by Siddhant Maitreya ( Samavesh Scholar)
Masters of Public Administration (MPA), London School of Economics | Recipient, Indian Government Overseas Scholarship
Where I Come From
My name is Siddhant Maitreya. I come from a marginalised family navigating generations of exclusion and agrarian poverty. My father moved to Pune for work and raised me on a modest income earned through his role at a charitable trust. From the edges of society, he helped me imagine a life rooted in learning and justice.
As a child, I found courage in the life and writings of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. His fight for equality inspired me to question the injustices around me. My journey was also shaped by personal trauma—surviving child abuse and confronting a justice system that was often inaccessible and indifferent. These experiences gave me a clear purpose: I wanted to work on public policy not just as a scholar, but as someone who had felt its urgency.
My Path to Higher Education
I didn’t begin at a top-tier college. I struggled in my first year due to average grades, but I persevered and earned a merit-based transfer to Fergusson College, Pune—one of India’s most prestigious liberal arts institutions. That was the turning point.
At Fergusson, I fell in love with philosophy. It helped me process my lived experiences through the lens of justice, ethics, and critical thinking. I also studied political science and economics, giving me a multidisciplinary foundation. I researched tribal governance systems, Buddhist philosophy, and the moral structure of religious language—all of which shaped my understanding of society and the state.
From Thought to Action
Outside the classroom, I interned with Manuski, an EU-funded organization working for SC/ST rights. I worked on the Prevention of Atrocities Act, budget analysis under SCSP and TSP, and supported legal aid for survivors. This showed me how caste realities play out in policy and governance. I also engaged with national networks of Ambedkarite youth, and explored leadership rooted in values and community accountability.
Becoming a Samavesh Scholar
The Samavesh Scholars Program entered my life at a time when I needed direction the most. Through their unwavering mentorship, I discovered that students like me, who carry both lived experience and academic promise, can aspire to compete on a global stage. The Samavesh team supported me holistically: helping me identify a career aligned with my values, mapping academic and professional pathways, conducting capacity-building workshops, offering guidance for internships and employment opportunities, and ensuring access to mental health and well-being resources.
With their support, I was awarded the Indian Government’s Overseas Scholarship to pursue a two-year Masters of Public Administration (MPA) at the London School of Economics (LSE). Walking the same corridors where Dr. B.R. Ambedkar once studied is both humbling and deeply inspiring.
Through regular check-ins and capacity-building sessions, I’ve experienced both learning and unlearning—each step contributing to my personal and professional growth.
Life at LSE and My Scholarship Journey
Studying at LSE has been both intellectually rigorous and personally transformative. I engage with leading thinkers and courses on justice, climate ethics, and public policy, shaping my worldview every day. This journey was made possible through the Indian Government’s National Overseas Scholarship, which covers two years of study fully funded.. It has lifted the financial burden and allowed me to focus fully on learning, research, and advocacy.
While pursuing my Masters of Public Administration (MPA) at the London School of Economics (LSE), I had the honour of co-founding the LSESU Ambedkar Society—a student-led initiative rooted in the values of equality, justice, and transformative dialogue. Our inaugural gathering was not just a milestone, but a deeply symbolic moment—marking the centenary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s award of a DSc from LSE in 1923.
As Co-founder and Secretary, the journey to establish this society amidst institutional and logistical challenges has been one of resolve and purpose. It has been a long-held dream to create a space that doesn’t just commemorate Dr. Ambedkar’s intellectual legacy, but also actively engages with the ideas and struggles of other visionary social reformers like Savitrimai Phule, Jyotirao Phule, Birsa Munda, and EVR Periyar.
After completing my degree, I aim to return to India to build a grassroots policy research and advocacy centre. My focus will be on education equity, healthcare access, and participatory governance, especially for historically excluded communities.
What Samavesh Taught Me
Samavesh believed in me at a time when I wasn’t sure how to take the next step. Samavesh helped me transform how I viewed myself, my purpose, taking the leap of faith to pursue careers of choice and my power. Through their support, I gained not just technical skills but clarity, confidence, and a sense of community.
This journey—from Wardha to LSE—isn’t just mine. It’s shared by every young person who dared to ask, “What if I could?” And thanks to Samavesh, I now know the answer: I can—and I will.
- Siddhant Maitreya
Masters of Public Administration (MPA), London School of Economics | Recipient, Indian Government Overseas Scholarship
Lessons I Take Forward from the Samavesh Scholars Program
- Justice must be lived before it is written into law
- Exposure and mentorship are essential to building ambition from the margins
- Identity and intellect are not mutually exclusive—they can drive systemic change
- Every dream deferred can become a roadmap for collective dignity
Let’s Connect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/siddhant-maitreya-43879622a/
