Avi Gupta: Indian-American teen revolutionises healthcare with affordable ventilator invention
Compiled by: Team GI Youth
(September 13, 2023) “I want to take you back to March 2020. The coronavirus had landed in the United States. Social distancing entered into our vocabulary. Schools were closed and store shelves were empty. Against this backdrop, Europe grappled with its first wave of coronavirus. One of the key shortages they faced – ventilators,” that’s how Avi Gupta opens his TedX speech. The Indian American from Portland reveals that the US, especially Oregon, too faced a similar situation with a shortage of hundreds of ventilators for the critically-ill covid patients.
That’s when Oregon Health Authority reached out for help from many individuals and companies, including INTEL. However, it didn’t take the responsibility of designing and manufacturing a ventilator, instead the request was filtered down to the senior staff of the company, one of whom happened to be a manager of Avi at a former internship. That’s how the Stanford University student joined a team of doctors, researchers, and fellow engineers to co-found LifeMech, a non-profit that builds low-cost ventilators. Such has been the impact of his work that he was awarded the Truman Scholarship 2022 for his commitment to public service.
Avi Gupta played a key role in developing low-cost ventilator
Then an 18-year-old, Avi helped design the ventilator’s user interface, as amid the crisis, “rapid development and deployment of the technology were essential.” Interestingly, he wasn’t just the youngest member of the team but also the reigning Jeopardy Teen Tournament champion. “The original prototype which was fully functional was made in our garages. So, it’s truly something that can be deployed worldwide,” the Global Indian said in an interview.
Avi, who switched to Stanford to pursue his interests in artificial intelligence and public policy after a year of college at Columbia University’s School of Engineering, knew that the prototype had to be scalable in both design and manufacture. But more than anything it had to be “low-cost and open source to be deployed in communities worldwide.” “What it meant that anybody like a doctor or a non-profit in another country could download our designs and code and easily manufacture the ventilator with the parts available in their country,” he added.
Avi Gupta is currently studying at Stanford University.
Though he found the process of designing the interface stressful, he also found it equally rewarding as it could have a direct impact on someone’s health. Avi, who collaborated with his father, Dr Saurabh Gupta, a cardiologist for the making of the ventilator, said that the project epitomises the work that he wants to do – using technology to solve a bigger problem. “It’s using technology to advance public service,” he told the Stanford Daily. Later, the ventilator was approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) and used widely during the ventilator shortage.
Apart from this, Avi is also involved in Public Interest in Tech (one of the groups on the Stanford campus) which focuses on fostering conversations around technology’s role in society. Since his school days, Avi has been keen to make a change, so when he won the 2019 Jeopardy Teen Tournament, in honour of the host Alex Trebek, he donated a part of his winnings ($100,000) to raise awareness and fund early pancreatic cancer research. He partnered with OHSU Knight Cancer Institute to create and lead the #InspiredBy campaign, raising over $225,000.
It was in 2016 that he kickstarted his journey towards creating social impact when he founded Project 32, a student-run social startup that uses the power of education to tackle dental diseases in youth. Since its inception, Project32 has provided thousands of dental hygiene kits to children in the US, India, Guatemala, and Haiti.
In his free time, he loves to play chess and basketball and is a huge Portland Trail Blazers fan.
At just 18, Australia based Rhea Werner is proving that age is no barrier to impact. With roots spanning Indian, Malaysian, and German heritage, she has channelled her multicultural perspective into powerful advocacy for mental health and eating disorder awareness. Rhea’s journey is one of courage, empathy, and vision—turning personal insights into transformative global initiatives that prioritize cultural inclusivity and sustainability. From leading groundbreaking youth campaigns to presenting her ideas on international platforms, Rhea has emerged as a trailblazer. Her efforts have earned her some of the world’s most prestigious accolades: the 2024 Diana Award, the 2023 Most Influential Asian-Australian title, and the 2022 Australia Day Young Citizen of the Year honour. Recently she was also selected to attend the Yale Young Global Scholars Program as one of four Australians out of 600 participants. [caption id="attachment_40981" align="aligncenter" width="516"] Rhea with the Australia Day Award 2022[/caption] Now poised to begin her next chapter at Harvard University—where she will major in economics and philosophy while pursuing a master’s in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies—Rhea remains dedicated to integrating diversity into healthcare and education systems. With recognition from esteemed institutions like the Australian Olympic Committee, she is serving as an inspiration for young
versity—where she will major in economics and philosophy while pursuing a master’s in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies—Rhea remains dedicated to integrating diversity into healthcare and education systems. With recognition from esteemed institutions like the Australian Olympic Committee, she is serving as an inspiration for young changemakers.
