Sejal Akerkar: The Seattle poetess who donates her books’ royalties to the needy
Written by: Amrita Priya
(February 17, 2023) Sejal Akerkar had attended poetry camps in middle school and continued to write but hadn’t really thought about doing it as a profession. That changed when she found inspiration in the Canadian-Indian poet, artist and performer, Rupi Kaur.
Rupi’s first collection of poetry was published in 2014 and became a New York Times bestseller. “When I started reading Rupi’s poetry, I was inspired to write because she was so similar to me – a young, Indian-American student. I found great comfort in reading her poems and started to write.” By the time Sejal turned 15, she had written over 100 poems.
Sejal Akerkar
Following in the footsteps of her role model, she self-published her first poetry book, Walking down the sensory strip. The Sammamish High School student introduced her second poetry book, Optic opening to the world soon after. While the first book made it to the top 35 in the women’s category on Amazon, her second book did even better, finding a place in top 5 in the category of Asian poetry.
The India experiences
Like her parents, Sejal was born and raised in the USA. However, the seventeen-year-old spent three years of her life in Gurugram, India, where her father was posted. That’s when she came across the non-profit Udayan Care, which gave her a fresh perspective on life.
After returning to the US, the teenager published two poetry collections and on instinct, decided to donate the royalties that her books fetched. “When my books were published, I knew that I didn’t need the money earned from royalties and giving away the money to Udayan Care seemed the best thing to do,” says the youngster as she connects with Global Indian.
Udyaan Care, Sejal says, “has multiple houses and homes across India where they foster orphaned and abandoned children and give them higher education. It helps them succeed in the world instead of getting into the orphanage system.”
Sejal Akerkar is a budding poet with a resolve to be a changemaker. This young poet is sharing her life and thoughts with others through her poetry while donating all of her book proceeds to #UdayanCare. pic.twitter.com/rfXiFlP1LS
When Sejal and her family was in India, her mom became associated with one of the houses in Gurugram, teaching English to the girls there. “She would take me and my younger sister along to hang out with them and over time we built lasting connections,” she recalls. “We use to hear their stories of how they lost their parents, or were abandoned by them. We built deep connections and started celebrating festivals and birthdays together. We would see them all the time.”
When the family went back to the United States, they wanted to stay connected to the cause. “While my mom joined Udayan Care USA as the president, I became a volunteer. We planned lots of fundraisers and activities,” Sejal says.
Teaching poetry
These days, the teenager also teaches poetry writing in an elementary school. “It’s my after-school activity,” she tells, adding, she loves being a mentor to kids between seven to 10 years of age. “I even created the entire curriculum of the poetry class,” she says.
By applying a different approach to teaching, the young teacher enjoys great bonhomie with her little pupils. “I teach differently because I think that usually poetry is taught in a very structured manner which tends to get boring for students. I don’t teach them how it is supposed to be. I give them creative prompts,” she says.
Sejal helps her pupils imagine with visuals, drawings, videos and more, and makes them write whatever comes to their mind. This keeps them interested. “It’s like giving them a little seed and let them water it, allow sunlight to come and help them grow their poetry without structuring them or restraining them from anything.”
As for her own poetry, Sejal writes on a wide array of topics – ‘life as a teenager and how it feels to go into adulthood, about my immigrant grandparents, how they came here and what they gave up to get here’, she tells. “I also write about the destruction of nature by humans, my relationships with my loved ones, social media, technology, my friends, myself,” smiles the teenager who loves dancing and golf.
While her first two books have done well, she is in no hurry to come up with the third one, and rather prefers to evolve a bit as a poet. With all her focus on the ongoing college application process, the teenager looks forward to take up biology. “That’s complete opposite of what people would expect from me,” she chuckles adding, “I think combining creative and scientific things are very useful to the world today and I want to focus on a lot of multidisciplinary studies in my life.”
