Global Indianstory Global Indian ExclusiveMeet Nikhil Kumar, the young table tennis champion representing the USA internationally

Meet Nikhil Kumar, the young table tennis champion representing the USA internationally

Written by: Team GI Youth

(July 18, 2023) Indian-Americans are not just making waves in the business and political worlds, but also in the world of sports. Many young Indian-origin athletes are representing the USA in different tournaments and bringing home medals. One such champion is California-based 20-year-old table tennis player Nikhil Kumar – who is the second youngest table tennis paddler from the US, who qualified for the Tokyo Olympics three years back.

Champion | Nikhil Kumar | Global Indian

The champion displayed remarkable talent by becoming the U9 National Champion and U10 runner-up in both the prestigious US Open and US Nationals competitions. As if that wasn’t impressive enough, Nikhil was chosen to represent his country in the highly esteemed World Cadet Championship. However, it was at the tender age of 12 that he truly made his mark by securing the first rank in the North American tournament organised by ITTF. Gearing up to represent the USA in the next Olympics, the champion is also pursuing Computer Science at one of the most prestigious academic institutions — the University of California in Berkeley. “I feel great to have qualified for the Olympics,” the Global Indian said during an interview, “For me, being one of the younger ones does not make a difference because throughout my career I have been facing opponents and having teammates that were at least a couple of years older than me table tennis is a game of skills, not of age.”

A happy accident

Son of a software professional couple, who moved to the USA from Kerala, Nikhil picked up the table tennis paddle out of sheer boredom. “I started playing table tennis when I was about five or six years old because I wanted a hobby,” the champion shared, “I was introduced to the sport when I joined summer camps at the India Community Center (ICC) in Milpitas, California. It was just one of the many different activities I was involved in. I started training more actively at the age of eight with Anil Kashyap.”

Nikhil with his family

Eventually, the youngster started taking part in local tournaments and also winning – which made him train harder and more regularly. After training with Kashyap till 2014, the champion was coached by Tao Wenzhang, who took him to international competitions including the World Championships in 2017. The arrival of Italian coach Massimo Constantini, known for his successful training of India’s Commonwealth Table Tennis squad, had a profound impact on the performance of numerous players, including Nikhil. “Coach Massimo at ICC helped a lot with new techniques, and understanding the game. He has been a great guide to me since then and opened up more opportunities to train and play in international competitions,” said the champion, who has been inspired by watching the members of the Chinese National team train and compete at international tournaments.

Paddling his way to glory

The left-handed attacking table tennis player truly made his mark after winning the 2017 ITTF Junior gold medal, which got him noticed by the USA Olympic selection team. However, his path was not without any thorns. The champion shared, “From the point of view of table tennis, I have had my share of wins and losses. There were a few competitions where I wished I had done better, but in the end, I lost out to someone stronger. Physically, I had challenges with growth spurts causing aches and pains from time to time.”

Talking about his experience at the Olympic selection camp, he said, “My biggest challenge came earlier this year as we headed to the Olympic trials. Having played extremely well during the year, I was quite hopeful of making it. But as we got closer there were uncertainties thrown by way of changes in procedures etc that put a lot of pressure on me. There was a point in time at the beginning of the year when my coach advised me to take a break because of the pressure I was putting on myself. However, it all worked out in the end as my parents, coaches helped me get into the best shape to compete at the trials.”

Training hard for the Olympics in Germany with many professional players, Nikhil is looking to take his game a notch higher. “My main goal is, of course, to be in the best shape I can be for the Olympics and produce the best results I can. Outside of that, I want to get into the top 100 for men’s ranking. Also, I just started pursuing Computer Science at UC Berkeley, and that is quite exciting,” the champion shared.

