OUR Team
Dr. Atanu Purkayastha
Senior Policy Advisor
Home State:
Dr. Atanu Purkayastha, IAS (Retd.) is a distinguished former civil servant with more than three decades of experience in governance and public administration. A 1983-batch IAS officer of the West Bengal Cadre, he has held several key positions in the Government of India, including Secretary, Central Information Commission; Joint Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture; and Director, Ministry of Home Affairs. Throughout his illustrious career, he has contributed significantly to public policy, governance reforms, agricultural development, disaster management, and grassroots policy implementation. His extensive administrative experience and deep understanding of governance make him a respected voice in policy and public affairs.
Dr. Nitya Nanda
Senior Fellow
Home State: West Bangal
Dr. Nitya Nanda is an economist and a public policy analyst with more than two decades of experience in research, consulting and teaching. He worked on international trade, industry, investment, healthcare, environment and development issues – the political economy and the legal aspects of these in particular. His work covered issues and challenges in India and South Asia, but often South-east Asian and African nations as well. He has been involved with more than 40 research/consulting projects, and in about half of them as the principal investigator. He has travelled widely within India and across the world for his field research as well as for conferences.
Currently, he is a Professor at Council for Social Development, New Delhi – a premier research institute working on issues of social development. Previously, he worked at the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), CUTS International, and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI). Since the time of his tenure at TERI, he has also been teaching as a guest faculty at the TERI School of Advanced Studies – a deemed university, where he also serves as a member of the board of management. He received his education at the University of Calcutta and Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.
Kamlakant Pathak
Fellow
Home State: Bihar
Kamlakant Pathak is a Public Policy and Governance Professional with over a decade of experience in government relations, program management, and policy reforms. He has worked with several reputed organisations, including Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini (a UN-ECOSOC–recognized institution), Deeper Learning Innovations, Samman Foundation, and Khel Planet Foundation. As Coordinator of the C20 Secretariat during India’s G20 Presidency, he managed high-level stakeholder engagement, multi-ministry coordination, and complex operations that influenced key national policy outcomes.
Kamlakant has successfully led national projects, contributed to strategic initiatives, and built strong partnerships with ministries, commissions, and international bodies. Known for his collaborative approach and strategic thinking, he brings together diverse stakeholders to deliver impactful solutions that strengthen governance and promote social development. His work reflects a deep commitment to public service, innovation, and creating systems that empower institutions and communities alike.
Shri Pankaj Upadhyay
Fellow
Home State: Madhya Pradesh
Shri Pankaj Upadhyay, currently serving as the Director (India and Middle East) at Bricpoint Capital, UK, and contributing as an author and team member at the Centre on Business and Poverty, boasts a rich strategic background in constructing intricate, multi-stakeholder partnerships and overseeing development projects. With a fervent dedication to individual and societal transformation, he leverages extensive experience in transformative technologies, clean energy, sustainability, and integrated education initiatives. Drawing on his expertise in engineering, business, and policy, he seamlessly integrates innovation, cutting-edge technologies, and responsible investment to drive social impact. Beyond his impressive academic background with a Master of Business Administration from the University of Oxford, where he received the Dean’s list award for academic excellence, he passionately explores the convergence of perennial traditions and cutting-edge advances to catalyze holistic individual and collective flourishing. As a persuasive debater, public speaker, and writer, he consistently aligns advocacy with action, channeling emotional energies toward overarching goals.
Vishal Paul
President.
Home State: Uttarakhand
Vishal Paul brings a diverse blend of academic insight, corporate experience, and grassroots engagement to his role as President of the cooperative society. He holds a Master’s degree in English from the University of Manchester, UK. Vishal spent four years in the corporate sector with Teleperformance SE, a French multinational business process outsourcing company, where he worked as a relationship manager, honing his skills in communication, client management, and strategic planning.currently, he runs his own earthmovers business, demonstrating his entrepreneurial drive and commitment to local economic development. Beyond business, Vishal is deeply passionate about public policy and social justice. He is actively involved in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Supreme Court of India, focusing on the Forest Rights Act and the Land Acquisition Act, reflecting his commitment to sustainable development and the rights of marginalized communities.
