I’ve worn different hats across an enriching career spanning over two decades, doing what I love. I’ve been – and remain – a research scholar, writer, journalist, editor, public policy wonk, podcaster, facilitator, mentor, teacher.
A decade of my experience is in journalism, editorial leadership and research. The other is in public sector outreach via integrated communication platforms spans liaising with state governments, central government ministries/departments and PSUs. I have designed and led discussions on technology-enabled transformation for better governance, financial & digital inclusion, citizen engagement, entrepreneurship, smarter urban planning & defence and security issues.
After editing four non-fiction books, something I do quite selectively, for well-known publishers and/or friends, I am now working on my own manuscript!
In my last full-time role, before I fell gravely sick, which was as Senior Advisor with the Albright Stonebridge Group – a commercial diplomacy firm led by the (late) Secretary Madeleine Albright, and now a part of Denton Global Advisors – my responsibilities included being part of niche teams advising the Government Affairs/ Public Policy/ Corporate Affairs et al teams of global MNCs regarding policy, regulation and regulatory changes and laws related to their business interests in India, cutting across sectors and verticals.
I’ve worked with clients across a wide range of sectors, from healthcare to media, renewables and water to education and e-commerce, space, genetics and tourism as well as some of the newer and emerging technologies and with not-for-profit organizations and donor agencies. I have worked closely with various stakeholders including chambers of commerce, relevant government ministries at the Centre, PSEs, state government departments – advising and helping clients right from the stakeholder mapping stage, all the way to successful setting up of their maiden business/ manufacturing unit in India. My specialty is in government outreach and GR, as well as public policy analysis.
I have tackled/ focused on issues/ areas such as data privacy/ protection, natural resource protection/ maximization, public health, space regulations + stakeholder management, project management, public policy advocacy. With ministries and state departments ranging from agriculture to health, electronics & information technology to HRD, I&B, renewables, power, finance, commerce, to name a few.
Apart from teaching tech. and management students (both at the undergrad and post-grad levels, business writing and communication, I also facilitate their learnings when it comes to [persuasive] non-fiction writing; critical thinking; public speaking; digital etiquette; adverse communication; interpersonal skills; research methodology & networking skills, among other things. I have built and launched two websites as an editor and community leader – one in the field of using digital and emerging technologies for better governance (iGovernment.in), and the other around the Smart Cities Mission of the Government of India (BW Smart Cities).
I have also worked as an advisor, communications, content & editorial strategy consultant and coach @ Fintech, Healthcare & Education Startups [Focus areas: Safety in schools; Women’s sexual health; Education for children with special needs; Banking for the unbanked, to list a few].
This list is not done yet! I love sharing what I’ve learnt, and learning from others. This website is but a glimpse into some of those things, as well as an introduction of what’s yet to come.
