Ishan Parmar: How a 17-Year-Old in the USA is Transforming Education for Underprivileged Kids in India
New Delhi- Youths of his age generally like to chill out, enjoy vacations, trek, swim, or hang out with peers, but Ishan Parmar is different from the rest. At just 17, this 12th grader from New Jersey, USA, has a remarkable sensitivity and a deep-seated commitment to contributing to noble causes. Unlike many of his peers, Ishan channels his energy into making a tangible impact on society.
He takes math classes, teaches drawing, sell Indian dresses, organise talent shows and many other things and channels all his earnings towards a greater purpose: supporting education for the underprivileged in India.
As a dedicated youth leader, Ishan is not just focused on his academic achievements but also on uplifting marginalized and underprivileged communities. Ishan has raised funds and donated to various non profit Organizations like Asha for Education, ADWAN, AIM etc.
Ishan hails from a Gujarati Dalit family in Ahmedabad. Although born in the USA, where his parents had moved in the early 2000s, Ishan’s connection to his Indian roots remained strong. During frequent visits to India, he was deeply moved by the sight of children in impoverished localities idly wandering and not attending school.
Speaking with The Mooknayak, Ishan said, “My journey into community service began when I was 13 and visited a village school in India. The lack of basic educational facilities and resources struck me profoundly. I saw classrooms without proper infrastructure, scarce supplies, and an overworked teacher managing all subjects. This stark contrast to my own educational experience made me realize how privileged I was. This experience ignited a deep sense of responsibility in me to use my privileges for the betterment of others. It motivated me to dedicate a significant portion of my time to improving the lives of marginalized communities and inspired me to move away from trivial pursuits like video games and television to focus on meaningful service.”
Ishan has led various initiatives aimed at combating inequality and discrimination. He organizes awareness drives and fundraising events such as painting workshops, math tutoring sessions, talent shows, music concerts, and computer coding classes.
These activities are not just for raising funds but also for bringing people together to support marginalized communities, particularly women and girls. The funds generated through these events are used to support various causes, including education for underprivileged children and women, care for orphans, and combating violence against women and girls.
Ishan adds ” Volunteering has been a transformative experience for me. It has taught me the importance of empathy, responsibility, and the power of collective action. Through my efforts, I’ve learned that even small contributions can lead to significant changes. The interactions with the people I help have given me a profound understanding of the challenges faced by marginalized communities and reinforced my commitment to making a difference.
Feeling immensely proud of her son, Ishan’s mother reflects, “Typically, parents guide their children toward doing good deeds, but in this case, it’s Ishan who has inspired us to engage in regular charity and donation work. Witnessing Ishan’s dedication to the community has motivated us to actively participate in charitable efforts ourselves. Although Ishan has not personally experienced caste discrimination, he was initially surprised when his babysitter refused to eat or drink from their utensils, citing the reason that his family belonged to a low caste. This incident prompted him to learn more about caste discrimination and, through reading Baba Saheb Ambedkar’s writings, he gained a deeper understanding of the struggles faced by marginalized communities.”
Proud Moments in Community Service
Speaking about few of the proud moments he experienced in community service, Ishan states, ” I am most proud of witnessing the positive changes in individuals’ lives due to my efforts. For instance, helping a tribal student become the first graduate in his family was incredibly fulfilling. This student not only achieved a personal milestone but also became a pillar of support for his family, breaking away from a cycle of low-paying, manual jobs. Another success story is of a young girl who, with the help of my initiatives, was able to pursue education instead of following her mother’s path into prostitution. Seeing these transformations reassures me that my efforts are making a genuine impact and motivates me to continue my work.”
Community service too has its challenges. As the president of his non-profit organization, Ishan uncovered an overlooked initiative, the Support a Child Program, which allowed donors to sponsor a child’s education for just nine dollars a month.
Facing skepticism from volunteers about its viability, Ishan validated the program and showcased its benefits through successful trial presentations in his neighborhood, achieving an 80% donation rate. This led to a significant increase in donations and taught him the value of persistence, collaboration, and effective leadership.
In future, Ishan says, he plans to extend his volunteer services globally to support communities facing discrimination based on their work and descent. ” Recently, I attended a UN event as a youth community service leader and learned about the widespread discrimination faced by groups such as the Quilombola and Palenque in Brazil and Colombia, the Roma in Europe, the Dalits in South Asia, the Burakumin in Japan, and the Osu and Haratins in West Africa. I am committed to dedicating my time to uplift these communities and raise awareness so that others can also join in this effort. I believe that everyone deserves equal opportunities, regardless of their social or economic status.”
In addition to community service activities, Ishan enjoys spending time with his parents and elder brother, freading books and watching movies. His favorite subject in school is English, which he says, allows him to explore and express ideas creatively. Ishan aims to become a politician, believing that it is one of the most effective ways to create meaningful change in people’s lives through policy interventions.