(January 25, 2023) When Sritej Padmanabhan's grandfather visited the family in the US, the teenager encountered, for the first time, the devastation caused by Parkinson's disease. A year later, at the age of 13, the North Allegheny student created an algorithm that can analyse videos of hand tremors and provide an accurate measure of tremor frequency to help diagnose Parkinson's disease, according to 3M. The teen innovator's algorithm landed him a spot in the top 10 finalists of the 3M Young Scientist Challenge in 2022. Lack of access to quality healthcare Parkinson's disease is a progressive disorder, which affects the nervous system and parts of the body controlled by nerves, causing uncontrollable movements and other symptoms that worsen with time. "Last year (2021) my grandpa was diagnosed with Parkinson's and I saw first how severe hand tremors can affect a person's ability to carry out daily tasks," the young Global Indian explained. "After research, I've learned that even in the United States, access to a qualified neurologist is a challenge for the rural population." [caption id="attachment_26882" align="aligncenter" width="344"] Sritej Padmanabhan[/caption] Although Sritej's grandfather was not lacking medical care back home in India, where he made frequent trips to his neurologist,
Although Sritej's grandfather was not lacking medical care back home in India, where he made frequent trips to his neurologist, his symptoms went unmonitored during his two-month stay in the US. Eventually, he had to return to pay his doctor a visit. Sritej, who had known even as a child that he wanted to be in the medical field, either as a neurologist or neurosurgeon, decided to create a solution. He began his research, convinced that being able to measure and monitor hand tremors could play a pivotal role in enabling greater access to quality medical care, especially among rural and underserved populations.
The telehealth solution
"I had always wondered if there is a telehealth solution," he said, in an interview, adding that misdiagnosis is common and that rural folk can't always make the trip to see a doctor as often as is required.
Sritej started out by analysing hand tremors using smartphones, videos and his computer. "I recorded 225 videos of simulated hand tremors from four family members," he says. He used Python and open-source software libraries, analysed and stored the videos and framed hand models. One platform, he found, could use machine learning to track finger movements. Sritej's algorithm uses the data from various platforms to calculate the frequency of the tremors. Users currently strap smartphones with devices called accelerometers to their wrists, which can measure vibration and movement.
[caption id="attachment_26881" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Sritej with other students from North Allegheny school who participated in the Broadcom Masters[/caption]
The 3M experience
In 2022, he decided to make an entry into the 3M Young Scientist Challenge, also motivated by the idea of being able to work with his mentor, a 3M scientist, over the summer.
The 3M Young Scientist Challenge is one of the most rigorous of its kind, with the top young talent competing for the $25,000 grand prize. "This year's finalists and honourable mention recipients feature outstanding innovations from young scientists, who submitted a one-to-two-minute video communicating a solution to an everyday problem in their community and the science behind their solution," according to 3M.
A Franklin Park resident, Sritej is an avid participant in competitive robotics tournaments. He also enjoys chess and golf, saying, "Golfing involves an immense amount of focus and perseverance." Taking time out of his busy schedule, he makes the time to do community service, volunteering at local soup kitchens and visiting senior centers.
(October 16, 2024) October 1st, 2024, was no ordinary day for Nidhi Gautam, a student from Karnataka currently pursuing her bachelor's degree in History and Geography at Miranda House, Delhi University. She received the extraordinary opportunity to serve as the British High Commissioner to India for a day - a position typically held by seasoned diplomats. While this role usually takes years of experience to attain, she earned it after being selected from a competitive pool of over 140 applicants. Lindy Cameron, the British High Commissioner to India, took on the role of Deputy High Commissioner for the day, shadowing Nidhi and supporting her in carrying out the responsibilities of the High Commissioner. The opportunity equipped Nidhi with a deeper understanding of the responsibility that comes with leadership. "One key takeaway for me was the immense responsibility diplomats carry. It’s about presenting a seamless front to the world, but behind the scenes, there’s a wealth of knowledge, collaboration, and effort that goes into every decision," she remarked in an interview with Global Indian. [caption id="attachment_39867" align="aligncenter" width="745"] Nidhi Gautam with Lindy Cameron, the British High Commissioner to India[/caption] The ‘High Commissioner for a Day’ competition The opportunity allowed the 19-year-old
[caption id="attachment_39867" align="aligncenter" width="745"] Nidhi Gautam with Lindy Cameron, the British High Commissioner to India[/caption]
The ‘High Commissioner for a Day’ competition
The opportunity allowed the 19-year-old to experience the challenges and responsibilities of international diplomacy, especially within the context of the strong UK-India partnership.
Since 2017, the British High Commission has celebrated the International Day of the Girl Child, observed in October, through initiatives like the 'High Commissioner for a Day'. This initiative, designed to empower young women across India, is more than just an opportunity to shadow diplomats. It is a platform to promote gender equality, challenge societal norms, and provide young women with the tools to tackle global challenges head-on.
