Sai Hitesh Vavilapalli: Indian-American teen’s nonprofit empowers the visually impaired
Compiled by: Team GI Youth
(November 17, 2023) He was just 14 when Portland-based Sai Hitesh Vavilapalli embarked on a journey to cultivate his interest in social justice and human rights, especially focussed on advocating for the visually impaired. It began when he flew down to India for his Christmas break, and visited a blind school in a quaint little town of Kakinada where his parents volunteered. “It was then I realised I should also do my best to give something back to society, and do something for the underprivileged,” he said in an interview.
Upon his return to the US, the Indian-American, whose parents migrated from Vishakapatnam, was keen to make a change and soon organised a cultural night. From this, he raised $4200 which he used to start a non-profit The I Mission in 2016. Explaining the mission of the NGO, he said, “What we do is we gather many patients together and we do screening examines and we have eye camps to test whether they are ready to go through the cataract and retinal surgeries that our partners and the people that we work with offer.”
Sai Hitesh Vavilapalli is an Indian-American changemaker
The next year, he returned to India with a vision to help the poor. It was with the help of Sankar Foundation Eye Hospital that he organised a couple of free eye camps in Vishakhapatnam, and also helped perform about 500 free cataract surgeries. Moreover, The I Mission also donated two Perkins mechanical braillers to a rural south Indian school in order to provide support for visually impaired female students in their pursuit of reading.
.Seeing the impact that his work was creating, he continued returning to India every year to help visually impaired people. On his next trip, The I Mission coordinated and funded a total of 48 cataract surgeries for underprivileged individuals, in addition to one retinal surgery. They also took on the responsibility of supporting three blind schools in the region. Initially, individuals in need of cataract or retinal surgery were identified through comprehensive screening tests conducted during eye-checking camps.
Sai Hitesh Vavilapali is an Indian-American changemaker
Beyond providing essential eye health check-ups and surgical interventions for visually impaired individuals in rural India, The I Mission also conducts educational workshops. These workshops are designed to empower students, enhance their mathematical skills for competitive platforms like MathCounts, improve their public speaking abilities, and develop their reading comprehension. The workshops are structured to be both enjoyable and educational, offering engaging activities tailored to the varying levels of receptivity among the students.
In the last few years, The I Mission has supported over 5,000 free eye screenings, 1,719 cataract surgeries, and 13 retinal detachment surgeries, besides adopting three blind schools in India. “To fund the camps, we not only conduct cultural events but have also tied up with brands like Nike and Intel. We intend to approach some more corporate firms in the coming years,” he added.
Hitesh, who plans to become a doctor, is working with a professor as a research intern at Oregon Health Science University, with a focus on discovering potential remedies for cataract and other eye-related issues prevalent among the tribal communities residing in the Eastern Ghats of India. He plans to take the nonprofit to the next level in the coming years by spreading its wings across the world.
(May 14, 2024) When she was a junior at the American School of Bombay, Aadya Joshi founded The Right Green, an organisation that spreads awareness about native plants and their ecological role in providing food and habitat for local species of insects and birds. Now a student at Stanford University, Aadya also received the prestigious Children's Climate Prize in 2020. Everyday, Aadya Joshi would notice the neighbourhood police station on her way home from school in Mumbai. Outside the station was a vacant lot, full of confiscated vehicles that had not been claimed by their owners. Locals had also begun adding their trash, and the result was a landfill in the middle of a residential neighbourhood. Aadya wondered why nobody was doing anything about it, and in the end, decided that she would be the one to try. "In the end, I went to the police commissioner and the inspector and I said I can make a garden in this garbage dump if it's not being used productively," the Global Indian says. The police took a while to decide but ultimately agreed. [caption id="attachment_37799" align="aligncenter" width="577"] Aadya Joshi when she was in high school[/caption] Aadya gathered friends and residents together
idth="577"] Aadya Joshi when she was in high school[/caption]
Aadya gathered friends and residents together and for the next month, they met every weekend to clean out the trash. Then they removed the contaminated soil and replaced it, and turned some of the scrap metal into pots. Finally, they planted a garden in the old garbage dump. It was a success for Aadya in more ways than one. She saw that her work could have an impact, and understood the power of communities. She wanted to do more and began attending workshops, where she learned that restoring green cover is more than just planting trees. The key is to plant native plant species, even in a place where urbanisation has long since taken over plant cover.
