Executive Board
2023-2024 Executive Board
2023-2024 Executive Board
Aakriti Bhattarai, Co-President (T '25)
Aakriti Bhattarai, Co-President (T '25)
Major/Minor: Computer Science, Linguistics minor
Major/Minor: Computer Science, Linguistics minor
Hometown: Concord, New Hampshire
Hometown: Concord, New Hampshire
What I love about Diya: I love the positive energy Diya puts toward representing the South Asian community through social, cultural, political and service events at Duke. It has created me a home away from home in every aspect.
What I love about Diya: I love the positive energy Diya puts toward representing the South Asian community through social, cultural, political and service events at Duke. It has created me a home away from home in every aspect.
Akhilesh Shivaramakrishnan, Co-President (T '25)
Akhilesh Shivaramakrishnan, Co-President (T '25)
Major/Minor: Global Health & Public Policy, Child & Family Policy Research certificate
Major/Minor: Global Health & Public Policy, Child & Family Policy Research certificate
Hometown: Concord, North Carolina
Hometown: Concord, North Carolina
What I love about Diya: I love that Diya does so much in order to involve the South Asian community on campus. Whether this is through culture, politics, or Awaaz I think that the community Diya builds on campus is really special!
What I love about Diya: I love that Diya does so much in order to involve the South Asian community on campus. Whether this is through culture, politics, or Awaaz I think that the community Diya builds on campus is really special!
Malika Rawal, Vice President (T '24)
Malika Rawal, Vice President (T '24)
Major: Economics (Finance concentration), Statistics minor
Major: Economics (Finance concentration), Statistics minor
Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina
Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina
What I love about Diya: I love how if you have any idea for anything the South Asian community needs, Diya will find a way to implement it. Everyone in Diya is so hardworking, welcoming, and passionate about advocating for South-Asians on campus and in our local community. We hope every Duke student can be proud of who they are and take that pride with them when they graduate.
What I love about Diya: I love how if you have any idea for anything the South Asian community needs, Diya will find a way to implement it. Everyone in Diya is so hardworking, welcoming, and passionate about advocating for South-Asians on campus and in our local community. We hope every Duke student can be proud of who they are and take that pride with them when they graduate.
Krishna Patel, Vice President (T '24)
Krishna Patel, Vice President (T '24)
Major: Economics, Finance
Major: Economics, Finance
Hometown: Twinsburg, Ohio
Hometown: Twinsburg, Ohio
What I love about Diya: I love how tight-knit the Diya community is and the welcoming, supportive environment it creates for South Asian students and the larger student body to share and learn more about their culture and identity.
What I love about Diya: I love how tight-knit the Diya community is and the welcoming, supportive environment it creates for South Asian students and the larger student body to share and learn more about their culture and identity.
Anjali Bandi, Awaaz Co-Chair (T '26)
Anjali Bandi, Awaaz Co-Chair (T '26)
Major/Minor: Biology & Global Health
Major/Minor: Biology & Global Health
Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
What I love about Diya: I love how Diya is such a welcoming environment to anyone that wants to embrace their South Asian identity. Everyone in Diya is so supportive of each other, resourceful, and fun to be around. I cannot wait to see what this year will bring!
What I love about Diya: I love how Diya is such a welcoming environment to anyone that wants to embrace their South Asian identity. Everyone in Diya is so supportive of each other, resourceful, and fun to be around. I cannot wait to see what this year will bring!
Aiza Akhtar, Awaaz Co-Chair (T '26)
Aiza Akhtar, Awaaz Co-Chair (T '26)
Major/Minor: Biology & Chemistry
Major/Minor: Biology & Chemistry
Hometown: Winston Salem, North Carolina
Hometown: Winston Salem, North Carolina
What I love about Diya: I love how sociable and amiable everyone in the Diya community is. I truly appreciate how welcoming the community feels: there are events and opportunities happening 24/7 for all members to constantly meet new people, feel supported, and embrace their cultural identities.
What I love about Diya: I love how sociable and amiable everyone in the Diya community is. I truly appreciate how welcoming the community feels: there are events and opportunities happening 24/7 for all members to constantly meet new people, feel supported, and embrace their cultural identities.
Hishi Ulak, Community Outreach Co-Chair (T '25)
Hishi Ulak, Community Outreach Co-Chair (T '25)
Major/Minor: Global Health & Biology, Spanish minor
Major/Minor: Global Health & Biology, Spanish minor
Hometown: High Point, North Carolina
Hometown: High Point, North Carolina
What I love about Diya: I love that Diya creates a space to volunteer in the Durham community and learn more about nonprofit organizations. Examples of this include projects with Kiran and other organizations such as NCNC (Nepal Center of North Carolina)!
What I love about Diya: I love that Diya creates a space to volunteer in the Durham community and learn more about nonprofit organizations. Examples of this include projects with Kiran and other organizations such as NCNC (Nepal Center of North Carolina)!
Ritwik Bhattacharjee, Community Outreach Co-Chair (P '26)
Ritwik Bhattacharjee, Community Outreach Co-Chair (P '26)
Major/Minor: Mechanical Engineering & Computer Science
Major/Minor: Mechanical Engineering & Computer Science
Hometown: Broomfield, Colorado
Hometown: Broomfield, Colorado
What I love about Diya: I love how Diya gives a space where South Asian students can stay connected to their roots no matter how far away they are from home. Whether it's Bollywood movie nights or Holi, I love contributing to and learning from Duke's diverse South Asian community.
