Arpita Dutta

I am currently the Program and Political Training Manager at NETRI Foundation- India’s first incubator for women in politics. I am also serving as the National Coordinator at National Students’ Union of India (NSUI). I have lived and experienced the challenges of being a woman in politics in a deeply patriarchal society which is why I am a staunch advocate of women’s representation in politics and believe that politics is the best way to change the status quo. I have debated on NDTV, Times Now, Mirror Now and other media houses, discussing women’s safety, issues of the student community and several other political issues.

In pursuit of my passion to make a meaningful difference, I started The Anjan Dutta Foundation at the age of 16 through which I aim to inspire the youth of Assam for leadership roles and social change.

I was a Fellow for the Women in Government Fellowship at Femme First Foundation as well as a Fellow at Netri Foundation’s program called First Step to Politics. I have also participated at Indian School of Democracy’s program, Democracy Express 2021.

I have graduated in Political Science from Miranda House, University of Delhi. I have participated as well as presided in many debates and MUNs across the country since childhood. As a student activist, I led protests, organised donation drives and other events focusing on the student community, women’s rights and the current problems of Assam.

I am also a dancer and a choreographer. I have been training in Bharatnatyam and Sattriya from a very young age. Currently, I am specialising in a dance style called Dancehall which I resonate very strongly with due to its rich history of social resistance against slavery and racism and acceptance of women’s bodies and sexuality in Jamaican culture. I has participated in various national and international dance competitions and shows, including Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa and Dance India Dance. I run a YouTube channel that has over 26,000 subscribers and over 4 million views where I posts dance videos, tutorials, travel vlogs and other content. Along with that, I am also teaching dance professionally.