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John Summer

September 19, 2023 5:11 am

Woow very inspirational story! I want my kids to be like him one day

Published on 18, Jul 2023

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[caption id="attachment_22464" align="aligncenter" width="409"] Agnishwar Jayaprakash[/caption]

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[caption id="attachment_27327" align="aligncenter" width="403"] Neil Deshmukh[/caption]

BayMax to structure healthcare

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PlantumAI

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The future of AI

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/youth//wp-content/uploads/2024/01/karya1.jpg" alt="Karya | Global Indian" width="456" height="331" /> Manu Chopra with members of Karya[/caption]

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[caption id="attachment_34981" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Pranjali Awasthi, the founder of Delv.ai[/caption]

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Induced AI

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[caption id="attachment_34982" align="aligncenter" width="577"] Aryan Sharma and Ayush Pathak, the founders of Induced AI[/caption]

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[caption id="attachment_34983" align="aligncenter" width="564"] The co-founders of Kroop AI[/caption]

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Umasri Pujyam: An NRI teenage crusader’s fight against pollution in Godavari

(May 24, 2023) The Godavari River, winding through the scenic Konaseema district, is a vital lifeline for its residents. Over time, however, pollution has been steadily chipping away at its vitality. Umasri Pujyam, a 15-year-old Memphis-based NRI, has been combating this very issue and has become the voice of the river, making waves in her passionate fight against pollution. In a short span of two years, the young crusader has already conducted over 100 river clean-up days in the Godavari, by bringing together volunteers from the local community to address the grim issue of water and plastic pollution and promoting access to clean drinking water for those affected by this existential threat. Even though she left for the US when she was just four, her ties to her native place (Ponnamanda village) have always been strong. It was the sight of the once-pristine Godavari river stretch near Razole in the Konaseema district that compelled her into action. "I found that river Godavari, which is central to the livelihoods of millions of people, is facing a range of threats, including water and plastic pollution," says the teenager, who is also worried about the impact of agricultural practices on the local environment

he local environment as her village Ponnamanda is largely agriculture-based. Moreover, explaining her mission, she said, "The heavy use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides in farming has led to runoff that contaminates streams and rivers, further exacerbating the problem of water pollution. This made me take up the river cleanup and environmental protection mission."

Journeying to the Godavari River

Leaving the comfort of her home in the US, Umasri, who is currently studying in Class X, embarked on a journey to protect the Godavari's ecosystem, setting an exemplary model for youth across the world. From organising cleanup drives to rallying local communities, Umasri’s contributions towards reviving the river have been nothing short of extraordinary. She has transformed her journey into a movement, inspiring locals and authorities alike.

When she collected plastic waste from Godavari for 100 days, the act not just inspired the panchayat staff but also created a sense of responsibility among the youth. This led to the formation of ‘Youth Against Water Pollution’, an organisation that's raising voices against the water issues faced by the people of Konaseema.

[caption id="attachment_30314" align="aligncenter" width="662"] Umasri Pujyam cleaning the banks of Godavari river[/caption]

It was in 2021 that she began working on the mission while attending virtual classes. Since then, the movement has expanded and so has her outreach. Apart from her fieldwork in India, she is also creating awareness through social media.

Raising awareness

Umasri has also been instrumental in raising awareness about the hazards of pollution, not just to the river, but the overall ecosystem. Educational workshops, public awareness campaigns, and open dialogues have become commonplace in the Konaseema district, thanks to Umasri's initiative. She stresses the importance of sustainable practices and responsible waste disposal, emphasizing that change must start at the grassroots level.

For the last few years, she has been raising alarm against the untreated sewage and plastic - which is the key cause behind the river’s pollution. Moreover, Umasri has been guiding the locals on proper waste disposal and ways to reduce their impact on the environment and water sources. She cleans the river mostly on her own but often finds help from the locals in the form of volunteers. "I have collaborated with local officials and politicians including Amalapuram MP Chinta Anuradha and Razole MLA Rapaka to help work towards better environmental policies and conditions as well," the Global Indian added. This collective effort has removed tonnes of waste from the river, reducing pollution levels significantly and making a visible impact on the water quality.

