Priya Agarwal

School Service Initiative (Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh)

As an August 2008 fellow, Priya Agarwal seeks to promote volunteerism and civic responsibility amongst the students of the Happy Days School in Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh. Hailing from McLean, Virginia, Priya graduated in May 2008 from the University of Pennsylvania with a double major in history and economics. While studying, she held several leadership positions - most notably co-chairing the UPenn Model UN Conference that brought together students from over 1,000 colleges nationwide. Priya was also a long-time volunteer with the Kilmer Center, serving as a teacher’s aide for autistic children. She has visited India numerous times, most recently last summer as a researcher at the National Archives of India writing her undergraduate honors history thesis on Hindu-Muslim relations

priya08@indicorps.net

Abirami Natarajan

Tribal Health Workers Training (Gudalur Valley, Tamil Nadu)

Abirami Natarajan graduated from Duke University in May 2008, completing a program exploring Global Health issues from many disciplines. While studying, she volunteered with the Health Inequities Program, spending time with patients triply diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, substance abuse, and mental illness, in addition to conducting research in an immunology research laboratory exploring the basis of disease. As an August 2008 fellow, Abirami is partnered with the Association for Health Welfare in the Nilgris (ASHWINI) to train local health workers to provide direct healthcare to tribal communities. Abirami is interested in exploring access to healthcare of marginalized individuals in her new community from the grassroots level. Having spent nearly every summer in India since childhood on her grandparents farm, Abi is excited about this new adventure that will bring her even closer to understanding India.

abirami08@indicorps.net

Amrit Dhir

Leadership Building for Youth (Khan Market, New Delhi)

As an August 2008 fellow, Amrit Dhir is partnered with Manzil Community Center in New Delhi. While pursuing his BA in International Studies at Emory University, he served as Student Government Association President, the highest elected position and chief representative of 11,000 undergraduate and graduate students. In 2008 he completed his MA with honors distinction in Media Culture at Maastricht University (Netherlands). Amrit has studied Russian and German for several years and also has a passion for music, serving as both music director and DJ for his college radio station. He has worked in various fields including music, education, project management, and media in the United States (Los Angeles, Atlanta) and in Europe (Maastricht, Vienna).

amrit08@indicorps.net

Aysha Asifuddin

SHG Women Empowerment (Andur, Osmanabad District, Maharashtra)

Aysha Asifuddin graduated with a BS in Public Health from Rutgers University with interests in Gender Studies and South Asian Studies. She has promoted women’s health issues both on the national and international level, helping to execute the UN/WHO funded Women Deliver Conference in London and through her consistent involvement with Manavi, an organization providing counseling and support to victims of sexual assault. She is a certified Sexual Health Advocate and Health Education Specialist. As an August 2008 fellow, Aysha is partnered with the Halo Medical Foundation, empowering women to use Self Help Groups as a platform to address pressing social issues such as alcohol abuse and domestic violence. Stationed in a rural village near Solapur, Maharashtra, Aysha looks forward to the opportunity to reconnect with her Maharastrian roots, as well as serve her ancestral homeland.

aysha08@indicorps.net

Chetan Shenoy

Mentoring Youth Entrepreneurs (Pabal, Maharashtra)

Chetan Shenoy was born and raised in the Bay Area (Northern California). He graduated from University of California, San Diego in 2007 with a BS in Physiology and Neuroscience and soon thereafter joined a medical device startup company in the Bay Area. Of Konkani descent, Chetan planned and organized the Konkani Sammelan in 2008 and the annual Konkani Youth Convention the previous summer. In January 2008, he joined TiE (The Indus Entrepreneurs) as a team lead for the TiEcon annual entrepreneur conference and successfully generated marketing strategies to attract Generation Y. As an August 2008 fellow, Chetan is partnered with Vigyan Ashram where he will foster entrepreneurship amongst young rural inventors and diversify job placement opportunities. A budding filmmaker, he hopes to one day write, produce, direct, and act in his own movie.

chetan08@indicorps.net

Gaurav Madan

Citizens Health Initiative (Simayal Village, Uttaranchal)

