OUR Team
Kamlakant Pathak
Senior Advisor
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.
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.
Avijeet Singh
Vice President.
Home State: Uttar Pradesh
Avijeet Singh Rathore is a dedicated public advocate with over seven years of experience in grassroots mobilization and community welfare. A graduate in Economics, he brings a strong foundation in economic theory along with a practical understanding of social dynamics and governance. avijeet came to prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, when he led a large-scale relief effort to support migrant laborers in Kanpur and surrounding areas. Under his leadership, the program successfully provided food assistance to over 10,000 individuals, showcasing his organizational ability and unwavering commitment to humanitarian service. in addition to his relief work, Avijeet takes a keen interest in economic policy and is actively involved in initiatives related to the Panchayati Raj Extension—working to strengthen democratic governance and local self-rule in rural India.
As Vice President, Avijeet brings compassion, strategic thinking, and a deep commitment to equitable development, making him a vital part of the cooperative’s leadership.
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.