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.

CO-FOUNDER

Prakhar Bhartiya

An engineer and a Teach for India 2011 Fellow, Prakhar is the founder of the grassroots leadership organization Youth Alliance (YA). Over the past seven years, Prakhar 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 and Shikshartha.

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In 2018, Prakhar moved to Columbia University, New York to pursue his Masters in Public Administration where he engaged in building the academic depth and network required to make Indian School of Democracy a success. Prakhar 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. 

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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.

RESEARCH MANAGER

Ishu Gupta

Ishu has worked as a researcher at Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad on topics in urban governance, education, early childhood and urban resilience as part of an IIMA and UNICEF partnership. Previously he worked on projects on understanding the impact of the '25% mandate' or Section 12(1)(c) provision of the Right to Education Act and creating a national resource bank for the same. He founded a Not for Profit to promote compassionate living – Aashayein in 2011 and is part of Nirvanavan Foundation in Alwar. He holds a degree in electrical engineering from Aligarh Muslim University.

PROGRAM MANAGER

Vani Valson

Vani graduated from Azim Premji University (APU) with an MA Education. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in History from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University. Through her journey and engagements with students from Jammu and Kashmir, Vani sought answers about the education system in the country and joined the Teach for India, where she also worked on the Program team. She believes that each individual has a larger purpose and wants to be able to be a co-passenger to some in their quest to find their purpose. 

Her dream is to build a self-sustained commune with like minded people one day.

Anurag Behar

Azim Premji University

and APPI

Arun Maira

Ex Planning Commission,

BCG India Chairman, TAAS
 

Prof. Ashutosh Varshney

Professor, Brown University
Author & Expert - Indian Democracy

Paresh Suthankar

Former Deputy MD, HDFC Bank