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1st Local APIGA India Fellowship Reflections, Sonipat, India

1st Local APIGA India Fellowship Reflections, Sonipat, India

My Journey Through the Inaugural Local APIGA India 2025 Fellowship

Landing a fellowship for the first-ever Local Asia Pacific Internet Governance Academy (APIGA) India 2025 felt like unlocking a new level in my journey towards understanding the digital world. Held on March 21st and 22nd, 2025, in Sonipat, this event promised a deep dive into the often-complex realm of Internet Governance (IG), and I was thrilled to be a part of it.

 APAN59 Fellowship Reflection, Yokohama, Japan

APAN59 Fellowship Reflection, Yokohama, Japan

I am deeply honored to have been selected as one of 30 fellows from across the Asia-Pacific region to attend APAN59, held from March 3–7, 2025, in Yokohama, Japan. This fellowship proved to be an invaluable opportunity to engage with leading researchers, engineers, policy makers, and industry experts actively shaping the future of advanced networking, cybersecurity, and digital transformation. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to connect with a diverse and passionate group.

 NetMission Academy 2025

NetMission Academy 2025

Graduating from the NetMission Academy 2025 has been an enriching and transformative experience. The NetMission Academy is a series of online sessions designed to equip youth with the knowledge and discussion skills to participate actively in Internet policymaking. Over the past few months, I have been immersed in discussions on some of the most pressing issues in Internet governance. From thought-provoking debates to collaborative projects, every moment at the Academy has been a step toward deepening my understanding of digital rights and policymaking.

 Youth IGF and inSIG 2024 Fellowship Reflection - Bangalore, India

Youth IGF and inSIG 2024 Fellowship Reflection - Bangalore, India

I was selected as a fellow for both Youth IGF India 2024 and inSIG 2024, two premier programs aimed at empowering young voices and building capacity in internet governance. These fellowships provided me with a unique opportunity to dive deep into the world of digital policy, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies, all while interacting with global experts and fellow youth advocates.

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inSIG Fellow

inSIG Fellow

Youth IGF India Fellow

Youth IGF India Fellow

 yIGF ASIA 2024 Fellowship Reflection - Taipei, Taiwan

yIGF ASIA 2024 Fellowship Reflection - Taipei, Taiwan

I was selected as a fellow for the yIGF ASIA 2024 program in Taipei, Taiwan to recieve accomodation support from NetMission.Asia. The program was organized by the Asia Pacific Regional Internet Governance Forum (APrIGF) and the Taiwan Network Information Center (TWNIC). The fellowship program aimed to bring together young professionals from the Asia Pacific region to discuss and exchange ideas on internet governance issues.

yIGF ASIA 2024 Selected Fellows

The program was held on the Day 0 of the APrIGF 2024 conference in Taipei, Taiwan at the National Taiwan University Hospital International Convention Center. The conference was attended by over 900 registered participants from the Asia Pacific region and beyond. The conference featured a series of panel discussions, workshops, and networking events on various topics related to the policy making and governance of the internet.

 CodeInPlace - Stanford University 2024

CodeInPlace - Stanford University 2024

For six incredible weeks, I had the distinct honor of being a section leader for Stanford’s Code in Place, a truly remarkable free introductory programming course that empowers individuals to learn Python. It was a whirlwind of coding challenges, collaborative problem-solving sessions, and the deeply rewarding experience of helping others unlock a valuable new skill. More than just writing code, it was a journey of growth and connection.

 Impact-a-thon: SDG Edition Track 3 Winner | E-summit IIITD 2024

Impact-a-thon: SDG Edition Track 3 Winner | E-summit IIITD 2024

The Green Footprint is a multi-faceted platform designed to promote sustainability and awareness regarding energy consumption, product sustainability, and waste management. Our tools leverage the power of data analytics, natural language processing, and computer vision to provide users with actionable insights to make more eco-friendly decisions.

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Objective:

Challenge yourself and your team to develop innovative solutions for pressing issues in three critical areas: gender equality, food security, and environmental sustainability. Ideate and Pitch your ideas while networking with leading industrialists.

 How I made a blog with HUGO and Digital Garden Theme

How I made a blog with HUGO and Digital Garden Theme

Welcome to my latest tech adventure where I’ve embraced the art of digital gardening using Hugo and the mesmerizing Digital Garden Theme. Digital Gardens are a unique and personal way to grow your ideas, knowledge, and thoughts in a non-linear fashion, akin to nurturing plants. My aim was to create a space that encouraged learning and development both for myself and for readers like you. In this tutorial, I will share the process I went through to build my own blog with this setup, from initial setup to customization.

