Global Indianstory Global Indian ExclusiveBeauty, books, and benevolence: UmaSofia Srivastava’s journey to becoming Miss Teen USA 2023

Beauty, books, and benevolence: UmaSofia Srivastava’s journey to becoming Miss Teen USA 2023

Written by: Team GI Youth

(October 19, 2023) When UmaSofia Srivastava was just a little girl, she’d stay up late with her mom, captivated by the dazzling beauty pageants on TV. During one of those magical moments, she declared to her parents, “I’ll be a beauty queen one day.” Fast forward to today, and that dream has become a reality for this 17-year-old from New Jersey. After enduring weeks of scrutiny and competition, she was crowned the new Miss Teen USA.

Miss Teen USA | UmaSofia Srivastava | Global Indian

“Is this for real?” the teen from New Jersey exclaimed soon after the host of the evening, Justin Sylvester, declared her to be the winner of the contest. UmaSofia, who is of Indian and Mexican heritage, emerged triumphant from a talented group of 51 young women representing every state in the USA “I am so grateful and honored that I’m the first Mexican-Indian, first New Jersey, your Miss Teen USA 2023,” she wrote on social media, adding, “This night is truly the best night of my life because I was crowned with the people that have loved and supported me throughout everything cheering for me in the audience.”

“The class of 2023 is truly so special. Getting to stand alongside each of my intelligent, impactful, and beautiful sisters already made me the luckiest girl in the world,” the Global Indian added. “I have so much more to say, but for everyone who believed that a girl like me could win, who had a kind word to say or thought to think for me this week, I am so grateful. I’m yours USA!”

Not just a pretty face

A junior at the Academy of St. Elizabeth in Parsippany-Troy Hills, UmaSofia grew up in a family that supported all her dreams and aspirations. However, there were times when the teenager would feel lonely. “Growing up I did not see a lot of representation for people from either India or Mexico in the USA. I am glad that slowly but surely things are changing now. I would like to be a part of that change, and now especially since I have won this crown.”

A lot more than her age, UmaSofia is a staunch humanitarian. She believes in ethnic diversity, cultural inclusivity, and societal equality, and is the cofounder of the Diversity and Inclusion Campaign at her school. The owner of the famous blog website, ‘That’s Fan Behavior’- which covers everything from feminism, her experience as a woman of colour, interviews with changemakers, and the many other things she’s passionate about – the beauty queen is also a published author with the title “The White Jaguar” to her credit.

“My dad’s nickname for me growing up was ‘his little jaguar’, and that’s what inspired the title of my book. Sometimes because of my background, I felt like I did not fit in. So, my book is about a little white jaguar, who has a different coloured coat than the other jaguars in the jungle. And she goes on a journey, where she meets other animals who help her embrace her differences. I aimed to create a story that would deeply connect with immigrants of colour, offering them hope and encouragement to wholeheartedly embrace their authentic selves without apology. I was able to incorporate a little bit of myself into the story,” shared UmaSofia, who didn’t want the book to be just in English. “People who come from diverse backgrounds – like me – don’t just communicate in English at home. So, I have included words from several languages in the book, including Hindi, Spanish, and French.”

More crowns to win

Motivated by the impactful work of changemakers both in the United States and around the globe, UmaSofia joined hands with the Lotus Petal Foundation, where she champions the well-being of underprivileged children in India. Her involvement spans various initiatives, encompassing education, nutrition, and healthcare, all aimed at fostering the holistic development of these young minds. As a passionate advocate for education, she took it upon herself to gather and contribute more than a thousand books to the Bridge of Books Foundation. Her generous act aimed to enrich the world of knowledge for economically disadvantaged children in New Jersey, ensuring that the wealth of literature reaches those who need it most.

While she is gearing up to represent her state and country in various other beauty competitions, the teenager is also working towards becoming a UN ambassador after finishing her graduation. Sharing a piece of advice for all the girls who are going to participate in these competitions, UmaSofia said, “I think what’s most important is to stay true to yourself. We all have goals, ambition, and passion. But it is imperative to be open and accepting of other people’s aspirations and journeys as well.”

