Alumni Feature | Satyamitran Guruhari, Master’s in Public Policy ‘22

Hailing from both Tamil Nadu and Uttarakhand, Satyamitran grew up in over 7 states, experiencing a confluence of cultures, languages, and traditions. It developed in him a bent for experiential learning and effective adaptability in all things personal and professional. He pursued his undergraduate degree in English Literature from Hindu College, University of Delhi, where he also immersed himself in street and proscenium theatre. This involved research, scripting, and direction of plays on social issues like Islamophobia, sedition, and electoral awareness, among others. These experiences attracted him to think of public policy as a career. He belongs to the seventh cohort of Masters Programme in Public Policy of NLSIU.

In line with his affinity towards sustainability and biodiversity conservation, Satyamitran did his Client-Led-Project as part of MPP course, with Dakshin Foundation and aided in the research and publication of a report analysing NITI Aayog’s ‘Holistic Development Plans’ for the island systems of Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar. Through his associations with eGov Foundation and the Poverty and Human Development Monitoring Agency (Odisha Government), he conducted comprehensive analyses of flagship government schemes like the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban and Rural), Jal Jeevan Mission, and the Ama Gaon Ama Bikash programme. Pursuant to his interest in maintaining a balance between academic and non-academic activities, Satyamitran continues to utilise a plethora of opportunities that both NLS and Bengaluru had to offer. He served as the Assistant Director for Last Page Collective’s production of Mahesh Dattani’s Dance Like a Man, staged at Rangashankara, Bengaluru’s premier theatre. He also represented NLS in the annual Trilateral Sports Fest organised in NUJS Kolkata and secured two silver medals in Cricket and Basketball, and a gold in Lawn Tennis. To further the spirit of sustainable and responsible adventure, he founded the NLS Nature Club, and leads all responsibilities for treks, hikes, on campus conservation activities, and awareness generation drives as its convenor. Satyamitran has also been the Class Representative of the 7th Cohort of MPP throughout the duration of the course, displaying key leadership and managerial qualities as a part of his interactions with his batchmates, faculty, and the administration. He is currently working on his dissertation on boosting the efficacy of Karnataka’s Ecotourism Policy through a comparative analysis of its implementation, and desires to explore the field of sustainability further through his future engagements in the field of policy.