In the pipeline

For someone passionate about environmental engineering and technology, she envisions the implementation of waste management systems and the introduction of eco-friendly alternatives to curb pollution. Besides, Umasri also aspires to engineer innovative and effective sewage treatment solutions that will help priortise access to clean water for all.

Her ultimate goal is to have a bright future for the villagers, wherein the health and prosperity of local communities are sustained. Umasri’s campaign is not just about restoring the Godavari River; it's about empowering the people who depend on it, building a better, sustainable future for them, and the generations to come. This dynamic young leader has shown that every small step matters.

Reading Time: 4 min

From Delhi to Stockholm via Madras: The journey of Mannat Kaur’s award-winning greywater project

(September 18, 2024) A few years ago, when Mannat Kaur witnessed her home tap run dry, she began exploring solutions for the widespread use of greywater (domestic wastewater) to address the water crisis. Little did she imagine that her curiosity and efforts to develop a water-conservation project would eventually lead her to being felicitated by the Princess of Sweden, and attend the Royal Banquet hosted by Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf. The 16-year-old, class 12 student spent an unforgettable week in Stockholm this August when she travelled to represent India at the 2024 International Stockholm Junior Water Prize, held as part of World Water Week. Winning the national championship at IIT Madras, which led to these remarkable experiences, had already been a golden opportunity in itself. [caption id="attachment_39296" align="aligncenter" width="482"] Mannat Kaur at the royal banquet[/caption] Accompanied by her father and the national organizer, Prof. Indumathi M. Nambi from the Department of Environmental Engineering and School of Sustainability at IIT Madras, Mannat joined participants from 30 countries for the prestigious event. Although the United Kingdom took home the international prize, the experience has filled Mannat, the Head Girl of DPS RK Puram, with immense confidence and unforgettable memories. 'Every moment

and School of Sustainability at IIT Madras, Mannat joined participants from 30 countries for the prestigious event.

Although the United Kingdom took home the international prize, the experience has filled Mannat, the Head Girl of DPS RK Puram, with immense confidence and unforgettable memories. 'Every moment was unforgettable,' she tells Global Indian.

The joy of being a national champion

IIT Madras served as the national organizer for World Water Prize. Mannat competed against 350 applicants from 23 states at the national level and emerged as the winner, earning the opportunity to represent her country. “The top 12 shortlisted teams were invited to present their projects in person at the IIT Madras campus, where my project was selected,” Mannat shares.

This was the inaugural year of the Stockholm Junior Water Prize India (SJWP India), an initiative by the Sustainability Venture Studio (SVS) at Indian Institute of Technology, Madras. It was organised in collaboration with the SIWI - Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) and sponsored by AquaMAP Center for Water Management and Policy, IIT Madras, to empower young innovators to tackle critical water challenges.

[caption id="attachment_39298" align="aligncenter" width="395"] Mannat Kaur with IIT-M Prof. Indumathi M. Nambi in Stockholm[/caption]

Calling her victory at the national championship a significant personal achievement, Mannat who had dedicated the past four years to this project said, “Receiving recognition at the national level in a competition focused on the water domain is truly rewarding. This recognition has also strengthened my determination to continue contributing to solutions that can have a positive impact on both my country and the world.”

Earlier this year, the youngster had participated in the Genius Olympiad, organised by the US based Rochester Institute of Technology and held at the RIT campus in India where the same project earned her an honourable mention.

The award-winning water project

Mannat’s project is an applied research project which focuses on the development of an indigenous, sustainable, cost effective, decentralized greywater treatment unit which collects, treats, and reuses greywater generated in a household at the source.

“This product driven intervention has two units: Scupper Valve and Bilge Vessel which help households save and fight the water crisis without any major modifications in the current home plumbing system and takes up very little space in the bathroom,” explains Mannat adding, “The preliminary prototype testing demonstrates its effectiveness in collecting and treating greywater to an improved level. The solution also has an image processing component which is able to distinguish effectively between the pre-rinse and post-rinse water from the heavily soapy flows, enabling selective collection of greywaters.