The importance of native species
From there, Aadya, who was then a student at the American School of Bombay, began her own journey of learning. Eventually, she arrived at the work of Dr Doug Tallamy, a professor of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware. He taught her how that planting non-indigenous species can do more harm than good, while native plants will also help restore and nurture the ecosystem of local insects and in turn, birds.
"We are faced with the sixth mass extinction of species, majorly because of the loss of natural habitats and native plants. It has disturbed the food cycle," Aadya says. "Native plants are a vital source of food for insects, and in turn for other species like birds and small animals. Hence the loss of native plants and their replacement with exotic, non-native plants has a cascading effect that results in a significant decline in biodiversity." In fact, she realised that pigeons and crows dominate Mumbai because the trees, which are not local, don't support biodiversity.
This is a remnant of colonial times, as the British had planted hundreds of foreign species of flora across the country. These species, like eucalyptus, were adopted by locals and now cover huge swathes of land, but are not conducive to other plants and trees, or even so to birds, bees and other insects. "In India, but especially Mumbai, you see a lot of colonial, non-native invasive plants," says Aadya. "For example, rain trees. People say they have been here for so long they must be a vital part of our ecosystem." In truth, rain trees are native to Costa Rica and support wildlife that belongs to the ecosystem there. "If you plant native plants, then the insects come back, the butterflies come back, you have caterpillars, and with them the birds come back," she adds.
The Right Green
Aadya had learned that simply planting trees is not the answer, but how many others know that? Could she teach people what they should be planting and why? That's how Aadya launched The Right Green, in 2018, and began by offering workshops for children between the ages of five and 12. Starting out, she tested her ideas on her brother, to see if he could absorb her message. The idea was for kids to learn and also have fun. She also held workshops for adults, corporates and municipal authorities and worked to facilitate the development of native biodiversity gardens.
"The first part of the workshop gets them into nature, since we have a lack of open spaces in Mumbai," Aadya explains. "The second thing is that I try to teach them how native plants support biodiversity, while non-native plants don't." The participants can explore the park they're in, and try and identify trees based on certain clues, and to observe the insects and birds they support. For instance, they can see for themselves that a mango tree is full of insect and avian life, where a rain tree might not even have any nests in its topmost branches. She even developed a unique financial model - the participants, if they find the workshop useful, pay it forward and cover the cost for the next batch of students. This also helps her take her mission to people from weaker financial backgrounds.
[caption id="attachment_37800" align="aligncenter" width="551"] Aadya Joshi is the founder of The Right Green[/caption]
The idea did well and soon parents of her students were also reaching out for advice on what to put in their home gardens. This led Aadya to phase two of The Right Green. She began building a database of native plants and ranked them by the amount of biodiversity they could support. She was following in the footsteps of Dr Tallamy, and reached out to him to learn more about his methods. "What I want is to create a resource that a lot of people can use so that when they plant their gardens, they will seed well," Aadya remarks.
