About Vasundhara Kashikar

My Story

Vasundhara Kashikar is a freelance journalist, protocol anchor, interviewer, and author.

Education:
She holds an M.A. and M.Phil in Political Science, a B.Ed., and an MJMC (Master in Journalism and Mass Communication).

Professional Experience:
She worked as an Associate Editor and news anchor at IBN-Lokmat news channel.
She also has experience working with Sakal, Saam TV, and the History Channel.

She has anchored programs attended by several dignitaries, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Ram Nath Kovind, opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, Governor Ramesh Bais, Union Ministers Sharad Pawar and Nitin Gadkari, as well as Chief Ministers, Deputy Chief Ministers, and other cabinet ministers.
She has interviewed over 300 prominent personalities from various fields, including Madhuri Dixit, Javed Akhtar, music duo Ajay-Atul, Rujuta Diwekar, Abhay Bang, N.D. Mahanor, and Anil Awachat.

In 2010, she received the most prestigious Maharashtra Times
“Best Female Anchor” award (Ma.Ta. Sanman).

Literary Contributions

Vasundhara is the author of the biography “Sharad Joshi: Shodh Aswasth Kallolacha” based on the life of renowned farmer leader and founder of the Shetkari Sanghatana, Sharad Joshi. Published by Rajhans Prakashan, the book was launched by honourable cabinet minister Shri. Nitin Gadkari. One chapter from this book has been included in the mandatory syllabus for B.A. and B.Com at Pune University.
She has also authored “Kakasaheb Chitale: Sahvedanetun Samruddhikade”, a biography of Kakasaheb Chitale, Director of the Chitale Industries Group, published by Sakal Publications.
Her upcoming books include works on “The Aesthetics of Ghazals” and “Nurturing Relationships”.
Through her organization iTransform Skill Enhancers Pvt. Ltd., she has conducted numerous literary workshops, including:
  • Story and novel writing
  • Translation
  • Rajhans writing workshop
  • Biography and autobiography writing
  • Blogging
  • Science fiction writing
These workshops have featured guidance from renowned Marathi literary experts such as Bal Phondke, Niranjan Ghate, Padmavibhushan late Dr. Jayant Narlikar, Sahitya Akademi awardee Asha Bage, Monica Gajendragadkar (Editor at Mouj), Sujata Deshmukh, Vinaya Khadpekar, Sania, Hrishikesh Gupte, Girish Kuber and Karuna Gokhale. Participants from across India and abroad have benefited from these workshops.
She also successfully curated Aswad Abhijat Kalancha – a program for reviewing and appreciating fine arts. It featured discussions on the film Dithee by Sumitra Bhave and Sunil Sukthankar and on the short story collection Triparn by Monica Gajendragadkar, with participation from well-known actors like Kishore Kadam and Mohan Agashe.
For her contribution to literature and anchoring, she has received the “Stri Shakti Puraskar” from MLA Hemant Rasane’s trust and a literary award from Pune’s prestigious Tulshibaug Ganpati Trust.

Contributions to Education

Vasundhara has taught Political Science subjects such as the Indian Constitution and Indian & Western political thinkers to B.A. and M.A. students.
She has worked as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth.
She has also taught journalism subjects—TV journalism, feature writing, anchoring and interview techniques, media ethics—at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
She was a member of the Marathi syllabus committee at Pune University, where a chapter from her book on Sharad Joshi has been included in the curriculum. At Nagpur University, her work on “Anchoring and Interview Techniques” is part of the syllabus.
She has also served as a visiting faculty member at the Ranade Institute of Journalism and Mass Communication, Savitribai Phule Pune University, as well as at the Indira Institute of Communication, Pune, and Marathwada Mitra Mandal College, Pune.
In addition, she has taught subjects such as Social Reformers, Panchayati Raj, Philosophy of Science, Reasoning, Marathi Grammar, Political Science, and Sociology to students preparing for competitive examinations conducted by the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC).
Four of her research papers have been published in reputed journals. She is also a subject expert on the Hindi syllabus committee of Modern College.

Public Speaking, Anchoring, and Interviewing Skills Workshops

Vasundhara is an influential and powerful public speaker, anchor, and interviewer with extensive experience in television, stage events, and academia. She has conducted multiple online and offline workshops on public speaking, anchoring, and interview skills that have received overwhelming responses from participants across India and abroad.
Participants have included professors, lawyers, doctors, counsellors, teachers, and political party workers. She also conducts individual and group sessions, with excellent feedback.