When Darshana Prakasam was 12 years old, she was invited by the president of India to share her secrets for success and self-esteem with Indian youths.

"He told me, 'Dream, dream, dream. Dreams lead to thoughts, thoughts lead to ideas and ideas lead to action,'" she said.

Relying on that message and a chain e-mail about keys to leadership, Prakasam fashioned her own program to teach youths how to feel good about themselves and overcome adversity.

She named it MahaDarshan – a Sanskrit word that means "great vision."

"I've always wanted to help people," Prakasam said. "But I didn't want to volunteer in a soup kitchen or just donate money; I wanted to give people something they could use, something that might help them reach their dreams. That's something I have to offer."

Prakasam, 16, has delivered her 14-point plan to teenagers, children and adults in the United States and India. From her home in Rancho Cordova, she also runs overseas programs aimed at developing self-confidence.

Prakasam, it seems, has reached a level of wisdom well beyond her years. Neither her mother, Dr. Eswari Prakasam, nor father, Dr. Gnanagurudasan Prakasam, can pinpoint what turned on the light for their daughter. They've just enjoyed watching her develop an identity and, with the help of the Internet, a global following.

Darshana Prakasam recently talked about what pushes her to do so much in her teenage years.

She recalled that after the meeting with India's then-President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, she spoke at an orphanage.

"I wanted them to know that they can reach their highest goals no matter what they've had to go through in life," Prakasam said.

Many of the orphans continued to contact her after she returned to the United States. Understanding that they were seeking support and encouragement, she said, she began to place monthly phone calls and send the kids online video messages. She wanted them to know that, even an ocean away, she was there for them.

The orphans call her Akka – "big sister" in Tamil – an Indian language.

Prakasam said she likes helping young people because they are more receptive to her beliefs than adults are.

"I always end my presentations by telling people to smile," she said, grinning. "It surprises me that adults are so resistant. It's just a smile! Kids do it, no problem."

Yet there are problems unique to teenagers.

Prakasam said she sees so many peers buckle under the pressure of school, friends, family and growing up. She said she understands that for many teens, it's easy to become disheartened.

"I hate seeing my friends say they can't do something," Prakasam said. "People see others succeeding and think that means they failed. That's just not true. You should never let others make you feel bad about yourself."

Many teens distance themselves from their parents, finding comfort instead in friends. For Prakasam, though, it's family that helps her.

"She's always been like this," said her mother. "She's completely self-motivated. I just drive her wherever she needs to go."

Darshana's parents are doctors with Sutter Medical Group, but she said their careers influence her less than their roles as parents. Prakasam said she doesn't see herself going into medicine.

"I just want people to learn to see themselves for exactly how they are when they look at themselves in the mirror," she said. "We all have strengths and we all have weaknesses. It's knowing them that makes you powerful."

Powerful, indeed.

Prakasam, a Mira Loma High School senior, has cofounded a nonprofit organization advocating education. She's led a college-preparatory workshop for kids and their parents. She is going to coach a middle school speech and debate team. She is captain of the tennis team. She has a near-perfect grade-point average. She runs multiple blogs and has her own YouTube page.

In her spare time, she's writing a book on etiquette.

"I do sleep," Prakasam said. "I just love everything that I do; it doesn't feel like work."

The fireplace mantel in her family's Rancho Cordova home is filled with trophies, awards and medals. Most of them belong to her accomplished daughter, Eswari Prakasam said.

No matter the accomplishments, however, Darshana Prakasam finds it tough to impress her biggest critic, 11- year-old brother Manu.

"She talks too much," Manu said.

Call The Bee's Marissa Lang, (916)