Follow UmaSofia Srivastava on Instagram, LinkedIn, and her blog

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Published on 19, Oct 2023

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Indian teen racing champ Atharva eyes Formula 3

Atharva Desai was eight-years-old when he watched his first Formula 1 race on TV, at his Virginia home. He was enchanted. He ran and pressed his face up against the screen. Today, at 19, the US-born Indian-origin racer is testing for Formula 3 in the UK with Arden Motorsports Team, Banbury. Now the Indian teen racing champ’s sights are set on a Formula 1 seat, and hopefully even a world championship. In early February, Atharva and a small group of drivers headed out to the Young Racing Drivers’ Academy racetrack at the Anglesey Circuit to test Arden Motorsports’ F3 cars – all whetted through a series of simulation rounds. Unfortunately, it was a rainy day - the track lay wet and glistening - hardly ideal for a racer. “I had never spent an entire day driving in the rain,” he recalls, in an exclusive interview with Global Indian. “But I kept it under control. I kept it fast and it went well,” said the Indian teen racing champ. A chance to sign on as an F3 driver and make headway to the coveted Formula 1, Desai is hopeful. [caption id="attachment_11211" align="aligncenter" width="875"] Atharva Desai at the Anglesey Circuit in Wales[/caption]

e to sign on as an F3 driver and make headway to the coveted Formula 1, Desai is hopeful.

[caption id="attachment_11211" align="aligncenter" width="875"] Atharva Desai at the Anglesey Circuit in Wales[/caption]

A Brit Indian with a need for speed

Atharva entered racing before he hit his teens. A cutthroat world that required emotional stability far beyond his years, just as much as talent and skill, he says, “Attitude and confidence are important. You never know who is watching you. While talent is the first thing scouts look for, the second round involves testing a person’s confidence and approach to life. They want someone who can endorse them, who will bring their team a good name.”

Soon after he watched that first race on TV, his obliging parents took the excited eight-year-old to a go-karting track called the Allsports Grand Prix in Northern Virginia. He failed to meet the height requirements but was back the following year, determined to practice on his own. He was noticed by the track owner, Francois, who remarked to Atharva’s father that the boy “drives like a young Sir Jackie Stewart” and began teaching him the fundamentals of racing.

“I was 10 when I entered my first junior league,” says the Indian teen racing champ. A rookie, going up against opponents far more experienced than himself, he went on to win the championship, levelling up, and emerging victorious the next year too. “There was the last level left to compete at but my teacher stopped me. He thought I would beat everyone. My adult opponents wouldn’t have been happy about that,” he smiles.

After finishing second at the ROTAX National Race, Atharva was invited to test Formula 4 cars. And he impressed all. “I got blazing times. It got me noticed,” says the Indian teen racing champ who, in search of a good school to study engineering, chose Oxford Brookes College in the UK due to its motorsports curriculum.

At the Young Racing Driver Academy in Virginia, he met Jamie Horner, director, an established name, Horner’s brother, Christian, the British team principal for team Redbull Formula 1. “I became a developing driver to improve my skills, and hopefully race for them in the future,” says the 19-year-old. At the academy in Anglesey, drivers were put on simulators, chosen based on skills and timing. Atharva found out soon enough that F4 cars in the UK are quite different from those in the US. “The American cars are digital, less rigid. They’re not meant for aggressive racing. In the UK, they’re built for aggressive drivers – which is what I am,” says the Indian teen racing champ who re-honed his skills, leaving his mentors impressed.

How Nikki Lauda inspired him

Committed and driven, Atharva is up before 6 am, starting with an hour at the gym. Back home, he cooks breakfast, and heads to class. Unwavering discipline, born of mental fortitude, he explains, “I don’t get angry often. Motorsports, especially, the earlier phases are competitive and full of aggression. You’re getting attacked both on and off the track. So, you learn. If someone provokes me, I think, my goal is to be in F1. My goal is not to meddle with the guy.”