As President, Vishal brings a forward-thinking and socially conscious vision to the cooperative, emphasizing transparency, community empowerment, and long-term impact.
Lavish Sharma
General Secretary
Home State: Karnataka
Lavish Sharma is an accomplished in bachelor of marketing by profession with a strong interdisciplinary background that bridges technology and public finance. He spent four years with Admiral Group plc, a leading British financial services company, where he gained valuable experience in international business, risk management, and stock market. in addition to his corporate experience, Lavish has cultivated deep expertise in public finance and economic governance. He has served as a consultant with respected policy institutions such as the Institute of Economic Growth and the Centre for Public Policy, contributing to research and initiatives focused on fiscal policy, development planning, and institutional reform.
As General Secretary, Lavish plays a crucial role in overseeing the cooperative’s administrative functions and strategic planning. His ability to navigate both technical and policy domains ensures that the society remains transparent, accountable, and aligned with long-term development goals.
Shekhar Singh
Joint Secretary (Administration)
Home State: Uttarkhand
Mr. Shekhar Singh serves as the Joint Secretary (Administration) at the Samaira Policy Research Institute. He holds a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) in Mechanical Engineering and has over five years of experience in the non-renewable energy sector. in addition to his administrative responsibilities, Mr. Singh is an entrepreneur, managing his own solar panel business focused on renewable energy solutions. His technical expertise and hands-on understanding of project implementation bring valuable efficiency and innovation to the Institute’s administrative and operational systems.
At the Institute, he oversees internal coordination, infrastructure management, and organizational logistics. Mr. Singh’s blend of technical proficiency, administrative acumen, and commitment to sustainable development strengthens the Institute’s institutional capacity and day-to-day governance
Ajay Masih
Joint Secretary (Logistics)
Home State: Uttarkhand
Mr. Ajay serves as the Joint Secretary (Logistics) at the Samaira Policy Research Institute, where he manages coordination, field operations, and logistical planning for the Institute’s research and outreach programs. a farmer by profession, Mr. Ajay brings over a decade of practical experience in agriculture and animal husbandry. His deep understanding of rural livelihoods and on-ground realities adds valuable insight to the Institute’s policy engagement with grassroots communities.
He plays a key role in organizing field-based activities, coordinating with local stakeholders, and ensuring the smooth execution of rural research and development initiatives. His commitment to sustainable farming and rural innovation reflects the Institute’s broader mission of connecting evidence-based policy research with everyday practices of rural life.
Medha Singh
Treasurer
Home State: Uttar Pradesh
Ms. Medha Singh serves as the treasurer at the Samaira Policy Research Institute, where she oversees financial planning, budgeting, and fiscal accountability for the organization’s research and field initiatives. She holds a Master’s degree in English and brings over four years of professional experience from Admiral Group Plc, a leading multinational financial services company. at the Institute, she plays a key role in ensuring fiscal transparency, efficient fund utilization, and long-term financial sustainability across projects and research programs. Her prior corporate experience in financial operations and data-driven decision-making adds depth to the Institute’s governance and accountability framework.
Ms. Singh’s work focuses on developing sustainable funding models, maintaining financial integrity, and supporting evidence-based policy initiatives through sound fiscal stewardship. Her blend of analytical precision, organizational insight, and commitment to institutional ethics strengthens the overall administrative and research capacity of the Samaira Policy Research Institute
Dr. Dinesh Kumar
Joint Treasurer
Home State: Himachal Pradesh
Dr. Dinesh Kumar is a UGC-JRF qualified scholar with a Ph.D. in Political Science from Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla. Hailing from Chamba, a remote and mountainous region of Himachal Pradesh, his academic journey reflects a deep commitment to advancing inclusive and locally grounded political research. he has published extensively in reputed journals and edited volumes on themes related to governance, rural development, democratic participation, and political representation in hill regions. His scholarship bridges theoretical insight with field-based understanding, emphasizing the socio-political realities of India’s peripheral and border districts.
