By Laasya Khandavalli, UT Austin
Hello!
Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Laasya Khandavalli, a San Antonio Texas native. I am a rising senior at the University of Texas at Austin majoring in Environmental Science and pursuing a BDP certificate in Human Rights and Social Justice. When I’m not falling asleep in class, I love to volunteer, dance, read, and run. My goals in life are to build a meaningful career in community service and interaction, while also remaining as active and healthy as possible.
This opportunity is one of the most adventurous I have ever undertaken, and I am so glad to be able to push my own boundaries. With both nerves and excitement, I write this blog on the start of my first day at my new office. In collaboration with the All India Disaster Mitigation Institute, I am studying heatwaves and their effects on small businesses in India. This study asks two main questions: How does the increasing frequency and severity of heatwaves in Ahmedabad, Gujarat affect climate displacement amongst socioeconomically vulnerable populations, specifically small businesses? What are the existing adaptive strategies, coping mechanisms, and city wide mitigation measures among affected small businesses during heatwave events. I have traveled to Ahmedabad, Gujarat for about nine weeks to collect data on temperature, humidity, and people’s responses to both extreme heat and humidity. This data will be supported by local knowledge and perspectives on heat adaptation strategies in an effort to improve community-based climate resilience.
I am looking forward to meeting new people and getting to learn about new cultures and languages. The state of Gujarat is in the North Indian region of India. As a South Indian Telugu girl, I have had very little exposure to North India and how culturally different it is. One of my personal goals for this experience is to learn and practice Gujarati and Hindi. Language is such an essential part of understanding any culture, and I would consider my time in Ahmedabad a success if I’m able to reach at least an intermediate level of proficiency in conversational local language by the end of my stay. Beyond the practical value, I believe language learning demonstrates respect and interest for the local community to build meaningful connections.
I’m ready to experience local events and immerse myself in the locality, from food to sports to arts. Yesterday night I was lucky enough to attend my first cricket match, the 2025 IPL Semi Finals. The crowd, the energy, and the atmosphere was such a thrill. Seeing a sixer come racing at you in the stands as you hear roars from all directions was an incredible moment. It is moments like these that keep me excited for the rest of the internship here.
The introductory reflection would not be complete without a note of gratitude for the multitude of people who made this happen. To my professors and mentors, Dr. Jason Cons, Vishal Sir, Carlos Eric Bowles, and Ramya Atta, thank you for believing in me. To the Tyler Fellows Program and UT Liberal Arts College, thank you for supporting me.
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