Voices of Trust

Sindhu is born to dance. She is a natural. She is quick to learn, easy to handle and extremely flexible. It is because of her natural talent combined with her determination to learn and excel through vigorous practice that I decided to take her to Russia and Germany to perform. She was the youngest in our group but performed exceptionally. She also performed at the Parliament house in India and I am very proud of her. I am honored that she is my student. I am so impressed that she comes all the way from San Jose to New Delhi to learn dance. Her dedication is exemplary. She is a role model to many young dancers. When Sindhu dances she reminds me of lightning.

I can't tell you enough how impressed I was with Sindhu. One truly should be proud of how she represented her dance and the beauty of her tradition. She is truly on the path to being a primary exponent of her dance form. Her technique, expressiveness, and artistry all speak to a young woman who has devoted herself fully to the classical tradition of Kuchipudi — and it shows in every movement she makes on stage.

Sindhu has incredible creative energy and refreshing idealism of helping the needy Indian women and we support her in cause of her new endeavor of helping young children via dance. Sindhu has shown consistent growth, dedication, perseverance, enthusiasm and passion for dance. She is an inspiration to her peers and younger students alike, and her commitment to using art as a vehicle for social good sets her apart from her contemporaries.

I love your eagerness to tackle ambitious stories that might scare off other young reporters. Your trend story is a prime example of that. Not many reporters at your stage of development would be brave enough to explore the seamy side of online dating services and their exploitation of debt-burdened, college-aged young women. And I must confess that I was a bit hesitant about allowing you to pursue this. But your passion for the concept convinced me to allow you to give it your best shot. I am happy to report that your tenacity and your willingness to keep plugging away until you found "sugar babies" and "sugar daddies" who were willing to speak with you has paid off. I think this story demonstrates your industriousness and your ability to take a deep dive into a difficult topic.

I am fortunate to have worked with Sindhu in June at the Mosaic, the high school journalism workshop sponsored by the Mercury News. From the beginning, it was clear that she was a motivated, thoughtful and well-prepared student. She proposed writing about sex slavery on two continents, an ambitious undertaking for even a seasoned journalist. She pursued that story with energy and persistence, handling sensitive subjects with both directness and compassion. Her final piece was courageous, clear-eyed, and deeply reported. She earned the Merida Award for fearless reporting — and every word of that recognition is deserved.

When Sindhu Ravuri is in reporter mode, she's aggressive and thorough. She covers all of the bases journalism requires — the reporting, the interviewing, the verification, the writing. She tackled an incredibly difficult subject with the sensitivity and rigor it demanded. She asks tough questions, listens carefully to the answers, and builds stories that illuminate rather than sensationalize. She is exactly the kind of journalist the field needs more of.

I came to know Sindhu when she was selected, from among a large group of candidates, to participate in a summer medical internship program at our hospital. Sindhu demonstrated a remarkable degree of poise, maturity and professionalism during her time with us. All the physicians loved working with her. Her bedside manner was excellent. She listened carefully to patients, asked thoughtful questions, and approached every situation with genuine empathy and curiosity. She is a young woman of exceptional character, and I have every confidence she will make an outstanding contribution to whatever field she chooses.

She has my deepest respect, because her engagement for girls' rights continued. Sindhu, who is a classical dancer in California, has raised money from her dance shows, to support Prachi, a 5-year-old daughter of Arti, from Sapera Basti, a marginalized nomadic group trapped in inter-generational prostitution in New Delhi, India. Sindhu's work with Apne Aap — volunteering, teaching dance, translating survivor stories for a major newspaper — demonstrates a young woman who does not merely sympathize from a distance, but rolls up her sleeves and acts.

It is with great honor that I submit this recommendation for Sindhu Ravuri. Sindhu has been a partner with Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose for several years. In her role as performer, volunteer and advocate, Sindhu has demonstrated leadership, courage and grace. She has approached difficult topics by promoting respect for those less fortunate, and even endangered. In the Museum environment, she is often surrounded by younger girls and boys that look up to her, and she excels as a positive role model. Sindhu is a caring, compassionate young woman, mature beyond her years. She has been an asset to the Museum and will be a positive influence in whatever endeavor she takes on.

It is my privilege to validate the gifted and brilliant Sindhu Ravuri, who served as the 2013–14 California Teen Ambassadress. She not only serves but she does it in strength, with a natural grace and ability and I am the better for knowing her. Sindhu's presence at events was transformative — she inspired young people to step into their own potential through her words, her story, and the quiet authority she carries. She is a once-in-a-generation young leader.