Nidhi secured the first spot in the competition through a thought-provoking one-minute video submission. The youngster’s articulate response and clear vision to the question, “How can the UK and India collaborate on technology to benefit future generations?” stood out, ultimately leading her to this once in lifetime experience.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PW73g9IoSM
Stepping into diplomacy - a day to remember
The day began like no other, with Nidhi arriving at the British High Commission in New Delhi. Her morning started with a breakfast briefing from the senior leadership team, where she was introduced to the inner workings of UK-India relations. The focus was on the UK-India Technology Security Initiative, a key aspect of the two nations' partnership. Discussing everything from climate change to healthcare, this briefing provided Nidhi with a comprehensive view of the critical collaborations happening between the UK and India.
What struck her most, however, was the gravity of the role she was stepping into. 'I was seated at the head of the table, and I remember feeling an overwhelming sense of responsibility. They treated me with such respect, just as they would a real diplomat,' she reflected, recalling how she was served first and even had the car doors opened for her. "That moment made me realize the power and symbolism of diplomacy. Riding in the High Commissioner’s vehicle with the flag was surreal. These were ceremonial gestures, but they also made me feel like I was part of something much bigger than myself."
This, of course, was only the beginning. Nidhi’s day as High Commissioner took her through a series of meetings and visits that would leave a lasting impact on her future ambitions.
[caption id="attachment_39862" align="aligncenter" width="700"] The day started with a breakfast briefing[/caption]
The power of innovation – a visit to IIT Delhi
A defining moment of Nidhi’s day was her visit to the National Centre for Assistive Health Technologies at the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi. Here, she was exposed to cutting-edge innovations designed to empower individuals with disabilities, particularly those who are visually impaired. "The most memorable and impactful moment was witnessing the various innovations being developed to assist differently-abled individuals. What struck me wasn’t just the advanced technology, but the social impact of these innovations," Nidhi explained with palpable enthusiasm.
"It was incredibly inspiring to see how knowledge and technology are being used to uplift those in need. This is where diplomacy meets real-world change. It’s not just about policies and negotiations, but about creating tangible benefits for society," she added.
The experience deepened her understanding of how science, technology, and diplomacy intersect to create a better future. She recognized that technological innovation, when combined with effective diplomatic partnerships, has the power to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges.
[caption id="attachment_39863" align="aligncenter" width="660"]A visit to the National Centre for Assistive Health Technologies at IIT-Delhi[/caption]
Shaping global health - a visit to the National Institute of Immunology
Following her time at IIT Delhi, Nidhi visited the National Institute of Immunology, where she observed ongoing advancements in vaccine development. Given the global importance of vaccines in a post-pandemic world, the visit provided good insights on the collaborative work being done by the UK and India in biotechnology. Nidhi saw firsthand how scientists from both nations were working together to tackle global health challenges—a poignant reminder of the importance of international cooperation.
Reading about these topics in textbooks is one thing, but seeing it unfold in real time was extraordinary. "I now have a much deeper understanding of how global health challenges are addressed and the pivotal role diplomacy plays in facilitating these collaborations,' Nidhi remarked.
[caption id="attachment_39864" align="aligncenter" width="707"] A visit to National Institute of Immunology[/caption]
Inspiring leadership and the role of women
One of the most rewarding aspects of Nidhi’s experience was her interaction with Lindy Cameron, the British High Commissioner to India, who served as Deputy High Commissioner for the day. Their discussions spanned a variety of topics, from the UK-India Technology Security Initiative to the broader role of young women in leadership.
“Lindy’s warm encouragement and insightful thoughts throughout the day inspired me profoundly, reminding me of the importance of dedication and passion in serving one’s country,” Nidhi remarked.
For the DU student, seeing women at the helm of diplomacy and leadership roles was a powerful inspiration. "One of the key lessons I took away from the day was the importance of collaboration, not only between countries but also within leadership. Women play such a significant role in these discussions, and seeing them in action was both inspiring and empowering," she noted. "It filled me with pride to see women driving change at such a high level. It reinforced my belief that women are remarkable at what they do and that more of them deserve to be in leadership positions."
For Nidhi, the experience was more than just a day in the life of a diplomat—it was the affirmation of a dream. "I’ve always wanted to become a diplomat, and this experience reaffirmed my desire. It’s not an easy path, especially in India where competition is intense, but I’m committed to working hard and broadening my knowledge to one day achieve that goal," she shared.