[caption id="attachment_39300" align="aligncenter" width="512"] Mannat Kaur with IIT-M Prof. Indumathi M. Nambi in Stockholm[/caption]

Mannat estimates that a single-family can save around 5,000-6,000 litres of precious potable water per month and can reduce 50% of their water demand if her solution gets implemented. This decentralized approach reduces carbon emissions by 80-85 percent compared to the traditional centralized sewage treatment setups (water pumping and operational energy), offsetting 18,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.

“Additionally, due to lower sewage output, it contributes towards embodied carbon savings linked to the plumbing network infrastructure and construction of sewage treatment plants. This solution, therefore, addresses two main challenges - water scarcity and operational carbon emissions associated with freshwater supply, wastewater treatment and conveyance of treated water,” says the youngster, who has applied for a patent at the Indian Patent Office.

It all started when…

In 2016, during an agitation, Mannat witnessed her home tap run dry as the Munak Canal, which supplies water to Delhi, was breached. Her entire neighbourhood struggled to secure even a single bucket of water. “This incident was a wake-up call, prompting me to explore ways to conserve water,” she says.

[caption id="attachment_39301" align="aligncenter" width="618"] Mannat while showcasing her project during Water Prize national championship at IIT-Madras[/caption]

She began monitoring her family’s water usage and identifying areas of waste, conducting water audits at home. Mannat noticed a significant amount of water going to waste and observed her family collecting greywater in a tub for reuse in flushing. When she inquired why this practice wasn't more widespread, she learned that collecting, treating, and reusing greywater requires major retrofit of the toilet and plumbing piping.

“This is how I started looking and developing practical solutions which can be easily implemented and bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application,” she says.

Experiences at Stockholm

Apart from soaking in the mesmerizing beauty of the European city of Sweden, Mannat got the opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions with experts. She was selected to participate in a talk show titled 'Bridging Borders and Generations with the Stockholm Junior Water Prize,' sponsored by Xylem, the U.S.-headquartered global water technology provider. Later engaging with experts from the Xylem team at their office and touring their facilities was great experience for the teenager.

Visiting the Indian Embassy and meeting Chargé d'Affaires, Mr Rakesh Tiwari, was a cherished moment too. Additionally, interacting with Taikan Oki, professor at the University of Tokyo and former Assistant Secretary General at the United Nations who won the 2024 Stockholm Water Prize in the senior category, made her overall experience even more enriching.

[caption id="attachment_39315" align="aligncenter" width="546"] Mannat Kaur at Stockholm[/caption]

A visit to the Royal Palace, not as a tourist but as an invitee to the Stockholm Water Prize royal dinner and banquet with the King and Queen of Sweden was a once-in-a-lifetime occasion.

Future plan and good influences

Mannat has a deep passion for computer science, machine learning, and emerging technologies. “The myriad challenges that the world has to confront today, such as climate change and water scarcity have ignited in me the desire to work for environmental conservation,” she says adding, “I would like to make use of my technological knowledge to address the impending challenges our generation will inevitably face.”

As a Steve Jobs fan, the youngster believes in proactive resolution rather than passive observation. “I want to impact the world as Steve Jobs had, using technology to change the way we live life. Just as he made personal computing accessible through Macintosh, the first widely sold personal computer (PC), my dream is to make environmental sustainability the easier choice,” she remarks.

[caption id="attachment_39303" align="aligncenter" width="725"] Princess Victoria of Sweden with participants of the Junior Water Prize including Mannat Kaur at Stockholm[/caption]

Mannat lives in a close-knit family of five which consists of her grandfather, her parents and a younger brother who is in grade 10. Considering herself fortunate enough to have spent some time with her late great-grandmother during the formative years of her life, the youngster mentions “I have inherited my creativity from my architect father and analytical thinking from my mathematician mother, a blend of both has shaped my approach to both life and problem-solving.”

Follow Mannat Kaur on LinkedIn

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