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2025-2026 Executive Board
2025-2026 Executive Board
Meghan Pasala, Co-President (T '27)
Meghan Pasala, Co-President (T '27)
Major/Minor: Economics and Neuroscience, AMES Minor
Major/Minor: Economics and Neuroscience, AMES Minor
Hometown: Columbia, South Carolina
Hometown: Columbia, South Carolina
What I love about Diya: I love how Diya acts as a safe and open community within Duke through any and all of its events and initiatives. I love how it also bridges South Asians and non South Asians alike through celebrations of culture and diversity!
What I love about Diya: I love how Diya acts as a safe and open community within Duke through any and all of its events and initiatives. I love how it also bridges South Asians and non South Asians alike through celebrations of culture and diversity!
Saanvee Sunkara, Co-President (T '27)
Saanvee Sunkara, Co-President (T '27)
Major/Minor: Biomedical Engineering
Major/Minor: Biomedical Engineering
Hometown: Cary, North Carolina
Hometown: Cary, North Carolina
What I love about Diya: Diya makes Duke feel like a home away from home for the South Asians on campus while also celebrating our culture with the greater Duke community! It warms my heart to say that I have met some of my closest friends through Diya.
What I love about Diya: Diya makes Duke feel like a home away from home for the South Asians on campus while also celebrating our culture with the greater Duke community! It warms my heart to say that I have met some of my closest friends through Diya.
Aiza Akhtar, Vice President (T '26)
Aiza Akhtar, Vice President (T '26)
Major: Biology, AMES Minor
Major: Biology, AMES Minor
Hometown: Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Hometown: Winston-Salem, North Carolina
What I love about Diya: I love how Diya has become a home away from home for me, mirroring the tight-knit South Asian community I grew up with. Watching each year’s board create an inclusive space for South Asian students to connect, collaborate, and thrive, and being able to contribute to that mission myself, has been incredibly rewarding.
What I love about Diya: I love how Diya has become a home away from home for me, mirroring the tight-knit South Asian community I grew up with. Watching each year’s board create an inclusive space for South Asian students to connect, collaborate, and thrive, and being able to contribute to that mission myself, has been incredibly rewarding.
Anjali Bandi, Vice President (T '26)
Anjali Bandi, Vice President (T '26)
Major: Biology, Global Health, and Chemistry
Major: Biology, Global Health, and Chemistry
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!
Surya Krishnamurthy, Awaaz Co-Chair
Surya Krishnamurthy, Awaaz Co-Chair
(P '28)
(P '28)
Major/Minor: Physics and Electrical & Computer Engineering
Major/Minor: Physics and Electrical & Computer Engineering
Hometown: Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Hometown: Chapel Hill, North Carolina
What I love about Diya: I love how Diya creates a space for everyone to engage with South Asian culture. My experience with this organization has been a foundational part of finding my people and place at Duke.
What I love about Diya: I love how Diya creates a space for everyone to engage with South Asian culture. My experience with this organization has been a foundational part of finding my people and place at Duke.
Nawra Roya, Awaaz Co-Chair (T '27)
Nawra Roya, Awaaz Co-Chair (T '27)
Major/Minor: Biology Major, Minor in Spanish
Major/Minor: Biology Major, Minor in Spanish
Hometown: Apex, North Carolina
Hometown: Apex, North Carolina
What I love about Diya: Diya has connected me to a community of so many different identities and backgrounds where I can openly and vividly celebrate my South Asian heritage. I love how Diya allows me to feel comfortable in my own skin in a way I never have before.
What I love about Diya: Diya has connected me to a community of so many different identities and backgrounds where I can openly and vividly celebrate my South Asian heritage. I love how Diya allows me to feel comfortable in my own skin in a way I never have before.
Krish Jain, Co - Treasurer (T '27)
Krish Jain, Co - Treasurer (T '27)
Major/Minor: Economics
Major/Minor: Economics
Hometown: Erie, Pennsylvania
Hometown: Erie, Pennsylvania
What I love about Diya: I love how Diya creates fun, inclusive events that bring South Asian and non-South Asian students at Duke together. I also love how it introduces everyone to the diverse foods of South Asian culture.
