Radha Pandya: Taking forward the traditional art form of Bharatanatyam in the US
Compiled by: Team GI Youth
(November 11, 2023) Kohl-rimmed eyes, with beautiful mudras, and nuanced facial expressions, there’s a story unfolding on the stage at Piscataway in New Jersey. The 18-year-old Indian American is bringing to life the story of Krishna, an Indian god, who helped protect Draupadi after her husband lost her in a game of dice. This is her 40th performance on stage, ever since she began learning the traditional dance art form of Bharatanatyam at the age of four. In these years, she has dedicated herself to honing a 3,000-year-old Indian dance, ensuring that the legacy of her culture is passed on through the generations.
“When we are growing up in America, away from our origins of India or other areas around there, I think we sometimes lose our connection with our culture,” said Radha, adding, “This is what keeps us tied to that… dancing and teaching this to young kids is a way of preserving this legacy, especially this super old and ancient dance form.”
A senior at Piscataway High School, Radha started learning Bharatanatyam in Greensboro, North Carolina with Veena Argade, and later with Priya Gopal. She later began training under Guru Srimathi Selvi Chandranathan, who trained Radha at Bharata Kala Nrityakshetra dance school in Piscataway. Her Guru got a glimpse of her talent even when she was a kid, and knew that she had the potential to make it big.
With over a million Asians that live in New Jersey, Indian Americans make up the largest ethnic group. And it’s this Indian community in New Jersey that has helped cement the tradition and infuse the culture and history of India in the natives.
It’s been rigorous training for the last 14 years for Radha, and is keen to carry the legacy of Bharatanatyam forward through her art. For her, everything comes alive as she takes the centrestage, and immerses herself in the art form. Growing up, she heard stories and now portraying those stories on the big stage, she feels honoured. Bringing to life the story of Krishna, she considers it a responsibility that she needs to uphold with dignity. “Performing this scene (protecting Draupadi) was very emotional because you are playing these different roles. You are playing the bad king, the good king, and then you are playing the woman who’s trying to save herself and her dignity. And then you are playing the saviour,” the Global Indian added.
At a time when most kids her age prefer dancing to Bollywood tunes, she wants to keep the tradition of Bharatanatyam alive through her performances. “For me, I have been wanting to do this forever,” added Radha, who says that her art form is completely different from what her friends have opted for. “A lot of them do Bollywood dances or things that are seen on TV and commercialized, but this is a completely classical dance, so it is a little different from what you normally see,” said the teenager.
In the last 14 years, Radha’s dance journey has helped her develop a greater appreciation for her culture and heritage. Radha, who is interested in pursuing the sciences in the future, and has also been part of the Princeton W.E.B Du Bois Accelerated Learning Academy, is keen to take the art form to the next level. Her love for Bharatanatyam goes beyond performances as she is also mentoring young students in the art form.
(November 9, 2024) “I feel blessed to have come this far in my journey with the Korean language and music,” says Delhi’s Srija Paul, reflecting on the journey that has brought her to the global stage. Srija’s connection with the Korean language began as a quest to understand the lyrics of her favourite K-pop ballads. Over time, it grew into a deep, immersive passion that’s shaping her career path. In 2024, the 20-year-old achieved a major milestone by winning the grand prize in the “Born To Be A KPOP Star” contest, held in South Korea’s Gyeongsang-do province. This isn’t the first time Srija has made her mark on the international stage. Last year, she claimed the top prize in the Sejong Hakdang Outstanding Learners’ Invitational Training Program, an annual competition for Korean language learners in Seoul. With each achievement, she feels she is getting closer to her ultimate goal - to become a popular professional singer in Korea. [caption id="attachment_40258" align="aligncenter" width="790"] Srija in front of the Blue House, also known as Cheongwa Dae - the official residence of the President of South Korea[/caption] After majoring in English Literature at a college in Delhi and completing a basic Korean language
"647" /> Srija in front of the Blue House, also known as Cheongwa Dae - the official residence of the President of South Korea[/caption]
After majoring in English Literature at a college in Delhi and completing a basic Korean language course at the Korean Cultural Centre India (KCCI) in New Delhi, she recently began an advanced practical Korean language course at the SNU Language Education Institute in Seoul. Alongside her studies, Srija works as a Korean language trainer on the language exchange platform Hilokal, where she and other trainers hold audio-based classes to help people improve their Korean. She’s also dedicated to building a musical career in South Korea.
