BIPP Admin Staff


Sharique Hassan Manazir

Senior Manager

Shariquehassan_manazir@isb.edu

Sharique is a Ph.D. from the Centre for Studies in Science Policy, School of Social Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. He holds an MBA degree from ICFAI Business School, Hyderabad and Bachelor of Engineering from Visvesvaraya Technological University. A Science Technology and Society scholar, his research area is Digital Inclusion, Democracy & Tech-Policy Regulations in South Asia. He is 2013 UN Volunteer Award Recipient and is member of The Science and Democracy Network at the Harvard University; The Internet Society, New Delhi Chapter; and Founding Member of The Digital Inclusion Research Forum. Previously, he worked as the Deputy Registrar at the Al Karim University, Bihar and as a Teaching Assistant at the Centre for Studies in Science Policy, JNU; and as an Assistant Manager – OEM Sales at Hettich India Private Ltd. He is passionate about theorising and linking social and digital financial exclusion.

Nimisha Jain

Manager - Research

nimisha_jain@isb.edu

Nimisha Jain is currently pursuing her PhD in Economics from Panjab University, Chandigarh. Skilled in Quantitative research methods, she is passionate about Development and Environmental Economics. She is a recipient of University Gold Medals for securing first position in graduation and post-graduation from Panjab University. Before joining as Manager-Research, Nimisha worked as a Teaching Assistant cum Analyst with the Bharti Institute of Public Policy for over a year. Previously, she worked as an Assistant Professor of Economics at Rayat Bahra University, Mohali. An ardent believer of hard work and self-belief, she is an awardee of Shri Chander Prakash Memorial Gold Medal, Gadgil Gold Medal, and Attar Chand Kapur Silver Medal for her outstanding academic performance. Nimisha is passionate about exploring new cultures through travel and finds both yoga and strength training great ways to stay healthy. Alongside her hobbies, she treasures spending valuable time with her family.

Himani Gupta

Senior Associate

himani_gupta@isb.edu

Himani completed her B.Tech in Information & Technology from Kurukshetra University. Before joining the ISB, she worked with Shri Guru Gorakhnath Polytechnic College, Ambala, Haryana, as a lecturer of Computer Science for two years. Prior to that, she worked as a Team Leader at Franciscan Solutions Pvt Ltd, where she was also involved in the maintenance of IT and AV Infra at school sites and working on ERP Solutions. She loves to face challenges and always strives for more. During her free time, she loves to play badminton and spend time with her family.

BIPP Research and Project Team


Adarsh Balan

Project Associate

adarsh_balan@isb.edu

Adarsh is a Commerce graduate from the Government College of Commerce and Business Administration (GCCBA), Chandigarh and a CMA Finalist. He is currently pursuing the Advanced Management Program in Business Analytics (AMPBA) at the Indian School of Business. In his previous roles, Previously, he worked as a Cost Accountant at Max Healthcare Mohali, as an Industrial Trainee at IOCL, and as Cost Assistant at Khurana & Co. He likes to spend his free time gaming, watching movies, indulging in sports and traveling.

Avantika Sharma

Sr Content Developer

avantika_sharma@isb.edu

Avantika holds a Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Guru Jambeshwar University and is a graduate in English from Panjab University, Chandigarh. She studied film and television direction from New York Film Academy, London, and Whistling Woods International, Mumbai, she learnt screenwriting from Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, London, and Cinematography from the Asian Academy of Film and T.V., Noida. Prior to joining Bharti Institute, she worked as a filmmaker with Rediffusion and was a Creative Director in a media education institute. She has worked as a content developer for a Canadian firm and as Language Learning Specialist creating blended learning softwares for government and private stakeholders. She had also been associated with several Punjabi and Hindi feature films as an Assistant Director. Avantika enjoys travelling and singing and has a keen interest in psychology.

Amrita Chakraborty

Project Coordinator

amrita_chakraborty@isb.edu

Amrita is an MBA in Finance from the School of Management, KIIT University. She interned at the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore, which introduced and equipped her to research areas in finance and accounting. Before joining the Bharti Institute, Amrita was working as a Senior Academic Associate (Teaching Assistant) for the Management and Executive Programmes at Indian School of Business. She has a keen interest in the areas of corporate governance, IPOs, financial modelling and investment research, financial analysis and valuation. In her free time, she likes to play tunes on her Sitar, and is an avid photographer, capturing wildlife and nature.

Anshi Rajkhowa

Outreach Coordinator

anshi_rajkhowa@isb.edu

Anshi Rajkhowa has a Master’s degree in Agricultural communication from GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology in Pantnagar and a diploma in Video Editing & TV Production from AAFT, Noida. In here previous roles, she worked with noted TV News channels in India including Zee News, Aaj Tak, CNN-IBN, and India Today in various capacities in TV programming and assignment desk. Her core areas of expertise are forward planning, organising political events and socio-economic causes. Anshi loves to go on drives, travel to mountains and help the needy.

