Global Indianstory Global Indian ExclusiveTeen entrepreneur Pranjali Awasthi is revolutionising the AI industry

Teen entrepreneur Pranjali Awasthi is revolutionising the AI industry

Written by: Team GI Youth

(October 14, 2023) At 16, I was worried about my upcoming XII boards, and what to pursue after I finished my school. And while most kids that age are dealing with this dilemma, Pranjali Awasthi has managed to secure a staggering ₹3.7 crores in investment for her artificial intelligence (AI) venture, Delv.AI. Charting a different course — one that is setting a new standard in the ever-evolving world of AI, the entrepreneur’s journey is a testament to her unwavering determination and innovative vision for the future.

Entrepreneur | Pranjali Awasthi | Global Indian

With a singular objective of helping researchers to efficiently access specific information in the ever-expanding world of online content, this young entrepreneur is redefining the landscape of the burgeoning AI industry. “As more content gets uploaded online, it’s getting harder for people to find the right information, especially when that information is very specific. Delv.AI helps researchers leverage AI to find exactly the information they’re looking for,” the young Florida-based entrepreneur said during a recent interaction.

Like her father

In the world of exceptional young talents, Prajali Awasthi stands out as a true child prodigy. From an early age, she displayed remarkable intelligence and a passion for learning that would ultimately propel her into computer programming. The entrepreneur’s father, a software engineer himself, recognised the immense potential of his child and ensured that she had early exposure to this field. At seven years old, when most children are still navigating the world of toys and cartoons, Prajali began her coding adventure.

When she was just 11, the family moved to Florida. “After I reached the USA, my curiosity thrived as I could take computer science classes and do competitive math,” shared the entrepreneur, who won several competitions representing her school and also interned at Universities research labs. This is where she got the idea of starting her company.

Entrepreneur | Pranjali Awasthi | Global Indian

Pranjali at the Future Forum Foundation in San Fransisco

“When I was 13, I started interning in university research labs at Florida Internal University working on machine learning projects alongside going to high school. Because of the pandemic, my high school had gone virtual, so I was able to intern for about 20 hours a week,” the entrepreneur said, adding, “My tasks included doing searches, extracting data, and creating literature reviews. In 2020, OpenAI released its ChatGPT-3 beta, and I knew we could use it to make extracting and summarising research data easier.”

As a research intern, the young entrepreneur knew the difficulties and loopholes in the AI industry. “I was hyper-aware of how hard it was getting to find exactly what you needed on search engines. I began thinking about how AI could solve this problem. That was the seed for my company, Delv.AI. It wasn’t a fully formed idea yet, but I knew I wanted to start a company using machine learning to extract data and eliminate data silos,” shared the Global Indian.

Spreading her wings

In 2021 the young entrepreneur attended Miami Hack Week, where she crossed paths with two with two influential figures in the startup world: Lucy Guo and Dave Fontenot, partners at Backend Capital, and founders of HF0 residency – a live-in startup accelerator in San Francisco and Miami. “I was accepted into their September 12-week cohort in exchange for a small piece of my future company. My parents told me I should take the opportunity – the network alone would be worth it, so I took an absence from high school,” said Pranjali, adding that the residency also paid for her to commute from and to the house via Uber every day.

“I launched the beta for Delv.AI on Product Hunt, a platform for people to share software for free, during the residency on my birthday – I’d just turned 15. It became the number three product of the day,” share the entrepreneur, “I formed strong connections in the A.I. community throughout the fellowship. This network was helpful for fundraising in the months following the residency. My success on Product Hunt added to the momentum.”

Pranjali speaking at Miami Tech Week

Her company, which managed to raise $450,000 in total from a combination of funds and angels including Lucy Guo and Village Global, is 10-employee strong. “We’re currently valued at around $12 million. I run a small and lean team, but I still do much of the work. I start my days with running and prepping for my team’s daily huddle. As my team members are older than me, good communication is key, as is knowing when to take the reins,” Pranjali informed.

Looking forward

After the company was established the youngster got very busy with all the work, however, she eventually learned to manage her studies and Delv.AI. “My parents are Indian, so academics are a priority for them. I wanted to get a GED, but we compromised on me finishing my high school credits online, which I completed in June 2023. My decision to not go to college is hard for them, but they understand,” she explained, adding, “I have a lot of responsibility on my plate and passion for what I’m building. I might consider college down the line to learn business skills like law and psychology, where the in-person format of college could be beneficial.”

