Meet Our New MPP Students | AY 2023-24
July 19, 2023
At the beginning of a new Academic Year, we try to capture some student voices on campus – their stories, their journeys so far, and their aspirations as they step into the NLS campus. Our public policy students for the AY 2023-24 come from interesting backgrounds and varied disciplines. Here’s what some of our new students have to say.
Larissa Clitus
Your Background/Journey so far:
I graduated from St. Joseph’s University in 2023 having completed my undergrad in B.A. Public Policy, International Relations and Peace Studies and Journalism. I am from Tamil Nadu, though I was born and raised in Saudi Arabia.
What attracted you to the public policy course:
Having studied Public Policy as one of my majors during UG, I realized that to progress in society one requires a deeper knowledge of the functioning of the real world, which depends heavily on policy making. The uniqueness of the NLS MPP program lies in the dual offering of policy and law, a combination that makes for a holistic understanding of the world.
What do you look forward to at NLS:
I look forward to interacting with the experts in the field and developing skills that will prove invaluable in my career.
Your Interests & hobbies:
I love engaging in deep conversations with people over topics of theology and social culture, playing a variety of sports, singing and playing the guitar for pleasure!
Yash Choudhary
Your background:
I am from Jaipur, Rajasthan. I pursued my undergrad in BA (Hons) in Geography from Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi. After completing my graduation, I spent some time training for civil services examinations.
What attracted you to the public policy course?
I have always known that I wanted to work in the social impact domain by creating sustainable and inclusive impact in the society. For the longest time, I believed that becoming a civil servant is the only way to achieve it, until I came across the MPP course which empowers students to become policy practitioners and do the same.
What do you look forward to at NLS?
Apart from the phenomenal course structure and pedagogy, I am also extremely excited about engaging with the inspiring student community that comes from such varied backgrounds.
Your interests and hobbies:
Music is a language I understand best so I love playing my guitar and covering songs. I am also very big on reading books (all genres). Occasionally, I like to indulge in writing poems and sketching as well!
Andrea Mathai
Background:
I was born in Delhi but raised in Bengaluru. My mother is Bengali and my father is Malayali, so thanks to my diverse cultural background, I can speak over five languages. I pursued a triple major in History, Economics and Political Science. Having worked extensively with children as a teacher and volunteer, public policy to me was a tool to better the lives of the purest among us. We all know our education system could use some reforms!
What attracted you to the public policy course?
The interdisciplinary approach and a broad outlook was what pushed me to pursue MPP at NLS. At the University, I envision a journey of exponential growth, in every sense of the word. Academics of course, but growth at NLS extends to new networks, friends, new sports, experiences and so much more.
What do you look forward to at NLS?
The NLS library truly caters to the book worm in me. I love reading! From Jhumpa Lahiri to Madeline Miller, from Gulzar’s poetry to Rahat Indori’s Shayari!
Interests & Hobbies:
I am deeply passionate about dancing. I was the youngest (2 years old) in my Bharatanatyam class. After 3 years of Indian classical dance, I am currently pursuing Egyptian classical or belly dancing. I also really enjoy performing arts, whether it be drama or debating, may be even pretending to pay attention in class post lunch! After all, ‘All the world’s a stage’!
Jerry Kishore
Background/ Journey so far:
I am a a native of Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu, but was raised in Saudi Arabia. I have had a lot of opportunities to interact with people across the breadth of this country. I graduated with a civil engineering degree following which I worked as a GET and later in an NGO that works for the education of children from marginalised communities.
What attracted me to the public policy course:
The readings of Periyar and Ambedkar taught me a lot about social fragmentation that exists in society and their fight, our continuing fight for Social Justice, Equality and Fraternity among us all has been a core belief system I have; there also was the need to understand all this in more technical and nuanced ways. In my search for knowledge, public policy is a part of the journey.
What do you look forward at NLS:
I’m looking forward to bond with like minded individuals, discuss and learn from the folks who have a different worldview. Most importantly, I would like to enjoy the process of being in this space and look forward to living a student life, alternating between the classroom, library, the grounds, and hostel room, on repeat.
Interest and Hobbies:
I love a good movie and popcorn, books and chai, and spending time with friends.
Aditya Sharma
Background:
I was born and raised in Jammu, and later moved to New Delhi to pursue my UG in Political Science from Zakir Husain Delhi College, University of Delhi.
What attracted you to the public policy course:
I believe, at its core, Public Policy is about solving strategic challenges- economic, strategic, political, cultural, the like- via collective action in terms of policy; in today’s world, I find this space to be more exciting than ever before.
What do you look forward to at NLS:
NLS has a lovely campus; not-terrible coffee, lot of adorable dogs, plenty of greenery, engaging peers, and a genuinely incredible faculty- I look forward to garnering all I can get from all of this.
Interests and hobbies:
I like puzzles, chess, and football (and rewatching The Office episodes). I’m also interested in theology, political theory, and strategic studies.