 My first Hackathon at Hack2Skill with friends | NASA Space Apps Challenge 2023 Noida

My first Hackathon at Hack2Skill with friends | NASA Space Apps Challenge 2023 Noida

The NASA Space Apps Challenge is an international hackathon that occurs over 24 hours in cities around the world. The event embraces collaborative problem solving with a goal of producing relevant space technology using data provided by NASA to bring out the imagination and creativity of the participants who are passionate about space and technology. The event is open to anyone who has a passion for space and technology and is looking to contribute to the future of space exploration.

CodeInPlace - Stanford University 2024

Planted July 1, 2024

CodeInPlace - Stanford University 2024

For six incredible weeks, I had the distinct honor of being a section leader for Stanford’s Code in Place, a truly remarkable free introductory programming course that empowers individuals to learn Python. It was a whirlwind of coding challenges, collaborative problem-solving sessions, and the deeply rewarding experience of helping others unlock a valuable new skill. More than just writing code, it was a journey of growth and connection.

Code in Place: Accessible Education at its Finest

Code in Place shines as a beacon of accessible education. Built on the principle of democratizing knowledge, it brings programming fundamentals to individuals worldwide, regardless of their background or experience. And the key ingredient? Passionate section leaders who volunteer their time and expertise! We act as guides, mentors, and enthusiastic cheerleaders, cultivating a supportive and engaging environment for our students.

My Role: More Than Just a Teacher

My role involved leading weekly 40-minute video conferencing sessions with a group of incredibly enthusiastic students. As one of the youngest section leaders, it was initially a bit daunting! I vividly remember the blend of nervousness and excitement during our first meeting on April 26th at 11:00 PM. That “Welcome to Section” session was crucial for setting the right tone: patient, kind, and understanding - values that were constantly emphasized. I made sure to address their initial concerns and help them get familiar with the course structure.

The Weekly Rhythm: A Deep Dive into Python

Our weekly sessions, always at 11:00 PM, followed a structured progression:

  • April 26th: Welcome to Section: Getting to know each other and setting expectations.
  • May 3rd: The Art of Karel: Introducing fundamental programming concepts through Karel the Robot.
  • May 10th: Introduction to Python: Diving into Python syntax and basic programming structures.
  • May 17th: Python Control Flow: Mastering conditional statements (if/else) and loops (for/while).
  • May 24th: Graphics: Bringing code to life with visual elements.
  • May 31st: Lists and Dictionaries: Exploring essential data structures for organizing information.

The Learning Curve: For Them and For Me

Over the weeks, we dove deep into programming. A significant part of my preparation involved crafting engaging presentations to help explain these concepts. Explaining complex topics in an accessible way became a challenge I enjoyed. The late-night session time (11:00 PM) was demanding, but witnessing those “aha!” moments made it all worthwhile.

Witnessing those “aha!” moments on my students’ faces as they understood a tricky concept? Invaluable! Often, they came with questions I hadn’t considered, forcing me to think on my feet and deepen my own understanding.

One of the most unique aspects of my experience was being the youngest in my section. All of my students were older, bringing a wealth of life experience and perspectives to our sessions. This initially made me a little nervous, but it quickly became an incredible asset. I learned so much from their questions and experiences, and I realized that my enthusiasm and fresh perspective could be just as valuable. Building rapport and creating a comfortable learning environment for individuals of all ages was a key focus.

Beyond the Code: Building a Community

Being a Code in Place section leader is far more than just knowing Python! It’s about cultivating a thriving community. It’s about nurturing a global network of aspiring programmers and empowering them to achieve their goals. It’s about being a reliable presence, knowing that your students are counting on you.

Why You Should Consider Being a Section Leader

While demanding, the rewards were immeasurable. I significantly reinforced my own programming knowledge and honed my communication and teaching skills. Helping others discover the magic of programming has been profoundly fulfilling, and I’m proud to have contributed to this exceptional program. The certificate above is a reminder of this rewarding experience.

Code in Place is more than just a free online course; it’s a gateway to opportunity and a testament to accessible education. I wholeheartedly encourage anyone with a passion for programming and a desire to give back to consider becoming a Code in Place section leader! The experience is rewarding beyond measure, and you’ll be surprised by how much you learn in the process.