(Aug 9, 2023) It was a proud moment for Steven Harris Ramdev as he secured a medallion of excellence at the WorldSkills Competition 2022 in Aarau, Switzerland. Competing alongside 24 nations in the graphic design technology category, Steven showcased his prowess and emerged as one of the top four achievers. "The exhilaration of holding the Indian flag on that esteemed international platform was truly surreal. It was a dream come true," Steven tells Global Indian. The 22-year recent graduate from the National Institute of Fashion Technology, Bengaluru, has moved to Abu Dhabi for his first job. "I've been appointed as a vocational trainer at ACTVET (Abu Dhabi Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training)," he shares. In this role, Steven is all set to mentor and refine the skills of the aspiring WorldSkills 2024 participants hailing from the country in the domain of graphic design technology – the very category that earned him a medal in 2022. “I am deeply grateful to the government of United Arab Emirates for providing me with this incredible opportunity and entrusting me with the role of training the next set of contestants,” remarks the youngster. [caption id="attachment_32476" align="aligncenter" width="709"] Steven Harris Ramdev during
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In this role, Steven is all set to mentor and refine the skills of the aspiring WorldSkills 2024 participants hailing from the country in the domain of graphic design technology – the very category that earned him a medal in 2022. “I am deeply grateful to the government of United Arab Emirates for providing me with this incredible opportunity and entrusting me with the role of training the next set of contestants,” remarks the youngster.
[caption id="attachment_32476" align="aligncenter" width="709"] Steven Harris Ramdev during the WorldSkills Competition at Switzerland[/caption]
The proud moment…
Ever since Steven discovered the image of Shweta Ratanpura, the first Indian woman to win a medal in graphics design technology at WorldSkills, he was inspired to achieve a similar feat. “I stumbled upon the image of hers holding the Indian flag in my college, finding it magnanimous, and feeling a deep curiosity to learn the story behind it.”
Intrigued, he delved into all the available information about the competition. Prior to that he had been unaware that graphic artists could also bring honour to their country, by participating like athletes in an international competition of such a large scale. “World Skills is the Olympics of vocational skills. It should be made more popular,” Steven says, emphasising that even after 50 years of its existence, the competition continues to need more publicity.
[caption id="attachment_32477" align="aligncenter" width="754"] Steven Harris Ramdev at the WorldSkills stage in Switzerland[/caption]
Impressive milestones
Always in a quest to outshine himself the youngster has won 155 prizes altogether in school and college, both in art competitions and other extracurricular activities. Although winning at World Skills is the highest achievement so far, his art has fetched him some extraordinary recognitions.
Amidst the pandemic, he felt immense pride in the recognition he received for his artwork from none other than the prime minister of India, Narendra Modi. During the lockdown, he sketched two portraits of the PM in appreciation of his leadership and sent them to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) without expecting any acknowledgement. To his surprise, he received a letter from the PM himself, thanking him for the thoughtful gesture. The PMO also released a press statement appreciating his artwork, which resulted in numerous interviews on prominent media outlets, including radio, print, and TV channels.
As an artist, Steven experienced another exhilarating moment when he emerged as the winner of an art contest hosted by TrueFan celebrity shout out app. His outstanding portraits of Hritik Roshan and Tiger Shroff secured him the top position in the competition. The icing on the cake was receiving video messages from the stars themselves, commending Steven for his remarkable talent.
Also, one of the most cherished moments in the youngster's life was being felicitated by then chief minister of Karnataka, Basavaraj Bommai and minister for higher education Ashwath Narayan for winning the various IndiaSkills competitions and getting selected as the final candidate to represent India at the WorldSkills. The recognitions that he has received for his accomplishments at various other platforms have made them unforgettable and special occasions for him.
Joy of art
Steven was captivated by vibrant posters, books, illustrations, and all things visually appealing from as far back he can recall. Anything that caught his eye was promptly recorded in his art book. "Translating the allure of what I found captivating into sketches brought me immense delight," he shares. His mother recognised his deep interest and natural skill in the arts, providing motivation along the way. She diligently documented every piece of art he crafted, nurturing his creative journey.
"I've consistently been someone who competes with myself. Upon completing each artwork, my immediate thought is always, 'What's next? How can I surpass this and create something even more remarkable?'" he reveals.
