“Effecting Change” PGP Workshop in Bangalore
PGP 8th Cohort, pictured here with Professor Rajeev Gowda
The 14th, 15th and 16th of February saw the eighth cohort of our postgraduate programme (PGP) in public policy course come together for our Effecting Change workshop, hosted in Bangalore at the Takshashila Institution office on vibrant Church Street. The three-day event was a dynamic space for learning, discussion, and collaboration, bringing 21 aspiring participants together to sharpen their skills and learn how to drive tangible impact from inspiring changemakers.
The event built on the foundations laid in the first two in-person sessions, which focused on key public policy concepts, analytical frameworks, and crafting pragmatic solutions to real-world challenges. As we approached the final term of our programme, we aimed to consolidate our theoretical takeaways and translate them into actionable strategies.
We heard from industry experts and policy practitioners who have boldly attempted to bring about societal change at various levels - from creating an informed citizenry to pioneering shifts in education policy. The sessions covered cutting-edge policy topics, including The Pivotal Role of Indian Media in Change-making, Transforming India’s Deep-Tech Landscape, and Applying Evolutionary Biology to Public Policy Challenges. These were delivered by a distinguished lineup of guest speakers, including Prof. Rajeev Gowda (Former Member of Rajya Sabha), Ambassador Lata Reddy (IFS), and Mr. M.N. Reddi (IPS).
The workshop simultaneously provided an opportunity to evaluate the progress of participants' Capstone projects. Serving as the culmination of the PGP programme, the Capstone Project enables students to conduct empirical research in their area of interest and produce a comprehensive policy brief with recommendations to address the identified issue, using Bardach’s Eightfold Path framework. Each student presented their initial problem statement and received feedback from their mentors and peers, which they could use to refine their analysis moving forward.
The students' presentations examined geopolitics, social security, public finance, climate change, public health, tourism, agriculture, and heritage. Some presentations focused on state-specific and case study-based issues, such as 'The Case for Privatization of State-Run Hotels in Himachal Pradesh’ and 'Navigating Land Reforms in Haryana to Unlock Broader Economic Opportunities.' Other presentations had a broader scope, including 'Optimizing Healthcare Policies in India: Addressing Post-Diagnosis Insurance Gaps to Minimize the Economic Burden on Chronic Illness Patients' and 'Assessing Electricity Grid Capacity Demands and Developing Policy Recommendations to Decarbonize EV Charging Infrastructure.'"
The workshop perfectly balanced informal networking, capstone presentations and structured speaker sessions, leaving the cohort excited and curious about the learnings ahead!
Click here to learn more about the PGP and apply for the next cohort: https://school.takshashila.org.in/pgp
