Tell us a little about yourself. You can include your personal background, family, outside interests that are important to who you are as a person and a candidate.
I’ve called Lexington home for over 25 years with my husband, Subhash, and our two children. As children of immigrants who moved frequently, Lexington is the only place we’ve truly put down roots. I’m a partner at Handal & Morofsky, specializing in intellectual property law, a musician, and a community advocate actively working to make our community more inclusive.
I‘m Vice Chair of the Lex250 Commission and also on the board of Indian Americans Getting Involved Group, Lexington’s Collaborative Reform Group (CRG) (inaugural member), Community Endowment of Lexington’s outreach team, and Indian Americans of Lexington’s Core Team. I co-founded Lexington School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) Neurodiversity Subcommittee and previously chaired Lexington’s Human Rights Committee (LHRC). My past leadership roles include serving on the Lexington Newcomers Board, Lexington Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC), Dyslexia Task Force, Community Coalition, and Town-Wide Mental Health Task Force. I spent six years on the Diamond PTA Board and co-chaired initiatives at Fiske and Bowman.
Outside Lexington, I perform and teach Bengali music, serve on the TEAMS Patient Experience Board to improve healthcare experiences for neurodivergent patients, serve on multiple non-profits and helped draft pending MA legislation HB2271/SD1289, An Act to Promote Comprehensive and Inclusive Curriculum.
Why are you running for Town Meeting?
I’m running for Town Meeting to help ensure that Lexington’s decisions reflect the needs of all residents, particularly those who may not always have a seat at the table. Sometimes, it feels like there are insiders and the rest of us. My work in Town, including on boards like the Lex250 Commission and the LHRC, has shown me that a truly strong community listens to and supports everyone. I have always been an advocate for inclusive policies, I understand the importance of balancing growth with sustainability and inclusivity. I will bring a collaborative, thoughtful approach to Town Meeting that ensures decisions are made with the future of all residents in mind. My legal and legislative drafting and advocacy work has prepared me to navigate complex issues.
How has your past experience — whether in your professional life, elected office, or as a community leader — prepared you for a role in Town Meeting?
My experience as an attorney and community leader has prepared me to analyze, debate, and shape policies effectively at Town Meeting. In my legal work, I navigate complex language and craft legislation, ensuring policies are clear, actionable, and equitable. Locally, I’ve held numerous leadership roles—including Vice Chair of Lex250, LHRC chair, PTAs, SEPAC and co-founder of SHAC’s Neurodiversity Subcommittee—where I’ve built consensus, advocated for diverse needs, and collaborated on solutions that serve Lexington.
Serving on multiple committees and spaces has reinforced my ability to engage stakeholders, assess the long-term impact of policies, and balance competing interests. Whether advocating for inclusive education, responsible development, or transparent governance, I bring a thoughtful, pragmatic approach. Town Meeting requires critical thinking, collaboration, and a commitment to community values—skills I have honed through years of service. I am eager to contribute to decisions that will shape Lexington’s future while ensuring all voices are heard.
Good governance depends on listening, transparency, and respect. I am committed to hearing from all residents, understanding their concerns, and ensuring their voices are reflected in decision-making. While I will bring my expertise and judgment to Town Meeting, I recognize that no single perspective is absolute.
Town Meeting is not just about casting votes—it is about fostering dialogue, weighing diverse perspectives, and making informed choices that serve Lexington as a whole. My approach is to engage in meaningful dialogue, seek common ground where possible, and explain my reasoning when consensus cannot be reached. I will maintain an open channel for constituent feedback and prioritize solutions that serve the broader Lexington community.
What is the most important issue in this election to you personally, and what ideas do you have about how to address this issue?
Lexington’s future depends on strong public education, responsible development, and inclusive governance. As a mother of two neurodivergent children, including one with severe disabilities, I have firsthand experience navigating the challenges families face in accessing high-quality education and essential services. A strong school system is the backbone of our community, and we must ensure that Lexington’s schools are equipped to meet the needs of all students. Our high school must be functional, accessible, and built to serve future generations, but we must also balance these necessary investments with financial sustainability.
Thoughtful planning extends beyond education—it is critical in managing Lexington’s growth. I strongly support affordable housing and diverse housing options that allow families, seniors, and young professionals to thrive. However, development must be responsible, ensuring that we protect our town’s infrastructure, character, and long-term affordability. While I recognize the need for more housing, I believe Lexington must take a measured approach to MBTA Communities zoning, pausing to assess the impact of projects already in the pipeline before making irreversible changes. We must plan for growth in a way that does not overwhelm our schools, roads, and essential services.
Smart development also requires us to carefully consider neighborhood impact. Revisiting setbacks, height allowances, and density regulations will help ensure that new projects align with Lexington’s character while addressing housing needs. Equally important, we must invest in public transportation solutions that reduce congestion and enhance accessibility so residents can live, work, and move through Lexington without adding to traffic burdens.
Beyond policy, I am committed to fostering a Lexington where all residents feel valued and heard. My leadership roles—Vice Chair of Lex250, former LHRC Chair, a founding member of SHAC’s Neurodiversity Subcommittee, and active roles in SEPAC, CRG, and other community organizations—have reinforced my belief in transparent governance, respectful dialogue, and equitable decision-making. I will continue to listen, engage, and advocate for policies that strengthen Lexington for generations to come.
Lexington isn’t just my home—it’s been my heart’s work for decades. I’ve poured my energy into serving this remarkable community, driven by an unwavering belief in our town’s potential—even when I personally felt let down by its systems. My approach is straightforward: bring my experience, integrity, and openness to every challenge we face. I believe in a Town where everyone belongs, where people feel heard, even if we don’t always agree. Every conversation matters. Every concern counts. Every decision shapes our tomorrow. Together, we’ll build a stronger Lexington—not just for today, but for generations to come. I’m not just asking for your vote. I’m asking to be your partner in shaping Lexington’s future.