Executive Board
2024-2025 Executive Board
2024-2025 Executive Board
Aiza Akhtar, Co-President (T '26)
Aiza Akhtar, Co-President (T '26)
Major/Minor: Biology and Asian & Middle Eastern Studies
Major/Minor: Biology and Asian & Middle Eastern Studies
Hometown: Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Hometown: Winston-Salem, North 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!
Anjali Bandi, Co-President (T '26)
Anjali Bandi, Co-President (T '26)
Major/Minor: Biology, Minor in Global Health & Chemistry
Major/Minor: Biology, Minor in Global Health & 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!
Akhilesh Shivaramakrishnan, Vice President (T '25)
Akhilesh Shivaramakrishnan, Vice President (T '25)
Major: Global Health & Public Policy, Minor in Spanish
Major: Global Health & Public Policy, Minor in Spanish
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!
Aakriti Bhattarai, Vice President (T '25)
Aakriti Bhattarai, Vice President (T '25)
Major: Computer Science, Minor in Linguistics
Major: Computer Science, Minor in Linguistics
Hometown: Concord, New Hampshire
Hometown: Concord, New Hampshire
What I love about Diya: Diya provides a welcoming space for us to embrace and celebrate our South Asian identity together, creating a home away from home for so many. I also love how it enables us to share our cultures, traditions, and sense of community with non-South Asians through all of our programs.
What I love about Diya: Diya provides a welcoming space for us to embrace and celebrate our South Asian identity together, creating a home away from home for so many. I also love how it enables us to share our cultures, traditions, and sense of community with non-South Asians through all of our programs.
Meghan Pasala, Awaaz Co-Chair (T '27)
Meghan Pasala, Awaaz Co-Chair (T '27)
Major/Minor: Economics & Neuroscience
Major/Minor: Economics & Neuroscience
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 :)
Saanvi Pawa, Awaaz Co-Chair (T '26)
Saanvi Pawa, Awaaz Co-Chair (T '26)
Major/Minor: Computer Science, Minor in Spanish & Chemistry
Major/Minor: Computer Science, Minor in Spanish & Chemistry
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.
Anika Kumar, Community Outreach Co-Chair (T '27)
Anika Kumar, Community Outreach Co-Chair (T '27)
Major/Minor: Economics
Major/Minor: Economics
Hometown: Portland, Oregon
Hometown: Portland, Oregon
What I love about Diya: I love that Diya acts as a home away from home for so many Duke students. I love how Diya creates space for learning about all the diverse South Asian cultures and empowers students to bond through shared and new experiences.
What I love about Diya: I love that Diya acts as a home away from home for so many Duke students. I love how Diya creates space for learning about all the diverse South Asian cultures and empowers students to bond through shared and new experiences.
Kartikeye (Tiki) Gupta, Community Outreach Co-Chair (T'27)
Kartikeye (Tiki) Gupta, Community Outreach Co-Chair (T'27)
Major/Minor: Computer Science
Major/Minor: Computer Science
Hometown: Tampa, Florida
Hometown: Tampa, Florida
What I love about Diya: I love how Diya fosters a vibrant and welcoming community at Duke, celebrating South Asian culture in a way that invites everyone to join in and learn. I appreciate how it builds connections among people of all backgrounds, bringing together students through shared experiences of culture, diversity, and inclusivity.
What I love about Diya: I love how Diya fosters a vibrant and welcoming community at Duke, celebrating South Asian culture in a way that invites everyone to join in and learn. I appreciate how it builds connections among people of all backgrounds, bringing together students through shared experiences of culture, diversity, and inclusivity.
Krish Jain, Treasurer (T '27)
Krish Jain, 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.
Nawra Roya, Cultural Chair (T '27)
Nawra Roya, Cultural Chair (T '27)
Major/Minor: Biology, Minor in Spanish
Major/Minor: Biology, Minor in Spanish
Hometown: Apex, North Carolina
Hometown: Apex, North Carolina
What I love about Diya: I love how Diya provides a accessible and welcoming South Asian community on campus with an abundance of opportunities to express cultural and creative aspirations for students!
What I love about Diya: I love how Diya provides a accessible and welcoming South Asian community on campus with an abundance of opportunities to express cultural and creative aspirations for students!