Even his choice of idols is unusual – Nikki Lauda, the legendary Austrian Formula One and three-time F1 World Drivers’ Champion, the only driver in history to be champion for both Ferrari and McLaren. In 1976, Lauda’s Ferrari swerved off the track and burst into flames. “He was pulled out of the car with half his face on fire. He didn’t give up, with dedication and mental strength, he made it through. Nothing could stand in his way,” says the Indian teen racing champ.

All about motorsport

Doing engineering in motorsport technology at Oxford, Atharva is uncommonly mature. “I was raised with Indian values. I understand that a little competition can go a long way,” he adds.

This year, he hopes to join a Formula 3 team in the US. “I have built good relationships there, and they are willing to give me an F3 seat,” says the racer whose connection with Arden Motorsports will continue alongside. “Next year, I start negotiating with Formula 2 teams. I also have to work at getting sponsors to back me,” says the Indian teen racing champ.

The chequered flag beckons

Much of his success, the Indian teen racing champ attributes to his unwavering resolve. “Attitude, confidence and general likeability all count for a lot. Being a race driver requires huge mental fortitude,” says the boy whose daily regimen involves mental training, “I do reaction time testing and I juggle - for balance and skill.”

Racing is an expensive sport, and staying on the track is thanks to the unflinching support by his parents. “I'm motivated by the fact they trust me and know I'm working hard,” says Atharva. He practices on iRacing, a simulation software. “There are actual drivers and scouts on it, so I practice and register for races,” says the teen, who loves to skateboard or decipher the Rubic's Cubes. Music is also a pet passion, “When I have time to spare, I make electronic music on my laptop,” he adds. The Indian teen racing champ’s 3,420 followers on Instagram are fondly called A4Rians, and he regularly updates them on race day highs.

As Youth Ambassador for Quench 66 by AquaKraft Pvt. Ltd, an initiative by the government of Maharashtra, he is also moving forward the mission to provide 50 million litres of drinking water across 500 schools in the state.

Follow Atharva on Instagram or visit his website, https://www.atharva4racing.com/

Reading Time: 6 min

‘Dhwani’ of interstellar knowledge, the teen changemaker takes quantum leaps

(April 30, 2022) Nothing deters Dhwani Vani. Quantum physics, blackholes or the relationship between space and time - If a subject fills her with trepidation, she dives headlong into research to grasp it, or asks her mentors. The 16-year-old Nasa and Cern citizen scientist has worked with PhD graduates at Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CRNS), France, and is the first to admit that she understood only 40 percent of the programme, yet the immense learning is what she carries into the multitudes of tasks ahead. So much so that the cute bespectacled girl has little time to sleep! Research is her go-to. The student of cosmology, ufoology, astrochemistry, archeo-astronomy and founder of One.Tree India, the global change maker’s passion shines amidst adult scientists. “To be taken seriously one has to show commitment,” and this makes her dive into seemingly complex subjects with knowledge that’s pretty admirable. Her areas of interest Earth restoration, Mars civilisation, and time travel apart, Dhwani inspires others to step up and solve problems. “I will be visiting Bangkok to represent India as a delegate at the Global Youth Parliament in June 2022 ,” says Dhwani in an interview with Global Indian. [caption id="attachment_15836" align="aligncenter" width="528"]

.globalindian.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Global Indian.

[caption id="attachment_15836" align="aligncenter" width="528"] Dhwani Vani[/caption]

Her brilliance belies her age. “CNRS, France was scary, challenging and demanding. But I learned a valuable lesson - asking and being open to learning. Even though I only got 40 percent of what was done in the programme, I gained mentors and friends,” says Dhwani of the July 2021 apprenticeship. Thankful that being a 16-year-old with initiative draws people to help her, she wants people to, “see beyond my age to my knowledge.”

What they did is complicated, and she explains, “We used parts of the Orion-B data to estimate the total mass of the molecular cloud compared to the dust emission. It helped us grasp the different regions and their conditions for extra galactic observations.”