What I love about Diya: I love how Diya creates fun, inclusive events that bring South Asian and non-South Asian students at Duke together. I also love how it introduces everyone to the diverse foods of South Asian culture.
Aryan Donikena, Co - Treasurer (T '25)
Aryan Donikena, Co - Treasurer (T '25)
Major/Minor: Biology, Minor in Chemistry
Major/Minor: Biology, Minor in Chemistry
Hometown: Stamford, Conneticut
Hometown: Stamford, Conneticut
What I love about Diya: I appreciate the ways in which Diya connects South Asian students, fostering a strong sense of community across campus through culturally relevant programming. Diya is fun for everyone!
What I love about Diya: I appreciate the ways in which Diya connects South Asian students, fostering a strong sense of community across campus through culturally relevant programming. Diya is fun for everyone!
Aashi Agarwal, Cultural Chair (T '28)
Aashi Agarwal, Cultural Chair (T '28)
Major/Minor: Mechanical Engineering
Major/Minor: Mechanical Engineering
Hometown: Palo Alto, California
Hometown: Palo Alto, California
What I love about Diya: I love that Diya brings together people from all backgrounds to celebrate South Asian culture in a fun and meaningful way. The sense of belonging and community Diya fosters truly makes Duke feel like home.
What I love about Diya: I love that Diya brings together people from all backgrounds to celebrate South Asian culture in a fun and meaningful way. The sense of belonging and community Diya fosters truly makes Duke feel like home.
Darsh Mandera, Political Chair (T '27)
Darsh Mandera, Political Chair (T '27)
Major/Minor: Computer Science & Linguistics
Major/Minor: Computer Science & Linguistics
Hometown: Portland, Oregon
Hometown: Portland, Oregon
What I love about Diya: I love how Diya is a welcoming home for all South Asian students at Duke while also fostering connections across various communities at Duke through our collaborations with other cultural organizations.
What I love about Diya: I love how Diya is a welcoming home for all South Asian students at Duke while also fostering connections across various communities at Duke through our collaborations with other cultural organizations.
Romit Chanduri, Community Outreach Co-Chair (T '27)
Romit Chanduri, Community Outreach Co-Chair (T '27)
Major/Minor: Biology, Minor in Chemistry
Major/Minor: Biology, Minor in Chemistry
Hometown: Suwanee, Georgia
Hometown: Suwanee, Georgia
What I love about Diya: I really love how Diya is such an open and welcoming community that allows such a diverse student body to connect through culture, food, and dialogue. I especially think it's amazing that we work with various other Duke organizations to accomplish values of a shared community
What I love about Diya: I really love how Diya is such an open and welcoming community that allows such a diverse student body to connect through culture, food, and dialogue. I especially think it's amazing that we work with various other Duke organizations to accomplish values of a shared community
Ritvik Korrapati, Community Outreach Co-Chair (T'28)
Ritvik Korrapati, Community Outreach Co-Chair (T'28)
Major/Minor: Neuroscience
Major/Minor: Neuroscience
Hometown: Lexington, South Carolina
Hometown: Lexington, South Carolina
What I love about Diya: I love how Diya feels like a home away from home and serves a way for students to connect with their culture.
What I love about Diya: I love how Diya feels like a home away from home and serves a way for students to connect with their culture.
Anona Thomas, Social Co-Chair (T '26)
Anona Thomas, Social Co-Chair (T '26)
Major/Minor: Neuroscience & Biology, Minor in Global Health
Major/Minor: Neuroscience & Biology, Minor in Global Health
Hometown: San Antonio, Texas
Hometown: San Antonio, Texas
What I love about Diya: The people and community are amazing! I love how I'm able to meet so many diverse people and celebrate so many different cultures. Diya gives me a sense of a home away from home and for that I am truly grateful. I can only hope to give the same feeling back to new members!
What I love about Diya: The people and community are amazing! I love how I'm able to meet so many diverse people and celebrate so many different cultures. Diya gives me a sense of a home away from home and for that I am truly grateful. I can only hope to give the same feeling back to new members!
