Global Indianstory AstronautNasa junior citizen scientist Jahnavi Dangeti has her sights set on Mars

Nasa junior citizen scientist Jahnavi Dangeti has her sights set on Mars

Written by: Vikram Sharma

(February 15, 2022) As a child, Jahnavi Dangeti’s grandmother told her countless bedtime stories. One, about a woman who lived on the moon who distributed chocolates and toys to children, was her favourite. It fuelled her imagination about space, planets and a sky full of unimaginable possibilities. Curious at heart, the Nasa junior citizen scientist wanted to learn more. As a child, she would research Apollo Missions, astronauts, particularly Neil Armstrong to learn more.

Those starry tales propelled her into creating history. Jahnavi is the only Indian to undergo the International Air and Space Program (IASP) at Nasa Launch Operations’ Kennedy Space Centre in Alabama, US in 2021. The aspiring astronaut was part of a carefully chosen group of 20 youngsters from across the world to be selected. “My interest in space exploration was triggered by my grandmother’s bedtime stories. I want to become the first Indian to set foot on Mars,” declares the confident Nasa junior citizen scientist.

Jahnavi Dangeti | Astronaut | Scuba diver | pilot

Jahnavi is a junior citizen scientist for NASA

When zero gravity was attainable

Born in Poolapalli, West Godavari, Andhra Pradesh, the 19-year-old completed the astronaut programme involving multi-access training, underwater rocket launch, zero gravity, etc. What more, she also got to pilot an aircraft for the first time. “Flying a Cessna 172 with my co-pilot was a dream come true. I love flying, and will soon be taking up a piloting course,” says Jahnavi, speaking exclusively to Global Indian.

Such is her fascination for the cockpit that once, on a flight to Andamans, she told the flight crew about her interests and requested entry into the cockpit. “They consulted the pilot and I was allowed in, and all the instruments were explained, and it was an incredible experience,” says Jahnavi who has twin goals – becoming a pilot and an astronaut. Currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in electronics and communications (honours) from Lovely Professional University, the brilliant mind is on to greater heights.

At the US programme, Jahnavi was appointed mission director for Team Kennedy, a group of 16 who successfully launched and landed a miniature rocket into the sky, safely. “Our team accomplished a great deal. For me, it was a great opportunity to develop project management skills along with leadership and international work experience,” smiles the teenager. Her team worked on a multi-axis trainer based on a real-life astronaut training simulator. “The experience is intended to simulate the sensation of an uncontrolled spin in microgravity,” informs the Nasa junior citizen scientist who got a scholarship from a Mexican company for the IASP programme.

Flying a Cessna172 with a co-pilot was a ‘dream come true,’ says Jahnavi

Aspiring to be an astronaut

While going through various phases of astronaut training, Jahnavi met retired American naval aviator and former Nasa astronaut Kenneth D Cameron, who mentored her batch. IASP, a five-day educational programme drives the leaders of tomorrow in STEM. It involves teamwork, problem-solving and communication among students, with expert Nasa engineers to help solve unexpected problems. The Nasa junior citizen scientist was in the fall edition from November 14 to 20, 2021.

Participating in several workshops by ISRO, she has been a campus ambassador for several organisations including Space Technology and Aeronautical Rocketry, which is an Indian private aerospace company. She is the vice-president of Space Magica, a startup astronaut training centre for students and general public, and has also participated in hackathons. “I come from a very small town, with hardly any awareness about space programmes and research. Therefore, I don’t miss any opportunity that takes me closer to my dreams,” informs the Nasa junior citizen scientist, who is a member of the International Organization of Aspiring Astronauts, and has analysed the images caught by the Pan-STARRS satellite in pursuit of unexposed asteroids.

From the depths of the ocean into outer space. the sky is no limit for Jahnavi

Scuba, doobie do

The Andhra girl, a record holder in the Indian Book of Records for being multitalented, undertook an open water scuba training, and is today an internationally certified open water scuba diver. First learning swimming in a pool, she travelled to Visakhapatnam to learn open water swimming. She obtained mandatory approval from the state government for advanced adventure scuba diving too. When it did not come through, the Nasa junior citizen scientist went to Goa, and finally got her open water scuba diving certification. Needless to say, it was not easy.

