By Aashna Shah
Following last week’s introduction to Profiles of emerging leaders, this article begins its first profile of a young Indian leader making an impact through creativity, service, and voice. Ria Arjun, a tenth-grade writer and youth leader, exemplifies how passion can take shape early, and grow with purpose.
Ria’s first published book, The Adventure Begins, is a collection of ten short stories that explore themes of love, friendship, betrayal, and fantasy. She wrote the book in fourth grade, and it was published while she was in fifth. Rather than being driven by a single moment of inspiration, Ria describes writing as something that has always come naturally to her. It is not a hobby she schedules, but a form of expression that has long been part of her daily life.
Alongside her academic commitments, Ria leads an impressively active life. She is the founder of the RALS Foundation, serves as a Tamil Nadu Foundation Youth Leader, and continues to work as a professional writer. When asked how she balances these roles, she explained that writing has never felt separate from her routine, it is simply integrated into who she is.
Ria also reflected on the influence of her Indian heritage on her work. While often unintentional, her writing reflects the values she grew up with. She takes pride in her South Asian identity and believes that culture inevitably shapes artistic perspective.
Publishing at such a young age has allowed Ria to discover her passion early and commit to refining her craft. She describes literature as “the ink of the soul” and feels fortunate to have already begun that journey. Looking ahead, Ria hopes to continue developing her writing, publish another book, and gain greater recognition for her voice.
This profile marks the first in a continuing focus on young Indian leaders, those shaping the future through creativity, leadership, and authenticity.
Aashna Shah is an Indian American sophomore at Syosset High School interested in business, fashion, and storytelling. She hopes to use fashion as a pathway to uplift underserved communities. She also serves as the Submission Coordinator for Kaleidoscope, where she helps curate and elevate youth voices through storytelling.
