Meet The Fellows

“The Naropa Fellowship will provide an ideal climate for me to develop my multidisciplinary interests and build an environment to commit myself to work pragmatically on different problems. My eagerness to do something for my own people makes this opportunity even more significant.”

Rigzin Angmo is a graduate in Political Science from the Lady Shri Ram College for Women, Delhi University. Being a vigorous and well-determined individual, Rigzin has always been curious about things.  It was in Delhi that she was acquainted with leadership skills; beginning with being elected the head girl of her school. The true meaning of education unfolded for her gradually, and it was during this time that she participated in maximum number of activities. She went for a national integration camp with the National Cadet Corps (NCC), became a core member of the Ladakh Welfare Society Delhi, worked with the Waterkeeper Alliance and the Achi Association. She believes in working for humanity and is associated with Live to Love as Programme Executive and has done many projects for the well-being of the regional youth. Her biggest difficulty lies in saying ‘no’ to people. The most beautiful and impeccable gift that she has are her parents and grandparents as they have played a great role in shaping, bringing out the best and guiding her to the right path. With every step of her education she realises how the world functions and what role she should play in it. 

“I want to be a part of this Fellowship, because it is associated with the name of Mahasiddhi Naropa and his embodiment, His Holiness the 12th Gyalwang Drukpa. I am optimistic that it will give me an ideal platform to cultivate my inner values and imbibe global responsibility by educating not only my mind but also my heart to overcome faults and push my limits to contribute for the betterment of society. Once a wise man said, ‘You cannot create experience by making experiments; you must undergo it.’ At the Naropa Fellowship, I am looking forward to experiencing what I can do the transformation of my heart and mind.”

Mingur graduated in History from Delhi University and then acquired a Masters in History and Bachelors in Education from Jammu University. She has cleared the NET (National Eligibility Test) in History and CTET (Central Teacher Eligibility Test).Having experience as a licensed monastery guide for six years, she worked with the TUTC (The Ultimate Travelling Camp) in Leh.

“The greatest danger that the world is currently facing is rapid growth and development at the expense of culture and traditions. We need to find the right approach towards development, keeping one’s culture and heritage intact in the process. Being a Ladakhi, the rapid modernisation and the deteriorating culture concerns me, and I want to use the platform that Naropa Fellowship has presented me to come up with ideas and techniques to find a balance between development and cultural preservation.”

Padma Angmo has a Masters in Political Science from Punjab University, Chandigarh, and a Bachelors in Political Science from Hindu College, University of Delhi. She is currently interning with Live to Love India as a Programme Assistant and has helped the organisation in making its Summer Youth Programs 2018 a success. Padma is a travel enthusiast who loves meeting and interacting with new people. She has been running a homestay via AirBnB for the past three years and has hosted many interesting individuals. During her high school days, she led various teams.

"Innovative idea initiated under the Naropa Fellowship with multi- track curriculum would provide me new direction to my professional aspiration, so that I can eventually contribute to my society and the region in the near future. Learning from the faculty in this programme would indeed be a great fortune for me."

Padma Angmo graduated in biological and chemical science and recently postgraduated in chemistry from University of Jammu. Apart from the degree course during her college she joined NCC and NSS community.She attended Thal Sanik Camp which provided her opportunity to interact with the students from the different parts of the country .She learned the art of team work. She attended in social drives through NSS community which provide her opportunity to serve the society.

“The Naropa Fellowship is the need of the hour; it’s a curriculum designed to engage youth with practical issues around us. The problems faced by people living in the Himalayas need to be broadly studied and strategically solved. The entrepreneurship, social, cultural, communication and leadership tracks at Naropa will help me become a better leader. Naropa’s emphasis on entrepreneurship will help us cope with unemployment problems in the Himalayan region. I feel lucky to be a part of this Fellowship.”

Abdul Majid Attar has a Bachelors in Computer Applications from Kashmir University. He has worked with the JK Government Grievance Cell as an intern, in the field of environment. He has led various cleanliness drives in the high-altitude lakes of Kashmir and his work has been appreciated widely. He has also done basic and advanced mountaineering and skiing courses at the Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering and Winter Sports. He is a trekker and has visited about 20 high altitude lakes. He has been an active member in various NGOs which work for sustainable development in the Himalayas. His club has been active in counteracting fires in the forests of Pahalgam, Kashmir. Majid’s professional photographs have been used in various news magazines and articles. At Naropa, he wants to enhance his skills and knowledge under the guidance of experienced faculty and other fellow mates.

"I have very keen interest in the Himalayan region and its development. This programme offers me a chance to serve this community. I believe the course structure, the faculty, along with the residential experience of living in the lap of Himalayas will ensure a focused approach towards achieving my spiritual, personal and professional goals."

Namita Bhaladhare is an international award-winning writer from Mumbai. Through her writing, she wants to explore the infinite potential of our inner being and also show others a glimpse of the vast universe within all of us. She has been writing books for the last 7 years now. Her picture books are first of its kind without a typical beginning, a middle and an end. She is also a dialogue writer for ENI, an arthouse movie which won multiple international awards and got selected to more than 17 international film festivals. Apart from writing, she is also a marketing professional working for various SME's in India for over 3 now. She is also an alumnus of London School of Economics and Political Science and St. Xavier's College, Mumbai. 

“The Naropa Fellowship’s uniquely designed curriculum especially for the Himalayan region, emphasising on entrepreneurial skills, exposure to renowned faculty and its live-action project is a dream come true for a Himalayan native like myself. I believe the Fellowship will provide valuable experiences to boost my personal growth and help in finding sustainable solutions for our region.”

