Page 47 - DAIS - DAISPORA ISSUE 05

DAISPORA Bridging Dreams: Varun Bakshi: A Voice for Equality

If Anshul’s story is one of strategy and empathy, Varun Bakshi’s is one of vision
The Inspiring Journeys of
FEATURE Anshul Bhatt and Varun Bakshi and courage. His journey began with a deeply personal inspiration—his mother’s

award-winning documentary Son Rise, which chronicled the lives of male allies

fighting against gender inequality in rural India. The stories sparked something in
him, and he knew he couldn’t remain a bystander.

Since then, Varun has become a key voice in the HeForShe movement,
collaborating with Weber Shandwick and UN Women to drive male engagement
in gender justice. Over the past four years, he has mobilized more than a million
Anshul shows that Anshul Bhatt: Mastering the Game and the Heart boys and men, using workshops, digital campaigns, and school activations to

start conversations that often go unspoken.
true mastery Anshul’s introduction to Bridge came early—at just six years old—through friendly

family games that quickly grew into a serious pursuit. By the time he was eight, he His impact on the ground is equally powerful. In the villages of Haryana, where
lies not just in was representing India at the Under-16 World Youth Bridge Championships in Lyon. gender norms can be deeply entrenched, Varun opened the region’s first
girls-only library and organized sensitization sessions in schools. These efforts
In 2022, he reached a remarkable milestone, winning three gold medals at the
strategy, but in Under-16 World Transnational Youth Championships in Italy, earning recognition created ripples, not just in attitudes but in outcomes, as young girls and boys
alike began seeing new possibilities for themselves.
from none other than Bill Gates.

compassion—and But Anshul’s story doesn’t stop at personal accolades. With BridgeBlitz, an initiative Throughout this journey, DAIS stood

he founded to share his love for the game, he has taught Bridge to over 400 behind him. Taking a gap year to
in using passion as students across India. The game, he believes, sharpens cognitive skills and nurtures deepen his work was no small

strategic thinking in a way few other activities do. His students’ success—six of decision, but the school recognized
a bridge to create whom represented India at international competitions—is a testament to that belief. that real-world learning can be just as
valuable as formal instruction. With a

lasting impact Beyond the world of cards and competitions, Anshul’s compassion found a powerful perfect IB predicted score, Varun
showed that pursuing purpose and
outlet in PawPath, an initiative he launched after witnessing the plight of stray
animals during the COVID-19 lockdowns. What started as a modest neighborhood academic excellence can go hand in
campaign to provide food and care soon grew into a nonprofit organization hand.
supporting multiple NGOs and rescue shelters. Through PawPath, Anshul has created
educational content, raised funds, and collaborated with veterinarians and volunteers

to advocate for animal welfare on a broader scale. Most recently, Anshul’s work took a new leap forward through his involvement with

In a world where success is often measured by test scores or college placements, Vantara, one of India’s largest animal rescue and rehabilitation programs. Spending
two students from Dhirubhai Ambani International School (DAIS) have chosen a This journey, too, has been deeply shaped by DAIS. The school provided not just time with Vantara’s team deepened his understanding of large-scale animal care,
different route—one defined by passion, empathy, and action. Anshul Bhatt and encouragement but structure, offering mentorship, flexibility in scheduling, and a ecosystem conservation, and sustainable practices. It also reaffirmed his
Varun Bakshi are not just exceptional students; they are changemakers whose work platform to showcase his work. His CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) experiences commitment to using PawPath not just as a platform for service, but as a bridge
is reshaping how young people think about leadership, service, and impact. were not just checklist items, but became deeply personal projects that the school between young people and the natural world. The experience allowed him to refine
helped nurture. From guiding him in formalizing his initiative to connecting him with his vision: to create a scalable, youth-led network for animal advocacy that blends

like-minded peers and advisors, DAIS played a quiet but essential role in helping education, action, and impact.
PawPath grow.