Raj Kanani

Bio: I graduated from UCLA in 2003 with a degree in Chemical Engineering, but now I am working towards my Teaching Credential at the New College of California. I see my life consisting of learning, educating, living close to the land, and serving.

Personality: Passionate, Friendly, Idealist

Favorite quote: There are so many to choose from. For now: "Truth is what the still voice within tells you." - Mahatma Gandhi

InSPIRE to me: InSPIRE is a humble attempt at TRUE education - real experiences, meaningful dialogue, relevant information and knowledge, authentic personal reflection, individual choice, collective growth, and dedicated action. Being a part of InSPIRE enables me to combine my various passions and enables me to share with others the valuable experiences and understanding that I have gained.

Asha Patel

Bio: I studied Broadcast Journalism at the University of Maryland, and have since then worked with a few television and radio programs in both the U.S. and India, but as of most recently, enterprised a slum video project in which boys and girls of Ramapir no Tekro, Gujarat's largest slum, were trained in all aspects of video production for the purpose of producing informational and empowering video content to be aired bi-monthly in their communities. My day job (for the time being) is News Director at a radio station. I get excited about the prospect of people realizing their own potential to be everything they've ever wanted.

Personality: Determined, Passionate, Inquisitive

Favorite quote: "Live like you'll die tomorrow, learn like you'll live forever." -MK Gandhi

InSPIRE to me: The beauty of InSPIRE is that it can be a mechanism for people to really begin to live with their eyes open.

Rahul Suresh

Bio: B.A. Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Rice University 07. Having just graduated, my plan is to coordinate InSPIRE this summer and then volunteer in India for a year with a program focusing on rural health care. I am eventually planning to attend medical school to become a physician. Things that get me pumped in life are many but fall under the broad categories of helping others, traveling, and understanding and treating diseases in the clinical setting.

Personality: Persistent, Understanding, Ambitious

Favorite quote: "Only through a comprehensive understanding of our own needs and desires can we truly understand our path in life"

InSPIRE to me: InSPIRE: Intense, Enjoyable, Educational, Emotional

Ayesha Kazim

Bio: I am Family Sciences major at the University of Maryland, College Park. When I graduate (Dec 08/May 09), I plan to teach part time, as well as get involved with social work programs. I am currently working on a orphanage foundation in the greater Orlando area and hope to get things rolling within the next few years. Ambitious people who are extremely motivated in things that are most important to them keep me going. When everyone feeds off of the energy and excitement of other people, that’s what makes the world go round.

Personality: Curious, Outgoing, Caring

Favorite quote: "To go fast, you go alone. To go far, you go with others."

InSPIRE to me: I now know more about India on a real level ... It feels almost spiritual because of the relationships I've developed with the people I've met these past five weeks. I have the overwhelming feeling of knowing I need to come back.

Sowmya Paturi

Bio: I graduated from the University of Connecticut in 2007 with a B.S. in Molecular and Cell Biology and Asian-American Studies. I am currently in a one-year service term with AmeriCorps-Community HealthCorps as a health worker for the San Francisco Community Clinic Consortium at the Haight-Ashbury Free Medical Clinic. I will attend Midwestern University in 2008 to study Osteopathic Medicine. I am committed to educating, serving, loving, learning, cooking, growing, and caring.

Personality: Humble, Passionate, Strong

Favorite quote: "We, not me."

InSPIRE to me: Through InSPIRE I learned how deeply linked my personal journey is with the journey of others and how the act of seva (service) nurtures that human connection which awakens the soul.

Ankit Pogula

Bio: I studied Economics for my graduation and then did a masters in Film Making from Delhi and have been working with NGO's using film as a medium to dialogue. I strive to be amongst people passionate about trying to make more sense of our ourselves and the world around us.

Personality: Very very curious, Eager, Happy

Favorite quote: "The only miracle is the change of the heart" - Buddha

InSPIRE to me: InSPIRE to me means a journey of reaching much deeper within oneself as one reaches out. To explore issues, ideas and experiences and in the process understand oneself much more deeply.

Rahul Brown

Bio: I studied pre-medicine at UCLA and received a degree in Economics. At graduation, I used my prior experience with two different startups to work as a consultant for a year before re-evaluating life. That process lead to becoming a certified project manager, working in the energy sector for a few years, becoming a full-time volunteer with NGOs in India, and a part-time filmmaker dedicated to bringing inspirational stories to the eyes of the world. I get most excited about the possibilities of connecting people more deeply to their passion and values.

Personality: Truth-seeking, Joy-seeking, Peace-seeking

Favorite quote: "Intelligence and ability are not enough. There must be the joy of doing something beautiful" - Dr. V

InSPIRE to me: InSPIRE is a unique program that accelerates the process of tapping the unlimited potential within each of us - the potential that burst forth into the world when we align our head, heart and hands and begin to live a life of ever-deeper integrity.