Deepti Soni

Senior Consultant

deepti_soni@isb.edu

Deepti Soni is a post graduate in Advertising and Public Relations from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), New Delhi. With over 20 years of professional experience, she has worked as a spokesperson and head of communications at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) regional delegation covering India, Nepal, Bhutan and the Maldives; head of Digital Diplomacy and Media and Communications Adviser at the British High Commission in New Delhi. Deepti loves movies, food, travelling, and outdoor activities.

Gursharan Singh Dhanjal

Sr. Data Scientist

gursharan_singh@isb.edu

Gursharan holds a Master's degree in Information Technology and is an experienced programmer and data professional. Prior to joining Bharti Institute, he worked as a Team Lead and Manager, AI at NetSmartz, Chandigarh. He has worked in various capacities in software development, healthcare, and taxation. His work in previous roles revolved around developing data-oriented solutions with involvement in the application's full-stack (front-end & back-end). He is adept at data modeling, architecting python backends, data management (ETL), data wrangling, planning & execution of AI solutions. The specific fields of AI in which he works include predictive analytics, forecasting, computer vision, and natural language processing. His hobbies include wildlife photography.

Karan Khatke

Research Associate

karan_khatke@isb.edu

Karan holds a Bachelors in Technology degree (Mechanical) and Masters in Technology (Thermal) Engineering from RGPV University. Previously, he worked at the Prestige Institute of Engineering Management and Research, Indore, as an Assistant Professor for seven years. Prior to that, he was associated with FDS Global as a Design Consultant reviewing engineering/design changes & resolving quality-related problems. Karan is enthusiastic and always ready to learn something new. During his free time, he loves to spend time with his family.


Maitreyee Chauhan

Research Associate

maitreyee_chauhan@isb.edu

Maitreyee has a Bachelors degree in Geography (Hons.) from Miranda House, University of Delhi and a Masters degree in Geoinformatics from the Department of Natural and Applied Sciences, TERI School of Advanced Studies, New Delhi. During her academics, she has been a proactive member of field surveys and projects in the domain of GIS and Remote Sensing, working on disciplines like environmental modeling and analysis, transport network planning and management, agriculture, meteorology and climate change. She has interned at the National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF), under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, and with corporates such as AABSyS and EnviroAsia Bridgeway as a GIS intern. She is inclined towards writing poetry and indulging in story composition.

Murchana Hazarika

Teaching Assistant cum Analyst

murchana_hazarika@isb.edu

Murchana holds a Masters degree in Public Policy from St Xavier's College Mumbai, and Bachelors in Political Science (Honours) from the University of Delhi. Within academic research, her interests include public policy in education, women, health, data protection & privacy, climate and technology. She is also keen on mental mealth legislation in India, et al. Murchana is a professional Indian classical and folk-dance artist and an avid advocator of mental health awareness, gender sensitization, inclusivity, and the performing arts.

Nikhat Khalid

TA cum Analyst

nikhat_khalid@isb.edu

Nikhat Khalid has submitted her Ph.D. thesis at the Department of Economics, Jamia Millia Islamia Central University, New Delhi. Her doctoral research work is at the intersection of trade, technology and regional economic integration. She completed her Masters in Economics and Bachelors in Economics (Honours) from Panjab University, Chandigarh. Her primary areas of research include international economics, macroeconomics and development economics. She is passionate about researching key public policy and developmental issues in South Asia. She is skilled in the application of quantitative and econometric techniques through statistical softwares. A keen researcher, she has published more than 10 research papers in several prestigious international and national journals/edited book volumes, including journals/book volumes indexed in Scopus and Web of Science, and has presented research work at numerous conferences. She is a member of The Econometric Society, New York; the Indian Economic Association and the Society of Economics and Development. In her free time, she likes to listen to music and read. She is also passionate about traveling and exploring diverse cuisines.

Pooja Chopra

Project Associate

pooja_chopra@isb.edu

Pooja holds a Diploma in Advertisement and Public Relations from the K.C. College of Management Studies, Mumbai. She is currently pursuing her MBA in Human Resource Management from NMIMS School of Business Management, Mumbai. Prior to working with Bharti Institute, she worked with the British Deputy High Commission, Chandigarh, for over four years in the depart of corporate services handling administration and finance. She has also worked as a customer care representative with HDFC Pvt. Ltd, Mumbai. Pooja has a passion for intricate designs and loves to create Mandala in her free time.

