About Me

Hello, my name is Zehn Kashyap. I am a high school student at Vasant Valley School, New Delhi, India, and an advocate for the global population of students with special needs.

Born extremely premature, my medical prognosis at birth was bleak, with doctors telling my parents that I would never be able to sit up and would be lucky if I had a vocabulary of just 400 words. Over the years, I underwent countless sessions of painful therapy with fortitude. This turned me into a staunch believer in the power of different-ness, and set me on a path of using my voice to speak up and speak out for those less privileged than me.

Today, I am an internationally published author, award winning speaker and an advocate who has driven numerous programs in international and national forums. My Audiobook – L'(Extra)ordinaire © – an ode to the power of different-ness and tribute to the value of kindness and empathy – was launched at the Hyderabad Lit Fest in January, 2023. My Podcast Series – Personne Extraordinaire is an attempt to profile people who have made an extraordinary impact in their respective fields to engage and uplift others. In recognition of my social advocacy initiatives, I was selected as a member of the 2023 Diana Awards Judging Panel!

Passionate about paying it forward, as a member of my schools student council and President of the Inclusive Education Club I continue to advocate and drive programs around causes close to my heart – destigmatizing disability, mental health and girl and women rights, specifically in the context of disability. I believe these are conversations that must be had often, at all levels and starting young.