Life @LAMP

It was a tough decision for me to choose between pursuing further academics and LAMP Fellowship. Despite other advice, I decided to take the road less travelled. So I stepped in to see what goes on in the apex body of policy making. Writing six months from then, I am glad I chose to become a LAMP Fellow. My experience as a LAMP Fellow has been exceptional and truly enriching. It has been just six months and I am already amazed at the amount of work a Member of Parliament is engaged with. As a Fellow you have to dvelve into the depths of various issues. I have done work on 2G spectrum allocation, finance and banking bills, policies relating to Industries, employment, youth development and series of other issues. It has not only enriched my perspective but has also led me to view policy making in a more holistic manner. Working with and being mentored by an MP is just one of the several aspects of this Fellowship. The pre-placement training, interactions with experts on several policy issues and discussions and debates with peers on all possible issues has made my Fellowship experience all the more exciting. A constituency visit to Bolangir was the highlight for me. Travelling with an MP to his rural constituency coupled with the interactions has helped me understand better the complexities and nuances of problems faced at implementation level from a Parliamentarian’s perspective. Personally, the Fellowship has nurtured my ability to take initiative. LAMP Fellowship has also given me space to be innovative, to reflect over policy issues seriously and has pushed me to think of out of the box solutions!Overall Life@ Lamp has been thumbs up!

The best part of being a LAMP Fellow is the opportunity it gives you to view India’s economic and developmental issues from the lens of policymaker, as opposed to our concerns as the common man. In concrete terms, this has meant that I learn to use quantitative analysis and logical, strategic thinking as the basis for my research, which my MP uses to make informed policy recommendations. Tangible results like seeing your work being quoted on the floor of the House in Parliament in focal debates like the FDI in multi-brand retail debate make the work immensely satisfying. No two LAMP Fellows have the same yearlong experience. Particularly gratifying in my case has been the ability to support my MP make better informed investments in the development space by providing him with bespoke research to confront critical development challenges in the context of limited resources. Additionally, a constituency visit to one of the most backward areas of the country like Bolangir, Orissa has reinforced my belief in the need for evidence-based research to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of governmental schemes, enabling them to better fulfill their desired policy outcomes.

What can be more rewarding than a Member of Parliament introducing you his legislative aide!! Or, what can be more fulfilling than seeing the private member bills you worked on in the Rajyasabha website, as introduced in the parliament! My life as a LAMP fellow is filled with such little joys, contentment, pressure and tension, almost every day, of assisting a Member of Parliament to frame his opinions on a wide range of national and local issues. The LAMP journey so far was a great learning and nurturing experience. Every single day at work is different here; new people to meet, new issues to research on, new perspectives to explore. Over the monsoon and winter sessions of Parliament, I have worked on exciting topics from different fields- sometimes fields of study which I was completely new to- Bankruptcy laws, Rights of persons with disabilities, parliamentary oversight of regulatory bodies, environmental governance, and so on. I have got opportunities to take part in discussions with activists from different fields with my MP, I have heard my research points being quoted during parliamentary debates, I have sometimes gone crazily stressed about doing quality research on a topic in an hour or so. But the highlight is, on a daily basis I get time to discuss political issues with an Member of Parliament and I contribute to his decision making, through my research! Thanks to LAMP fellowship, that I get to see my nation closer, through the lens of a policy maker!

The LAMP Fellowship has been a very fascinating experience – to have the opportunity to be part of the system that most people love to criticise in our country. Working, and contributing (albeit in a small way) to this brilliantly dynamic space is a revelation that our system works much harder than most people believe it to. It has also showed me how Parliamentarians can keep engaging with the Government even when Parliament is not in session. Personally having worked for a businessman-cum-Member of Parliament, who’s an Independent, has had its own lessons. While the research has not been driven by party lines, the organised manner of work has broken another stereotype, and proves that, now, more & more Parliamentarians take their own research and Parliament very seriously. Working on sectors like Defence and Internet Freedom & Governance has taught me about issues I was inclined to from before. At the same time, the technical nuances of sectors like Finance & Telecom gave me the opportunity to learn much more on the job. Such exposure has facilitated my understanding of the nitty-gritties involved in the process of policy making. Besides that, probably the best part of the Fellowship is that learning is not restricted to the office of that one Member of Parliament with whom you work. Reaching out to experts – analysts, writers, professionals – within the Government space and outside, is plausible, and highly encouraged. A snapshot of Public Policy in India, at the LAMP Fellowship, the sky is the limit!