“While scuba diving in Goa, I was stung by a jellyfish, and had a close encounter with a lionfish,” recounts the girl who travelled to the Andamans for further training. “I learnt night, single and other special dives, getting a license in adventure scuba diving. I love life under water,” smiles Jahnavi, whose parents, Sreenivas Dangeti and Padmasree work in private companies in Kuwait. Jahnavi was raised by her grandmother Leela Ramanadham.

Jahnavi is an internationally certified scuba driver and was trained here in Goa

As she manages her time between academics, and other pursuits, she never misses a chance to stargaze. Watching sci-fi movies, and cartoons, the bookworm gorges on books on astronomy and by astronauts. “Wings of Fire is my favourite,” reveals the Karate champ, who has won several awards. Hard pressed for time, the Nasa junior citizen scientist manages to indulge in meditation and workouts. When it comes to her academics, Jahnavi, who went to Montessori English medium school and Aditya Junior College, was among those bright minds who were in the top 10 students.

Dreaming big, she is thankful to her parents for doing everything possible to help her realise her dreams. “There are huge financial constraints when it comes to taking up a pilot course,” says the Nasa junior citizen scientist, who is looking at the Andhra Pradesh government for support. An active member of student organisation Robotics and Intelligent System Community at college, she thanks her grandmother who has been her anchor.

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Published on 16, Feb 2022

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Tech prodigy to cyber security mogul: Trishneet Arora’s impact on India’s digital security landscape

(November 18, 2023) When most kids his age were stressed about picking the right subject for their undergraduate course, then 18-year-old Trishneet Arora had already made up his mind to leave the path of formal education, and work full-time on developing his entrepreneurial venture. Already a cyber-security pro, Ludhiana-based Trishneet had designed the prototype of several platforms to protect a website from any kind of attack. He asked his father for ₹75,000 as seed money and used it to start his company, TAC Security. Providing services to many multinational enterprises and government agencies, including Reliance Industries, Central Bureau of Investigation, Punjab Police, and Gujarat Police, Trishneet's company is currently counted among the Top 10 cyber security companies in the world. [caption id="attachment_34186" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Trishneet Arora, CEO, TAC Security[/caption] An ethical hacker, the young entrepreneur has been featured in Forbes’ 30 under 30 Asia, making him the youngest Indian to be featured on the list. "TAC Security is a friendly hacker that helps corporate companies recognise its weaknesses before the fraudulent hackers can use them adversely,” the cyber security expert explained during an interview, adding, "We focus on providing specialised services called Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing. The former helps

eaknesses before the fraudulent hackers can use them adversely,” the cyber security expert explained during an interview, adding, "We focus on providing specialised services called Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing. The former helps to discover the security loopholes present in organisation’s systems but does not exploit the vulnerabilities. The latter is employed to demonstrate how damaging security vulnerabilities could be in a real cyber-attack." Currently based out of New Mexico, the United States, Trishneet's net worth is estimated to be around USD 5 million.

Starting young

When Trishneet was just eight years old, his father bought him a second-hand computer. A curious cat, Trishneet ended up dismantling the computer. While he wasn't able to put it back together, his father made him sit with the mechanic to understand each component and where they go to make the machine work. This incident inspired the young boy to start learning about the computer's hardware and software, and eventually, the cyber security expert managed to hack his father's computer in 2007.

[caption id="attachment_34185" align="aligncenter" width="600"] The Nasdaq billboard at New York's iconic Times Square displayed a congratulatory message to TAC Security for being poised to become the largest company in vulnerability management[/caption]

A huge turning point in his journey came when he failed his eighth standard, and decided to teach himself the nuances of ethical hacking and cyber security. Realising their son's potential his parents supported his decision. The rest, as they say "was history". In about four years, Trishneet became an ethical hacker, able to hack any computer in the world. And thus began his journey of entrepreneurship. "The whole journey started with just ₹75,000 and reached this level. But it is not about achievement. Nor the destination. It is about the journey. Meeting new people and new customers, solving their problems of cybersecurity, hiring the right people and a strong leadership team, leading a profitable venture, expanding abroad… all of this has been phenomenal,” the Global Indian said in an interview.

