Scholars

Aishani Jaiswal is a New Delhi based research analyst. Having graduated from the University of Delhi with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, her areas of interest lie in gender, minority rights, and public health. She has previously worked in research and media spaces focusing on South Asian issues and tackling online hate speech. In addition to her professional goals, she is also passionate about mental health issues.

Amana Parveen has developed extensive industry knowledge and academic experience in the social impact sector through her involvement over the last three years. She is a Political Science honors graduate from the University of Delhi, India. Along with her Bachelor’s degree, she completed a diploma in Women Empowerment and Development. She also holds certifications in Human Rights and Legal Literacy. She has worked in a diverse range of impact environments, including education, livelihoods, fundraising, relief, communications, corporate engagement, and advocacy. As part of her currently Fellowship with the American India Foundation, she is developing a communications and branding strategy along with other deliverables for a European Union funded project on the revival of livelihoods for the indigenous and marginalized women artisans across India with Fair Trade Forum – India. Previously, she has worked on a project named “Let’s Reach Out Kerala,” which aimed to offer psychosocial support to guest workers stranded in and outside the state of Kerala, India, during the first phase of the pandemic. After that, she went on to work on a vaccination project to provide Covid-19 vaccines to 200 guest worker families in Delhi-NCR, India. Through her various experiences, Amana acquired considerable skills, such as project management, communications, graphic designing, development of concept notes, collaboration, and research. Amana is a self-motivated and passionate individual who envisions an empathy-driven world.

Benny Katta is a Scholar of “Rural Economy and Digital Tools” with a study on Digital Agriculture, Rural Economy and Social Development. He has 17 years of professional experience in program management and project implementation on rural & social-economic development, corporate social responsibility projects, sustainable livelihood, women empowerment, digital agriculture, capacity building, and commercializing the FPOs. He is a good strategic planner, conflict manager, and social impact player. He has displayed skills in decision making, critical thinking, and demonstrated persuasive communications, team management, and leadership skills. He was recognized with the “Sitara Award” for setting up a benchmark for clean finance handling by Tata Group for DFID Project.

Bikash has 20 years of experience in the humanitarian and development sector with significant achievements in leading large scale multi-country humanitarian response programs, developing/institutionalizing humanitarian policies and strategies, leading organizational and community-centered Emergency Preparedness Plans, mainstreaming DRR, climate resilience, Comprehensive Safe School programs, and linking relief, rehabilitation and development (LRRD). He has led and supported more than 70 emergencies in several countries across the globe with Action Aid, LWS, CARE, ADRA, Tdh, and HelpAge International, as a humanitarian focal person and commendable technical experience in cash-based programs, nutrition, protection, education, WASH in emergencies, and food security & livelihoods in emergencies. Bikash has facilitated more than 100 training on various areas. He is a seasoned professional with expertise in PCM such as needs assessment, proposal development, log frame & budget preparation, monitoring and evaluation. Bikash currently working with HelpAge International as Emergency Response Manager. The key responsibilities are coordinating and managing the Global Emergency Fund (GEF) and supporting country offices, partners, and network members for humanitarian crisis response. Bikash received a Bachelor’s degree in Law from Utkal University in Odisha, a Master’s degree in History, and a Master’s degree in Social Work from the Utkal University of Culture in Odisha.

Ilika has received her education from eleven schools and had the opportunity to grow up experiencing the extraordinary cultural and social diversity across the length and breadth of India. She has completed her Bachelor’s degree in Economics with Honours from Shri Ram College of Commerce, New Delhi and is inclined towards issues related to development and economic inequality. She slowly developed an interest in Human Rights and went on to pursue her Master’s degree in that field. She wants to work at the intersection of human rights and global politics to address the legal, economic and political challenges in the realization of basic human rights worldwide. For this, she has completed her postgraduate diploma in Human Rights Law. She has two years of experience in the field of research as a Research Assistant in the Politics Initiative at Centre for Policy Research, New Delhi. Here, she developed the India Manifesto Project and undertook research related to elections, democracy, complexity of voters, and identity politics. She is currently working as a Banyan Impact Fellow with American India Foundation. Ilika has chosen to work in the field of prison reform and restorative justice with Turn Your Concern Into Action ‘TYCIA’ Foundation, New Delhi. She has a strong aptitude for qualitative research and is currently honing her project management skills. She is passionate about human rights, and wants to build a career in this field by gaining experience with international organisations. She eventually wants to pursue further specialised studies in this domain.

Jaswant Meena is from Dabla Village in the Alwar District of Rajasthan. He holds an Engineer’s degree from the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi. With a keen interest in understanding and learning from rural India, he visited and volunteered with grassroots organizations across the country during and after college. He has also participated in various community-building initiatives. He believes in the power of technology to aid in creating sustainable solutions for holistic development.

Jayashree S. has four years of experience coordinating and managing research in ophthalmology and coordinating ethics committee activities. She earned a bachelor’s degree in biotechnology from Periyar Maniammai University in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. During her work as a coordinator, she had the opportunity to interact with research participants and listen to their needs. The role as Ethics Committee Coordinator motivated her to protect the safety, rights, and welfare of research participants. Through these experiences, she developed strong skills in project coordination, training, planning, monitoring, and reporting. Her desire to protect the welfare of participants has led her to advocate for sustainability. Jayashree is committed to identifying areas where a sustainable approach to healthcare is needed and finding a reliable and innovative solution to meet that need without compromising patient safety.

Manoj Das is a Banyan Impact Fellow at the American India Foundation, where is implementing the Government of India’s Forest Rights Act of 2006. Manoj holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Master of Arts in Public Policy. He has worked as a Gandhi Fellow in the government primary schools of rural Uttarakhand, where he has increased student learning outcomes of government schools by intervening in the school processes and constantly engaging with stakeholders, including community members, government officials, and school management committees. During his stay in the Himalayas, Manoj gained awareness of the negative impacts of climate change on marginalized sections of Indian society and undertook a number of projects for managing single use plastics and for reviving traditional forms of ecological agriculture in the mountain regions of Uttarakhand. He has also worked with NITI Aayog, the apex public policy think tank of the government of India, during the second wave of covid-19. He contributed to its work in controlling the spread of the virus by getting developmental partners like local non-governmental organizations, faith leaders, and the local government engaged in addressing vaccine hesitancy among tribal communities. Manoj is passionate about sustainable development and international relations.