Nidhi’s biggest source of inspiration is India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar. "He continues to inspire me every day with his depth of knowledge and contributions to diplomacy. I aspire to one day follow in his footsteps and serve my country with the same passion and dedication," she added.
Aspiring for a future in leadership
As Nidhi Gautam continues her education at Miranda House, this unique experience has given her a fresh perspective on international relations, technology, and leadership. She sees herself not only as a future diplomat but as a champion for gender equality and innovation. Her passion for diplomacy, technology, and cultural exchange is set to shape her path forward.
"The future of diplomacy is bright, especially as more young leaders, particularly women, are given platforms to shine. Initiatives like ‘High Commissioner for a Day’ are essential in promoting gender equality and inspiring the next generation of change-makers," she said. "More women deserve to be in leadership positions. The world is better when everyone has equal opportunities."
Extraordinary opportunities in 2024
The year 2024 has been full of extraordinary opportunities for the youngster. Earlier this year, she was part of a nearly 100-student cohort invited to the Raisina Dialogue 2024, a multilateral conference held annually in New Delhi, after being selected through an application process. Describing the Raisina Dialogue experience she remarks, "It was truly beyond words. It was a unique opportunity to meet people from diverse backgrounds, including civil servants, diplomats, and top leaders from around the world. I’m extremely grateful for that experience, just as I am for the chance to serve as the British High Commissioner for a day."
[caption id="attachment_39861" align="aligncenter" width="643"] Nidhi Gautam with Lindy Cameron, the British High Commissioner to India[/caption]
Both the opportunities have been exhilarating and learning platforms for the young scholar. As Nidhi puts it, "The experiences taught me that collaboration and leadership go hand in hand. Whether it’s between countries or individuals, shared knowledge and expertise always lead to better outcomes."
What stood out the most for Nidhi was the warmth and encouragement she received from the entire team at the British High Commission. "Their supportive smiles and kind words reassured me, making the experience even more memorable," she signed off.
(February 26, 2023) When prime minister Narendra Modi was congratulating the Indian women’s cricket team after they won the Asia Cup 2022, he had special words of praise for the Himachal girl Renuka Singh Thakur. “Renuka’s face might ooze the peacefulness of Shimla, and the innocent smile of the mountains but her tough bowling on the field defeats the confidence of even the seasoned batters,” he said in his speech. Popularly known as the Swing Queen of Indian cricket, Renuka was also commended by the PM for being an inspiration for girls in the remotest corners of India. [embed]https://twitter.com/ICC/status/1618209611051569154?s=20[/embed] Renuka was named the Emerging Women’s Cricketer of the Year 2022 by ICC. The decision came after ICC conducted a poll for the specialist panel of media representatives, the ICC Voting Academy, and cricket lovers around the world. India’s newest cricket star, who is known for her extraordinary swings while bowling, left behind Australia’s Darcie Brown, England's Alice Capsey and her Indian colleague Yastika Bhatia garnering maximum votes. ICC announced the names of the winners last month. Global voting categories were based on overall performances and achievements of the nominated cricket stars throughout the calendar year. From village grounds to international cricket
3376527 BCX0"> defeats the confidence of even the seasoned batters,” he said in his speech. Popularly known as the Swing Queen of Indiancricket, Renukawas also commended bythe PM for being an inspiration for girls in the remotest corners of India.
Renuka was named the Emerging Women’s Cricketer of the Year 2022 by ICC. The decision came after ICC conducted a poll for the specialist panel of media representatives, the ICC Voting Academy, and cricket lovers around the world.
India’s newest cricket star, who is known for her extraordinary swings while bowling,left behind Australia’s Darcie Brown,England's Alice Capsey and her Indian colleague Yastika Bhatia garnering maximum votes. ICC announced the names of the winners last month. Global voting categories were based on overall performances and achievements of the nominatedcricket stars throughout the calendar year.
From village grounds to international cricket
Hailing from Parsa village in Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh, Renuka was raised by her mother. She had lost her father at the tender age of three. He wanted both his children to take up sports and it was to fulfil her father’s dream that the youngster took up cricket, finding it the most interesting game.
While Renuka’s mother was busy working as a class IV employee in the Himachal Pradesh’s irrigation and public health department, Renuka would play cricket with her elder brotherVinod (whois named after cricketer Vinod Kambli) and his friends at the village grounds. Sometimes Renuka would even travel with them to other villages to play her favourite game.