Tryst with the Korean language
Srija’s fascination with the Korean language took root in 2017 when a friend introduced her to the world of K-pop. Intrigued by the unfamiliar sounds and rhythms, she found herself drawn to the unique artistry of the genre, especially the ballads. Her growing love for these songs, and the messages she sensed within the lyrics, motivated her to learn Korean. Initially, Srija’s goal was simple - to understand the music on a deeper level. But as she delved into the language, what started as a personal interest transformed into an unshakable passion.
In February 2023, Srija took a definitive step forward by enrolling in a formal Korean language course at the Sejong Hakdang branch of the Korean Cultural Centre India (KCCI) in New Delhi. There, she immersed herself in rigorous language studies, embracing the nuances of Korean grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. By the time the Sejong Hakdang Invitational contest came around later that year, Srija was ready to compete with other top learners worldwide.
[caption id="attachment_40259" align="aligncenter" width="732"] Srija at the Sejong Hakdang Outstanding Learners’ Invitational speech competition in 2023[/caption]
Her performance in the competition was nothing short of stellar; she presented the speech titled ‘My Dreams and Challenges in Korean,’ which resonated strongly with both the audience and judges. In her speech, she shared her aspiration of becoming a singer in Korea and spoke candidly about the obstacles she had faced. This victory not only reaffirmed her dedication to the Korean language but also brought her one step closer to achieving her dream.
Winning ‘Born To Be A KPOP Star’ competition in 2024
This year’s 'Born To Be A KPOP Star' competition marked another significant milestone in Srija’s journey. The event, held in South Korea’s Gyeongsang-do province, featured contestants from around the world, both online and offline. She got emotional upon hearing her name announced as the grand prize winner. It was a surreal moment, a culmination of years of practice, discipline, and commitment to music. Srija attributes much of her success to her language skills, noting that singing in Korean has allowed her to connect with audiences on a deeper level. By conveying the nuances and emotions of Korean lyrics, she brings authenticity to her performances, which resonates with listeners.
[caption id="attachment_40257" align="aligncenter" width="745"] Srija received the first prize in the 'Born To Be a KPOP Star' competition as an online participant[/caption]
Platform for cultural exchange
For Srija, the Sejong Hakdang program and the Korean Cultural Centre, India have provided crucial platforms not only to learn Korean but also to experience Korean culture in its entirety. The Sejong Hakdang Outstanding Learners’ Invitational Training Program, which brought her to Seoul last year, is a collaborative effort between the Sejong Hakdang Foundation and the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism in South Korea. Each year, the program invites top students from Sejong Hakdang branches worldwide to compete in Korean language skills, and the event is a central part of the annual Hangeul Day celebrations on October 9. In 2023, over 2,400 applicants from 67 countries participated in the program, and Srija emerged as the grand prize winner, joining the ranks of previous winners, including Anubhuti Kakati, another Indian student who won in 2021.
“When they announced my name as the winner during the speech contest, I was filled with happiness and a sense of achievement. In that moment, I felt that I had taken one step closer to my dream,” she remarked.
[caption id="attachment_40260" align="aligncenter" width="750"] Srija Paul while receiving the second prize at the Sejong Hakdang Outstanding Learners’ Invitational speech competition[/caption]
The preliminary rounds took place at the Korean Cultural Centre in New Delhi, where the contestants were given a choice between two topics: ‘Korea as I and Koreans See It’ and ‘The Korean City I Want to Visit and an Introduction to My City.’ “I chose the first and was placed second. In the interview round with a panel of professors from reputable Korean universities, just 10 finalists had made it,” she shared.
