Several Indian American Youth Win Congressional Award for ‘Initiative, Service, and Achievement’
- Established in 1979, they encourage and recognize initiative, service, and achievement in student leaders.
Several Indian Americans are among recipients of the Congressional Award, the U.S. Congress’ highest honor for young Americans. It is non-partisan, voluntary, and non-competitive, and is open to all 14-to 23-year-olds. Established in 1979, the awards encourage and recognize initiative, service, and achievement in student leaders.
Indian American winners of the Congressional Award include: Arushi Agastwar and Avishi Agastwar, Cupertino; Hasitha Nimmagadda, San Jose; and Saurav Gandhi, Sunnyvale (California’s 17th Congressional District); Anisha Singh, Brea, and Aneal Singh, Yorba Linda (California’s 39th Congressional District); Neel Takale, Irvine (California’s 45th Congressional District); Suraj “Neil” Sheth, Bolingbrook (Illinois’ 11th Congressional District); Aarav Yarlagadda, Leawood (Kansas’ 3rd Congressional District); Dhruv Pai, Potomac (Maryland’s 6th Congressional District); Ved Jain and Ishan Shah, Toms River (New Jersey’s 3rd Congressional District); Diya Kodimala, Somerset, Srikar Sadhu, Somerset (New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District); Abby Kambhampaty, Jamesville )New York’s 24th Congressional District); Reema Choueiri, Charlotte (North Carolina’s 8th Congressional District); Pruthvi Choudary, Dayton; Mallika Desai, Miamisburg; and Meha Pandya, Centerville (Ohio’s 10th Congressional District); Srilaasya Yenduri, Portland (Oregon’s 1st Congressional District); Kritika Ravichander, Greer (South Carolina’s 4th Congressional District); Meghan Anand, Sugar Land; Jiya Jhonsa, Pearland; Ashwin Murali, Pearland; Samitha Nemirajaiah, Katy; and Amar Sehgal, Pearland (Texas’ 22nd Congressional District); and Sahiti Rachakonda, Herndon (Virginia’s 10th Congressional District).