At the Samaira Policy Research Institute, Dr. Kumar contributes to research on decentralization, grassroots governance, and public policy innovation. His work embodies a strong belief in the transformative potential of education and policy research for empowering rural and marginalized communities.
Arpit Sharma
Chief Technical Officer
Home State: Uttar Pradesh
Mr. Arpit Sharma serves as the Chief Technical Officer (CTO) at the Samaira Policy Research Institute, where he leads the Institute’s digital infrastructure, data systems, and technology-driven policy research initiatives. he is responsible for developing and managing the Institute’s IT frameworks, ensuring data security, and integrating technological innovation into research and field operations. Under his leadership, the Institute has strengthened its capabilities in data analytics, digital documentation, and online collaboration platforms.
Mr. Sharma brings a strong technical and managerial background, combining expertise in software systems with an understanding of public policy applications. His work enhances the Institute’s ability to leverage technology for governance innovation, institutional transparency, and scalable impact across rural and policy research domains.
Sejal Jakhmola
Program-Coordinator
Home State: Delhi
Sejal Jakhmola is a postgraduate from Lady Shri Ram College for Women and a public policy professional committed to advancing women’s empowerment at scale. She has experience in policy design, government engagement, and legislative affairs research, with a strong interest in shaping inclusive and impactful public policy.
Aaradhika Mehta
Policy Intern
Home State: Delhi
Aaradhika is a Political Science (Hons) students at Kamala Nehru College, Delhi Univerisity. She has been president of the Gandhi Reading Circle, and is also the President of Viksit Bharat Society. An avid reader she takes keen interest in grassroot policy issues.
Nasir Khuehami
Lok-Nayak Rural Fellow
Home State: Jammu & Kashmir
Nasir Khuehami is a Doctoral scholar at the Nelson Mandela Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi. He has built a distinguished career spanning politics, policy research, crisis response, and political consultancy.
As a researcher, policy professional, and consultant, his work focuses on peace and conflict studies, tribal affairs, education, governance, and Indian politics. His expertise in crisis management has been reflected through his coordinated interventions during major emergencies and humanitarian situations.
Khuehami has worked with several think tanks and has served as a consultant to multiple politicians and political parties. His experience includes engagement with leading political consultancy platforms such as Indian Political Action Committee and Jan Suraaj, alongside working closely with former Chief Minister, ministers, Members of Parliament, and MLAs, contributing to both Assembly and Parliamentary election campaigns.
He has contributed extensively to leading English-language newspapers, journals, and digital platforms on issues ranging from politics and education to tribal rights and governance. His writings have appeared in The Indian Express, BBC, ThePrint, Outlook India, The Wire, The Telegraph, NewsClick, The Citizen, Greater Kashmir, Eurasian Times, Global Order, Sabrang India, and several other publications.
Harshit shrivastav
Lok-Nayak Rural Fellow
Home State: Uttar Pradesh
Harshit Srivastava holds a Master’s degree in Public Policy, Law and Governance from IIT Kharagpur. His academic and professional interests span climate governance, rural development, digital governance, and public policy research.
His work lies at the intersection of governance, sustainability, and community-centred development, combining field-based engagement with policy-oriented research. With a background in Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering, he is particularly passionate about evidence-based policymaking, climate resilience, and inclusive governance frameworks that bridge the gap between policy formulation and grassroots realities.
He has also been associated with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), where he gained valuable experience in digital governance and public policy implementation. His diverse academic and professional background enables him to contribute meaningfully to governance reforms and sustainable development initiatives.