I joined the LAMP Fellowship to better understand better policy formulation and the approach taken by parliamentarians to identify and solve problems in India. As the Fellowship progresses, I have realised that these processes are complex. Every day as a LAMP Fellow, I learn something new that allows me a chance to see democracy in action. The Fellowship has also allowed me the opportunity to build a very fruitful professional relationship with my MP. I have provided reseach inputs on areas such as primary education that has made its way to parliamentary action. My perspectives of looking at an issue has changed remarkably. The exposure to diverse issues in this Fellowship is phenomenal!

It's been great to get a ringside view of the Indian polity and the process of policy-making. The kind of exposure to public life that this program offers is unique, for it allows interaction with stakeholders of various kinds. As a LAMP fellow, one gets to understand the hidden nuances of politics and policy-making and starts to distinguish between the substantive and the superficial. In my case, over the last few months, I have understood the goods and the ills of our system. I have come to believe that what appears to the public eye as a systemic failure is in fact the ramification of a larger structural problem that plagues our administrative machinery. It has been immensely satisfying to feel like a stakeholder who can contribute to the process of policy-making, and I have thoroughly enjoyed myself so far.

Telling people I work for a MP often subjects me to both, bouquets and brickbats. The initial “coolness” quotient wears off to make way for a barrage of questions laced with the usual disdain for the Indian politician. Life at LAMP, however, has exposed me to the wealth of knowledge and experience that MPs possess. I have come to value and respect their dedication to the mammoth tasks they deal with on a daily basis, critics and all. Personally, LAMP has provided me an invaluable learning experience. At LAMP, there is no “typical” day at work. Each day comes with new tasks, new challenges. My work for my MP has forced me out of my comfort zone to explore and understand an array of subjects. In the process of preparing issue briefs, I have come to understand topics ranging from India’s Drug Pricing Policy and Legislations on Food Safety, all the way to Direct Cash Transfers and IT laws! The background research that Parliamentary questions entail has made me abreast with the numerous policies and programmes of the government, and their impact on target populations. Stakeholder meetings and research on Bills have provided me perspectives that I would’ve failed to see otherwise. LAMP has also helped build personal capabilities. The grueling training session has made me an effective researcher, short deadlines from my MP have helped me learn to manage my time, stakeholder meetings have made me open to multiple viewpoints and first hand exposure has helped me seriously consider public policy as a career choice. Through time, Life at LAMP has turned into a lifestyle. Any conversation among LAMPs, whether at a movie theatre or a restaurant will invariable wind down to being one about politics and policy. At LAMP, learning doesn’t stop at the MPs office, or at the workshops PRS organizes. You always learn more from your peers. And thanks to the fellowship, 42 policy nerds are now glued to watching Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha TV at 11 am every day.

I know that I have made the right choice in my life when I am learning by probing. I strongly believe that learning and probing is where the miracle process begins. The LAMP Fellowship has been more than a miracle in my life. I call it a miracle owing to the amount of exposure, knowledge, experience and skills that I have gained so far in a short span of seven months. I would not have expected my life to be more dynamic and challenging than this. Everyday I get to assist my MP on a new topic where my research and statistics have to be as much detailed and accurate as possible. Reading newspapers and watching news channels has become a part of my daily routine. I don’t think I would have ever learnt and understood how to surf through the Rajya Sabha or Lok Sabha website had it not been for the LAMP Fellowship. The skill of drafting policy briefs, parliamentary questions and research on policy issues that I have gained from PRS has helped me sail through smoothly so far while working for my MP. The speaker series and public policy courses organized by PRS during the inter-session period has been one of the most intellectually satiating experiences. It is a lifetime opportunity to interact in person with the policy makers whom we watch on television everyday. Had it not been for the LAMP Fellowship, I don’t think I would have ever had access to such eminent policy makers at a young age.