A stellar entrepreneur

When he started his journey, many did not even know what an "ethical hacker" does. "In the beginning when I told people I am an ethical hacker, they often mistook me for a criminal. Now I am changing their thoughts hacking can be ethical," shares the cyber security pro in an interview. Soon after he launched his company in 2013, Trishneet got an opportunity to deliver a keynote speech with former Minister of Finance, Yashwant Sinha, at a Business Relation Conference held in Gujarat. It was here that the young entrepreneur met his first clients. After listening to his speech, a few senior officials from the Gujarat Police Department asked him to organise a workshop for the crime branch personnel. Soon, he was approached by officials of the Punjab Police for similar workshops.

[caption id="attachment_34184" align="aligncenter" width="603"] On the 75th Independence Day of India, Trishneet was honoured to launch his Survey on Cyber Security supported by the National Cyber Security Coordinator of India, Lt.Gen Rajesh Pant[/caption]

While Trishneet was garnering fame, his company needed funding to grow. The youngster took a huge chance in 2016 when he approached prominent investor Vijay Kedia to fund his enterprise. "After we received the funding, we increased our momentum and set up the headquarters of TAC Security in San Francisco, California. Within a few months, TAC Security had a sizeable customer base in the North American market and the team secured Fortune 500 companies through its SaaS product," he shared.

Today, TAC Security has an impressive list of over 150 global clients and partners including the HDFC, BhartiAirtel, Reliance, National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI), NSDL, and various government agencies. "We are responsible for the end-to-end security assessment of all UPI-based applications and since 2017, have worked closely with the National Payments Corporation of India. TAC Security has been appreciated multiple times by NPCI for being a part of Prime Minister Modi's "Digital India" vision," he explained in an interview.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7DuzczlKFg

The author of two bestselling books, Hacking with Smart Phones and Hacking Talk with Trishneet Arora, the young cyber security pro has won several awards over the last decade, including Global Leader of Tomorrow, by St. Gallen Symposium, Fortune India 40 Under 40, and 50 most influential young Indians by GQ Magazine. In fact, filmmaker Sunil Bohra is working on a biographical film on Trishneet's life, which is scheduled to be directed by Hansal Mehta.

Follow Trishneet Arora on Instagram and LinkedIn

Reading Time: 6 mins

Being CarryMinati – how Ajey Nagar became one of YouTube’s biggest sensations

(March 26, 2024) Some people love him, some hate him, others love to hate him. Whatever category you might be in, Ajey Nagar makes sure you just can't ignore him. Best known by his stage name, Nagar, who will turn 25 this year, is India's most followed YouTube personality in 2024, with a whopping 41.6 million subscribers on his channel, CarryMinati and another 12.1 million on his livestream gaming page, CarryisLive. This month alone, CarryMinati ranked 36 in YouTube Entertainment and 84 worldwide. In 2019, he was named one of the Next Generation Leaders by TIME Magazine, and at the age of 20, was one of the youngest on the list. CarryMinati is slapstick, very loud, and often downright silly, with his over-the-top takes on "cringe-worthy" videos he finds on Facebook and TikTok. Behind the camera, though, Nagar is an astute and savvy creator. Born and raised in Faridabad, Nagar always steps out of the house in a black hoodie, even in peak summertime, to avoid being recognised by his legion of fans. "I can't go to malls or restaurants," he told TIME. [caption id="attachment_36840" align="aligncenter" width="382"] Ajey Nagar, aka CarryMinati[/caption] In 2019, CarryMinati found worldwide fame when he dissed

ign="aligncenter" width="382"] Ajey Nagar, aka CarryMinati[/caption]

In 2019, CarryMinati found worldwide fame when he dissed Swedish YouTuber Felix Kjellberg (PewDiePie), another controversial star of content. At the time, PewDiePie was locked in a subscriber race with T-Series and released a video that mocked an Indian man speaking broken English. CarryMinati came to the rescue on January 1, 2019, with a Hindi rap video called ByePewDiePie, where he says, "one day, India will rule the world." These days, the Global Indian produces videos only in Hindi, targetting a large chunk of India's 462 million YouTube users (India has the world's largest YouTube audience, with the US a far second at 239 million).

