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.
We are looking for 6 new team members:
1) Program Manager 2) Research Manager
3)Program Associate 4) Communication Associate 5) Selection Associate 6) Fundraising Associate
Meet the Team
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.
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 in 2011, has worked with Boston Consulting Group (BCG), and was a part of two start-ups in the education and socio-political consulting space.
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 LEAD
Anita Manoharan
Anita Manoharan, recently completed her Masters in Public Administration & International Development (MPA-ID), from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). Anita is a 2010 Teach For India fellow, and has worked with the Program Team in Delhi for many years since then. Anita also holds a Masters in English Literature from Lady Shri Ram College for Women, Delhi University, specialising in post-colonial literature and gender.
Anita’s core experience is in program design, training and facilitation, and her passion is leadership coaching and working with children and young people. Anita is an environmentalist, believes in sustainable living and wants to open animal rehabilitation centres across the country in the future.
RESEARCH LEAD
Paul V Mathew
Paul V Mathew is a researcher and policy analyst having more than a decade of experience in the development sector. A Ph.D. and Masters in Management, he has worked with various governments and agencies in the areas of research, policy analysis, project management, and skill development.
He was also a Chief Minister Fellow of the Government of Delhi.
COMMS. ASSOCIATE
Pratyasha Barooah
Pratyasha Barooah is a post-graduate in Plant Biotechnology from TERI School of Advanced Studies. She pursued her graduation from Delhi University in Botany Hons and now working in ISD as a Communications Associate.
She loves nature & wildlife and has also worked with CWRC, Kaziranga in the recent past. She aspires to bring a positive change in society through her work.
OUTREACH ASSOCIATE
Sagar Nain
Sagar helps us find participants from across the country.
In 2020, he graduated from Ashoka University's Young India Fellowship. And completed his B.Com(H) from Delhi University in 2019.
He enjoys reading books, jogging and interacting with people from different walks of life.
Our Mentors
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
Preeta Bansal
MIT Media Lab,
Sr. Lawyer - Obama Administration
Tara Krishnaswamy
Co-founder
Shakti - Political power to Women
Ujwal Thakar
Educate Girls,
Ex-CEO Pratham India
Venkat Krishnan
India Welfare Trust,
Daan Utsav, Give India