Priya is pursuing her Second MA in understanding and securing human rights at the Institute of Common Wealth Studies, London University. She has completed her bachelor's degree in psychology from Women's Christian College, Madras University and went on to do an MA in social work from Stella Maris, Chennai.
At a very early stage in her life, Priya was influenced by humanitarian causes as she spent her early years in Ethiopia where her father treated leprosy patients as a reconstructive surgeon. Over the years she developed a keen interest in the subject of human rights, which was fortified after she worked on a thesis on the problems faced by migrant youths of Srilanka, who settled in Tamilnadu. She actively undertook medical and psychiatric social work during her college days to link herself deeper to this cause.
In her spare time she finds interest in western music and street theatre, which she uses as a medium to generate awareness for the illiterate urban masses. Priya is a motivated and driven individual, she has set herself high goals and wants to work in India in the areas of refugee relief, rehabilitation and eventually pursue a PhD in that area.
In the course of work and studies, Priya has touched upon a very relevant and sensitive subject of human rights. We sincerely hope and truly believe that she will use her academic learnings to contribute to this field, which is still in its nascent stages of development in India.
Rit is pursuing an MSc in Development Management at the London School of Economics. As a foundation to his current pursuit he completed his Bachelors in Planning from the School of Planning and Architecture in New Delhi. He has supplemented his academic pursuits with published research projects and conference papers on natural disaster management, participatory squatter resettlement, private-public participation in urban infrastructure provision, and local government in India; as well as internships with Infrastructure Professionals Enterprise etc.
His desire to study development stems from a need to understand the twin phenomena of globalisation and multilateral regimes. He is interested in researching the structural changes that accompany change in trade conditions and technology. He wants to study their impacts on the third world and conceptually integrate the lessons learnt into formulating an innovative policy planning process in India optimised to identify and respond to global opportunities and challenges. This takes eminence keeping in mind the dynamic socio-economic scenario facing India today.
In his spare time he unwinds by taking long walks accompanied with his camera and listening to the blues and Indian semi-classical music. He composes the occasional poem and hopes to someday cobble together a readable work of fiction. He is also an avid quizzer.
To sum it all, Rit is focused in his aims and hopes to contribute to the development and adoption of sustainable and equitable growth strategies in India. We wish him the very best in all his future endeavours.
The world's local bank
Priya is pursuing her Second MA in understanding and securing human rights at the Institute of Common Wealth Studies, London University. She has completed her bachelor's degree in psychology from Women's Christian College, Madras University and went on to do an MA in social work from Stella Maris, Chennai.
