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.
Shalu Sharma
Shalu works as a NIPUN Professional in Sagar District. She strongly feels that education can answer all or most of our questions. It can create a blueprint of change by helping to make better citizens who are thinkers, decision-makers, and empathizers with other humans and animals. She has worked in the Key Education Foundation and Azim Premji Foundation, where she closely worked with teachers and children. She is driving initiatives in her district in collaboration with CEO Zila Panchayat, DPC, and other NGOs functioning in the district.
Piyush Chopawar
Piyush is a social impact professional with experience in public policy, public service delivery, and ethnographic research across government and non-governmental organisations. Currently working in Narsinghpur district towards strengthening implementation of Mission Ankur, state's Foundational Literacy and Numeracy program under NIPUN Bharat Mission.He believes in active citizenship and effective policy formulation and implementation as a lever of social change.He holds an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from NIT Warangal and studied Development Management in post graduation from ISDM, Noida. An avid music lover, he plays Guitar & Drums and keeps interest in global music scene with genres ranging from metal and rock to blues and jazz, and loves attending concerts all around the country.
Priyanshi Verma
Priyanshi is a dedicated education professional with a strong background in curriculum development, teacher training, and student engagement. She has successfully led initiatives at organizations like Cuemath and Opendoor Education, where she piloted programs to enhance classroom experiences for neurodivergent children, designed teacher - parent engagement frameworks and comprehensive curriculums for young learners. She holds a good understanding of project management, stakeholder management and likes to learn and use technology in work. An alumna of Ashoka University and Miranda House, she has also spearheaded student-led initiatives and organized numerous socio-cultural events. Outside of work, She enjoys exploring new places, trying delicious food, and immersing herself in a good book.
Shubham Wagh
Shubham currently serves as an MP NIPUN Professional with Mission Ankur in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh. He holds a B.Sc. in Physics from Fergusson College, Pune. Prior to this role, he worked with the Piramal Foundation as a Program Leader for the Lifted-Transforming FLN through Development Impact Bond (DIB) Project under the Aspirational Bharat Collaborative. In Aurangabad district, he contributed in the DIB Project across 11 blocks, aiming to improve learning outcomes for over 66,000 students in 175 demonstration and 1,900 non-demonstration schools, focusing on building middle managers' capacity, strengthening governance, and fostering community engagement.Shubham also served as the Gandhi Fellowship SPoC for Bihar, overseeing operations across 38 districts and supporting more than 120 fellows in developing essential 21st-century skills. As a 2021-23 Gandhi Fellow, he gained practical experience in primary education, community life,teacher engagement, and the educational challenges of underserved areas in Gujarat and Bihar. His ongoing work reflects his dedication to enhancing educational outcomes for marginalized communities. In his leisure time, Shubham enjoys trekking and traveling.
Khushbu Pradhan
Khushbu Pradhan, a B.Tech graduate in Electronics and Communication from Banasthali University, brings 8 years of diverse experience in coaching, facilitation, project management, and business strategy. She began her journey as a Gandhi Fellow and has since held impactful roles, including Strategic Initiative Group at Piramal Foundation, Program Leader at Kaivalya Education Foundation, Program Manager at Edumentum, and Academic Excellence Manager at LEAD. Her dedication to empowering educators and leaders shines through her work with over 200+ public and private schools, where she focuses on strengthening leadership capabilities. Passionate about quality education for all, she contributes to the MP NIPUN Fellowship, leveraging her expertise to drive scalable, positive change.
Sanskruti Vidhate
With her father working in the defense forces, Sanskruti is a Maharashtrian who has spent her childhood across the country. She holds a B.Tech from VIT, Vellore, and a Master’s in Public Policy (Science, Tech, Innovation and Development) from IIT Delhi. Her unwavering passion for social justice led her to embark on the Teach for India Fellowship, followed by a transformative rural stint with the Barefoot College. Eager to utilize her practical insights and academic expertise, Sanskruti aspires to catalyze large-scale impact as a Madhya Pradesh NIPUN Professional. During her free time, she unwinds with her favourite humans with great food and plans her future adventures.
Suman Rai
Suman works as a NIPUN Professional with District Education Department of Indore . She holds masters degree in Development studies from IIT Mandi. Her journey in development sector started from a fellowship program with Piramal Foundation. She has completed the two years of fellowship under State Transformation Program Gandhinagar, Gujarat. Which motivated her to pursue study about development. After completing her masters degree she joined MPNP program. Currently her work involves Implementation and monitoring of Mision Ankur Program in Indore district. She supports in capacity building of stakeholders, strengthening the FLN practices in schools as well as monitoring and mentoring practices for the same. She likes parallel cinema, hindi-urdu poetries and read and write travelogues and often can be seen visiting mountains.
