Surya M, a 13-year-old 8th grade student at GHPS Sriramapura, Mysuru, has always been someone with a deep sense of empathy and an unwavering drive to make a difference. Born and raised in a modest household, Surya's journey towards becoming a psychiatrist began with a personal mission to understand the human mind and help those who suffer from mental health challenges. "From a young age, I’ve been fascinated by how our minds work," Surya shares. "I want to become a doctor, but not just any doctor—a psychiatrist, someone who can help people with mental health problems." 

"When I first told my parents about my dream to become a psychiatrist, they were very happy and encouraged me. They said that if I work hard, I can achieve anything," Surya reflects with a smile. Surya’s family, though modest, has always supported his aspirations. His parents have always been pillars of strength, ensuring that Surya and his two sisters had everything they needed. Describing his family, Surya says, “My father, Murthy, works as a daily wage labourer in road construction. My mother, Rekha, is a housewife. Both of my sisters are students like me. Priya is studying in 7th grade, and Vaishnavi is in 1st grade.”  

The global COVID-19 pandemic brought many challenges to Surya’s family. During the peak of the pandemic, his parents were affected and had to be quarantined. "It was a tough time for all of us," Surya says. "But thankfully, our relatives took care of us, and my parents recovered well." Despite the hardships they faced, the experience only strengthened Surya’s resolve to achieve his goals and support his family in the process. 

One of the things that has made Surya’s school experience smoother is the support he receives through Akshaya Patra’s hot, tasty and nutritious mid-day meals. "The food from Akshaya Patra is very tasty, and there is something different every day," Surya shares. "My favourite is Pongal—it’s delicious.” Akshaya Patra’s meals have been instrumental in easing the burden on Surya’s family. It ensures that Surya and her sisters are well-nourished and can focus on their education. Akshaya Patra’s school feeding programme is an effort to implement the PM POSHAN Abhiyaan in government schools across India. It directly supports the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 2: Eradicate Hunger, SDG 4: Provide Quality Education) by providing nutritious meals to 2.25 million children like Surya across India.
 
Surya’s story is not just one of academic ambition but also resilience and community support. With the unwavering love and encouragement from his family, the support from Akshaya Patra, and his dedication, Surya is moving closer to his goal each day. His story reflects the power of perseverance, community, and the belief that no dream is too big to achieve.  As Surya continues his journey, driven by his desire to heal minds and contribute to society, he remains focused on the future. "I know I have a long way to go, but I will keep working hard and never give up on my dream of becoming a psychiatrist," Surya says with quiet determination.