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Paani with People
Ep 2 | Being and Becoming: Manzer on Identity, Impact & Imperfection
In this heartfelt episode of Paani with People, Ambikesh speaks with Manzer, a policy professional, social entrepreneur, and "a confused person in pursuit." From his roots in a small town in Chhattisgarh to his time at Oxford and his return to Bihar, Manzer reflects on the threads of curiosity, contradiction, and community that have shaped his life.
They talk about growing up with unconventional parenting, navigating long-distance marriage, and building Bridge—a student-led initiative that helps peers graduate without debt. Manzer opens up about burnout, belief systems, privilege, and his struggle with always wanting to do more.
It’s a conversation about embracing confusion, celebrating pauses, and walking purposefully - even when you’re unsure of the destination.
🔗 Guest referred by Kanika Joshi.
Bridge is Manzer's beautiful initiative to make education accessible to all. Find out more here: https://www.bridge-edu.in/
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1. Ep 1 | Dancing Through Development: Kanika Joshi on Passion, Power & Personal Truths
01:01:24||Ep. 1In the very first episode of Paani with People, we sit down with Kanika Joshi, a dynamic development sector professional, dancer, and optimist. From her early days as a performer to becoming a published author and global changemaker, Kanika opens up about her journey across countries, ideas, and identities.They talk about the complexities of the development sector, the politics of privilege, the reality of burnout, and the pursuit of balance in a world that rewards extremes. The conversation flows through joy, fear, ambition, and love - with reflections on personal growth, long-term relationships, and choosing courage despite doubt.This is a story about choosing to show up - again and again - with your full self.🔗 Plus, Kanika recommends the next guest in this ever-growing chain of conversations.