The Board
Yash Tyagi | Naperville, IL
I'm currently a Junior at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign majoring in Computer Engineering. I have been involved with ISKCON throughout my entire life and now have a part in serving and creating initiatives for TSI. I first attended a TSI retreat in 2015, and immediately felt connected to the mission and all the youth that were present. TSI provides a wonderful opportunity to explore Krishna Consciousness with peers who may go through the same struggles in daily life, and through association with one another, we deepen a connection with the community and spiritual life. I have been on the TSI board in 2016 and am currently involved in planning our retreats (ages 16-30), and TSI chapters, an initiative to connect local communities to each other. Please reach out to us if you have any initiatives you would like to start up or that you would like to be a part of. Looking forward to meeting all of you soon!
Contact me at: yash@sangainitiative.org
Aditi Bhatt | Seattle, WA
Hi, I’m Aditi from Seattle. West coast, best coast :) I am going to school for computer science and political science. Outside of school, I like to travel, read, and make bad photoshop art.
A little background on why I joined TSI Board: I was born into Krishna Consciousness and decided to take it more seriously when I turned 19 and realized how much I love this part of my life. It’s really important to me that I maintain my practice and in doing so, possibly try to help others do that too!
I’ve been part of TSI since Chicago in 2016 and been on board since 2019. Currently I’m working on TSI Chapters and helping with summer retreat planning. I’m excited to get to know y’all!
Contact me at: aditi@sangainitiative.org
Ksamesvari Edwards | Alachua, FL
Hare Krishna! I first attended TSI in 2014 at Gita Nagari. It was such an amazing experience that I’ve come back every year since then. I am so excited to be on the board and give back to those who have done so much for me. The wonderful thing about TSI is that everyone you meet, no matter when you next see each other, it’s like no time has passed at all. One of the things I love about TSI is that there is such an accepting mood. Each person has their own struggles that they may come with, and the TSI family is full of open minded and open hearted people. I hope my contribution to the board continues to enhance that aspect of TSI.
I graduated from Santa Fe College and am currently applying to schools to become an Occupational Therapist. I was born in New York, but was raised in the New Ramen Reti(Alachua) community. I love reading and am always looking for good book recommendations!
Contact me at: ksamesvari@sangainitiative.org
Shyam Lad | Houston, TX
Hi everyone! My name is Shyam and although I’m a new member to the board, I’ve been coming to TSI’s retreats for almost 10 years! Every summer has been highlighted by TSI, and my experiences at TSI have had incredibly profound and everlasting effects on me. This year, I’ll be co-leading the newly formed TSI Communications team and also it’s revamped sub-team, TSI Marketing. I hope my service at TSI will help all the youth experience even more excitement than I felt in my past years at TSI! See you all soon!!
Contact me at: shyam@sangainitiative.org
Aravind Ithikaat | Alachua, FL
Haribol! I’m from Alachua, FL, and I’ve lived here all my life. I’ve been attending the TSI retreats since 2015, and they have had a powerful effect on me. I just wanted more! I’ve always had an interest in developing youth programs, and so when the opportunity presented itself to be on the board, I eagerly accepted. Currently my main role is to help organize the summer youth retreat, as well as other general board duties.
Contact me at: aravind@sangainitiative.org
Harini Mekala | New York City, NY
Haribol my name is Harini Mekala and I am absolutely honored to be able to serve on the TSI board. I have been going to the TSI retreats since I was 15 years old and my first retreat was in Houston in 2009! It’s now been 10 years since my first TSI experience, and it’s absolutely incredible to see and feel how much TSI has grown, strengthened, and come alive. However the mood of TSI, connecting youth and empowering them, that essential mood, is still so integral to TSI and I feel that at every retreat, and from every person that I have had the pleasure of working and connecting with at the retreats. I am so excited to be working on new initiatives that we as a board are planning. My main focus for TSI is to build out our finance and fundraising objectives and grow out the TSI Communications team which encompasses Networking and Marketing. If you are inspired at all to serve with us please feel free to reach out and we would love to have the opportunity to work with you! I am so excited for this new year and I can’t wait to see what we accomplish as the ISKCON Youth of North America.
Contact me at: harini@sangainitiative.org