I believe I am as diverse as India is.

My roots emerge from rural India, but I was raised in a military

family, which has given me insight into two vastly different societies. I was a part of both groups but
did not wholly belong to either and so are my fellow military BRATs (Born Raised And Transferred) -
a different creed with an existentially different outlook on the world, comfortable adjusting anywhere
with anyone and, most importantly, accepting new friends and cultures or whatever comes our way. It
came naturally to me when I shifted to ten cities and attended eight schools (due to my parents'
transfer).

Belief remained a common link between both the backgrounds. My family being devout, every
evening we light a Diya (lamp to purify the place) after which we commence the evening prayer: 20
minutes of bliss each evening that set the whole day straight, ending with singing hymns accompanied
by my brother on piano. The prayer reminds me to be curious, kind, compassionate and caring.
Finally, we meditate to put our minds in check and recuperate the soul. This ritual enthrals in me the
rich culture and heritage Indians inherit as a result of our ancestors' faith.

I have celebrated Holi and Diwali, attended Sunday mass at Church, served langar at Gurudwara, and
had breakfast on Iftar. Despite my family’s devout faith, religion has never been conventional for me.
In the military, we have a place known as ‘Sarv Dharam sthal,’ which means a place for all religions.
Every festival is celebrated by everyone on base, leaving behind their caste, creed, class, culture and
personal religious beliefs. Having been exposed to a mix of many worldviews in my own family and
the military, I believe that I can evaluate problems with a broader perspective that incorporates several
different points of view.

These experiences have taught me that all people are inherently the same; however, we often classify
them according to superficial labels or the conditions they face in life. In a profession that involves
constant risk to life, each person lives for the one next to him. There is an unspoken unity and respect
that defies all social boundaries. Nowhere else in my life have I experienced such a pristine example
of equality. Without these experiences, I would not have as much respect for people who are different
from me. Living with such diverse people has made me empathetic and understanding, even with
those with whom I disagree. Which has instilled in me the importance of giving back to the
community I'm a part of which goes hand in hand with the ancient Indian philosophy of Seva (service)
which says that “Every person works for his betterment; still one must provide service for others in
any means and capacity.”

With this sense of contributing to the community, I’ve been inspired to help others in the fields of my
interest- innovation, STEM, and entrepreneurship. As the President of the school’s makerspace, I
created a program that facilitated access to sixty underprivileged students, giving them a platform for
their projects and ideas. One of my student’s ideas was a see-through solar panel for skyscrapers,
another came up with a sewage cleaning bot for villages, while I made an RFID automated door lock
for the Principal's cabin and 3D Printed drones to counter-terrorists. Five of our ideas are in the
process of getting a US Patent. The Makerspace helped these budding thinkers and achievers incubate,
and gave them access to a network of global universities and innovation hubs.

My past experiences and cultural identity have led me to embrace Seva, and no matter where I am in
the world, I will always continue to donate my time, labour, and money to help those who are less
fortunate and empower the community.

My cultural identity is still confusing to me, nonetheless, I breathe in this intrinsic community.