As an August 2008 fellow, Gaurav Madan aims to bridge the gap between national health schemes and local needs through a public health project with partner CHIRAG in rural communities of Uttarkhand. He graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park in 2007 with a degree in Government and Politics. His undergraduate experience included a semester abroad at the University of Cape Town in South Africa. Gaurav has been active in a number of social justice and activist organizations focused on addressing issues of human rights, war and conflict, workers’ rights, and economic justice. Prior to joining Indicorps, Gaurav was a substitute teacher in Montgomery County Public Schools in Montgomery County, Maryland.

gaurav08@indicorps.net

Gouri Tawady

Learning Disabilities Awareness (Davangere, Karnataka)

Gouri Tawady has a BS in Mechanical Engineering from University of Maryland, College Park. Prior to her fellowship, Gouri was an SAP consultant for a large technology firm. While in college, she participated in the College Park Scholars Program, tutoring young students and assisting them with their science fair projects. She was also selected as a RISE fellow for excellence in science and engineering. As an August 2008 fellow, Gouri is based in Davangere, Karnataka, partnering with Samveda, a school for children with learning disabilities. Sports have always been a part of Gouri’s life, so she looks forward to including an athletic component to her project.

gouri08@indicorps.net

Julie Mehta

Volunteer Ahmedabad (Ahmedabad, Gujarat)

Julie Mehta recently completed her BA in Mathematics at Queens College in New York. With a minor in education, she volunteered at various high schools throughout Queens, teaching students who were unable to afford private tutoring. She spent a year abroad at Kingston University in the UK, studying, and touring wax museums throughout Europe when she had free time. As an intern with both the NYC Board of Education and Columbia University’s High School Summer Program, she was involved with ensuring healthy meals for students and promoting leadership skills. As an August 2008 fellow, Julie is partnered with Volunteer Ahmedabad to encourage fellow Indians to contribute to the progress of their country.

julie08@indicorps.net

Linda Mani

Re-introducing Natural Dyes (Lakavanahali, Karnataka)

Linda Mani was born in Cochin, Kerala, and moved to Philadelphia at the age of seven. She holds a Bachelor of Business in Finance and Operations Management from Drexel University where she served as President of the local chapter of Delta Phi Omega and then National Vice President for Expansion. The Delta Phi Omega experience played a strong role in developing Linda’s leadership, team orientation and service philosophy. As an August 2008 fellow interested in fashion/textiles, Linda is partnered with the Initiatives for Development Foundation to revive the art and livelihood potential of using natural dyes in handicrafts production.

linda08@indicorps.net

Meghana Limaye

Community Health Workers Training (Andur, Maharashtra)

A New Jersey native, Meghana Limaye recently graduated from MIT with a degree in Biological Engineering. She held leadership roles with the Indian dance team at MIT, and the Hippocratic Society, where she helped organize a conference on Global Warming and Health. As part of an alternative spring break, Meghana volunteered in Guatemala with Maya Pedal, which builds bicycle-powered agricultural machines for farmers. As an August 2008 fellow, Meghana is partnered with the HALO Medical Foundation to expand the scope of community health workers through stronger training and larger recruitment. She is excited to explore her Marashtrian/ Indian roots and plans to attend medical school after her time in India.

meghana08@indicorps.net

Neha Mistry

Sanitation and Civic Engagement (Dholera Village, Gujarat)

Leaving her days of consulting behind, Neha Mistry packed her bags for Nepal in 2007 in search for a deeper understanding of the power of prevention. As a volunteer with Student Partnership Worldwide, Neha created a Youth Club in the rural Sankosh, encouraging and empowering youth to identify issues in their community and take action. She also conducted workshops, trainings, and dramas through non-formal teaching methods around topics of health, governance, livelihoods, and life skills. As an August 2008 fellow, Neha is partnered with Mahiti Rural Development Center in Dholera, Gujarat to engage local youth to creatively educate their community about health issues. Prior to her travels abroad, she was a counselor with Planned Parenthood and an active volunteer with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Prajapati Samaj of Washington, DC, and former Vice-President for her chapter of Delta Phi Omega. Neha is a 2004 graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park.

neha08@indicorps.net

Neil Jain

Young Professional Service Initiative (Ahmedabad, Gujarat)

