Born in the 1990s in Odisha, I spent my formative years across several small towns and cities in the state until graduation. Growing up in these environments gave me firsthand exposure to the rhythms of semi-urban life, the aspirations attached to education, and the everyday negotiations families undertake to balance limited resources with their children's schooling. Coming from a middle-income household, with my father serving in government service, I experienced both relative economic stability and the practical constraints common to many Indian families. This background shaped my early understanding of education as a pathway to opportunity and social mobility.

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As a member of a generation that witnessed significant transitions in India, I observed the expansion of schooling, the rise of private tuition culture, the spread of cable television, economic liberalization, increasing migration to cities, and later the rapid proliferation of mobile phones, the internet, and smartphones. The effects of major societal events such as demonetization and the COVID-19 pandemic further transformed how families, institutions, and communities functioned. I attended school during a period when educational aspirations were rising rapidly, even though access to digital resources remained uneven. These experiences cultivated my interest in understanding the evolving relationship between families, education, and technology, and eventually inspired my research on how digital media can support families who deeply value education yet face structural barriers to participating in their children's learning.

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Beyond my academic journey, I consider myself a student of life, a learner, explorer, and mentor seeking to understand the depths of human experience and the untapped capacities within individuals and communities. I am deeply grateful to the IDC School of Design, IIT Bombay, and my PhD supervisor, Prof. Anirudha Joshi, for their invaluable role in shaping my thinking and research journey. Their mentorship encouraged me to think critically, embrace interdisciplinary perspectives, and approach design and research with curiosity, rigor, and empathy. The experience at IDC significantly influenced my intellectual growth and strengthened my commitment to using design for social good. Through reading, self-inquiry, travel, observation, and meaningful conversations with people from diverse walks of life, I have gradually become more attentive to the patterns that shape human behavior, relationships, and society. These experiences have reinforced the importance of empathy, reflection, and a deeper appreciation of the human condition.​

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Design and research have been invaluable companions in this journey. They have taught me to experiment rather than merely believe, to remain curious, and to engage with complexity through inquiry and action. Walking the path of education, design, and nation-building, I see the world as an evolving system where meaningful redesign can enhance collective well-being, yet true wisdom often lies in knowing when to change what can be improved and when to embrace the natural order of thing. It is essential to remain grounded in authenticity, respecting the nuances of lived experience rather than forcing them into predetermined frameworks.

 

Today, I strive to share whatever insights have emerged from my experiences—not as prescriptions, but as invitations for dialogue, reflection, and possibility. Whether through research, teaching, mentoring, or community engagement, my goal is to contribute to a world where people can better understand themselves, support one another, and create more meaningful and fulfilling lives.

If my work resonates with you, I invite you to join me in making lives more alive.