Tanzin Bodh is from Lahaul and received his Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering from A.P. Goyal University, Shimla. Since childhood, he has always been an enthusiastic learner and fulfilled various leadership roles in school and college. He has been actively involved in promoting eco-friendly activities with the Young Drukpa Association (YDA) Garsha. Being a native of a beautiful place, he wants to preserve the distinct culture and fragile environment of the Himalayas. He also invests in tutoring younger students from his place with their academics. At Naropa, he aspires to learn to develop practical solutions for the betterment of the unique Himalayan ecology and its people.

“I am concerned about the external and internal efficiency of education. So if I get a chance I would love to build on my skills to develop practical models where students can see the relationship between the formulae and equation of nature. I believe the course structure and the faculty, along with the residential experience, will ensure a focused approach towards achieving our goals.”

Kunga Tandup graduated in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from SIET, Kurukshetra University. He has done a project on Automatic Irrigation during his Bachelors. He has an almost four years of experience as a Web Developer in In Your Face Media, in the Netherlands. He had voluntarily taught mathematics to students in Ladakh for three months. Simultaneously during this period in Ladakh, he worked on the SECMOL Water Lifting Project. Later he started his own work as a web developer.

“The Naropa Fellowship is the perfect blend of everything that I have wanted to do under a single roof. It provides the ideal platform for exploration and to indulge in the beautiful culture and ecology of Ladakh.”

Nischita Bysani is an Architect from RV College of Architecture, Bangalore, and has worked at an architectural firm, Virasp Bativala Associates. She graduated in 2016 and has worked with various architects to understand the different aspects of design and its applications. The curriculum and engaging design projects at college helped her develop a keen interest for responsible and social architecture. This interest was further strengthened as she worked with firms like Studio Decode, VSLA and Luna Studio on Zero Energy Buildings as a Focal Subject. Nischita is also the Co-founder of Soulful Turtle, a fun-loving wedding stationery start-up that she started with her husband in 2017.

"For me Naropa fellowship is the platform where one can cultivate wisdom to eliminate ignorance which is the major cause of every suffering. To cultivate wisdom there must be concentration and for concentration there should be discipline. At Naropa fellowship as there will be rigorous training regarding all aspects useful in daily life plus enterpreneurship, which will equip me to help find solutions for the problems in the Himalayas."

Tashi has graduated with a B.A from Jammu University and is now persuing M.A in English via IGNOU. He believes it is better to be a practitioner rather than a preacher. He is fascinated by philosophical aspects of Buddhism, loves nature, music and painting. His strengths are emotional stability, compassion and discipline.

“Being a firm believer in not forgetting one’s roots, and, at the same time, serving or giving back to one’s own society, I feel that the Naropa Fellowship is the most apt course for me to work upon my beliefs. Moreover, the Founders’ vision to create leaders of tomorrow is what pulled me towards it. Naropa’s method of combining entrepreneurship and management skills along with studying one’s society and culture and in enhancing one’s communication skills and overall personality development is unique. It is a package with multiple benefits. Lastly, I believe that the course structure, the faculty and the residential experience will help in ensuring our focus on achieving the main goal.”

Tsewang Chuskit has done her Bachelors of Arts (Honours) in Psychology from Indraprastha College, Delhi University. She has always been interested in knowing about various fields and not just focusing on one specific field of study. She has done her schooling from Delhi Public School, Leh, Ladakh and later went on for Higher Secondary Education to Scholars’ Home Senior Secondary School, in Dehradun. In school, she was an active academic and sportsperson. While at college, she concentrated more on the former; although she feels that it should have been the opposite. She has volunteered during various events through student groups and associations. She has also been her House Prefect. Tsewang’s interests lie in reading (random books), meeting new people, travelling and learning new languages. She believes her strengths to be patience, sympathy and being a good listener (especially to people’s problems). At the Naropa Fellowship, she aspires to learn about entrepreneurial skills and qualities under the guidance of the experienced faculty and prepare herself for serving her people and the Himalayas.

“I always had this dream of doing something different in life. I wanted to help other people, especially the women of Ladakh. . At Naropa’s outreach event, I was over the moon because I finally found the guidance that I had always needed. I hope this Fellowship will build me as a person and shape my future in a way that I can help those who need more than myself. Thank you, Team Naropa!”

Tsering Dolkar did her Bachelors of Sciences (Medical) from Parade College, Jammu University, and completed her Masters in 2018. She has strong opinions and believes in gender equality. As the Joint Secretary of ALSAJ (All Ladakh Student Association Jammu) along with its other members, she fought for the rights of a survivor of sexual assault. Tsering has been participating in different self-defense classes (kungfu and taekwondo) workshops since her school days and has won medals at the state level, the Haryana Olympics and participated at national-level taekwondo. She is an active member of Ladakh's first dance crew, and manages the team in Jammu.

“The Naropa Fellowship is a rare opportunity for me and I can access it right here in my own land with my own people. This Fellowship is very important and relevant to my work, business and future life goals. It is very exciting that the faculty members are experts from all over the world.Also, I get to meet, interact, exchange and share ideas with my fellow Ladakhis who have similar goals and dreams. Through this course I can learn and grow faster to become the person I aspire to be and give back to my land and its people.”