The catalyst: A lockdown realization
The 262-day Melbourne lockdown—the longest in the world—served as a turning point in Rhea’s life. “I witnessed firsthand how my peers struggled immensely with eating disorders, seemingly fading behind their screens as the isolation took its toll,” she tells Global Indian. What struck her most was the prolonged wait for treatment—up to four months—despite eating disorders having the highest mortality rate of any mental health condition.
This realization spurred her to action. “It was heartbreaking to see how our public health system was failing young people, focusing solely on retrospective treatment rather than proactive prevention. This gap in care made me realize the urgent need for systemic change,” Rhea explains. Thus began her journey of youth-led initiatives.
[caption id="attachment_40983" align="aligncenter" width="478"] Rhea at the Yale Young Global Scholars Programme[/caption]
She established Eudaimonia, a platform dedicated to addressing the systemic shortcomings she observed. By combining education and policy, the initiative focused on proactive prevention. “It’s about building a public health system that doesn’t wait for young people to fall into crisis but actively works to prevent that crisis from ever occurring,” she asserts.
The Harvard STRIPED Initiative
At just 15 years old, Rhea got selected for the Harvard STRIPED Initiative, which proved to be the cornerstone of her advocacy. Being selected for the online programme meant waking up at 1 a.m. to accommodate time zone differences between the United States and Australia. The Strategic Training Initiative for the Prevention of Eating Disorders (STRIPED) is a programme of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, designed to cultivate novel insights and strategies for prevention of eating disorders. It introduces trainees to transdisciplinary perspectives, methodologies, and theories and provide them with opportunities to join crosscutting collaborative teams.
As part of the STRIPED cohort, Rhea led the development of online youth surveys in Massachusetts and New York, which later influenced 10 nationwide legislative actions to ban diet pills linked to eating disorders.
[caption id="attachment_40984" align="aligncenter" width="744"] Rhea at the Australia and New Zealand Eating Disorder Conference as the only youth presenter[/caption]
While doing her international work, Rhea recognizing a lack of youth-led initiatives in Australia – the country she calls home, and founded the Embrace Collective Youth Initiative, collaborating with luminaries like Taryn Brumfitt, the 2023 Australian of the Year, and researchers at Melbourne University.
Pioneering change in Australia
One of Rhea’s most impactful achievements has been authoring the first-ever youth-focused, culturally attuned eating disorder education module. This module got later integrated into the Western Australian curriculum, impacting over 450,000 children. “Collaborating with Harvard to create this module ensures solutions are ingrained and sustainable, tackling the root causes rather than just the symptoms,” she notes.
Rhea’s advocacy extended further when she influenced the National Eating Disorder Strategy, securing $55 million in federal policies to support culturally and linguistically diverse youth. This included integrating Asian and First Nations perspectives into the Royal Children’s Hospital, in Australia impacting thousands of people.
The youngster’s focus on cultural inclusivity doesn’t stop at policy. She ensured that educational materials reflected diverse backgrounds, enabling students from all walks of life to feel represented. “This effort is about more than education; it’s about giving young people a sense of belonging and understanding,” she says.
Youth empowerment and the body image summit
As head of the national Embrace youth team, Rhea has collaborated with the Victorian Curriculum Assessment Authority (VCAA) to adapt health and education policies, addressing the harmful effects of Body Mass Index (BMI) practices on students. She has also led one of the world’s first body image summit, supported by a $50,000 VicHealth grant, which convened over 100 youth from across Australia.
