Hyderabad: At just 16 years old, Adarsh Vikas Sriram, a class 11 student from Hyderabad, is making a profound impact on education for students from underprivileged communities. Driven by a vision of sustainability and student empowerment, Adarsh has brought the transformative power of digital education to over 450 tribal children in remote areas of Telangana. With the help of his parents, both IT employees, launched a crowdfunding campaign and installed eight solar-powered TVs in bridge schools in Kothagudem. He also set up a library through the NGO Joy of Reading, collecting over 1,000 books for govt schools in Ranga Reddy district.
Adarsh’s journey began during a visit to Bhadrachalam in Bhadradri Kothagudem district recently, wherein he witnessed first hand the challenges faced by tribal students in the region, which doesn’t even have electricity. In these mud-built bridge schools, typically 15×15 feet in size, a single teacher instructs students in both Gond and Telugu languages.Struck by the lack of resources and access to technology, Adarsh decided to crowdfund and has raised 3.5 lakhs out of his 5.5 lakh goal. Collaborating with a team of doctors from the Indigenous Development Organisation (IDO), Adarsh is enabling students to access engaging, interactive digital content.
“It was heartbreaking to see how these students struggle. Most of them are not even 11 or 12 years old. Life must be incredibly hard for them, and they deserve at least a fraction of the comfort we take for granted. That’s why I set up this fundraiser — to give them access to content used in city schools. Empathy isn’t just about feeling for others; it’s about taking action to make a change,” Adarsh shares.
For him, this mission is both a privilege and a learning experience. He credits his parents, Geethalakshmi and Sriram, for their unwavering support.
“Life isn’t just about education. We want to instil good values and respect for traditions in Adarsh. I want him to understand the value of life and learn to give back to society,” says Sriram.
Adarsh’smother, Geethalakshmi, adds, “He is passionate about mathematics and physics and aims to bring STEM education to children in govt schools. Starting 2025, he plans to teach and promote STEM concepts, as these subjects are often taught only theoretically in such schools. He aims to begin this initiative this month and find sustainable ways to expand it.”
In 2023, Adarsh adopted a govt school near Gachibowli and organised a summer camp for students in grades 8–10. With the help of friends and volunteers, he introduced activities such as reading, math, sudoku, yoga, and fitness sessions, ensuring the students were nourished both intellectually and physically. “Every small effort to share knowledge can spark a world of opportunity for someone else.”
“Adarsh introduced vedic math and STEM concepts in a simplified manner during the camp. We enjoyed painting, playing sports & puzzles. We are looking forward for more such sessions,” said Swapna, a class 8 student at ZPHS, Gachibowli.
Dr Kapil Sharma, programme director and joint secretary for IDO, said, “We work with tribal communities across 130 districts in Kothagudem, an aspirational district where tribals lack access to even basic amenities like electricity and safe drinking water. We focus on three components: health, education, and nutrition. Our core team comprises six doctors, while six other doctors serve on mobile units, providing healthcare to nearly 20,000 people in the region.”
Regarding Adarsh’s initiative, Dr Sharma said, “We learned about his work through a well-wisher. Bridge schools, like mini anganwadis, provide basic education and mid day meals. Once students are ready, they transition to tribal residential schools. Since these areas lack electricity, we came up with the idea of solar TVs to improve digital literacy. The initiative has received excellent feedback. I’am amazed that someone as young as Adarsh had such a novel idea to help underprivileged children.”
Venkateshwarlu, then in-charge principal of ZPHS Gachibowli in Serilingampalli, said,”Adarsh conducted summer camps in our school, engaging nearly 40 students, many from below-poverty-line families. He taught them the importance of personal hygiene, physical activities like sports, puzzles, and much more. The children thoroughly enjoyed the camp, which is being continuing this year too. He also taught them about sustainability and the importance of keeping our environment clean.We must appreciate his parents for their support, and I believe this initiative should be extended to all govt schools.”
Adarsh’s passion for education isn’t new. In 2021, alongside his sister Aradhya, he established a library through the NGO Joy of Reading, collecting over 1,000 books from his community and donating them to govt schools in the Ranga Reddy district.
Harini Raghavan, a board member and trustee of Joy of Reading, emphasizes the importance of establishing libraries in govt schools and encouraging book donation drives. “Adarsh was one of the first students to assist with our book donation drives by creating videoflyers. He also organized a reading session at the Gachibowli govt school, which was a great success. We hope more students follow his example.”
Looking ahead, Adarsh envisions a future where education is accessible to all. He plans to teach vedic math and STEM concepts in govt schools, equipping students with skills to shape their futures.
For Adarsh, education is not just a privilege but a shared responsibility. “I feel privileged to have access to opportunities that many others lack. I would love to extend those opportunities to others,” he says.