Tsetan Dolma is from Sham Valley in Leh-Ladakh. She completed her schoolfrom her village in Skidyang, Khalsi and her graduation in the Humanities from IGNOU in 2016. She started working as a porter when she was studying in the XI standard and is now a well informed and experienced guide. She has vast knowledge in her field ranging from cultures, mountaineering and languages (French), to medicinal flora and fauna. She has completed the Mountaineering Course(Basic and Advanced) from HMI in Darjeeling. Along with her peers, she has conducted several workshops and short courses in mountaineering for local guides and students. She has been studying French from Alliance Francaise and will continue to pursue it.

"The Naropa Fellowship provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of working at the heart of Himalayas to address various diverse issues, along with providing us with the appropriate tools necessary to address them. The multidisciplinary nature of the fellowship will broaden my horizon and provide me with new perspectives when confronted with a problem. I hope to enjoy the Fellowship as it opens doors to interact with exceptional faculty and a diverse group of Fellows, an experience I consider deeply enriching."

Arvind Geedipelly has recently graduated from the Tamil Nadu National Law University, after completing an L.L.B. He is interested in Constitutional Law, Human Rights Law and Competition Law. He has participated in various moot courts, has several paper presentations and few publications to his name. Arvind loves quizzing and business trivia and has participated and won a few competitions. Arvind aims to bring about a positive change in society, using law as a means to achieve his end objective. 

“Naropa’s vision to work for the sustainable development of the Himalayan region is the need of the hour. I’ve already been working in the field of renewable energy in Himachal Pradesh. I want to work closely on a live project with a team under the guidance of mentors and a specially designed curriculum to take ideas to successful ventures.”

Sushant Guleria has done Bachelors in Production Engineering from BVM Engineering College, Sardar Patel University. After working for two and half years with Larsen & Toubro, he studied for a Masters in Industrial Design from PEC University of Technology, Chandigarh. Being an engineer, he has always been fascinated by the role technology plays in our lives and as an industrial designer, he is fascinated by the role aesthetic and agronomical design play in our lives. At Naropa, he aims to create innovative solutions in the field of renewable energy keeping in context of the Himalayan region.

“Ladakh remains one of the few places where nature is still strong and in its full might. My time at the Naropa Fellowship would be spent in intimately learning about that cardinal rule of nature from the Ladakhis – that it cannot be contained and tamed.”

Abhishek has a Diploma in Liberal Studies from the Young India Fellowship. He is an eternal optimist and a curious soul who has always valued experience over everything else. Being the captain of his school thought him the importance of discipline and responsibility. A degree in Engineering and then his tenure as a software engineer taught him the value of perseverance. His interest in public policy and fascination towards the Indian political system paved the way for him to work as a research associate for a Lok Sabha MP. He loves children and wishes to make education, health and governance in India more child-friendly.

“Post my graduation I spent sometime to find out what would really excite me in the long run. In this journey of self-discovery I realised that more than anything I am passionate about meaningfully contributing to the society. I also want to be an enabler to maximise human potential. Naropa Fellowship provides me with a platform to live this dream.”

Alisha Jain is a Media and Communication Graduate from Symbiosis Centre For Media and Communication, Pune. During her course, she interned with diverse type of organizations including NGO’s, Advertising Agencies, Corporates and Start-ups. This helped her in understanding the different layers of the society, how businesses run, about consumers and the needs of stakeholders. She has stayed in different parts of the country and diversity and different cultures really excite her. She has an insatiable curiosity about new experiences and knowledge. Alisha also strongly feels that only entrepreneurs can change the fate of the country and bring in more opportunities and inclusivness for growth. Naropa Fellowship has strong focus on Leadership and Entrepreneurship and this will enable her to fulfill her dream.

“The Naropa Fellowship is a first of its kind programme. I believe that it will transform many young individuals like me into future leaders who can give back to society through entrepreneurship and much more.”

Stanzin Jorden has done his Bachelors in Technology from the Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi. He has also done his Masters in Buddhist Studies from the University of Delhi. He is inclined towards Philosophy and Arts and he also has a keen interest in learning new skills. He is an introvert but he takes this weakness as a strength by being a good listener and observant. At the Naropa Fellowship, he aspires to learn new skills under the guidance of world-class faculty so that he can give back maximum to his motherland.

"Naropa's vision to cater the need of Himalayan region drew me towards it. The Himalayan region is the victim of environmental injustice thus it needs utmost care and planning. I feel this course structure is tailored around my desire to uplift the region Financially, Socially, and Environmentally"

Rohit Joshi has done his bachelors in business administration from IPU, Delhi. In his time there he was involved in various social and environmental welfare work; this keen interest in social and environmental issues led him to co-found a social enterprise focusing on livelihood and environment conservation of the great Himalayas. his association with organisations like 'Greenpeace' and 'Healing Himalayas' has led to mass movements requiring policies to change in favour of environmental conservation. at Naropa, he aspires to learn more from the amazing bunch of national and international faculty. He looks forward to working with like-minded peeps collectively making maximum impact in the circuit 

“Naropa has an unconventional curriculum along with the finest faculty, an innovative learning model and a beautiful cause to work for. I am definite that this will enhance my skills and further give me an opportunity to work towards this cause.”

Gurleen Kaur Kalsey has a Bachelors in Economics from Delhi University and has been an office bearer in her college societies, along with interning with various organisations like the DMRC and the MHRD. She has worked with FICCI-CSR and has actively volunteered with social organisations like CRY and My Angels Academy. She believes in the sayings – ‘Happiness is real only when shared’ and ‘The core of (wo)man's spirit comes from new experiences.’ These sayings have fired her decision to explore and create a path of her own. 

"The Naropa fellowship is the culmination of my long quest for a chance to be involved in the future development of the Himalayan region. I am thrilled to be a part of its vision."

