It is rare to find a high school student who is passionate about bridging the gap between the rich and the poor, the endowed and the dispossessed, and the educated and uninformed. Shaurya Kabra, however, possesses a level of maturity, worldview, and outlook on life that goes well beyond his age of seventeen. He effortlessly carries the weight of this challenge on his shoulders, leaving a trail of transformation in society wherever he goes.
Shaurya comes from a noteworthy business family, but he does not believe in taking the easy path to mentoring. Despite his young age, he displays remarkable clarity when it comes to matters related to society, the environment, and the economy.
Shaurya has launched two great initiatives to empower the less fortunate with the basics of financial literacy and enable them to make the most of their resources by sharing his passion for fintech with his peers.
In addition to his love for basketball and singing, Shaurya has several other passions. Unlike many young people today who are obsessed with video games and electronic devices, Shaurya is drawn to the intricacies of the business and financial world. It is, therefore, not a coincidence that he is a wizard with numbers.
Since childhood, Shaurya was fortunate to have access to resources that allowed him to sharpen his knowledge of finance through his parents, teachers, and other individuals. He was acutely aware of the socio-economic inequalities that exist among various strata of our country’s population. Seeing children from economically weaker families made him realise that not everyone was as fortunate as he was. This ignited a desire within him to take action and do something to help them.
At an age when most teenagers are immersed in electronic games, Shaurya has charted a course for his own mission. He launched two initiatives: Simplify Fintech and Ek Prayaas. Through these initiatives, he aims to share his financial knowledge and tap into the expertise of others in the field to help those in need.
Simplify Fintech is a platform that introduces 
and educates young individuals about fintech, demystifying this complex subject through sessions delivered by fintech experts.
Shaurya’s vision for Ek Prayaas, his book, is to improve financial literacy among India’s rural masses. Through financial literacy offerings, the book aims to raise fiscal awareness and financially empower underprivileged individuals in rural India. Shaurya’s passion and determination provide a glimpse of what is to come in the near future: he has plans to launch his own fintech startup.
Shaurya was born and raised in Mumbai but is currently studying in Class XII at Jayshree Periwal International School in Jaipur. From a very young age, he developed an interest in finance by observing his parents, who are deeply involved in the family business. Dinner conversations often revolved around business, finance, and more, which fueled his curiosity and passion for the subject.
Since childhood, Shaurya was fortunate to have access to resources that allowed him to sharpen his knowledge of finance through his parents, teachers, and other individuals. He was acutely aware of the socio-economic inequalities that exist among various strata of our country’s population. Seeing children from economically weaker families made him realise that not everyone was as fortunate as he was. This ignited a desire within him to take action and do something to help them.
Shaurya recognised the lack of financial knowledge among the masses, particularly in rural areas. He understood that financial inclusion could instil the habit of saving and investing and provide access to the banking system, thereby reducing their dependence on moneylenders, lowering their exposure to economic risks, and even creating job opportunities. Ek Prayaas, his book, primarily covers the basics of finance to address this issue.
Shaurya spent around six to eight months writing Ek Prayaas. He started working on the initial draft of the book when he was in Class X, amidst the pandemic that kept people confined to their homes. Despite being loaded with schoolwork and extracurricular tasks, Shaurya took the opportunity to delve deeper into his interest in finance and crystallise his ideas. Under the guidance of his school supervisor, he began working on the book. During the summer vacation that year, he devoted more time to fine-tuning the language and other creative elements.
In addition to writing the book, Shaurya conducted extensive research on the subject of finance. He read books on investment for children, sent Google forms to children to get their opinions on the book’s structure and creative diagrams, and worked to develop accurate specifications for these elements. Shaurya also studied the required topics extensively to collect precise information that was easy to understand. To reach a wider audience, he had the book translated into different languages such as Hindi, Marathi, and Tamil.
Following his initiative, Shaurya received an overwhelming response from students and adults. The book was widely appreciated for its ingenious format that used simple language and easy-to-understand concepts. Teachers and students alike found it to be a useful resource for improving financial literacy. His efforts were also acknowledged by various organisations and media outlets, which helped spread awareness about his initiatives.
To print and distribute the book for free in different States, Shaurya collaborated with Foundations that are working towards spreading financial awareness and literacy among rural masses. Through these collaborations, Shaurya was able to reach a wider audience and make a greater impact.
Following his initiative, Shaurya received an overwhelming response from students and adults. The book was widely appreciated for its ingenious format that used simple language and easy-to-understand concepts. Teachers and students alike found it to be a useful resource for improving financial literacy. His efforts were also acknowledged by various organisations and media outlets, which helped spread awareness about his initiatives.
Shaurya intends to pursue a major in finance and establish a fund to support entrepreneurs from rural and tribal areas.
Shaurya finds great joy and satisfaction in knowing that his efforts have helped even a few people to understand the fundamentals of finance and investment. He encourages other young individuals to explore ways to assist those in their communities, as it can strengthen them and provide valuable life lessons.