LAMP Fellowship has provided me with an enriching and first-hand experience of running of the democratic setup in our country. I have been working on variety of issues, at times issues that do not capture a common person’s attention but are important nonetheless. Coming from a Business Studies background I struggled in analyzing parts of our constitution as well as certain state legislations, however looking back it is a challenge that has now been overcome. The MP I work for has specific interest areas which has helped me develop deeper understanding of those subjects. He has constantly mentored me and to see him use my research/ideas in his parliamentary work has been a gratifying experience. One of the most memorable things I have done during the fellowship is visiting the Parliamentary Constituency of Balangir in Orissa. It helped me understand how in a political and bureaucratic setup, the last mile delivery of goods, services and governance happens. The fellowship has given me the freedom to take up issues that I am passionate about. In past few months I have met numerous experts in various fields who have impacted the way I think about policies and issues. I have learnt how to work in a largely unstructured environment, take initiative, and overcome obstacles by turning them around into situations where you will have to work harder but the sense of achievement will be quite fetching . The fellowship is what one makes of it. The right outlook and an insatiable appetite to learn can take one places.

Being a LAMP Fellow is highly rewarding though the nature of an individual Fellow’s experience varies widely depending upon the parliamentarian he/she has been assigned to and the level of professionalism, trust, excellent working relationship among the LAMP, the parliamentarian and his support stuff. Personally, I consider it an incredible initiation into the country’s realpolitik as well as a first-hand experience of the practice of the parliamentary and legislative process of India. The Fellowship does have its crests and troughs. While the time during parliamentary sessions is relatively busy with regular and tight deadlines for parliamentary submissions and extensive research, the inter-session periods are leaner with slower work pace. This however provides an excellent opportunity to reflect upon and prepare for a future career after the completion of the Fellowship. Another issue that may be of concern to some Fellows is the difference in political ideologies (for my part sometimes political naivety) between the LAMP and the parliamentarian, as the unbiased nature of the program demands a random assignment of LAMPs without considering their political inclinations. The one word that I would use for the program based solely upon my experiences as a LAMP is however thrilling, because believe me, nothing beats the thrill of watching my MP debating in the Indian Parliament on a topic I prepared for him or presenting Bills that I drafted to a considerable extent. That’s how all our hard work is appreciated, our contribution to the Indian nation.

Personally speaking, the LAMP Fellowship has turned out to be an extremely enjoyable learning experience. It is exceptionally exciting, as a law student, to observe, and participate in the law-making process and political institutions from such close quarters. Professionally, it has taught me to work on a wide range of issues and subjects – irrespective of my previous level of familiarity or comfort. What I have found most rewarding is the close interaction I had with my MP, and the manner in which he engages with me for his Parliamentary interventions. He encourages me to think critically, interacts with me and reviews my work and provides me guidance wherever possible – this has helped me achieve clarity on technical details as well as macro-economic issues. In the course of a very short duration, I have had to familiarize myself with Parliamentary processes as well as the important issues in the policy domain, and operate effectively within the system. I believe that this year has been rewarding in many ways, and I find myself very fortunate to have had this experience.

