GITAM student selected for Gandhi Fellowship

R Niveditha, a postgraduate Economics student at the GITAM School of Humanities and Social Sciences, has been selected for the Gandhi Fellowship Programme of the Piramal Foundation, a 23-month residential leadership initiative focused on strengthening public systems through grassroots engagement.

The fellowship places young graduates with local communities, school headmasters, and government officials to address challenges in education and community health. It combines classroom learning with field immersion, enabling fellows to develop leadership skills while contributing to improved public service delivery.

Speaking on her selection, Niveditha said the fellowship would help her bridge academic learning with practical experience. “This opportunity will help me understand grassroots realities and contribute to meaningful social change. I look forward to learning from communities and working towards strengthening public systems,” she said.

S. Sushma Raj, Director of the GITAM School of Humanities and Social Sciences, said Niveditha’s selection reflects her commitment to leadership and community engagement. She noted that Niveditha has consistently demonstrated a strong sense of social responsibility and expressed confidence that the fellowship would help her grow into a capable leader committed to public service.

The Gandhi Fellowship is regarded as one of the country’s leading leadership programmes for young graduates in the development sector. Over 23 months, it provides leadership training and places fellows with grassroots stakeholders to identify local challenges and strengthen public institutions.