by Growing up in a middle-class, service-class household in 1980s–90s India, professional success was often measured by academic scores and careers in science. Choosing the humanities stream was not only unconventional, but it was frequently seen as a fallback option. In this social context, I made a deliberate decision in 2002 to pursue Humanities, supported by my parents’ cautious encouragement. That choice marked the beginning of a journey of learning, unlearning, and continuous self-discovery. It also meant contending with both external skepticism and internal doubts.
This blog post is my way of tracing that journey, to share who I am, how I got here, and where I hope to go next.
My subject choices in higher secondary school- Psychology, Sociology, and Economics- were influenced by the idea of preparing for competitive exams- the Indian Administrative Services- a “safe conventional” choice. But what began as a strategy soon turned into genuine curiosity. These subjects offered windows into the individual’s inner world and the socio-cultural fabric shaping everyday life. That interest only grew deeper during my undergraduate studies and while volunteering with a local NGO in Chandigarh- working with children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
During my time volunteering, I observed the capabilities of persons with intellectual disabilities and the many structural barriers they faced: stigma, limited mobility, exclusion from employment, and poor access to public infrastructure. The NGO did vital work with families and individuals, but change at the systemic level- employers, institutions, city spaces- was hard to come by. This made me realize that working with individuals was important, but so was engaging with the broader landscape of policy and planning.
My desire to study the link between people and systems led me to the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) in Mumbai. Its interdisciplinary social work programme, grounded in social justice, was exactly what I was looking for. My two years at TISS were rigorous and transformative. While I continued my focus on disability rights—interning with relevant organizations and writing my dissertation, I also began engaging more deeply with urban development and community organization.
My first job with Youth for Unity and Voluntary Action (YUVA) brought theory into practice. Working with informal workers, youth collectives, and community-based organizations in Mumbai, I learned the power of collective action and the significance of people’s institutions in urban governance.
From street vendors and domestic workers to construction laborers and youth leaders, each group offered insights into structural vulnerabilities and collective strength. I also learned to balance community engagement, project management, and policy advocacy, skills that continue to shape my work today.
As my engagement with practice deepened, so did my desire to strengthen research capacities that could amplify community realities. I returned to academia for an MPhil and later, a PhD, not to become distant from practice, but to root it more firmly in evidence and critical analysis. Over the years, I have collaborated on research projects with international universities, working on themes like urban planning, participation, exclusion, and sustainable sanitation. These collaborations have expanded my lens while allowing me to contribute to the growing knowledge on cities in the Global South.
My experience in middle management roles also exposed me to the challenges many NGOs face: fundraising pressures, reporting fatigue, and the struggle to communicate impact meaningfully. To support this, I began offering strategic advisory and writing support to NGOs and community groups. I help design reports, funding proposals, and communication materials that are grounded, clear, and aligned with organizational values.
This blog comes at a time when I’m nearing the end of my PhD, a moment of both challenge and clarity. Over the years, one principle has stayed constant: valuing the knowledge and agency of communities.
Policies and programmes can only succeed when grounded in the lived realities of those they aim to serve. As a practitioner and researcher, I remain attentive to the power dynamics that operate at all scales- from neighborhood to institution. At the core of my work lies a belief in democratic values: the need for dialogue, plural perspectives, and nurturing community leadership. These guide me as I prepare for the next chapter in this ongoing, unconventional journey.
