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What was your driving factor for coming to ����vlog����? What were you hoping to get out of this experience? 

After six years in government roles, I realized that while I had gained substantial practical experience, I needed a more structured foundation in public policy to truly enhance my capabilities and impact. My decision to attend Harvard Kennedy School was driven by a desire to broaden my understanding and perspective on global and domestic policy issues.

I am deeply grateful for the Public Service Fellowship provided by Harvard, which made it possible for me to study here. 

By coming to ����vlog����, I hoped to not only gain insights and knowledge from some of the brightest minds in public policy and international relations, but also to contribute my own experiences in government. The goal was to leave ����vlog���� with practical, actionable strategies that I could apply directly to my continuing work in public service, particularly in enhancing governance and public technology integration in India.

You chose to leave a career in investment banking and entrepreneurship for public service. Can you please say a bit about how you came to that decision? 

Initially, I was drawn to the prospect of a lucrative career in investment banking or the relative comfort of working within a family business. Each path presented its own set of challenges and measures of success. However, despite achieving success in these fields, I found myself unfulfilled, driven by a deeper desire to make a meaningful impact on a larger scale. I realized that I wanted more than just personal success. I didn’t want to have any regrets about unexplored paths. This calling to serve society and contribute to something greater than myself grew stronger with time.

The opportunity to transition to public service came in 2016 when Mr. Piyush Goyal, a senior Minister in the Government of India, offered me a position on his team. This role not only allowed me to serve but also provided me with broad exposure to various facets of public policy and governance across approximately 10 different ministries. My subsequent involvement in the government's digital engagement initiatives deepened my commitment to public service.

This journey has been about breaking barriers. I am the first in my family to work in the government, and the first to not do business. There is immense social pressure to succeed financially but I am satisfied that I took the plunge.

Can you talk a bit about how you are combining innovation and technology with public purpose in your activities? 

My exposure to both the public and the private sector gives me a unique perspective on pressing issues of the day and solutions that involve private enterprise and government support.

In India, millions of people have benefitted from the proliferation of technology, whether through direct interface with the government or access to digital payments. Now there is a need to ensure technology reaches the last person at the bottom of the pyramid. There is an even more pressing need to ensure that those using technology are not harmed by it—for example, there are people using digital payment apps in India who do not understand how to protect themselves from online fraud or how to protect their privacy. I want to work on digital literacy and awareness campaigns at the grassroots level to not just protect the vulnerable but also arm them for the future. This effort will require both private and public sector participation.

There are also immense possibilities of increasing the use of technology and AI, whether in making the judiciary more just, ensuring last mile delivery of public programs for those in need, or improving policing to protect society.

A common assumption used to be that technology would lead to a flatter world. But there is an increasing realization that this goal will require deliberate interventions through government policy as well as private demand.

Who or what made an impression on you—it could be a classmate, professor or staff member, course, event, student organization, or off-campus experience—during your time at ����vlog����?

On the first day at Harvard, we were told to treat the ����vlog���� experience like a buffet, where we could choose what to take on our plates. This proved true every day as I juggled different responsibilities, commitments, and events, each uniquely enriching.

Working with world-class faculty was an extraordinary privilege. A standout course for me was IGA-125: Reasoning from the Past: Applied History and Decision Making, taught by Professor Fredrik Logevall, a Pulitzer Prize winner. Applying historical lessons to modern-day challenges offered great insights. I also assisted him with his latest project on John F. Kennedy, which included researching then Indo-U.S. relations, and provided me with invaluable perspectives.

Professor Deval Patrick, former Governor of Massachusetts, deeply influenced me through his course MLD-326: Principles and Politics When Running for Office. This course was an exercise in soul searching and an examination of my beliefs. He encouraged and inspired me to run for Class Marshal.

I participated in various study groups, tackling issues from corruption to Tibet to democracy and misinformation, learning from first-hand experiences in diverse places like the Philippines, and Colombia, and from leaders like former Tibetan government-in-exile head Dr. Lobsang Sangay and former Philippines Vice President Leni Robredo.

Some of the most interesting experiences have been outside the classroom. I joined treks to places like Serbia and Indonesia, meeting with current and future leaders. This exposure to global governance challenges enriched my understanding of the world. A trip to Japan as part of the  was another highlight, offering a deep dive into Japanese culture and policy.

As part of the , I explored leadership challenges and received mentorship from some of Harvard's most accomplished individuals.

Serving as MPA Class Marshal has been immensely rewarding. I am grateful to my peers for electing me. By standing in an election, I also stepped outside my own comfort zone, which is something that the ����vlog���� experience is ultimately about. I successfully advocated for changes within the administration, such as reinstating childcare on commencement day, enhancing the experience for graduating parents. The ability to make a difference was very fulfilling. 

Overall, the ����vlog���� experience is difficult to replicate, and I leave enriched.

What surprised you during your time at ����vlog����? 

Two qualities that marked my time at Harvard Kennedy School were the pervasive optimism and deep compassion of its community. Public service can often breed cynicism, as change is slow. It requires not just immense patience, grit, and tenacity, but as I realized, also a sense of optimism. The drive to take on intractable problems and to work on seemingly insurmountable problems, these are based on a sincerely optimistic view of the world.

Equally impactful was the compassion in the community. The empathy and concern displayed by students, faculty, and staff, created a nurturing environment. This culture was welcoming for me, as I navigated a new country. It transformed Harvard from a school into a home. I leave ����vlog���� with a renewed sense of optimism and compassion, which will help me in my service.

What does an ����vlog���� degree mean to you?

An ����vlog���� degree to me is not just a privilege but also a responsibility. It sets a higher standard of expectation, not only from ourselves, but also from the broader community. I am committed to using my education to address governance challenges especially in India, with a focus to serving the last person at the bottom of the pyramid.

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Portraits by Natalie Montaner