Bijoylakshmi Bhagawati

Age: 24

Home Town: Guwahati, Assam

Education: Master of Public Health, Indian Institute of Public Health, Gandhinagar.

Specific Field Interests: Public Health, Gender

Placement: Dakshin Foundation, Ganjam, Odisha

Area of Focus: To build evidence on the status and understand interlinkages of water, sanitation, hygiene and health in coastal communities of Odisha. Assist with the research aspects of the project and community engagement.

Fellowship Project: Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH)

Highlights: Bijoylakshmi is an AIF Banyan Impact Fellow serving with the Dakshin Foundation in Odisha. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development and Family Studies from the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda. During the pandemic, she volunteered with Teach For India to virtually teach four students from an underserved area of Mumbai. These opportunities reinforced her desire to work with various social groups. She attended the Indian Institute of Public Health in Gandhinagar and earned a Master of Public Health degree. During her studies, she discovered her inclination to view public health through the lens of social determinants rather than purely clinical perspectives. She also had the privilege of participating in research projects with Piramal Swasthya, where she gained valuable insights into traditional healers and healing practices among tribal communities. As a recent graduate, she dedicated her initial months to conducting research for her dissertation, which explores family planning practices in the tea gardens of Assam. Beyond her professional pursuits, she finds solace in art and enjoys watching the sky with a cup of tea and a good book. She considers this Fellowship a pivotal opportunity to gain exposure and refine her skills in the development sector. Her long-term aspiration is to initiate her own social initiatives, making a lasting impact on the lives of those she serves.