Working with legislators at the helm of this country has been an exciting opportunity for me. LAMP Fellows work primarily on parliamentary research. Every individual LAMP Fellow works with the MP that he/she is assigned to, both from the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, and engages with a wide range of contemporary issues as well as interacting with policymakers and stakeholders. As a LAMP fellow, one needs to be flexible, take initiative and have an understanding of various sectors of the government. We are privileged to witness from close quarters the functioning of our democracy. For my MP, I worked on speeches, debates, and issue briefs, and provided research for Parliamentary Committees and Questions. My work included study on diverse sectors such as Defence, Environment and Forests, Foreign Policy and Education. Being a LAMP fellow is a tremendous responsibility but it has taught me several things—to liaise with individuals at all levels, have the flexibility to make decisions quickly, and contextualize and summarize complex issues in a short span of time. LAMP has also given me the chance to explore unique possibilities that I would not have otherwise been able to do. For instance, I recently had the opportunity to visit Bolangir in rural Orissa to understand the dynamics of grassroots politics. This provided a platform for LAMP Fellows to understand politics from the vantage point of policymaking. Having engaged with MPs and the young, talented people in my programme,I see myself looking back on this year with a sense of pride and accomplishment. Having had a chance to interact with my MP and to contribute to his work, and the legislative process of the country as a whole, will always be a high point of this year, and possibly the years to come.

Given my background in law, I was certain that the LAMP Fellowship would further my understanding of the Indian Parliamentary system and allow me a very coveted peek into policy-making in India. What I did not count on was being able to put my specialization – a Masters in International Human Rights law – into any specific use on the job. Therefore, I was delighted to be assigned to an MP who was vocal on human rights issues, who valued having a lawyer’s perspective on the same. Working with my MP has been extremely exciting, for it has allowed me to delve into a gamut of topics starting from the very human rights oriented Criminal Law Amendment Bill or the Food Security Bill, down to issues such as India’s Drought Management Policy, FDI and the Land Acquisition laws to name a few, all of which marry human rights concerns with myriad other social, financial and political realities. From office research to constituency visits, from engaging with civil society advocates to interacting with the Indian bureaucracy, Life @ LAMP is as unconventional as it gets. My place in LAMP has afforded me the unique opportunity to straddle the fence that divides law from policy and thoroughly navigate the contours of both. This would undoubtedly be my greatest take-away from this Fellowship.

Working for a Member of Parliament has exposed me to the dynamic environment that our parliamentarians operate in. The MP that I work for is directly elected and plays an important role in a smaller regional party, which has given me incredible insights into the complexities of governing our nation, as well as the intersection between politics and policy. It has been challenging but enriching to fit into such a work environment, and extremely rewarding to have my own research being used by my MP in conferences, in parliament, and in front of the media. As a keen observer of politics, with an interest in policy and legislation, I have had the opportunity to work on a diverse range of issues related to national policies, as well as those relevant to my MP’s constituency. Visiting his constituency was also a unique experience and has really helped me foster a deeper sense of appreciation for the varied responsibilities and duties that our leaders have to fulfill. I am glad that I have been able to contribute to political and legislative processes in some way, and work in a field that few young people have the chance to experience.

The LAMP Fellowship is a challenge in more ways than one. It is a challenge to analyze legislation and arm your MP with those unique points that people who have been in the field for years may not have. It is a challenge to constantly reinvent and keep oneself relevant amidst a competing wave of circumstances and individuals. It is a challenge to navigate the waters of what can be a highly unstructured environment. Last but not least, it is a challenge to help someone even when you sometimes do not agree with them. The LAMP Fellowship has tested my drive, professionalism and will power to the maximum. I was gratified to realize that I got into the Fellowship for what I believe are the right reasons. ‘An interest in politics’ or a decent grasp over current affairs is certainly not enough to become a LAMP. The attitude one comes with and the resolve to maintain that attitude are what matter most.