Neel Kamal is a graduate of The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad. He loves to solve crossword puzzles and read poetry. He has worked as a proofreader/editor and has a keen interest in Buddhism.

“Ideas become a reality only when they are practiced and this course will help us in doing exactly this. The faculty through the entire course in the Fellowship, will guide us in getting our ideas on the ground and broaden our perspectives, so that we can envision and implement our ideas accordingly.”

Parneet Kaur has done her Bachelor’s from Miranda House, and Masters in Political Science and International Relations from the Faculty of Social Sciences, Delhi University. She has always been vigilant about things happening around her and believes in contributing to society in any possible way. During her graduation, she participated in an exchange programme with UNICEF in Egypt, which was an eye-opening and life-changing experience for her. Since then she has participated in many such activities at her college. She has been the Campus Ambassador of her college for the United Nations, participated in the Rio+21 IYWC Programme, been a member of the Women’s Development Cell and received a merit certificate for an anti-ragging campaign, by Leaders for Tomorrow. She has also been a regular participant in Model United Nations Debates and Mock Parliaments and has also been working as a freelance journalist. She has always wanted to contribute and give back to society and she recognizes that being a part of the Naropa Fellowship is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity under guidance of such able faculty.

“I want to join the Naropa fellowship to understand Himalayan culture and lifestyle, whilst understanding the entrepreneurial scenario in the region. I am also keen to learn about the spiritual traditions of Ladakh.”

Mudra was schooled in the orange city of Nagpur whilst pursuing his interest in music, where he achieved the Sangeet Prabhakar in Tabla from the Prayag Sangeet Samiti. He then moved to Kodaikanal International School to study Internationale Baccalaureate and explore a larger multicultural environment away from home. Mudra then pursued his Bachelors in Civil Engineering from Queen's University Belfast in Northern Ireland while working there within student politics, cultural organisations, and non-profits. He pursued his passion for music and played at several prestigious venues and got featured in a concert with the renowned music composer Neil Martin, which was broadcasted on BBC. With a passion to explore social sciences and liberal arts, he pursued the prestigious Young India Fellowship to broaden his educational horizons. He was in the core team of 'Parvat Ki Goonj', a project that worked towards the conservation and propagation of Himachali Folk Music while pursuing the YIF. Mudra has a keen interest in music, dance, poetry, spirituality and Indic religion and culture.

"My natural inclination towards heritage craft and culture drew me to the Naropa Fellowship Programme. It will provide me with the opportunity to learn more about the people, heritage and culture of the region. I would like to contribute to the region and help retain its local talent by leveraging my skills in craft and design. Also, the entrepreneurship skills which I will acquire through the Programme will help to contribute to the craft communities all over India who are facing similar issues of losing their traditions and cultural identity because of the modernization."

Juhi Lakhwani is a Textile Designer. She holds a B.Des in Industrial Art and Design Practices from Srishti Institute of Art Design and Technology, Bengaluru. Juhi has experienced working with a tribal weaver community of the Kotpad village in Odisha. Her project aimed at creating a sustainable livelihood for the community by widening their product line and adding value to existing products through her design intervention. She also created a business proposition to bridge the gap between the community and the urban market. Juhi has also worked as a textile intern for an export house in Bengaluru, where she developed designs for woven and digital print fabrics. 

“After completing my BA, I worked part-time in the tourism industry and have been looking for something like the Naropa Fellowship. I want to be able to safeguard and bring change in Himalayan region, and I believe the Naropa Fellowship will provide me with the training and skills required to do this.”

Jigmet Namgail was born and raised in the Phyang village of Leh, Ladakh. His family includes his older sister, brother and parents. He completed his schooling from the Moravian Mission school in Leh, Ladakh and his BA from Jammu University. He is currently pursuing an MA in Sociology through IGNOU. Jigmet is passionate about nature, photography, culture and games. While pursuing his studies through distance learning courses, he has been able to simultaneously execute multiple tasks/jobs. He has worked as a team leader, guiding foreign and local tourists to different parts of Ladakh, familiarizing them with the Ladakhi culture, language and the lifestyle of the Ladakhi people. He is very fond of nature and believes it is important to safeguard it. His passion for photography urges him to upload the pictures he takes onto various social media platforms including Instagram and Google Maps, where his pictures receive appreciation for being scenic and beautiful.

“I joined the Naropa Fellowship to gain confidence in public speaking as I am unsure of myself when it comes to speaking on stage or sharing in a group. Through the lectures and my interaction with the Faculty and students, I also look forward to learning new things in various fields.”

Tundup Namgayal graduated from G.G.M Science College, Jammu, with a Bachelor in Science. He was enrolled in the NCC for 3 years during his undergraduate programme. He participated in the Basic Leadership Camp where he took part in public speaking activities and learned about different aspects of leadership. He also participated in the National Integration Camp where he met people from different regions of the country. The aim of this camp was community living and experiencing various cultures. He was also involved in a theater workshop for two months. Here he developed the potential for self-expression, communication and art appreciation.

“As I was brought up in a village and had never got this kind of opportunity I am excited to explore myself and work towards my vision of life. For me, the Naropa Fellowship is about learning new things!”

