In this compelling episode of Voices That Lead, we sit down with Akash Bhati, the independent candidate contesting for President in the University of Hyderabad Students' Union Election 2024-25. Akash shares his clear vision for reshaping the university into a space of accountability, inclusivity, and holistic student empowerment. Through his leadership, Akash promises a new era of transparency, real student representation, and much-needed reforms across various sectors of student life. Manifesto Highlights: 1. Accountability and Student Representation: Akash Bhati’s campaign is rooted in a commitment to hold leadership accountable and prioritize the needs of students. He calls for the end of stagnant leadership, stressing the need for frequent University General Body Meetings (UGBM) to ensure students’ voices are consistently heard. He advocates for a student union that truly serves the student community, not just a few political interests. 2. Academic and Research Support: Akash plans to enhance academic resources by ensuring students have greater access to international and critical academic journals, alongside more career-enhancing opportunities. He aims to establish a Sevalal-Phule-Ambedkar Research Centre to support SC/ST/OBC students, ensuring educational equity. Additionally, he proposes launching a campus magazine for students to showcase both academic and non-academic talents, which would help boost career prospects and intellectual expression. 3. Sports and Fitness Initiatives: Akash is passionate about sports infrastructure and inclusivity. His manifesto promises to: Build new sports facilities, including a second football ground, swimming pool, and kabaddi court, and introduce badminton courts in the south campus. Renovate existing gyms and provide first-aid support during sports activities. Advocate for traditional sports like kabaddi and kho kho in university events while also promoting professional training for sports like badminton and shooting to compete at the national level. 4. Cultural Revitalization and Inclusivity: One of Akash’s key goals is to revive Sukoon, the university’s annual cultural festival, making it a zero-cost event funded through sponsorships and alumni contributions. This would save funds from the Students' Union and Welfare Fund, which could then be allocated to other student support initiatives. Akash also plans to establish a Cultural Society to organize monthly cultural events, art shows, and performances that celebrate the diversity and creativity of students. 5. Justice, Equity, and Student Welfare: Akash’s manifesto addresses critical issues like: Ensuring menstrual leave policies and attendance relaxation for women, alongside better healthcare support on campus. Supporting marginalised communities with an emphasis on gender minorities and differently-abled students. He advocates for the installation of ramps, wheelchair-friendly infrastructure, and expanded Braille book collections in the library. Promoting social welfare schemes like the Jnanabhoomi/e-PASS scholarships for students from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, removing bureaucratic delays and ensuring seamless implementation. Establishing policies to make campus life more accessible, including affordable health insurance and regular specialist visits to the university health centre. 6. Improved Infrastructure and Campus Facilities: Akash aims to bring much-needed improvements to the university’s infrastructure: Renovating hostels and creating separate facilities for differently-abled students, including attached washrooms and assistive devices like electronic scooters and laptops. Expanding campus transportation options by introducing wheelchair-friendly buses and ensuring proper maintenance of public spaces like libraries, hostels, and academic buildings.