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Alumni Speaks

Effective policy professionals balance both theory and practice.

In this interview, we bring you an inspiring conversation with Pritish, an alumnus who takes us through his journey into the world of public policy. From his motivation to tackle complex societal challenges to the valuable lessons learned along the way, Pritish shares insights that shaped his career and offers practical advice for students aspiring to make an impact.

During the pandemic, I noticed a desire in me to deepen my understanding of complex societal challenges from multiple vantage points, thereby bringing forth insights grounded in both the tangible observations and the nuanced, less visible/invisible factors — both the known and the unknown. Working in the education sector - as a teacher, program designer, and more - taught me that modern-day wicked problems cannot be solved by relying solely on grassroots interventions or on policies devoid of context. I noticed a need to study the dynamic interplay of competing interests, institutional structures, political considerations, and more through a thoughtful problematization of policy issues and a systematic exploration of theory, practice, and the underlying context. My drive to explore these dynamics, alongside my disenchantment with inefficient prescriptive solutions, motivated me to pursue a Master’s programme in public policy and, subsequently, a career in research.

At Kautilya School of Public Policy, I gained exposure to various interdisciplinary approaches to understanding policy problems and crafting policy options. It instilled in me an understanding that policymaking doesn’t operate in a vacuum; rather, it requires a comprehensive insight into institutional frameworks, economic theories, social considerations, legal structures, and more.

Kautilya also pushed me to challenge the deterministic models that portray policymaking as a linear or cyclical sequence of steps (five-step model, seven-step model, etc.). Instead, various real-life case studies and policy scenarios discussed by the esteemed faculty at Kautilya demonstrated that policymaking is rather an ongoing dialectic between structure and agents, embedded with feedback loops that are constantly in motion. This process shapes rules, laws, discourses, institutions, and issues of public interest.

Kautilya enabled me to situate my perspective between theory and practice, thereby bringing both replicability and relevance to my policy practice. Further, Kautilya broadened my skill repertoire through rigorous training in data analysis and communication, two of the most important tools in a policy professional’s arsenal.

a. Foundations are critical: Irrespective of whether you join a nonprofit, corporate house, academia, or think tank, policy work requires a strong grounding in both theory and practice.Do not believe anyone who recommends that you choose practice over theory or vice versa. Many policy challenges arise due to implementing practices lacking a theoretical base or theories being applied out of context. Effective policy professionals balance both theory and practice. For instance, build data skills to sharpen your practice while simultaneously studying Prof. Acemoglu’s work on institutions. Then, ask whether his theory explains economic transformation in some of the authoritarian regimes. If your answer is no, then use your data skills to explore why. If it is yes, again, explore why. Similarly, inquire why many rational and objective solutions fail, yet they continue to be prescribed despite caution from many policy experts. Why do we continue to design those mechanical, ultra-processed, straight-out-of-the-oven solutions that emerge from our deep affinity with “evidence”? Can every aspect of complex policy dynamics be substantiated with evidence? If not, how do we address those gaps in evidence in our policy work? Ultimately, what matters is your hunger for both knowledge and the skills to address these questions. Foundations in both theory and practice are essential, regardless of which post-master’s route you choose in public policy.

b. Not everything will be taught in classrooms: Go beyond the lectures; go to the field . The best times from my Master’s programme were frequently spent in the villages of Sangareddy or during those extensive office hours with faculty discussing my ideas. I owe most of my quantitative skill repertoire to my discussions with Dr. Pandey. I developed my fundamentals of conducting qualitative research on gender through conversations with Dr. Katju. Is time an issue? Then, integrate such learning with your existing academic assignments to address the time constraint. Be intentional about the topics you choose for your projects, where you can integrate multiple aspects of your learning trajectories. Be curious. Before thinking of solutions, spend more time with the problem. Problematize the problems first.

c. Strong communication skills are a very potent tool: I haven’t found any field where communication isn’t a key differentiator that determines which ideas move forward. Of Course, there are other factors, too, but communication is right at the top. Take your writing classes and feedback on your writing, presenting, and speaking seriously. Your ability to frame coherent sentences will take you far in becoming a successful policy professional.

