What is the Blahcksheep?
We are a new wave multilingual publishing platform for unique, provocative, contrarian voices from across the world. For us, The Blahcksheep is not just a platform, but a community of misfits and rebels. We are proud of how we stand out in a crowd with our awkward sheepish identities. To hold our own in a sea of people is a rebellion of its own.
We are not news focused, rather views focused. We are interested in carrying pieces on how you perceive the world, instead of traditional journalistic pieces. We are keen on learning about the events that shaped you, and not the event itself.
We accept personal and professional essays, reflective pieces, opinions, experiments, long reads and all sorts of blahs. We encourage first-time writers and also celebrate previously unpublished works and rejected pieces.
If you identify as a blahcksheep, our website is a green pasture for you to come and linger on.
Founder-in-Sheep
Pooja Bhatia, Founder, Director & Editor-in-Chief
A Public Policy and Advocacy professional with six years of experience in public health, gender, road safety and the agriculture sector, Pooja previously worked as a Consultant with Genpact. She has also worked as a Parliamentary Research Associate with two Members of Parliament – Mr. Ninong Ering, Indian National Congress (INC) and Mr.Derek O’Brien, All India Trinamool Congress (AITC).
Pooja pursued her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Lady Shri Ram College (LSR) and her Master’s in Political Studies and International Relations from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Delhi. Additionally, she holds a Post-Graduate Diploma in Conflict Transformation and Peacebuilding (CTPB) from Delhi University.
She is passionate about writing and occasionally contributes her pieces to leading websites and magazines. She wishes to attend all film festivals in the world, write a book, play the piano and be a cat mother someday. She goes by the name of ‘an atheist named Pooja’ @theblahcksheepx on Twitter. She is a firm believer of why rise and shine when you can wine and whine.
Pooja Bhatia, Founder, Director & Editor-in-Chief
A Public Policy and Advocacy professional with six years of experience in public health, gender, road safety and the agriculture sector, Pooja previously worked as a Consultant with Genpact. She has also worked as a Parliamentary Research Associate with two Members of Parliament – Mr. Ninong Ering, Indian National Congress (INC) and Mr.Derek O’Brien, All India Trinamool Congress (AITC).
Pooja pursued her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Lady Shri Ram College (LSR) and her Master’s in Political Studies and International Relations from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Delhi. Additionally, she holds a Post-Graduate Diploma in Conflict Transformation and Peacebuilding (CTPB) from Delhi University.
She is passionate about writing and occasionally contributes her pieces to leading websites and magazines. She wishes to attend all film festivals in the world, write a book, play the piano and be a cat mother someday. She goes by the name of ‘an atheist named Pooja’ @theblahcksheepx on Twitter. She is a firm believer of why rise and shine when you can wine and whine.
Mansi Bhatia, Founder & Creative Director
Mansi is an independent journalist, writer, and musician, and is currently pursuing screenwriting from New York Film Academy in Burbank, LA. Previous to this, she worked at Jindal Stainless in the Corporate Communications Department, where she led a women empowerment campaign with UN Women in 2019. Mansi then worked on social media accounts at Oijo Media, where she was appointed Head of Digital Strategies.
She has a background in English Literature from IPCW, Delhi University and a PG Diploma in Journalism from Indian Institute of Mass Communication. In 2017, Mansi also worked at ICCR, under the Ministry of External Affairs as a Liaison Officer and Communication Coordinator. She is one of the founding members of Stories Asia - a collective of journalists from South Asia and has briefly worked with them to cover gender-sensitive topics such as Child Sexual Abuse for Caravan Magazine and Menstruation Benefits Bill for The Diplomat Magazine. You can reach her at embee6297@gmail.com or on Instagram at @someonecalledmansi
Mansi Bhatia, Founder & Creative Director
Mansi is an independent journalist, writer, and musician, and is currently pursuing screenwriting from New York Film Academy in Burbank, LA. Previous to this, she worked at Jindal Stainless in the Corporate Communications Department, where she led a women empowerment campaign with UN Women in 2019. Mansi then worked on social media accounts at Oijo Media, where she was appointed Head of Digital Strategies.
