Khushboo Sao, a second-year History Honors at St. Stephen’s College, University of Delhi, never imagined that her passion for global affairs would one day take her across continents. Selected as a delegate for the prestigious HPAIR Asia Conference 2025 organized by the Harvard College Project for Asian and International Relations, Khushboo earned the opportunity to represent India on one of the world’s most competitive platforms for young leaders. The conference, set to be held at the University of Tokyo, brings together future policymakers, innovators, and change-makers from across the globe. But the path to Tokyo was not an easy one.

Behind her academic success is a story of quiet struggle. With her father being the family’s sole earner and her mother bravely surviving cancer, much of the household’s finances were tied up in medical expenses and daily living costs. Despite living in a rented apartment and managing basic college needs on a tight budget, Khushboo never gave up on her dreams.

Recognizing her merit and determination, Diti Devika Foundation stepped in to support her journey. The foundation sponsored her US$495 Harvard registration fee, a critical part of making her participation in the conference possible. This gesture wasn’t just a financial transaction; it was a powerful message that her voice matters, her dreams are valid, and her future is worth investing in.