Empowering Civic Participation
Citizen Desi is a California nonprofit founded in 2025 to improve civic awareness and democratic participation among South Asian Americans.
Our goal is to help American citizens from the South Asian diaspora better understand how democracy works in the United States and why civic participation matters in their daily lives.
We are intentionally educational rather than advocacy-focused. Our emphasis is on providing accurate, accessible, culturally relevant civic information.
Our Mission
Foster civic awareness among South Asian communities in the United States.
Build political literacy by providing accurate, accessible, and culturally resonant information.
Promote democratic participation and understanding of American government and democratic institutions.
Use multimedia content, workshops, and multilingual resources to make civic education more accessible.
Our Team
Rajat Srivastava
CEO and Board Member
Originally from India, Rajat came to the U.S. for graduate studies in engineering, built a career in technology, and settled in the San Francisco Bay Area. He embraced the region’s diversity, international culture, natural beauty, and strong sense of community.
As a U.S. citizen, he has developed a deep appreciation for the opportunities and responsibilities that come with that status, while recognizing many immigrants arrive disengaged or skeptical of civic participation. Through Citizen Desi, Rajat wants to help South Asian Americans, particularly naturalized citizens, understand why civic participation matters, how government impacts their everyday lives, and how they can make their voices heard.
He wants to build a better-informed, more confident, and more engaged community where South Asian Americans can meaningfully share their values and priorities in making decisions for their families, communities, and future generations.
Sunil Mehta
Board Member
Sunil Mehta grew up in Mumbai, India, and came to the U.S. for graduate studies in engineering. He has spent more than four decades in the technology industry and today remains active in the Silicon Valley startup community. He has long been interested in culture, current affairs, education, and how people can contribute to their communities.
As an avid writer and cultural enthusiast, he created sunilslists.com, a digital collection reflecting interests in the arts and popular culture, and has been published in the San Jose Mercury News and Medium. He recently published his debut novel, The Compass, which uses the history of science and technology to encourage young readers to think creatively about the future.
Through his experience, curiosity and commitment, he is particularly interested in helping fellow South Asian Americans strengthen their voice and become better informed and more engaged in civic life.
Shanti Subramanyam
Board Member
Shanti has lived in the U.S. for more than 35 years after immigrating from India. She has been fascinated by America since childhood, and although she has come to see its many failings over time, she believes deeply in the power of democracy, human rights, and civic participation to build stronger, more inclusive communities.
She brings this passion to Citizen Desi’s board, with a particular focus on expanding South Asian participation in civic engagement and politics — helping ensure the community has a stronger voice in the issues that shape its future. She is excited to help Citizen Desi build a more engaged and empowered South Asian community.
Surajit Bose
Team Member
Surajit Bose has previously volunteered with They See Blue, Pete for America 2020, and Trikone. His interests include Indian classical music and English Renaissance literature. He lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Vidya Pradhan
Team Member
Vidya is a writer and volunteer educator. She is passionate about civic education and believes democracy needs an informed citizenry to succeed. Her interests include science fiction, Scrabble, and painting.