The first visit to Korea
Srija’s experience in the Sejong Hakdang program was more than just a competition. It was a chance to immerse herself in Korean culture and connect with other language learners from around the world. In addition to the speech contest, the finalists engaged in a variety of activities during their 6-day, 7-night stay. These included visits to Gyeongbokgung Palace and Yongin Folk Village, a traditional game performance at Namsadang, and a tour of the Blue House. They also experienced aspects of modern Korean culture, such as K-pop dance.
The program’s focus on cross-cultural exchange and learning has had a lasting impact on Srija, reinforcing her desire to contribute to Korean-Indian cultural relations through her music.
[caption id="attachment_40261" align="aligncenter" width="622"] Srija visited the Gyeongbok Palace in traditional attire (Hanbok)[/caption]
“I was happy and teary-eyed when I landed in Korea; my dream had finally come true. I was mesmerized by the country’s beauty. Additionally, everything was so organized there and the roads wide and clean. My favourite activities were wearing Hanbok and visiting the aquarium at Lotte World,” shared the youngster who travelled back this year to pursue Korean language course at SNU Language Education Institute in Seoul, few months back.
Korean culture in India
The influence of Korean culture in India has grown rapidly over the past few years, with the KCCI playing a vital role in nurturing this interest. The KCCI offers a variety of classes in New Delhi, from Korean language courses to Taekwondo and Samulnori (traditional Korean percussion music). In addition to these courses, the KCCI extends its reach by partnering with 32 schools across India, offering Korean language classes and cultural programs to students.
A dream of musical fusion
Shrija dreams of sharing a stage with her idols, such as Paul Kim and Jung Seung-hwan, and creating music that speaks to both Indian and Korean audiences. For Srija, singing in Korean is more than a performance - it’s a form of expression that bridges two cultures and resonates with listeners on an emotional level.
“I want to create music that brings Korea and India closer to connect people on a deeper level, and I want to keep learning and spreading knowledge of the Korean language and culture to others,” she tells talking about her ultimate goal. To start, she has been working on collaborative projects with Korean singers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dUxx3T0xsg
Srija’s journey from a K-pop enthusiast in Delhi to an award-winning Korean-speaking singer-in-the-making exemplifies the power of passion and perseverance. As she moves forward, the youngster remains committed to her goal - one that transcends borders, celebrating the connections that music and culture create across continents.
For her, the Korean language has been more than just words and phrases - it has been the key that opened a door to her greatest dream.
(May 31, 2023) Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT) conducts Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) within Japan as well as in select countries outside the country to evaluate and certify language proficiency for non-native speakers. Brajraj, a native of Bodh Gaya in Bihar, with no exposure to the language and lack of training facilities in the small town was able to clear the foundation level of JLPT assessment. He attributes his success to Puraskaar’s initiative - to make knowledge accessible free of cost in far flung areas. Just like him, Pammy too tasted success. She was able to crack the JNU entrance test crediting her feat to Puraskaar. Like Brajraj and Pammy, there are 1500 learners across India who are registered with the NCR based non-profit which is helping them fulfill their life goals. "I can proudly say that the volunteers, who devote their time to Puraskaar’s initiatives helping learners in diverse subjects, are the reason behind the non-profit’s exponential growth,” remarks its founder Gautam Kumar in an interview with Global Indian. [caption id="attachment_30586" align="aligncenter" width="758"] Gautam Kumar, founder, Puraskaar[/caption] The 150 volunteers, who teach at Puraskaar, are students of top Indian academic institutions including the IIMs, DU,
The 150 volunteers, who teach at Puraskaar, are students of top Indian academic institutions including the IIMs, DU, JNU, Amity, and Punjab University as well as senior professionals working in MNCs and also homemakers wanting to do their bit for the society. Together they impart education in close to 25 subjects which are both academic as well as non-academic in nature.
