Global Indianstory Chess GrandmasterShreyas Royal: India-born chess player is UK’s youngest international master

Shreyas Royal: India-born chess player is UK’s youngest international master

Compiled by: Team GI Youth

(July 9, 2023) Shreyas Royal was just nine when he made the ceremonial opening move for the Viswanathan Anand-Magnus Carlsen game at London in 2017. This speaks volumes about his genius skills in the game of chess. London-based Indian-origin Shreyas is now 14, and it was in 2022 that he broke the UK record for the youngest ever grandmaster performance when he scored seven points from nine games at the Bavarian Open in Germany. He now aims to in the top 10 in the world or become a world champion by the age of 21.

Shreyas Royal

Life in London, and discovering chess

The Bengaluru-born was still a toddler when he relocated to South-East London in 2012 after his father got a job as an IT project manager in the UK. As young as three, Shreyas was introduced to chess, courtesy his dad Jitendra Singh, who noticed his son’s sharp memory and thought that any mind game as a hobby would be great for him for a start. This is how chess happened to Shreyas; however, the chess prodigy wasn’t instantly hooked to the game. “It took me some time, but I was curious. I started playing with other children at school, and I started winning. And that got me hooked. And playing chess has also helped me to develop a few other skills, like being more patient and sitting still,” he said in an interview.

When Shreyas was six years old, his parents signed him up at a local chess club in East Ham, East London, with a private coach, and his determination helped him win a tournament, thus leading him to become the world’s youngest “candidate master”. He even represented England in European Schools Chess Championships in Greece where he bagged a silver. In August 2017, he was ranked joint fourth in his age group at the World Cadets Chess Championships in Brazil. In a short span, he has won multiple awards. So much so that Chris Ward, a chess grandmaster and former British champion, described Shreyas as “the best prospect the country has ever seen”.

How Shreyas’ talent shaped his family’s future

However, things took a difficult turn when in 2018 Shreyas’s family was on the verge of packing up bags and returning to India owing to the expiration of his dad’s work permit. He was told that visa could be extended only if he earned £120,000 a year, which he did not. However, Home Secretary Sajid Javid intervened and made a personal decision to allow the family to stay in the UK, looking at Shreyas’s talent. “The UK is a country that fosters world class talent and Shreyas is one of the most gifted chess players in his generation. We have always been clear we want a world-class immigration system that welcomes highly-talented individuals from across the globe,” said Sajid Javid.

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The sigh of relief helped him focus back on the game, and he even began home schooling to focus more on the game.

Strategy is key

Before each game, he prepares well before going up against his highly skilled opponents by determining their strengths and weaknesses. “I check to see what openings he has struggled against in the past and also look at some of his statistics, how well he has fared against weaker opponents. Aiming for any type of an advantage with white and equality with black out of the opening are also very vital goals,” said the chess prodigy who went on to become the English U7 champion, British U8 champion, U8 European champion.

The teenager, who loves listening to music and watching cricket, has fallen in love in the chess, and it’s this fondness that brings him back to the board each time. “It is a very fascinating game in which I feel I have a lot more to learn,” he told Olympics.

The 14-year-old chess prodigy of Indian origin, has already etched his name in the archives of chess history. Breaking the UK record for the youngest ever grandmaster performance at the Bavarian Open is just the beginning of his remarkable journey. With unwavering determination, tireless hard work, and an unyielding love for the game, Shreyas has propelled himself to the forefront of the chess world. “For me, it’s not so much about the money, it’s about having fun playing chess. I just enjoy it.”