Zain Zaman Khan, Political Chair (T '27)
Zain Zaman Khan, Political Chair (T '27)
Major/Minor: Economics, Minor in Political Science
Major/Minor: Economics, Minor in Political Science
Hometown: Islamabad, Pakistan
Hometown: Islamabad, Pakistan
What I love about Diya: What I love most about Diya is how it brings together people from diverse South Asian backgrounds, creating a community that truly feels like family. Through events like Shaadiya and Awaaz, Diya celebrates our shared roots while also providing a space to engage with meaningful issues that resonate with us all. The camaraderie among members, many of whom share similar traditions and stories, makes each event special. Diya allows us to celebrate our culture, deepen our understanding of it, and create lasting connections, making it an invaluable part of my college experience.
What I love about Diya: What I love most about Diya is how it brings together people from diverse South Asian backgrounds, creating a community that truly feels like family. Through events like Shaadiya and Awaaz, Diya celebrates our shared roots while also providing a space to engage with meaningful issues that resonate with us all. The camaraderie among members, many of whom share similar traditions and stories, makes each event special. Diya allows us to celebrate our culture, deepen our understanding of it, and create lasting connections, making it an invaluable part of my college experience.
Aryan Donikena, Social Co-Chair (T '26)
Aryan Donikena, Social Co-Chair (T '26)
Major/Minor: Biology, Minor in Chemistry
Major/Minor: Biology, Minor in Chemistry
Hometown: Stamford, Connecticut
Hometown: Stamford, Connecticut
What I love about Diya: I love that Diya provides a forum for South Asian students to connect with one another through cultural programming throughout the semester! I can confidently claim that Diya helped me find my home at Duke.
What I love about Diya: I love that Diya provides a forum for South Asian students to connect with one another through cultural programming throughout the semester! I can confidently claim that Diya helped me find my home at Duke.
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 gives me a place to enjoy and celebrate multiple cultures! I am excited to continue being a part of this supportive diverse community.
What I love about Diya: I love Diya because it gives me a place to enjoy and celebrate multiple cultures! I am excited to continue being a part of this supportive diverse community.
Hishi Ulak, Communications Chair (T '25)
Hishi Ulak, Communications Chair (T '25)
Major/Minor: Global Health & Biology, Minor in Spanish
Major/Minor: Global Health & Biology, Minor in Spanish
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)!
Saanvee Sunkara, Marketing Chair (P '27)
Saanvee Sunkara, Marketing Chair (P '27)
Major/Minor: Biomedical Engineering
Major/Minor: Biomedical Engineering
Hometown: Cary, North Carolina
Hometown: Cary, North Carolina
What I love about Diya: I love how Diya makes Duke feel like a home away from home for the South Asians on campus while also sharing the love for our culture with the greater Duke community! Also, I can't talk about my love for Diya without mentioning Awaaz!!
What I love about Diya: I love how Diya makes Duke feel like a home away from home for the South Asians on campus while also sharing the love for our culture with the greater Duke community! Also, I can't talk about my love for Diya without mentioning Awaaz!!
Ritvik Korrapati, First Year Representative (T '28)
Ritvik Korrapati, First Year Representative (T '28)
Major/Minor: Neuroscience
Major/Minor: Neuroscience
Hometown: Lexington, South Carolina
Hometown: Lexington, South Carolina
What I love about Diya: I love the executive team at Diya and the people who make up our organization. In addition, I love how it brings communities of people together with culture and celebrations!
What I love about Diya: I love the executive team at Diya and the people who make up our organization. In addition, I love how it brings communities of people together with culture and celebrations!
Surya Krishnamurthy, First Year Representative (P '28)
Surya Krishnamurthy, First Year Representative (P '28)
Major/Minor: Electrical and Computer Engineering
Major/Minor: Electrical and Computer Engineering
Hometown: Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Hometown: Chapel Hill, North Carolina
What I love about Diya: I love how Duke Diya brings together members of the South Asian community to celebrate aspects of their culture. I knew very little about South Asian countries other than India before Diya, so events that let me learn more about other cultures while also meeting new people have truly enhanced my Duke experience.
What I love about Diya: I love how Duke Diya brings together members of the South Asian community to celebrate aspects of their culture. I knew very little about South Asian countries other than India before Diya, so events that let me learn more about other cultures while also meeting new people have truly enhanced my Duke experience.