Two students have been recognized as winners of the India Philanthropy Alliance’s 7th Annual Youth Essay Competition, showcasing their insights on pressing issues in India.
WASHINGTON, DC – The India Philanthropy Alliance (IPA) has announced the winners of its 7th Annual Youth Essay Competition, which invites young writers to explore challenges facing India and propose potential solutions.
Aditi Soham, a high school student from Cumming, Georgia, emerged as the winner in the high school category. Her essay addresses the critical shortage of resources for neurodivergent and differently abled young people in India, emphasizing the urgent need for enhanced support for inclusive education. Soham plans to donate her $1,000 prize to Dharithree USA, an organization dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities.
The middle school winner, Naga Prerani Kasula from Apex, North Carolina, focused her essay on the issue of female infanticide, a topic she feels passionately about. Kasula’s work aims to raise awareness of this pressing problem both in India and globally. She proposes a solution that combines technology with long-term education to combat this issue. Like Soham, Kasula will also direct her $1,000 award to a charitable cause, specifically the Invisible Girl Project.
This year’s competition, themed #YouthWithPurpose, attracted a record number of entries from across the United States and from U.S. citizens living abroad. Both winners will present their essays at the Indaspora and IPA Philanthropy Summit, scheduled for September 29 at the Communities Foundation of Texas in Dallas.
The winning essays, along with those from runners-up and finalists in both the middle school and high school categories, have been published on the IPA website, showcasing the diverse perspectives of young writers.
Launched in 2020, the Youth Essay Competition is sponsored by several organizations, including the Sehgal Foundation, Ujala Foundation, Mamta Bhandari, and the Gupta Giving Fund. The IPA serves as a U.S.-based network that supports development and poverty-reduction efforts in India, encouraging youth engagement in philanthropy and social issues.
According to India-West, the competition continues to inspire the next generation of leaders to think critically about the challenges faced by their communities and to advocate for meaningful change.