How is Puraskaar helping
Puraskaar provides free coaching facilities in a wide array of subjects starting with science and math to painting, yoga, dance, music and more. Regular interactive sessions and group discussions, career counseling, motivational webinars, quizzes and personality development sessions are also organised.
Since Gautam holds a five-year integrated degree from JNU in Japanese, he takes care of the foreign languages department of the non-profit. “Today we are imparting training in seven languages - Spanish, French, German, Chinese, Korean and English,” he says.
“I believe that learning a foreign language makes students more confident in life. Learners from financially-weaker sections especially love the concept because they cannot afford learning such languages like students studying in private schools.”
Though the main focus is on providing support to the underprivileged, in the peer learning model of Puraskaar anyone who wants to be associated with the non-profit is welcomed. "Learners of Puraskaar are as young as primary school kids to as old as fifty-year-olds," reveals Gautam. While 80 volunteers teach academic subjects, 70 are engaged in imparting knowledge in non-academic subjects.
[caption id="attachment_30587" align="aligncenter" width="1166"] Gautam celebrating his birthday with underprivileged children at DLF mall, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi[/caption]
The classes are held mostly in the evenings and the volunteers are more like mentors. “They teach just like any ‘bhaiya’ or a ‘didi’ would teach in a home environment.” Though the classes are largely conducted online, offline classes have been started in some places in Delhi and Patna’s slum areas. “The volunteers of Puraskaar are a wonderful set of people who use novel techniques to keep learners’ interests intact. Perhaps this is the reason why an initiative that was taken during the pandemic is still in momentum,” says the founder for whom Puraskaar is a 'dream project'.
The non-profit also dedicates a campaign every month to topics like women and hygiene to spread awareness in society on vital issues.
How did it start…
After passing out of JNU, Gautam worked in one of the corporate houses as a translator and then switched to teaching optional Japanese language courses in institutions like Amity University Gurgaon and Manav Rachna University. When the pandemic struck, seeing him teach online, his maid requested him to teach her kids as well.
One of her children was in class nine while the other studied in class eleven. Her request gave Gautam an impetus to turn online teaching into a social work project, involving his students. Together they decided to teach a group of underprivileged children instead of just the maid’s kids.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kho6XCeyi9U
Over the course of time, LinkedIn and WhatsApp played a crucial role in spreading awareness about their initiative, attracting both learners and volunteer teachers. Later, Gautam and his team formally registered Puraskaar as a non-profit organisation.
“The designation of the ‘founder’ is just for the namesake. My core team members who have been there with Puraskaar since the beginning have played an equal role in making the initiative reach where it is today,” remarks Gautam who received Indian Achievers' Forum's Shiksha Bharthi Award for the year 2021-2022. “Starting with a handful of students and four volunteers the exponential growth in the number of learners and volunteers is all thanks to them,” he adds. “It’s a collaborative effort.”
Love for Japanese
Growing up in Bihar, Gautam was fascinated by the story of a cousin’s friend who had studied Japanese and was earning well after completing his studies. Inspired, he too dreamt of studying Japanese to afford a comfortable life. After passing out of school, much to his happiness, he was able to crack JNU’s entrance exam for a five-year integrated course.
Gautam still considers himself a learner who is picking up nuances of Japanese culture through its language. “It’s a lifelong process,” tells the Puraskaar founder who is nurturing his next dream - to present Puraskaar’s initiatives at the august platform of UNESCO someday. As far as earning a living is concerned, Gautam is now into interpretation and consultancy.