Working so closely with a Member of Parliament is probably the most dynamic experience; a 22 year old could gain. The work is multi faceted in terms of knowledge and structure, at the same time offering greater insight into the policy making process of our nation. As the youth of India, it is essential that we understand the system, its roots and its functioning before making any sort of judgments. LAMP is an unparalleled platform, which facilitates close interactions with MPs, policy makers, academics and other eminent personalities. The MP I am assisting has completely changed the image I had of politicians before becoming a part of the public policy arena. He is the editor of two newspapers, a social activist and fulfils his duties with utmost dedication. Discussing political debates with him is an immense pleasure and privilege, as I speak. He is open to new ideas and encourages me to give my individual perspective on issues plaguing the country. Other than providing research assistance on legislative issues, I have been able to gain a lot of exposure in terms of regional politics, state party agendas, media interactions and decision making by politically influential people. From watching the debates live in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha to visiting the MP’s constituency, it has been a steep ascend in the learning graph. Each day is different in its own way and I could never get enough! Managing time and meeting short deadlines comes easy now. Drafting private member bills is a unique opportunity to understand the legislative processes followed in India. It had helped me make informed viewpoints on various subjects such as economics, law, trade and industrial policies. Most importantly, I got to meet a group of intelligent and enthusiastic LAMPS, sharing similar interests who are determined to make a change.

My LAMP experience this far has been like nothing else I've done in the past. Not simply because I work for a Member of Parliament, but because the breadth of research and exposure my work entails is fascinating. From closely monitoring a few sectors to positioning the MP’s take every time a big news story erupts, the experiences have been unique and challenging in their own way. The highlight of the Fellowship for me has been the mentoring I’ve received from the MP I work for and the general conversations I’ve had with him. Both of these have improved my style of work, writing and general understanding of Indian politics and politicians. Simultaneously, the Fellowship has tested my potential to work in areas I might not have had previous interest or experience in, and has thrown at me challenges of working in a relatively unstructured environment. On the whole, the profile of work put together with speaker sessions and other events organized by PRS, and the nature and frequency of informal debates/discussions with other LAMP Fellows has made the overall Fellowship experience truly enriching.

As a LAMP fellow, I have had the extremely valuable privilege of getting to observe and to contribute (in a small way) to the functioning of our Parliament first-hand. I had the opportunity to analyze upcoming policies and legislations, to review the existing frameworks and programmes and their implementation and to prepare various kinds of drafts for enhancing participation in parliament. All of my tasks have involved analysis from completely different perspectives and interests such as constitutional, social, economic, scientific and strategic. Getting to understand various issues in such a comprehensive manner has made the experience a meaningful one. Specifically, some of the important value additions that this fellowship has made to me are: (i) Better understanding of the varied tasks performed and constraints faced by politicians and the strengths and shortcomings of our political system; (ii) Better understanding of the different perspectives to policies through interaction with various experts working in the fields affected and/or impacted by such policies; (iii) Development of research abilities in terms of having inculcated the habit of consciously and very strictly differentiating between materials that are clear, rational and logical and those that are not while analyzing data, comments or opinions or any other content; and (iv) Development of the habit of aiming to be up-to-date on all policy matters, though some of which at first sight, might seem to be completely irrelevant to our lives (as a result of having had the opportunity to comprehensively understand the relevance of some of them).

While joining the LAMP Fellowship, my one true wish was to be an integral part of the amazing journey called "Incredible India". Halfway through my fellowship, I can proudly say that I've done my bit: from helping draft my MP's speeches for parliament to helping rescue a sailor abducted by the Somalian pirates. I've seen a lot and now wait in excitement for the budget session to start, being a finance student, as it will be my time in Paradise. The LAMP Fellowship provides the youth of our country an incredible opportunity to contribute to the policymaking process of the country at the highest level. I have experienced every bit of that by working on some critical legislative briefs for my MP. A visit to the parliament while in session reinforced my belief that our parliament is a beacon of our commitment to democracy and inclusiveness. The very fact that I am in some way able to work and play a part in the decisions that shape the future of my country is exhilarating and overwhelming. No two days are ever the same; no two moments replicate each other. Only few 21 year olds could ever hope to have the privilege that I have had by being a LAMP Fellow. I believe that by assuming a lot of the research and back-end work for my MP, I am able to help my MP address more important and pressing matters that he faces in his daily parliamentary and constituency routine. I approach every single day with anticipation as it will teach me something I did not know.

