Nov 2020 – Feb 2021 · 3 mos · England, United Kingdom

• As a project consultant for the Malala Fund, my team of 3 worked on a comprehensive strategy on the risks and opportunities for the Fund to introduce a comprehensive program on Sexual and Reproductive Health for young women in Brazil, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and North Africa. With a mix of secondary research and primary interviews, I assessed the current political environment, regulatory landscape and mapped the civil society footprint on these issues against the problem statement to provide a comprehensive report, including recommendations for the way forward for the Fund.

Jun 2020 – May 2022 · 1 yr 11 mos · Greater London · Hybrid

• As a member of the UK civil service, worked with the Security and Online Harms Directorate as a policy advisor on the international aspects of online safety legislation and wider online safety policy. As part of the UK's G7 2020 Presidency, worked on the negotiations of the G7 Digital track resulting in the G7 Internet Safety Principles. Led on follow up activities through 2021 and into Germany's 2022 Presidency on international cooperation and knowledge sharing on online safety technology and safety by design. Led on bilateral engagement with key international allies on knowledge sharing and best practices on developing online safety regulation.

Jun 2020 – Sep 2020 · 3 mos · Greater London · Hybrid

• Summer placement (capstone project) as part of my masters in public policy course at the University of Oxford. Worked in the Security and Online Harms Directorate with the Bill Team on the drafting of the UK Online Safety Bill.

Sep 2019 – Sep 2020 · 1 yr · Oxford, England, United Kingdom

Aug 2018 – Sep 2019 · 1 yr 1 mo · New Delhi Area, India · On-site

• Supported the central and state governments through legislative drafting and legal advisory. Also conducted strategic litigation in public interest and independent research in the areas of health, education and gender & sexuality. Drafted key bills at the central and state government levels. Conceptualised and lead the Inclusive Education Policy research initiative on the drafting of amendments to the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2010 to bring it in line with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2017, in collaboration with civil society and other stakeholders. Engaged in litigation before the Supreme Court of India on the unconstitutionality of laws that discriminate against persons with leprosy, and the non-implementation of the RTE Act.

Sep 2017 – Sep 2019 · 2 yrs · New Delhi Area, India · On-site

• Key areas of practice included criminal defence litigation, anti-terror trials and appeals, civil and criminal defamation matters for freedom of the press. Various areas of family law including divorce, custody, maintenance and the implementation of international conventions on domestic child custody issues.
• Developed strategy and drafted writ petitions for strategic impact litigation including challenging Supreme Court Directions on Section 498A, IPC (cruelty to a woman in a domestic relationship); levy of GST on sanitary napkins; legal reforms for recognition of a ‘no-fault’ divorce; and the challenge to Aadhar Act, 2016.

Sep 2013 – Aug 2017 · 3 yrs 11 mos · New Delhi Area, India · On-site

• Tracked the day to day workings of Parliament with my team, prepared legislative analysis on Bills
• and thematic briefs on key policy issues, for Members of Parliament.
• Published analyses on key Bills for Members of Parliament, including: (i) Constitution Amendment
• Bills related to the Goods and Services Tax and the Judicial Appointments Commission; (ii) Social
• justice Bills on Maternity Benefits, and Transgender Persons’ rights; (iii) Anti-corruption laws such
• as amendments to Prevention of Corruption Act, Whistle blowers Protection Act and Lokpal Act.
• Deposed before Parliamentary Standing Committees, including the Standing Committees of Law
• and Justice, Food, Consumer Protection and Civil Supplies, and Social Justice and Empowerment.
• Conducted closed-door MP briefings and prepared background papers for Weekly Briefing sessions
• (on Wednesdays and Thursdays of every week, during session time) on key Bills and policy issues.
• Advocated for the strengthening of institutional processes of Parliament and state legislatures with
• Legislators, Speakers of Houses, and in print and broadcast media.
• Conducted training programmes on the Constitution of India, Role of Parliament and the Judiciary
• for around 50 LAMP Fellows (Legislative Assistants to Members of Parliament) every year.

Jun 2011 – Aug 2013 · 2 yrs 2 mos · Bangalore, India · On-site

• Designed around the themes of access to law and justice, the program focused on building (i)
• mechanisms for individuals to access legal information and services in underserved areas; and (ii) a
• larger movement to scale the work of rights based organisations, in the Ashoka Fellowship network.
• Managed a ‘Fellow Security’ program for India that offered prevention, long term strategies and
• emergency security support for human rights defenders. Developed partnerships with Fellows and
• pro bono legal counsel, to strengthen, both their work, and the pro bono culture worldwide.
• Led the search and selection of social entrepreneurs for the Ashoka Fellowship, particularly in
• conflict areas like Ladakh, Manipur and Chhattisgarh.

Jul 2010 – Jun 2011 · 11 mos

• Legal research on policy matters and strategic litigation related to groups vulnerable to HIV/AIDS.