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Anchal Sharma

Ms. Anchal Sharma is a Ph.D. candidate at IIT Delhi. Her research encompasses tactile perception of objects in the visually challenged. Drawn towards innovations exercising imagination, scientific thinking, and strong user empathy, she has mentored and participated in diverse social innovation projects and won two awards by IISc, Bangalore and IIT-Delhi with her team. She has led and been a speaker in events propagating innovation including those by AIM, NITI AYOG.

She completed her M.Des. in Industrial design (from SPA, New Delhi) and interned at GVIC, PepsiCo, India. She was acknowledged for her thesis work for integrating cultural spatial forms in a unique product using principles of light and shadows to educate children about unity. The project was sponsored by the Design Clinic Scheme by GoI and NID and was featured as a finalist in Toycathon 2021 and TISDC 2018. During her B.Arch. she emerged as a 2nd ranker both for her thesis work on ‘a school for experiential learning’ and overall 5-year academic performance.

In her Fulbright-Nehru project, she will analyse how to better convey three-dimensionality in two-dimensional tactile stimuli. Although layered and complex, she believes with continual deep-work and problem-solving acumen, this work can profoundly advance and contribute towards accessible STEM education for those without vision.

She believes in a multi-faceted growth and commends the perseverance sports can bring to life. She has played Throwball at National level and won silver medal (Badminton) at college level. Being perceptive towards life, she exercises self-expression through art, writing, and short videos.

Anugraha P

Ms. Anugraha P completed her bachelor’s degree in engineering from PSG College of Technology and worked as Business Analyst. She joined the Indian Administrative Service in 2011 to pursue her passion for developing an equitable and inclusive society.

Ms. Anugraha P has held various leadership positions in the state of Madhya Pradesh. Her initiatives were aimed at improving the socioeconomic parameters of weaker sections of the society and at women empowerment through education and skill development programs. As District Collector in Shivpuri and Khargone, she has improved education standards in remote rural areas by upgrading school infrastructure and manpower training, by introducing innovative pedagogy, and by addressing issues of child labor, malnutrition, and migration. She is keen on implementing STEAM based learning models and advancing digital literacy in schools.

Ms. Anugraha P has promoted financial independence in women by providing entrepreneurial opportunities through convergence of government schemes and positive engagement with NGOs. She has collaborated on various projects with international agencies like ILO and UNICEF. She is also a proud recipient of Platinum Award for Excellence in Digital Governance, conferred by the President of India for her excellent initiatives in providing digital services in rural India.

As a Fulbright-Nehru Master’s fellow, Ms. Anugraha P is pursuing a master’s in public administration at Harvard Kennedy School. She aspires to use data analytics in designing effective public policy and to leverage technology to make education more accessible and equitable. Along with the enriching academic curriculum, she looks forward to being a part of the global peer network.