Follow Pranjali Awasthi on LinkedIn and Twitter
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Published on 14, Oct 2023

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Adarsh Kumar: Empowering 10,000 students to foster an entrepreneurial mindset

(June 9, 2024) Growing up in a village in the East Champaran district of Bihar, Adarsh Kumar lived a life that was harsh and difficult. But the struggles didn't deter him from pursuing his dream - to become an entrepreneur. Now on his fourth startup Skillzo, the 16-year-old is on a mission to upskill over 10,000 school students in Bihar to become future leaders by providing them exposure, experience, and networking opportunities. "We are empowering a generation of learners with hands-on experience and resources to pursue careers and start businesses," he tells Global Indian. Coming from the grassroots, Adarsh understands the struggles and limitations that children like him face and knows that learning is the solution. In just a year, Skillzo has impacted over 7000 students, and Adarsh is excited to bring practical skills and knowledge to students who need it the most. "It's the need of the hour," says the teen, who has secured a ₹30 lakh scholarship from Jayshree Periwal International School, Jaipur, a leading IB School in India. Rising above the challenges Born in East Champaran, Adarsh was brought up by Monika Upadhyay, who wanted her son to have access to the best education. This led Adarsh

alindian.com/youth//wp-content/uploads/2024/06/adarsh-card-1-819x1024.jpg" alt="Adarsh Kumar | Global Indian" width="497" height="621" />

Rising above the challenges

Born in East Champaran, Adarsh was brought up by Monika Upadhyay, who wanted her son to have access to the best education. This led Adarsh to DAV School which was different from his previous government school. "It opened up a new world to me. Back home, we spoke Bhojpuri, here I found students conversing in Hindi. But my dream was to become fluent in English, and I wanted to start by reading one page at a time. Around the same time, smartphones came in which sparked my curiosity for the digital world." When he was in fourth grade, his mom gifted him a laptop. "Jio revolution was happening, and the internet became cheap and easily accessible. Soon I explored how to make apps and create websites." Around the same time, he stumbled upon the term entrepreneurship for the first time.

Intrigued, he researched more as he was keen to make an impact. "Growing up, I have seen people face troubles around me and I was always keen to work for them. But we are often told that we can change the world only when we reach a certain age." But he understood that age is just a number and co-founded his first startup 2Trillions in 2020 to empower education, animal welfare, and environment conservation. "We were making merchandise with thought-inspiring quotes, selling them, and donating the profits. But soon Covid-19 hit, and due to logistical issues, it had to shut down." Soon he found himself back in his village, and along with the help of a cousin and sister-in-law, he embarked on a social and political campaign Mission Badlao to make a difference in the lives of 1300+ families. "I realised that lack of education was the primary reason many were facing issues in the community. It was an eye-opener for me."

Bridging education gap with Skillzo

Keen to do something, he left his hometown in 2022 for Kota and later moved around Dehradun and travelled to almost 20 cities in the last two years. But soon realised it wasn't just Bihar that was stuck in the traditional methods of education, the situation was equally grim in other parts of the country too. It was a far cry from the education system in Delhi/NCR which is focussed more on practical knowledge and skill development. "I realised students lack in three things at the school level - exposure, experience, and network (of mentors and peer group). This led me to start Skillzo in July 2023 to bridge the education gap," says the teenager, who opted for a top-down approach.

He calls Skillzo a community of over 420 high school students from across the country. These students are exposed to various opportunities and events and also participate in mentorship sessions. "We have done sessions on entrepreneurship as well as study abroad scholarships for Indian students," says Adarsh, who calls these events a perfect networking opportunity for students. Moreover, Skillzo helps with internships along with assisting students who plan to study abroad in terms of SOP and essay writing.

Skillzo has partnered with IIT Guwahati and IIT Bombay to promote entrepreneurial skills at the school level. In the last year, Adarsh has reached out to his network and as well as used LinkedIn extensively to spread the word about Skillzo. In just one year, Skillzo has impacted over 7000 students by providing technical skills and knowledge, which is the need of the hour.

