Hi! Welcome to the official podcast of CDF Maharaja Agrasen College Chapter. Hosted by Siddhant Singh and Pratik Mitra, this podcast consists of multiple series exploring ideas, stories, and experiences from within and beyond our campus.
Whether it’s inspiring journeys, thought-provoking conversations, or just some honest, unfiltered banter.
So join in and listen... or don’t. We won’t cry about it....maybe.
In this episode of Scholars Weekly, we go behind the scenes of the academic world with Angana Parashed Sarma, a PhD Scholar at BITS Pilani and an expert in international trade and applied econometrics. With an academic foundation from SRCC and Jamia Millia Islamia, and professional experience as a Research Assistant at ICRIER, Angana has published extensive work on global issues, ranging from India-ASEAN e-commerce integration to wage inequality in professional jobs.
In this episode:We provide a breakdown of the research process, offering a masterclass on how to move from an initial problem statement to a final published journal article. Angana shares practical advice for students looking to break into the field, including how to navigate the internship hunt at prestigious organizations (like ICRIER) and with prestigious professors.
Follow Angana Parashed Sarma On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angana-parashar-sarma-50930ab5/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/angana-parashar-sarma-50930ab5/)
Visit our Website: https://cdfmac.com/ (https://cdfmac.com/)
Follow Us on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/connecting-dreams-foundation-mac-chapter/ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/connecting-dreams-foundation-mac-chapter/)
Follow Us on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/cdfmac/ (https://www.instagram.com/cdfmac/)
25 Jan 2026
Scholar's Weekly #4: Dhruv Goel
In this episode of Scholar's Weekly, we are joined by Dhruv Goel, a Doctoral Fellow at the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) and a former Assistant Professor at JK Lakshmipat University.
Dhruv’s journey is a fascinating blueprint for anyone looking to pivot into high-level research. Starting with a Bachelor of Engineering from BIT Mesra, he transitioned into the world of policy and economics, earning his Master’s from the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics. From analyzing Asian markets at The Economist Intelligence Unit (The EIU) to researching Centre-State relationships at NIPFP, Dhruv brings a unique, data-driven perspective to macroeconomics and business strategy.
Follow Dhruv Goel On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dhruvkgoel/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dhruvkgoel/)
Visit our Website: https://cdfmac.com/ (https://cdfmac.com/)
Follow Us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/connecting-dreams-foundation-mac-chapter/ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/connecting-dreams-foundation-mac-chapter/)
Follow Us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cdfmac/ (https://www.instagram.com/cdfmac/)
A special thanks to our partner, Pettle (https://www.getpettle.com/), for sponsoring this episode. Pettle is transforming the pet care industry by making healthcare proactive and data-driven, empowering pet parents with the same analytical precision we explore in today’s episode.
10 Aug 2025
Scholars Weekly #3: Afreen Sharif
In this episode, we had an insightful conversation with Afreen Sharif on hiring in the social impact consulting space.
Afreen currently serves as Direct Recruiter for Leadership Hiring at Morgan Stanley and has previously led recruitment at Scrabble. Her career journey spans impactful roles at The Convergence Foundation, Peepul, and as a Program Leader at Piramal Foundation—bringing a unique perspective on leadership, talent, and purpose-driven careers.
This discussion was rich with insights on navigating recruitment in the development sector, the evolving skill sets in demand, and how aspiring professionals can position themselves for impactful roles.
Follow Afreen On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afreensharif/
Visit our Website:
https://cdfmac.com/
Follow Us on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/connecting-dreams-foundation-mac-chapter/
Follow Us on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/cdfmac/
A special thanks to our client partner, Goodlives (https://app.goodlives.in/), for sponsoring this episode and supporting conversations that bridge young changemakers with leaders in the social impact ecosystem.
15 Jun 2025
Scholars Weekly #2: Utkarsh Singh
🎓 Introducing Scholars Weekly #2: Featuring Utkarsh Singh. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/belihaazi/)
This week, we’re excited to spotlight Utkarsh Singh, a sharp mind working at the intersection of architecture, behaviour, and design. As a Context Architect at 1001 Stories, Utkarsh applies Context Architecture™, Behavioural Science, and Insight Mining to drive social change and craft meaningful brand narratives.
1001 Stories is an independent, multidisciplinary consultancy that helps shape sharper brands and design smarter interventions, ones that don’t just serve businesses, but also build better communities and systems. Through research-driven storytelling and systems thinking, Utkarsh is reimagining how brands can inspire action and impact society.
Stay tuned as we dive into his journey, from research to real-world applications!
Find Us on:
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/cdfmac (https://linktr.ee/cdfmac)
7 Apr 2025
Scholar's Weekly #1: Ayush Mangal
Introducing Scholars Weekly #1 – Featuring Ayush Mangal
Our first guest, Ayush Mangal, brings a rich blend of academic insight and on-ground experience. With a background in Developmental Economics from Azim Premji University, Ayush currently serves as Manager [Grant Financing] at Ecozen. His journey includes impactful stints at Sattva Consulting as a Consultant and as a Gandhi Fellow with Kaivalya Education Foundation.
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