Saurabh Harak

Data Engineer

saurabh_harak@isb.edu

Saurabh Harak holds an Executive Post Graduate certificate in Machine Learning and AI from International Institute of Information Technology, Bangalore and is pursuing Masters in Machine Learning & AI from Liverpool John Moores University, UK. He also has a Bachelors in Computer Engineering from Savitribai Phule Pune University. Saurabh has worked in various industries in multiple AI and Drone domains and has demonstrated excellence as a full-stack developer involved in software development and project implementation. He has successfully owned and executed numerous end-to-end Data Science/Data Engineer projects. He has a keen interest in AI and Deep Learning and has worked on object detection algorithms on Edge platforms like Raspberry Pi and RockPro64. His core areas of expertise are Deep learning & MLOPs. Saurabh likes to travel in his spare time.

Sagnik Banerjee

Teaching Assistant cum Analyst

sagnik_banerjee@isb.edu

Sagnik holds a Masters degree in Political Theory, focusing primarily on Continental Philosophy and Psychoanalysis, from the University of Essex, U.K. He also holds MPhil degree in Political Science from the University of Delhi. He is aspiring to be a serious academic, with his inter-disciplinary training in Humanities and Social Sciences. His research interests include policy, politics, structuralism, philosophy of language, metaphysics and film theory. Sagnik is an amateur photographer and a passionate schismatic.

Smriti Sharma

Senior Content Writer

smriti_sharma@isb.edu

Smriti holds a Masters degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Punjabi University and a Bachelors in Science (Computer Applications) from Panjab University, Chandigarh. She has also done a short-term course in television production at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune. A trained journalist, Smriti brings with her an experience of reportage, extensive writing and editing in four national newspapers: The Tribune, The Indian Express, Deccan Herald and The Statesman, across three different cities over a period of 13 years. She has also worked with a multi-national strategic communications firm as a Consulting Associate, besides freelancing for India Today, Tehelka and Dinamalar. Prior to joining Bharti Institute of Public Policy (BIPP), Smriti worked with the Centre for Learning and Management Practice (CLMP) at ISB as a Senior Content Writer. Smriti is passionate about fitness, traveling and reading fiction.

Shahid Mohammed

Sr. Content Developer

shahid_mohammed@isb.edu

Shahid holds a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce and Master’s degree in Economics from C.C.S. University, Meerut (UP). Prior to joining Bharti Institute, he has worked as head, post-production and creative communications of various films, documentaries, promos for television, and digital media productions. Shahid is an avid photographer.

Sridhar Kundu

Sr. Research Analyst

sridhar_kundu@isb.edu

Sridhar Kundu is a Ph.D in Economics from Jawaharlal Nehru University. He is a double post-graduate in Economics and Environmental Economics. With over 15 years of experience in research and teaching, Sridhar has worked as a Senior Research Officer at Centre for Budget and Governance Accountability for nearly six years and as an Assistant Professor at Symbiosis Institute of International Business, Pune, for three years. He was also associated with the Observer Research Foundation and National Institute of Public Finance and Policy as a researcher, and as faculty at Delhi University. Fiscal policies, poverty, inequality and energy economics are his research interests, while he likes to teach development economics, econometrics and public finance. He has publications in reputed journals and edited book volumes. In his free time, Sridhar loves to read, write and exercise.

Sanjeev Kumar Kaushal

Lead - Financial Inclusion

sanjeev_kaushal@isb.edu

Sanjeev is MBA in finance from Department of Business Management, Nagpur University and a charter holder of Indian Institute of Banking & Finance, Mumbai. He attended Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi and IIT-BHU under RKVY to promote FinTech/AgriTech innovations. He co-authored technical reports and research papers on agricultural value chain development, supply chain financing and rural banking while being a certified bank trainer and adjunct/visiting faculty at IDBI Staff Training College and management institutions of repute. He has worked extensively at the intersection of financial inclusion, priority sector banking, credit risks, business operations and financial control for about two decades in Commercial Bank, NBFC-MFI and community development organisations promoting agri entrepreneurship, rural banking, and social good governance. He served leadership positions at Syngenta Foundation India, Friends Capital Services Ltd. and IDBI Bank Ltd. managing policies, programs, portfolios, and partnerships while coordinating regulatory affairs with DLCC, SLBC, NABARD, RBI, and government departments. In his free time, he explores forest areas and countryside to dive deep into socio-cultural and economic wellbeing.

Vijay Kumar

Data Engineer

vijay_kumar@isb.edu

Vijay Kumar is Commerce graduate from Panjab University and a highly skilled data engineer with experience in designing and implementing decentralised web applications that utilise private blockchain networks like Ethereum and Polygon. He has a background in building real-time, fault-tolerant distributed applications using Elixir. Additionally, Vijay has experience in creating serverless web applications using infrastructure as code and has a strong interest in computer architecture and systems programming. His curiosity in digital computers led him to pursue a career as a software engineer. In his free time, Vijay delves into the world of philosophy, with a particular focus on epistemology and cognitive psychology.