NIPUN Professionals
To accelerate the NIPUN mission in Madhya Pradesh, 52 dedicated professionals are selected for the 2023-2025 cohort. Their primary responsibility as NIPUN Professionals is to lead Mission Ankur, the State’s FLN Mission, in their assigned districts. This involves spearheading system reform for measurable impact, identifying implementation challenges, building key functionary capacity, and enhancing monitoring and governance structures through collaboration with district stakeholders. In their capacity as NIPUN Professionals, they play an essential role in impacting approximately 23 lakh children in Madhya Pradesh.
Demographic and Diversity
Cohort Size
52
Average Experience
3 Years
Average Age
27 Years
Geographics
Educational Background
Around 73% of them hold master’s degrees in fields like political science, education, development studies, Law, and public policy. Moreover, the program also includes candidates from a mix of humanities, commerce, law, and science/engineering backgrounds.
Educational Institutions they belong
The cohort includes people from reputed nationally recognized universities & colleges including BITS Pilani, IIT Delhi, DU (incl. Hindu, Miranda, LSR, Hansraj), Xavier, Azim Premji, TISS, Ambedkar University, JNU, BHU, NITs, VIT, etc.
Companies they have worked with
Approximately 21% of candidates have been part of reputed fellowships like YIF, TFI, Gandhi Fellowship, and Mahatma Gandhi National Fellowship. Candidates have prior work experience in the education, rural development, and corporate sectors from organizations like LEAD School, CueMath, Peepul, TCS, Tata Trusts, Azim Premji Foundation, Pratham, CINI, DARC, Swaniti, HSBC, Key Education, Kotak, Avanti, Simple Education, etc.
Meet Our MP NIPUN Professionals
DIPIKA BALA DAS
Dipika Bala Das, from Assam, is a dedicated first-generation learner and an enthusiastic individual. An alumna of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, she completed her post-graduation in rural management from Visva-Bharati University, Shantiniketan. Dipika has an impressive track record, having worked as a Gandhi Fellow and as a District Project Lead in Gender and Sexual Reproductive Health with the Social Welfare Department and CINI. Her commitment to social causes and her passion for community development highlight her drive to make a meaningful impact.
Harshita Sharma
Harshita holds a master's degree in Development Studies from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and possesses expertise in education financing and gender budgeting from the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy (NIPFP). As a former Research Fellow at the Delhi Assembly Research Centre, she has extensive experience in public policy with special emphasis on the implementation of school education projects. Her current focus is leveraging the MP NIPUN Professionals Program, to address socio-economic disparities in education, working directly with Madhya Pradesh's tribal population to drive educational reforms, and achieve a significant impact in the lives of every child by putting Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) into practice.
Anika Siddiqui
Anika works as a NIPUN Professional in the Madhya Pradesh NIPUN Professional program based out of Gwalior. She holds a Bachelors in Electrical and Electronics Engineering and is currently pursuing a degree in Public Administration. She is an engineer turned educator. Before the MP NIPUN Fellowship, Anika worked in different industries from ONGC to e-learning platforms, and has found solace in the education sector thanks to the Teach for India fellowship. This two-year-long fellowship journey in the urban slums of Delhi exposed her to the rudiments of primary education, community life, teacher engagement, and the many challenges of the life of minorities after the rise in religious intolerance. In her idle time, she can be seen exploring the different literary genres, often exploring local delicacies and enjoying documentaries.
Omkar Haram
Omkar, from Thane, Maharashtra, graduated from Mumbai University and pursued the Gandhi Fellowship, driven by his deep passion for education. He later served as a Program Leader for the fellowship program. He has extensive experience collaborating with and facilitating various stakeholders, from grassroots to policymakers, at organizations such as Room to Read, Kaivalya Education Foundation, and Peepul. Currently, as a Madhya Pradesh NIPUN Professional, he leverages his expertise to support foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN) skills. Omkar also has a keen interest in theatre and Marathi poetry, and he has previously worked as a theatre artist.