In 2009,Renuka enrolled herself in Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association’s Women’s Residential Academy in Dharamshala, following the advice of her uncle who is a physical education teacher in a government college. Later, she was selected for the Australia tour of the national women’s cricket team, followed by tours in Bangladesh and Thailand. She performed exceptionally in all the tournaments.
Turning heads
In 2019-20, the cricket star won hearts by taking a total of 23 wickets in different tournaments, establishing herself as leading wicket-taker of the Indian women’s cricket team. The following year, she won the BCCI Senior Women’s One Day Trophy for taking nine wickets against Australia.
“All I do is step on the field with confidence and bank on the energy of the fielders to throw the balls in most challenging manner, enjoying the process all along,”she said. Renuka also remarked, in the conversation with Jemima Rodrigues and Deepti Sharma, “I love the spectators during the match. When I am on field, looking at them fills me up with confidence.”
Renukawas selected to represent India in the International T20Cricket Series in 2021. The Global Indian went on to represent India in Women’s Cricket World Cup in 2022 and playeda pivotal role inhelping her team lift the trophy,leaving behind 15teams from across the world. Renuka also became thefirst Indian pacer to take fivewickets in T20 World Cup.
Mesmerised by her power-packed performances, cricket lovers and experts voted her as the Emerging Women’s Cricketer of the Year title from amongst an impressive list of high performing international cricketers nominated by the ICC.
With the coveted title that Renuka has earned right at the beginning of 2023, and her recent selection for ₹ 1.5 crore by Royal Challengers Bangalore, the year has already started on a promising note for the Swing Queen.
(April 29, 2023) In the pulsating heart of New York, where music is as much the soul of the city as its towering skyscrapers, a new rhythm is emerging. It is a melody woven from the threads of two vastly different worlds, of ancient traditions and modern dreams. Indian American musician Sanjana Nayak, better known as SANJ, is bringing the East and West together through her music. Making waves with her new latest album 'Nightingale', the youngster's journey as a musician has been a rollercoaster ride of highs and lows. However, her persistence and determination have helped her rise above her uncertainties, and produce some soul-stirring numbers. The Global Indian, who is trained in Carnatic music, believes her music pushes the boundaries of traditional fusion music, highlighting her creative ethos in a way she hasn’t tapped into before. "My music can best be described as R&B with sultry flows, intertwined with my Desi-Carnatic roots. I would say that my music is targeted towards those wanting to hear more worldly music that treads the cross-cultural balance of R&B and Bollywood, subtly and seamlessly. My music also highlights my creative ethos in a way I haven’t tapped into before," the musician said
mp;B with sultry flows, intertwined with my Desi-Carnatic roots. I would say that my music is targeted towards those wanting to hear more worldly music that treads the cross-cultural balance of R&B and Bollywood, subtly and seamlessly. My music also highlights my creative ethos in a way I haven’t tapped into before," the musician said in an interview.
Growing up with music
Born in Jacksonville, Florida to Indian parents, the musician moved around a lot from city to city - going from Richmond to Chicago. "Growing up, my parents were pretty strict about grades, social life, etc. But they were always supportive and pushed me towards becoming a better musician, which I’m really grateful for. I played violin as a child," she said.
SANJ grew up training in the Carnatic-style of vocals since the age of four. Bollywood music and bhajans were always playing in her house, especially when her grandparents were around. Her initial inspiration for truly enjoying music as both a listener and a musician was the soundtracks of movies like Veer Zaara and Devdas. "But on the other end, I also was inspired by the likes of Kelly Clarkson, Mary J Blige, Christina Aguilera, Justin Timberlake, Trey Songz, and Coldplay when I was young as well, and this helped me develop that duality of styles that you hear in my music now," SANJ informed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nS89FXLigpE
But, her childhood was not all happy. "My suburb was almost 70 percent white back then, so it was tough growing up there for a while," she shared, adding, "I experienced a lot of racism and bullying, especially in my middle school years. I think these experiences shaped the pride I have for my culture now and the due diligence I put in to showcase it as much as possible from the perspective of a first-generation South Indian woman in the US."
