ABOUT ANAYA
HONORING ANAYA
Monica Kachru and Rajeev Tipnis established Anaya Scholars, previously known as the Anaya Tipnis Foundation, in 2018 to honor their daughter Anaya, who they tragically lost weeks before she was to start as a first-year student at MIT.
Anaya envisioned helping students without access to the opportunities she had and hoped to find a way to ensure they received the education they deserved.
“Together, we can amplify our impact and transform every young student’s dream into a reality.”
A HOPE FOR EDUCATION EQUITY FOR HER PEERS
Anaya's empathy and emotional intelligence drove her to act whenever she saw someone treated poorly, or experiencing unfairness or unfulfilled potential. During her senior year of high school, Anaya embarked on an independent project to address educational inequity for students from underserved communities.
This project sparked a revelation about her purpose: to "level the playing field" so that economically disadvantaged students could navigate and graduate college as well as their more privileged peers
A YOUNG INNOVATOR WHO INSPIRED A VILLAGE TO ACTION
With Anaya’s ethos and insatiable desire to create a more equitable world, the Anaya Tipnis Foundation was born. Anaya wanted to make a significant impact, aspiring to be a social entrepreneur. In high school, she placed second in an entrepreneurship competition, winning a cash prize for an innovative idea that used augmented reality to dramatically transform the museum-going experience.
BEYOND BIG IDEAS, A MULTIDIMENSIONAL VISIONARY
Anaya held high expectations for herself. An avid reader, beatboxer, and skateboarder, she also played recreational basketball and earned the nickname "Anayalator" for her competitive spirit.
During her gap year after high school, she developed a passion for biking, joining a group that rode across the U.S.
Anaya loved great food, especially her grandmother’s Roganjosh, a Kashmiri lamb dish. Thoughtful and intentional, yet with a silly side, Anaya spent countless hours creating and watching YouTube videos with her good friend Shrutika.
Her multifaceted personality and dedication to making the world a better place continue to inspire all who knew her.
Family
A BIG SISTER & ADVOCATE
Anaya was, in every sense, a protective and caring big sister. As her younger sister Aisha fondly recalls, Anaya was not only fun-loving but also a fierce advocate and problem solver for those around her. Whether it was standing up for her sister or helping friends navigate challenges, Anaya’s protective instincts were always paired with a genuine desire to help others.
Anaya was always ready to use logic and diplomacy to take action and assist others in identifying solutions and next steps when they faced problems.
Her passion for advocacy and problem-solving lives on through Anaya Scholars, where her spirit of caring, determination, and action continues to inspire others.