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Our Story

In 2018, we planted the seeds for the foundation for Indian School of Democracy in the hope that it would eventually become an institution that nurtures principled leaders. The people at Indian School of Democracy come from politically and socially diverse backgrounds, but we share the same unwavering principles, vision and values that reside in the idea of sarvodaya.

We are passionate about nation-building and carry an unflinching commitment to India and its people.

Meet the Team

CO-FOUNDER

Prakhar Bhartiya

Prakhar Bhartiya is a Teach for India 2009 Fellow and founder of the grassroots leadership organization Youth Alliance (YA). He built YA from the ground up and created immersive journeys into rural India for the youth. A mentor to multiple social entrepreneurs, Prakhar also serves on the board of other non-profits such as Kat Katha that works with sex-workers in Delhi and Shikshartha that works on contextual education in tribal Chattisgarh.

In 2018, he transitioned from Youth Alliance to co-found, Indian School of Democracy. He did his MPA from Columbia University. He makes work fun for himself and for those around him. Conversations over coffee are his food for thought. Inspired by Vinobha, he wants to walk across India and commit his life towards connecting hearts.

CO-FOUNDER

Hemakshi Meghani

Hemakshi Meghani graduated from Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) with a Master’s in Public Policy as a World Bank Graduate Scholar. She started her journey as a Teach For India fellow, has worked with Boston Consulting Group (BCG), and was a part of two start-ups in the education and socio-political consulting space. Hemakshi is among the 18 social entrepreneurs selected globally to be a 2022 Echoing Green Fellow.

Hemakshi has attended and facilitated various leadership forums across the world, and is a trained coach in adaptive leadership. She is very passionate about politics, bottom-up social reform and making democracy work for every citizen of the country. She enjoys travelling to remote parts of the country, and going on outer and inner journeys. Hemakshi’s dream is to become a farmer someday.

PROGRAM MANAGER

Ankit Navasha

Ankit has worked as a Right to the City activist, and primarily advocated for housing and social security of informal workers. He has studied journalism and Social Work from University of Delhi and has written extensively for news portals. He has previously worked with Youth for Unity and Voluntary Action (YUVA) and National Hawker Federation.

Sr. ASSOCIATE

Sagar Nain

Sagar helps us find participants from across the country.
In 2020, he graduated from Ashoka University's Young India Fellowship. He has completed his B.Com(H) from Delhi University.

He enjoys reading books, jogging and interacting with people from different walks of life.

Sr. ASSOCIATE, PROGRAM

Pousali Sarkar

Pousali is a graduate of political science from University of Delhi and a Young India Fellow. Her work lies at the intersection of political literacy, active citizenship and delivery of government schemes to the most vulnerable sections of the society. She has worked on a project with Azim Premji University on service delivery of MGNREGA and PDS entitlements to the migrant workers from Jharkhand. Alongside this, she enjoys theatre, art and connecting with people through literature and songs.

MANAGER

Sameer Yadav

Sameer holds a post-graduation in Development Studies and a Master's in Peace Studies. Driven by a passion for peace-building, he has contributed to the Youth Peace and Security agenda in South Asia. As a humble social entrepreneur, Sameer founded a company advocating for a borderless world. He appreciates exploring diverse cultures and histories through food and aspires to become a chef. Sameer's diverse interests include philosophy and spirituality,

PROGRAM LEAD

Pavan Korada

Pavan is an engineer turned political scientist. He posses more than eight years of experience working as a journalist and a political consultant. Previously he worked with The Wire, The News Minute and IPAC. His areas of interest lie at the intersection of data, politics and culture. He enjoys reading books, talking about them and singing songs in Telugu and Hindi!

ASSOCIATE, FINANCE

Priyanka

Priyanka is a graduate from Delhi University. She is known for her hard work and honesty and believes everyone should have equal rights. She loves to see women thrive in politics and be role models for youngsters. She is happy and enthusiastic and is also pursuing her MBA.