt upon during this period has increased my horizons as a researcher. 
Working with a member of parliament hones your skills in decision making and analysing policies as you regularly provide them with updates from the policy and government space.

I feel the disconnect between government policies and their implementation has only increased over the years. I believe the fellowship will allow me to work closely with experienced legislators and policy makers, through which I can hope to gain an understanding of the results of policy.The dynamics of the three government agencies, i.e. the judiciary, the executive and the legislature are highly complicated and the lines separating one from the other are becoming increasingly blurred. As a LAMP fellow, I believe I can leverage this opportunity to observe, assimilate, analyze, and eventually at least,help to reform our policies to achieve the objective of inclusive, sustainable economic and social growth. As an aspiring Public Servant, the fellowship is an invaluable chance to receive a greater insight into the working of the legislature and it’s intricate relationship with the bureaucracy.

LAMP throws extraordinary flashes of insight into working of parliamentary and legislative process. It is also helping me attempt to learn the insight and experiences of Member of Parliament. Being a lawyer, I have always been fascinated by India’s political process and the LAMP fellowship gives an opportunity to students to participate indirectly in parliamentary affairs. The powerful lessons given carefully takes us to the next level of excellence which helped me retain and furnish relevant feedback. I can say LAMP inspired me to dream the forbidden and achieve the impossible.