Diksha Sharma
Consultancy
Kangra
Summary
Experienced Food and Nutrition Specialist with over 4 years of professional involvement in international development projects, particularly under JICA initiatives in Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, and Assam. Skilled in nutrition education, gender mainstreaming, and capacity building through community-based training, awareness campaigns, and educational material development. Holds a Master’s degree in Food Science and Nutrition, with several published research articles and a strong background in fieldwork and academic guidance. Currently serving as an Academic Counsellor for IGNOU’s MSc (DFSM) program, committed to advancing public health and sustainable nutrition practices.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
8
8
years of post-secondary education
2
2
Languages
Work History
Academic Counsellor
IGNOU Regional Centre Chandigarh
01.2025 - Current
- Conducting Counseling Sessions/Classes for MSc. (Dietetics and Food service management) students.
- Provide academic support to students by clarifying course concepts, helping with study materials, and offering guidance on thesis and projects.
- Evaluate assignments and provide constructive feedback to improve students' understanding of the subject matter.
Nutrition Improvement, Farmer's Organization and Gender Mainstreaming Expert
Nippon Koei, India PVT LTD
01.2024 - 08.2024
- Nutrition Improvement: Led nutrition sensitization initiatives across the state, contributing to the assessment and formulation of policies and programs aimed at enhancing the region’s overall nutritional status.
- Farmer's Organization: Conducted comprehensive surveys of farmer-based organizations including FPOs, cooperatives, and local groups; contributed to the development of a detailed project plan with cost estimation and implementation timelines.
- Gender Mainstreaming: Carried out in-depth analysis of gender-related issues in Assam, examining key indicators such as women’s access to land and services, relevant policies, workload disparities, and gender-specific challenges within the fishery sector.
Nutrition Improvement, Farmer's Organization and Gender Mainstreaming Expert
Nippon Koei, India PVT LTD
12.2022 - 09.2023
- Facilitated nutrition sensitization among local communities in Haryana, supporting the evaluation and enhancement of state-level nutrition policies and programs.
- Conducted surveys of farmer organizations, including FPOs and cooperatives, contributing to detailed project planning, budgeting, and implementation scheduling.
- Investigated gender-related issues in the agricultural sector by analyzing key indicators such as women’s access to land and services, workload distribution, and gender-based challenges.
- Participated in stakeholder consultations and contributed to the drafting and finalization of the project’s comprehensive report.
Nutrition Expert
JICA-Technical cooperation project for Promotion of crop Diversification in Himachal Pradesh
11.2020 - 10.2022
- Developed and delivered nutrition awareness initiatives focused on vegetable crops (green leafy, root, and exotic varieties), highlighting their nutritional value, health benefits, and safe consumption methods.
- Educated farming communities on balanced diets and the nutritional importance of underutilized crops such as amaranth and soybean.
- Organized and facilitated training programs, hands-on workshops, and cooking demonstrations for extension workers, farmers, and self-help groups (SHGs) to promote healthy eating practices and crop diversification.
- Led community engagement activities including cooking competitions, nutrition awareness campaigns, and interactive group discussions to enhance public understanding of nutrition.
- Designed and distributed user-friendly educational materials—pamphlets, flipcharts, and posters—to effectively communicate key nutritional messages at the grassroots level.
Education
Matric -
Sunrise Public High School Bhatoli Pakwan
Himachal Pradesh 03.2010 - 03.2011
10+2 - (Non-Medical)
Govt. Senior Secondary School Fatehpur
Himachal Pradesh 03.2012 - 03.2013
B.Sc. {(Hons)} - Home Science
CSK Agricultural University Palampur
Palampur, H.P 07.2013 - 07.2017
MSc. - Food Science and Nutrition
CSK Agricultural University Palampur
Palampur, H.P 07.2017 - 07.2019
Skills
- MS Office
- Word
- PowerPoint
- Excel
- Software installation
Research Publications
- Physico-chemical, Functional, Nutritional Quality and Antioxidant Level of Indian Street Food: Samosa, International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Science, 2020, 9, 05, 3522-3530
- Total viable microbial count of the selected street foods obtained from Palampur, India, Journal of Food Safety and Hygiene, 2020, 6, 1, 47-52
- Effect of Value Addition on the Functional Properties Nutritional and Sensory Quality of Indian Street Food (Pakoda), International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Science, 2020, 9, 09, 2319-7706
- Quality evaluation and value addition of Indian street food: Potato cutlet (Tikki), The PharmaInnovation Journal, 2021, 10, 4, 185-189
- Quality Evaluation and Value Addition to the Exotic Street Foods: Spring Roll, International Journal of Science and Research, 2022, 11, 3, 2319-7064 pp 205-210
Book Publications
Healthy! Tasty! Recipes- 70 Vegetable Recipes for Extensionists and Farmers, Kaku E, Sharma S, Sharma D, 2022
Guest Lectures
Fueling Vitality: Understanding the role of Nutrition in Health and its significance, Graduation students of the Nutrition and Dietetics, Chandigarh Group of Colleges, Landran, Greater Mohali, Punjab
Personality Traits
- High organizational skills
- Proactive communication
- Creative
- Eye for details
- Critical thinking
- Resilient.
Personal Information
Permanent Address:
Diksha Sharma D/o Late Sh. Sita Ram,
Village -Bhatoli Pakwan, P.O.- Sunhara, Tehsil - Fatehpur, Distt. - Kangra (H.P) 176053, India
Timeline
Academic Counsellor
IGNOU Regional Centre Chandigarh
01.2025 - Current
Nutrition Improvement, Farmer's Organization and Gender Mainstreaming Expert
Nippon Koei, India PVT LTD
01.2024 - 08.2024
Nutrition Improvement, Farmer's Organization and Gender Mainstreaming Expert
Nippon Koei, India PVT LTD
12.2022 - 09.2023
Nutrition Expert
JICA-Technical cooperation project for Promotion of crop Diversification in Himachal Pradesh
11.2020 - 10.2022
MSc. - Food Science and Nutrition
CSK Agricultural University Palampur
07.2017 - 07.2019
B.Sc. {(Hons)} - Home Science
CSK Agricultural University Palampur
07.2013 - 07.2017
10+2 - (Non-Medical)
Govt. Senior Secondary School Fatehpur
03.2012 - 03.2013
Matric -
Sunrise Public High School Bhatoli Pakwan
03.2010 - 03.2011
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