Steven is indebted to his Guru, Sheshadri Mokshagundam who has been his teacher since he was a student of grade 4. “I look up to him not just a teacher who taught me art but as a guru of life” he says talking about the retired engineer who is the grandson of Late Sir Visvesvaraya Mokshagundam – the acclaimed civil engineer whose birthday is celebrated each year as Engineer’s Day in India, Sri Lanka and Tanzania.
Steven is also grateful to his Pune-based mentor Satish Narayanan, founder director of Design Skills Academy and expert in graphic design technology for training him for the WorldSkills competition. He holds his alma maters NIFT Chennai, and NIFT Bengaluru in high regard.
“Everyone should be aware of WorldSkills, as this could lead to a greater number of Indian representatives. It's a prestigious opportunity that should not be overlooked. While winning can be challenging, even when you don’t you will still be gaining valuable experiences," he signs off.
(February 28, 2024) The dream of space exploration resonates universally, capturing the imagination of people around the globe. However, the reality remains that the actual experience is reserved for a privileged few. Government-run space programs offer select individuals the chance to embark on space journeys, but these opportunities are limited. On the private front, the exorbitant costs associated with space travel make it an exclusive venture accessible only to the extremely wealthy. However, a 23-year-old entrepreneur from Thane, Maharashtra, is breathing life into the dream of ordinary individuals venturing into space. Akshat Mohite, founder of Astroborne Space and Defence Technologies, is ambitiously working towards establishing Asia's leading private astronaut training facility. The facility aims to serve private astronauts, government personnel, and space enthusiasts. As a participant in NASA's Project PoSSUM citizen-science astronautics training programme, Akshat envisions training around 700 candidates each year, with a particular emphasis on aspiring astronauts. "Our world-class training programmes are being designed to breed the next generation of space explorers," shares Akshat as he connects with Global Indian for an exclusive interview. "Once we have the land, the facility should be ready in 18-24 months. The Astroborne facility will provide specialised training using modules like hypoxia
lorers," shares Akshat as he connects with Global Indian for an exclusive interview. "Once we have the land, the facility should be ready in 18-24 months. The Astroborne facility will provide specialised training using modules like hypoxia chambers, space suit acclimatisation, G-Force exposure, and spacecraft ingress/egress simulations. It will also have an onsite analog habitat to facilitate prolonged and hyper-realistic mission simulations, driving innovation in aerospace education. We are also registered with space regulator and promoter Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), already has an agreement with a US astronaut training facility, Nastar Centre," he adds.
A curious cat
Born in Mumbai, Akshat owes all his success to his inquisitive nature. "I have been a very curious kid. I would question my parents about everything," shares the entrepreneur, adding, "I remember my parents took me to watch the movie Krishh. I was very young - probably in the second standard - and this was the first time I got to know that one could become a scientist. So, frankly, I have been working towards becoming a scientist since then. Also, I must add that my school is affiliated with the IGCSE board, which enabled me to understand how to write research papers."
Akshat has received acclaim for his research endeavours, with over ten specialised publications and six research papers accepted by the International Aeronautical Federation. His work has earned him invitations to present at prestigious conferences worldwide, and he was selected to showcase his research at the NASA Ames Space Settlement Contest in both Washington and Los Angeles. "During my 11th grade, I got an opportunity to attend a seminar by an eminent NASA scientist, which motivated me to pursue a career in the field of space technology. eventually, I wrote a research paper about how we can settle about 20,000 people in space, and couriered it to the NASA Ames Research Centre. They were so impressed by it, that they invited me to present the paper at there," says the entrepreneur.
Ask what motivated him to write this paper, and the youngster quips, "I knew about the International Space Station (ISS), but of course, that facility can accommodate a limited number of people only, who can carry out their research missions. So, that got me thinking about another facility like the ISS, but a much bigger accommodation area. It would help humans conduct so much more research and on many diverse topics."
