Where are you from?
 

I am from Rohtak, which is almost 2 hours away from New Delhi.

How would you describe yourself in 3 words?


Passionate, handworker, and a positive thinker

What is your favorite color? 

I love purple and black!

What is one of your favorite hobbies?


I love playing badminton. Also, I enjoy fishing.

What is your favorite food?

I love to eat buffalo chicken wings (extra spicy)!

If you could have a superpower, what would it be?


I would want to be able fly anywhere I would like so that I could volunteer. I really want to partake in a mission trip.

What is a dream that you have? What is something that you are passionate about?

I do not want to see a child go hungry. This stems from my experience in India. I have seen children begging for food and I just feel really sad after seeing them so upset and hungry. I am very passionate about helping children. I think it is important for people to advocate for children.

 Tell us about a very difficult experience in your life.  How did this situation weaken you?  How did it make you stronger?

I am an acid attack survivor. Being attacked with acid was a difficult experience, but living in a society that does not really support acid attack victims was more challenging. My parents would support me by telling me that I am beautiful and that I can still accomplish my goals. As soon as I stepped outside of my house, the society would shut me down by making negative comments. However, that made me stronger. After hearing everyone tell me that I cannot accomplish my dreams, it motivated me to work harder. I took it as a challenge and I wanted to prove them wrong. I am a very competitive person.

What has been a challenge in your RISE-ing process? d. How have you overcome those challenges?

I think the biggest challenge was defying the rules that are “supposedly” set up by the society. However, I think I have overcome those challenges by coming to the United States to pursue an education and establish a career for myself.

What advice would you give to people who are struggling with a very difficult life experience?

I think if someone is going through a difficult experience, they should try to find some meaning and happiness in their present situation. We have so much to be thankful for and we often forget about how blessed we are. So, I think if people can try to find and remember that one thing that gives them happiness, it will give them the strength to overcome any obstacle that comes their way.

What would you say to those who think they can’t make a difference in the world? Is there a certain quote that you have found inspirational? 

I feel like every individual can make a difference in the world. You do not have to be an activist. If you want to bring a change in the world, I think you can just start off with smile and appreciating the people around you. I think it is the little things that make the most difference. I cannot think of a specific quote, but I always believe that you should be the “real you”.

 Do you think of yourself as an activist?

I don’t think of myself as an activist. I think the word “activist” has a lot of meaning behind it. However, I would not consider myself as an activist because that is not my primary focus right now. As of now, I am focusing on my education and future. On the other hand, I would consider myself as a good civic leader.

What do you think activism means?

I think activism involves continuous efforts that works towards making a positive change in society.

What is your vision of social change? 

I think everyone should work towards creating a clean environment. I think having a clean environment can contribute to positivity.  I think people tend to feel unhappy in a polluted environment. A clean environment can promote a clean mindset.

If you could make a difference in the world, what would that be?

I love children, so I do not want to see a single child go hungry. Also, I want to save women who suffer from abuse (domestic, sexual, human trafficking). If I could use my super power of flying, I would try to help those people by bringing them to a happier place.

What does RISE mean to you?


There are some people who are struggling with a dark time in their life. They may have certain dreams and goals that they would like to accomplish. If they are able to overcome those hardships and accomplish those dreams, then I feel like that would represent their ability to “rise” out of a difficult period. I feel like there is so much more I have to do and accomplish. Overall, I think RISE means to be able to find a light at the end of the tunnel. You are able to find happiness.