Zaid Ahsan Siddiqui
Zaid, a resident of Delhi, brings over six years of experience in the social sector and holds a master's degree in Social Work from Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi. His passion for education was ignited during his tenure as a Teach For India Fellow at a low-income private school in Hyderabad. Subsequently, he served as a Senior Operations Associate at the Meraki Foundation, where he contributed to Early Childhood Education initiatives across more than 20,000 Anganwadi Centers in Uttarakhand. As a Madhya Pradesh NIPUN Professional, he leads the state's Foundational Literacy and Numeracy program in Datia district, overseeing strategy and implementation to enhance classroom adoption of FLN pedagogy in 781 schools.
Nidhi Nirala
Nidhi holds a Master’s degree in Mass Communication and Journalism from the Central University of Jharkhand. She began her career as a Gandhi Fellow in Rajnandgaon district, Chhattisgarh, where she gained hands-on experience in project management and education consultancy. She then advanced her skills as a Project Manager and Team Lead with the Centre for Microfinance in Dausa, Rajasthan, where she led impactful projects and collaborated closely with local communities. Currently, she is a NIPUN Professional with the Centre of Excellence in Teacher Education (CETE) at TISS, focusing on transformative educational initiatives.
Snehal Lahoti
I am an enthusiastic development professional working in the field of education and legal rights. I have done my undergraduate in law from Symbiosis Law School and post graduation from Tata Institute of Social Sciences. Post which I joined Gandhi fellowship where I worked on legal literacy project imparting legal rights education to multiple groups like students, teachers, police men etc. Currently I am working as a Nipun Professional in Shajapur district, where I am striving to ensure universal literacy and numeracy.
Shailja Tiwari
Shailja Tiwari, born and raised in Lucknow, earned her B.Tech. from UIET, CSJMU, Kanpur.She co-founded 'Parindey,' an organization dedicated to educating underprivileged students. Her passion for societal change led her to a Master's in Development and Labour Studies at JNU, New Delhi. She then worked as a Systemic Change Executive at the Safe in India Foundation for occupational safety and service delivery to injured workers in the automobile supply chain. Through this experience, she recognized the power of education to break cycles of poverty and exploitation. Currently, as a NIPUN Professional in Madhya Pradesh, Shailja is committed to bringing scalable, sustainable impact to children's lives and shaping the nation’s future.
Vipul Chandra Jha
Vipul, with a Master’s degree in Social Work from Jamia Millia Islamia University, has dedicated over three years to the fields of education and skill development, driven by a genuine passion for creating meaningful change. He began his career at Medha, where he successfully trained and mentored college students in employability skills, later, designing digital skills curricula and engaging students from suburban areas of East Uttar Pradesh. Following his impactful work at Medha, he joined Internshala as Assistant Project Manager, contributing to the development of Placement Guarantee Courses that enhanced students’ learning experiences and employability. Currently, he is working with the MP Government’s Education Department, where he serves in a strategic role supporting foundational literacy and numeracy programs in Sidhi district. He collaborates closely with district education teams and key stakeholders, focusing on systems change and capacity building to improve educational outcomes in challenging environments. Vipul’s journey into the education sector is inspired by his belief that empowering individuals with skills and knowledge can lead to long-term societal transformation. In his free time, he enjoys writing on platforms like Quora & Medium, sharing insights and guidance with a broader community. He is also an avid reader, startup enthusiast, and a film lover, appreciating stories and ideas that expand his perspective.
Krishna Nand Rai
Krishna Nand Rai serves as a NIPUN Professional in Tikamgarh district, bringing over five years of dedicated experience in public education. With a strong background in Public Policy and Governance, Krishna excels in program implementation, stakeholder management, and supporting the mission to enhance foundational literacy and numeracy in government schools. Passionate about driving positive change, he works closely with local education leaders to increase access to quality education. Outside of work, Krishna is an avid music enthusiast, finding inspiration and balance through his musical interests.
Raja Shukla
Raja, originally from Jabalpur, began his journey with an engineering degree from BITS Pilani, followed by a role in banking at HSBC. However, the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted life’s fragility, inspiring him to pursue his passion for education. This realization led him to join Teach for India as a Fellow, where he worked toward educational equity. He then continued this commitment as a Monitoring and Evaluation Associate at Peepul. Now, Raja eagerly steps into his role as a NIPUN professional, driven to make a meaningful impact in the field of education.
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.