I am a 35-year-old mid-career journalist. I love crunching numbers, rummaging through excel sheets, writing compelling narratives using data, and finding and communicating stories that showcase the real lives of people. I love making sense of the complex world around us, and sharing the insights with the audience with the help of visual elements. I like to work on the style and structure of a story in the text and visual domain. I strongly think that the combination of data and storytelling has immense potential to expand the horizons of journalism. The evolution of digital news products, the journalists’ toolbox getting more advanced, and a new generation of audience that dissects news with a keener eye make the future of journalism even more exciting than its present.
Member, Entrepreneurial Journalism Creators Program, CUNY, 2021 (Remote)
As a member of a cohort of 30 digital journalism creators and journalists across the globe, I was a part of a 4-month training on the creator economy taking shape in journalism. After the online program, I launched a data journalism newsletter at Business Standard, a business paper.
Alfred Friendly Fellow, Missouri Journalism School (US), 2020 (Columbia, MO)
I attended a 40-year-old global fellowship that promotes diversity in journalism. However, I could not derive much value out of it as it was suspended due to the pandemic. It began on the immediate next day after Covid-19 was declared a pandemic.
Shriram Award for Excellence in Financial Journalism, 2017
My article on the National Small Savings Fund (NSSF) secured the first prize in the Financial Markets category. The NSSF, in the next five years, went on to become the second biggest source of deficit financing for the Government of India.
Graduation: Engineering, Post-graduation: Political Science
With a part-time degree in Political Science, I complemented that period of my work when I transitioned from engineering to social sciences and ultimately journalism.
Certifications: MH-SET (State Eligibility Test for Teaching)
I am certified to teach Political Science in my state in India (Maharashtra)
Languages: English, Marathi and Hindi (fluent in all)
Consulting Editor, Unnamed journalism venture
I write, edit stories, and design its visual elements for a new data journalism portal being set up in India. A six-member team is currently in place with two founders as we develop the website that would serve as a knowledge base on India and its development. The idea is to create a one-stop place for the curious Indian public, policymakers, corporate decision makers, and global investors to learn the past and the present about India’s economic, social, and financial progress.
Independent writer and editor
Wrote data stories for a business paper, did rewriting and editing for a few data stories written by fresher journalists.
Digital Strategy Consultant, Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics (Mar - Sep 2022)