At the Keshav Desiraju India Mental Health Observatory (IMHO), Manisha works to identify gaps in mental health data, research, and analysis. She has a Masters in Social Work in Disability Studies and Action from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai. Her previous experience includes research, advocacy, and policymaking on issues of disability, mental health, child rights, human rights, healthcare, and community-based rehabilitation. She has been a part of several policymaking processes for child labour in Karnataka; and was responsible for and involved in drafting the following sections of a national political party’s Lok Sabha 2019 Election Manifesto: healthcare, food security, persons with disability; LGBTQIA+ and SC, ST, OBC.

A former national-level basketball player, Manisha enjoys endless cups of tea, watching Parliament debates and sports, reading, and writing poetry. Most of all she enjoys bad jokes.

Professional interests: Policymaking and advocacy