The CarryMinati method

Ajay Nagar began making video content when he was eight years old. And the more he did it, the surer he was that it would be his life. When he completed 10th grade, his mother hoped he would prepare to study medicine, "but I knew I couldn't do it," Nagar told the Hindustan Times. "I said, 'Buy me a PC', and chose arts," he added. It was a big move for Nagar, who comes from an established, and highly educated family. His mother is a doctor, his father a lawyer and his grandfather (late Shri Gajraj Bahadur Nagar) was a Cabinet Minister in the Haryana government.

When he started out, he ran many different channels, but around 2016, focussed his attention on one of them, where he felt he had found a niche. Back then, he was just a school kid playing video games and trying to make his friends laugh by mimicking and roasting celebrities - at the time, it was Bobby Deol. Deol went by CarryDeol and would inspire Nagar's own online name, CarryMinati.

However, the process has remained the same, even though his team has grown. The first, and most time-consuming step, Nagar says, is to find the content. And it could take more than three or four days at times. "Then comes the scripting part, it is the most fun part. I lock myself up in my room for two days and focus on the script." Then comes the shooting and editing, which takes another four days. Viewers send him ideas too, his inbox is always full with links to cringe videos. In 2018, after his team "worked day and night, to get him an opportunity," CarryMinati interviewed Tom Cruise and the team of Mission Impossible 6, and that video has received 33 million views to date.

"My expectations were nothing. I only wanted 50k subscribers, a room to play my games in and to make enough money to be able to buy new games and create content," he said. His channel grew beyond his wildest dreams, though, and time and time again, Nagar, who has also matured over the years, has re-evaluated and re-strategised his offerings. He's always the over-the-top goofy kid, though but these days, he does have to be careful of what he says, given his massive reach.

Being Ajey Nagar

In front of the camera, CarryMinati is brash and unapologetic. Behind the scenes, Ajey Nagar struggles with the weight of his fame, and of catering to expectations. "I struggle with that, as I do with getting out of the house. I have the fear that once I am outdoors, I will be judged, or that even if I eat, I will ahve 10 people staring at me." He has also admitted that he struggles to walk up to strangers, even at a party, and make conversation, and is happy when they come up to him. That said, relating to people is a crucial part of what he does, because that's the source of his content. It's also essential to him having some normality in his life. "Honestly, there has been a time when I sat down and started feeling bad about myself thinking, 'Oh, poor me, I've missed out on so many things'. The love of my friends, late night rides on scooties and eating junk food at the nearby 24x7. But take a look at my life, it's not bad at all," he said in an interview.

There's also the struggle of expectations and insecurities. "When I'm working on my videos there are moments when I scrutinize my jokes, especially if I like them because I'm worried about whether the audience will find them funny or not," Nagar says. And it's a valid concern, because with his outspoken ways and his incredible reach, controversy follows him around. Just the other day, he found himself in hot water for his supposed mocking of cricketer Virat Kohli for not having an IPL trophy in his collection. RCB supporters were furious and the YouTuber went on to issue a quick clarification, saying it was merely a promotional skit where he was doing a parody of RCB fans. However, in a profession like this one, learning to deal with criticism comes with the job description. “I take criticism seriously, but only if it has value to it. Otherwise, I just really don’t have the time,” says Carry, adding, “The amount of criticism I receive, I criticise myself 10 times more for the same thing," he told Hindustan Times.

Tips for aspiring creators

Learn by observation, CarryMinati advises. "Don't observe it like an audience, rather do it as if it's your job. Observe the little things, then you will understand how someone does that stuff, then your mind will open up." When you're watching a video, he says, try and think about what went into making it - from the thought process to the methods of shooting. And, he adds, it's very slow going. Nobody is going to make a million subscribers in 100 days. "The main thing," he says, "is to keep doing it." Evolving and changing with the times is also crucial. Change and uncertainty are the only constants, and Nagar is always prepared for eventualities. "Evolve the content, figure out what works and figure new things in life. And be yourself because nobody can be you."

Follow CarryMinati on Instagram and YouTube.