Unfortunately, though, Akshat couldn't get a visa when he applied to go to the NASA centre to present his paper. "I was going to travel with my mentor, and frankly was quite heartbroken when I didn't get the visa. However, I approached our former Minister of External Affairs, Sushma Swaraj ma'am for help. A few of my friends in the USA also reached out to presidential candidate, Kamala Harris. And that's how I actually got my visa in the next attempt. But then by then, the NASA conference was over so it made no sense to go to the USA," shares the entrepreneur.
Space bound
In 2019, Akshat became a part of NASA's Project PoSSUM - Polar Suborbital Science in the Upper Mesosphere. "The programme is affiliated with the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences (IIAS), a U.S.-based institution specialising in operational science, flight test engineering, and bioastronautics," shares the entrepreneur.
"Soon after I finished my 12th standard examinations, I flew to Florida, USA, and started training as an astronaut. I underwent the G-Force training in an Extra 300 L aircraft. I also went through hypoxia chamber training, which basically tells us what happens to our brain when there is less oxygen in the air - so during this training some people cry or others lose focus. However, I was informed that since Indian cuisine has a high content of iodine, it helps us retain oxygen in the body. In all honesty, I am not sure how scientific this is, but I didn't face anything while inside the hypoxia chamber. My oxygen level dropped till 85 percent, and then stabalised there," he adds
It was here that Akshat got the idea of starting a company that could facilitate this training not only for astronauts but also for space enthusiasts. "I did thorough research and got to know that a single ticket to space can cost anything between $40 million to $70 million through SpaceX. Also, according to PWC Deloitte, the Asian market is a lot more willing to pay for services such as human space flight, more than any other continent. That gave me the confidence that I could set up such a facility and give services at a much cheaper cost. There are over 5,000 candidates from Asia applying for training in the US and Europe annually but not more than 10-15 are accommodated. These people would prefer coming to India, spending less, and getting the same facilities," he shares.
Currently only focussed on building the Astroborne facility, Akshat shares that he wants to create a facility for those who might not want to go to space, but wish to get the training of an astronaut. "We are still in our early stages, and yet the company has already received inquiries from around 450 aspirants. We have the full-support of the government, which is also quite motivational for us. Astroborne is also developing India's first six-seater commercial space module - Airawat - engineered for suborbital space tourism missions, which will be capable of reaching altitudes of up to 400km," shares the entrepreneur as he signs off.
With a warm smile, Joe Biden turned to Shrusti and said, “Well, Madam President, thank you.” The crowd chuckled as he continued, “Shrusti, thank you for that wonderful introduction. Just promise me this—when you are president one day, and someone says, ‘Joe Biden is in the waiting room,’ you won’t ask, ‘Joe who?’” His light-hearted comment drew laughter from the audience, and Shrusti, sharing in the humour, responded with a grin, “I won’t.” Owing to her remarkable work with the Rise N Shine Foundation, the 18-year-old was invited to the 2024 White House Diwali celebration as a special guest. Her tireless efforts to combat food waste among the affluent and fight hunger in underserved communities have gained national attention in the U.S., earning her the honour of introducing the President of United States at this year's Diwali event. Biden’s playful yet encouraging words hinted at the immense potential he saw in the young Indian American to achieve even greater heights. The day was a significant milestone in Shrusti’s inspiring journey of service and leadership. Awestruck by the honour The Diwali event at the White House, attended by about 600 guests, left Shrusti awestruck. “This Diwali brought a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Shrusti
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Awestruck by the honour
The Diwali event at the White House, attended by about 600 guests, left Shrusti awestruck. “This Diwali brought a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Shrusti shared with Global Indian. “Being invited to the White House was incredible, but standing next to the President and introducing him was beyond anything I ever imagined.”
She shared the stage with prominent Indian American figures like U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy and NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, who sent a recorded message from space. “It was just me, Dr. Vivek Murthy, and Sunita Williams representing the Indian community, and I had the honour of inviting President Biden to the stage before he addressed the crowd,” Shrusti said, recounting the unforgettable moment.
