Meet Neeharika Munjal: A Youth Leader Uniting the Indian Diaspora in New England

New England, located in the northeastern corner of the United States, is a region renowned for its rich history, picturesque landscapes, and vibrant cultural heritage. Comprising six states—Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut—New England is celebrated for its stunning fall foliage, coastal beauty, charming small towns, and world-renowned universities such as Harvard, Yale, and MIT. The region is also home to a thriving Indian diaspora, including students, academics, doctors, professionals, and entrepreneurs.

Neeharika Munjal, a youth leader from the Indian American diaspora, has been doing groundbreaking work to help the Indian community network and connect in New England. A Boston University graduate, Neeharika is the founder and CEO of Young Indian Professionals of New England (YIPNE).

As an American-born Indian, Neeharika wanted to network with other Indians to stay in touch with her heritage and provide connection opportunities for students and professionals from India who have moved to the United States for study or work. The genesis of YIPNE occurred in April 2022, during a casual breakfast conversation with her mother, Preeti Munjal, about the lack of Indian professional networking groups in the New England area. Encouraged by her mother, Neeharika launched YIPNE, and there has been no turning back since. 

Young Indian Professionals of New England is a collaborative networking platform catered to professionals of Indian origin who live in the New England area.

Speaking to IndianDiaspora.org, Neeharika highlighted, "YIPNE is dedicated to connecting and inspiring young professionals of Indian origin in the New England area. We strive to create a space where young professionals can come together to network, share their experiences, learn from one another, improve their professional skills, and stay in touch with our Indian culture. Since I started this organization, we have over 6000 members collectively on Instagram, Facebook, Linkedln, and WhatsApp, a Board of Advisors who advise the organization, have been featured in Boston Globe, News India Abroad, Global India, India West Journal, Lokvani, Andover Magazine, and Eagle Tribune, have had many successful large and small networking events that have included numerous virtual events, brunches, galas, activities, a very successful networking event where more than 400 young Indian professionals came to network which was sold out in less than 3 days. We have collaborated with multiple organizations here and been a media partner for conferences such as the 2024 Harvard India Conference."

Neeharika added, "We also have a YouTube Talk Series show where we highlight community groups and individual success stories. we just started a small Business Saturday initiative where we highlight different Indian small businesses around the Indian community in New England. Additionally, we have done virtual panel talks on Mental Health, Youth Empowerment, and entrepreneurship. We hosted our first live panel talk with our esteemed panelists at our second year anniversary networking gala event on May 19th which has received great response. YIPNE is on Facebook, Instagram, and Linkedln, and have a WhatsApp community." 

Neeharika envisions YIPNE as a medium to build a stronger network within the Indian community and encourage members to make more connections.

Recently, YIPNE celebrated its second-year anniversary by hosting in Boston, attended by top professionals of Indian origin in the New England community. At the event Neeharika expressed, “I am into promoting the South Asian culture in the western world and really passionate about taking the youth to the next level, and create a home away from home for many Indians who chose the New England region.”

Before starting YIPNE, Neeharika gained significant experience through various volunteer roles, including working at elderly nursing homes, Lawrence General Hospital, serving as an Ekal Youth Leader for Ekal Vidyalaya, participating in Technology User Groups, the Student UN Model, and academic clubs such as the School Math Team. In 2016, Neeharika was invited by the US Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, to give a talk on “Youth of USA presents Life: Past, Present, and Future to the Youth of Kenya in Africa.”

Neeharika’s leadership is fostering a stronger sense of community and engagement among the Indian diaspora in New England. Young leaders like Neeharika are making a significant difference in society and amplifying the perspectives and voices of the Indian American community within the social fabric of America.