Upskilling 10,000 students

Eager to do something for his hometown and East Champaran district, Adarsh is now on a mission to upskill over 10,000 students in the area with the help of the IGNITE BHARAT program to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset and culture. A 60-minute program which is a mix of lectures, masterclasses, and assignments elaborating on entrepreneurship, design thinking, content reach, and personal branding has been curated by students of IIT Guwahati, IIT Bombay, Harvard University, and Stanford University. "The idea is to launch the IGNITE BHARAT program in small towns of India, starting from East Champaran in Bihar," reveals Adarsh, adding that the instructors are from IIT-Bombay, IIM-Ahmedabad and MICA. The program, which is set to be launched in a couple of weeks, will be introduced to students from Grades 6 to 10 for free. "They can attend the program either at school or at home. Afterward, they have the option to work on a project, which they can submit to us and pitch during a district-level event."

Explaining the desire to come up with the program, Adarsh says he wants to expose the students to concepts like entrepreneurship and design thinking. "The kind of impact I am looking for is that people become aware and start talking about it in schools, tuitions, coaching institutes. I hope I become that example or inspiration for them to believe that it's possible to dream big even if you come from small cities and towns," he smiles.

Learning the ropes of IB School

As someone who comes from the grassroots, he understands the importance of education. "Education is the passport to success, and it holds for people who especially come from backgrounds like me. We have no other way, apart from education. But I don't want to confuse education with schooling, what I mean is learning," adds the teen, who has been elected to pursue the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme from JPIS, one of the best IB Schools in India. It was a few years ago that learnt about the concept of IB Schools through LinkedIn. "It was a fantasy school for me. But when I looked up the fees, I was shocked. I realised why I wasn't aware of these schools," he laughs.

[caption id="attachment_38164" align="aligncenter" width="492"] Adarsh Kumar with Ayush Periwal[/caption]

With his aspiration to get world class education and entrepreneurial mindset, he dreamt of top universities of the world and knew an IB School was a perfect stepping stone. "Moreover, I wanted to experience studying at an IB school as it's my dream to create an IB school in a budget-friendly way. The best way to do it is to experience it, that's when I decided to enroll in one." He began by cold mailing a few IB schools including JPIS, Jaipur. "I received an email from JPIS asking me to get on a call with group CEO Ayush Periwal who was fascinated by my story and invited me for a meet-up in Jaipur. That's when he told me I had received a scholarship for the next two years. For a moment, I felt I was daydreaming." Come July, and Adarsh will pack his bags to leave for Jaipur to experience studying at an IB School. "Since IB School is known to focus on practical knowledge and skill development, I'd want to learn and apply the same practicality in the area of education."

At just 16, Adarsh has come a long way, but he credits Skillzo for bringing about the change in him. "We got a ₹10 lakh investment for Skillzo from my mentor Rahul Narverkar and that changed everything - my confidence, my perception." An avid reader, he likes to journal as well as Netflix. Belting out advice to youngsters, he says, "Focus, hard work, and consistency is the key to success in every field. If you can access this article, you have no reason to say that you can't do it," he signs off.

Follow Adarsh Kumar on LinkedIn

Teen innovator Varun Saikia’s AI-driven Makara rids water bodies of plastic

(March 1, 2022) The sight of a gasping pilot whale washed ashore in Thailand in 2018 left a 12-year-old Varun Saikia heartbroken. “I followed the news, and found that it died of starvation as her belly was full of plastic waste. It shook me. I knew I had to come up with a solution to help protect marine life,” Varun tells Global Indian in an interview, of the whale that had consumed 80 plastic bags. And he did. The 16-year-old innovated an AI-driven device Makara to clean polluted water bodies. It won him a special award at the Initiative for Research and Innovation in Science 2021. His prototype also got a nod from the Gujarat Innovation Council, with a grant of Rs 1,86,000 to create a bigger prototype, set to be launched this year. [caption id="attachment_11605" align="aligncenter" width="649"] Varun Saikia with his AI device Makara[/caption] Understanding the workings of gadgets Born in Vadodra in 2005 to parents who own an advertising agency, Varun loved dismantling toys, especially remote-control ones. This inquisitiveness to understand its functioning led the teenager to become an inventor and innovator at a young age. “I used to pick things easily available at home, and come up

rn in Vadodra in 2005 to parents who own an advertising agency, Varun loved dismantling toys, especially remote-control ones. This inquisitiveness to understand its functioning led the teenager to become an inventor and innovator at a young age. “I used to pick things easily available at home, and come up with new ideas,” says the boy who at the age of eight made a water harvesting system using plastic bottles and pipe. Cutter in hand, he was always pottering on inventive ideas. This often invited the fury of his mother. “She was concerned about my safety, but she also always supported me in my innovations,” smiles Varun.