Arundhati Banerjee: Reshaping norms through dance, pageantry and giving back in Australia

(December 13, 2023) Arundhati Banerjee, the trailblazing Miss Teen Diamond Australia 2019, and the Lifetime Miss Diamond Ambassador shattered norms and made history as the first Indian-origin teenager to claim the prestigious title. Beyond pageantry and modelling, she champions causes, excels as an Indian classical dancer, and advocates for women's rights and sustainability. Recognised as the 'Emerging Leader (2020)' by the South Australian Government, Arundhati has passionately fundraised to support individuals with Down syndrome. Rooted in her Indian heritage, the 20-year-old who is pursuing education at Griffith University in Australia, has made the Indian diaspora of the country proud by her accomplishments. As a fashion model, Arundhati has been on the cover pages of renowned magazines in Australia, the United States, India, and Africa. She has showcased her dancing talent at numerous national and international festivals across Australia such as the OzAsia Festival, International Indian Film Festival in Melbourne, International Folkloric Festival to name a few. [caption id="attachment_34610" align="aligncenter" width="637"] Arundhati Banerjee[/caption] Breaking barriers In 2019, Arundhati Banerjee became the first Indian teenager to win the Miss Teen Diamond Australia title. The Miss and Mr Diamond International & Australia goes beyond the conventional beauty pageant concept. It serves as a

_n-683x1024.jpg" alt="Indian Model | Arundhati Banerjee | Global Indian" width="637" height="955" /> Arundhati Banerjee[/caption]

Breaking barriers

In 2019, Arundhati Banerjee became the first Indian teenager to win the Miss Teen Diamond Australia title. The Miss and Mr Diamond International & Australia goes beyond the conventional beauty pageant concept. It serves as a community hero initiative, aiming to establish a platform where individuals of all ages can fundraise and advocate for causes dear to them. Securing seven additional titles within the pageant, aside from claiming the overall title, Arundhati became the first Indian-origin teenager to achieve this prestigious honour, all while balancing her commitments as a high school student during that time.

“I went in with the purpose of just spreading love and gratitude and to gain some experience. I was very fortunate to win and I'm very happy that I'm able to say that I'm Miss teen Australia 2019,” she said in an interview. She was later selected as the Lifetime Miss Diamond Ambassador in 2021.

Arundhati achieved another significant milestone in 2021 by securing a place among the top 30 contestants in the prestigious Australian Super Model of the Year (ASOTY) competition. “I joined it for the message that it conveys – the message of sisterhood, diversity and inclusivity and speaking about the issues of those who are discriminated on basis of colour and creed,” she said adding, “After weeks and months of selection process I was lucky and fortunate enough to be selected as one of the 30 contestants and work as a network of sisters for rebuilding the society as women working together instead of pitted against each other. That’s what attracted me to associate myself with the pageant.”

[caption id="attachment_34611" align="aligncenter" width="615"] Arundhati Banerjee[/caption]

The emerging leader

In a remarkable achievement, Arundhati who is also a trained Indian classical dancer and performer, was honoured with the 'Emerging Leader (2020)' award by the South Australian Government on Australia Day for her contribution in the fields of art and humanitarian services. While the youngster cherishes all her accomplishments, it is the prestigious Emerging Leader award in Australia that she is proudest of. “Being a woman of colour, getting that award was really very special to me and initially I couldn’t believe that I have really got it,” she remarked adding, “I want to open more doors for others to rise in life with my titles”.

Modelling for giving back

In the course of her journey in pageantry, the Global Indian has successfully fundraised more than AUD $3850 for the charitable organisation, emotion 21, dedicated to aiding young adults and children with Down syndrome. She is also associated with CanTeen, Cancer Council, and Foodbank.

Arundhati serves as the brand ambassador for the boutique firm Bridal Fusion Mascia, aligning with her core values of inclusivity, diversity, and body positivity. Passionate about sustainability, she advocates for eco-friendly fashion and slow clothing through her partnership with South Australian brand NoRuYeLo, promoting a message of saying 'No to Rubbish, Yes to Love.' Additionally, she has been at the ramp for Lorna Jane at BU Fashion to support fundraising efforts for victims of domestic violence. Committed to giving back, she volunteered with the Rotary Club's Cold Plunge initiative, dedicated to raising funds for the homeless.

