About
Mahatma Gandhi once said, “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.” That principle shapes how I learn, lead, and live.
I'm an undergraduate student at the University of California at Berkeley with interests spanning economics, psychology, and public policy.
I bring academic discipline, athletic resilience, and curiosity to everything I undertake - from publishing economic research to scaling literacy programs in rural India, and from mountain summits to national cricket tournaments.
Whether teaching underserved students or training with elite athletes, I try to work with impact, purpose, and excellence - because as Maximus Decimus Meridius once said, "what we do in life echoes in eternity."
Education
University of California at Berkeley
Double Major (Bachelor of Arts): Economics and Psychology
Indus International School, Bangalore
International Baccalaureate Diploma (41/45) 2024-2026
Higher Level: Economics (7/7), Psychology (7/7), Mathematics Applications and Interpretation
Standard Level: English A Language and Literature, Spanish ab initio, Environmental Systems and Societies
Extended Essay (in Economics):
To what extent has Shakti Yojana improved women’s economic well-being through increased labour force participation and household savings in Bengaluru, India? - Scored a 30/34, received an A grade from the IB; highest in my school, 99th percentile worldwide
Indus International School, Bangalore
International Baccalaureate: Middle Years Programme (49/56) 2019-2024
English Language and Literature, French Emergent, Mathematics Extended, Geography, Physics, Biology, Digital Design, Personal Project, Inter-Disciplinary Unit (IDU)
Achievements
International Baccalaureate:
Global Youth Action Fund
Selected as 1 of 110 winning initiatives from 1,100+ global applications, I received a $2,000 grant from the International Baccalaureate’s Global Youth Action Fund to scale my READ literacy workbook across rural India, especially in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. With the grant alone, I printed and distributed 3,500 more copies of my English workbook, READ, which impacted over 11,000 students on its own, making the total impact over 15,140 students in India.
https://hundred.org/en/innovations/read-revamped-english-acquisition-and-development
Indus Eagle Award
2025-2026
The Eagle Award is the highest honour bestowed upon Indus students who recognise excellence in community service while demonstrating academic rigour. Only 1 person receives the award per graduating class.
I received this for my project READ, which had impacted over 15,000 students across southern states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, even expanding to Maharashtra, through the creation and distribution of 4,600+ workbooks to develop first-generation learners' English literacy skills.
Summer Programs
University of Chicago:
Pathways in Economics
I was one of 80 students selected globally for the Pathways in Economics course (ECON 12410). I earned 100 units of UChicago credit with an A grade (98.29%). I studied macroeconomics, causal inference, game theory, and behavioral economics, and was introduced to the Chicago School framework through the works of Gary Becker and Milton Friedman.
Research Experience
IBDP Extended Essay in Economics:
Impact of Shakti Yojana in Bengaluru, India
The Extended essay is an independent, self-directed piece of research, finishing with a 4,000-word paper.
-
Investigated the impact of the Shakti Yojana scheme on women’s economic well-being in Bengaluru, India
-
Explored Amartya Sen’s Capability Approach, Engel’s Law, income effect, and qualitative pre-/post-scheme patterns
-
Scored a 30/34 and received an A grade from the IB (highest in school for the Extended Essay)
Volunteering
READ:
Revamped English Acquisition and Development
I created a grassroots literacy initiative focused on foundational English learning for underprivileged children. I authored a 100-page activity-based workbook aligned with English learning goals for Grades 1–5 and distributed over 4,600 copies across Karnataka, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. The project has reached more than 15,140 students till date and is in an expansion stage with hopes of nationalising the workbook. Won IB GYAF 2025, nominated for Diana Award 2026.
https://hundred.org/en/innovations/read-revamped-english-acquisition-and-development
Volunteer Teacher:
Gubbachi Learning Community NGO
I prepared four students for their NIOS Data Entry Operations exams in 2023 - each scored above 95/100. In 2024, I returned to Gubbachi to teach 25 out-of-school children aged 8-13 using the READ workbook, helping them build essential communication and comprehension skills.
Competitions
For essay competitions, use this link to view full responses : https://bit.ly/498ndKa
John Locke Institute:
2026 Global Essay Prize
- Shortlisted as a part of the top 17.5% globally from a pool of 100,227 candidates (for each of the 3 categories attempted)
- Invited to the 2026 Global Essay Prize Gala in London for finalists
Philosophy Category:
Attempted a 2,000 word investigation on Q1: "Is it ever wrong to do the right thing for the wrong reasons?"
Economics Category:
Attempted a 2,000-word write-up on Q1: "Should we fear a cashless society?"
Science & Technology Category:
Wrote a 2,000-word piece on Q3: "Should we be polite to ChatGPT?"
Interests
Endurance Athletics
I began long-distance running in early 2024 and have since completed multiple 10Ks and half-marathons. I was training at the Anju Bobby Sports Foundation alongside elite India (Reliance Foundation) international athletes, and I even ran the full Tata Mumbai Marathon in 2026 (youngest male athlete). The next goals on my mind are Ironman 70.3s, ultramarathons and the Abbott World Marathon Majors.
Mountaineering:
Indus School of Leadership (ISL)
Surya Top Peak, Himalayas (4,000m):
Completed a Great Himalayan Trek in Uttarakhand, summitting Surya Top via the Dayara Bugyal in October 2022.
Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania (4,750m):
In January-February 2023, I went on a Mount Kilimanjaro Expedition and made it up to Kibo Hut on the Marangu Route (4,750m).
Future Plans:
After reading Nimsdai Purja's Beyond Possible, I've developed a deeper passion for mountaineering and aspire to do the Seven Summits post high school/college. Post that, maybe even scaling the 14 Death Zone Peaks.
Content Creation:
Instagram
YouTube
Instagram: I share daily content focused on fitness, discipline, and lifestyle improvement. My reels have reached over 34,000 accounts monthly, and I use the platform to build a community around resilience and growth.
YouTube:
I run a self-shot vlog channel where I explore running, productivity, studies, and self-improvement through storytelling. I’ve documented half-marathons, travel, routines, and my journey as a high school student.
I hope to keep growing and creating more to share experiences of my life, put myself in uncomfortable situations, and grow as a leader.