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Published on 09, Jul 2023

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Empowering change: Activist Sanya Sharma’s pursuit of a better world

(November 4, 2023) In 2019, as a part of a college project, Sanya Sharma came across several articles and studies about issues like forced marriages, honour killing, and female genital cutting. After several sleepless nights and researching extensively about these issues, the young activist decided to do something about it. "I wanted to raise awareness– I spoke to my father about starting a global youth-led organisation to do this. He said, 'Be the change you wish to see', she said in an interview, adding, "With his words, I founded 'Scarlet Udaan' and got on board eight other students from across the globe to work towards ending FGC." Established in July 2020, Sanya's international youth organisation strives to promote awareness about female genital mutilation (FGC). With team members from various parts of world - including India, the UK, Indonesia, the US, and Canada - the activist wishes to bring awareness on female genital mutilation and the impact it has on the lives of females belonging to different communities all around the world. "It is estimated by the World Health Organisation that 200 million females around the world have undergone FGM. In the organisation's name, 'Scarlet' stands for the strength of womanhood,

ent communities all around the world. "It is estimated by the World Health Organisation that 200 million females around the world have undergone FGM. In the organisation's name, 'Scarlet' stands for the strength of womanhood, and 'Udaan' is a Hindi word that means 'to soar' or 'to fly'. It symbolises freedom and the limitless possibilities that exist for an individual," said the 21-year-old activist, who recently won the prestigious Diana Award for her humanitarian efforts.

Digital activism

A student of Delhi Public School, Hyderabad, Sanya wasn't just a meticulous student, but she also volunteered for various causes and organisation growing up - including the National Service Scheme and Reap Benefit. After finishing her school education, the young activist got enrolled at Durham University in the United Kingdom to pursue a bachelor's of law. It was here that she first was introduced to the issue of female genital mutilation.

"In my first year at university, I was part of a project that worked on women’s issues," the activist said, "This was the first time I heard about FGC and it was baffling. I had no idea what it was. I started having conversations with friends and family members about this and they had no idea either. Everyone was like ‘What is FGC?’ This just proved to me how inaccessible that information was. FGC is a major global concern. It affects 200 million people. Academia, governments, and international organisations that address the issue do not provide enough nuance, they’re disconnected. They’re also gatekept. They use language that people do not understand, so crucial information gets lost in jargon."

And that’s where Scarlet Udaan stemmed from. While she knew she had to do something about the issue, the activist was still figuring out a way to spread the message. Speeches, meetings, and posters would have only gotten her so far, so she turned to the digital space to talk about the issue. "The digital space is accessible and really expands the possibilities of what creating change could look like. It lets us create a safe space for people having such conversations, ones that may be considered taboo, or that people do not know much about. Our team members are from eight different countries around the world. We were able to come together and work together for a common cause, which might not have been possible offline. We also have regional expertise. This creates very nuanced views of culture and tradition and the complexity of the issues we focus on. The online space has opened up a whole new realm of having access to other organizations and youth activists with similar goals," the activist said.

Miles to go before she sleeps...

Using various social media to promote our cause, including videos and podcasts, the Global Indian has been able to reach out to a broad audience. "We have different tools at our disposal to create change, which allows us to make the information accessible to more people. We have social media posts for a quick introduction to the office, a podcast for a deep dive, detailed Zoom sessions, and live streams for more targeted information. It lets us organise creative ways to make change and have an impact," she said.

The activist plans to take a few of the organisation's activities offline very soon. "As a young person, getting to work with so many other young people and survivors across the world is great. But we’re all also people on the frontlines, both online and offline. Having both brings a community together and we can push for change across the world. Especially during the pandemic, when other channels are closed off," she explained.

Currently pursuing a master's at the Duke University School of Law in the USA, Sanya is on her way to building an organisation that can be a platform for young advocates like her to voice and spread awareness about various issues across the globe. "This will not only allow for different regional and local perspectives to be expressed but create a safe space for people to have conversations about topics that are underreported," the activist expressed.

