New York, Feb 16 (IANS): An Indian-origin eighth-grade student has been honoured in the US city of Hartford for his efforts to help underprivileged students in the US and around the world with his charity organisation, a media report said.

Ishaan Patel, founder of Planting Pencils, was recently honoured by the Milan Cultural Organisation during the Republic Day celebration in the legislative office building in downtown Hartford, the Bristol Press reported on Monday.

A son of immigrants from India, Patel attends Kingswood-Oxford School in West Hartford. He created his charity to improve access to education for underserved children around the world.

The Milan association is composed of people from India living in US. It is engaged in promoting the traditional art and culture of India in the US. It organises and participates in cultural events, setting up exhibitions of Indian handicrafts in schools, colleges, educational and cultural institutions, and works with other associations promoting social and civic activities.

"The goals of our organization are to let the values of our culture and heritage contribute to the strength of America, and for us to all be productive participants in the civic and social issues of the bigger community," said Suresh Sharma, president of Milan Cultural Organisation.

Sharma and all the directors of the organisation were impressed by this teenager’s efforts to tackle global education problems.