Hi! I’m Akanksha Khullar—a gender advocate, policy professional, writer, and a woman who's constantly evolving. 

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Like most of us, my journey has been far from linear, shaped by choices, circumstances, and a search for meaning that often went beyond titles and roles.

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I started out as a commerce student with maths (even though I hated numbers!), leaving behind my first love—dance, where I was one of the youngest instructors. I followed what I was told was the ‘right path’—focusing on academics, discipline, and getting that high score.

 

But life threw in its own twists. I didn’t get into the college I wanted for Economics, so I chose the course that came with better exposure—Political Science at a reputed Delhi University college.

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That choice changed a lot. I found myself immersed in student societies, interacting with diplomats, and discovering the world of International Relations—a field still nascent in India back then. I knew early on that I didn’t want to pursue the UPSC route, so I took what seemed like the shorter path (you’ll see that theme repeat!) and decided to do my Master’s in IR abroad.

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I landed at Australian National University in Canberra—a dream for me, not just for the degree but also because I quietly hoped it would help me settle abroad. I interned with an Australian MP, worked part-time, and aced my thesis. But somewhere deep inside, I still knew this wasn’t my real calling.

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After graduation, I couldn’t find a job in Australia. I was crushed. I had worked so hard, done all the “right” things, and still—it didn’t work out. So I came back to India, defeated but determined. An internship at a think tank turned into a full-time role. That’s where I found the intersection between gender and policy, and I knew I was getting closer to where I truly belonged.

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Over time, I published op-eds, wrote on women in peace and conflict, spoke at global platforms, and felt like I had finally arrived. But again, something felt missing. I transitioned into project and programme management roles—building expertise in partnerships, fundraising, communications, budgeting, and donor reporting. It was fulfilling in many ways, but the creative itch remained.

 

Somewhere in this mix, I also tried to launch a gender-based media platform of my own. It didn’t quite take off—but maybe it wasn’t the right time… or maybe, it wasn’t meant to be.

 

​Then came another turn: motherhood. When I realized I was pregnant, I left a demanding job that didn’t offer the support or flexibility I needed. I was lucky to find an opportunity that did—where my team had my back and allowed me to grow at my own pace. It wasn’t in the gender space—but it gave me exactly what I needed at the time.And then, something magical happened.​

 

One random Monday morning, I wrote a poem. Then another. And then I couldn’t stop. Words started pouring out—truths I had buried, stories I had heard, pain I had seen. Through poetry, I started reconnecting—with myself, with my voice, and with the countless women’s realities that often go unspoken.​

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So here I am—telling stories. Not just mine, but stories of identity, patriarchy, pregnancy, power, loss, love, and rediscovery. They are raw, they are real, and they are ours. I hope my poems speak to something inside you—maybe something you’ve felt but never put into words.

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