[caption id="attachment_34618" align="aligncenter" width="630"] Arundhati Banerjee[/caption]

Creating a mark

Before securing the Miss Teen Diamond Australia title in 2019, Arundhati had triumphed as the winner of the Miss Glamour Genic-Supreme Talent competition in 2018.

Recognised as a dedicated dancer and 'Arttrepreneur,' she is also the founder of the dance academy, AIDA Bharatanatyaved in Adelaide, South Australia. Proficient in three classical Indian dance forms - Bharatanatyam, Kathak, and Odissi - Arundhati has tried to make these art forms popular. “I feel happy that through my dance I am able to showcase the beauty of my Indian roots and culture to a multicultural audience in Australia,” she remarked.

Her expertise in Indian classical dance was honed under the tutelage of esteemed gurus, including the renowned Padmashree Shobana Chandra Kumar, an award-winning actress, dancer, and choreographer, from whom she learned Bharatanatyam.

Since most of her gurus are based in India, Arundhati’s dance classes have mostly been on zoom or Skype. The youngster is grateful to her gurus’ patience in teaching her in online mode. However, since she had moved to Australia from India at the age of 11 owing to her father’s transfer, she had picked up the basics of dancing before migrating.

Spreading positivity

Arundhati looks at her achievements as a starting point for her greater goals. Her aim extends beyond personal success. The multi-talented youngster wants her efforts to positively impact the community and serve as inspiration, especially for young people, so that they get encouraged to aim higher.

“I want to instigate change, build something meaningful, and leave a lasting impact, creating a legacy for future generations to surpass,” she says.

[caption id="attachment_34613" align="aligncenter" width="557"] Arundhati Banerjee[/caption]

The fashion model believes in the inherent beauty of individuals regardless of their appearance – colour and body type. “Clothes fit you, you don't fit the clothes,” she said, advocating the idea that clothes should complement one's body rather than the other way around, especially when women are increasingly facing challenges finding clothes that suit them.

In love with her ‘Indian-ness’

“I was born in India and spent the first 11 years of my life there before I moved to Australia,” tells Arundhati who embraces her ‘Indian-ness’ with élan, and ‘loves everything about India’. “My love for theatre, music and other forms of art stems from my cultural roots.”

The Indian-origin youngster received recognition for her contributions to promoting art and multiculturalism, and was honoured with the Multicultural Award by the International Film & Entertainment Festival Australia at the New South Wales Parliament. Additionally, her impactful involvement in arts and fashion earned her the Highflyer Achiever - NRI Award at the Milestone Global Awards.

Follow Arundhati Banerjee on Instagram and Facebook

What’s your Global Indian story? Write to us at editor@globalindian.com

Reading Time: 5 mins

When Indian kids say the ‘earnest’ things on Ted Talks, they inspire

(February 15, 2022) Ideas are everywhere. And the world is nurtured through them. The confidence and power to unleash those ideas into reality is something few possess. One of the best ways to spread the power of these ideas is through speeches and talks; TED talks is among the most recognised and celebrated platforms. From inspiring people to changing lives and perspectives, each talk coaxes one to step out of their comfort zone. A whole crop of young Global Indian children are unleashing the power of their ideas through these TED talks. Times Kid of the Year, Gitanjali Rao, innovator Neha Shukla, achiever Ishita Katyal and others, there is no dearth of confident young Indian-origin children taking to the stage to create awareness, and get the world to sit up and take notice. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1kV3NQ87FY[/embed] Young and raring to go Recently, five-year-old Indian American child Kiara Kaur became the world’s youngest TEDx Speaker on Unboxing Curiosity at a TEDx event in Maharashtra on November 2021. Before that, it was 10-year-old Ishita Katyal, who held the distinction of being the youngest Indian to deliver a TED talk. Her topic: Why you don’t have to wait till you grow up. [caption id="attachment_10868" align="aligncenter"

[caption id="attachment_10868" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Gitanjali Rao[/caption]

It’s true. These young ones aren’t waiting for adulthood to make a difference. Their time to act (… or speak) is now, and they’re grabbing every opportunity to make a difference. Age is not a factor when it comes to initiating change too. Gitanjali Rao’s TED Talks, India Nayi Baat in 2019 witnessed the young leader expound these very ideas. “I don't think there should be an age barrier to solving problems. I hope that with the right focus and approach to continuous learning, we can all be superheroes, saving lives," she had told Shah Rukh Khan at the event.

