Sonakshi Bansal

onakshi Bansal is a second-year student of M.A. Development Studies at TISS looking for opportunities in research and field work that provide an insight into the various challenges faced by societies and communities in a cultural, social, political, legal, economic and technological space. Her aim is to contribute towards building participatory, self-sustaining and people-centred public policies ensuring social justice and sustainable development. She has completed her graduation as Computer Science Engineer from reputed Thapar University, Patiala. During her graduation, she was working alongside my batchmates in the slums of Patiala under Project Parivartan and started stitching classes for women and young girls there along with providing financial assistance to the old and ailing and engaging dropouts in learning activities. It was funded by voluntary students and teachers for machines, learning centre’s rent and teachers’ fees. After forming a bond with community, her team also started sessions on maintaining health, hygiene, meditation etc. The continuous challenge was to manage financial resources and build a dedicated volunteer network. She dealt with it by engaging women and children of slum and treating them as stakeholders and not mere beneficiaries. She has held several leadership positions in past from being a year representative in cultural and literary fests to working as a placement representative in current post-graduation course. Having previously worked as a software engineer at Naukri.com, she brings experience of working in a professional environment with strong analytical skills. She believes in systematic planning, coordination and dedicated implementation for implementing of the project. Currently, she has joined eSF as Executive Management Intern.