Indian Teen Named Finalist for Global Student Prize with Healthcare Non-Profit Initiative

Divaa Uthkarsha, a 16-year-old science student from India, has been named among the top 10 finalists for the USD 100,000 Chegg.org Global Student Prize 2024. She was selected for her efforts in transforming a healthcare non-profit, Project Surya, into a global movement aimed at raising awareness of type-1 diabetes.

Indian student Divaa Uthkarsha, 16, has been named one of the top 10 finalists for the USD 100,000 Chegg.org Global Student Prize 2024, honoring her for turning a healthcare initiative into a global cause.

Divaa, a student at the National Academy for Learning in Bengaluru, was chosen from over 11,000 nominations across 176 countries for founding Project Surya, one of India's largest youth-led non-profits. The project focuses on raising awareness of type-1 diabetes and providing support to underprivileged children suffering from the condition.

Following her brother's diagnosis in 2021, Divaa launched Project Surya to aid other children in remote areas. With a team of volunteers, she has educated 250,000 school children about diabetes and raised Rs 1,250,000 to supply insulin and medical resources to needy families. Her tireless advocacy has extended to international forums and aims to further globalize her initiative.

(With inputs from agencies.)