But that wasn’t her only brush with national recognition this year. Just a week later in the first week of November, Shrusti found herself attending the George H.W. Bush Points of Light Awards Gala, where she was honoured for her extraordinary philanthropic work. Meeting members of the former U.S. president George H. W. Bush’s family, including his son Neil Bush and grand-daughter Lauren Bush, was another surreal experience.
Fighting hunger, combating food waste through Rise N Shine Foundation
“When I founded Rise N Shine foundation in 2019, I had a simple vision – to create a positive change to my community by reducing food waste and empowering young individuals to take action. Over the past six years Rise N Shine Foundation has provided over 350,000 meals, and diverted over 200,000 pounds of food waste from landfills,” she shared amidst applause during the George W. Bush Points of Light Awards Gala.
It was a humbling experience for the young Georgetown University student, majoring in Science, Technology, and International Affairs, to be in a room filled with people who have dedicated their lives to service. These honours didn’t come by chance—Shrusti has spent the last six years leading transformational efforts to make a difference. “It reinforced my belief that no action is too small to make a difference,” she remarked.
[caption id="attachment_40501" align="aligncenter" width="578"] Shrusti at 2024 George W. Bush Points of Light Award function with members of the Bush family and other delegates[/caption]
From vision to action
Shrusti’s journey began in 2018 when she stumbled upon the staggering environmental impact of food waste during a STEM competition, where she presented a project on food waste and its potential solutions. After learning that nearly a third of the U.S. food supply is wasted annually, she realised how this problem exacerbated issues like climate change and food insecurity.
One of her ideas—diverting food waste to composting facilities, became the foundation for her first pilot program. “It all started with a simple idea,” she recalled. “But the more I worked on it, the more I realised how much of a difference one person can make.” The success of that program gave her the confidence to scale her efforts and eventually start the Rise N Shine Foundation in 2019, when she was just 14.
“When I founded Rise N Shine, my vision was simple, to create positive change by reducing food waste and empowering others to take action,” Shrusti said during her Points of Light Award acceptance speech. Over the years, her foundation has delivered on that promise, making a measurable difference in her community and beyond.
[caption id="attachment_40485" align="aligncenter" width="797"] Shrusti with her brother, Vayun Amula, during one of the food donation campaigns[/caption]
Composting and food recovery
Shrusti launched her first composting program at Clarksburg Elementary School. Her team collected leftover food from lunchrooms and converted it into compost, reducing the school’s waste footprint and creating a valuable resource for local farmers. The success of this pilot project led to partnerships with more schools. By June 2024, all 209 schools in Montgomery County adopted her composting initiatives.
"Unused food in our country contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions," the Indian American explained. "Through composting, we’re not just addressing waste but also giving back to the environment."
In addition to composting, Shrusti expanded her efforts to tackle food recovery. Her foundation works with schools, businesses, and local organisations to redistribute surplus food to homeless shelters and food banks.
The COVID-19 pandemic made her efforts even more significant. "With rising food insecurity, it became clear that food recovery wasn’t just about waste reduction—it was about feeding those in need," she says.
Shrusti Amula’s dedication to creating meaningful change has earned her an impressive array of national and international accolades. In 2024, her Rise N Shine Foundation was also recognized as an Honour Rows recipient, an initiative by the Governor’s Office on Service and Volunteerism, M&T Bank, and the Baltimore Ravens, celebrating her foundation's impact on community service. In 2023, she was selected as part of Hormel Foods’ 10 Under 20 Food Heroes, a program spotlighting young leaders across the U.S. working toward a more sustainable and secure food system.
Reflecting on her experience at Hormel’s global headquarters in Austin, Minnesota, Shrusti shared, “It was incredible to connect with Hormel Foods leaders and learn from their expertise while exploring opportunities to scale the impact of our projects.”