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Tanishq Mathew Abraham: Indian-American teen is one of the world’s youngest to receive a PhD

(June 11, 2023) "I want to finish my Ph.D. by the time I get my driver's license," says a ten-year-old Tanishq Mathew Abraham, who began college at the age of seven. And now at 19, he has become one of the world's youngest Ph.D. holders as he graduates from the University of California, Davis on June 15. For someone who began community college at the age of seven, Tanishq embarked on an academic path that defied conventional norms. A huge congratulations to @iScienceLuvr on another incredible achievement! We have been following him along his whole academic journey at UC Davis and are so proud of him. 🎉#UCDavisGrad https://t.co/PumuzaJtjO — UC Davis (@ucdavis) June 7, 2023 Born to Dr. Taji Abraham, a veterinarian researcher, and Bijou Abraham, a software engineer in Sacramento, the Indian American was always fascinated by books. As young as four, he started devouring library books on dinosaurs and space as it was something that fascinated him. And when he ran out of books to read, he started googling. One such search landed him at UC Berkley's Palaeontology Museum. Unable to curtail his excitement, he went to the museum to hear a paleontologist speak. "I sat on the

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Born to Dr. Taji Abraham, a veterinarian researcher, and Bijou Abraham, a software engineer in Sacramento, the Indian American was always fascinated by books. As young as four, he started devouring library books on dinosaurs and space as it was something that fascinated him. And when he ran out of books to read, he started googling. One such search landed him at UC Berkley's Palaeontology Museum. Unable to curtail his excitement, he went to the museum to hear a paleontologist speak. "I sat on the front row as an excited 6-year-old waiting for a magic show to start and after the speech, I had questions so the speaker invited me to his office to speak more about his research and show me some of the fossils. I got a chance to hold 65 million old dinosaur bones," the Global Indian revealed in a TEDx Talk.

After his first visit to UC Berkley, Tanishq was "infected with incurable learning virus." He soon began searching for nearby colleges that might offer palaeontology classes. While he did end up finding one but was turned down because of his age. But this didn't deter him. "By the time I was seven, middle and high school materials were boring for me, so I begged my parents to take me to college classes. After being turned down several times, my parents finally found a Geology professor who agreed to let me on his course. My mom took the class and I tagged along with her, sitting in the front row, soaking it all in," he said.

[caption id="attachment_30971" align="aligncenter" width="632"] Tanishq attending classes with his mom[/caption]

He took the exam along with his mom, and both scored an A, which convinced the professor of his abilities who persuaded the Dean of Counselling to let him take the next class for credit, as an advanced education student. "I got permission from my school principal and the dean. That was the beginning of college for me." He credits his Geology profesasor for "being the angel in disguise" to get him started. He then enrolled in an Astronomy course along with his mom. "I was seven and my classmates thought that I was there because my mom couldn't find a babysitter," he smiled, adding, "Some were surprised when I would answer questions or join class discussions."

After taking two on-campus courses, he switched to an online course during summer break. That very summer his astronomy professor proposed to start an astronomy club at American River College. "The next year I felt more confident, and at age eight, I took more courses and helped my Geology professor deliver a couple of lectures. We officially opened the astronomy club and I was the founding vice president. During that year, I was featured on a documentary show called Prodigies. After its release, people from across the world contacted me for my persistence and confidence and I was happy that at such a young age I was a role model to young and old students."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kq3FopGY6Fc

By the time Tanishq turned 12, he had already amassed an impressive educational repertoire, which culminated in his acceptance into the prestigious University of California, Davis. While most children his age were navigating middle school, Tanishq was preparing to dive headfirst into the world of higher education. Undeterred by his young age, he pursued an undergraduate degree at the renowned institution, embarking on a remarkable academic odyssey. "When I started at seven taking college classes was just for fun. Later on, I decided to take on an associate degree in science and then transfer to a four-year university as an advanced education student," added the teenager who graduated at the age of 14.

He possessed a deep-rooted curiosity about the world around him, leading him to explore various disciplines and fields of study. It was this interdisciplinary approach that laid the foundation for his groundbreaking research in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) and its application in medicine. As a testament to his visionary thinking, Tanishq founded MedARC, a medical AI research organisation focused on training foundation models for medicine. Recognising the immense potential of AI in revolutionising healthcare, Tanishq sought to harness its power by using generative AI in microscope viewing and the causes and effects of diseases. "I think we are now in the AI revolution, and I want to continue to be a part of it," he said.

And now at 19, he is set to receive his Ph.D. His doctorate journey involved defending his dissertation which explored how medical professionals diagnose diseases and advanced algorithms that may enable doctors to make more accurate and timely diagnoses.