Within 24 hours of being introduced to my MP, I was expected to dive straight in to work. The onus of understanding the areas of interest and issues related to the constituency in a matter of days, being able to frame Parliamentary interventions with a small margin of error was entirely on me. Fortunately, the rigors of the training process had equipped me to keep up not only with the pace of work, but match up to the expectations the MP had of a legislative assistant. Even after 2 full sessions of Parliament, I find myself learning more and more about politics and the magnitude of an MPs responsibilities and duties. For me, LAMP has been a non-stop learning process; the fellowship has tested my patience, research skills and ability to work within tight deadlines. I got immense satisfaction from seeing my work reflect in Parliament- the first question that found its way on the list, the first private member Bill I drafted- are highlights of the fellowship for me. When I initially signed on for the fellowship, what I wanted was exposure in to the system of governance, insight in to how laws are made and how policies are formulated. In a few short months, the fellowship has met my expectations and more. It has been a challenge to deal with unfamiliar sectors like fisheries and science & technology, provide support on a variety of subjects through speeches, briefs and interventions. It has been satisfying to successfully deliver results.

The most important thing that I have gained so far from the course of this fellowship, is the sense of how things function in the apex body of policy making in our country. It has provided me with tangible knowledge of the technical aspect of parliamentary work, and also the normative experience of how an MP and his office functions. The highlights have obviously been the times when my MP has directly used my research on the floor of the house. Whenever that has happened, it has always filled me up with a renewed sense of pride. From the position where I am in, to be able to contribute directly to the functioning of an MP and, thus to the functioning of the house is quiet a satisfying feeling.

Being a part of the Fellowship has not only helped me in gaining a better understanding of the government's functioning but also given me a platform to voice my opinions through the Member of Parliament I work for. Working for an MP has left me with an impression of Indian polity which has evolved through a period of time and personal experience rather than picked up from hearsay which lacks conviction. The experience is not limited strictly to government business and can vary depending on the areas of interest, both of the Fellow and the MP – it is a two way learning process throughout. The work is always intriguing and leaves one thinking, for a long time. The interaction and exposure that one gets are the highlights of the Fellowship. The Fellowship is enabling to the extent that it allows the youth to think above the ordinary and beyond the basics and more importantly to see their ideas take shape into something more constructive and tangible in a short span of time. What I will take from this Fellowship is a clearer picture of the action behind the scenes, the ability to work under stress, the relevance of rapport formation and having broader perspectives, the benefits of being well informed and better skills at comprehension and analysis, and of course the pleasure to have known remarkable people, within the Fellowship and outside.

Life @ LAMP began on a challenging and competitive note. The training introduced us to all the legislative issues, which concern the country. The focus on writing skills as well as research taught us how to present a cogent story to our MPs.

I remember, clearly, the day I was introduced to my MP. I was intimidated, at first, having read and seen a lot about him on TV and in the newspapers. But the feeling of intimidation changed to exuberance, as he put me at ease at our very first meeting. My MP being the National Spokesperson of the oldest political party in India, I knew I had to assist him not only in parliamentary work, but also provide support for media and public appearances.

Inter-session is the time for committee meetings, and interesting work came up with the Joint Parliamentary Committee on 2G. I had to understand the allegations, analyze telecom legislation, go through the voluminous reading material for the meeting and put up strong questions to help my MP take active part. I also worked on migrant issues for the standing committee on external affairs.

Life as a LAMP took a different turn, when my MP became a part of the executive. I was thrilled at the work I was given and since then it has been more focused towards the media sector. I have gained substantial knowledge of the sector, through my research and interaction, with senior IAS officers and various stakeholders.

LAMP is an unstructured job; sometimes thrilling and challenging, and sometimes ordinary. But, the key to deriving the best out of LAMP is to be a self-starter.