The summit marked a significant step forward, uniting young voices to tackle body image issues. “Bringing together youth from different backgrounds helped highlight the universal nature of these challenges while fostering innovative solutions,” Rhea explains.
A global voice: From the United Nations to rural Asia
Rhea’s impact transcends borders. Invited by the United Nations Major Group for Children and Youth, she presented her work at the 2023 Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum, reaching 40,000 people. She has also made efforts to extend her education modules to rural India and Malaysia through local nonprofits addressing regional issues such as colourism’s impact on body image.
In rural communities, Rhea’s initiatives have led to enriching 790 educators and students, bridging gaps in understanding and creating dialogue around inclusivity. “Driving regional education about colourism has been deeply rewarding, knowing it can shift perceptions and empower youth to embrace their identities,” she shares.
Roots that shape a vision
Born in Germany to an Indian mother and a German father, Rhea’s upbringing was a rich blend of cultural traditions. She spent the first eight years of her life in Germany before relocating to Australia with her parents. “Growing up, my parents were deeply committed to giving me a holistic cultural upbringing. They never wanted me to feel like I had to choose between identifying as Indian or German. Instead, they celebrated both aspects of my heritage equally,” Rhea reflects.
[caption id="attachment_40986" align="aligncenter" width="658"] Rhea with her parents[/caption]
Her multicultural heritage became the foundation of her advocacy. “My Indian heritage, in particular, has had a profound influence on my worldview and my work. It allowed me to integrate perspectives from my heritage and ensure that young people from various backgrounds could see themselves reflected in these resources,” she shares. This unique perspective has driven her to embed cultural diversity into national strategies and education systems.
Rhea’s childhood was steeped in traditions that shaped her outlook. From celebrating Diwali and performing pujas to observing Christmas and Nikolaustag, her family’s inclusive approach helped her embrace diversity. “Knowing that my heritage not only shapes who I am but also inspires meaningful change in others’ lives has been incredibly fulfilling,” she says.
The backbone of balance
Balancing academics, activism, and personal life is no easy feat, but Rhea credits rowing as her anchor. “During the season, we are training up to 30 hours a week alongside school. Rowing has enhanced my immense appreciation for discipline and structure,” she shares. This disciplined approach allows her to manage her initiatives while excelling academically.
She also emphasizes the importance of collaboration. “I’m fortunate to have an incredible team of volunteers who share my passion for creating change. It’s not just about what I can achieve but about taking forward a collective vision where everyone feels empowered to make a difference,” she states.
[caption id="attachment_40988" align="aligncenter" width="546"] Rhea at the Mental Health Foundation Australia (MHFA)'s National Summit[/caption]
Its all about creating change…
Rhea Werner’s aspirations extend to working in finance, focusing on healthcare and agriculture, upon completion of her studies at Harvard. “Through this, I hope to develop and support companies pioneering proactive healthcare and agricultural approaches. I also hope to further reconnect with my Indian roots by working in India,” Rhea envisions.
The most rewarding aspect of Rhea’s work lies in its ripple effect. “Knowing that these efforts inspire others to start their own initiatives and drive meaningful change makes every challenge worthwhile,” she signs off.
(February 25, 2023) The news was as exciting as it was historic. One of the most prominent basketball teams in the USA, Dallas Mavericks, had picked Satnam Singh to be their team member, making him the first Indian-born player to be selected in an NBA draft in 2015. Little did the world know that Satnam's entry in the NBA would open doors for an aspiring Indian American basketball player, Ryan Agarwal, who at the time was just another sixth grader at a Dallas middle school. Now a Stanford freshman, Ryan is one of the only Indian-American players on the Division I level and wishes to represent India in the American basketball landscape. "Even as I play today, I just have to keep in mind the fact that I help represent such a big community, and only a few people have the ability to do what I’m trying to do,” the basketball player said in a recent interview, adding, "It’s amazing to see how many people support me and have my back." The Stanford player, who is also deemed as the rising star of US basketball, is fully aware that his game could push him to be greater on the court,
ing, "It’s amazing to see how many people support me and have my back." The Stanford player, who is also deemed as the rising star of US basketball, is fully aware that his game could push him to be greater on the court, but it doesn’t pressure him. "Basketball is just kind of fun for me. I don’t really feel like it’s a burden on me," the Global Indian shared.