Thinley Nurboo hails from Liktsey village. He grew up in a typical Ladakhi joint family and went on to do his Masters in English from Jammu University. Over the past decade, he has watched a fair number of Changthang youngsters moving out of Ladakh for higher education. He understood that the Changthang people would face major challenges if they remained naive about the larger world. That is how he became committed to building their capacity along with more like-minded people from his own region. Thinley has a potpourri of interests in his profile; he loves to cook for his family and friends very often. There is a ton to weigh in his account of hardships and disappointments; he thinks that if he would have managed to grab a better education since elementary school, he could have helped at a greater scale than now. However, it is this pain that drives him to work more. He is successfully managing the SAVE Learning Centre (SLCC), Choglamsar, where he teaches English and conducts personality development workshops for Changthang students from under-privileged backgrounds. Through the SLCC, now around 80 youngsters are exploring their vision through various arts, music, outdoor and adventure activities, professional skating, career counselling and many more.

“Firstly, Naropa is giving me an opportunity to learn a wide variety of subjects which will broaden my mind.Secondly, I think this is the best place for me to open myself to different cultures and languages from across the world, both through the faculty as well as the Fellows.Thirdly, I want to be a leader and Naropa will help me leadership and communication skills in me.”

Chozin Palmo is from Changthang,which is in the eastern part of Ladakh. A graduate in Commerce from Jammu University, she has a keen desire to learn something new and she always keeps trying to build her confidence.She is associated with students and wants to help them build Ladakh. Chozin dreams to become an IAS officer and wants to give her best for the betterment of society.

"Frail socio-economic development, a substandard education system and a stagnant local economy have forced us to abandon our beloved guardian, the Himalayas. As a 'temporary emigrant’, I wish to return to the mountains and work towards creating better opportunities to nip the Gordian knot right in the bud. The objective of the Naropa Fellowship resonates perfectly with my aim in life. It has everything I could wish for in my pursuit of satisfaction."

Being born and raised in the gigantic mountains of Uttarakhand, nature has been etched deep into Vidushi’s conscience. After completing her schooling from the hills, she joined Hans Raj College, at the University of Delhi to pursue a B.Sc. in Life Sciences. Here, she was student member of an Innovation Project that was concerned with local development of a carbon neutral biofuel. It was during her undergraduate study that 'Ecology and Environment' metamorphosed from a ‘sentiment’ to a possible career choice for her. She holds an M.Sc. degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Delhi. Before deciding to Join the Naropa Fellowship Programme, Vidushi was an intern with the Environment and Forest division of NITI Aayog, Government of India.
 

“The Naropa Fellowship is not just any entrepreneurship programme, but a life-changing experience. Though I belong to the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, I haven’t spent my life there; this distance has kept me from understanding ground realities which exist in the mountains. Here, at Hemis, I will be taught to provide solutions to these problems while being a part of the locals’ lives. Naropa’s diverse curriculum will equip me with skills to work for a cause that resonates within me.”

Anjali Panwar Bachelors in Social Sciences from the Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar and Masters in Political Science from the University of Delhi. Apart from politics, she has interests in learning about diverse histories and cultures. She served as head girl in schools and has been a leader ever since. She is a state-level chess player. She enjoys writing and has won many essay competitions in her school and college. “Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile” – Anjali firmly believes in this principle, and at Naropa Fellowship, she aspires to be equipped with skills to realise it.

“The one-year intensive course on management and entrepreneurship provided by the Naropa Fellowship is a course tailored for me to achieve my goal of working for the Himalayan communities . I aim to tackle the problems persisting in the Himalayan region, particularly the lack of employment opportunities, which is the main reason for the community remaining marginalised. The Naropa Fellowship will provide me an exposure and will be the first step towards my journey.”

Akshata Pradhan graduated in Biotechnology before pursuing her Masters in Environment Science from Bangalore University. She previously worked as an intern at the Centre for Ecological Sciences at IISc, Bangalore. Her recent involvement with an NGO, Wildlife Conservation Society of India, required her to conduct field surveys and interview village households. This provided her a wholesome experience in working with communities at the grass roots level. But working briefly with ICIMOD at a young age had a huge influence in developing her interest to provide alternative livelihoods for people living in the trans-Himalayan region.

“The most difficult phase in a human’s life is change. Not all individuals want to convert their everyday lifestyle into a completely different layout. Having this in mind I would like to take a leap of faith with the Naropa Fellowship and experience head-on the true meaning of change. Combining all the essential tools of Management – Finance, Marketing and now Entrepreneurship—the Naropa Fellowship will give me an opportunity to grow individually, build the society around me, and also help me keep in check my burning desire to learn.”

Nepoleon Rai is a fresh graduate in Business Administration from Pokhara University, Kathmandu, Nepal. He has worked in the Kantipur Media Group, a leading media house, as the MIS head (Management Information System) of the Marketing Department. More recently, he had been working as the MIS executive for a trading company. Even as a child he was keenly interested to learn a variety of things. He excelled in sports as well as academics when needed to, handling immense pressure with ease. He hopes to achieve even greater heights of excellence with the guidance of the Naropa Fellowship.

“Naropa Fellowship uniquely combines three very interesting aspects – environment, entrepreneurship and Ladakh. The programme provides me with an opportunity to not only sharpen my skills and personality but also understand and contribute towards the Himalayan ecosystem in-line with its unique socio-cultural and economic setting. Leaning all these right on the lap of the Himalayas makes it all the more exciting.”

Sanjeeban Roy graduated in Mining Engineering from Indian Institute of Technology (ISM), Dhanbad. He has served as the placement coordinator of his college. He has also been involved in teaching of slum children while working with an NGO, Kartavya. He has been actively engaged in leading number of environmental awareness and preservation drives under bodies like Indian Astrobiology Research Centre and NGOs like Earth Day Network. He has a working experience of over one year in Hindustan Zinc Limited, Rajasthan. He likes to takes life as it comes and believes in living life to the fullest.

