Lighting Rural Futures: The Trailblazing Journey of Harshini Rathika Kishore Singh

A First-Generation Dreamer With a Mission

At just 21, Harshini Rathika Kishore Singh is not your average young woman. She’s a social entrepreneur, the founder of Rural Tech Rise and Giftwise, and an unwavering advocate for education-driven social change. Raised in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, and born into a family where she became the first high school graduate, Harshini’s story is nothing short of revolutionary.

“Education changed everything for me,” she shares. It was this deeply personal experience that lit the spark of purpose within her—pushing her to ensure that no child is denied access to knowledge, simply because of where they were born.

From Google to Grassroots: The Bold Leap

While most young professionals dream of climbing corporate ladders, Harshini dared to jump off one. After earning a BBA in Entrepreneurship and gaining a spot at Google’s Operations Center, she made a choice that would define her future—she walked away from corporate comfort to pursue social entrepreneurship.

Inspired by the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Harshini found herself drawn to values-led leadership and purposeful impact. “I left Google to build something bigger than myself,” she says. That “something” became Rural Tech Rise—a movement that would educate over 10,000 children and counting.

Bridging Gaps, Building Futures: The Vision of Rural Tech Rise

Rural Tech Rise isn’t just a non-profit. It’s a lifeline for underserved communities. Harshini’s initiatives bring the power of technology, literacy, and leadership directly into the hands of children and youth in rural India.

Here are just a few of the remarkable programs she has launched:

• Mobile Library Program
  In partnership with Whitehorse Manningham Libraries, Melbourne, thousands of books have been shipped to rural schools in India. These books are more than paper—they’re windows to a world of dreams.

• Entrepreneurship Training for Youth
  Harshini created a curriculum focused on financial literacy and business planning, empowering students to launch their own micro-businesses—sparking self-reliance and innovation.

• Virtual Reality & Robotics Workshops
  These programs introduce rural students to 21st-century skills through immersive VR experiences and hands-on robotics, transforming how they learn and dream.

• Internet Safety & Digital Literacy Initiatives
  In an age where children are exposed to the digital world early, Harshini’s workshops educate families on cyber safety, ethics, and responsible online behavior.

Turning Skepticism Into Trust

Of course, every changemaker faces resistance—and for Harshini, one of the biggest challenges was earning the trust of the very communities she set out to help. “Change doesn’t happen overnight,” she admits. “You have to show up, prove your intent, and let your work speak.”

To sustain her impact, she built a team of 10 passionate high school volunteers, mentoring them to become local changemakers. Her philosophy? Empower others to lead. That’s how transformation becomes scalable and self-sustaining.

A Leader Beyond Her Years

Despite her age, Harshini’s leadership journey is filled with accolades and achievements:

• Secured ?7 lakh funding through an investor pitch, recognizing her as one of the Top 10 Entrepreneurship Ideas at EIMR.

• Partnered with ISAC to produce 100+ educational videos for CBSE schools.

• Served as President of Toastmasters International at her university—honing skills in public speaking, mentorship, and impact leadership.

• Contributed to UNICEF as a volunteer and donor, standing for child rights and education access.

Her work has been featured in The Better India, Ground News, and other notable platforms, amplifying her voice and mission to a wider audience.

Fuelled by Purpose, Grounded by Passion

So what keeps her going?

“Life itself is my greatest motivation,” she says with a smile. “The fact that we exist, that we can change someone’s life with just one action—it’s magical.”

Harshini dreams of expanding Rural Tech Rise to become a global model—one that can be replicated in any underserved corner of the world. “I want to empower students everywhere to rise as leaders, especially in the places where no one expects it.”

In her free time, she finds balance through Pilates and cooking for her loved ones. “Self-care is not separate from purpose. It’s how you stay whole while giving so much of yourself.”

Eyes on the Horizon: What Comes Next?

Harshini’s next milestone is scaling her impact from 10,000 lives to millions. She envisions a future where her team of student leaders continues to carry the torch of education, empathy, and empowerment—long after she’s done her part.

At 21, she’s already leaving behind a legacy that most people only dream of building in a lifetime.

For Every Young Woman Out There

To the women reading this, Harshini offers a piece of her heart:

“As human beings, we are capable of extraordinary and unimaginable things—we've even stepped on the moon. If you set your mind to something you truly love, whether it's creating or changing something in the world, you have the power to make it a better place.”

Harshini Rathika Kishore Singh reminds us that age is never a limitation, and leadership is not about titles—it’s about taking action. Whether you’re a student, a dreamer, or someone still figuring it out, her story is proof that you can rise, and you can bring others with you.

She’s not just shaping minds—she’s shaping futures.