What I love about Diya: I love how Diya gives a space where South Asian students can stay connected to their roots no matter how far away they are from home. Whether it's Bollywood movie nights or Holi, I love contributing to and learning from Duke's diverse South Asian community.
Aryan Donikena, Treasurer (T '26)
Aryan Donikena, Treasurer (T '26)
Major/Minor: Biology
Major/Minor: Biology
Hometown: Stamford, Connecticut
Hometown: Stamford, Connecticut
What I love about Diya: I love Diya’s community - truly some of the best, most fun people I’ve met in my time here. It also helps that we host the best events on campus.
What I love about Diya: I love Diya’s community - truly some of the best, most fun people I’ve met in my time here. It also helps that we host the best events on campus.
Saanvi Pawa, Cultural Chair (T '26)
Saanvi Pawa, Cultural Chair (T '26)
Major/Minor: Computer Science (Pre-Med)
Major/Minor: Computer Science (Pre-Med)
Hometown: Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Hometown: Winston-Salem, North Carolina
What I love about Diya: The community of people and the energy! Every person within this student organization is so unique and having the ability to meet people from such diverse backgrounds is truly such an incredible experience. The Diya community was the first sense of home I felt when coming to Duke, and I hope to be able to continue to preserve and pass on that feeling to new and returning members.
What I love about Diya: The community of people and the energy! Every person within this student organization is so unique and having the ability to meet people from such diverse backgrounds is truly such an incredible experience. The Diya community was the first sense of home I felt when coming to Duke, and I hope to be able to continue to preserve and pass on that feeling to new and returning members.
Muaz Bin Kashif, Political Chair (T '24)
Muaz Bin Kashif, Political Chair (T '24)
Major/Minor: Computer Science
Major/Minor: Computer Science
Hometown: Islamabad, Pakistan
Hometown: Islamabad, Pakistan
What I love about Diya: The fact that it's my home away from home.
What I love about Diya: The fact that it's my home away from home.
Dipali Arora, Social Co-Chair (T '24)
Dipali Arora, Social Co-Chair (T '24)
Major/Minor: Neuroscience, Global Health minor
Major/Minor: Neuroscience, Global Health minor
Hometown: Woodbury, Minnesota
Hometown: Woodbury, Minnesota
What I love about Diya: I love that Diya provides a space for South Asians to explore our culture and connect with others in our community!
What I love about Diya: I love that Diya provides a space for South Asians to explore our culture and connect with others in our community!
Ishan Madan, Communications Chair (P '26)
Ishan Madan, Communications Chair (P '26)
Major/Minor: Electrical and Computer Engineering
Major/Minor: Electrical and Computer Engineering
Hometown: Rocklin, California
Hometown: Rocklin, California
What I love about Diya: I love being able to give back to the South Asian community. I also love being able to plan and execute all of the events I lived last year. The biggest thing is the community I have become a part of.
What I love about Diya: I love being able to give back to the South Asian community. I also love being able to plan and execute all of the events I lived last year. The biggest thing is the community I have become a part of.
Maanvi Chawla, Marketing Chair (P '26)
Maanvi Chawla, Marketing Chair (P '26)
Major/Minor: Electrical and Computer Engineering
Major/Minor: Electrical and Computer Engineering
Hometown: Saratoga, California
Hometown: Saratoga, California
What I love about Diya: I love the community Diya brings together. Everyone is so kind, welcoming, and embraces their South Asian identities. It's really special to be part of something that feels like home even so far away.
What I love about Diya: I love the community Diya brings together. Everyone is so kind, welcoming, and embraces their South Asian identities. It's really special to be part of something that feels like home even so far away.
Krish Jain, First Year Representative (T '27)
Krish Jain, First Year Representative (T '27)
Major/Minor: Economics & Computer Science
Major/Minor: Economics & Computer Science
Hometown: Erie, Pennsylvania
Hometown: Erie, Pennsylvania
What I love about Diya: I love how Diya provides an outlet for students to connect to their heritage so far away from home.
What I love about Diya: I love how Diya provides an outlet for students to connect to their heritage so far away from home.
Meghan Pasala, First Year Representative (T '27)
Meghan Pasala, First Year Representative (T '27)
Major/Minor: Economics & Public Policy
Major/Minor: Economics & Public Policy
Hometown: Columbia, South Carolina
Hometown: Columbia, South Carolina
What I love about Diya: Diya has truly helped me find a sense of connection to my South Asian identity, which is something that I didn't think I would be able to find in college. I also love how Diya allows others to experience South Asian culture through events such as Awaaz. I can't wait to work with such a supportive community this year :)
What I love about Diya: Diya has truly helped me find a sense of connection to my South Asian identity, which is something that I didn't think I would be able to find in college. I also love how Diya allows others to experience South Asian culture through events such as Awaaz. I can't wait to work with such a supportive community this year :)
Imadh Mashoor, First Year Representative (P '27)
Imadh Mashoor, First Year Representative (P '27)
Major/Minor: Engineering & Public Policy
Major/Minor: Engineering & Public Policy
Hometown: Colombo, Sri Lanka
Hometown: Colombo, Sri Lanka
What I love about Diya: The community, ability to connect with extremely cool people over shared lived experiences, and ability to organise really fun events!
What I love about Diya: The community, ability to connect with extremely cool people over shared lived experiences, and ability to organise really fun events!