Through his initiatives, Adarsh exemplifies how determination and empathy can inspire others to create a more equitable world. His efforts not only bridge the education gap but also encourage others to act with compassion and perseverance. In a world rife with inequality, his unwavering commitment reminds us that the path to a brighter future begins with a single step and a heart full of hope.
Adarsh’s journey began during a visit to Bhadrachalam in Bhadradri Kothagudem district recently, wherein he witnessed first hand the challenges faced by tribal students in the region, which doesn’t even have electricity. In these mud-built bridge schools, typically 15×15 feet in size, a single teacher instructs students in both Gond and Telugu languages.Struck by the lack of resources and access to technology, Adarsh decided to crowdfund and has raised 3.5 lakhs out of his 5.5 lakh goal. Collaborating with a team of doctors from the Indigenous Development Organisation (IDO), Adarsh is enabling students to access engaging, interactive digital content.
“It was heartbreaking to see how these students struggle. Most of them are not even 11 or 12 years old. Life must be incredibly hard for them, and they deserve at least a fraction of the comfort we take for granted. That’s why I set up this fundraiser — to give them access to content used in city schools. Empathy isn’t just about feeling for others; it’s about taking action to make a change,” Adarsh shares.
For him, this mission is both a privilege and a learning experience. He credits his parents, Geethalakshmi and Sriram, for their unwavering support.
“Life isn’t just about education. We want to instil good values and respect for traditions in Adarsh. I want him to understand the value of life and learn to give back to society,” says Sriram.
Adarsh’smother, Geethalakshmi, adds, “He is passionate about mathematics and physics and aims to bring STEM education to children in govt schools. Starting 2025, he plans to teach and promote STEM concepts, as these subjects are often taught only theoretically in such schools. He aims to begin this initiative this month and find sustainable ways to expand it.”
In 2023, Adarsh adopted a govt school near Gachibowli and organised a summer camp for students in grades 8–10. With the help of friends and volunteers, he introduced activities such as reading, math, sudoku, yoga, and fitness sessions, ensuring the students were nourished both intellectually and physically. “Every small effort to share knowledge can spark a world of opportunity for someone else.”
“Adarsh introduced vedic math and STEM concepts in a simplified manner during the camp. We enjoyed painting, playing sports & puzzles. We are looking forward for more such sessions,” said Swapna, a class 8 student at ZPHS, Gachibowli.
Dr Kapil Sharma, programme director and joint secretary for IDO, said, “We work with tribal communities across 130 districts in Kothagudem, an aspirational district where tribals lack access to even basic amenities like electricity and safe drinking water. We focus on three components: health, education, and nutrition. Our core team comprises six doctors, while six other doctors serve on mobile units, providing healthcare to nearly 20,000 people in the region.”
Regarding Adarsh’s initiative, Dr Sharma said, “We learned about his work through a well-wisher. Bridge schools, like mini anganwadis, provide basic education and mid day meals. Once students are ready, they transition to tribal residential schools. Since these areas lack electricity, we came up with the idea of solar TVs to improve digital literacy. The initiative has received excellent feedback. I’am amazed that someone as young as Adarsh had such a novel idea to help underprivileged children.”
Venkateshwarlu, then in-charge principal of ZPHS Gachibowli in Serilingampalli, said,”Adarsh conducted summer camps in our school, engaging nearly 40 students, many from below-poverty-line families. He taught them the importance of personal hygiene, physical activities like sports, puzzles, and much more. The children thoroughly enjoyed the camp, which is being continuing this year too. He also taught them about sustainability and the importance of keeping our environment clean.We must appreciate his parents for their support, and I believe this initiative should be extended to all govt schools.”
Adarsh’s passion for education isn’t new. In 2021, alongside his sister Aradhya, he established a library through the NGO Joy of Reading, collecting over 1,000 books from his community and donating them to govt schools in the Ranga Reddy district.
Harini Raghavan, a board member and trustee of Joy of Reading, emphasizes the importance of establishing libraries in govt schools and encouraging book donation drives. “Adarsh was one of the first students to assist with our book donation drives by creating videoflyers. He also organized a reading session at the Gachibowli govt school, which was a great success. We hope more students follow his example.”
Looking ahead, Adarsh envisions a future where education is accessible to all. He plans to teach vedic math and STEM concepts in govt schools, equipping students with skills to shape their futures.
For Adarsh, education is not just a privilege but a shared responsibility. “I feel privileged to have access to opportunities that many others lack. I would love to extend those opportunities to others,” he says.
Through his initiatives, Adarsh exemplifies how determination and empathy can inspire others to create a more equitable world. His efforts not only bridge the education gap but also encourage others to act with compassion and perseverance. In a world rife with inequality, his unwavering commitment reminds us that the path to a brighter future begins with a single step and a heart full of hope.