This Fellowship has been a pleasant shock. The fact that so many MP’s I have interacted with, are playing such an active role in creating a new political culture, focusing on facilitating the participation of the emerging generation, has made me realize that we’re here, now and ought to take charge. Shying away from politics or branding it as untouchable is not an option anymore; should never have been. The MP I work for is the sole representative of his party in parliament. It is fascinating to see how a minority party member intervenes and represents his agenda, when compared to a larger party that has a greater say in any matter. He encourages me to sit in on intense political discussions, and other engagements with the media and also to travel to the field and witness the consequences of decisions made or not made in the political and policy sphere. To aid him in debates, conferences, speeches, parliament meetings and also to stimulate my personal growth I worked on fascinating topics that covered Defence, Minority affairs, Human rights, Terrorism to name just a few. And FDI of course. This Fellowship is not just restricted to research work. A visit to a backward district in Orissa for 10 days exposed us to the complexities of development, industrialization, and Naxalism. A few of us had the privilege of witnessing the FDI debate and subsequent voting in both the houses in December. Rubbing shoulders every single day, with people making decisions affecting every one of us, presents an opportunity to assist in the same, however brief or small our contribution. As a Legislative aide to an MP, virtually any door opens to you in terms of networking with people from diverse backgrounds at highest echelons of both Government and Industry. Using this platform to explore your interest areas is advisable, keeping in mind the short duration of this fellowship.

The highlight of working with an MP so far has been the realization that our Members of Parliament work much harder than we give them credit for. This is something that I can vouch for, given the number of Bill Summaries and issue briefs I’ve had to prepare for my MP, many of them at extremely short notice.

Recognizing how hard our Parliamentarians work is especially significant given the political environment prevalent in India today, where fundamental questions are being raised about the democratic nature of our polity, and the character of our representatives. Interacting with them on a one-on-one basis reveals not only their intelligence, but also the acute awareness they possess of wide-ranging issues.

Working with an MP from North-East, brings with itself a different set of challenges unique to the region. The first task for me was to familiarize myself with the history of the state my MP represents, the issues it faces and the challenges it needs to overcome. This examination of local issues has been immensely enlightening and has revealed to me a region of India that is fascinating.

Working out of my MP’s office space has meant that I have interacted with people from diverse backgrounds, all of whom are engaging with the democratic process in multiple capacities. This has given me a better insight of how our political system actually works.

Working with an MP, I’ve realized that MPs have, in front of them, an almost impossible task of trying to keep abreast of all the issues that rise across our country. No single work day is the same as the one before.

As a Legislative Assistant, I have analysed a number of Bills that have come up in Parliament. And it is most interesting to better understand not only what the strong policies are but also the weak links in these Bills. I have prepared issue briefs and helped my MP prepare for discussions in other forums.

I also got an opportunity to visit a rural constituency. Personally, the visit has been one of the most enriching experiences as I got to see, first hand, how a district functions. The visit to Bolangir in Odisha included meetings with district officials, block-level officials and visits to local schools and panchayats. I had the opportunity to see the workings of the system of governance and get an insight into where things go wrong.

The LAMP Fellowship has given me a fresh perspective on politics and policy issues in the country. Our interaction with several experts has helped me to develop an informed viewpoint on economics, law, foreign policy and politics. Also, engaging with a diverse group of bright and enthusiastic individuals as the LAMP Fellows ensures intelligent and productive discussions.

It all started in June 2011.
I had taken a big risk joining the LAMP Fellowship. Ours is only the second cohort of Legislative Assistants and I was apprehensive about it. Now, I can say that I took the right decision. I am glad I am a Legislative Assistant to a Member of Parliament because this Fellowship has taught me so many things that any other initiative would never have. A Member of Parliament has to concern himself with everything that goes on in the country. He has to keep himself updated to take better decisions. Here is where we LAMP Fellows come in. PRS Legislative Research has trained me to research on any topic under the sun and keep my MP updated.

My MP is particularly interested in issues related to the youth of India. During the time I have been assigned to my MP, I have done research in the field of primary and higher education. He is concerned with the rising rates of drop outs in primary schools, and asked me to collect data on this issue. To achieve what he had requested, I had to go through all the current policies implemented by the government that concern primary education. The most recent of these is the Right to Education Act. I briefed him about the gaps I perceived in the Act and how I best thought they could be filled. I set up meetings with the people who are in charge of monitoring the implementation of the RTE. We gained a lot of inputs from these meetings.

