Vedansh Jalagam’s Inspiring Journey of Social Impact and Academic Excellence

In an extraordinary tale of dedication, compassion, and intellect, Vedansh Jalagam has bridged two worlds—India and the United States—leaving his mark on both through community initiatives and academic brilliance.

Vedansh began his educational journey in Seattle, Washington, where he studied up to 1st grade. In a pivotal turn of events, his father, Sudheer Jalagam, returned to India with the noble intention of joining politics and serving the people of Telangana. This decision brought Vedansh to Hyderabad, where he enrolled in Slate – The School from 2nd grade and continued till 6th class.

One of the early experiences that left a strong impression on Vedansh was the “Coffee with Principal” program at Clark Elementary School in the Issaquah School District. Moved by the concept of open dialogue between students and school leadership, he urged his father to advocate for similar initiatives in Indian schools. Thanks to his initiative and persistence, the Telangana government implemented the “Coffee with Principal” program in over 250 government schools held every Saturday—a remarkable contribution from such a young changemaker.

During his stay in India, Vedansh went beyond schoolbooks to understand ground realities. He visited several villages near Kodad to study the challenges faced by farmers, lake encroachment issues, and to observe various livelihoods including toddy tapping, poultry farming, vegetable cultivation, and carpentry. These experiences gave him a grassroots understanding of rural life and strengthened his passion for social impact.

In his academic pursuits, Vedansh represented his school in the National Cyber Olympiad (NCO) and other Science Olympiad competitions held in Hyderabad during 2018–22, winning medals for his performance. His curiosity and love for science only grew stronger with time.

Vedansh also attended a government primary school in Venkatramapuram near Kodad. Shocked by the lack of infrastructure and conditions there, he wrote a heartfelt letter to the then Education Minister of Telangana. His letter was picked up by media outlets, prompting swift government action to renovate the school—a testament to the power of student voice when paired with sincerity.

His academic talent was recognized at Slate School when he emerged as the Hyderabad City Topper in a key competition (Grey Matter Test), receiving a ₹5,000 prize. However, rather than keeping the money, Vedansh donated the entire amount to the Army Welfare Fund, inspired by the stories of bravery and sacrifice during the Kargil War.

His dedication and merit earned him the prestigious Rithika Scholarship, which covered an entire year of his schooling expenses.

Never one to ignore the problems around him, Vedansh took action when he noticed open urination near his school bus stop. Embracing the spirit of *Gandhigiri*, he and his friends began handing out roses to those violating hygiene norms. They also installed a banner highlighting the contribution of sanitation workers and urging people to respect public spaces. Within a week, the *Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation** responded by installing a public toilet at the location—proving that even small gestures can lead to big changes.

Financial difficulties caused a temporary break in his formal schooling during 7th grade, but Vedansh persevered by studying with the help of friends, borrowed books, and Telangana government resources.

After his father left politics and moved back to the US in 2023, Vedansh quickly readjusted to the American education system. He actively participated in various Science Olympiad events alongside his classmate Samihan, competing in categories like Helicopter, Ecology, Meteorology, and GeoWizard. His dedication earned him back-to-back selections to the Texas State Level Science Olympiad competitions in 2024 and 2025. In the 2025 event, held at the University of Texas, College Station on April 11th and 12th, he secured a top-10 finish—a rare achievement at that level.

Vedansh remains active in volunteer service as well, contributing his time at temples, public libraries, and community service organizations, continuing to live the values of seva (selfless service).

From Telangana’s heartland to Texas’s science labs, Vedansh Jalagam is a shining example of how young people can make a meaningful difference—one thoughtful step at a time.

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