A star in the making
Ryan's parents had emigrated from India, and he was born in a Dallas suburb. While the young kid never saw someone playing basketball or considered it as a career path, it was the selection of Satnam in the Dallas Mavericks that encouraged him to start playing. In 2017, Ryan and his cousin had a chance to watch Satnam in an NBA G League game, and it was there that Ryan realised he wanted to play just like him. And once he had made up his mind, there was no looking back. The youngster started playing at his school and was soon picked up to be a part of the local team. Standing at 6’7 and a slender 175 pounds, the Indian American player is a certified bucket.
[caption id="attachment_27827" align="aligncenter" width="651"] Ryan with his family[/caption]
While he loved playing the sport and spending several hours mastering the skill, Ryan credits his parents for supporting him throughout the journey. Even though they were initially unsure about the rigorous world of recruiting and elite sports, watching their son play gave them immense confidence. Eventually, Ryan shared, that several families started reaching out to them to ask for advice, partly on how to encourage their children in sports and get them noticed by college coaches. "I’m blessed with the parents I have, because they put me in every sport possible to just try to see what I love, which honestly, not a lot of Indian parents do,” Ryan said, adding, "I think that’s the biggest thing for me. If it wasn’t for the support from my parents, who knows where I would be.”
More mountains to climb
The 18-year-old, who is a part of the Standford team now, understands how rare it is to see Indian basketball players playing at the Division I level and also realises his responsibility to encourage other South Asian kids, who aspire to be basketball players. "We didn’t really have a lot of players that were Indian-American playing Division I basketball that we could all look up to,” Ryan told in an interview, adding, "In AAU travel ball, I didn’t see any Indians at all. Even in Texas, playing travel ball against other teams, I didn’t see a lot. It was just kind of on my own team if anything.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acCnKfoOb-U
However, the teen player didn’t shy away from a certain amount of pressure that comes with people judging an entire culture based on his play. In fact, a few months back, Ryan also shared a video highlighting the efforts of his coaches and relatives who helped him during his journey, saying that he wants "to set an example for a whole heritage and prove that we can do it, too.”
So far this season, Agarwal has come off the bench for Stanford in nearly two-thirds of its games, averaging roughly eight minutes when he plays. Rivals.com once ranked Agarwal as a top-20 shooting guard, but Stanford Coach Jerod Haase believes that Ryan is a more complete player because of his size at 6-foot-6 and his passing ability. "I want to continue getting better and better and ready for the next level. I’ll be in the gym probably more than ever with my trainers and by myself," the player shared.
(December 4, 2024) Some 6707 km away in London, UK and 4894 km in Phuket, Thailand, students are turning ideas into reality with the help of LaunchPad, an initiative by Delhi-based Aryan Nangia. Designed to empower students with future-ready skills, LaunchPad has expanded to 15 chapters in five countries within a span of a year. "Most students lack the skills needed to turn ideas into tangible products. I am bridging that gap through LaunchPad," Aryan tells Global Indian. What began as a school club in Gurugram in the summer of 2023 has grown into a global initiative, which has already impacted 400 students through physical chapters in 15 schools and a digital platform. "Seeing my idea go global is motivating, but what’s fulfilling is knowing that students are benefitting from it," adds the 17-year-old. [caption id="attachment_40762" align="aligncenter" width="511"] Aryan Nangia[/caption] Turning Student Ideas into Reality His journey began when his switch from the CBSE to IB (International Baccalaureate) board introduced him to practical subjects like design. Each semester, he worked on projects where he identified problems and created solutions, plans, and prototypes. However, there was a problem. "I never saw myself implementing the solutions I came up with." The turning
the CBSE to IB (International Baccalaureate) board introduced him to practical subjects like design. Each semester, he worked on projects where he identified problems and created solutions, plans, and prototypes. However, there was a problem. "I never saw myself implementing the solutions I came up with." The turning point came when his app on empowering senior citizens with hobbies after retirement remained just a prototype. "I realised that I wasn't able to scale most of my solutions." The issue echoed among his peers and friends, who too lacked the skills to scale their solutions. This epiphany led him to start LaunchPad to bridge the gap with essential skills.
