About The Asian Perspective

Hi! I'm Tanisha Kinikar, a high school senior from New Jersey. In my freshman year, I had the ambitious goal of writing a manuscript about economic development in Asia. I dedicated countless hours to research and spent a good portion of my high school years exploring Asian culture, economics, and people. Unfortunately, due to personal circumstances and an overwhelming schedule, I wasn't able to publish my manuscript as planned. I left my manuscript dream behind and continued with life. However, as I entered the summer of 2025, I figured that I put my extra free time to good use. Even if I'm not a published author at 17, four years of discovery and writing could still make an impact on me--and you.

This blog informally replaces my big dreams of publishing a manuscript. From hawker markets in ASEAN countries, to K-Pop in South Korea, to Confucianism across East Asia, various cultural factors have shaped Asian economies as we know them today. I hope to share the insights I've collected on Asian culture and economic development to enthusiastic, interested readers like myself. I'd love to grow as a writer and researcher from sharing my writing, incorporating comments, critiques, and commendations. Lastly, I'd like to create a community of youth writers interested in my work and area of study. Socioeconomic research requires collaboration and commitment, and it is especially important to promote today considering the rapid advancement of the technology sphere. As we revolutionize society alongside artificial intelligence and computer systems, we cannot leave behind the study of people, how they make decisions, and how society operates. Youth interested in pioneering this field of study and engaging in socioeconomic discourse should contact me via The Asian Perspective and share insights/work.

More About Me

Hey again! I'm Tanisha- a student who has spent the last four years exploring advocacy, culture, and economics. Outside of researching Asian cultural and economic systems, I wear multiple hats:

Economics researcher: I independently researched the economic implications of recent reforms to the Kafala system. Then, using those insights, I'm currently working under the mentorship of professors on a policy brief analyzing labor reforms in the Gulf, with an emphasis on transparent and fair hiring processes for migrant workers.
Student leader: I've been serving as the president of my class for the past 3 years, and I've been given the opportunity to contribute to great things. From organizing school fundraisers to promoting school spirit, leadership and community building is a huge part of who I am. I'm also an executive board member of my school's Model UN club, chairing two conferences. Lastly, as a former board member at my school's Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapter, I've led several community initiatives to promote the free enterprise system with a team. We organized workshops across all age groups and interviewed industry professionals, eventually becoming national finalists in the American Enterprise Project category.
Cultural advocate: I currently serve as the South Brunswick Chapter Lead at Dear Asian Youth, an international 501(c)3 promoting intersectional activism and Asian advocacy. I've organized a community voter registration drive and menstrual equity drive for women in Gaza. I was previously Director of Activism for Dear Asian Youth and wrote several articles about relevant Asian issues, including some subjects you'll see in my blog post.
Language lover: To better understand global dynamics and communicate across borders, I'm currently fluent in or learning Arabic, Korean, Marathi, Hindi, French, and English.
Food lover: Another way I explore culture and people is through food. I love trying new cuisines and sharing the food I love with other people. Check out my food Instagram account, @taneatsha, for pictures and fun. I hope to one day be a food influencer :)

Meet People Like You

Join a community of other subscribers who share the same interests--economics, advocacy, culture, and global dynamics. You can also upload your own post or art. Be sure to subscribe and contact me for more information.