At 12, things took a serious turn with the news of a pilot whale on the shores of Thailand. “After a few days, the whale succumbed. The incident nudged me to come up with a solution,” says the Navrachana School student.

How Makara came to life

The Class 11 student knew he had to get rid of plastic waste that was making many species of fish extinct. He designed a low-cost machine that helps clean water bodies. “After discussing the problem with my mom, she encouraged me to work on the prototype which took three months. Post several trials, I came up with Makara, a fabricated prototype using plastic bottles that worked on a battery, and could be operated by remote control,” reveals Varun who conducted 11 test runs in local ponds and collected 33 kg plastic waste.

With each experiment and test run, Varun improvised the prototype. “Initially, I had added a basket at the tail of the prototype to gather waste. I soon realised that a lot of plastic waste is deeper. So I added a tail net that collected waste in a larger capacity,” adds Varun who pitched the idea to the Gujarat Innovation Council, and won a grant in December 2018.

In July 2019, Varun began working on the bigger model, Flipper, that's 20 feet in length, fully automated, and it can fish out 150 kg waste in one swoop. The teenager claims the innovation doesn’t affect marine life as the ultrasonic waves transmitted from its sensors keep fishes at bay. “Fish don’t come to the surface. The tail net bin is only 10 inches deep, and can be customised up to 1.5 ft depending on the water bodies,” says the young innovator, adding that floating waste is later segregated on land.

This passion for protecting the environment led to the launch of his startup Ocean Cleanerz in 2021. “After working on Makara and Flipper, I realised the need for a company that focuses on finding a sustainable solution to environmental problems,” says the teenager.

[caption id="attachment_11615" align="aligncenter" width="626"] Varun Saikia working on Makara[/caption]

Project Flipper bagged the IRIS 2021 award instituted by the American Meteorological Society, Massachusetts in the category of environmental engineering. “Because of Covid-19, the awards were held virtually. It feels great that my innovation is getting attention, and resonating with people,” adds the teen innovator.

Varun, who calls his mother Ruchira his mentor, has found a perfect support system in her. “She has always had faith in me. She funded my first prototype, that says a lot about her,” adds Varun, who is glad that his parents have been the wind beneath his wings. “I am grateful that they have allowed me to pursue my innovations,” says the boy who wants to study environmental engineering. “I want to get into MIT, and make a difference with my engineering,” adds Varun, who loves going on long walks with his dog.

Starting up as a teen

The teen innovator never misses a day to work on his startup, despite a tight study schedule. “I devote an hour each day to my work as I am passionate about it,” says Saikia who likes exploring tech websites and learning something new each day.

[caption id="attachment_11616" align="aligncenter" width="649"] Varun Saikia working on Flipper[/caption]

The boy who relentlessly follows up on his innovations, advises “never give up on any idea as someday it might materialise into something concrete.” He has been working on Flipper for two years, and is keen to launch it in the next few months. “I would want to use the device to clean lakes of every city and later help to clean river Ganga. Since my device is scalable, it can be used to clean the Indian Ocean too,” concludes the little visionary.

Follow Varun Saikia on Linkedin

Reading Time: 5 min

Prathistha Deveshwar: The first Indian wheelchair-user at Oxford is striving for change

(June 7, 2023) Pratishtha Deveshwar was just 13 when a tragic car accident left her paralysed down the waist. The sudden turn of events left her confined to a hospital bed for four months and subsequently forced her to spend three years bedridden. Returning to school was an impossible dream at first as her school wasn't wheelchair accessible. Moreover, people around them had given their verdict that her life was over, asking her parents to buy her a shop in her hometown of Hoshiarpur in Punjab to at least earn a livelihood. But Pratishtha defied societal expectations and embarked on an extraordinary journey of education, empowerment, and advocacy. The Diana Award recipient is the first Indian wheel-chair user to study at Oxford University, along with being one of the youngest and most vocal disability rights activists in India. It was a normal life for Pratishtha until October 2011, when owing to a spinal cord injury she was left paralysed. She woke up in the ICU days later to immense pain in her hands and chest but couldn't feel anything below her waist. She was told by the doctor, 'You will never be able to walk again.' At that moment she

' At that moment she felt her dreams, life, and aspirations had come to an end. She was later shifted to a normal hospital bed where she ended up spending the next four months. But due to the gravity of the situation, she was bedridden for another four years, until she decided to take charge of her life. Being written off by society, she knew the only way to get out of it was through the power of education. "People kept telling my parents to face facts and buy me a shop, so I might at least have a livelihood. Never mind what I wanted: career, marriage, travel; all these things were unthinkable according to conventional wisdom," the Global Indian wrote in Somerville Magazine.

