Teen Activist Tejas Pugalia's Mission: Bridging Education Gaps Globally
17-year-old Tejas Pugalia, founder of OneStepBrighter, is pioneering educational access for marginalized communities. Recent talks with UN Deputy Secretary-General highlight his global advocacy. With notable awards and strategic plans, Tejas aims to expand his impact via partnerships and global platforms.

- Country:
- India
NEW DELHI: At the age of 17, education activist Tejas Pugalia is making significant strides in advocating for global education access. As the founder of OneStepBrighter, he's recently engaged with Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, focusing on strategies to enhance education for underprivileged communities worldwide.
During their meeting, Tejas and Ms. Mohammed discussed youth leadership, the role of grassroots efforts in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 on Quality Education, and the critical need to prioritize students in education policy reforms. Tejas expressed the significance of their dialogue, stating the importance of youth as change partners, not just beneficiaries.
Since launching OneStepBrighter in 2021, Tejas's initiative has supported over 8,000 students with learning resources across various regions. His impact has been recognized with prestigious awards such as the Diana Award and the UNV Award. Looking forward, Tejas plans to expand his initiative through collaborations with governments and institutions, further advocating for education as a fundamental human right.