Very excited to share the news that I successfully defended my PhD research today! 🥳🎉

After 4 years 8 months in the @UCDavisGrad @UCDavisBMEGG graduate program,

I am now Dr. Tanishq Mathew Abraham (at 19 years old)!! pic.twitter.com/AbPc2C5Ee5

— Tanishq Mathew Abraham (@iScienceLuvr) May 12, 2023

Tanishq's story serves as a beacon of hope for future generations, encouraging young minds to dare to dream big and challenge societal norms. It highlights the transformative power of education and the importance of nurturing young talent.

Follow Tanish Mathew Abraham on LinkedIn and Twitter

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Arshdeep Singh: Teen wildlife photographer seeing the world through the lens

(January 31, 2023) His Instagram page is a gateway into the wilderness. If the beautiful dusky leaf monkey of Malaysia stares right back with those distinctive eyes in one capture, the other has a stunning diademed sifaka revelling in his natural habitat in Madagascar. That’s Arshdeep Singh for you - the teenager behind the phenomenal snapshots that have earned him a credible place among the wildlife photographer fraternity. And he is just 15 years of age. It was a splendid snapshot of a treetop douc that earned this boy from Jalandhar the tag of Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2020. “When I started, I never expected to gain so much recognition at such an early age. I am happy that my photos are loved by millions,” says Arshdeep in an interview with Global Indian. He continued the winning streak by bagging the Asian Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2021, and very recently, a picture of a 'winking' owl earned the teenager the Junior Award at the 2022 Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards. The photo clicked in Bikaner during a family trips, helped him bag the prize, making him the only Indian to make the cut. [caption id="attachment_26994" align="aligncenter" width="725"] The picture

he only Indian to make the cut.

[caption id="attachment_26994" align="aligncenter" width="725"] The picture of a 'winking owl' that won Arshdeep Singh an award[/caption]

It runs in the family

Born in Jalandhar to a businessman father and a homemaker mother, Arshdeep’s fascination for nature and the wildlife translated early on into a passion for capturing them on his lens. He was all of five when his dad Randeep Singh gifted him a DSLR on his birthday, after seeing his young son’s raw talent. “My dad loves photography and pursues it as a hobby. When I was three, I would often see him holding large cameras, and that sight enthralled me. I wanted to do the same,” recalls the boy, who got tips from his father and learnt from YouTube videos.

His first camera forays were capturing snapshots in his grandmother’s backyard, which impressed his father immensely. Soon he started accompanying his father to the outskirts of Kapurthala to birdwatch. “Dad has been my teacher. His love for wildlife rubbed off on me and I started learning photography from him,” reveals the Apeejay School student.

[caption id="attachment_8988" align="aligncenter" width="847"] Arshdeep Singh[/caption]

Following the trail

An avid wildlife enthusiast, Singh loves to explore the fauna across the world. From the tropical forests of Malaysia to Madagascar’s enchanting woodland, the class nine student has explored wildlife across continents. On a trip to Vietnam in 2020, he came close to the red-shanked douc langur, taking a photo which won him the Wildlife Photographer of the Year. On his father’s business trip to the Son Tra nature reserve, Vietnam’s last coastal rainforest, and a habitat for the langur, he captured the mercurial creature. After reading about the endangered species, Arshdeep, waited for more than an hour to capture the douc. “I took more than 1,000 pictures but was unable to get that perfect shot of the treetop douc. After more than an hour, I found the perfect one. If you look at the langur, he looks like he is wearing a grey coat and black-brown pants – that’s what makes this photo so incredible,” says the teenager, who won the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2020 in the 11-to-14-year category.

[caption id="attachment_8986" align="aligncenter" width="817"] Arshdeep Singh's award-winning picture of Tree Douc[/caption]

The accolades, they keep coming

His passion and love for photography have earned him accolades internationally, though the teenager still has to battle fiercely against his family and school to earn respect. “Only my father was supportive of my decision to pursue photography. My mom and grandparents were quite unhappy with my choice. Like every family, they wanted me to focus on studies. Even my school was against it as I was missing classes,” divulges Arshdeep.

