What are you passionate about and why?
In 2010, I visited the village of Pivli to conduct research on the effectiveness of mobile technologies in rural communities.
While only a two-hour drive from my hometown of Mumbai, Pivli felt worlds apart from its bustling metropolitan neighbor. We visited students at the local school, and their educational conditions were destitute. Blocks of crumbling concrete lined the two-room building, students crouched on the floor during classes, and the unsanitary outhouse was a breeding ground for disease. I could not help but reflect that under different circumstances, I could have been one of these children. Lucky to have the economic means to support my education, this sobering experience sparked my passion for education reform, especially in countries like my homeland.
Education is an effective tool to break the poverty cycle. While in college, I learned about several domestically-focused organizations, but found myself drawn to a Chicago-based group dedicated to education reform in Tamil Nadu, India. Upon joining, the Executive Board requested assistance in raising the group’s profile amongst millennials. In that vein, I founded the Associate Board and recruited new volunteers, spearheaded partnerships and drove strategy. Within three years, our team raised over $50,000, doubled membership, and provided 20 individuals with five-year scholarships.
It was through this nonprofit where I witnessed the first-hand impact of education on impoverished yet ambitious students. Priya, a quick-witted 12-year-old, is now gunning to be the first family member to pursue medicine, while Vikas secured a US-based job at ThoughtWorks through the organization’s network. These narratives demonstrate that education can serve as a poverty-eradicating force and inspire an untapped generation of scientists, leaders, and innovators. As a future Bruin, I am excited to connect with students with similar passions and look forward to fostering a strong community dedicated to giving back at Anderson.