FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Alex Counts
Executive Director, India Philanthropy Alliance
email: alex@indiaphilanthropyalliance.org
India Philanthropy Alliance Announces Winners in 7th Annual Youth Essay Competition: #YouthWithPurpose
Middle and high school students shape the future through the power of writing.
Washington, DC, USA — September 10, 2026 — The India Philanthropy Alliance (IPA), a U.S.-based network of nonprofit organizations focused on India, announces the winners of the 7th Annual Youth Essay Competition. This year’s theme, #YouthWithPurpose, highlighted the role young people can play in creating a better future for India through critical thinking, problem-solving, and writing.
A record number of essays were received from all over the U.S. and even from U.S. citizens abroad. The winners in two age groups will be traveling to Dallas to present their essays at the Indiaspora and IPA Philanthropy Summit on September 29, which will be held at the Communities Foundation of Texas.
“We believe that young people bring fresh perspectives to complex social challenges and can inspire innovative solutions,” said Alex Counts, Executive Director of the India Philanthropy Alliance. “This competition reinforces that students have the power to shape India’s future through creative ideas and a commitment to making a difference.”
Aditi Soham, the high school winner, wrote her essay on bridging India’s inclusive education divide. In her essay, she states, “One of India’s most relevant, unresolved developmental crises has been silently hurting the country's progress: the lack of resources for neurodivergent and differently abled youth in the education system.” One of the benefits of winning is choosing a nonprofit to receive a $1,000 grant from IPA. Aditi chose Dharithree USA to receive the grant.
Naga Prerani Kasula, middle school winner, wrote about female infanticide, an issue close to her heart. She wanted to bring awareness to this issue happening in India and globally. Her proposed solutions combine technology with long-term education. She writes, “True progress will happen when society not only prevents discrimination against girls but also changes the underlying beliefs.” She will be directing her $1,000 award to Invisible Girl Project.
Published essays of the winners, runners-up, and finalists in the middle school and high school categories can be found on IPA’s website.
About the Youth Essay Competition
The India Philanthropy Alliance Youth Essay Competition, launched in 2020, encourages young people to explore philanthropy and global problem-solving through research and writing. Open to middle and high school students who are U.S. citizens or residents, the competition challenges participants to identify critical issues facing India and propose thoughtful, well-researched ideas for how individuals, communities, and organizations can be part of the solution.
The Youth Essay Competition is sponsored by Sehgal Foundation, Ujala Foundation, Mamta Bhandari, and the Gupta Giving Fund.
About the India Philanthropy Alliance (IPA)
The India Philanthropy Alliance (http://www.indiaphilanthropyalliance.org) is a network of nonprofit, philanthropic, and charitable organizations that mobilize people and funding in the United States (and elsewhere) for development and poverty-reduction programs in India. The twenty-two core network organizations include Aarti for Girls, Agastya USA, Akanksha Education Fund, Akshaya Patra, American India Foundation, Antara International, Arogya World, Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment USA (ATREE USA), Children’s Hope India, CRY America, Community Pure Water, Foundation for Excellence (FFE), Indiaspora, Karya, Milaan Foundation, Pratham USA, Sehgal Foundation, Teach for India U.S., Vibha, Vicente Ferrer Foundation, VisionSpring, and WISH Foundation.
For any questions, please contact Alex Counts, Executive Director at India Philanthropy Alliance, at alex@indiaphilanthropyalliance.org.
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