These recognitions join an already impressive list of honours. Shrusti was the youngest recipient of the L’Oréal Paris Women of Worth Award in 2023, a platform she leveraged to expand the reach of her foundation. She also received the EPA President’s Environmental Youth Award and the Governor’s Youth Service Award the same year, highlighting her leadership in community-driven sustainability.
For Shrusti, these accolades go beyond the spotlight. “Each award is a reminder that small actions can lead to big changes,” she says. “They inspire me to keep pushing for a more sustainable and equitable future.”
Like any grassroots initiative, Shrusti’s journey was not without its challenges. From securing funding to navigating logistical hurdles, she faced significant roadblocks. “One of our biggest struggles was finding sponsors to cover the costs of hauling food waste for an entire school year,” she said.
Despite these obstacles, Shrusti persisted. Her programs now run smoothly and have even influenced policy changes at the county level. Schools participating in her initiatives have earned Green School certifications, further validating her work.
Beyond environmental activism
While her environmental work takes centre stage, Shrusti’s accomplishments extend far beyond the Rise N Shine Foundation. A trained Indian classical dancer and member of the USA National Women’s Cricket Team, she is a well-rounded achiever who balances her passion projects with personal growth. She is also a mentor, debater, and a Girl Scout with bronze and silver awards to her name.
Her diverse interests and achievements make her a role model for young people, proving that it’s possible to excel in multiple areas while making a meaningful impact.
[caption id="attachment_40486" align="aligncenter" width="692"] Shrusti at the mayor and council meeting in 2022[/caption]
A light that shines bright
Shrusti Amula’s journey youth-led change and a matter of pride for the Indian diaspora. From standing on a stage at the White House to meeting the Bush family at an awards gala, her story exemplifies how dedication and innovation can transform lives.
Her vision for the future is ambitious. She aims to expand the Rise N Shine Foundation globally, partnering with international organisations to tackle food waste and hunger on a larger scale.
As she continues to advocate for sustainability and social equity, Shrusti’s message is clear: "No matter your age or background, you have the power to make a difference. All it takes is the courage to start."
(June 16, 2024) When she was 15 years old, Archika Dogra founded Innoverge, a non-profit organisation dedicated to addressing educational inequity by promoting STEM education for social good. In her leadership, Innoverge has impacted over 10,000 underrepresented students across 14 countries through 75 youth-run chapters. Her significant contributions to education and social upliftment earned her spots on the Forbes 30 Under 30 lists in North America and Seattle in 2023. As a student at Princeton University, Archika’s dedication to making a difference got recognised once more. This year, she is one of the eight recipients of the Spirit of Princeton Award. Sponsored by the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Students, the award honours undergraduates who have demonstrated a strong commitment to student organisations, athletics, community service, religious life, residential life, and the arts within the campus. [caption id="attachment_38271" align="aligncenter" width="511"] Archika Dogra[/caption] “Through my pursuits, I’ve always looked to make a positive impact on the world,” the 22-year-old said in an interview, reflecting on her journey from Greater Seattle where she was raised, to the halls of Princeton University, New Jersey. In May, Archika graduated from Princeton University with a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science, and is set
“Through my pursuits, I’ve always looked to make a positive impact on the world,” the 22-year-old said in an interview, reflecting on her journey from Greater Seattle where she was raised, to the halls of Princeton University, New Jersey.
In May, Archika graduated from Princeton University with a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science, and is set to start the next chapter of her life in San Francisco as an Associate Product Manager on the Databricks Artificial Intelligence Platform.
A consistent achiever
Apart from her work with Innoverge, Archika Dogra boasts an impressive array of accomplishments. She worked on a project involving a computer vision model that helped map poverty in Uganda, aiding resource redistribution efforts.
In 2018, she was one of 45 interns nationwide selected for the NASA SEES internship in Austin, Texas, where she developed a web application to aid flood response efforts in Texas. Later that summer, she supported research at the intersection of neuroscience and machine learning at the University of Washington. In 2019, she interned at Sensoria Health, a Redmond startup focused on wearable technologies.
