Living and interacting with people from entirely different kinds of communities

Living and interacting with people from entirely different kinds of communities

Having spent my initial days of childhood in a village with my grandparents and then having grown up in a city, I have balanced with several identities all my life all which have had an important role in shaping who I am today – a woman, an Indian, a feminist, a dancer, an aspiring communicator, and someone who genuinely wants to make a difference.

Living and interacting with people from entirely different kinds of communities, cultures and socio-economic backgrounds, I understood the impact of politics in the smallest activities of everyday life at an early age. From the governments in power to the ideologies that people live by every day, from the pain and sorrow of war and conflict to the sense of hollowness that the routine discrimination based on caste, gender, class and other social categories causes – I see politics in all of these. But my Bachelor’s degree in Political Science with an optional of Conflict Resolution and Peace Building has taught me that politics is not necessarily a negative phenomenon. Engaging with various theories and ideas like the liberal concept of individualism, the postmodern rejection of truth, the feminist rejection of male supremacy and privilege and the Marxist principle of substantive equality taught me that politics can be used to bring about social change and it is politics that has in fact given way to all positive change in history. As I volunteered with the Know Your Body, Know Your Rights program of The YP Foundation (I was a part of several workshops with young people between the ages of 15-25 on issues of gender, sexuality, reproductive health and reproductive rights)is where I witnessed such positive social change actually take place – these experiences introduced me to a space where I could apply my academic learning and see the transformations in mindsets that they brought.

The city I live in, New Delhi, has been recording the worst air quality indicators in the world for some years now. The usual suspects such as vehicular pollution, industrial pollution and waste burning while being substantial contributors are not the only culprits to Delhi’s pollution problem. The heavy reliance on diesel-basedd generators to bridge the severe energy gap this city faces plays a significant role too. Rapidly growing urbanization, gaps in infrastructure, resulting in energy demands and most significantly, the practice of post-harvest stubble-burning from surrounding agricultural areas contribute to the smog that permeates Delhi, especially during the winters.

While there is growing acknowledgement of the problem and its causes, there is less than limited understanding about what we – as citizens, policy-makers, and private sector leaders- can do to address this issue. It is complicated that despite advancing research, rapid development and a globally connected world, finding real solutions to some of our biggest challenges remain elusive.

Both these instances connect me to one common theme: what is it that we need to do to solve the world’s largest problem of violence, conflict, political turmoil and fragility in combination with the lack of clean air and water, sanitation, nutrition, healthcare, and energy for all. If centuries of advancements in science, technology and medicine have not prevented the loss of life and livelihood, and our earth and ecosystem have only grown more vulnerable – the path ahead will be an arduous one.

To understand the way forward, look for answers and deepen my understanding of our ever-evolvingg surroundings led me to seek opportunities in the development sector. Think tanks, multi-laterals, civil society organizations – all contribute to finding solutions that work. As governments, the private sector and public institutions find ways to partner and collaborate the perspectives and lessons from the past will help drive strategy for the future.

My job at World Wide Fund for Nature in India gave me an opportunity to work closely in creating campaigns that have a public connect to help preserve the loss of nature and species. This opened doors to the world of the environment sector. Learning on the job helped me discover the significance of considering things from different perspectives, being able to perceive global issues and trends wearing different hats, analyze the possibilities and get a glimpse of dealing with differences in opinion with maturity and with an eye to find solutions.

During my time at WWF India, a crucial campaign- Plastic Diet required me to assist in documenting a report on the average amount of plastic humans consume per week. I came to understand how appropriate policy framework plays a key “behind the scenes” role in implementing global initiatives. A dynamic work environment and an excellent mentor continue to make my time with WWF India an invaluable experience.

This has led me to introspect my own drivers for seeking out to understand world developments and their implications in addressing development challenges. It leads me to examine how I can deepen my knowledge and understanding of what is happening around the world and what is needed to address some of the trickiest global problems we need solutions for.

I believe that the study in Environment, Politics and Development will equip me to play my part in joining those in search of breakthrough solutions to pressing problems of a world increasingly vulnerable to loss of nature. The study modules, including political ecology of development, the political economy of violence, conflict and development and environment, governance and development, are relevant to my core interests.

The UK is home to many renowned universities – the diversity of thoughts, ideas and opportunities are unrivalled. During the course of my job, I got the opportunity to interact with alumni from the School of Oriental and African Studies. My interaction with these graduates as well as my own comprehensive research has only strengthened my belief that along with a wide range of modules offered, a proficient faculty, and the opportunities provided, SOAS will be instrumental in guiding me. I believe that SOAS is a haven for students to engage in informed debate and offer a rare environment of free thought and expression. So, I am confident that a post-graduate education in Environment, Politics and Development will help me anchor my interests, advance my knowledge in relevant fields and equip me to influence policy and decisions in a meaningful way.