A Nashik girl who reached for the stars

Having parents with a scientific mindset has been a huge plus for Dhwani. “Unquestionably, my mother is the backbone of my passion as she also fancies this domain,” says Dhwani of her mother Rupali Vani, a doctor, with a clinic that has been running for 25 years, and her father Inderjit Singh who works with her.

The girl from Nashik who signed up for a Nasa Citizen Scientist conference on a whim and became a citizen scientist says, “Through citizen science, people share and contribute to data monitoring and collection programmes. It is a powerful tool to provide students with the skills to excel in stem subjects, and to gain hands-on experience conducting real scientific projects.”

It enthused the girl scientist enough to be wide-eyed and awake at 3 am working on gathering evidence – Today, she has contributed 149 cobblestones (computations of data) (129.07 trillion floating-point operations) to LHC, and has set herself the 500 cobblestones mark by next month-end.

Sleep be damned when cutting-edge subject matter is so much more beguiling, right? “If I am truly honest, I won’t recommend anyone doing the amount of work I do. At least two days a week, I am sleep-deprived, and on a coffee-buzz,” says the teen researcher, sustainability leader, youth empowering mentor, and girl-child mentor. What’s credible is that she began these endeavours just three years ago.

Having written many articles – on space debris, death of the International Space Station, she is currently working on three research papers, one to be presented at a Cern competition, based on the concepts and understanding of particle and quantum physics.

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Infact, her research paper on habitable zones and host stars with the Society for Space Education, Research and Development, was presented at Sagan Workshop by Nasa. It’s a topic that fascinates Dhwani as she “hopes to find evidence of another planet that demonstrates signs of life,” completely transfixed with the existentialist question, “Are we alone?” “The habitable zone is the area around a star which is not too hot or cold for liquid water to exist on the surface. Host stars are stars around which a particular planet, brown dwarf, or lesser object revolves,” pipes the Nasa citizen scientist whose ever questioning nature unearths much learning.

Getting a bronze honour at the international astronomy and astrophysics competition, Dhwani was also an interstellar traveller on the Mars Mission India as well.

The activist student

There is an activist in this committed student too. As a WHO volunteer at a hearing week recently, she aided in helping 100 people get impacted. Treasurer at her school’s interact club – the group donated books, pens and shoes to an underprivileged school. Yet, it’s her work as founder of a youth-empowering organisation one.step that sees her guide peers on internships, CVs, etc.

She began One.tree.India inspired by One.tree, to spread sustainability goals – always proactive, Dhwani mailed the parent organisation on opening a separate branch for India. Soon she was on her way. She then started One.Step, “where we hope to help passionate learners get proper guidance on what they can do to shine in their field at a young age.”

Research, research, research

Dhwani began researching at 14, and got her first diploma in cosmology with 92 percent marks at 15. “I see myself as a researcher who travels the world to understand its connection to the universe,” says the teen deep thinker.

Looking at the sky, many just gaze at the twinkly beyond in wonder, Dhwani looks further. Fascinated by the moon mingled with the smell of the ocean, she has a sporty side too. “I love sports, and am also very adventurous,” says the girl who won gold medals in shotput till 10^th, did karate and is now a blue belt. Yet, that's not all. She also played three years of football, two years of basketball… and in her words “much more,” sports as well. Paucity of time has stopped all that now, but she is determined to get back. Representing her school at the international sports school organisation and the Mumbai Games powered by FIT India, she packs so much in a life that is just finding her ground. What helps? Self-development books. She feels everyone has the space to excel. “Space is a resource and we are creating issues by putting all our junk in orbit. This is leading to exponential rates of space debris that has to led to millions of dollars worth of damage,” she declares comparing the human mind, and the problem of debris in outer space.

Busy as a bee

Physics and astronomy aside, Dhwani loves cooking with family. “After seeing what I have done, the smiles I created, and the visionary youth that were empowered – it keeps me inspired to do more,” says the girl who just started her A levels at Fravashi International Academy in mathematics, physics, chemistry, general English, and IT. Her sights are now set on an astronomy degree from the University of British Columbia.

