Dr. Harpriya Kaur is originally from Chandigarh, India. In 2010, she moved to the United States to pursue her Master of Public Health at the University of Kentucky, Lexington. She later received her PhD in
Epidemiology from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha.
At the age of 19, Dr. Kaur founded a student-run non-profit organization, Navsankalp (formerly known as Sankalp), in India to help critically ill children. As the founder and president, she managed more than
200 students and organized the annual charity show “Sparkles,” providing a platform for students to showcase their talents and raise funds. Each year, the charity show attracted over 5,000 attendees.
From 2006 to 2020, Navsankalp saved the lives of over 160 children. This endeavor brought Dr. Kaur closer to performers from dramatic clubs like Aaghaaz, who participated in the annual event.
Additionally, Dr. Kaur was an active member of the National Service Scheme (NSS) during her undergraduate studies, receiving several accolades for her contributions. She was interviewed by national television in 2019 as a ‘young achiever,’ and in 2017, she was honored with the “Jiyo Dil Se” award, a national-level recognition organized by MyFM radio for individuals who stand out and inspire the nation.
In 2012, Dr. Kaur was among 80 individuals selected worldwide for UNESCO’s 8th Annual International Leadership Training Program. In 2017, she initiated the “Just One” campaign at her workplace, aimed at
providing sanitary hygiene products to homeless women. She also organized biannual seminars that brought together researchers and grassroots organizations, with support from the federal women’s
program.
Growing up, Dr. Kaur learned Kathak and classical music. Her first dance performance was at the age of 7 in Shimla at Gaiety Theatre, where the famous song “Main Nikla Gaddi Leke” from the movie Gadar was
filmed. Dr. Kaur enjoys reading non-fiction and occasionally writes poems on societal issues. After much persuasion from her husband, Dr. Debdoot Saha, she took a free acting class at the Alliance Theater in
Atlanta. Enjoying it immensely, she completed the Acting 1 and 2 courses at the Alliance Theater in 2023 before joining Aabaha in 2024.