Taking out a leaf from his own experiences and learnings at the school, he wanted to impart the same knowledge to other teenagers through what he calls "future-proof skills," like AI, design thinking, storytelling and communication, financial literacy and business fundamentals that are important in today's time and world. "They can be applied to every sphere, no matter what career path the students decide to take on," adds Aryan.
The initiative started small as a club in Pathways School, with 12 students with a curriculum that included quizzes, assignments and content sessions. It became an instant hit as students built robots and created website that connected volunteers to NGOs. "I realised there is some merit in this idea and we could scale and reach more kids. That's how LaunchPad was started."
[caption id="attachment_40763" align="aligncenter" width="563"] Aryan Nangia at an NGO[/caption]
Building Experience
Growing up, Aryan always found himself gravitating towards technology and innovation. From doing online courses on data analytics to joining innovation clubs at school, he found every opportunity to align himself with technology, innovation and its intersection. "My family always encouraged me to be curious and ask questions. It naturally led me to develop an entrepreneurial tech-focussed mindset."
This inquisitiveness led him to attend programs like Young Entrepreneurs Bootcamp at BITS Pilani and Harvard Conference. These experiences helped him build a network of like-minded people who enthusiastically helped set up LaunchPad chapters in schools across India and abroad.
From School Club to Global Platform
Launched in July 2023 at Pathways School, Gurgaon, LaunchPad quickly expanded to schools in Delhi, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Mysore, and Mumbai in India, as well as London (UK), Houston, Alpharetta, Raleigh (USA), Phuket (Thailand), and Dhaka (Bangladesh).
Soon Aryan realised the need to reach more students wand took LaunchPad digital by creating an online platform where students can access course content, quizzes, guided assignments, and interviews with experts. "They can sign up for free and fill up a form highlighting their interests. Each module has one guided assignment which walks students through creating a project, business plan, or pitch deck as an MVP (Minimum Viable Product). Our biggest success metric is not how many students are watching the course but how many students take the first step toward building something tangible," explains Aryan. Launched in June 2024, the platform already has 200 users, and continues to grow with each passing day.
[caption id="attachment_40766" align="aligncenter" width="725"] Aryan Nangia at BITS Pilani[/caption]
Vision Forward
LaunchPad's collaboration with NGOs has further extended its reach, impacting over 75 students through customised modules. Apart from skill building, Aryan and his team is currently working on mentorship and volunteer program to match students with mentors who can help them guide on their journey. "We want to spread the axis of the high-quality education, which is free, and mentorship to everyone irrespective of the resources available to them," says Aryan, who has plans of expanding LaunchPad to government schools and NGOs. "That's a part of the larger vision for LaunchPad."
However, LaunchPad came with its set of challenges including pitching the idea and sparking interest among the students. But Aryan calls launching the website his biggest challenge. A self-proclaimed perfectionist, Aryan kept procrastinating the process of making it live as he struggled to perfect it. "I kept delaying, but I finally realized it’s better to launch and refine after feedback," he admits, echoing Reid Hoffman’s philosophy: "If you are not embarrassed by the first version of your product, you’ve launched too late."
Aryan is a teenager on a mission. He plans to reach 5000 kids by the next two to three years, a 10x of where LaunchPad is right now. Moreover, he plans to streamline the process of opening new channels through the website, allowing students worldwide to start initiatives in their schools.
