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Fatima Shahbaz
Rising senior in Adams House studying Government and South Asian Studies with a Secondary in Economics
She has currently been interning as a civil rights legal intern for the Council on American Islamic relations, where she’s had the opportunity to help repatriate Yemeni Americans and advocate for those impacted by discrimination and Islamophobia in employment and the workplace. On her work, she said, “It’s honestly been an incredible insight into the world of legal advocacy and has showed me how much progress can be made through the law.”
Fatima adds, “During quarantine, I’ve been doing a lot of baking! I’m currently experimenting with incorporating cardamom and pistachio is almost everything, but my friends are limiting my creative pursuits and it’s sad.”
Manasi Maheshwari
Rising Senior in Currier House studying Computer Science and Economics
This summer, Manasi is working at a startup building products to connect friends through casual games. She’s been working on initiatives to make CS at Harvard more inclusive and fostering entrepreneurship on campus through Harvard Computer Society, and encourages first years to become involved in the community. One of these is hosting a podcast called TechInColor to spotlight the journeys of diverse leaders in tech and business - stay tuned for the launch soon!
In her free time in quarantine, she’s been hiking, trying her hand at digital art, and using all the time with family to binge Bollywood movies and learn to cook her favorite Indian dishes. So far, she especially loves homemade gobi manchurian.
Anagha Kumar
Rising Junior in Winthrop House studying History & Science and Neuroscience
This summer she has been helping to to plan Ghungroo 2021 and working at an organization that is addressing the social isolation and loneliness epidemic. When talking about Ghungroo, she said, “Although the show will probably look different this year, I think Ghungroo is one of the most beautiful culminations of South Asian culture at Harvard (and I encourage all incoming first years to get involved)!”
During her free time, she watches every possible Bollyshake video and continue curating my playlist of South Asian bops! “One of my favorite South Asian foods on campus is the saag paneer from maharajas” and her favorite South Asian movies are anything with Deepika Padukone in it.
Nisha Seyed
Rising Sophomore in Lowell House studying Government and Philosophy
This summer she is interning for the Truman National Security Project, a non profit organization dedicated to creating progressive foreign policy. Working under the CEO Jenna Ben Yehuda, she has come together with other members to discuss foreign policy and participate in incredible speaker events.
During quarantine Nisha has been taking walks and catching up on books that she didn’t have time for in college! Her favorite South Asian food is probably butter chicken and garlic naan made by her mom. Nisha says, “My mom is an amazing cook!”