Her achievements also include being a 2018 Congressional App Challenge winner, a 2019 Mars Generation Global 24 Under 24 STEM Leader, a 2020 Google Computer Science Summer Institute Scholar, and 2020 Coca-Cola Scholar. Additionally, Archika led TEDxYouth@Redmond as its 2019 president, founded her school’s Technology Student Association, and served as captain of its debate team.
[caption id="attachment_38272" align="aligncenter" width="506"] Archika Dogra as a keynote speaker at the EduData Summit[/caption]
After speaking at the 2019 World Innovation Summit for Education in Qatar, the Fast Company Innovation Festival in New York City, and the 2024 QS Quacquarelli Symonds Edudata Summit on artificial intelligence and education, she has become a strong advocate for the power of the youth narrative.
Discovering the charisma of technology
In 2017 Archika got an opportunity to attend an Artificial Intelligence Laboratory Outreach Summer Program called AI4ALL which was being conducted by computer scientists Olga Russakovsky and Fei-Fei Li, professors in the Computer Science Department at Stanford University and co-directors of Stanford’s Human-Centred AI Institute. “At AI4ALL, I had the opportunity to explore machine learning intersected with social good in very tangible ways, meet a community of dedicated and brilliant women, and grow under the mentorship of phenomenal faculty and researchers,” she shared.
The opportunity triggered in her a fascination for technology at a time when she was more inclined towards humanities.
Always driven by a desire to work for social good, the transformational programme made her realise that she could leverage technology to make a greater impact on the causes she cared about. With time her interest in STEM deepened.
[caption id="attachment_38273" align="aligncenter" width="744"] Archika Dogra at the AI4ALL programme in 2017[/caption]
Making a difference throughInnoverge
Soon after, Archika laid the foundation of her nonprofit Innoverge that partners with community centres, schools and libraries to offer long-term STEM and humanities-focused programming for K-8 students.
“I started Innovergeafterrealising how much of a need there was not only in the diversity of who had access to a STEM education, but diversity in the way that STEM was being taught,” she said.
During her first experience with the Artificial Intelligence Laboratory Outreach Summer Program, AI4ALL, she was one of only two girls among 32 attendees. This stark disparity opened her eyes to the gender imbalance in the field and inspired her to start her nonprofit to address the issue.
Over time, her work gained momentum, inspiring young people in 14 countries to volunteer for the cause. Recognizing the impact of her efforts, organisations like Microsoft, Disney, AI4ALL, and Vital Voices have supported her work.
Innoverge conducts various initiatives both in-person and virtually, centred around the STEMxHumanities model. “At Innoverge, we integrate STEM fields with empathy, storytelling, leadership, ethics, and humanity by intentionally focusing on the intersection of STEM education with the humanities and social sciences. Our programming and workshops, range from CSxPolitics to NeurosciencexEthics,” shared the youngster.
During her time at Princeton, Archika held multiple leadership roles, including serving as co-president of the Entrepreneurship Club and co-president of Princeton South Asian Theatrics. She enriched the broader university community through her mentorship with academic service. Additionally, she was the recruitment chair for the Orange Key tour guides, a member of the Undergraduate Student Government movies committee, and served as an accessibility notetaker.
Archika looks at the future with hope - where technology would uplift marginalised communities and level the playing field.
Aadya Joshi when she was in high school[/caption]
Aadya Joshi is the founder of The Right Green[/caption]
Steven Harris Ramdev during the WorldSkills Competition at Switzerland[/caption]
Steven Harris Ramdev at the WorldSkills stage in Switzerland[/caption]
Shrusti at 2024 George W. Bush Points of Light Award function with members of the Bush family and other delegates[/caption]
Shrusti with her brother, Vayun Amula, during one of the food donation campaigns[/caption]
Shrusti at the mayor and council meeting in 2022[/caption]
Archika Dogra as a keynote speaker at the EduData Summit[/caption]
Archika Dogra at the