(February 14, 2024) Ever pondered the legal procedures for transferring ownership of your property to another family person? Does an email agreement hold legal weight? What, after all, is a valid contract? Realising that there is a huge knowledge gap between the various civil and crime constitutional sections and the citizens, a 22-year-old law student decided to launch a website where one could look up any information about the law. Founded on the principle of "simplifying complex Indian laws one concept at a time," the Law Rewired initiative is the brainchild of Chennai-based Aswini Ramesh. "There was an increase in demand for details on family and property law, will or testament, and on court proceedings. And while researching about it, I realised that there were very few reliable resources available about the various sections of the Indian constitution online. Many people have to pay heavy amounts to get even a small work done, and I wanted to remedy the situation," shared the Global Indian, who is also the recipient of the prestigious Diana Award, adding, "Law Rewired is an online student-run portal, that simplifies laws into easy to understand language for everyone. It is a unique portal offering qualitative information
o the recipient of the prestigious Diana Award, adding, "Law Rewired is an online student-run portal, that simplifies laws into easy to understand language for everyone. It is a unique portal offering qualitative information on law and related topics. The two important sustainable development goals - Quality Education and Gender Equality are among the indispensable objectives of this portal. The idea is to make people aware of their duties and remedies so that they do not suffer at a later point in time."
Law Rewired uses real-world analogies, concise bullet-pointed explanations, and a comprehensive glossary of legal terms to clarify the intricacies of laws. Additionally, they provide a range of legal translation categories encompassing property law to constitutional law. The group's materials are freely accessible to everyone through their website and social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. "For example, one of the laws that my company translated was India’s Information Technology Act. We explained terms used in the Act like “intermediary,” amendments added to it, why the law was enacted, and when the Act can be applied. After fleshing out those details, we summarised all the information in a section titled 'In a Nutshell'," shared the law student, who is also the global ambassador of the World Literacy Foundation.
Playing by the rules
Soon after she started pursuing a degree in law from the Dr. Ambedkar Law University School Of Excellence In Law, the youngster would often volunteer for various NGOs and had to travel to semi-urban and rural areas. It was here that she encountered people struggling to understand even the most basic laws. "Through my work as an activist, I’d often travel to workshops and other social initiatives at different institutions and be flooded with queries about day-to-day legal issues," shared Aswini, adding, "This one time someone stopped me while I was at a gas station to ask what legal options their daughter had as a victim of domestic abuse. In another instance, a well-educated person who held a position of authority asked me about divorce alimony; another wanted information on a joint will since their grandfather was unwell; a friend’s brother, who was the family’s sole breadwinner, passed away in an accident and they had no idea about third party insurance claim."
Motivated to narrow the disparities between Indian law and the general public, she established Law Rewired in August 2020. Currently, the organisation is managed by 22 students hailing from 10 diverse law schools, along with an advisory board comprising esteemed legal scholars who willingly contribute their time to enhance the accessibility of Indian laws. To assemble this coalition, Aswini utilized social media to seek individuals interested in being 'part of something meaningful'. "When I posted about the organisation for the first time, it immediately caught my attention. We got responses from all over the globe from places like Italy, Mauritius, California, and Madagascar to fill roles like content creator, website developer, and roles in public relations and marketing," shared the law student.
Talking about the organisation's current projects, she said, "Currently, they’re collaborating with the Child Awareness Project, which is helping us curate social media posts that involve law related to health, children, education, and women. Law Rewired is also in talks with three other organisations about potential collaborations. We are looking to do a special series on patients' rights."
(August 30, 2023) Holed up at her home during the pandemic, like almost everyone, Shreya Nallamothu, too, took refuge in social media. The then 13-year-old was quick to notice that children, much younger than her, were nothing short of social media stars or kid influencers. While she didn't think much about it initially, but as her Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and TikTok pages kept populating with content by children, the Indian-American teen realised the kids can be victims of exploitation, in terms of monetisation of social media content. "I realised there was absolutely zero legislation in place to protect them," she told AP. This led her to campaign for amending child labour laws in Illinois, making it the first state in the country to create protections for minors showcased in online videos, including provisions for their compensation. [caption id="attachment_32788" align="aligncenter" width="626"] Shreya Nallamothu[/caption] The 16-year-old fondly remembers her parents capturing some of her firsts - first steps or first day at school on video camera, and is deeply grateful to them for keep these personal moments private. "It made me realize family vlogging is putting very private and intimate moments onto the internet," she said in an interview. Her parents always
r parents capturing some of her firsts - first steps or first day at school on video camera, and is deeply grateful to them for keep these personal moments private. "It made me realize family vlogging is putting very private and intimate moments onto the internet," she said in an interview. Her parents always told her how everything is permanent online and their words kept playing in her mind when she saw so many kid influencers online. "The fact that these kids are either too young to grasp that or weren't given the chance to grasp that is really sad," she added.