Aryan, who loves listening to podcasts and watching cricket, advices youngsters to figure out their interests and do some research. "You can use resources like LaunchPad to build something within your interest area, completely for free. It's important to have the confidence to take the leap of faith," he signs off.
(July 19, 2022) At 18, as his peers are busy trying to decide on a college, Souhardya De is the author of two books and has a long list of achievements to his merit. Mythology is his subject of choice, the teen from Midnapore wrote his first book when he was 13 years old - his debut novel, Scion of Suryavansh: The Ramayana was published in 2017. Two years later, he released his second, The Chronicles of Suryavansh: The Rise and Fall of the Suryavanshis. In 2021, he won the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar, in the art and culture category and is part of the prestigious PM-Young Upcoming Versatile Author (YUVA) Mentorship Scheme, a 75-member cohort of authors chosen from 16,000 applicants. "These honours only motivate me to bring a greater understanding of religion, spirituality, philosophy, and culture, especially among Gen-Z, through my writing," the prodigy says, in an interview with Global Indian. His accolades aren’t for his writing alone, however. He was also recognised in the Dettol Salutes Campaign for spreading awareness among his community during the Covid-19 pandemic, teaching them how to ward off infection. The talented young writer who has just graduated from high school will head off to
"These honours only motivate me to bring a greater understanding of religion, spirituality, philosophy, and culture, especially among Gen-Z, through my writing," the prodigy says, in an interview with Global Indian. His accolades aren’t for his writing alone, however. He was also recognised in the Dettol Salutes Campaign for spreading awareness among his community during the Covid-19 pandemic, teaching them how to ward off infection. The talented young writer who has just graduated from high school will head off to the University of Cambridge, where he has received a bursary for his UGCert in history.
Five months after winning the Bal Puraskar, Souhardya received the Colonelcy, the highest civilian honour from the Commonwealth of Kentucky, USA. He had won the Gold Award in the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2021, patronised by the Duchess of Cornwall.
Souhardya is also an elected member of the Royal Historical Society, University College London and the Royal Asiatic Society for Great Britain and Ireland. Closer home, he has been named the Most Promising Literary Talent 2022 by the Dainik Jagran Group.
Revitalising the glorious past
Already considered on par with the acclaimed mythological fiction author Amish Tripathi, Souhardya has just finished the manuscript on the life of freedom fighter Lal Pratap Singh, who showed great gallantry during the uprising of 1857 — a novella under the Prime Minister’s YUVA Scheme. "The fellowship was instituted last year by the Prime Minister, to encourage books on India’s unsung heroes to commemorate Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav — 75 Years of Indian Independence."
"The plot primarily revolves around Singh’s resistance shown to General Campbell, who came to recapture Lucknow during that period," Souhardya explains. His books, Scion of Suryavansh and Chronicles of Suryavansh, are part of the Shree Ram Katha series that have been written in both English and French. His fourth book is in the process of publication by Rupa Publications. The talented writer is also a columnist of repute, with words in popular print and digital media like the Sunday Guardian, Scroll, Lokmat Times Zest, South China Morning Post, The Statesman, and Outlook Traveller.
[caption id="attachment_19479" align="aligncenter" width="614"] Book mockup of one of Souhardya's books prepared by Amazon[/caption]
"Winning the Bal Puraskar was a thrilling experience, more so because, as a civilian, I was able to interact so closely with the Prime Minister," Souhardya smiles. During the virtual award ceremony, the Prime Minister named him as an example, saying that only dreaming won’t do, taking action to fulfil those dreams is what truly counts in the end, and emphasised the importance of celebrating one’s roots. This is, in fact, the young author’s aim — to spread knowledge of India’s rich history and mythology through his books and columns.
The formative years
The only child of history professor Shakti Prasad De and Jayati De, who teaches history in school, Souhardya was naturally drawn towards historical monuments. He recalls growing up in West Bengal and visiting the state’s many landmarks, only to learn later that the stories of these historical sites are still waiting to be told. He was enchanted by anecdotes of ancient times and started exploring the idea of writing down lost and forgotten tales that he thought his peers should know. Souhardya also has his own podcast.