Mrinal Kumar Singh
Mrinal is currently serving as a MP NIPUN Professional in Bhind, Madhya Pradesh, advancing the Mission Ankur initiative. He collaborates with the CEO-Zila Parishad, the DPC, and other functionaries to implement this critical mission. With a background as a Teacher Educator with the Azim Premji Foundation, Mrinal has focused on teacher training, content development for Foundational Literacy & Numeracy, and Early Childhood Education. He holds a Master's degree in Education from Azim Premji University and possesses technical skills in MS Office, R, ChatGPT prompts and Canva. This role has helped Mrinal enhance not only his technical skills, such as effective data analysis and resolution, but also his interpersonal skills, including negotiation, collaboration, leadership, effective communication, and conflict resolution. Passionate about education as a catalyst for social change, Mrinal is eager to connect with like-minded professionals. His interests include public speaking and podcasting.
Akshita Nagpal
Akshita works as a NIPUN Professional with the Mission Ankur team of Rajya Shiksha Kendra, Madhya Pradesh. She is currently heading the implementation in Seoni District. She holds a Masters degree in Education from Azim Premji University. In her free time she likes reading books and create a repository of some of the best lines ever written.
Isha Sastri
Isha, from Bhopal, holds a BA in Political Science (Honors) from Bhopal and an MA in Political Sicence from Punjab University, Chandigarh. As a Young India Fellow at Ashoka University, she contributed to the ‘Jal hi Jeevan Hai ‘project for the Foundation for Economic Development and interned with Rajni Bakshi’s Ahimsa Conversations. Isha’s passion lies in education policy and fostering social justice through her role with Madhya Pradesh NIPUN Professionals. In her free times, Isha likes practicing Bharatnatyam, reading books on Politcal Theory, journaling and making acrylic paintings.
Saraswati Dhaygude
Saraswati hails from Ichalkaranji, Maharashtra, and earned an M.Com. in Advanced Accountancy and Taxation from Savitribai Phule Pune University. Motivated by her passion for education and a desire to make a positive societal impact, she embarked on the Gandhi Fellowship. As a Madhya Pradesh NIPUN Professional, Saraswati intends to leverage her practical experience to effect substantial and scalable changes in the realm of education, aligning with her unwavering commitment to this cause.
Devesh Saxena
Devesh, a native from Ujjain has established his career in law and policy. A practising lawyer at the Supreme Court of India, an established legal expertise in appointment of judges, he is an author of the work - iudexcracy v democracy,: a revisit to fourth judges case. He has worked at the National Human Rights Commission India at the intersection of policy and different aspects of human rights and SDG Goals. He now brings his diverse experience as a NP in M.P to bring meaningful impact at scale.
Pallavi Jain
Pallavi works as NIPUN professional in Alirajpur district, Madhya Pradesh. She discovered her passion for educating the disadvantaged and empowering youth during her graduation. This led her to establish Navjeevan, a volunteer organization which works with government schools and hostels to support in providing quality education to its students. She then pursued master's in development at Azim Premji University, Bangalore, and contributed as a Resource Person at Azim Premji Foundation for three years. In leisure, she likes to travel and explore local culture and cuisines and bird watching.
Jaya Laxmi
Jaya has almost 6 years of experience in Education, Gender, and Sanitation across Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. She holds a Master’s degree in Industrial Relations and Personnel Management from Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith. She is a value-driven, motivated professional development worker in Elementary Education. Her key skills include project management, stakeholder engagement, policy advocacy, and community outreach. Being an MPNP, she excels in driving systemic change, implementing successful educational programs, and improving systemic standards. Her commitment to social development and her ability to navigate and influence government structures make her a dynamic force for positive change in Agar Malwa's educational landscape.
Priyanka Vilas kadam
Priyanka, a commerce postgraduate from Pune University (2019), recently completed the prestigious Gandhi Fellowship. She previously worked as a facilitator at Magic Bus and interned at the Centre for Youth Development and Academic (CYDA), Pune, in 2019. At Magic Bus, she collaborated with ICDS and Asha Workers on child development, and during her fellowship, she worked with the tribal department in Palghar, Maharashtra. She focused on foundational literacy and numeracy in Ashram Schools, working closely with school management. With a passion for education and development, Priyanka continues to make a positive impact in her community.
Sheetal Choure
Sheetal is a part of the MP NIPUN Professionals program in Shahdol district of Madhya Pradesh. With a Master's in Education from Azim Premji University and a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Science, she brings a rich blend of technical and educational expertise. Sheetal has amassed five years of work experience, including her roles at Peepul in the CM RISE TPD program and with the Azim Premji Foundation in Madhya Pradesh. Her career has been marked by impactful roles in digital course creation, teacher training, and curriculum development. Sheetal is passionate about delivering quality education and excels in stakeholder collaboration and grassroots engagement.
