By Shreyansh Srivastav, Founder of Adhigam Youth Foundation 

I have always believed that social change begins when one decides to look beyond problems and start building people. My journey as a changemaker began with a simple yet powerful realization — that education, as it exists for many children in India, often teaches what to think, but rarely how to express, believe, and grow.

I’m Shreyansh Srivastav, a youth facilitator and social entrepreneur passionate about transforming the way children learn and perceive themselves. My motivation to bring social change comes from observing how a lack of confidence and self-expression silently limits countless young lives. I have seen brilliant children hold back their thoughts simply because they fear being wrong. I have seen young people hesitate to lead because they never felt heard.

These experiences made me question — what is the purpose of education if it does not help us discover who we are?

That question became my compass and ultimately led me to Adhigam Youth Foundation, an initiative working to empower children and youth through life skills, personality development, and creative learning. Our goal is simple yet profound — to make children self-reliant, confident, and emotionally aware, so they can navigate life with courage and clarity.

What drives me every day is not just the need to fix gaps in the education system but to rebuild confidence at the roots. When I step into a session and see children hesitant to speak, I see reflections of a system that never gave them space to be heard. But when, after weeks of interaction, those same children stand up, speak confidently, or lead a group activity, I see transformation — quiet, steady, and deeply powerful.

Those moments remind me that change doesn’t always happen in big leaps. Sometimes, it begins with a child saying “I can.”

My motivation also comes from the youth I work with. At Adhigam, most of our volunteers are young individuals looking for direction and purpose. I see immense potential in them — the energy, empathy, and vision to redefine social impact. By guiding and training them to become facilitators, we’re not only empowering children but also building a generation of socially aware youth leaders. Watching them evolve into confident mentors keeps me inspired.

There are challenges, of course — from limited resources to the emotional weight of community work. But I have learned that real change takes consistency, not comfort. Every child who dares to dream, every young volunteer who chooses compassion over indifference, fuels my belief that our work matters.

What truly drives me is a vision — a vision of an India where education nurtures character as much as competence, where confidence is not a privilege but a right, and where every child, regardless of background, grows up believing in their worth.

For me, Adhigam is not just an organization; it is a reflection of everything I stand for — empathy, purpose, and growth through connection. My journey is guided by the hope that one day, every child and youth we touch will carry forward this cycle of empowerment, creating a world that learns not only to succeed but to understand, express, and uplift.

Because at the heart of every change lies a simple truth: when we help others believe in themselves, we begin to change the world — one child, one conversation, and one act of courage at a time.