1. For those who don’t know you, how would you introduce yourself and your journey?
My name is Liyi Marli Noshi, and I’m from a remote village in Arunachal Pradesh, India. “I am my mother’s daredevil dream.” She was an illiterate farmer who believed in the transformative power of education. Her courage and sacrifice continue to inspire my work in social justice, especially ensuring that girls and marginalized communities have access to the justice and education that can change their lives.
I’m a lawyer and human rights advocate with over 16 years of experience, focusing on child sexual abuse, human trafficking, racial discrimination, and domestic violence. Currently, I am a Fulbright Humphrey Fellow at the American University Washington College of Law. I’m also the Principal Associate at Agrud Partners, a law firm in Mumbai, where I oversee the organization’s pro bono work, and I co-founded Helping Hands, an initiative aimed at combatting racial discrimination and promoting inclusivity.
My journey began in a tribal society with limited access to education and healthcare. Being the first woman in my family to attend college and earn a law degree was not only a personal breakthrough, but also a turning point that shaped my commitment to using law and education as tools to break cycles of oppression.
2. How do you define your work as a lawyer and human rights advocate? What have been the key milestones in your professional journey?
I would describe myself as a ferocious, passionate, and relentless advocate for justice, particularly for marginalized and vulnerable communities. I believe that the law is not just a set of rules but a powerful tool for social transformation. My work is driven by a strong sense of purpose, addressing systemic injustice, mentoring youth, and amplifying voices that have long been silenced.
Coming from a tribal society where girls’ education was not a priority, becoming the first woman in my family to graduate and study law was both personal and professional empowerment. It allowed me to inspire others in my community, many of whom are now judges, lawyers, and doctors. I began my legal career working on domestic violence and child sexual abuse cases, which gave me firsthand insight into the barriers that survivors face in accessing justice. Over time, I worked extensively on human trafficking cases and founded Helping Hands to address racial discrimination against Indigenous and Northeastern communities in India.
One major outcome was establishing a dedicated unit within the Delhi Police for people from the Northeast. Being selected as the first Fulbright Humphrey Fellow from my state, Arunachal Pradesh, has been another milestone that enabled me to deepen my knowledge in human rights law, immigration policy, and gender justice. Throughout these experiences, my mission has been to use the law not only to protect but to empower.
3. What should the world understand better about India and your cultural identity?
India, to me, is a land of deep contrasts, extraordinary diversity, yet a shared identity, ancient traditions, yet modern aspirations. It’s a place where resilience is part of daily life. My perspective is shaped by my upbringing in Arunachal Pradesh, a remote and culturally rich part of India. India is not one story, it’s millions of languages, customs, and coexisting struggles.
As an Indigenous woman, my cultural heritage means everything to me. In my community, the collective matters more than the individual. We share resources, support one another, and preserve traditions passed down over generations. We live in harmony with nature, with deep respect for the land and sustainable practices. This way of life holds important lessons for the world.
India is often seen through limited lenses, either as a booming economy or a country of poverty. But it’s much more layered than that. Indigenous and Northeastern communities are often invisible in the mainstream narrative, despite their vibrant cultures and resilience. At the same time, India continues to struggle with caste, gender, and ethnic discrimination. Some of the most powerful grassroots movements, women’s rights, environmental justice, labor, and Indigenous rights, emerge from India.
Understanding India requires embracing its contradictions and looking beyond Bollywood or tech hubs. I see India as a country of potential, contradictions, and hope. Land that stands strong and resilience through the history of colonization from both Mughal and British. While I am deeply proud of my cultural roots, spirituality and India’s pluralism, I also recognize the urgent need for progress in social justice, gender equality, and the recognition of Indigenous rights.
4. How would you explain the sensitive issues you work on to a child?
Racial discrimination is like when you’re playing with your friends and someone tells you, “You can’t play with us because you look different, and we cannot be friend” That’s unfair. Everyone deserves to be treated kindly, no matter how they look, where they come from, or what language they speak. I work to make sure everyone is treated fairly.
Child sexual abuse happens when someone older touches your body in a way that makes you feel scared or uncomfortable, and they tell you to keep it a secret. That’s not okay. Children need to learn about good touch and bad touch and know that they have the right to speak up and feel safe. My job is to help children speak up and make sure they are protected.
Domestic violence is when someone in your family hurts another person by yelling at them, hitting them, or making them feel small and afraid. But families are supposed to be places of love, not fear. My work is to help people find safety and peace.
Human trafficking is when someone tries to trick a child by saying, “Come with me, I’ll give you candy or a better life,” but then makes them work or keeps them locked away. I help make sure children and people are safe from that kind of harm.