The girl who is lucky to hit the pillow and almost instantly fall asleep is teased mercilessly about that, and her internal alarm clock that makes her wake up without one! “They often say that I have installed a clock in my brain,” she giggles, already prepping for a talk on mentoring other students, and the search for life in galaxies far far away.

Follow Dhwani Vani on Linkedin, Instagram and Facebook

Reading Time: 7 min

Anshita Mehrotra: Revolutionising hair care with Fix My Curls

(January 28, 2024) When she was just 19, Anshita Mehrotra, a student, was on a winter break at her Varanasi home. Having curly hair, she did a casual Google search on curly hair products that gave her empty results, and anything available was ridiculously expensive. She realised, in an epiphany, that curly hair is rarely represented in pop culture, media, or even on beauty racks on stores. The wide gap in the haircare market for curly hair was evident and Anshita decided she would provide a solution. Childhood Nostalgia As a kid, Mehrotra was very interested in pop culture, writing, reading and storytelling. She studied at Pathways World School Aravali, and she admits that this experience shaped her into who she is today. “I loved fiction books, diving deep into stories that were far off from my actual life, it was my way of relaxing. I initially thought I would grow up to write, and I did write a collection of poetry in college which I self-published later, titled ‘Love Comes Full Circle’ at 19,” she reminisces. At home on a college winter break she realised that she had no products for textured curls, or wavy Indian hair. “I realised

red curls, or wavy Indian hair. “I realised no one in our country saw curly or wavy hair as worthy of being taken care of, so I felt very strongly about it and began researching formulations. I took the semester off, and realised I wanted to make Fix My Curls much bigger than what I had initially thought,” she says.

Safe ways

That’s how Mehrotra started working on her product, Fix My Curls, whose main USP is specially-crafted formula meant for curly and wavy hair, which is also free from silicone, sulphates, paraben, waxes, mineral oil and drying alcohols, as they can worsen the dry, frizzy tendencies of textured hair. “We choose softer, balanced formulations that use butters, oils, and naturally occurring cleansing agents that are not as harsh as those in the mass market to care for our curly headed customers. With upto eight rounds of formulating per product, we take anywhere from 6-8 months to launch each product, to make sure we get it just right. We also pride ourselves on choosing ingredients from France, and Germany as well as locally sourcing from India when it makes sense,” says Mehrotra.

Growing together

Women all over the world are turning their problems into multi-million dollar businesses. “They are the ones who go back home and manage the house and get back up to go manage their empire. I especially admire women venture capitalists that are pushing the notion that women led ideas and businesses deserve funding now more than ever. My biggest inspiration would be my mother, Shaily Mehrotra, she runs Fixderma and has taught me some invaluable lessons on making sure product is king,” says Mehrotra.

Now, curly hair products are flooding the market, which Mehrotra sees as a positive sign. “I love it, in fact we encourage more and more brands to enter this space because it helps us further educate and grow the market,” she says. And while it’s not an easy journey, it’s worth it, she remarks. “Our once-niche segment is now thriving and gives our customers so many options and communities to feel like they belong. At the end of the day that is our goal, to give them a space where they feel good about their natural hair, curly, wavy, or coily,” she adds.

Building communities

She plans to make Fix My Curls a community-driven brand and says that she loves her customers and trusts their instinct on the product and what they should make as they move forward. “They drive the brand and have supported us immensely, so we look to make the product experience the best for them as we move forward. We also plan to begin our offline retail journey with salons and are present in Shoppers Stop branches across India currently. We also aim to make sure quick commerce is PAN India for us through BlinkIt and Swiggy Instamart so our customers never have to wait for the product,” she says. The brand has also begun their journey into the US market with the help of CurlsMonthly, a monthly subscription service that gives curly hair products from all over the globe to their customers to try before they buy. “We still have to properly set up distribution in the US but Amazon has been a great help in getting us there because they've made it incredibly easy to onboard and sell the product. We have also always made sure we are compliant, and our formulations are approved by FDA standards to be sold in the US. We aim to work much harder this year to reach that market the best we can,” she explains.

