TUTORING
I have been tutoring 35 underprivileged kids at a school near my home in basic mathematics and English, something that slowly grew into one of the most meaningful parts of my routine. Every weekend, I would walk into their classroom and be met with a mix of excitement, curiosity, and the kind of energy only children can bring. We worked through simple sums, practised reading aloud, and focused on building the kind of foundations that many of them had never been given the chance to strengthen. But my time there became about more than just academics. After each session, we played games, drew pictures, and shared stories about our week. Those lighter moments helped them open up and made learning feel like something joyful rather than something to fear. Over time, I watched many of them grow more confident, willing to attempt problems they once avoided, and eager to show me what they had learnt. Spending those weekends with them taught me patience, empathy, and how powerful consistent encouragement can be, especially for children who do not always receive it.
TECH4BHARAT
Tech4Bharat began from a very simple realization at home. I noticed that some members of my household, including the maids who worked with us, struggled with very basic digital skills such as making UPI payments or booking services online. It struck me that in today’s world, these are not just conveniences but essential life skills. That realization led me to start teaching them how to navigate these platforms, and from there, the idea of Tech4Bharat was born.
What started as a small initiative within my own home quickly grew into something much bigger. Over the years, Tech4Bharat has expanded across six states in India, and today we have been able to reach over three to four thousand people. The mission is straightforward yet deeply impactful, bridging the digital divide by teaching essential digital literacy skills to underprivileged communities. We conduct sessions with children, workers, middle-aged individuals, and even senior citizens, covering topics such as UPI payments, online bookings, internet browsing, and cybersecurity. These are skills that empower people in very practical ways, helping them save time, resources, and opening up new opportunities in a technology-driven society.
As the founder, I now lead a team of around 20 passionate students from schools across the country who share the same vision. Working with such a diverse group has not only made the initiative more impactful but has also taught me the importance of collaboration, leadership, and persistence. Through Tech4Bharat, I have seen firsthand how technology can transform lives and how necessary it is to ensure that progress in tech is not restricted to only certain privileged sections of society.
Beyond the tangible impact, this journey has been transformative for me personally. I have had the opportunity to interact with people from different walks of life, understand their struggles, and gain perspective on my own privileges. It has reinforced my belief that technology must be inclusive and accessible to all. More than anything, Tech4Bharat has been a wholesome experience that combines my passion for technology with my desire to contribute to my community. Moving forward, I aim to continue expanding the reach of this initiative, touching more lives, and taking it to more states across the country.
PROJECT CRIMSON
On 18 July 2024, my friend and I co-led Project Crimson, an initiative that organised a large-scale medical camp for students from underprivileged backgrounds at Links Education Centre. What began as a simple idea turned into a full-fledged operation, where we brought together a team of 13 medical professionals to deliver essential healthcare to children who otherwise lacked access to it.
The camp was designed to be comprehensive, covering paediatric, eye, and dental health checkups. In paediatrics, 80 children between the ages of 1 and 16 were examined by a specialist who not only treated immediate concerns but also prescribed medications, recommended follow-ups, and even issued referrals for more advanced care. Every single child also received deworming tablets to promote better overall health.
The eye care section revealed that nearly 1 in 10 children required prescription glasses. Instead of a quick handout, each child went through a detailed fitting process to ensure the lenses matched their specific needs, and those with more complex cases were referred to Minto Hospital for additional treatment.
The dental program was equally impactful. It began with an educational session for both students and their parents to build long-term oral hygiene habits. Afterward, a team of 10 dentists conducted thorough screenings and treatments, addressing severe issues on the spot while referring over 70 percent of the children to clinics for free advanced procedures.
What made this project special was not just the immediate medical impact but also the sustainable change it aimed to create. Through Project Crimson, we were able to mobilise resources, engage doctors, raise donations, and directly improve the lives of children who would otherwise have gone untreated. Seeing the smiles on their faces and the relief of their parents was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. This initiative taught me the power of leadership, teamwork, and community engagement, and it is one of the projects I am most proud of.
