TEAM - Our Story

Across timezones!

We, at Studio Nilima, are a collective of curious learners and researchers. We work at the interconnections of law, culture, governance and society to discover, imagine and seek new ways of learning, thinking, reasearch and practice.

We believe in extending the frontiers of our existing practice imbibing the vastness of the open skies and the possibilities that lie beyond the chartered territories of law, governance and practice. We undertake rigorous inquiry with a solid dose of integrity, harbouring a childlike curiosity and an uninhibited determination to discover roads less travelled.

TEAM - Our Story
OUR GOVERNING COUNCIL
Justice (Retd) Dhiresh Narayan Choudhury
Justice (Retd) Dhiresh Narayan Choudhury
Former Judge, Gauhati High Court
Justice (Retd) Brojendra Prasad Katakey
Justice (Retd) Brojendra Prasad Katakey
Former Judge, Gauhati High Court
Mr. Nilay Ananda Dutta
Mr. Nilay Ananda Dutta
Advocate General, Arunachal Pradesh; Senior Advocate, Gauhati High Court
Ms. Millie Hazarika
Ms. Millie Hazarika
Senior Advocate, Gauhati High Court
Ms. Mahfuza Rahman
Ms. Mahfuza Rahman
Academic
Ms. Sudha Shankar
Ms. Sudha Shankar
Facilitator and Trainer, Non-Violent Communication
Mr. Apurba Sharma
Mr. Apurba Sharma
Senior Advocate, Gauhati High Court; Chairman, Executive Committee, Bar Council of India
Mr. Pradip Bhuyan
Mr. Pradip Bhuyan
Industrialist, Guwahati
OUR INSPIRATION

Nilima Dutta was a novelist, poet and philosopher of Assam. Her novels and poems address ordinary life and realistic concerns. Notable works include Dhumuhar Pasot (1992), an incisive examination of the student led political agitation in Assam in 1980, the formation of a Government by former students and the effects of the movement on ordinary lives. Her collection of poems include Sesh Nai (1967), Andhakup (1970), Prabhakar (1977) and Surar Chhabi Aru Pranar Sur (1988). Her poems eloquently speak of the inner angst of modern minds. A feisty woman with a penchant for Rabindra Xongeet, her magnanimous ways were an inspiration for many.

OUR INSPIRATION
OUR TEAM
Abantee Dutta

Abantee Dutta is the Co founder and Director of Studio Nilima, a peace scholar and a practitioner of law. Her research interests include identity-based and generational dynamics of conflict, post conflict development of societies and peace building practices based on dialogue and critical reflexivity. Through her work at Studio Nilima, she has facilitated intergenerational and inter-community dialogues and serves as a restorative justice practitioner. She has received her M.Sc. in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution at George Mason University, USA and holds a Master of Laws from the University of Melbourne. A traveller of roads less taken, she pretends to read, cherishes conversations and enjoys a good laugh.  

Abanti Neog

Abanti Neog is a graduate of Handique Girls’ College with honours in Education and hold a post-graduate diploma in Software Technology. In the past she has worked as a faculty member at CMS Computer Institute, Mumbai, NIIT, Mumbai and later at NIIT, Panbazar in Guwahati. As a Program Coordinator at Studio Nilima, Abanti looks after the communications for the organisation, especially with maintaining connect with the various stakeholders we engage with. A doting mother to two delightful children, Abanti is also engaged in organic farming.

Anandita Pathak

Anandita Pathak is a history graduate from the University of Delhi, and associated as Research Fellow with Studio Nilima. Passionate about the feminist movement and gender politics, Anandita’s research interest lies in the intersection of gender issues and the corresponding impact societal phenomena. With a keen interest in policy studies, focussing on issues of child rights, climate change, etc., Anandita hopes to contribute in bringing fundamental changes in these areas. If not found passionately engaging in dialogue over the ideas that she stands for, Anandita makes time for baking, which she considers to be a therapeutic process for her.

Anubhab Atreya

Anubhab Atreya is one of the founding team members of Studio Nilima and currently engaged as a Project Associate. A graduate from National Law University, Assam, his research interests include aspects of constitutional and criminal law in their application to public policy concerns of Northeast India. He has been a research associate to the Committee for Implementation of Clause 6 of the Assam Accord constituted by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. In his work in Correctional Homes through Pratidhwani (The Echo), he facilitates legal services and strategic litigation apart from researching on policy concerns such as equitable access to healthcare within prisons.

Gaurav Sarma

Gaurav Sarma is post-graduate from the School of Social Work at Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, specialising in Dalit and Tribal Studies and Action and engaged with Studio Nilima as a Research Fellow. He has worked in the development sector engaging with the tea industry in Assam. A seeker of interdisciplinary and holistic knowledge, Gaurav’s interest lies in the intersections of academia and practice in the social sciences, which he wishes to apply to the ecosystem of tea plantations, an area that piqued his interest owing to his past experiences. An active cyclist, Gaurav can often be found hunched over a book, quietly enjoying a good cup of tea.

Pushpanjali Medhi

Pushpanjali Medhi is a graduate from National Law University, Assam and has been associated with Studio Nilima since its inception and presently working as a Research Associate. Over the years, she has developed an interest for research in the areas of language and identity politics, gender, conflict studies, human rights, and international and environmental laws, focussing on how clinical theories and laws can be connected with everyday ground reality. A photography enthusiast, Pushpanjali tries to merge the perspectives learned in the area with her research. She obsesses over coffee, is an ardent supporter of the independent music scene, and loves learning about different food cultures.

Shruti Sarma Hazarika

Shruti Sarma Hazarika is a B.A. LL.B (Hons.) graduate from Indraprastha University, Delhi and holds a PDG in Environmental Law and Policy from WWF-India in collaboration with NLU, Delhi. She is a Project Associate for the Pratidhwani (The Echo) initiative at Studio Nilima. Enrolled as an Advocate in 2013, Shruti has had the opportunity to practice both before the Gauhati High Court and the Delhi High Court. She holds a strong belief in addressing the grey areas in the criminal justice system. Her thirst for knowledge and interest in criminal law has paved her way to Studio Nilima. She is a voracious reader and loves travelling.

Tanushree Rabha

Tanushree Rabha holds a post-graduate from the School of Media and Cultural Studies, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai. She’s currently associated with Studio Nilima as a Research Fellow. Through her academic career, Tanushree has explored the areas of folk culture, gender and self-determination movements, and art in the Northeast, and is keenly interested in studying the oral histories of the communities in the region. Skilled in documentation and photography, Tanushree has always taken the interdisciplinary approach towards research and steers clear of what she terms as “pure discipline”. An artist herself, Tanushree loves reading fiction and has an eclectic taste in music, which she believes stems from her love for memory and nostalgia.

We are grateful and acknowledge the unconditional support of Priyanka Thakur,
who has been our design mentor since our inception in 2016.
If you would like to get involved with us, send us an email with a
statement of purpose at
abantee@studionilima.com

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