Neil Jain quit his finance job on Wall Street to return to India after 15 years. As an August 2008 fellow, he is partnered with Indicorps-Ahmedabad to create a Young Professionals Service Initiative to encourage other young professionals to join him in serving the country. Born and raised in central New Jersey, Neil has lived primarily along the east coast of the United States. He graduated from Georgetown University business school in 2004 with a BA in accounting and finance, and a minor in computer science and math. He spent four years as an analyst on Wall Street: two years at a bulge bracket investment bank and two years at a hedge fund. While working, he volunteered with the GO Project, tutoring eleven third grade students from public schools in New York City. In his free time, Neil spends time with friends and family, reads, watches college basketball and aspires to visit 100 countries.

neil08@indicorps.net

Prerna Seth

Alternative Energy and Livelihoods (Budhakedarnath, Uttaranchal)

Prerna Seth is from New Delhi and recently completed her BA in Economics from the University of Delhi. She is an avid debater, intramural sports enthusiast, and active participant in her university, taking a lead role in organizing and inter-college Economics Fest. As an assistant with an event-planning firm, Prerna developed and executed the promotional strategy for the Great Indian Rock Festival 2007, one of the largest and most popular Indian rock events this decade. As an August 2008 fellow, Prerna is partnered with the Budhakedarnath Development Group to utilize renewable energy sources to increase income in the mountain communities of Uttarkhand. She looks forward to exploring alternative energy sources to cope with ever-increasing energy needs and to promote more judicious use of sources.

prerna08@indicorps.net

Pulin Thakker

Migrant Support and Services (Udaipur, Rajasthan)

Pulin Thakker has an MBA from DePaul University and 5 years of experience at The Boeing Company as a Business Analyst. His appreciation for diverse cultures has led him to travel to over 30 countries, across 6 continents. Pulin’s interest in service has landed him in Turkey, Fiji, Thailand, and India. He assisted disabled persons learn to swim and scuba dive in Bodrum, built toilets in Ba, taught English to Buddhist Monks in Ayyuthaya, and provided accounting and marketing support to an NGO in Mumbai. As an August 2008 fellow, Pulin is partnered with the Aajeevika Bureau to establish a new service center for migrant workers to gain job skills and access legal and financial services. In his free time, Pulin spends time with family, explores nature, watches Amitabh Bachan movies, and eats extremely spicy food.

pulin08@indicorps.net

Pulkit Agrawal

Bagar Employment Institute (Bagar, Rajasthan)

Recently completing his MEng. in Chemical Engineering from Cambridge University, UK, Pulkit Agrawal joins the Grassroots Development Laboratory at Bagar, Rajasthan. As an August 2008 fellow, he will strive to create community groups that are empowered to tackle the developmental challenges facing them, including unemployment and sanitation. When not in Bagar, Pulkit lives in and loves London, although he has also called Scotland, Liverpool and Saudi Arabia home. While studying Pulkit held a range of leadership positions, including with the National Hindu Students Forum where he managed conferences, sports tournaments and many local events. At home Pulkit has been helping to run a local youth group for over 8 years. He enjoys sports and the outdoors; competing for college football and squash and recently completing the ‘Three Peaks Challenge’ – climbing the tallest peaks in England, Scotland and Wales in under 24 hours. After deferring a consulting position, Pulkit feels it’s most important to change the often prevalent mindset of individual helplessness.

pulkit08@indicorps.net

Rahul Suresh

Bagar Drinking Water Initiative (Bagar, Rajasthan)

As an August 2008 fellow, Rahul Suresh is partnered with Grassroots Development Laboratory in Bagar, Rajasthan. He seeks to bring clean water to the residents of the area and further expand the project to other parts of the Jhunjunu district and Rajasthan. Rahul was born in Delhi, but grew up in a number of other places around the world including Tamil Nadu, southern Germany, and the American southwest and midwest. During his free time, he enjoys cooking south Indian food for anyone who is willing to try it, playing pick up games of ultimate frisbee, practicing his newfound cricket bowling skills, and learning about India\'s history from different perspectives. He credits the InSPIRE program for introducing him to India’s beauty and depth. Rahul graduated from Rice University in December of 2007 with a degree in biochemistry.

rahul08@indicorps.net

Rajendra Chattergoon

Discovery through Science (Palavadu, Tamil Nadu)