However, his accolades and a great body of work have helped change perspectives. “My mom is super proud and so is my school. I now strike a balance between my passion and studies. I mostly indulge in photography during vacations or weekends,” says the boy, who is greatly inspired by Vijayan Thomas, a renowned wildlife photographer.

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Wanderlust through his lens

Singh loves nature and often travels to the hills of Himachal with his Nikon D500 in search of impeccable shots. “Between landscape and wildlife photography, I prefer the latter. While the landscape hardly changes, there is always a thrill in clicking wildlife as nothing is certain. However, it does need a great deal of patience,” he reveals.

Patience helped him earn the award-winning shot of owlets peeping through a pipe. Then a 10-year-old, Arshdeep spotted a pair of owlets in a pipe one balmy Sunday morning (2018) on his way to Kapurthala for birdwatching. “I remember it was 6.30 am when I saw the owlets, and asked my dad to stop the car. Although dad was sceptical as owls are nocturnal birds and not easily spotted in the day, I was sure. We patiently waited for an hour after which both the owlets peeked up at the pipe, and I got a picture-perfect shot,” smiles Arshdeep about the photo that won him the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2018. “It was such an amazing moment that I couldn’t sleep the entire night,” reveals the wildlife buff.

[caption id="attachment_8987" align="aligncenter" width="873"] Owl in pipe[/caption]

A nature lover, he has travelled to over 15 countries, and is keen on creating a greener world. “I have planted trees in my backyard, and would like more people to take the initiative. It’s high time we maintain the ecosystem and help wildlife enjoy their habitats,” affirms Singh.

Accolades aside, Arshdeep wants to help people learn photography. “I am keen to launch a course for amateur photographers. It’s important to give back, and I wish to do so with my course,” Singh signs off. Photography changed his life, and he now wants to help others do so too.

Follow Arshdeep Singh on Instagram and his website

Reading Time: 5 min

Meet Anushree Srinivasan, the bronze medal winner of the WorldSkills Competition 2022

(December 21, 2022) It was a dream come true for 23-year-old Anushree Srinivasan when she visited her dream destination Switzerland in October to represent India in the WorldSkills competition. It was the avid traveler’s first trip abroad and that too for something as special as representing one’s nation. The youngster brought home a bronze medal in the hotel reception category of the competition which is considered the gold standard of vocational skills. “The hospitality standards in Europe are one of the best in the world. Winning a medal there was amazing,” tells Anushree to Global Indian. [caption id="attachment_25654" align="aligncenter" width="639"] Anushree Srinivasan[/caption] Founded in 1950 WorldSkills Competition provides youngsters from across the globe a chance to compete, experience, and excel in their chosen endeavour. This was the 46th edition of the competition, which is held every alternate year in a new country. Originally scheduled to be held in Shanghai, this year’s competition has been referred to as a ‘special edition’ because it got postponed due to the pandemic and then got conducted in a decentralised manner across 15 countries. Indian champions participated in 50 skill categories bringing home two silvers, three bronzes, and thirteen medallions. The joy of representing the

ar’s competition has been referred to as a ‘special edition’ because it got postponed due to the pandemic and then got conducted in a decentralised manner across 15 countries. Indian champions participated in 50 skill categories bringing home two silvers, three bronzes, and thirteen medallions.

The joy of representing the nation

In the hotel reception category, a total of 16 countries out of 58 competed. Anushree is the first Indian to win a medal in this category. The last edition was the first one in which India forayed into this category, and ranked 11. Anushree made a good jump to bag the third position, this year, claiming the bronze.

[caption id="attachment_25655" align="aligncenter" width="862"] The gold, silver and two bronze medal winners of hotel reception category at WorldSkills Competition 2022[/caption]

“During the competition that lasted for four days, our phones were ceased. We used to perform, come back and spend lots of time together without being in any touch with the outside world,” tells Anushree about the wonderful time spent with fellow competitors. Indira Thakur, Anushree’s team leader travelled with her to Montreux. She was the only competitor from India whose place of competition did not match with anyone else in the Indian contingent.