Learning lessons

Mehrotra usually takes challenges one day at a time and says that she has learnt the valuable lesson of worrying only about what is right in front of you, rather than worrying for the future as that is not here yet. Basic operational and supply chain challenges are most common in the personal care industry, and take time and consistency to move through, Mehrotra has learned, in her journey with Fix My Curls. “I have learnt many lessons, but there have been some that have stuck. Your gut will make some of the best business decisions for you, but knowing to listen to it is when it can be hard. Say no more often than yes. Don't work with everyone, it's not worth your time,” she says.

[caption id="attachment_35495" align="aligncenter" width="554"] Anshita Mehrotra, founder, Fix My Curls[/caption]

In her free time, Mehrotra loves trying new coffee shops, Pilates classes, tennis lessons with a coach, reading fiction fantasy books, and cooking. “I also love going on the hunt for authentic Japanese and Korean eatery spots in Delhi NCR with my friends,” she says. The 24 year old is taking giant strides in the cosmetic industry by catering to a niche that has been seldom explored and this reflects her business acumen that belies her age.

Follow Anshita on LinkedIn, Instagram

Meet the five Indian students selected for Rhodes Scholarship 2023

(November 20, 2022) It was in 1903 that Rhodes scholarship, the educational grant to the University of Oxford, came into existence, thanks to Cecil John Rhodes, a British mining magnate, who is also the founder of De Beers - a diamond firm which until recently controlled global trade. The oldest and one of the most prestigious international scholarship programmes was initially established with the purpose of promoting unity among English speaking countries. However, it was revised over the years, and since the 21st century, citizens from all the countries made the eligibility cut. For Indians, the scholarship made inroads in 1947, and this year marks the 75th anniversary of the Rhodes Scholarship in India. "It is an opportunity to look back and celebrate the tremendous contributions to India and the world made by the nearly 250 men and women who have won the Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford over the past decades," said Elizabeth Kiss, Warden of Rhodes House, Oxford University, and CEO of the Rhodes Trust. 2023 Rhodes Scholars The Rhodes selection criteria are powerful and have remained largely unchanged over the past 100+ years. While the language goes back to the Rhodes Trust's founding documents, the ideas are as

le/scholarships-international/94455993/expanding-the-opportunities-to-win-rhodes-scholarship" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said Elizabeth Kiss, Warden of Rhodes House, Oxford University, and CEO of the Rhodes Trust.

2023 Rhodes Scholars

The Rhodes selection criteria are powerful and have remained largely unchanged over the past 100+ years. While the language goes back to the Rhodes Trust's founding documents, the ideas are as relevant today as they have ever been - Nandan Kamath, national secretary, Rhodes Scholarships for India

Kamath, a lawyer by profession himself was a Rhodes scholar in 2000 and graduated from Balliol College at the University of Oxford. It was he who announced the names of the scholars who made the cut this year for the session beginning in 2023.

Vedanta Thapar: The final-year Physics student at St Stephen's College, Delhi University is interested in the physics and mathematics of complex systems as well as in the social issues connected to scientific research. At Oxford University, he wishes to study scientific computing and mathematical modelling with a focus on climate dynamics and policy challenges associated with it. Vedanta is a badminton player who grew up in Delhi.

Syed Muhammed Khalid: The final year English Literature student at St Stephen’s College, Delhi University holds an interest in the documentation of people's stories and movements. The youngster, who hails from Allahabad, aims to study about Indian Muslims in South Asia to get a grasp on the diversity within the community and how they respond to pressures on their identity. The literature student is involved in theatre and loves football.

[caption id="attachment_24380" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Rhodes Scholars 2023[/caption]

Hansa Mukherjee: The final-year Economics student at Lady Shri Ram College for Women, Delhi University holds interest in researching social and behavioural interventions for improving women’s healthcare outcomes. The trained Odissi dancer is passionate about art history and graphic design.

