The GCPP (APP) programme at Takshashila is meticulously designed and intended for deeply committed individuals. Apart from the comprehensive and rigorous curriculum, I got to interact with participants from diverse backgrounds each with their own political beliefs. It adopts a comprehensive approach to public policy and policy communication, making it suitable for those with or without prior subject knowledge. I particularly enjoyed the policy simulation and collaborative activities. Amidst this experience, a key takeaway was not to let our politics dictate our policy, but to let the facts lead you, and package the solution intelligently for stakeholders.

The course opened up the expansive world of policy-making, broadening my understanding. It also introduced me to economics and economic reasoning. Interactive sessions with experts in various domains like IT, defence, law, and health illuminated the complexities and challenges within each field. Collaborative interactions with peers from diverse backgrounds motivated me to delve into policies related to environment, climate change, pollution control, forestry, agriculture, human resource development, and more. An intensive workshop centred on Bardach’s eight-fold path to problem-solving involved a deep dive into education and related policies, tailored to our cohort. This exercise helped me break down policies into their essential components, equipping me with a versatile problem-solving approach. It guided me to navigate from the general principles to the specifics of policies, uncovering both distinct and unified aspects of policy-making. This experience has fundamentally transformed how I comprehend and analyse policies. Looking ahead, I'm eager to share my newfound knowledge and actively participate in opportunities to suggest impactful policy recommendations as they arise.

GCPP gave me the vocabulary to think about ideas of governance, economics, and civil society - concepts I knew of but didn’t always have the language and nuance to fully grasp. You go into the course with chalky ideas and come out with an entirely new, deeper frame of thinking. In essence, GCPP teaches you not ‘what’ to think, but ‘how’ to think, and that’s a critical skill for a person in my field. As a young journalist, taking this course has helped immensely in my understanding of this country and definitely influenced my writing and reportage for the better. Engaging with the teachers and fellow batch mates at this rigorous three-month course has enriched me as a thinker, writer and journalist. Time at Takshashila’s GCPP has been truly transformative for me.