(October 26, 2025) An A-Level student at Winchester College, 17-year-old Aryaveer Baljee has been serving as the Youth Member of Parliament for Central Hampshire, a role that lets him champion the causes like youth empowerment, literacy, and homelessness that are closest to his heart. But what sets him apart is how he’s merging his political conviction with his family’s hospitality legacy to spark real-world impact.
A youth voice with vision
When Aryaveer stood for Winchester College election, his manifesto carried the promise of tangible change. “I wanted to ensure that the voice of young people wasn’t just heard, but that it resonated with purpose,” he mentioned. His early pledges of tackling homelessness and promoting literacy have evolved into actionable initiatives. “If young people are given the chance to lead, they’ll prove that compassion and innovation can coexist,” he added.
Aryaveer at the launch of Pounds4Plate initiative at Masala Zone, London
That belief led to the creation of Pounds4Plates, an inventive fundraising initiative that gives diners an opportunity to be changemakers. The concept motivates diners for a voluntary service charge at restaurants, the proceeds of which go directly to food charities. Within just two weeks of its pilot run in Hampshire, the project had raised £3,000 for The Winchester Beacon, a charity that supports vulnerable individuals through shelter and skill-building programs.
From parliament to the people
Aryaveer’s experience as a Youth MP has shaped much of his social outlook. Earlier this year, he stood in the House of Commons during the UK Youth Parliament’s annual sitting, advocating for political literacy lessons in schools. His argument was pragmatic and passionate. “As the voting age is lowered, we must ensure that young citizens understand democracy before they participate in it.” Months later, when national radio stations like LBC began discussing the topic, Aryaveer’s foresight was evident . He was already pushing for change before it became a trend.
Aryaveer Baljee at House of Commons
Hospitality meets humanity
Aryaveer’s leadership instincts seem to run in the family. The grandson of Chander K. Baljee, Chairman and Managing Director of Royal Orchid Hotels, a chain of more than 100 hotels across 65 locations in India and abroad, and son of Arjun Baljee, the group’s President, Aryaveer has inherited a deep appreciation for hospitality. His collaboration with MW Eat, the restaurant group behind Amaya, Veeraswamy, Chutney Mary, and Masala Zone, became the cornerstone of his Pounds4Plates campaign.
For 15 days, MW Eat restaurants across the UK added a 0.25 percent voluntary charge to diner bills, with all proceeds directed toward The Winchester Beacon charity. The initiative revolved around raising funds and running it as a pilot for what Aryaveer hopes will become a nationwide model for sustainable, low-barrier restaurant-led giving.
“I believe that hospitality is more than a service. It’s a bridge,” he explains. “It brings people together, creates jobs, uplifts communities, and fosters understanding across cultures. In a divided world, the act of welcoming another can be a powerful force for social good.”
Bringing the movement home with 4Plates
Success in the UK soon inspired a chapter in India. Partnering with Royal Orchid Hotels and Iconiqa Group, Aryaveer has launched Paisa4Plates, the Indian counterpart of his British initiative. His mission is to create a sustainable, community-driven funding stream for food security and homelessness relief in both the UK and India.
“As someone of Indian origin, it only felt right to expand the 4Plates movement to help those in need in a place I’m blessed to have called home,” Aryaveer said at the launch.
Multifaceted youngster
Aryaveer’s interests extends beyond academics and Pounds4Plates and Paisa4Plates initiatives. He serves as a board member of the MentorSoc club and contributes as a treasury volunteer at school. He is also the brain behind MicroBod, an initiative to establish micro-libraries for underprivileged children in the UK and India. The youngster is deeply engaged in community service from teaching chess and science to young students to spreading awareness about wildlife conservation.
Aryaveer with friends
The promise of tomorrow
As one of the youngest elected youth representatives in Hampshire, Aryaveer is honing is leadership by blending empathy with enterprise. In his world, politics and activism revolves around support to the underserved, and spirit of a young voice that dares to be heard. His journey from Winchester’s classrooms to India’s communities offers a compelling reminder that real leadership begins when conviction meets compassion.
- Follow Aryaveer Baljee on LinkedIn
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