Dr Kirtana Sivasubramanian: The scholar with an MBBS degree from Government Medical College, Omandurar Government Estate, Chennai seeks to research the potential of genetic engineering to utilise the immune system effectively in treating diseases. She aims to explore fundamental concepts of T-cell Biology that might enhance immunotherapy for cancer and autoimmune conditions. The scholar is devoted to use primary research and innovation for making cutting-edge therapies accessible to all and would love to explore it more deeply at Oxford.

Daksh Walia: The final year Master’s student of Economics at Ashoka University is interested in studying labour economics with a focus on the determinants of female labour force participation in India. He aims to gain an understanding of the economics of climate change. Daksh plans to continue working on economic research at Oxford, while simultaneously pursuing his passion for studying justice and the social production of knowledge.

Road to Rhodes Scholarship

All 250 candidates, who have been selected for Rhodes Scholarship in past 75 years, have had to pass through a competitive application process. The selection process includes a thorough review of the applications before the finalists get interviewed by a selection committee comprising of experts and leaders from diverse fields. After the preliminary interviews, another round of interviews gets conducted to shortlist the final winners.

We are committed to raising funds to permanently endow more Indian Rhodes Scholarships so that more remarkable students from this great country can join and contribute to our global community - Elizabeth Kiss, CEO, Rhodes Trust

This year’s Rhodes scholars from India - Vedanta, Syed, Hansa, Kirtana and Daksh will be heading to Oxford University in October 2023 to join a cohort of more than 100 scholars from around the globe to pursue their fully sponsored postgraduate studies, becoming part of a strong community of people aiming to bring a positive difference to the world.

The applications for the 2024 Rhodes Scholarships will open in June / July 2023. More information about the Scholarship application can be found here.

Some of the Global Indians who have been Rhodes Scholars in the past:

Girish Karnad - The playwright, author, actor and director
Montek Singh Ahluwalia - Economist and policy expert who won the Padma Vibhushan award
Dr Menaka Guruswamy - Senior Advocate at the Supreme Court of India
Sagarika Ghose - The journalist, columnist and author who has written biographies of former Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Tanjore Ramachandra Anantharaman - One of India's eminent metallurgists and materials scientists

Reading Time: 5 mins

Sandy Khanda: Bridging gaps, building futures with Green Pencil Foundation

(March 6, 2024) After passing out of engineering college in 2018, Sandy Khanda could have either followed the conventional path of securing a job or pursue a startup venture, a common choice among many young enthusiasts, but he chose to start an NGO. Headquartered in Delhi NCR, his NGO, Green Pencil Foundation has quickly gained momentum, extending its reach in eleven states of India with a strong volunteer base of over 2,000 young volunteers. Together, Sandy and his team have touched the lives of over 20,000 individuals through initiatives that emphasise women's empowerment, menstrual hygiene management, education for underprivileged children, and action for climate change. Recognizing the global nature of many societal challenges, Sandy has also expanded Green Pencil's operations to Indonesia and Iran. “In Indonesia, our outreach extends to various areas in Jakarta and the Papua province, which has the lowest literacy rates in the country,” he tells Global Indian. “With a presence in over 50 schools and underprivileged communities, we are committed to making a difference in remote locations, employing an inclusive approach that transcends borders and religions. Our initiatives also extend to certain regions in Iran” the social entrepreneur adds. [caption id="attachment_36371" align="aligncenter" width="437"] Sandy Khanda[/caption] Life’s

ns, employing an inclusive approach that transcends borders and religions. Our initiatives also extend to certain regions in Iran” the social entrepreneur adds.

[caption id="attachment_36371" align="aligncenter" width="437"] Sandy Khanda[/caption]

Life’s transformative turns

Sandy was born and raised in a small village in Haryana, and witnessed firsthand the disparities and challenges faced by rural communities. When he moved to Delhi for education, his transition to urban life only heightened his awareness of societal issues such as gender inequality, poor climatic conditions, air pollution, struggles of marginalised populations and plight of kids growing up in slums of Delhi NCR.