Aditya Tiwari
Aditya Tiwari is an education practitioner focused on improving educational outcomes. Working as an MP NIPUN Professional in Anuppur, he has contributed significantly through his roles with Peepul in the C.M. Rise Schools Project as a Division Lead in Madhya Pradesh, and as a Field Associate with the Azim Premji Foundation in Chhattisgarh. Aditya holds a Master's degree in Education from Azim Premji University and has qualified for UGC NET with JRF. Passionate about enhancing education, Aditya is committed to making quality learning accessible to all children in his district through the MP NIPUN Professional Program.
Sanchita Singh
Sanchita is an educator and artist from Purnia, Bihar who has a deep fondness for literature and art. She did her bachelor's and master's in English at B.H.U, after which she pursued the Young India Fellowship from Ashoka University. She has taught English and Arts at an IB school in Mumbai that caters to underprivileged communities, which motivated her to delve deeper into the education sector. She aspires to bring impact at scale through the MP NIPUN Professional Program. She is a foodie who loves to travel and paint portraits for fun.
Vivek Kumar
Vivek Kumar is a development professional with a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and Engineering from NIT Patna. He believes that not only technical advancement but also social advancement belongs to him, which brought him to the NIPUN Professional Program. He also holds a Postgraduate degree in Masters in Development Studies from IGNOU New Delhi. Before joining, he has worked with Delhi Government, Avanti Fellows, and Piramal Foundation for Education Leadership and has worked on several mid-to-large scale research and process re-engineering projects. As a NIPUN Professional, he wants to create a large-scale impact by leveraging evidence-based decision-making processes. During breaks, he can be found exploring new places and watching thriller movies and series.
Shubham Kapoor
Shubham is a dedicated development sector professional working as a Nipun Professional with the Madhya Pradesh government in Damoh, an aspirational district. He holds a Master's degree in Social Work and began his career with the Sampark Foundation, where he ensured the seamless and high-quality implementation of the Sampark Program in Rewari, Haryana, in collaboration with state functionaries. Driven by a desire to upskill and gain in-depth sector-specific knowledge, Shubham joined ISDM (Indian School of Development Management) where he thrived in a value-based collaborative environment. In his leisure time, he enjoys playing table tennis and has represented his college in inter-college competitions.
Nitesh Rathod
Nitesh works as a NIPUN professional under the MPNP program initiated by Rajya Shiksha Kendra, Bhopal, and is based in Balaghat. His role involves collaborating with various district and state-level government stakeholders and executing numerous education projects focused on foundational literacy and numeracy, benefiting approximately 23 lakh students. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics from Fergusson College, Pune, and a Master's degree in Development Studies from Azim Premji University, Bangalore. With over six years of experience in the education ecosystem, Nitesh has worked with organizations such as Varthana, Leadership For Equity, and the Education Department of Maharashtra. Outside of his professional endeavors, Nitesh enjoys playing basketball and exploring historical forts and monuments through trekking.
Mohammad Shadab
Shadab works as a NIPUN Professional in Rewa district, Madhya Pradesh. His role involves strengthening various government stakeholders to achieve the FLN (Foundational Literacy and Numeracy) goals and make the district NIPUN. Prior to this, Shadab participated in the Gandhi Fellowship in Begusarai, Bihar, where he gained an understanding of government structures and worked with SSA, ICDS, and the Health Department. Shadab holds a B.Ed. and an MA from Aligarh Muslim University.
Shefali Joshi
Shefali Joshi holds a BCA from Vikram University and an M.A. from Azim Premji University, Bengaluru. She joined the Gandhi Fellowship to enhance government schools in aspirational districts through sustainable initiatives. As a Learning Experience Designer at Dharohar, she created educational content, established a 24,000-book library, designed interactive games, and contributed to the Art Across the World school program, promoting diverse artistic expression. She excels in stakeholder management, facilitation, and documentation. In her free time, she enjoys reading, watching TV shows, and traveling. Currently, as an MP NIPUN Professional, she aims to advance foundational learning goals in Madhya Pradesh.