But her parents encouraged her to study as she worked with her teachers and friends to find a way to continue her studies. She finally found a system and worked hard to clear her Class 12 boards. "I always knew that I could overcome my situation only with education. So, after 12th, I told my parents that I don’t want to live inside the four walls of my home anymore; I deserve better. I applied to LSR, and got admission! That changed my life,” she told HT. However, it came with its share of prejudices as many people didn't find logic in sending a wheelchair-bound girl to the university. "Those people just saw the wheelchair; they never looked beyond it to the contents of my mind or my heart. It was around this time that I first thought of advocacy not just for myself but for all people with disabilities - of which there are 28 million in India."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaGnzeGZ8y4

LSR gave her the wings as for the first time she found a safe space to be herself, surrounded by a supportive community of women who encouraged her to share her story. This was her first step towards activism, and it started right outside the gates of her college in Delhi. She met people who wanted to listen to her story and share theirs. But it was one encounter that moved her the most. "A shopkeeper invited me to visit his shop and make it wheelchair accessible. All the alterations I suggested were completed within five days of my visit. This, I learned, is how activism works: by meeting people, listening to their stories, and telling your own, until you find common ground."

Soon she began sharing her story at other DU colleges and slowly started getting more attention. She led to an invitation to speak at the UN, and it snowballed as she was then asked to join the Asia Pacific Regional Office in Bangkok and later in Nairobi. With each platform, she got an opportunity to create awareness which won her the Diana Award in 2021 for her activism for disability rights. This led her to the gates of Oxford University for a Masters in Public Policy, making her the first Indian wheelchair-user to study at Oxford University. "I realized that the cause of constant marginalization of persons with disabilities (PwDs) is the lack of inclusive policies, hence I opted for Public Policy. I want to come back to India to use the experience and knowledge by facilitating policy-level changes to improve the lives of PwDs," she said.

Earlier this month , I had the incredible honour of meeting HRH Prince Charles, who commended my achievements so far and encouraged me to keep striving for success!
I am grateful to be the recipient of The Diana Award and thank every person supporting my journey! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/HdLdg1lTUW

— Pratishtha Deveshwar (@iiampratishtha) June 29, 2021

It was at Oxford that her course reinforced ideas of activism that she had built up over the years. "I had expected Public Policy to teach me how to use the system to leverage change. It asked us to look beyond the numbers and create the right solution by empathising with the affected people," she added.

The 23-year-old was honoured by the UK Parliament with the India-UK Achievers Award recently for her outstanding contribution to society. She is back in India and keen to share the things she has learnt in the last few years. "While I may be the first wheelchair-using Indian to attend Oxford, I don't intend to be the last."

Follow Pratishtha Deveshwar on Twitter and LinkedIn

Reading Time: 4 min

Sarvesh Prabhu’s bio-insecticide is a boon for farmers

(February 18, 2023) Sarvesh Prabhu can leave audiences spellbound with his live performances of Carnatic music, beat you at a game of chess or show you some swift swimming strokes. Playing a piano comes naturally to him. Academics? Well, he is good at that too. When he is not doing any of the above, you can find him patiently searching for insect larvae in the millet field, in the middle of a hot afternoon! The 17-year-old represented India at the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in Atlanta, USA last year and won the third prize and US $1000 in the biochemistry category for developing a cost-effective bio-insecticide from the leaves of the ‘bullock’s heart’ (Annona reticulata) popularly known as Ramphal. “My diverse interests and activities have helped me develop into a well-rounded individual capable of bringing joy, creativity, and compassion to the world,” smiles Sarvesh Prabhu, a research intern at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Hyderabad, in conversation with Global Indian. How it began During the pandemic-induced lockdown, Prabhu took to gardening, like many others. “But the yield was disappointing due to insect damage. After some thinking and a few experiments, I created a

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How it began

During the pandemic-induced lockdown, Prabhu took to gardening, like many others. “But the yield was disappointing due to insect damage. After some thinking and a few experiments, I created a bio-insecticide using Ramphal as it was the only tree in my garden that wasn’t damaged by pests,” says the youngster. It taught him the basics of chemistry, biochemistry, and entomology. “It ended up creating an affordable solution for small-scale farmers.”