Fuelled by a desire to instigate change, Sandy began his journey through grassroots activism, utilizing platforms like writing, teaching slum children, and organising protests to address pressing social issues, while pursuing engineering.

However, his commitment to societal betterment became even stronger following a life-altering experience - a near-fatal accident that left him in a six-month coma. Emerging from this ordeal with renewed purpose and gratitude, Sandy resolved to dedicate his life to serving others. Thus, the Green Pencil Foundation was born, with a mission to empower communities, break down barriers, and drive positive change across India and beyond.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5v3d7TG8SI0

Green for environmental advocacy, Pencil for education

The name of the foundation, Green Pencil, reflects its dual focus on environmental advocacy and education. ‘Green’ stands for addressing the pressing climate change crisis. The foundation advocates improved public policies for reducing carbon footprints, with an emphasis on a human-centric approach.

‘Pencil’ centres around education, particularly the foundation's efforts to uplift underprivileged children and women. Through educational workshops covering topics such as menstrual hygiene management, mental health, and academic classes, the Green Pencil Foundation empowers individuals for a brighter future. "The primary sources of funding for our initiatives come from individual supporters and corporate social responsibility, enabling us to sustain and grow our efforts in making a meaningful difference," Sandy says.

ALSO READ | Vivek Gurav's global impact with Pune Ploggers

Developing a global perspective

Apart from being engaged in his NGO, Sandy has remotely served as the national coordinator and community outreach manager at Atlas, a Brussels based political movement uniting people worldwide to create a freer, better and more equitable planet.

Sandy’s responsibilities encompassed coordinating community engagement to promote Atlas' endeavours across India. “I was actively engaged in designing and executing comprehensive campaigns to advance Atlas' principles within the Indian context. This entailed strategic planning, seamless coordination, and effective communication to amplify the organisation’s movements.” His involvement with Atlas provided him with a global perspective on societal issues, a perspective that has influenced the expansion of Green Foundation initiatives beyond India.

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Green Pencil’s meaningful projects

The youth-led NGO’s impact spans across major metropolitan cities of India including Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Chennai, Manipur, Chandigarh, Panchkula, Amritsar, Jaipur, Kolkata, and Bangalore.

The foundation is spearheading several meaningful projects. Through the 'Periods of Pride' initiative, it has conducted a thorough survey in government schools across India, uncovering critical challenges in menstrual hygiene management. The findings reveal prevalent issues including menstrual taboos, inadequate educational awareness, and limited knowledge about menstrual hygiene products, garnering wide attention.

Another project like ‘Slum to School’ aims to educate and enable soft skills development in slum kids to make them independent. “This project is running in more than 25 Indian cities in 11 Indian states to benefit over 3,000 slum kids,” shares Sandy.

The Foundation is working in coordination with Greenpeace India, the Indian branch of the global environmental group Greenpeace, a non-profit NGO, with a presence in 55 countries in a project called ‘Power the Pedal’. “This groundbreaking project focuses on providing bicycle training to hundreds of women, aiming to promote sustainable mobility and empower themselves in the process,” tells Sandy.

[caption id="attachment_36372" align="aligncenter" width="701"] Green Pencil Foundation and Greenpeace India's 'Power to Pedal' project provides bicycle training to women[/caption]

Green Pencil’s Initiative, ‘One Home One Tree’ is aimed to influence people and encourage plantation drives to fight air pollution in metro cities.

The project, ‘Festivals vibes with needy tribes’ encourages people to celebrate festivals with needy people around them so that they feel special. “It gives the message of equality in the society,” the social entrepreneur remarks.

The project, ‘Pollution Se Azaadi’ advocates for a shift towards public transport and active mobility as effective means to reduce carbon footprints.

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Working to expand reach beyond India

Having tasted reasonable success in his efforts to make a difference in India, Sandy Khanda now aspires to extend his impact beyond borders by expanding Green Pencil Foundation's programmes to various regions of South Asia. "We are working towards expanding Green Pencil Foundation’s footprint in South Asian and African regions with an aim to impact more lives," he signs off.

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