Odisha’s Shraavya Mishra named among World’s ‘Future Global Leaders – 18 Under 18 Award winners-2026’

Bhubaneswar, July 31 In a proud moment for Odisha, Shraavya Mishra, a young innovator from Bhubaneswar, has been selected among the prestigious “Future Global Leaders – 18 Under 18 Award Winners 2026,” becoming the only student from Odisha to receive this international honour.
The award recognises exceptional young changemakers from across the globe who are creating meaningful impact through innovation, leadership and social commitment. This year’s edition witnessed an overwhelming response from students working in diverse fields such as artificial intelligence, scientific research, healthcare, climate action, entrepreneurship, education and public policy.
Following a rigorous multi-stage evaluation, an independent jury comprising graduates of Harvard Business School, Stanford Graduate School of Business, and Yale University selected only 18 outstanding young leaders from around the world. The applicants were assessed on originality, measurable impact, leadership, scalability and their potential to create lasting global change.
Shraavya earned the recognition for her pioneering project I-SRAVIA (Indian Sign-Language Responsive Voice Intelligent Assistant), an artificial intelligence-based assistive technology developed to bridge the communication gap for individuals with hearing and speech impairments. Built on the philosophy of “AI for Good,” the innovation uses computer vision and machine learning to recognise Indian Sign Language gestures and instantly convert them into voice and text, enabling seamless communication and promoting social inclusion.
The distinguished list of awardees includes young innovators from countries such as India, the United States, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, Cameroon, and Afghanistan, highlighting the truly global nature of the recognition.
Shraavya’s achievement reflects Odisha’s growing presence in innovation and artificial intelligence while demonstrating how young minds can leverage technology to address pressing societal challenges. Her recognition serves as an inspiration to students across the state to pursue research, innovation and entrepreneurship with a commitment to creating positive social impact.
The international honour is not only a significant milestone in Shraavya’s journey but also a matter of immense pride for Odisha, reaffirming that purpose-driven innovation can empower communities and contribute towards building a more inclusive and compassionate society.