Breaking stereotypes
While many South Asian kids her age were picking up STEM career paths, SANJ was pretty sure that she wanted to pursue music professionally even while she was in high school. Calling herself a 'rebel', the young musician believes that there is a place for South Asians in the fields of entertainment, art, and other non-STEM fields. She shared, "In fact, I think in the last year or two I’ve been seeing more and more of us come out of the shadows. I think it’s important to be in a line of work where you can support yourself and you’re not struggling daily to feed yourself, but I also think that it’s possible to pursue lucrative creative paths as a career if you put the work in. It’s also so important to not pursue a field just because other people are telling you to do so – your time, happiness, and untouched passions are not worth the sacrifice."
So, soon after finishing her school, the youngster told her parents about her career choice. Even though they were quite supportive, there was one condition. "My family always supported my endeavours in music, as long as I could support myself. I’m lucky enough to have found a full-time role in advertising at Google, which helps me leverage my creative mind and network to successfully pursue my music career as well," she shared.
Blending traditions
In the months to come, SANJ worked in advertising strategy at Google, and by night, she's a vibrant performer lighting up venues across New York City. This balance was more than just a work-life equilibrium, it was a manifestation of her commitment to music. In her breakthrough EP ‘At Dusk’, the musician included the song ‘Cloudmind’, which was her take on experimental Desi R&B, and it did overwhelmingly well with over 300k+ streams across platforms. "TikTok mashups of my favorite trending music with Bollywood songs, and those also went viral. I kept up the mashups for about a year, and saw 10x growth across all of my platforms," the musician said, adding, "It was amazing to see the reception my community received, but also people outside of the South Asian community had towards this type of fusion music."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MADOCAH0y4
Talking about her new album, 'Nightingale', the musician said, "This album is an ode to my Desi R&B sound, including samples from Devdas and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, but also Hindi lyricism and Indian sounds that I crafted myself. I hope to be able to tour this album, and spread it to as much of the world as possible."
The musician plans on creating some amazing music for her audience going ahead. "Being able to incorporate that into Western music– it’s been a dream of mine. It’s what I’m going to continue to break boundaries in. This is just the beginning,” SANJ said.
(June 22, 2024) Lavik Jain has always had a vivid imagination. Once, he imagined that pop star Justin Bieber’s favourite sweater went missing, then went on to weave a story out of it. This was the first time he had put his creative thoughts down on paper. It’s precisely this quality which makes the eight year-old one of India’s youngest and promising authors. “I noticed the pop star's frequent choice of sweaters and the idea ( of the missing sweater) struck me. I narrated it to my parents, who were surprised and encouraged me to write more,” smiles author Lavik Jain, speaking to Global Indian. This short story even went on to spark the idea for his first, recently released book Alexandrian Knights. [caption id="attachment_38331" align="aligncenter" width="449"] Lavik Jain[/caption] Alexandrian Knights After working on a few drafts, Lavik narrated the plot to his English teacher, who gave him some suggestions on how to make the tale more engaging. The entire experience made him realise how different people think differently. The story revolves around the unbreakable bond among four friends—Alex, Mike, Max, and Felix. Their friendship, characterized by unwavering support and loyalty, becomes a powerful force that helps them navigate and overcome the
re experience made him realise how different people think differently.
The story revolves around the unbreakable bond among four friends—Alex, Mike, Max, and Felix. Their friendship, characterized by unwavering support and loyalty, becomes a powerful force that helps them navigate and overcome the darkest challenges their adventurous journey throws their way.
“The way friendships are in India, Alexandrian Knights highlights the profound strength found in true companionship and the enduring power of human connections,” says the fourth grader of Pathways School, Noida.
Adventure world
What makes the book stand out is that it transports its readers to a world full of adventures, where anything a kid can possibly imagine, comes to life. “The colourful pictures and easy-to-follow story enabled readers picture the scenes in their minds as they read the book, making their imagination grow even more,” says Lavik.
The brave characters and the beautiful visual setting of ‘Kuldhara’ make the readers feel like they are present right there with the knights, facing challenges and discovering new things. “It’s almost like watching a 3D movie. I have tried my best to add some sci-fi and adventure, but at the same time not compromised with the relatability quotient by showcasing the power of true friendships,” says the young author, who has generated enough curiosity to keep the readers engaged and read on to see what happens next.
Upon his return to India from the US in 2022, Lavik was captivated by the vibrant Indian culture, and he was moved by the genuine affection that people share with each other. “The newfound admiration for the culture and its people naturally inspired the setting for my first book.”