The project titled, ‘A novel study of bio-insecticidal properties of Annona reticulata’ showcased the bio-insecticidal properties of the leaves of the plant. Traditionally, the extracts of various parts of this plant have been used to treat diseases like dysentery and pediculosis. The study revealed that extracts from its leaves could be effective against three disastrous pests, with the mortality rate ranging from 78-88%.

The use of chemical insecticides increases the cost of cultivation from ₹2,000 to ₹4,200 per acre, they also destroy the beneficial insects and contaminate the soil and food produce. On the other hand, bio-insecticide is eco-friendly and the cost of making the insecticide from leaves costs ₹27 per litre, making it affordable.

Global reach

“The solution not only protects crops but also generates additional income through selling the fruits for food and the leaves for producing the bio-pesticide,” points out Sarvesh, who presented the outcome of his research at the world’s largest pre-college science fair in Atlanta.

For Sarvesh, the ISEF will always hold a special place in his heart. “Interacting with delegates and individuals who shared similar aspirations broadened my perspective,” recalls the young researcher, describing the competition as nerve-wracking.

Post his first overseas trip to US, Sarvesh traveled to the UK and then to South Korea as part of the Atlas fellowship and Korean Cultural Centre India respectively in October-November last year.

“These trips have been instrumental in shaping my personality,” says the youngster, who was also awarded the first prize and Rs one lakh by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, as part of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Innovation Award for School Children.

Diversity at home

The son of a central government employee, Sarvesh was born in Lucknow and studied across India, including including Mumbai, Bangalore, Kozhikode, Raipur and finally Hyderabad. “My father's job required frequent relocations, which allowed me to learn new languages and cultures,” says the youngster, whose mother is a home maker.

Academics, he says, was never challenging for him, although he was often close to the attendance cutoff. “Nonetheless, I wrote my exams with confidence and passed them easily,” adds Sarvesh, who describes his school days as being "seldom in school" as his focus was on learning and exploring the world through interactions with people and their experiences.

Exploring scientific research

His internship at the ICRISAT's Entomology department commenced in September last year. It offered him an opportunity to gain practical experience in insect biology and research.

“I learn the methods for rearing insects and studying their life cycles. Besides, I participate in bioassays, such as detached leaf and pod bioassays and diet feed-based bioassays,” explains the XII student of FIIT JEE junior college, Hyderabad.

Visiting ICRISAT at least thrice a week, he also gained expertise in Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GCMS) and High-Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) analysis and basic phytochemical testing.

Sarvesh says ICRISAT's Entomology unit has one of the best insect-rearing facilities in India, maintaining five to six insect cultures year-round and providing a regular supply of insect cultures and training on rearing and screening protocols to other research institutions.

“My internship with Dr. Jagdish Jaba, Scientist in the Entomology department, is extremely beneficial. I gained a lot of knowledge about insects and research methods. The guidance for research is excellent,” he says.

What’s in store?

As for his future plans, Sarvesh wants to pursue a career in research and natural sciences. “But right now, my entire focus is on preparing for my board exams (in February-March).”

Sarvesh is also a socially conscious person who strives to make a positive impact on the community. “I established ‘The Healing Hut’ a non-profit organization aimed at making mental therapy accessible to those who might not otherwise have access,” says the youngster, who has been able to provide a path of recovery and healing to many people struggling with mental health issues.

Follow Sarvesh Prabhu on Linkedin

Reading Time: 5 min

Anvitha Kollipara: Using solar power to light up the lives of underprivileged kids in rural India

(January 17, 2023) India is the third largest producer of electricity in the world, yet energy crisis and power outages are common, especially in rural areas. Kalipeswarapuram in the Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh is no different. When Connecticut-born Anvitha Kollipara visited her paternal grandparents every vacation from the US, the youngster would often notice the disparity in access to basic amenities. But it was the energy crisis that she found to be a burning issue as she would often see people sweating it out in the heat or perishable food getting wasted in the absence of electricity. "But mostly, it was affecting the underprivileged children who were finding it hard to study at night due to frequent power outages. That's when I decided to make a change and started Project Soledu," Hyderabad-based Anvitha tells Global Indian. [caption id="attachment_26583" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Anvitha Kollipara is the founder of CareGood Foundation[/caption] The 16-year-old dug deep to understand the issue and found a possible solution in renewable sources of energy, and that's when the idea of using solar lamps struck her. "The startling facts stating that 670 million people will remain without electricity by 2023 made me think on my toes. I realised

The 16-year-old dug deep to understand the issue and found a possible solution in renewable sources of energy, and that's when the idea of using solar lamps struck her. "The startling facts stating that 670 million people will remain without electricity by 2023 made me think on my toes. I realised that I won't be able to solve the problem for everyone, but I can begin by helping the villages in my vicinity," adds the girl who recently presented Project Soledu at the United Nations. So far, Project Soledu has impacted more than 700 students through 10 workshops in two schools in Telangana and 1 school in Andhra Pradesh.

