Leadership

Has the fellowship impacted you in any way and how? 

When I interviewed as part of the selection process for this fellowship, I was still working a full-time job as a multimedia journalist, but looking to switch to freelance work to be able to make a greater impact on society through my work. I think being selected to be a part of this cohort helped me take that plunge a couple of months since the first part of the fellowship training concluded. Not only that, but the fellowship also gave me the confidence to pursue the billion ideas I’ve been working on passionately, but hadn’t gotten around to executing — from starting to provide guidance to individuals and organizations as a Neurodivergence and Disability Consultant to laying the foundation for my small hobby-based business (The RRR Project) of upcycling waste materials into functional/decor items to assuming a part-time leadership position on a cause close to my heart at Revival Disability India as a Community Coordinator and Communications Strategist to starting to write my first book (on emotional abuse), and overall, diversifying my profile and upskilling myself — it’s almost as if the fellowship filled me with a new enthusiasm for impact, self-belief to execute my plans, and role models (in terms of other members of the cohort, and our mentors, of course) to seek advice from whenever I’m struggling.

What’s fueling your enthusiasm for your work? 

Okay, let me tell you a little bit about the things I’m working on today — my book on emotional abuse in intimate relationships, a podcast at the intersection of sex and disability, and abortion laws in India. The common theme across these is their potential for impact, and that’s exactly the thing that motivates me. Every project I work on must provide me with fresh opportunities to make a difference — mostly, to society, but every once in a while, to my own sense of self. What keeps me going from one project to another is the fulfillment of seeing progress and positive change unfold. It gives me a sense of purpose, you know? 

What leadership challenges are you encountering at work, and how do you address them? 

Transitioning to this “freelance life” — working as both a multimedia journalist and a disability consultant — hasn’t been easy. However, it’s presented me with an interesting mix of leadership challenges. 

First, managing diverse projects simultaneously requires impeccable time management. As a person with ADHD, that’s quite a task — not only because of the time blindness I experience, but also because my working memory is, well, close to non-existent. Besides the techniques I’ve learnt from mental health professionals, what’s been really helpful for me is practicing kindness towards myself — something we were taught during the fellowship. Moreover, to make up for my biological lack of dopamine, I think I’m starting to play to my strengths and getting better as strategizing — yet another thing I had the chance to be educated on through the fellowship. 

Also, as a consultant for neurodivergent individuals, ensuring authentic and effective guidance is crucial. On that front, I continue to keep an open mind and educate myself on best practices to engage with the community to stay informed. 

Navigating freelancing also involves securing consistent work and building a reputation. I tackle this by networking as extensively as my autistic brain would allow me to. But more than anything else, I’ve learnt that honesty — in the form of open communication with collaborators and clients — is the best way to ensure clarity and smooth operations. 

If you had the chance to begin anew, what’s the single change you’d make? 

Honestly, if I ever had the chance to start over, I would prioritize self-care, cultivating greater empathy for those whose experiences don’t echo mine, and maintaining a stronger front against self-doubt. It’s easy to neglect personal well-being in pursuit of goals; just like it’s easy — especially when we’re young — to be patronizing about the “good deeds” we’re supposedly doing. But, both, neglecting self-care and acting like a know-it-all savior, can diminish the effectiveness of our work. Besides that, I think I would also seek mentorship earlier — especially through a program like the G.P. Birla Fellowship for Women Leaders — and do a better job at asking for help when I need it, instead of trying to manage everything alone. 

What was the most significant aspect of the fellowship experience for you, and would you endorse it for others? 

For me, the most significant aspect of the fellowship has been the exposure to inspiring women leaders. Listening to their stories and understanding what drives them, fostered the motivation and courage I badly needed. Being surrounded by leaders — who aren’t privileged cis-het men — ignited a fundamental change in

1. It gave me the confidence to diversify my career and pursue personal projects. The fellowship also highlighted the importance of authentic voices, particularly in areas like neurodivergence. I would wholeheartedly endorse this fellowship for others. It offers invaluable resources, support, and a network that empowers participants to achieve their goals and effect meaningful change. The fellowship’s impact on my confidence and career trajectory has been transformative. 

What achievement would you like to share with your Aspen community? 

Same as answer #2; resharing: When I interviewed as part of the selection process for this fellowship, I was still working a full-time job as a multimedia journalist, but looking to switch to freelance work to be able to make a greater impact on society through my work. I think being selected to be a part of this cohort helped me take that plunge a couple of months since the first part of the fellowship training concluded. Not only that, but the fellowship also gave me the confidence to pursue the billion ideas I’ve been working on passionately, but hadn’t gotten around to executing — from starting to provide guidance to individuals and organizations as a Neurodivergence and Disability Consultant to laying the foundation for my small hobby based business (The RRR Project) of upcycling waste materials into functional/decor items to assuming a part-time leadership position on a cause close to my heart at Revival Disability India as a Community Coordinator and Communications Strategist to starting to write my first book (on emotional abuse), and overall, diversifying my profile and upskilling myself — it’s almost as if the fellowship filled me with a new enthusiasm for impact, self-belief to execute my plans, and role models (in terms of other members of the cohort, and our mentors, of course) to seek advice from whenever I’m struggling.