“In India, it was midnight when results were announced. I video-called my family to share the news of my win. None of us had enough words to express how happy we felt about the win,” recalls Anushree. Her parents and sisters were awake watching the competition live on Instagram.

A people’s person

As part of her on-the-job training, while pursuing her Bachelor of Science in hospitality management and administration, Anushree got a chance to explore all the segments of the hospitality industry – front desk, housekeeping, food and beverage, and the kitchen. “I felt that the front desk is my true calling as I love to interact with people and solve their problems. During my training I was the first trainee who was recognised by a guest,” tells the proud youngster. Apart from the mandatory four-month internship at Oberoi Hotels and Resorts that was required to get the Bachelor’s degree, Anushree worked there for close to a year after passing out.

[caption id="attachment_25658" align="aligncenter" width="764"] Anushree during a task at the WorldSkills Competition 2022[/caption]

She then went on to join the management trainee programme of the ITC Group of Hotels. “In one year, I got the opportunity to work in the top five properties of ITC,” she tells. Being a part of the workforce of ITC Maratha - Mumbai, as the preopening workforce of Welcome Hotels Guntur, Sheraton New Delhi, the preopening workforce of ITC Narmada Ahmedabad, and ITC Royal Bengal Kolkata helped Anushree hone her skills.

WorldSkills by chance

“It was Ms. Annie, my front office faculty at SRM University Chennai who told me about the WorldSkills Competition and insisted that I should participate in it,” she says. “Until then I had not heard about it and did not know that it is considered the Olympics of vocational skills.” Anushree had been the vice president of the front office club of her college and had won several medals and trophies, making her teacher believe that she had the potential to represent the country in the hotel reception category.

Though Anushree was not very keen on participating, she gave in to the insistence of her teacher and is glad to have done so. “I can’t thank her enough for this,” she tells. She is also thankful to her coach Aagman Baury, general manager of the Leela Convention Centre, Shahdara, New Delhi who was assigned as the expert to help her prepare for the competition.

[caption id="attachment_25659" align="aligncenter" width="822"] All the 16 participants of the hotel reception category at WorldSkills Competition 2022[/caption]

Soon after clearing some rounds, there was a lockdown in Shanghai where the competition was supposed to be held followed by other parts of the world. Anushree had given up hope of participating but was overjoyed when it finally took shape.

She had already come a long way to earn a spot in the global challenge by then, leaving behind competitors first at the zonal level, followed by district, state, and finally at the nationals. Even after winning gold in National Skills Competition, Anushree had to go through two more rounds of selection procedures set by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), Government of India before she was chosen to represent the nation abroad.

The avid traveller

Switzerland was a dream destination for more reasons than one. “I am very fond of travelling and have travelled to 15 states and five union territories in India so far,” tells the solo backpack traveller who aims to travel to every state of the country. The adventure lover had even done camping in the Himalayas alone when she was just 20.

[caption id="attachment_25661" align="aligncenter" width="622"] Anushree in Himachal Pradesh[/caption]

To be able to explore the beauty of Switzerland was a remarkable milestone for the youngster who has been a solo traveller since she was 18. The ability to adapt to any environment is a trait that she credits to her traveling experiences.

“Before the competition started, we got enough time to explore Montreux and nearby places. An excursion trip was organised for all the competitors. Since Montreux is at the tip of Switzerland, we were even able to see France on the other side,” reminisces Anushree fondly.

Flying high

The winner of the WorldSkills Competition credits her father for adding wings to her dreams and being very supportive of whatever she wants to do in life.

[caption id="attachment_25662" align="aligncenter" width="775"] Anushree enjoying paragliding[/caption]

Whether it has been riding bikes, going on solo trips, climbing mountains, or paragliding, her father who works as Chief Accounts Officer at Tamil Nadu House New Delhi has always motivated her to fly high.