"Building sustainable lives and protecting the Himalayas has been an ever-growing passion in me, which I believe the Naropa Fellowship will help channelize in the most value creating manner. The areas I feel this Fellowship will help me foster are imbibing more about the society and culture of the Himalayan region and further build strategies towards protecting the same."

Smriti Sahni graduated from University of Delhi, IP college for women with a Bachelors in Psychology. Studying psychology for 5 years and traveling around the Himalayas got her really inquisitive about different cultures and community rituals in the mountains. She has always been fascinated with learning through various fields – from dancing, acting, photography to adventure sport. However, her heart lies in giving back to all the experiences she had while traveling around India. This helped her decide to work on a sustainability project focusing on waste management in the Himalayas which got her connected to the people from Nepal, West Bengal, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. Himalayan treks worked as therapy and got her closer to nature. You can find her fussing about how she hasn’t found the perfect coffee to how a book kept her hooked the whole night. At Naropa Fellowship she’s looking to learn more about the history of Himalayan region and also work on solutions to problems that arise as a hindrance to sustainable living.

"Naropa Fellowship is the perfect platform for me where I can enhance my entrepreneurship skills and develop them. I believe that this fellowship will help me to grow as an individual and contribute a lot to the Himalayan region and the society."

Bishal Saikia is from Assam. He has completed his BA in Social Sciences and MA Social in Livelihoods and Social Entrepreneurship from Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Guwahati. He is familiar with many states, people and culture of Northeast India and he is also a traveller. He has good rapport building skills and has previously worked with 5 different organizations across the country which includes organization like Jagori Rural Charitable Trust and Meghalaya State Rural Livelihoods Mission. His also plays music and likes trekking. At Naropa he wishes to enhance in ideas and implement regarding entrepreneurship. His crave for knowledge and experience brought him to Naropa. He wishes to see many entrepreneurs in his region in the upcoming days.

“Being a part of a cosmopolitan family, I am privileged to be recognised as pan-Indian. The Naropa Fellowship gives me an opportunity of feeling at home on a new turf. As a student of Urban Design this Fellowship grants me a platform to see the premise of my study in action under guidance of experienced mentors and active participation of diverse contemporaries.”

A Bachelors in Architecture and Masters in Urban Design, currently practicing as a freelancer. An academician who believes crowdsourcing is the primary mode for educated growth of individuals as well as a society. Shivika’s recent research project deals with structural change in making of development plans helping small towns to become economic dominos. Where the database shall be crowdsourced and open to all enthusiasts to contribute.

“I ran a social enterprise, Hatheli Sansthan, for 18 months; and during that period I understood the importance of theoretical knowledge but at the same time the depth of understanding you would get with practical implementation. The Naropa Fellowship provides me with that opportunity.”

Nishit Sangomla completed his Bachelors in chemical engineering from NIT Trichy, after which he worked as a Safety Engineer (GET) at RIL Jamnagar. Seeing that he was unable to notice the impact of his work and that it really did not help anyone needy, he decided to quit his job and join the SBI Youth for India Fellowship2016–2017. He worked with the Handicrafts division at Barefoot College, an NGO in Rajasthan. He joined Barefoot College as a Programme Manager. He quit his job to look for better understanding of the sector and did a Future of India Fellowship. He has also been a part of the 41st Shodhyatra in the northern Andamans.

“The moment I heard about the Naropa Fellowship, I somehow felt I belong here; yes, for the love of the mountains and its people. This opportunity will help me grow as an individual because it offers us good learning experiences. The idea of building the potential of the Himalayas by involving its very own people, by empowering them to build skills is the key. I am certain that all of us at Naropa will come out strong and confident and will be able enough to take a lead to foster sustainable growth in the Himalayan region.”

Aditi Sharma recently completed her Masters in Ecology, Environment and Sustainable Development from Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Guwahati. The holistic approach of the course helped her open up and look through the angle which tries to bring a balance between the three key aspects of sustainability—ecology, society and economy. The love for Himalayas got reflected in her dissertation, titled “A trail of subdued echo in the mountains: A study of disaster risk perceptions of the community people affixed to 2013 Himalayan Tsunami in Rudraprayag District, Uttarakhand” for which she received the award for best research project. Prior to this, she graduated in Journalism and Mass Communication and gained a year-long work experience with a start-up company in their content and corporate communications department. Owing to her roots, Aditi’s association with the mountains comes naturally to her. She wants to give back to the nurturing Himalayas and its people in any way possible.

“The Himalayas are my home and I find a lot of poetry in them; but the beauty of the Himalayas has fast begun to be lost. I want to play a part in reviving it. The Naropa Fellowship will help me to study changes in social, economic and sustainability spheres of the Himalayas and bring state-of-the-art solutions through entrepreneurship. I am looking forward to equipping myself to be part of a group of revolutionaries who are working for the betterment of the Himalayas as a whole.”

Nikita Sharma holds a degree in Law from UILS Shimla. During her college days, she took part in debates, moot courts and seminars. She worked in the field of law for two years. She had a brief stint as guest writer for various online portals and magazines. She is a feminist and an environmentalist. She believes that the world will be a better place to live in only when it is a safe and empowered place for women and nature. Until now she has helped people at the individual level and through the Naropa Fellowship, she aims to organise her ideas and initiatives on a larger scale.

"I see the Naropa Fellowship as an excellent opportunity to not only shape my dream of becoming an entrepreneur, but also direct me as I create plans in the future, allowing me to make a mark in the business sector. The vision is also to create avenues for many more like me to work as top entrepreneurs in their own States and successfully align employment opportunities in Jammu & Kashmir with that in other States."

