UNFINISHED
VARUN BAKSHI - A YOUNG BOY'S FIGHT FOR GENDER JUSTICE IN INDIA, BECAUSE WHEN HALF THE COUNTRY IS HELD BACK, THE STORY REMAINS UNFINISHED.
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My name is Varun Bakshi, a 12th grader at Dhirubhai Ambani International School, an institution that has instilled in me not just the drive for academic excellence but also the courage to lead with purpose. Striving to create meaningful change in society, I work alongside Presidential Awardee Sunil Jaglan as a Gender Rights Activist, using the power of education, awareness, and discussion to address burning issues such as gender inequality and women’s safety. As a member of the School Student Council (2023-24), where I served as the sports captain, I contributed through leadership and collaboration to foster a positive and inclusive community. Outside school, I am a professional marathon cyclist, racing on renowned tracks such as in the Al Qudra Desert. My journey reflects the belief that education goes beyond the boundaries of the classroom; it is a powerful tool that, when paired with action and intent, can help build a more just and equitable future.
About Me
School Achievements
DAIS IB
Predicted score 42/42
DAIS IGCSE TOPPER
ACHIEVED 9 A*'S
Given to students who demonstrate leadership, digital citizenship, empathy, and collaboration
DAIS
House Sports Captain
Congratulations to Varun Bakshi, a DAIS IBDP student, whose essay “Pay it Forward” has been selected for the 2024 Global Empathy Conference in Prague! Varun’s inspiring narrative on empathy, inspired by his experiences at India’s largest garbage dumping ground, highlights the transformative power of compassion. #Empathy #GlobalConference #InspiringEssays
Varun Bakshi won first place at the Public Policy Challenge at the John Locke Institute summer program at Princeton University. He was also a finalist in the John Locke Essay Competition. Congratulations for this excellent achievement!
FIRST PLACE IN THE IB LEAGUE
ENTREPRENEURSHIP COMPETITION 2023 IN JAIPUR
Securing first place at the IB League Entrepreneurship Competition in Jaipur, India, marked a defining moment in my journey, reflecting my dedication and perseverance. Driven by a mission to forge a safer, more equitable world, my team and I dedicated countless hours to developing a potential device that could enhance women's safety in public transport. Under the guidance of my business teacher, we relentlessly refined our concept and presentation, often working through the night and making continuous improvements up until the final moments before our presentation. Our hard work and unwavering commitment paid off when we had the honour of presenting our innovation to Shark Tank Judge Namita Thapar, who recognised our efforts and the impact of our work by awarding us first place—a victory for our team, led by persistence and passion.
Team leader for DAIS at the World Economics Cup: Secured National 3rd Ranking (all across India)
Tutor's Award 2023-2024
(Recognition of efforts to provide support to teachers, cultivate a friendly environment for new students, and display exemplary leadership qualities)
Basketball: 1st place at the Ecole Mondiale U19 Basketball Tournament and Team won Under-19 HFS LIGA basketball tournament
Son Rise - Film to a Global Movement
(Involved in Weber Shandwick project to screen the National Award-winning documentary "Son Rise," which seeks to engage men and boys in the movement for women's equality and safety.)
Bridging Perspectives: My Journey for Change
Projects
As a proud Gender Rights Activist, I am collaborating closely with Mr. Sunil Jaglan, a Presidential Awardee and international icon with recognition from Prime Minister Modi. Under Mr. Jaglan's mentorship and inspiration, I engage in challenging the prevailing narrative on gender injustice, across 40 villages in India, including in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, where the problem of gender inequality and safety is a burning issue. We have established initiatives aimed at fostering societal change including opening of girls' only libraries, the distribution of period charts (to facilitate support for teenage girls from the men in their households during their menstruation), and the installation of nameplates for women outside their homes (symbolizing joint ownership). We have visited multiple public and private schools in these rural areas, conducting sessions to raise awareness about women's safety and inequality. This empathetic engagement, underscored by the compassion and altruism with which I've approached these initiatives, was especially evident when I had the honor of being invited as a guest speaker at a Senior Secondary School in Jind, India, to address around 100 students from the 11th and 12th grade about this issue. I feel this experience has accelerated my learning of the cycle of giving back to society. This journey has not only been about advocating for rights but also about showing benevolence, understanding, and a heartfelt commitment to fostering an inclusive society.
Lado Pustakalya: Libraries for Empowerment
A campaign dedicated to building libraries in villages, providing girls with the resources and opportunities to continue their education, pursue higher studies, and prepare for competitive exams. By fostering a culture of learning, Lado Pustakalya empowers young girls to break barriers and strive for a brighter future.
Breaking Barriers: Promoting Equality and Women's Safety in Schools
I was honoured to serve as the Guest of Honour at the Supreme Secondary School in Jind, where I addressed over 50 students from grades 11 and 12 and discussed cultural taboos that perpetuate inequality and address important issues surrounding women’s safety.
Period Chart Campaign: Breaking the Menstruation Taboo
This campaign introduced period charts displayed on the walls of girls' homes, encouraging open conversations about menstrual health. By normalizing the discussion and addressing the stigma surrounding menstruation, the initiative empowers girls to take control of their health while challenging deep-rooted taboos in society.
Beti Hui Hai: Celebrating the Girl Child
With the simple yet powerful words "Beti Hui Hai" (A Girl Child is Born), this initiative spreads the message of equality, urging rural government leaders to celebrate the birth of girls. Through meaningful discussions and meetings with the village leaders of Kanwari, Hisar, it challenges traditional biases and seeks to inspire communities to value and empower every girl child, fostering a culture of acceptance and opportunity.
Nameplates of Equality: Recognizing Women in Their Households
During a session held in one of the villages in Haryana, I worked with families to install nameplates bearing women’s names outside their homes. These nameplates symbolized joint ownership and sought to challenge traditional norms that often prioritized male recognition in households. This initiative not only created visible symbols of equality but also encouraged families to take pride in empowering the women in their homes.
Addressing Women’s Safety and Gender Injustice with Aseema NGO:
Conducted a session with 9th and 10th graders from the Aseema NGO in Mumbai, focusing on women’s safety and gender injustice. I have been actively involved with this NGO for two years, including one year as part of my CAS service work for the IB program.
Media coverage
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about my mentor
Sunil Jaglan is a social activist and founder of the 'Selfie With Daughter Foundation,' focusing on women's rights and empowerment, particularly in rural India. He developed a successful village development model as the Sarpanch of Bibipur Panchayat, which was adopted by the Haryana government and included in the CBSE class 8 curriculum. Jaglan's work has earned recognition from national and international organizations, with praise from India's Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, on his talk show Mann Ki Baat. He is also the author of the book Lado Rights.
SUNIL JAGLAN NOW PART OF THE INDIAN SCHOOL CURRICULUM REACHING 10 MILLION STUDENTS IN INDIA
