Arhan Bagati, a Kashmiri Pandit who was conferred with the Jammu & Kashmir Government Award for Social Reforms & Empowerment on Republic Day 2026, continues to play an active role in social work, public policy, and cultural engagement in the Union Territory.
I am deeply humbled and honoured to be conferred with the Jammu & Kashmir Government Award for Social Reforms & Empowerment on Republic Day 2026.
Too often, young voices are asked to wait their turn. This recognition sends a powerful message that age is not a limitation when… pic.twitter.com/82vmhScxB5
— Arhan Bagati (@IamArhanBagati) January 26, 2026
His academic and professional journey reflects a consistent focus on governance, social reform, and presenting Jammu & Kashmir’s authentic narrative on national and international platforms.
Academic Path Rooted in Public Policy
Arhan’s educational background spans some of the world’s leading institutions. He studied at Pomona College in the United States, ranked among the top liberal arts colleges globally, before further strengthening his interdisciplinary exposure through a study abroad programme at the University of Cambridge.
He is currently pursuing a Master’s in Public Policy at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, with a focus on driving social and political change, particularly in Jammu & Kashmir.
Leadership In The Paralympic Movement
Alongside his academic pursuits, Arhan has been associated with the Paralympic Movement in India since 2014. He serves as the Awareness and Impact Ambassador for the Paralympic Committee of India and has worked on initiatives such as LetsEnable.com, along with support applications like InRio and IndTokyo, aimed at assisting Indian Paralympic athletes.
His work in this space culminated in his appointment as India’s first and the world’s youngest Deputy Chef De Mission for the Indian contingent at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.
Revitalising Kashmir Through Research and Action
Arhan is the founder of KYARI (Kashmir’s Yumberzal Applied Research Institute), an organisation dedicated to addressing regional challenges through applied research. KYARI focuses on sectors including education, sanitation, electricity, tourism, conservation, and women-led economic empowerment.
Among its notable initiatives was the organisation of a literature festival in Kashmir after a gap of 33 years. The event was inaugurated by the Lieutenant Governor and featured the late Dr Bibek Debroy, author and Chairman of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, along with several dignitaries from government, film, and arts.
KYARI has also undertaken advocacy for the Bakkarwal Tribal Pastoralists and launched initiatives to combat drug abuse among youth, reflecting a broader focus on social well-being in the region.
Sustainability, Tourism and Cultural Outreach
Under Arhan’s leadership, KYARI has introduced forward-looking development initiatives, including the introduction of e-rickshaws in Srinagar to promote sustainable transport and create economic opportunities for disadvantaged communities.
Arhan has also worked extensively to reposition Kashmir as a safe, culturally vibrant destination for tourism and creative industries. Recognising tourism as a driver of economic growth, he has promoted the Valley as a filming location and encouraged renewed Bollywood engagement.
He served as a Co-Producer on the feature film Ground Zero, a nationalistic film highlighting the sacrifices of India’s security forces, and later as an Associate Producer on 120 Bahadur, based on the Battle of Rezang La.
He also facilitated the shooting of a large-scale, high-budget Hindi film in Kashmir by Excel Entertainment Pvt Ltd, involving over 500 cast and crew members travelling from across India.
This marked the first instance in over three decades of Kashmir being showcased positively for major film productions, contributing to renewed confidence in the region as a global filming destination. These efforts align with the Prime Minister’s vision for strengthening India’s audiovisual ecosystem under the WAVES framework.
Global Youth Engagement And Thought Leadership
In 2026, Arhan is leading the India Trek, an academic and cultural exchange programme involving students from Harvard, MIT, and other leading global universities across 12 countries. The programme includes travel across India with a special focus on Jammu & Kashmir, allowing participants to experience and showcase Kashmir’s heritage, culture, cuisine, and social resilience through firsthand engagement.
Arhan is also an active thought leader who contributes to national and international discourse. He has spoken at platforms such as TEDxYouth@JPIS and written for publications including Hindustan Times, Republic, Firstpost, The Quint, and Greater Kashmir, focusing on national security, public policy, and Kashmir’s socio-political landscape.
Recognition And Continuing Impact
His work has been recognised at prominent national platforms. Arhan was named a Hindustan Times “30 Under 30 – Social Impact Leader” and received the ET Indo Global Leaders Award for Excellence in Social Impact for his initiatives through KYARI.
Spanning public policy, sports, cinema, sustainability, and global youth diplomacy, Arhan Bagati’s work reflects a consistent vision of serving Jammu & Kashmir with integrity while contributing to India’s broader social and cultural fabric.
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