On a mission to help others

Born and raised in the US, Anvitha was an active part of the Indian-American community, and was always closer to the Indian culture, thanks to her grandparents, whom she visited every year during vacations. At age 12, she decided to move back to India with her family to spend more time with her grandparents, and "to better understand the Indian culture."

[caption id="attachment_26584" align="aligncenter" width="636"] Anvitha Kollipara at the UN headquarters[/caption]

The annual visits to her grandparents nudged her towards volunteering as she would often spend time with senior citizens at old age homes in the countryside. So, when she read a newspaper article in early 2020 about how Covid had impacted the senior citizens in Italy, leaving them vulnerable, she realised that old age homes were equally at risk in India. This led to the start of the CareGood Foundation in March 2020 where she helped more than 230 senior citizens by providing them with PPE kits and medicines. The non-profit simultaneously gives them a voice as she believes "every person has a story to tell, especially our seniors who have such valuable lessons to teach the next generation."

Lighting up the lives of unprivileged children

The same year in October, she began Project Soledu to help underprivileged children live active and dignified life. Understanding the first-hand effects of power outages during her stay at her grandparents, she found the solution in a cost-effective and safe alternative - solar power lamps. She interned with the Energy Swaraj Foundation and learnt about solar power and how to make solar power lamps. Through the project, she addresses the issue of a lack of affordable clean energy and raises awareness on using solar power lamps in rural areas with the help of workshops. "It's a four-step process that we follow. The first is to provide solar-powered lamps to children through national and small-scale workshops. Second, provide a complete solar-powered system to places like schools. Third, help with the maintenance of the lamps and systems, and fourth, conduct workshops for students and show them how to build solar lamps and create awareness on the importance of solar lamps," reveals the International School of Hyderabad student.

[caption id="attachment_26585" align="aligncenter" width="649"] A student in rural India using solar lamp[/caption]

When she began, she was just 14 and had to face many challenges along the way, with funding being the major hurdle. She began a crowdfunding campaign with Milaap, and would find donations from family members, but knew it wasn't sustainable in the long run. "That's when I switched to raising money through exhibitions, stalls, competitions, and CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility)," says the teenager, who works with 50 volunteers who help with the identification of villages and also conduct workshops for children.

[caption id="attachment_26586" align="aligncenter" width="607"] Solar Power Kits provided to kids under Project Soledu[/caption]

Expansion plans

The last two years have been a learning curve for this Class 11 student who is determined to make an impact with her work. After reaching out to schools in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, she is now planning a geographical expansion by taking the project to the states of the northeast. "Energy crisis is worse in those states as people go 2-3 days without energy." She is working with the Sunbird Trust to install solar panels in the northeastern states and plans to launch it in the next couple of months. "Though I started with places that were accessible to me, my ultimate goal is to make an impact all across India."

[caption id="attachment_26587" align="aligncenter" width="762"] Anvitha Kollipara at 1M1B Activate Impact Summit at the UN headquarters[/caption]

For the teenager, enrolling in 1M1B's Future Leaders programme was one of her best decisions as it helped her expand Project Soledu and make impactful collaborations. It allowed her to participate in a 3-day immersion in New York, where she spoke at length about the impact of Project Soledu at the 1M1B Activate Impact Summit at the UN headquarters. Calling it a "surreal experience," Anvitha says it was a truly special opportunity. "It's not every day that you meet the people who are best in their field and get a chance to learn from them."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5EDe0IiFBw&t=4s

Anvitha, who is also passionate about Kuchipudi and writing, is keen to make a mark in business and law after she graduates from school. "During past years, I have realised that service work is impactful but it's only through a change in legislation that long-lasting impact can be made." The teenager believes that taking a leap of faith is important, even if one is uncertain about the process or the result. "Do what you are passionate about. Go as far as you can. Even if you don't know the answer, you will figure it out on the way," she signs off.

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