We all cherish our childhood, especially the magical stories that grandparents tell us. For me, those memories are with my Nana. I treasure the real-life stories he used to share, full of morals and lessons.Apart from this he was also my favorite chess partner. But things changed when he got diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. It came to me as a shock when he couldn’t recognize my face or remember the stories he once told me. It hit me hard and with that my perspective of aging, memory and care changed.

Our lives now couldn’t be more different.I am a rising senior in high school. My life revolves around keeping my mind sharp and preparing for the future. It’s full of energy, focus and growth. But my Nana is usually confused and has lost control over most basic tasks. He was once a strong, independent man and the whole family used to look up to him. Watching him like this raises a painful question: What does it mean to grow old with dignity when your own mind begins to fade?

My parents are from India and I have spent most of my vacations with my grandparents. In the summer after 8th grade, I began volunteering with a nonprofit, Anhad India, helping to bring healthcare to rural communities.I’ve assisted at several Anhad clinics in health screenings, spoken with families and most importantly,I heard them.

What I experienced reminded me of my Nana slowly fading into forgotten memories. I realized we were fortunate enough to have known about the disease and have access to quality healthcare for my Nana. In rural India, people are left to cope on their own, with little to no guidance.Yet amidst the struggle, I also saw something else: hope in the eyes of caregivers, warmth in the dedication of community health workers, and courage in patients fighting to hold on to pieces of themselves.

I’ve watched my grandmother pour years of love,care and labor for my Nana. She does it without a manual, without a clear path , just hope,patience and unconditional love. These experiences motivated me to do something to support her, families like ours, and the countless others quietly suffering.

A Scientific and Personal Inquiry
My grandfather was a mechanical engineer and a pioneer of the Oil and Natural Gas Commission (ONGC) during India’s post-Partition years. He spent much of his life at oil drilling sites, often exposed to environmental pollutants. That made me wonder: Could there be a link between such exposures and Alzheimer’s?

In 2023, I wrote a paper titled “Oil Drilling, Alzheimer’s, and My Grandfather: Searching for Connections Between Environmental Factors and Alzheimer’s.” I hope to publish it soon.

In 2024 Summer, I had the opportunity to intern at the Barrow Neurological Institute in Arizona, where I researched how COVID-19 may accelerate Alzheimer’s symptoms. I presented a research poster on the topic and have continued my research atBarrow since then.

Launching Project Nana
Inspired by science, guided by personal experience, and rooted in community service, I launched Project Nana, an initiative in collaboration with Anhad India and Anhad Healthcare Trust,USA, dedicated to supporting elderly individuals facing cognitive decline.

Here’s what Project Nana provides:
1. Early screening methods to detect signs of cognitive decline, customized for use in rural health centers.

2. Engagement kits to help patients stay mentally, emotionally, and physically active—designed to be simple and caregiver-friendly.

3. Personalized mobile app for the elderly, designed to reduce confusion, spark memory, and bring joy through voice prompts, family photos, and music.

Each item is easy to use, and made to help elders feel seen, connected, and respected.

We’re currently piloting early prototypes at Anhad centers—and with my Nana. We’re also exploring partnerships to make these kits more widely available, including on platforms like Amazon, with a share of proceeds going to a nonprofit.

This Is More Than a Project
For me, Project Nana isn’t just about providing support for the elderly. It’s my way to honor the man who shaped my early years and a promise to families navigating this lonely and overwhelming journey.

It’s for the people who feel lost in their own homes that they have built . It’s for the caregivers who never give up. It’s for the storytellers,the grandparents who once made our world magical.

If someone you love has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, you know how silently heartbreaking it can be.

That’s what Project Nana is about: bridging science and heart so no one feels forgotten.
Thank you for reading. Thank you for caring.