Agastya Tahilyani

About Me

I'm Agastya, a Grade 9 IGCSE student who spends most of his time between Model UN conferences, sprint training, and taekwondo practice – basically trying to stay active both mentally and physically. I care about big-picture issues, especially around inclusion and equity, which is exactly why Jai Vakeel's work resonates with me.

In MUN, we debate global policies, but it's easy to forget that real impact happens at ground level. Supporting Jai Vakeel Foundation felt like a natural step – moving from talking about making change to actually contributing toward it. Their approach to celebrating abilities and creating genuine opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities aligns closely with my belief that diversity and inclusion aren't just buzzwords; they're essential.

I'm running this marathon to challenge myself while supporting an organization genuinely transforming lives. Your support would help me reach my fundraising goal of Rs 15,000, which directly translates to therapy, education, and employment opportunities for people who deserve far better chances than they currently get.

Appeal

Here's the thing – I've spent the last year in Model UN debating policies and global issues, and I've realized that all the speeches in the world don't matter unless we actually take action. So I'm running the TATA Mumbai Marathon to support Jai Vakeel Foundation, an organization that's genuinely making a difference in people's lives.

Jai Vakeel has been doing incredible work for over 80 years, helping individuals with intellectual disabilities get education, healthcare, employment opportunities – basically, a real shot at independence and dignity. What struck me most is that 1 in every 50 people in India faces intellectual disability, but 76% of them come from lower economic backgrounds where they often get ignored or abandoned. That's not okay.

This marathon is my way of putting my energy where my mouth is. When you donate, every rupee goes directly to provide therapy, education, job training, and support for people who deserve way more opportunities than they currently get. I'm aiming for Rs 15,000 because I genuinely believe this cause deserves serious support.

Whether you can spare Rs 100 or Rs 5,000, please consider contributing. You'd be directly helping Jai Vakeel's mission to celebrate abilities and create real inclusion.

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