Mirza Shoaib completed his MBA in November 2017, from the University of Kashmir, Baramulla. After completing his degree, he worked part-time at a private firm to gain experience. Initiating a business startup of his?own has always been his goal. He believes that with the help of the Naropa Fellowship, he will be equipped to plan a career in the field of entrepreneurship. He sees himself as not only becoming a successful entrepreneur in ten years, but also as one who will be able to act as a guide to the many youth in his region who want to pursue a career in this field. 

“The Naropa Fellowship is a unique platform where I can groom myself for future endeavours with multicultural exposure. This Fellowship will equip me with skills needed to bring positive impact and to enrich lives of people in the rural Himalayan region.”

Radha is a graduate in Social Work and Rural Development from Tribhuvan University, Nepal. Over the last three years, she has been involved with Hamro Palo (Her Turn), a NGO working for empowerment of adolescents in rural areas of Nepal. Prior to joining Her Turn, Radha was involved in various organisations volunteering and advocating for different social issues. In the aftermath of the devastating Nepal earthquake in 2015, she co-led a creative learning project for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder relief of students in some of the affected areas. She says it is important for human beings to have compassion for other beings and the environment.

“I believe that the Naropa Fellowship will be the perfect platform to understand and work towards a sustainable future for the Himalayan region. Learning from leading experts, the unique course structure and the ‘live-action project’ will prepare us for a better tomorrow and will also help me grow as an individual.”

Samrat has a Bachelors in Business Administration from the College of Management, Kathmandu. He has been president of student-led clubs in college. He was involved with several NGOs and has also taught children in a remote area in Nepal. He has worked with Educating Nepal, which provides free education to indigenous communities; and with Heartbeat, which works for street children. An avid trekker, he has explored several regions in Nepal and written about his travel exploits for a national weekly-magazine. He also has experience working with children as a public speaking coach and been involved with art projects.

"I deeply appreciate the hardwork and dedication that has been put in to set up Naropa Fellowship for the youth of the Himalayas. So I thought, why can't I be a part of this programme so that I will be able to give back something to my own society. This will be my first ever experience to get a chance to learning in a different educational environment and I am very excited about it."

Jigmet Singge has graduated with honours in Bachelors in Chemistry from KMC college Delhi University. He is 23 years of age. He is pursuing master degree in MTTM (Tourism) from IGNOU. Tourism is one of the main role of economic development as well as a huge bad impact on the field of eco-system, natural habitat, cultural heritage, water and so on. So being a Ladakhi, he always wants to do something for his society. He is a nature lover, and a passionate singer and songwriter. He takes keen interest in activities around him and has showcased leadership skills by heading the school council of his school as a head boy. When he was younger, he had represented represented J&K State at National Archery competition held in Maharashtra as well in Delhi (under 14). He believes that he is a good decision maker, and he is positive and good at stress management. 

“The Naropa Fellowship will provide me mentorship and academic knowledge to pilot my dream project, which is implementing waste management solutions in the Himalayan region.”

Nagender is a grounded guy who loves to dirty his hands. He wants to work for waste management and environmental issues among the tribal communities and tourist places in the Himalayas. He is a mechanical engineer by degree but a social worker by heart. He has worked in five primary government schools and in the slums of Thane, Maharashtra while doing the two-year Gandhi Fellowship. He is extroverted and likes interacting with communities. Confidence and passion reflect in his personality. He is straight forward and loves adventure. He is very adaptive, can work with diverse kinds of people and is good with team work.

"Naropa's idea of grooming young extraordinary men and women for entrepreneurial skills and motivating them to drive the change that they want to see in the world is what enthralled me. Learning from eminent faculty and living in the beautiful Hemis area would play an important role in my personal growth."

Abhishek Singh graduated in Physical Sciences from Delhi University. Being good at sports, he was always involved in many sporting events since school. He was the captain of his school football team and represented his school at the state-level Long Jump competition. He took part in dance, debate and collage competitions. Abhishek believes in being active and occupied, and has taken up many online courses including one in graphic designing and another in social change. He was the house captain in his school and knows the importance of team work and responsibilities. He strongly believes in giving back to the people of the Himalayas and India; and really believes that sport can bring about radical change.

"Delivered by leading experts, the Naropa Fellowship will equip me with the rigour of experiential learning and extensive exposure to all areas of management while being located in the Higher Himalayas. The idea of acquiring in-depth knowledge and getting equipped with the skills and tools needed to successfully promote business and enterprise is very appealing to me. The Fellowship will help me attain true happiness in knowing that I am part of a movement which can make a difference and change lives."

Himanshu has recently graduated in business administration from NMIMS, Mumbai. As a business student, he’s had a knack for entrepreneurship and marketing. He’s had the chance to delve into this passion and work on his innovative mindset through projects and ventures. He has frequently taken on management and leadership roles throughout his college life. He's always on the lookout for an opportunity to learn and explore. He’s interned at organisations like Vodafone and Hungama and has experience in market research and product development. A determined and dedicated individual, Himanshu has several achievements in sports and athletics as well. Over the years he has grown a desire to give back and bring change to society. He has actively participated in numerous social initiatives and has worked with organisations like Rotaract and Yuva. Himanshu believes in doing things on his own terms and following his instincts. He strives for perfection in whatever he does and tries to bring out his best self in every situation.

“Being a student of Environmental Sciences, I am interested in understanding the impact of development on fragile environments of Himalayas, specifically Ladakh, so that programmes and policies could be frames in such a way that there is sustainable development in the Himalayas.”

