Sehgal Foundation supports India Philanthropy Alliance’s Youth Essay Competition

Competition on the theme of ‘FutureByYou’ encourages middle and high school students in the U.S. to shape India’s Future

By Arun Kumar

Sehgal Foundation, which works to improve the quality of life in rural India, is supporting India Philanthropy Alliance’s (IPA) 6th Annual Youth Essay Competition for U.S.-based middle and high school students.

‘FutureByYou,’ the 2025 theme of the unique platform encourages youth to explore India’s most urgent developmental challenges and propose their own meaningful solutions, according to a foundation news release.

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It emphasizes youth agency and empowerment in building a better tomorrow for the world, and for India in particular and highlights the power of youth-led research and writing in driving social change.

The competition encourages students to identify one key challenging issue facing India—whether in education, water, agriculture, or beyond—and craft a compelling essay that analyzes the problem and proposes actionable solutions.

Since the competition began in 2020, hundreds of young people have been empowered to use their voices in service of global equity. Each year, top essays are featured on the India Giving Day website, offering students a powerful platform to share their vision for India’s future.

“At Sehgal Foundation, we believe meaningful development starts at the grassroots—and that includes listening to the voices of young changemakers around the world,” said Executive Vice President Jay Sehgal. “We are honored to support a program that inspires youth to think critically, act compassionately, and contribute meaningfully to India’s development.”

Competition is open to middle and high school students in the US. Deadline for submission of essays: July 1, 2025.

Winners will have the opportunity to present their ideas at a national gathering of philanthropists, business leaders, and nonprofit executives in the fall of this year and to direct a grant of $1,000 to the charity of their choice.

Runners-up can direct a $500 grant and have their essay promoted on IPA’s website and social media channels, and to its network organizations.

The competition will be judged separately for middle school and high school youth by a panel of nonprofit professionals. IPA will cover travel and accommodation for winning students to attend the conference this fall.

Past winners have tackled issues such as healthcare access and the digital divide. “The process has deepened my understanding of the challenges and sparked my desire to be part of the change,” said Nirmal Melam, 2024 High School winner.

Sia Lakshmi Sampson, 2024 Middle School winner, had this to say, “I hope my essay is a reminder to Indian healthcare students and providers here in the U.S., how valuable it would be to share their skills to improve lives in India as well.”

The inaugural Youth Essay Competition was launched in 2020 as a way to inspire philanthropic thought and action among contemporary youth and generate future leaders with a commitment to serve the common good.

Sehgal Foundation in the U.S. supports the development work of S M Sehgal Foundation in India, which has been empowering rural communities for more than 25 years with sustainable programs to enhance water security, food security, and local participation, particularly of women and girls.

Sehgal Foundation’s grassroots programs and development interventions have reached almost six million people in 13 states across India.

The IPA is a coalition 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.