We had the good fortune of connecting with Viraaj Nindra and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Viraaj, what matters most to you?
Sharing with others is the most important principle to me. I am a follower of the religion Sikhism. Sikhism teaches us an idea called Sewa(serve others). I have done sewa throughout my life whether it was in food banks, my non-profit called Small Support, or in a club called Second Serve. Seeing the looks on people’s faces after I have donated/helped fills me with joy and motivates me to help even more.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am most proud of the positivity I have brought to this world via a non-profit, Second Serve, and the Sikh teaching of Sewa. Trying to spread this optimism was not easy, however. Tens or maybe even hundreds of hours were put into these activities. Doing things alone is not easy so asking others for help is what helped me overcome these hardships. Lessons others taught me include to keep working no matter what impediment steps in your way and that failure is a step to success. I want the world to know that I am one who always perseveres and tries to do everything to the best of my ability. I want the world to know that I want to make the Earth better.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If one of my friends came to Houston and hadn’t tried a fast food place like In-N-Out, I would bring them straight there. The next day, we would go see the NASA space lights because the astronaut food and the lights there are immaculate. After that, we would eat somewhere exclusively in Texas. In the following days, we would drive everywhere around Houston, stopping occasionally to eat, see places, and chill. We would also go to the Galleria to buy stuff and eat more delicious food! To end the week, we would have a nice picnic at Memorial Park.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My sisters and my close friend Kush have been with me every step of the way. My sisters, being older than me, have gone through every tough experience as I have thus far. Asking for advice and such people is very helpful. My sisters teaching me the lessons they learned after making mistakes allowed me to progress. It is thanks to them that I am where I am today. Coming from a small town in California and moving to Houston was a big change, leaving my friends and relatives. I was almost alone in Houston until I met Kush at school. Ever since then, we have been the closest of friends. We went through the same hardships in school, growing together. My sisters and Kush have helped me climb the ladder of life and grow as a person.

Website: https://www.secondserve.org/

Instagram: viraaj.nindra

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutHTX is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.