She has a background in English Literature from IPCW, Delhi University and a PG Diploma in Journalism from Indian Institute of Mass Communication. In 2017, Mansi also worked at ICCR, under the Ministry of External Affairs as a Liaison Officer and Communication Coordinator. She is one of the founding members of Stories Asia - a collective of journalists from South Asia and has briefly worked with them to cover gender-sensitive topics such as Child Sexual Abuse for Caravan Magazine and Menstruation Benefits Bill for The Diplomat Magazine. You can reach her at embee6297@gmail.com or on Instagram at @someonecalledmansi
Illustrator-in-Oon
Chandrima Chatterjee, Illustrator-in-Oon
A bibliophile with an extra special love for graphic novels and children’s books, illustration was not something that Chandrima had set out to do. She started illustrating as a way to express herself and cope with her anxieties and fears. Over the years, apart from focusing on climbing the career ladder, she’s set herself new goals, ones that will actually make her happy! The illustrations you see on this website is a small part of that alternative happy goal. She believes her illustrations in itself will reveal what a Blahcksheep she is.
Chandrima Chatterjee, Illustrator-in-Oon
A bibliophile with an extra special love for graphic novels and children’s books, illustration was not something that Chandrima had set out to do. She started illustrating as a way to express herself and cope with her anxieties and fears. Over the years, apart from focusing on climbing the career ladder, she’s set herself new goals, ones that will actually make her happy! The illustrations you see on this website is a small part of that alternative happy goal. She believes her illustrations in itself will reveal what a Blahcksheep she is.
Tech Check
Rahul Carpentar, Tech Check
Rahul Carpenter is an autodidact crazy tech guy, who believes in skills, not in degrees. He is the founder of YourWerbung, The Internet Stud, and OTP Tshirts. He got tech skills like Web Development, Google Ads, Facebook Ads, Search Engine Optimization, YouTube, Blogging. You can reach out to him at www.rahulcarpenter.in
Rahul Carpentar, Tech Check
Rahul Carpenter is an autodidact crazy tech guy, who believes in skills, not in degrees. He is the founder of YourWerbung, The Internet Stud, and OTP Tshirts. He got tech skills like Web Development, Google Ads, Facebook Ads, Search Engine Optimization, YouTube, Blogging. You can reach out to him at www.rahulcarpenter.in
Mayur Kurhade, Tech Check
Mayur holds an engineering degree and is a freelance graphic designer & web developer by profession. He has been working in the domain since 2014 which started as his hobby. As a designer, he believes in ‘Art is what pleases the eye, and designs are what lays the foundation of that art’. Having worked for different individuals/organizations, Mayur has developed an excellent understanding of the needs of his clients and always had an immaculate eye for detail.
Coming from a small city, he always searched for opportunities to explore and learn. He participated in the world’s longest train journey event ‘Jagriti Yatra’ and later worked with them as a Designs Head for 3 years. He runs a venture called Ecocradle which promotes sustainable living through their handmade Eco-friendly products.
Mayur Kurhade, Tech Check
Mayur holds an engineering degree and is a freelance graphic designer & web developer by profession. He has been working in the domain since 2014 which started as his hobby. As a designer, he believes in ‘Art is what pleases the eye, and designs are what lays the foundation of that art’. Having worked for different individuals/organizations, Mayur has developed an excellent understanding of the needs of his clients and always had an immaculate eye for detail.
Coming from a small city, he always searched for opportunities to explore and learn. He participated in the world’s longest train journey event ‘Jagriti Yatra’ and later worked with them as a Designs Head for 3 years. He runs a venture called Ecocradle which promotes sustainable living through their handmade Eco-friendly products.
Patron Shepherds
Pragya Tiwari, Patron Shepherds
Pragya Tiwari has been a journalist for over 15 years. As Editor-in-Chief or Editor, she has led new media initiatives like the award winning webzine The Big Indian Picture, Tehelka.com, and Vice India and has been Creative Director of BalconyTV in India. She is the Founder and Creative Director of Oijo and has also launched the Indian History Collective.