Rachita Pant
Rachita Pant is a postgraduate in clinical psychology who has worked with defence personnel at the Military Command Hospital and 600+ inmates at Tihar Prisons. Post this, she decided to pivot to policy, wanting to integrate it with psychology. As an academic editor, Rachita has worked with 140+ researchers internationally and policy think tanks. She is zealous about research and has presented her papers internationally. She's an avid reader seeking to expand her knowledge of policy through the NIPUN Professional's Program and apply behavioural science principles to actively engage the stakeholders to attain Mission Ankur's objectives.
Vigya Jain
Vigya works as the Nipun professional of Vidisha and firmly believes in the potential of every child to learn, irrespective of their physical, mental, social, or eco-political realities. Before MPNP, she has spent 4 years working with children and teachers in government and low-resourced schools, women in prison, adult and children with special needs - through traditional and multi-arts-based methodology. Her greatest learning have come from her work with her mother’s NGO - Dyvigya Care, Snehadhara Foundation, and Teach for India fellowship. Vigya is a graduate in Psychology and Sociology and a diploma in Art Therapy and School Mental Health. She likes to paint traditional and fusion art forms in her free time.
Debajit Das
Debajit, a Computer Science Engineering graduate, transitioned from a successful corporate career at TCS to address educational inequity in India. In 2020, he joined Teach For India, teaching at a government school in Mumbai for two years. Subsequently, as a Program Manager at Alokit, he co-managed a research-based (RCT) school leadership training program, collaborating with international partners J-PAL and Global School Leaders to train and coach government school principals in Telangana. Currently, as a Nipun Professional, he drives large scale system reform by working with district level government stakeholders to achieve foundational learning outcomes for children in Niwari district, aligning with the vision of National Education Policy 2020 and NIPUN Bharat Mission. He loves hosting travelers from different countries in his free time.
Arpita Sharma
Arpita, hailing from Ajmer, possesses a master’s degree in education acquired from Azim Premji University Bangalore. Arpita is a Nipun professional dedicated to enhancing education in Neemuch district. She plays a pivotal role in ensuring the quality implementation of Mission Ankur and provides expert guidance to the district. Before her current role, Arpita excelled as a senior learning experience designer at Dharohar, where she created and led the implementation of numerous programs. With deep seated commitment to crafting meaningful and transformative learning experiences, she dedicatedly worked for both children and adults. Outside of her professional achievements, Arpita has a deep passion for poetry, reading, and table tennis.
Ishan Sharma
Ishan is a currently working as a Nipun Professional based in the Mandsaur district of Madhya Pradesh, where he drives academic excellence and district-level reforms. Originally from Neemuch, Madhya Pradesh, Ishan brings a unique blend of technical expertise and passion for education to his work. With a Master's degree in Entrepreneurship and Innovation from NIT Durgapur and a B.Tech in Aeronautical Engineering, Ishan has evolved from an engineering background to a leadership role in education. His professional journey includes stints as a Resource Person for Science at the Azim Premji Foundation and a Gandhi Fellow at Kaivalya Education Foundation, where he focused on school leadership, academic capacity building of teachers and stakeholders, monitoring, and evaluation. Currently, Ishan spearheads the academic orientation of district stakeholders, including the DM and CEO (ZP), facilitates effective review meetings, and drives real-time data-based interventions. He also oversees monitoring and evaluation in district schools, ensuring data-driven decision-making. Ishan's interests extend beyond education to reading, traveling, and politics, which he believes helps him stay informed and empathetic. Through his work, Ishan aims to create a lasting impact on the education landscape in Madhya Pradesh, empowering stakeholders and students alike.
Yogesh Pratap Singh
Yogesh Pratap Singh is a dedicated professional passionate about education and development. He graduated from the University of Allahabad and began his career with the Gandhi Fellowship in Andhra Pradesh, where he focused on grassroots educational initiatives. Driven to broaden his impact, Yogesh transitioned to the policy and campaign domain, working as a political consultant at I-PAC, where he gained valuable insights into political strategy and governance. Currently, he serves as a Nipun Professional in Narmadapuram District, committed to making a meaningful difference in the lives of children. Yogesh aspires to create transformative educational experiences and contribute to the betterment of society.
SWATI SHUKLA
Swati Shukla, an education professional from Delhi, has over 6 years of experience in the education and social sectors. She holds an M.A. in Education (Early Childhood Care and Education) from Ambedkar University, Delhi, and a B.El.Ed. from Miranda House, University of Delhi. Swati has previously led the Aspirational Anganwadi Project in Madhya Pradesh, where she focused on capacity building, stakeholder engagement, and training. With expertise in curriculum analysis, educational resource development, and project management, she is committed to promoting equitable access to quality early childhood education and achieving meaningful outcomes in diverse educational settings.
