The Dashing-duo of Gandhari: Nitu
&
Prashant’s
selfless
goal
to
empower
their
community 

Nitu and Prashant’s journey as peer educators in India exemplifies the power of youth leadership to advance health equity. Through inclusive youth education programs and active youth participation in health systems, they are helping their peers access accurate sexual health information and creating a future where every young person can thrive with dignity and confidence.

Local Champions from Ganghar Village

Known
as
the
place
where
Gautam
Buddha
attained
his enlightenment,
Bodh Gaya is one of the most important religious and historical sites in India—and is globally recognized as a city of spiritual awakening and peace.

In
this
historically
rich
place,
19-year-olds Nitu and Prashanth have taken it upon themselves to improve the lives of their loved ones and neighbors. As
Peer
Educators
within
the
marginalized
Mahadalit
community.

Meanwhile,
Prashant’s
commitment
to
advocating
for
the
welfare
of
his
community, has
led
him
to
attend
a
G20
event
at
the national
level (held in Lucknow, India),
where
he
served
as
a
youth
advisor,
bringing
the
concerns
and
aspirations
of
his
people
to
a
national
platform. This
experience
not
only
enriched
Prashant’s
understanding,
but
also
fueled
his
determination
to
drive
positive
change.  

“Together we can and we will transform lives.”

Prashanth’s impact reached far beyond his role as a Peer Educator. Motivated by the principles of Positive Parenting and the Adolescent Brother Champion Modules—which are designed to build empathy and awareness among parents and siblings, especially brothers, around key topics from India’s national adolescent health program (RKSK)—his own mother and brother took part in these transformative sessions.

The ripple effect was profound, as both experienced a meaningful shift in perspective, particularly on issues related to reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health and sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Creating Ripple Effects at Home

The Positive Parenting Module helped Prashanth’s mother adopt more informed and supportive approaches to raising her family, creating a home environment that encourages open communication and healthy relationships. At the same time, Prashanth’s brother—now an Adolescent Brother Champion—has become an advocate for peer education, actively promoting awareness and understanding among his peers on key health and well-being topics.

Nitu and Prashanth may be just two voices from Ganghar Village, but their leadership speaks volumes. Their journey shows that when young people are equipped with knowledge, supported by their families, and given the space to lead, they don’t just change their own futures—they ignite transformation across entire communities.

With continued investment in youth-led solutions like those fostered through EngenderHealth’s TARUNYA project, we can build a world where every adolescent—no matter their background—has the power, platform, and potential to thrive.

Learn more about other inspiring youth leaders in Tarunya’s Legacy: 14 Portraits of Health, Hope and Change for Bihar’s Adolescents.