Madhavi Rajadhyaksha

Columbia Global Centers | Mumbai is the Indian headquarters of a global knowledge network launched by Columbia University, New York . Responsible for designing research, capacity-building and public programs related to global challenges that are relevant to India, particularly in the areas of urbanization, and sustainable water management. Led the end-to-end management of the Center's flagship project on integrated water management in the Ganga river basin. Key achievements include the design… Show more

Columbia Global Centers | Mumbai is the Indian headquarters of a global knowledge network launched by Columbia University, New York . Responsible for designing research, capacity-building and public programs related to global challenges that are relevant to India, particularly in the areas of urbanization, and sustainable water management. Led the end-to-end management of the Center's flagship project on integrated water management in the Ganga river basin. Key achievements include the design and facilitation of evidence-based trainings for senior policymakers and administrators at apex institutes including the National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee, and the Lal Bahadur Shastri Academy of Administration, Mussoorie. Established multi-disciplinary 'communities of practice' through engagement with professors from across Columbia University’s network of colleges, departments, research centres, and professional schools and Columbia partners in India, including universities, research centres, government entities, and private firms.
For more about the Center: http://globalcenters.columbia.edu/mumbai/ Show less

Consulted on a research project related to local governance, a partnership between Anode Governance Lab and Pradan to analyse the devolution status of Panchayati Raj Institutions in the state of Jharkhand. Was engaged in conceptualization and implementation of the research framework, program review, interaction with key stakeholders, primary field research and analysis, and production of a research study.

Role involved conceptualizing and operationalizing the advocacy strategy for Centre for Decentralised Local Governance, Avantika Foundation. Was actively involved in the conceptualisation and implementation of a change management framework (Gram Panchayat Organisation Development) in 30 Gram Panchayats in Karnataka. The initiative was sanctioned as the country's first innovation project under the Rajiv Gandhi Panchayat Sashaktikaran Abhiyan of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj. Role involved… Show more

Role involved conceptualizing and operationalizing the advocacy strategy for Centre for Decentralised Local Governance, Avantika Foundation. Was actively involved in the conceptualisation and implementation of a change management framework (Gram Panchayat Organisation Development) in 30 Gram Panchayats in Karnataka. The initiative was sanctioned as the country's first innovation project under the Rajiv Gandhi Panchayat Sashaktikaran Abhiyan of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj. Role involved strengthening methodologies (curriculum, dissemination and training tools etc.) for scale up and advocacy of the research frameworks of CDLG.
Also provided thought leadership towards building the organization's strategic partnerships. Key among these was setting up of a Local Governance Clinic along with Azim Premji University, Bangalore.
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Role involved spearheading the thought leadership and urban capacity building programmes of Janaagraha, leveraging an anti-corruption platform for process reforms in the Karnataka government, producing and disseminating policy content, and managing Janaagraha’s strategic engagements with government, policymakers, urban stakeholders, research and mainstream publications. The organisation’s urban capacity building efforts involved a strategic partnership with the Lal Bahadur Shastri National… Show more

Role involved spearheading the thought leadership and urban capacity building programmes of Janaagraha, leveraging an anti-corruption platform for process reforms in the Karnataka government, producing and disseminating policy content, and managing Janaagraha’s strategic engagements with government, policymakers, urban stakeholders, research and mainstream publications. The organisation’s urban capacity building efforts involved a strategic partnership with the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration in Mussoorie and building destination organisation charts to overcome the capacity constraints in city governments. Key achievements included research and production of the Annual Survey of India’s City-Systems 2014 and its dissemination to over 100 key urban stakeholders at a national conference in Delhi. Show less

Role as an Assistant Editor involved analyzing and writing development-related articles capturing India’s socio-economic transition, evaluating policies, exposing human rights violations and tracking governance. Articles involved substantial data mining and analysis. Have written across media formats (breaking news, long-form articles, op-eds, Q & A interviews, blogs, and reader interactions) to cater to a global audience. Areas of coverage include social development, governance and delivery of… Show more

Role as an Assistant Editor involved analyzing and writing development-related articles capturing India’s socio-economic transition, evaluating policies, exposing human rights violations and tracking governance. Articles involved substantial data mining and analysis. Have written across media formats (breaking news, long-form articles, op-eds, Q & A interviews, blogs, and reader interactions) to cater to a global audience. Areas of coverage include social development, governance and delivery of basic services (health, education, water and sanitation), labour and migration trends, gender equality, and the political economy of development. Show less

Role involved reporting on public health issues and policies. Initiated public health news campaigns on a range of subjects such as the anti-smoking legislation in public spaces, corporate and PPP healthcare nexuses, and malnutrition. Have investigated lacunae in the healthcare system, covered health rights-based issues and spread health awareness particularly about new and emerging diseases. Focused consistently on vulnerable groups such as women and children, people living with HIV/AIDS and… Show more

Role involved reporting on public health issues and policies. Initiated public health news campaigns on a range of subjects such as the anti-smoking legislation in public spaces, corporate and PPP healthcare nexuses, and malnutrition. Have investigated lacunae in the healthcare system, covered health rights-based issues and spread health awareness particularly about new and emerging diseases. Focused consistently on vulnerable groups such as women and children, people living with HIV/AIDS and age-old health problems nagging India such as polio, malaria and dengue. Also played a key role in covering major global incidents such as the terror attacks in Mumbai in 2008, the 2006 serial train blasts, the July 26, 2005 Mumbai deluge (floods) and the avian influenza epidemic among other issues. Show less