The best way to revitalise history is to present it through the realm of popular culture, in the form of cinema, books, and podcasts - Souhardya De
The wonders of history...
His parents’ resources played a formative and vital role in shaping the young author’s understanding, but Souhardya has done more than his fair share of hard work, more so because his focus is different from theirs. "My father specialises in modern Indian studies and I study ancient history," he explains. "At the moment, for instance, I’m researching education in the Indus Valley civilisation, to understand whether or not it had a centralised or vocational system." He also plans to visit the site, to add greater value to his work. "I’m a primary resource researcher," says the teenager, who has several research papers to his credit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkMAvDRrDVc
Always a voracious reader, Souhardya naturally turned to writing as a form of communication with the outer world. "When you read a lot, you develop an interest in writing like the literary greats," he remarks. His love for Victorian poetry shines through in his own choice of words. "I always wanted to put something out into the world, and developed my own writing style over the years through intense reading." As a kid, he preferred writing to doing anything else, even cutting down on his playtime to put his thoughts down on paper.
A Bengali at heart
No matter how much he accomplishes, Souhardya makes sure his standards are set even higher. He intends to return from the University of Cambridge after completing his studies and join the Indian Foreign Services, in the footsteps of Satyendra Nath Tagore, the social reformer, poet, composer, and writer from Kolkata, who became the first Indian civil service officer in 1863. Another inspiration, he says, is Satyendra Prasanna Sinha, the prominent lawyer and statesman who became the first Governor of Orissa and Bihar. Sinha was also the first Indian to become a member of the Viceroy’s Executive Council and British ministry. "He happens to hail from Midnapore, like me," Souhardya smiles. Situated on the banks of the Kangsabati river, the historical city has played a powerful role in shaping the young mind.
Souhardya has also worked in the educational sector and is currently involved as a G20 Synergies Lead with an all-India students’ organisation called Studomatrix. "We are researching the educational patterns in India and how we can improve them, working in collaboration with Finnish and Swedish educational models," he says. He hopes to bring about change in the sector and believes that a career in the administrative services will help further his goals.
In his free time, the young author loves listening to thumris and ghazals and enjoys playing chess. A true-blue Bengali, he immerses himself in the historical and cultural flavours of his state and, of course, swears by the joys of roshogolla.
(Aug 18, 2023) In the year 2020, as the pandemic was about to disrupt the world, a 23-year-old youngster, Abhilasha FNU embarked on her maiden international flight - to Los Angeles, carrying dreams packed within her suitcase. She had secured admission at the prestigious New York Film Academy for a filmmaking course. In just three years, Abhilasha has been able to stand on her own in the film and television world of America. As a script supervisor, her contributions to television projects like ‘At Home with Tori,’ and films like ‘Miracle Before Christmas,’ and ‘I Rise’ have been standouts in her short yet successful career in Hollywood. ‘I Rise’ (2022), has even clinched eight awards at the Christian Online Film Festival, adding a boost to her career. "My most successful script supervisor work is in Big Boys 2023, a LGBTQ based feature narrative which is doing wonders and winning at prestigious festivals worldwide," Abhilasha tells Global Indian. The script supervisor has played a pivotal role in the Spotify-produced series ‘Gold Diggers Hotel,’ collaborating with the American songwriter, singer and record producer, Leon Bridges. She has also been associated with ‘Man in The Long Black Coat,’ a production featuring renowned
d feature narrative which is doing wonders and winning at prestigious festivals worldwide," Abhilasha tells Global Indian.
The script supervisor has played a pivotal role in the Spotify-produced series ‘Gold Diggers Hotel,’ collaborating with the American songwriter, singer and record producer, Leon Bridges. She has also been associated with ‘Man in The Long Black Coat,’ a production featuring renowned American actors like Mark Feuerstein, Neal McDonough, Dermot Mulroney, and Christopher Lloyd.