5. You have built an impressive career while staying deeply committed to social justice. How did you do it?
My career is deeply personal. Since I was young, I saw injustice all around me and wondered why some people suffered while others didn’t. That question became my lifelong motivation. I have always believed that everyone deserves someone who truly listens and cares. This belief shaped everything I do.
Education broke barriers for me, and that pushed me to use law and advocacy to challenge injustice. While I work as a partner at Agrud Partners, my heart has always been with the people who can’t afford justice. I’ve been lucky to work with people like my current Managing Director, Sajid Mohmed, who gives me the space and freedom to take on human rights cases alongside legal practice.
I co-founded Helping Hands because I couldn’t ignore the racism faced by Northeastern and Indigenous people. I wanted to create a space for them to be seen, heard, and protected. What keeps me going is empathy. I never wanted success only for myself, I wanted it to uplift others. When I see someone I have supported turn their life around, I feel inspired all over again. The journey hasn’t been easy, but I believe that even one act of kindness or one voice raised for justice can make a lasting difference.
6. What are your hopes for the future, both in India and globally?
My future work will stay grounded in grassroots activism, legal advocacy, and global collaboration. Real change doesn’t just happen in boardrooms or policy meetings, it starts with people. I want to continue working directly with communities, pushing for both immediate relief and long-term reform.
I will keep advocating for stronger child protection laws and better access to justice, especially for survivors and vulnerable groups. I believe in mentoring, not only survivors but young changemakers, to help them see that the world has more to offer beyond their trauma. I want to be the bridge that connects their struggle to new possibilities.
I will continue challenging racial and ethnic discrimination, particularly against Indigenous and Northeastern communities. Internationally, I hope to work with global human rights organizations to fight for child safety, Indigenous rights, gender justice, and protection for vulnerable migrants. My long-term vision is to connect local realities to global resources and ideas, so that solutions are not just theoretical but tangible.
This is more than a profession for me, it gives me purpose. I want to live in a world where no child suffers in silence and where justice is not a privilege but a basic right.
7. If I were to visit India for the first time, where would you recommend I go, and why?
India is vast and incredibly diverse, offering something for every kind of traveller! It all depends on what you’re looking for history, nature, spirituality, food, or cultural immersion. But before you go, do your research to understand the best time to visit, local customs, and travel logistics.
Other than the historical places you can go I would urge people to visit, Arunachal Pradesh, My home state, A paradise of untouched mountains, rivers, and tribal culture.
Visit Tawang Monastery or trek in Ziro Valley. Ladakh (Jammu & Kashmir), A high-altitude desert with breathtaking landscapes, monasteries, and stunning lakes like Pangong Lake. Meghalaya (Northeast India) – Home to the Living Root Bridges, beautiful waterfalls, and the cleanest village in Asia, Mawlynnong. India is huge and beautiful all over, and where you go depends on what kind of experience you want. It’s important to do your research before visiting, as each region has unique customs, weather, and travel conditions.
8. What has the Humphrey Fellowship meant to you?
The Humphrey Fellowship has been a life-changing experience. It gave me global connections, professional insight, and personal healing. Meeting people from different countries showed me how deeply connected humanity really is. I’ve built friendships I will carry with me forever.
The exposure to experts, policymakers, and activists broadened my understanding of advocacy, leadership, and diversity. These relationships will strengthen my work long after the program ends. Traveling across the USA has opened my eyes to the struggles of other communities and to the richness of cultural exchange.
But the most powerful part was personal. This fellowship gave me space to heal from the emotional weight I carry, seeing pain, standing with survivors, and fighting for justice. It helped me reflect, grow, and reconnect with my purpose. It reminded me that fighting injustice isn’t just about resisting, it’s also about building, connecting, and transforming.
Opportunities like the Humphrey Fellowship go beyond education. They build bridges, between people, cultures, and dreams. And no matter where we come from, we all share a dream for a better, fairer world.
9. Do you have a quote or a phrase that represents you well and reflects your mindset?
« If there is a will, there is always a way« has been my beacon since childhood, fuelling my strength and keeping hope alive through my most challenging days.
When I am exhausted and doubt creep in me, I try to remember Ralph Waldo Emerson’s words thatremind me of my purpose: ‘Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.’
And I like the character of eagles, so the quote” Like an eagle, I do not fear the storm; I rise above it, using the winds of adversity to soar higher,” I believe that I have turned my struggles into strength and challenges into opportunities for justice and change. »
Here’s a refined and personalized version of that quote for you: Since, as long as 12/13 years I have lived without family, living solo has not been a choice but a journey, which has shaped my strength, resilience, and purpose. Through every struggle, I have learned that those who soar alone develop the strongest wings, built not just to survive the storm, but to rise above it. So, I love this quote, « Those who fly solo have the strongest wings. »