She is also the Regional Director, India, for global arts, culture and heritage consultancy Flint Culture. She is a columnist and commentator on politics, policy, fashion, arts, culture, books, theatre and cinema for leading publications in India and abroad such as The New York Times, Al Jazeera, Elle, Times of India, Hindustan Times, Quartz, Bloomberg Quint, Mint Lounge, Telegraph, DNA, Wire and First Post. Pragya has been a generous thought patron for The Blahcksheep.
Pragya Tiwari, Patron Shepherds
Pragya Tiwari has been a journalist for over 15 years. As Editor-in-Chief or Editor, she has led new media initiatives like the award winning webzine The Big Indian Picture, Tehelka.com, and Vice India and has been Creative Director of BalconyTV in India. She is the Founder and Creative Director of Oijo and has also launched the Indian History Collective.
She is also the Regional Director, India, for global arts, culture and heritage consultancy Flint Culture. She is a columnist and commentator on politics, policy, fashion, arts, culture, books, theatre and cinema for leading publications in India and abroad such as The New York Times, Al Jazeera, Elle, Times of India, Hindustan Times, Quartz, Bloomberg Quint, Mint Lounge, Telegraph, DNA, Wire and First Post. Pragya has been a generous thought patron for The Blahcksheep.
Girl Up India
The Blacksheep was selected to be a part of the prestigious Girl Up Entrepreneurs Cohort’22 - a 10 week long Apprentice Hub to support young women between the ages of 18-26 years, to hone their entrepreneurial skills and become future successful entrepreneurs. As part of the Cohort, Co-Founder Mansi Bhatia successfully raised $500 for The Blahcksheep.
Girl Up has empowered over 10,000 youth change makers across 200 Indian cities by raising awareness and advocating for issues including gender-based violence, period poverty and mental health. The institution also trains young women in skills including STEM and storytelling.
Aditi Arora
Aditi Arora is the India country manager of Girl Up, a movement founded by the UN Foundation in 2010. Arora says she has spearheaded a fundraiser to support 900 menstruators across 10 cities to help them menstruate safely for two years. She is also an Inclusivity Advisory Board Member of Just A Girl Inc., a U.S.-based organization that uses technology to empower women and drive mental health. She holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science and a master's in International Relations.
Siddhi Pal
Siddhi Pal is a development sector consultant currently working at the Girl Up, United Nations Foundation. She holds an MSc in Organisational and Social Psychology from London School of Economics and will be joining University of Oxford this fall for a Master in Public Policy. Her journey towards creating a gender-just world started when she co-founded India's first Gay-Straight Alliance at the school level when she was 14 years old. Her advocacy efforts have been recognised by international organizations. including We Are A Family Foundation (New York), Global Changemakers (Switzerland), the Royal Commonwealth Society and the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust (United Kingdom).
Dr Suchi Gaur, Director of Global Engagement and Impact, World YWCA
Dr.Gaur has more than a decade of experience in the social sector, working at the confluence of gender, health and technology in the non-profit, startup and research sectors. She aims to bridge the gaps of access and delivery, advocating for rights-based policies. Currently she is working with the World YWCA as the Director for Global Engagement and Impact at Geneva, Switzerland. Dr Gaur invested $100 in The Blahcksheep.
Koval Bhatia, Founder & Creative Head, A Little Anarky Films
Koval is a Director/Producer and the Founder and Creative Head of Anarky Films, with 12 years of experience in running a production company. She is Sundance Institute Grantee 2021 and was awarded Emerging Producers’ Bursary by the World Congress for Science and Factual Producers ‘21. Koval invested $200 in The Blahcksheep.
Charushilla Narula Bajpai, Founder Director & Key Mentor, University Connection
Charushilla is a Career and College Planning Mentor, an Edu Speaker, a College Essay Expert, and a Communications Coach. She’s the Founder of University Connection and has curated India’s first location-specific virtual university fair UnivReach 2021. Charushilla invested $100 in The Blahcksheep.
