Guwahati, 27 October (HS): Noted policy researcher, disability rights advocate and political analyst Devarnav Sharma joined the Indian National Congress at a programme held at Rajiv Bhawan in Guwahati on Tuesday. He formally accepted the party's primary membership in the presence of Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) in-charge Bhupesh Baghel and APCC president and Lok Sabha MP Gaurav Gogoi.

Sharma said his decision to join the Congress was driven by his objective of contributing to inclusive and holistic development in Assam. His induction ceremony was attended by AICC secretaries and APCC co-in-charges Manoj Chauhan and Prithviraj Sathe, MP Rakibul Hussain, Congress Legislature Party leader Wazed Ali Choudhury and former CLP leader Debabrata Saikia.

APCC General Secretary (Administration) Bipul Gogoi, General Secretary (Organisation) Ramanna Baruah and Media Department chairman Bedabrat Bora were also present on the occasion.

Sharma has an MSc in Disability Policy from University College Dublin, Ireland. He completed his undergraduate degree in Political Science at Hindu College, University of Delhi, and obtained a postgraduate degree in Political Science from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).

During his student years, Sharma led several youth initiatives. He is currently spearheading an initiative focused on disability inclusion, accessibility and direct support for persons with disabilities in Assam.

Before joining the Congress, he worked with several organisations in India and abroad, including the Government of Ireland's National Disability Authority. He has also regularly contributed research-based analyses on Assam's politics, governance, youth affairs and disability rights.

His induction comes with a background in policy research and disability advocacy, areas in which he is expected to contribute to the Congress's policy formulation and research-oriented initiatives in Assam.------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash