Akshat Agarwal
"I cannot undo the wars that displace children, but I can make sure their pain is never invisible again."
Akshat Agarwal (16), from India and living in the United States, experienced the fear of armed conflict as a 15-year-old living in Kashmir when the India-Pakistan conflict erupted in May 2025. After fleeing with his family and his close friend Tulu, he wanted to help other displaced children feel less alone.
He founded Neorons around one simple belief: belonging saves lives. The initiative creates inclusive communities where refugee children from countries including Pakistan and Bangladesh can connect and build friendships. Neorons organizes structured bonding activities and competitive sports leagues in basketball, soccer, badminton and volleyball across refugee communities in three countries.
With support from a mentor, Neorons is expanding into Afghanistan and Syria in 2026. The initiative has also been amplified by partner organisations including READ India, Project Catalyst and UNESCO. Together, their platforms have generated more than 25 million views, helping Akshat’s message of belonging reach refugee communities and supporters around the world.
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