Another issue that he wanted me to research is the restoration and maintenance of historical monuments. We went to meet experts from the Agha Khan Trust to hear their advice on the issue. The valuable inputs we got from them made it possible for us to come up with ways to protect monuments in a cost effective way. The experience of interacting with so many experts is truly enriching.

When people ask me what I do, I say that I work for a Member of Parliament. The reactions I get after that can't be explained in words. I am proud of what I am currently doing and I feel that I am contributing to make this country a better place. I used to shirk whenever politics was mentioned earlier. Now, I am actually considering a career in politics.

Being a LAMP Fellow is a very unique experience, and no two LAMP Fellows will have a similar experience with his/her MP. We usually form our opinions on MPs based on what we read in the news or see on TV. However, working closely with an MP has opened my eyes. It has been a fantastic opportunity to be mentored by a Parliamentarian.

As a LAMP Fellow, one has to be well aware of current affairs in general and Parliament in particular. You may have to work on any issue without much prior notice. Helping my MP raise questions in the Lok Sabha has been a very good learning experience. Raising a Parliamentary question on an issue demands in-depth research, which has helped me gain fresh perspectives on various topics.

I have also helped my MP prepare talking points for TV interviews on various issues. It is a great feeling when you see your MP use your research on such platforms!

Visiting my MP’s constituency gave me an insight into the challenges faced by the administration at the gram panchayat, block and district levels. I got a chance to learn why things don’t always work as they should, why implementation of a policy is such a problem in our country, and how official procedures can sometimes make things complicated for ordinary citizens. I visited the Anganwadi Centre, the Primary Health Centre of the district. I also got to understand the issues of implementation of some centrally- sponsored schemes like NREGA and the Mid Day Meal Scheme. Meeting with people both from political and administrative backgrounds gave me an opportunity to understand issues from both perspectives.

The LAMP Fellowship has improved my knowledge and broadened my horizons, empowering me to be of assistance to Parliamentarians, who can make a difference to the people they represent.

Working for my MP has been a great learning experience. I have worked on a wide variety of topics, preparing materials for his Parliamentary work, issue briefs, talking points and researching for articles. I have also had the opportunity to start work on private member bills that he thinks should be introduced in the House. It is very humbling when I see some of my efforts brought to light in Parliament or picked up by the media.

Working with him is a pleasure since he is meticulous and professional. He takes out time to hear my views and discuss issues. He is a great mentor and has given me opportunities to meet experts, and to attend discussions and meetings.

I have developed a deep sense of respect for our Parliamentarians, as I see them keep very busy schedules and work incessantly on a variety of issues. I have also started appreciating the role that regional parties play in the policy debate and the Indian political system.

I was selected as a LAMP Fellow this year, and joined with the desire to make use of my education for a broader cause. Sure enough, I know I’m in the right place!

The best part of being a LAMP Fellow is that no two days are similar. Every day presents a new challenge. Working with a senior MP, I have to be on my toes throughout. To the extent that during Parliament sessions, I watched the news on TV right before I slept and even woke up to the news, in order to identify issues that would be taken up during the day on the Parliament floor.

The work does not end with identifying an issue. Your research has to be able to provide a comprehensive background of the issue, mapping out the reasons and possible future implications in the given policy context. This is where the job transforms from a researcher to an advisor. While briefing an MP, one needs a complete understanding of the issue and be able to judge the importance of it and the possible ramifications, as seen from the MP’s perspective. The challenge lies in the details. For example, you may be a management graduate with no knowledge of chemicals and pesticides, but you may be required to prepare a brief on the harmful effects of Endosulphan and its alternatives in an hours’ time. Not to mention, the quality needs to be top-notch, as the MPs could use the brief for Parliamentary debates or in other public platforms including television interviews.

My work has involved diverse activities such as preparing issue briefs, bill analysis and parliamentary questions and discussions. The learning experience has been tremendous and I am sure, this will help me immensely in attaining my future career goals.