In fact, several of these teens are quite enamoured by the entire platform and are adding to it through Indian TED Talks. Manasi Patil, a young author and STEM enthusiast avers, “TED talks display diverse perspectives of people all over the world. Bringing forward crucial messages and breaking stereotypes, I love the power every single TED talk has. Moreover, gaining insights into how people think and present themselves is an added bonus. TED talks are a cocktail of excitement, inspiration, changemaking ecosystem and simply a powerhouse for thinking beyond the box.”

Influencing minds, one talk at a time

[caption id="attachment_10869" align="aligncenter" width="641"] Neha Shukla[/caption]

Stressing on the importance of getting young people to innovate was Global Teen Leader Neha Shukla when she took the stage at TEDx Atlanta. “Our generation has just begun to embrace innovation. Gen Z already knows what challenges to care about; they just don’t know how to channelise their passion into tangible solutions,” she said during her Indian TED talk, adding, “Now more than ever we have the power to harness cutting edge science and technology to create positive change in our communities. With more people involved in the innovation process, the more problems we can solve, the faster we can do it.” Incidentally, Neha has impacted over 22,000 students and industry leaders through her talks and workshops. She was also honoured by NASDAQ.

An entire generation of thinkers and innovators are getting inspired. For instance, Yathaarth Murthy, a two-time Limca Book of Records holder for singing the highest number of anthems in the world, said that he loved watching TEDx videos as a young child. He wanted to be on the hallowed platform himself and his dream came true when he was invited to give his first TED talk at age 12 on being an anthemologist. His fourth talk was in 2020 when he spoke about pursuing one’s dreams.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IVIcvIMKhU[/embed]

For Tamil Nadu’s Young Nutrition Ambassador and YouTuber, TED turned out to be a dream platform. The 13-year-old motivational speaker had for long been a fan of the platform and drawn inspiration from it and its speakers. So, when she was invited to speak twice on TED, she considered it a huge milestone in her young life. “Being able to speak on TED has been very special for me,” says the teen, who also talks about the kind of hard work that goes into delivering what might seem like a simple talk. “On the face of it, it might just look like a simple 20-minute talk, but there’s so much planning and preparation involved. It took me six months to be able to shape my speech and prepare for my talk.”

Leading by example

[caption id="attachment_10556" align="aligncenter" width="350"] Manasi Patil[/caption]

The fact that platforms like TED also afford these young speakers’ visibility and leverage is an added bonus. Manasi, who herself has enjoyed watching several TED talks by Shashi Tharoor, Tim Urban, and Rohini Godbole, says, “I have always believed that once you are on the stage, in the spotlight, you have this undefined power to get people on board with your dreams, your vision. The TED platform is one of the most powerful ways out there to do this. It's fascinating how your voice, from one part of the world, can be heard throughout the world through a video that is never more than 18 minutes. I intend to reach many GenZers and ‘reinforce the GenZ potential’ in a much wider sense through my TED talks.”

Top 5 Indian TED talks to watch

Motivational: Sparsh Shah on How a 13-year-old changed Impossible to I’m Possible
Life: Ishita Katyal on Experiences of a 12-year-old author
Invention: Deepika Kurup on A Young Scientist’s Quest for Clean Water
Positive Thinking: Manoj Dora on Never Give Up
Innovation: Anwesha Das on The role and Opportunities of child innovators

Reading Time: 8 mins

Ishan Parmar: Indian-American teen empowering marginalised kids through education

(December 13, 2024) At just 17 years old, Ishan Parmar is changing lives and breaking barriers. Recently, he was honoured with the Diana Award 2024 for his efforts to tackle caste-based discrimination and support Dalit children in India and Nepal through education and advocacy. “I’ve always believed that education can change lives. Growing up hearing stories about caste discrimination inspired me to take action,” said Ishan, the founder of the Global Dalit Development Organisation (GDDO), a youth-led initiative making a real difference across South Asia. The Start of a Mission It all began at the age of 13 during a visit to a rural village school in India. "The lack of basic educational facilities and resources struck me profoundly. I saw classrooms without proper infrastructure, scarce supplies, and an overworked teacher managing all subjects," he recalled. This stark contrast to his own educational experience in the United States sparked a deep sense of responsibility in him. "It motivated me to dedicate a significant portion of my time to improving the lives of marginalised communities," the Global Indian said. [caption id="attachment_40942" align="aligncenter" width="559"] Ishan Parmar[/caption] Ishan's inspiration came from his family’s experiences and his own life. Growing up in a Gujarati

l Indian said.

