From Questioning Identity to Shaping Equity Azhar Nadaf’s Journey

“I grappled with questions of identity and sought to understand my constitutional rights in a society still scarred by its past.”

This single line captures the essence of Azhar Nadaf’s early journey — a path that began with introspection and gradually transformed into a mission rooted in justice and inclusion. What started as personal curiosity evolved into a lifelong commitment to equity, dignity, and transformative education.

Early Reflections: Turning Questions Into Purpose

As Azhar reflected on the realities around him, he began to see patterns of marginalization not as isolated struggles but as shared experiences across communities. These reflections became the foundation of his evolution:

• First an observer
• Then a volunteer
• Finally a practitioner dedicated to education and social transformation

His journey was less about finding answers and more about redefining what justice and inclusion could mean in everyday life.

Education as an Instrument of Dignity

For Azhar, education is not just literacy — it is dignity.

Work with BGVS (Bharat Gyan Vigyan Samiti)

At BGVS, he contributed to reimagining education for communities at the margins:

• Migrant laborers
• Tribal populations
• Nomadic groups
• Children outside mainstream education systems

Digital Education Guarantee Card (DEGC) Project, Maharashtra

Working on the DEGC Project, Azhar helped improve access to education for children of seasonal migrants.

His team managed:

• 10,000 households
• 8,000 children

They identified critical gaps across enrollment, attendance, and child safety.

Impact

His research and insights contributed to the development of:

• Migrant School Dropout Program
• Balrakshak App

Together, these efforts ensured continuous education for 10,000+ migrant children.

Documenting Resilience: Writing, Editing & Research

Azhar’s journey extended beyond fieldwork — into documentation, academic writing, and regional storytelling.

Key contributions:

• Sub-editor for a Marathi coffee table book on resilience & education
• Contributor to Jeevan-Kondi (Being and Burden), a research volume on migrant sugarcane cutters
• Contributor to the award-winning book ShikshanKondi (The Riddles of Learning) — winner of the Karmaveer Bhaurao Patil Shikshan Shastra Award
• Poet in the anthology Purandarchya Matitun, writing about migrant struggle
• Author of 15+ regional articles exploring:
  • Migrant women’s resilience
  • Challenges of pregnant laborers
  • Invisible burdens of mobile families

Through his writing, Azhar ensured the voices of migrant communities reached classrooms, policymakers, and public discourse.

Bridging Research & Policy

Azhar’s work with the Centre for Budget and Governance Accountability (CBGA) deepened his understanding of:

• Data systems
• Public finance
• Social accountability
• Policy frameworks

His journey at Eklavya’s Global Scholars Program strengthened his leadership further:

• First as a mentee
• Then as a volunteer
• Later as the lead of the program

Here, he worked on youth leadership, community development, and bridging local realities with global education opportunities.

(Impact section to be expanded based on Eklavya leadership inputs.)

The Next Chapter: Learning for Inclusion

Azhar is currently pursuing studies at the Indian School of Development Management (ISDM), Noida, focusing on:

• Development practice
• Inclusive systems
• Social justice frameworks
• Human-centered design

His academic learning connects micro-level community insights with macro-level systemic transformation.

A Vision Rooted in Justice

At the heart of Azhar Nadaf’s journey lies a powerful belief:

“Education can be the most powerful tool for social equity.”

Spanning decades of reflection, writing, community engagement, and policy advocacy, his journey embodies a quiet but persistent revolution.

He turned lived experience into learning —
And learning into leadership.

His mission moving forward:

• Advocate for educational justice
• Build inclusive systems
• Use education as a tool for dignity
• Ensure no child is left behind due to mobility, marginalization, or disadvantage