He says his debut book (Alexandrian Knights) is his humble attempt to explore his imagination and himself.
Grandma’s tales
As a toddler, Lavik would listen keenly to all the stories his grandmother told him. “It took me to a mysterious world of imagination. Those memories indeed have had a profound impact on me,” says the promising author.
His parents have always stood by him. His mother, Dr. Silky Jain, is a senior paediatric haemato-oncologist working as an Assistant Professor at Post Graduate Institute of Child Health Hospital, Noida, while Lavik’s father, Dr. Harshit Jain is the Founder & Global CEO of Doceree, a platform for programmatic healthcare advertising.
“They have always been the inspiration behind all my endeavours,” says Lavik, who actively participates in debates and recently got the opportunity to become one of the ‘sharks’ in a shark tank competition held at his school.
Lavik says his parents keep reminding him to keep practicing and learning, as with more experience and knowledge, he can create stories that are special and unique. “So, I keep writing every day and constantly think of new ideas.”
A global citizen
Lavik was two years old when the Jain family moved to the United Kingdom in 2018 after Dr Harshit took up leadership role at McCann Worldgroup, UK. The family lived there for a year and a half and moved to the United States in 2019, where they stayed for three years.
In 2020, Lavik’s father decided to establish his venture Doceree, with offices both in the US and India, and they moved back to India in 2022. “All this moving around has given me a chance to see how people live in different countries,” he says.
Globe trotter
Lavik has already travelled to 10 countries including Greece, the United States, London, Paris, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Switzerland, Ireland, Rome and Italy and says each place has its own unique story.
Describing his travel experiences, Lavik says in Greece, he learned about the legend’s sayings on the ancient gods and goddesses while in the US, he saw skyscrapers so tall they seemed to touch the sky.
One Christmas, he went to Norway and saw the beautiful northern lights and visited Lego Land, where everything adventurous one can imagine, exists. “London’s busy cobblestone streets were full of energy, Paris was sparkling with the Eiffel Tower and yummy pastries. In Dubai and Abu Dhabi, I saw amazing futuristic buildings and played in the desert sands. Switzerland's snowy mountains felt like a fairy tale. Rome was like walking through a history book with stories of kings and emperors.”
But right now, says Lavik, his heart is in India, as it is only in this country that all the colours, spices, and stories come together like magic.
Colourful culture
Back home, Lavik was immediately captivated by the colourful culture that he believes makes the country so lively. “The strong bond between family members here is truly inspiring. My family and grandparents are very close and always look out for each other. This makes me feel safe and loved,” says the author, adding people in India love to talk and learn about each other, which helped him understand their thoughts and imaginations, boosting his creativity.
What’s next
“I plan to introduce ‘Alexandrian Knights-Vol 2’ soon. In the new version, the shadow lord will become even more powerful, and Alex, Felix, Mike and Max will fight with him to save the world from being destructed by mysterious darkness,” informs the young author.
Lavik says right now, he is having fun figuring out what his interests, likes and dislikes are. But one thing he knows for sure is that he is very curious about who made the world and how the universe came into existence. “This is a big mystery that I and the world still really want to know. Maybe one day, when I'm strong enough, I'll even go to space to find out,” smiles Lavik.
What he reads
Lavik likes to read books by two of his favourite authors — Jeff Kinney and Ruskin Bond. “Jeff Kinney’s books are super funny, the characters make me laugh. Ruskin Bond’s tales are truly magical. Both make me feel like I'm in the story and this inspires me to write stories that make readers feel the similar way.”
His favorite books are Diary of a Wimpy Kid (by Jeff Kinney) and The Blue Umbrella and Roads to Mussoorie (by Ruskin Bond). “These authors have helped me love reading and telling stories even more,” says Lavik, who also enjoys dancing.
When he's not reading...
Lavik’s hobbies reflect the curiosity to know more about the unknown. “I certainly love writing, storytelling, traveling, reading, and occasionally dancing. Like my debut book suggests, I can watch anything and everything that’s sci-fi, supernatural, horror or full of adventure,” says the super talented child, who has also been a big fan of Marvel Entertainment.
Lavik’s friends often compliment him for his writing and believe in him. “My friends love it when I tell them about spooky haunted houses, amazing space adventures, and thrilling action scenes. Their encouragement makes me want to write even more.”
Alexandrian Knights by Lavik Jain is available on Amazon.