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In an era where healthcare innovation often emphasizes technology and
infrastructure, Aarav Krishnatry has chosen a path rooted in empathy,
tradition, and community-centered change. A young public health advocate and
student researcher, he has emerged as a strong voice for eldercare, memory
health, and rural health equity in India. His inspiration stems from a deeply
personal experience, his grandfather’s battle with Alzheimer’s disease, which
became the foundation of his lifelong mission to reimagine how societies care
for their aging populations.
Motivated by this personal connection, he founded Project Nana, an
initiative dedicated to addressing the silent but urgent crisis of eldercare in
rural India. Through this platform, he works to bridge the gap between medical
science, public health delivery, and cultural traditions, ensuring that elderly
citizens, particularly in underserved regions, receive dignified and accessible
care. His vision is not limited to immediate interventions but extends to
creating sustainable, community-driven models of support that respect cultural
values while embracing modern healthcare strategies.
His work stands out because of its multidimensional approach. On one
hand, he has gained insights into memory health and cognitive decline through
his internships at Barrow Neurological Institute in the United States.
On the other, he focuses on grassroots healthcare delivery, working closely
with local communities to design initiatives that are both practical and
culturally sensitive. This dual commitment ensures that scientific advancements
are translated into meaningful, real-world impact for vulnerable populations.
One of the hallmarks of his work is his ability to integrate technology
and policy into eldercare. He advocates for the use of digital tools to improve
early diagnosis, track health outcomes, and provide support to caregivers.
Simultaneously, he engages in policy research and analysis, emphasizing the
need for government-backed frameworks that prioritize elder health in national
agendas. By doing so, he has positioned himself not only as a practitioner but
also as a policy influencer, pushing for systemic reforms in how India
perceives and addresses aging.
At the heart of his advocacy is the belief that eldercare must be both
compassionate and culturally rooted. He emphasizes that while technology and
modern medicine are invaluable, they must be aligned with local traditions,
values, and social structures. This perspective resonates strongly in rural
India, where cultural connections often define the quality of life in old age.
By blending innovation, empathy, and tradition, he has built a model that
speaks to both the scientific community and the people it seeks to serve.
His contributions have not gone unnoticed. As a Young Social Impact
Leader in Healthcare, he has been recognized for creating pathways that combine
education, research, advocacy, and community service. His work has inspired
students, healthcare professionals, and policymakers to reconsider how aging
populations are supported. Many view his journey as a blueprint for the future
of compassionate healthcare leadership, where science and humanity walk hand in
hand.
Speaking about Aarav’s recognition, Jagdeep Gambhir, Managing Trustee
at Anhad India, shared: “Addressing Mental Health issues amongst elderly is a
major public health priority. Through this work, Aarav has demonstrated that
combing innovation with compassion is the way forward. His Nana Dost kits are
bringing smiles back to elderly and their families. For a teenager, such
tenacity and dedication is nothing short of extraordinary.”
A villager from Moosanagar, where Project Nana kits have been
distributed, added:
“When my mother presses the buttons on the Nana Dost board and hears old
songs, her eyes light up. For the first time in years, she smiles with
recognition. Aarav’s work has brought peace back into our home.”
What makes this even more remarkable is that Aarav has accomplished it
all while still pursuing a demanding high school education in the United
States. Between AP classes, rowing practices, and debate tournaments, he has
built an initiative that is transforming lives thousands of miles away.
As he looks ahead, his mission remains clear: to build a healthcare
ecosystem where the elderly are not overlooked but are instead treated as
repositories of wisdom, deserving of dignity, care, and respect. Through
Project Nana and his ongoing work, he envisions a society where aging is
embraced as a meaningful stage of life, supported by both modern innovation and
timeless compassion. He now aims to expand Project Nana kits beyond India and
make them available to elders globally, and is actively seeking funding
partners to help bring this vision to life.
In a world often preoccupied with speed and progress, Aarav
Krishnatry’s journey is a reminder that true progress lies in how we care for
those who once cared for us. His work continues to shape the narrative of
healthcare in India, proving that even the most complex challenges can be
addressed when empathy meets innovation.