"I volunteered for various film projects during my initial days as a student of filmmaking, before I started earning in the United States. Being on set, learning the craft, and wrapping up productions have always brought a sense of fulfilment," Abhilasha shared in an interview.
From Mirzapur to the US
Hailing from a traditional North Indian family, her relocation from India to the United States marked a big moment, making her the first woman in her family to undertake both an American journey and an unconventional career path of filmmaking. Her inherent knack for creation, expression, and storytelling had been evident from a tender age, and her family supported her daring choice to tread a unique trajectory.
Challenges in the US
However, her journey was marked by challenges. Mere weeks into her film school programme, the Covid-19 outbreak swept across the globe, forcing classes into the online mode. Like countless international students, Abhilasha grappled with dejection and uncertainty in a foreign land away from home. "We found ourselves in rented apartments, far from home, staring at laptop screens while trying to master a hands-on profession like filmmaking. Initially feeling like an unwelcome break, I soon realised that this setback couldn't deter me," she remarked.
She turned the adversity into a situation of opportunity. The enforced slowdown enabled her to immerse herself in comprehensive reading and research on diverse facets of filmmaking—spanning screenwriting, continuity, filming, editing, and timing.
Lucky breaks amidst the pandemic
Duringthe pandemic she got a chance to direct and write for productions of her college peers. She also took on the role of a Covid compliance officer for some college projects, a novel position within the film realm that required mastering intricate paperwork. As she excelled in this role, she caught the attention of her professors, which eventually led to her first feature film assignment.
This breakthrough served as a gateway to a plethora of subsequent opportunities. Since then, Abhilasha has been part of productions like ‘At home with Tori,’ ‘Leon Bridges – Life from Gold-Diggers Hotel,’ ‘A Miracle before Christmas,’ and numerous other film and television projects, all within a brief three-year timeline of her cinematic journey.
Embracing the role of a script supervisor
Abhilasha loves her job as a script supervisor in Hollywood. She explains, "I gravitated towards the role of a script supervisor due to its inherent blend of pure creativity, observatory skills, and supervision." Her affinity for reading screenplays, coupled with her unique ability to vividly comprehend their essence, helped her perform well. "Drawing on my high emotional intelligence, I can grasp the story's emotions and characters, capturing the nuances of each scene, even when I have read the script once" she added.
As a script supervisor, her responsibilities include script analysis and on-set organization. She shoulders the crucial responsibility of ensuring the seamless alignment of unfolding events with the director's creative vision. This multi-dimensional role demands a perceptive awareness of the overall on-set atmosphere, functioning as an astute observer while offering insights and guidance to both the director and other departments involved.
Her prior experiences as production manager, assistant director, and production designer, for college productions have given her invaluable insights on delivering her best as a script supervisor.
Life before venturing to the US
From an early age, Abhilasha's life was steeped in creativity and the arts. She is a trained dancer and singer and used to love writing and reciting poems during her childhood. As she grew older, her interests gradually gravitated towards the realm of filmmaking. She completed her bachelor's in arts, majoring in clinical psychology, and went on to achieve a master's in journalism and mass communication from Maharaja Sayajirao University, Baroda.
In a visual communication semester, she filmed her first short film on her android phone and simply loved the process and received appreciation from her professors and classmates for her storytelling vision and directorial skills. This motivated her to take up film studies and headed to Los Angeles, California.
In her leisure time, Abhilasha loves painting and takes pride in being an NFT artist.
Rhea at the Yale Young Global Scholars Programme[/caption]
Rhea at the Australia and New Zealand Eating Disorder Conference as the only youth presenter[/caption]
Rhea with her parents[/caption]
Rhea at the Mental Health Foundation Australia (MHFA)'s National Summit[/caption]
Ryan with his family[/caption]
Aryan Nangia at an NGO[/caption]
Aryan Nangia at BITS Pilani[/caption]
Book mockup of one of Souhardya's books prepared by Amazon[/caption]