Ritika Prajapati
Ritika, a Delhi native with a Post Graduate degree in Hindi Literature from the University of Delhi, began her social journey as a Language Coordinator in NSS. Recognizing the transformative power of quality education, she joined the prestigious Gandhi Fellowship contributed to NITI Aayog's SATH-E, Dakshata Unnayan and DigiLEP projects in Bhopal. Also worked in Peepul organization as Project Coordinator on Teacher Training Program implementation. Now as a NIPUN Professional, she aims to leverage her expertise to enhance learning opportunities for government primary school children, supporting the education ecosystem, drive impact at scale, and making significant and lasting impact on Early childhood education.
Durgesh Singh
Durgesh Singh, a passionate advocate for children's education, hails from Ballia, Uttar Pradesh. He completed his Master’s in Social Work from Lucknow University before joining the Gandhi Fellowship under the ADC Program. His work with the FLN Campaign in Nuh District, Haryana, showcased his remarkable ability to advance literacy and numeracy. Currently, Durgesh serves as an MP NIPUN Professional, where he applies his expertise to enhance educational outcomes and promote equitable opportunities for all children. Outside of his professional endeavors, he enjoys traveling, attending seminar's, alumani meets and mentoring graduate students on internships and career development. He is also deeply committed to community service, actively supporting those in need during difficult times.
Sojov George
Sojov George, hailing from Kerala, holds a master's degree in Development Studies from National Institute of Technology, Rourkela. His research interest in Child Education and Social Development led him to work as a Program Associate with Pratham Council for Vulnerable Children in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Currently, Sojov plays a pivotal role in advancing the MP NIPUN Professionals Programme, working closely with educationally disadvantaged children in Ashoknagar to ensure every child achieves Foundational Literacy and Numeracy skills. In his idle time he can be seen skateboarding, travelling or making video documentaries.
Sheikh Jahan Zaib
Sheikh is a dedicated professional who previously worked as an Associate for Policy Engagement and Livelihoods at Swaniti Global, New Delhi. With a background in Rural Management from Xavier Institute of Social Service and engineering degree from the University of Kashmir, Sheikh has amassed four years of impactful experience at ground level. At Swaniti Global, he supported a Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament on national programs, parliamentary engagement and promoted green recovery initiatives in Hamirpur. Previously, at Odisha Livelihood Mission, he played a key role in empowering women farmers and implementing livelihood projects in tribal areas of Keonjhar. Sheikh's expertise spans legislative research, community development, and sustainable livelihood. In his downtime, he enjoys exploring innovations in social change and policy.
Tanushree Vyas
Tanushree holds a BA Hons in Economics from LSR, Delhi University and a Masters in Development Studies from AUD. After a year's stint in the corporate sector, she moved to the development sector, (especially the education domain) working in different capacities at different organisations such as CSF and Pratham. Passionate about music and education, she has also worked as a Teaching Artist with the Delhi based NGO, Music Basti (now under Enabling Leadership Foundation). Her passion and interest in music also led her to be one of the three fellows from India among a group of 25-30 musician fellows from across the world (17 countries) as part of the Teach to Learn (international organisation) fellowship.
Suresh Kumar
Suresh works as a MP NIPUN Professional with School Education Department of Madhya Pradesh. He was born and raised in Sirohi district of Rajasthan. He holds a B. Tech in Industrial Design from NIT Rourkela. His desire get exposure to the social development sector drove him to do Gandhi Fellowship where he got clarity to continue in the sector for a few more years. His interest in pedagogy of mathematics inspired him to join Azim Premji Foundation as a Teacher Educator where he worked with teachers to improve quality of teaching-learning processes within government schools. During his free time, he loves to watch TV series, build a wish list, and cook delicious dishes.
Vivek Kumar
Vivek works as a MP NIPUN Professional in Umaria. He was born and grew up in Kiriburu, a small mining village in the dense Saranda forest in Odisha. He pursued his bachelor's in mass communication from Central University of Jharkhand. His passion for education equity drove him to do the Teach For India Fellowship and serve in a government school by teaching, action research and implementing community projects. During his free time Vivek loves to watch art cinema or rearranging his book shelves and page through old magazines and novels.