Urgain Spaldon is from Ladakh. She completed her schooling from Government High School, Igoo Leh, and her Bachelors from Jammu University. She has just finished her Masters in Environmental Science from the University of Kashmir, Srinagar, for which she submitted her thesis, “Ichthyofauna of Ferozpora Nallah of Kashmir”. She is an active member of the Student Educational Forum Igoo (SEFI), which works for the welfare of students of Igoo village.

"This is the time to take an entrepreneurial leap. My hope to build a business to create employment for people is the most important aspect of my life. I was fortunate to learn about the Naropa Fellowship where my abilities will be polished and my sense of possibility strengthened."

Deachen Spalzes has done her Masters in Social Work, specializing in the Criminal Justice System from the Tata Institute of Social Science, Mumbai. As part of her Masters, she worked towards capacity and skill building of the Pardhi community – a denotified tribe living in Mumbai and Gujarat. She was also actively involved in advocacy and lobbying with the policy makers towards the fulfillment of their basic rights relating to housing, education and livelihood. Her interests lie in the prison and correctional aspects of the criminal justice system. She is passionate about acquiring knowledge that comes from various fields of study. She has worked as the Operations Head for a medical education company involved in providing e-learning solutions to health workers at various levels, including doctors and paramedics. She has successfully initiated Critical Care and Infection Control training programs at SNM Hospital in Leh. She is always eager to learn and put this learning to practical use in local communities.

"I heard about the Naropa Fellowship when I was in Delhi and this is where I met Dr. Pramath, co-founder of the Fellowship. This course, specifically for entrepreneurs and leaders in the Himalayan region, is a great learning. For Ladakhis, it is an opportunity to learn new skills and work towards the future development of this area. I am thrilled to be a part of the Naropa Fellowship.”

Sonam Stanzin (Takpa) is from Leh. He graduated from Delhi University with a B. Tech in CS. He served in the Ladakh Student Welfare Society Delhi as technician and was Joint Secretary for the Ladakh Drayangs (Changthang). Sonam is a sports lover was captain of college cricket team, played football in the club, was a runner at school and loves to play badminton.

“I enrolled into this one-year Fellowship course so that I can mold myself for the complicated journey of life. I am incredibly excited to be a part of it. Through the Fellowship, I want to create employment opportunities for my region and its people.”

Coming from the Rongo village, a remote part of the Changthang region, Jigmet spent his childhood comprehending the challenges of living in Ladakh. He comes from a family of Amchis (traditional medicine doctors). He graduated with a Bachelor in Commerce from Punjab University. After having spent five years in Chandigarh and seeing what life is like in urban cities, his belief in working for his region and its people was only reinforced. It is this desire that brought him to the Naropa Fellowship. Learning has always been an integral part of his life and through the Fellowship, he aspires to learn from the faculty and peers and wishes to work on sustainability, tourism and cultural preservation.

"The Naropa Fellowship provides me with a one-of-a-kind opportunity to understand the ground reality of challenges faced by the Himalayan population. I want to contribute to their betterment, collaboratively, with a diaspora of students from the indigenous community as well as outside, under the guidance of esteemed faculty and industry mentors. Being the founding batch, this will have its own set of challenges and opportunities as the framework of the course is implemented for the first time."

Avinash is a post-graduate in aerospace engineering from IIT Kanpur. He worked in the aviation sector with Airbus India, one of the two giant aircraft manufacturers in the world, for 3.5 years. He has had experiences in the Himalayas through his role at the Institute Adventure Club as a Coordinator. His hobbies include mountaineering, paragliding, cycling and biking. Through the Naropa Fellowship, he aspires to learn more about the Himalayan community from a different perspective than that of a tourist, by not only being a part of their community but also actively participating in its development and upliftment.

The Naropa Fellowship is a platform where we can get a chance to learn more than business; its emphasis on society and culture, communication skills and personal growth are what sets the Fellowship apart. I have always been very interested in community-based ventures, eco-friendly living and sustainable business. The Naropa experience will help me bring these together.

Rigzin Yangdol completed her B.Sc (Life Sciences) from Ramjas College, Delhi University. For the past two years, she has been working at Lamstan, a non-profit student organisation that offers career counseling to Ladakhi students, with its main objective of connecting students from remote areas to mentors. She was part of the taekwondo team of Ramjas College, and won the bronze medal in the Delhi University Inter-College Taekwondo Championship 2018-19. With a keen interest in environmentally conscious development and community-based initiatives, Rigzin hopes the Naropa Fellowship to be a stepping stone for her interest to sprout into an entrepreneurial venture.

“Naropa Fellowship is going to be a big converging space, especially for the Youth of Ladakh and the Himalayan region to learn together, deliberate and manoeuvre the culturally rich and traditionally distinct highland of Ladakh towards a better fortune. For this very reason, I am excited to be a part of this fellowship and am looking forward to immersing myself into the knowledge and learning that I will get through the rich curriculum and esteemed faculty that are coming to my hometown. So stoked to avail such an opportunity in this idyllic setting, at Hemis, the heart of Ladakh!”

After completing his schooling from TCV Ladakh, Yutung went on to pursue a career in Engineering where he found that this was not his calling. He decided to pursue a degree in Political Science from Delhi University instead. His interests range from politics to philosophy and photography to filmmaking. He is hoping that this wide range of interests will culminate into something tangible and productive at the Naropa Fellowship. He has a deep passion for learning and teaching and he spends his free coaching and teaching young, underprivileged students at places like CIBS, Leh and SOS TCV, Ladakh.