[caption id="attachment_40942" align="aligncenter" width="559"] Ishan Parmar[/caption]

Ishan's inspiration came from his family’s experiences and his own life. Growing up in a Gujarati Dalit family in New Jersey, he remained closely connected to the struggles faced by Dalits. “I remember a babysitter refusing to eat from our utensils because of our caste. That moment stayed with me and pushed me to learn more about inequality," he shared. Inspired by the writings of Dr. BR Ambedkar, Ishan decided to focus his energy on creating systemic change.

Trips to rural schools in India and Nepal had a big impact on him. “I met children who wanted to learn but didn’t have access to basic resources. It felt wrong not to do something to help,” he said. These experiences led him to start GDDO, combining education, advocacy, and art to fight discrimination.

Creating Change on the Ground

By combining education with art and advocacy, Ishan has developed initiatives that have impacted lives on both sides of the Atlantic. Through GDDO, Ishan has supported over 500 Dalit children, providing them with resources for education, housing, and healthcare. These efforts have empowered many to break free from cycles of poverty and pursue opportunities previously out of reach. “I am most proud of witnessing the positive changes in individuals’ lives due to my efforts. For instance, helping a tribal student become the first graduate in his family was incredibly fulfilling,” said Ishan. Another success story involved a young girl who, with the organization’s help, chose education over following her mother into prostitution.

In the United States, GDDO has also hosted workshops for over 200 children, using painting, math tutoring, and other activities to inspire youth to think about social justice.

Ishan’s initiatives are not limited to awareness. He has raised significant funds through innovative campaigns. For instance, he revitalized an overlooked “Support a Child” program that allows donors to sponsor a child’s education for just nine dollars a month. Despite initial skepticism from volunteers, he demonstrated the program’s potential through successful trial presentations, achieving an 80% donation rate and significantly increasing support for his cause.

Spreading Awareness Globally

Ishan’s work goes beyond helping individual communities. He launched Global Caste Awareness Day, an initiative to shine a light on discrimination faced by marginalised groups all over the world. His efforts include not just Dalits in South Asia, but also the Rome in Europe and other underserved communities.

“Discrimination isn’t limited to one place. It’s a global issue, and we need to work together to address it,” he explained.

Inspiring Youth Leadership

Ishan Parmar believes in empowering other young people to lead. He mentors dozens of students through GDDO, teaching them how to run their own projects. “Volunteering isn’t just about helping others—it changes you too. I’ve seen people grow into leaders because of it,” he shared.

In one project, Ishan encouraged 27 of his peers to get involved in community service. “Every small action adds up. That’s how we create lasting change,” he said.

Big Dreams for the Future

Ishan was recently invited to a United Nations event as a youth community leader, where he met others working on similar goals. “It was inspiring to share ideas and see how connected our work is,” he revealed.

A high school senior, Ishan plans to study public policy and dreams of becoming a politician to bring about lasting change. “I want to work on creating policies that make life better for everyone, especially those who are left out,” he says.

When he’s not working on GDDO projects, Ishan enjoys reading, movies, and spending time with family. His favorite subject is English, which allows him to express his ideas and write about the causes he cares about.

A Bright Future

As Ishan looks ahead, he hopes to expand GDDO’s reach. “There’s so much more we can do. I want to work with other organisations to make an even bigger impact,” he said.

Through his unwavering commitment to social justice, Ishan Parmar is changing lives for the better. By addressing systemic issues like caste-based discrimination and lack of access to education, he is building a brighter future for marginalized children. Winning the Diana Award 2024 is one of many milestones in a journey that continues to inspire and drive meaningful change across the globe.