Born in Georgetown, Guyana and raised in New Jersey, Rajendra Chattergoon tried to understand the gap between reason and faith by double majoring in Chemistry and Religion. After graduating from Rutgers University in 2007, his desire to see the world led him to China, where he spent one year teaching English to high school students. While there, he rediscovered his love for education. As an August 2008 fellow, Rajendra is partnered with Suyam Charitable Trust. He strives to develop a middle school science curriculum that fuses traditional learning, environmental awareness, and civic responsibility for their Siragu Montessori School. He hopes that he can enable his students to realize that they are the leaders of tomorrow.

rajendra08@indicorps.net

Ranita Mann

Maternal Health Initiative (Solapur, Maharashtra)

As an August 2008 fellow, Ranita (“Tina”) Mann hopes to bring her skills in women empowerment and knowledge of development concepts to her Maternal Health Project at the HALO Medical Foundation in Maharashtra. Tina recently obtained a post-graduate diploma in International Project Management and comes to India with a passion for travel and development. She spent a year abroad living in Ireland and traveling throughout Europe. She has volunteered with various women’s organizations and co-founded a grassroots organization for South Asian women against male violence in her hometown of Vancouver, British Columbia

ranita08@indicorps.net

Roshan Nair

Rural BPO Initiative (East and West Godavari Districts, Andhra Pradesh)

As an August 2008 fellow partnering with the Byrraju Foundation in Bhimavaram, Andhra Pradesh, Roshan Nair is setting up a BPO to ensure sustainable rural skilled job growth. Hailing from Dubai, UAE and Austin, TX, Roshan served as the chief operating officer of a medical supply startup company, on the board of an environmental non-profit, and a stint in public accounting before his fellowship. Roshan is passionate about community empowerment, engaging discussions and delicious food - and is returning to India to seek all three. Roshan holds a BBA from the Business Honors Program and an MPA in Accounting from the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas, Austin

roshan08@indicorps.net

Siddharth Bansal

Volunteer Ahmedabad (Ahmedabad, Gujarat)

As an August 2008 fellow, Siddharth Bansal is partnered with the Volunteer Ahmedabad team to engage college students to volunteer and take personal responsibility for their city. Siddharth graduated from Kenyon College in May 2008 with a degree in English Literature. He was an Asian American Merit Scholar, a commended National Merit Scholar, and a staff member of the internationally renowned Kenyon Review. A very active volunteer, he has mentored youth offenders at the Niskayuna Youth Court, inner-city children at Fresh Air Fund camps, and young Indians attending Hindu Temple summer camps. In addition to his involvement with young people, he has spent over a decade with the elderly at a nursing home New York, reaping the benefits of strong mentorship and building valuable relationships. Immediately prior to joining Indicorps, Siddharth spent his summer in Oslo studying peace research.

siddharth08@indicorps.net

Tushar Kanshal

Bagar Drinking Water Initiative (Bagar, Rajasthan)

As an August 2008 fellow, Tushar Kansal is helping manage a project to install a system of water filtration units across Rajasthan. This social enterprise project aims to provide clean, safe, affordable drinking water while being self-sustaining in operating costs, and is serving as a model for replication across India. Prior to coming to India, Tushar lived in New York City, where he served as a Coro Fellow in Public Affairs. Before that, he worked at the Center for Court Innovation, a nonprofit criminal justice agency, while also volunteering for Grassroots Initiative, an election consulting firm. While in college, Tushar co-founded the Alliance for Progressive South Asians, a student organization focusing on social and political issues affecting the South Asian Diaspora. Tushar is a 2005 graduate of Wesleyan University.


tushar08@indicorps.net

Vinay Krupadev

Career Development for Tribal Youth (Sargur, Karnataka)

Vinay Krupadev hails from Devola, Ohio. As an August 2008 fellow, he is partnered with the Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement to develop vocational skills training and a job placement program for tribal youth. In college, Vinay studied biology and math. While studying, he performed academic research in three biology labs, co-founded the student-run Healthcare Without Borders, and served as a radio host for his college-run station. Upon graduation, he served as a news correspondent for a local newspaper, an intern for the Obama campaign, and a congressional intern. An avid sitar player, Vinay is also passionate about education and economic development.

vinay08@indicorps.net