Organization: Y R Gaitonde Medical Educational and Research Foundation; RISHI Foundation
Region: Asia and the Pacific Islands
Nationality: India
Country: India
Interests & expertise: Community leadership
Profession or occupation: Educator/trainer
What inspires you to work in the HIV field?
As a 23-year-old living with HIV, my personal journey fuels my commitment to empowering young people. Losing my parents to HIV at a young age left a profound impact on me, but instead of succumbing to my challenges, I chose to confront them head-on. The turning point came when I co-founded the Positive Running Program in 2021 under the RISHI Foundation. This initiative uses running to promote fitness and self-reliance among children living with HIV. By integrating running early, we help set the stage for lifelong health and reduce vulnerability to illness. What truly drives me is knowing that my work is making a tangible difference in the lives of those living with HIV.
What are your goals as an IAS change maker?
I picture a world where children living with HIV stay healthy and live a normal life like any other. I’m here to say that exercise, like running, can make us healthier and happier, especially for children living with HIV. Being a change maker, I want to help children feel better physically and emotionally and live their best lives, and ensure that they continue the cycle of improving their communities.