A typical day for me starts with some good breakfast and coffee while thinking about the exciting parts of the day, checking Instagram reels and sharing the good ones with my spouse and friends (honestly, the Instagram part may happen at any point during the day.). It then moves on to attending the lectures for my PhD coursework and engaging in discussions with my peers about anything academic or non-academic. Then, I dedicate some time to my coursework assignments. After lunch, I put on my research hat and focus on my PhD research and various research projects. In the evening, I spend quality time with my spouse. We go out for walks, cook together, visit places in the city, etc. We make sure we have at least one meal together every day. I also set aside time to catch up with my friends, both on campus and virtually. And, of course, calling parents is a priority. I end my day by reading books/research papers and reviewing my plans for the next day/week/month. Reading every day is very important to me. Whether it’s research papers, books, or anything I find relevant to my learning, I make a point to read. At present, the book I am reading is “Governing the Commons: The Evolution of Institutions for Collective Action” by Elinor Ostrom.

How do I balance my professional and personal life? It takes planning, prioritisation of what’s really important, doing small, consistent things every day rather than leaving things until the last minute, and avoiding procrastination. And yes, maintaining good eating and sleeping habits is essential. I practise this routine consistently to balance both personal and professional aspects. I started using the Eisenhower Matrix to manage my time in 2014 (https://www.eisenhower.me/eisenhower-matrix).With time, I became better at it. Also, not every day is the same. Some days are good; some days are bad. As long as there are more good days than bad days, I am happy. Only if the ratio reverses do I feel the need to address it.

Remember the people behind the numbers—statistics represent human experiences.

My journey began in childhood, sitting beside my grandfather, reading newspapers together. His insightful commentary on national and state affairs ignited a spark of critical thinking within me. Those early conversations revealed the complex challenges facing our society and kindled a deep-seated desire to create meaningful change. As I gained more exposure and interacted with inspiring mentors, I realized public policy was the most effective pathway to transform societal challenges into tangible solutions.

One transformative lesson came from Dr. Duvvuri Subbarao, former RBI Governor, who emphasised the critical principle: "Remember the people behind the numbers." In an era of data-driven policy, he reminded us that statistics represent human experiences. This insight fundamentally reshaped my approach to policy-making, ensuring that I always consider the human and social dimensions behind every metric and recommendation.

Kautilya School of Public Policy distinguished itself by offering a truly comprehensive educational experience. Unlike traditional policy schools, the curriculum provided an unparalleled interdisciplinary approach, covering governance, business, media, public administration, and global affairs. This holistic education equipped me with a nuanced understanding that effective policy-making requires synthesizing insights from economics, constitutional law, social dynamics, and technological trends.

I am currently engaged in a pivotal moment for India's future, contributing to sustainable mobility. We are actively writing the next chapter in the country's transportation evolution, focusing on innovative, environmentally responsible mobility solutions that will shape India's developmental trajectory.

Dean Amb. Syed Akbaruddin sir profoundly influenced my policy perspective. I vividly recall an early assignment where he used a powerful metaphor of a ship navigating challenging waters. He illustrated that successful policy implementation requires all stakeholders to understand and execute their responsibilities collaboratively. His teachings emphasised that meaningful change emerges when diverse actors align towards a common objective.

Identify the sector or problem statement that resonates with your passion. Develop a multi-dimensional analytical approach. Build a robust professional network, engage in continuous reading and debate, and remain perpetually curious. Remember that creating substantial impact is a patient journey requiring consistent effort, self-motivation, and an unwavering commitment to learning.

My day begins with a comprehensive review of global and sector-specific news, followed by strategic planning using a meticulously crafted to-do list. I prioritise professional commitments while ensuring completion by early evening. Personal time is sacred,I unwind through music, reflective walks in serene locations like Sunder Nursery, and moments of quiet contemplation at Hanuman Mandir or Nizamuddin Dargagh. These practices help me stay grounded, practice gratitude, and maintain holistic well-being.

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SHANKAR NARAYAN

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KAUTILYA SCHOOL OF PUBLIC POLICY
GITAM (Deemed to be University)
Rudraram, Patancheru Mandal
Hyderabad, Telangana 502329