This prompted the University High School student to work on an independent study to help child influencers. During the process, she explained that child influencers include any kids under 18 with their own social media accounts, not just those in family videos, and can earn a lot of money from their followers on TikTok, YouTube and other social media sites. "I definitely wanted to create policy and legislation around child influencers because I felt like Illinois could be kind of a trend setter and a precedent setter for this issue," added Shreya.
She began conducting research on child influencers, and found that kid influencers accounts are run by their parents as kids can't set up in their names due to age restrictions on social media. What intrigued her what that due to the social media explosion, parents were using it to monetise kids being on videos. And realised that with money being made and nothing set aside for the kids, it was nothing short of child labour. "A lot of the time (the child influencers) are being forced by their parents to appear in videos, but then because they're a minor they don’t have access to any of that money," the Global Indian said in an interview.
That's when after her detailed research, she wrote a letter to her state senator, Democrat Dave Koehler, urging him to consider legislation to protect young influencers. Two weeks ago, inspired by Sherya's letter, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker approved a new law that changes the Child Labor Law in the state. This law lets teenagers who are 18 or older sue their parents if they appeared in videos on social media that made money, but they weren't paid fairly. This is like the rights that young actors have. July 1, 2024 onwards, parents in Illinois will need to save 50 percent of the money earned from a video for their child. This money will go into a special fund until the child turns 18, based on how much time the child is seen in the video.
Children "deserve to be shielded from parents who would attempt to take advantage of their child's talents and use them for their own financial gain," said Alex Gough, a spokesperson for Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, after the governor signed the legislation.
Shreya's determination and awareness have brought about a significant change in Illinois. Recognising the exploitation faced by young influencers, this Indian-American teen took action to protect the rights and futures of children in the world of social media. By identifying a gap in legislation and sharing her concerns with Illinois state Senator David Koehler, Shreya set in motion a series of events that led to the proposed bill amendment. Her efforts demonstrate how the proactive actions of a single individual can catalyse positive change, ensuring a safer and fairer environment for child influencers and ultimately inspiring others to advocate for meaningful reforms.
(October 4, 2024) The first wave of Covid brought the entire world to a standstill, and changed the way everything functioned till then, including education. Moving from the vast spaciousness of classrooms to 17-inch laptop screens, students had a hard time fitting into virtual classrooms. Atlanta-based Ayush Gundawar was no different. Despite being someone who enjoyed learning, he felt deeply unmotivated. "Even my friends in high school dealt with the same emotions. That's when I realised if students like us who had access to academic support were having a hard time, how were students from disadvantaged communities dealing with this sudden change, especially when they had no access to extra resources like math tutoring? It felt unfair. And I was motivated to find a solution," the entrepreneur tells Global Indian. That's when the idea of LearnForsyth sprouted in Ayush's mind, and he soon got his non-profit registered. Initially, Ayush was the only tutor who began taking classes for the underprivileged students in his neighbourhood and simultaneously worked on building the website. "It took me months to code. Meanwhile, I also visited the local libraries pitching them the idea, and in return, they gave me articles for LearnForsyth. I even advertised
braries pitching them the idea, and in return, they gave me articles for LearnForsyth. I even advertised about the platform by putting up posters in local temples and churches," says the teenager, who has impacted over 2000 students across the globe through a network of 200 volunteering tutors - who are a mix of high schoolers as well as professionals.