Nishka Dalal, Social Co-Chair (T '27)
Nishka Dalal, Social Co-Chair (T '27)
Major/Minor: Biology & Global Health
Major/Minor: Biology & Global Health
Hometown: Melbourne, Florida
Hometown: Melbourne, Florida
What I love about Diya: I love Diya because it serves as a warm and welcoming group of diverse individuals who share South Asian culture, fostering a unique and supportive community for everyone!
What I love about Diya: I love Diya because it serves as a warm and welcoming group of diverse individuals who share South Asian culture, fostering a unique and supportive community for everyone!
Arya Krishniah, Communications Chair
Arya Krishniah, Communications Chair
(T '28)
(T '28)
Major/Minor: Neuroscience & Chemistry
Major/Minor: Neuroscience & Chemistry
Hometown: Greenville, South Carolina
Hometown: Greenville, South Carolina
What I love about Diya: Diya creates a space for Duke's vibrant South Asian community to gather, celebrate, and learn about each other. Gatherings like Awaaz and Shaadiya have colored in my Duke experience, and I couldn't imagine my life without the family I've joined through Diya.
What I love about Diya: Diya creates a space for Duke's vibrant South Asian community to gather, celebrate, and learn about each other. Gatherings like Awaaz and Shaadiya have colored in my Duke experience, and I couldn't imagine my life without the family I've joined through Diya.
Seth Liyanapathirana, Co-Marketing Chair ( T '26)
Seth Liyanapathirana, Co-Marketing Chair ( T '26)
Major/Minor: Neuroscience & Global Health, Minor in Chemistry
Major/Minor: Neuroscience & Global Health, Minor in Chemistry
Hometown: Columbus, Ohio
Hometown: Columbus, Ohio
What I love about Diya: I like how Diya acts as a bridge between the many different South Asian cultures through their many events and activities. I enjoy all the different people and cultures I've met and learned about through Diya.
What I love about Diya: I like how Diya acts as a bridge between the many different South Asian cultures through their many events and activities. I enjoy all the different people and cultures I've met and learned about through Diya.
Indra Nayak, Co-Marketing Chair (T'28)
Indra Nayak, Co-Marketing Chair (T'28)
Major/Minor: Economics, Sociology, Markets & Management
Hometown: Lexington, Massachussetts
Major/Minor: Economics, Sociology, Markets & Management
Hometown: Lexington, Massachussetts
What I love about Diya: I love Diya because it allows me to celebrate my South Asian identity and it’s a home away from home. Diya events always brighten my day and it’s an amazing way to introduce my friends to my culture and traditions, and it also gives me the opportunity to learn about other traditions from all different parts of South Asia!
What I love about Diya: I love Diya because it allows me to celebrate my South Asian identity and it’s a home away from home. Diya events always brighten my day and it’s an amazing way to introduce my friends to my culture and traditions, and it also gives me the opportunity to learn about other traditions from all different parts of South Asia!
Vihaan Kotahwala, First Year Representative (T '29)
Vihaan Kotahwala, First Year Representative (T '29)
Major/Minor: Statistics & Economics
Major/Minor: Statistics & Economics
Hometown: New York, New York
Hometown: New York, New York
What I love about Diya: I love how Diya celebrates South Asian culture and traditions through its events. I especially appreciate how the organization helps build community amongst South Asians at Duke.
What I love about Diya: I love how Diya celebrates South Asian culture and traditions through its events. I especially appreciate how the organization helps build community amongst South Asians at Duke.
Sid Milkuri, First Year Representative (P '29)
Sid Milkuri, First Year Representative (P '29)
Major/Minor: Evolutionary Anthropology
Major/Minor: Evolutionary Anthropology
Hometown: Bentonville, Arkansas
Hometown: Bentonville, Arkansas
What I love about Diya: Diya has definitely been the highlight of my college experience so far. Through Diya I’ve been able to help showcase South Asian culture to the diverse student body of Duke and that has been so awesome to see. I also love the executive team and working with people that are just as passionate about Diya and its success.
What I love about Diya: Diya has definitely been the highlight of my college experience so far. Through Diya I’ve been able to help showcase South Asian culture to the diverse student body of Duke and that has been so awesome to see. I also love the executive team and working with people that are just as passionate about Diya and its success.
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