University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign — Mechanical Engineering

Hands trembling, I watched as Mr. Rao struggled to write his name in English.

As his frustration increased with each letter, I knelt beside him, guiding his hands with patience through every curve. Yet in his struggles I saw a reflection of my own—both of us wrestling with the weight of our names. For me, the challenge was to live up to my name: Adhiveer—the “Bravest of the Brave," which was chosen to mirror the legacy I was to share with my elder brother, Adhiraj—the “Supreme Ruler.” Together, our names stretched through generations before us, forging a bond that evoked the mythical tales of Ram and Lakshman—brothers, who, like us, each had a role; the imperturbable leader, and the devoted follower.

So when he joined taekwondo, I followed suit. When he transferred schools, I willingly left the comfort of my friends. At school, I became an extension of my brother—actively volunteering for all leadership roles like him, even if it was leading my classmates to the lunch hall. He was everything a leader should be—strong, wise, and respected by all. However, beneath my genuine admiration, I quietly questioned: was there more to me than simply being his shadow?