[caption id="attachment_39720" align="aligncenter" width="478"] Ayush Gundawar was named US Presidential Scholar 2022[/caption]
Raised by software engineer parents who moved to the US in the early 2000s, Ayush grew up in a family culture that was cultivated around academics. "It wasn't just for better career opportunities but also to develop personality," adds Ayush, who enjoyed learning computers from a young age. His parents' careers acted as a catalyst in shaping his interest in computer science as young as ten years of age. "That's when I first learnt to program and was instantly hooked." This interest led him to make websites and applications as a teenager but it was in 2020 that he put his skills to the right cause when he started LearnForsyth, a non-profit that provides free peer-to-peer tutoring.
Ayush Gundawar, who has helped LearnForsyth grow from strength to strength in the last few years, calls it an enriching experience that has shaped him as an individual. "I have learnt a lot in the process. Seeing kids who were facing difficulties performing in their school are now performing well after enrolling in LearnForsyth has been a validation of sorts. The fact that I have used my skills to help improve human life across the globe has been so fulfilling," says the 20-year-old who is a researcher at Georgia Institute of Technology.
However, tiptoeing into the world of online education with a platform like LearnForsyth was equally challenging. Being just 16 at that time, the entrepreneur had to work a handful of jobs and internships to help get the seed funding for the platform, along with balancing his school with LearnForsyth. But moreover, growing his brigade of volunteers seemed like a mammoth task. "Initially, I was tutoring students for six-seven hours daily, but soon I started reaching out to high schoolers through newsletters and posters asking them to help to make a difference," says the entrepreneur who reveals that LearnForsyth teaches all subjects, and even helps students prepare for SAT and special projects like writing college essays.
Despite the hiccups, LearnForsyth came with its share of learning for him. From plainly working on the backend to mastering the design of the website, Ayush made technical progress in the last two years. Moreover, it gave him a chance to hone the leadership skills that he plans to put to good use during a corporate setup in the future. "Managing around 200 volunteers has helped me understand how to work with people in a way that they feel motivated," says the 2022 US Presidential Scholar. "The recognition has brought a big shift in me as an individual. I understood that there are so many like-minded people who are working to make the world a better place. Moreover, it has given me the opportunity to network with them."
He plans on making LearnForsyth accessible to everyone across the globe in near future. "I want people to access free tutoring and use it to their full potential in realising their educational goals," says the entrepreneur who plans on launching a startup in the tech space after a few years. Wedged between his passion for LearnForsyth and his studies, he likes to unwind by playing basketball with his friends and playing the guitar. Elaborating on the biggest lesson learnt in the last two years is the "accessibility" that online education has given to students across the world. "A student in Africa can access the same knowledge and education as someone in Asia. The accessibility is helping improve people's lives," says the entrepreneur.
Ayush Gundawar’s journey with LearnForsyth has been nothing short of transformative, not just for him but for the thousands of students whose lives he’s impacted. What began as a one-man initiative to tutor underprivileged students in his neighborhood has now grown into a global platform, offering free tutoring across subjects and SAT prep, all driven by a network of 200 volunteers. Ayush's ability to combine his love for technology with a genuine desire to make education accessible has proven to be a game-changer, especially in a time when students from disadvantaged backgrounds needed it the most. His work is a testament to how a single idea, fueled by passion and persistence, can create ripples of change across the world.
Srija at the Sejong Hakdang Outstanding Learners’ Invitational speech competition in 2023[/caption]
Srija received the first prize in the 'Born To Be a KPOP Star' competition as an online participant[/caption]
Srija Paul while receiving the second prize at the Sejong Hakdang Outstanding Learners’ Invitational speech competition[/caption]
Srija visited the Gyeongbok Palace in traditional attire (Hanbok)[/caption]
Gautam Kumar, founder, Puraskaar[/caption]
Gautam celebrating his birthday with underprivileged children at DLF mall, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi[/caption]
Shreya Nallamothu[/caption]
Ayush Gundawar was named US Presidential Scholar 2022[/caption]
LearnForsyth's tutoring session[/caption]