Hyderabad Schoolgirl Presents Children’s Eye-Care Project at United Nations

India was represented at a United Nations forum in Geneva by Shruti Lakshmi Mannepalli , a Grade 9 student from Phoenix Greens School of Learning, Hyderabad , who presented a vision-health initiative focused on children at the 1M1B Activate Impact Summit .

The summit was held at the United Nations headquarters in Geneva and brought together young innovators from different countries to present projects aimed at addressing social challenges. Shruti was among a select group of students chosen to showcase initiatives aligned with global development goals.

At the forum, her project titled “Eye Can Do Wonders” was presented. The initiative focuses on the importance of early detection of vision problems in children , an issue that is often overlooked despite its direct impact on learning and development.

Undiagnosed eyesight problems are known to affect reading ability, classroom participation, academic performance, and confidence among children. Many such issues are correctable if identified early. The initiative highlights the need for regular eye screenings , timely eye check-ups, and access to corrective measures such as spectacles.

Awareness among parents and teachers about early signs of vision difficulty is also emphasised, so that children can receive support before learning gaps widen. By focusing on prevention and early intervention, the project seeks to reduce avoidable barriers to education.

The initiative was presented as an early-stage, impact-driven model, with the aim of creating a scalable framework for children’s eye-health awareness. No official data has been released on the number of children screened, and no beneficiary figures were presented at the summit.

The project was developed under the 1 Million for 1 Billion (1M1B) Future Foundation , which mentors young changemakers and provides global exposure through platforms such as the Activate Impact Summit.

Shruti’s participation highlighted the increasing role of Indian students in global discussions on education and health. Her presentation was made at a UN forum , meaning a conference held at United Nations premises for discussion and idea exchange, and not a decision-making body of the UN.

Phoenix Greens School of Learning stated that the achievement reflected its focus on experiential learning, innovation, and leadership development. School authorities said students are encouraged to take initiative and engage with real-world issues beyond the classroom.

Speaking about the experience, Shruti said that small changes can have a significant impact on a child’s future, and that the opportunity to present at a global platform strengthened her commitment to social impact work.

Her participation at the UN forum underscored how youth-led ideas, even at an early stage, are being recognised in international spaces, reinforcing the message that age is not a barrier to meaningful contribution.