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Indian-origin Omishka Hirachund is bridging healthcare divides in South Africa

(February 10, 2024) When Omishka Hirachund was a child, her grandmother suffered a hemorrhagic stroke and was admitted to the ICU. At that tender age, she was extremely frightened to enter the ICU, and her heart shattered when her grandmother passed away. "But it sparked a passion in me to become a doctor and make a difference in patients' lives,'' Omishka shared. Omishka, who is of Indian descent and living in Africa, went on to study medicine, viewing it not just as a career but as a means to serve society. Having completed her MBBCH at the University of Witwatersrand in 2019 and her Masters in Medical Sciences at the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal in 2023, she has been serving as the medical officer, internal medicine in the Department of Health, South Africa. She has also now aligned herself as a volunteer doctor with the #keready project – an initiative of DGMT, a South African foundation that uses mobile units to provide free health services in underdeveloped, rural communities of South Africa to promote primary healthcare. [caption id="attachment_35742" align="aligncenter" width="599"] Dr Omishka Hirachund[/caption] For her selfless service for the #keready project and other voluntary initiatives to promote healthcare and wellbeing,

ces in underdeveloped, rural communities of South Africa to promote primary healthcare.

[caption id="attachment_35742" align="aligncenter" width="599"] Dr Omishka Hirachund[/caption]

For her selfless service for the #keready project and other voluntary initiatives to promote healthcare and wellbeing, Omishka Hirachund was named in the annual Mail and Guardian's ‘200 Young South Africans’ list of 2023. She was one of the 18 Indian origin changemakers to be named in the list.

The #keready initiative

The #keready mobile clinic project has been made possible through a grant from the Department of Health of the Federal Republic of Germany that DGMT received. The project is making healthcare accessible, affordable, and relatable. With her goal of making South Africa a safer place, especially for children and women, Omishka has played a vital role in the movement.

The #keready is being carried forward in association with the provincial departments of health in the Eastern Cape, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and Western Cape areas of South Africa. Durban based Omishka provides voluntary services in the eThekwini and the Umgungundlovu districts.

With the help of young doctors and nurses #keready is not just focussed in providing free healthcare but also uses social media channels, and podcasts to help people find the right health information. Since social media and podcasts are platforms that attract more young people, this demographic segment is receiving healthcare tips and advice, which they tend to overlook.

[caption id="attachment_35743" align="aligncenter" width="831"] #keready mobile clinic[/caption]

Passionate about making South Africa better

“I would like the healthcare system to support primary healthcare initiatives and ensure equitable access to healthcare for all,” remarked Omishka after being named in the ‘200 Young South Africans’ list. Minimisation of discrimination against people living with HIV, more accessible and acceptable obstetric healthcare to pregnant women, and menstrual hygiene are some of the issues that she deeply cares about.

“The gender-based violence rates and the repercussions of the violence on our society and healthcare systems are devastating. I would like South Africans to remember who they are and what we fought so hard for — equality,” says Omishka who has started the anti-substance abuse project in the Wentworth area for teenagers, in coordination with Dr Daniel Kocks and the Department of Social Development, Government of South Africa.

The young doctor serves as a volunteer Subject Matter Expert on a medical talk show aired by Megazone Radio, aiming to educate people about common diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and depression. Additionally, she contributes articles on healthcare to scholarly journals.

Volunteering – a passion

Since her school days, Omishka has had a passion for volunteering. She actively participated in feeding schemes and donation campaigns organised by the Seva Bhakti Foundation in Durban and neighbouring areas. Additionally, she contributed to regular feeding and baking initiatives at the social service organisation, Aryan Benevolent Homes. Her involvement as a volunteer with St. Thomas Children’s Centre in Durban dates back to her growing up years. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the then medical student had dedicated herself to assisting people in various ways. “I was part of the mask drive organised by the department of paediatrics, King Edward Hospital, Durban,” she shared. The youngster was also part of the sanitary pad drive by Kerr House Women's Hospice in 2021.

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Driven by her life’s mission to empower disadvantaged women, Omishka has been providing donations, assistance, lectures and educational counselling workshops at the Open Door Crisis Centre supporting abused women and children. She is also a member of the Umhlanga Women's Association which works for food relief in destitute areas.

Life beyond healthcare and future plans

Born and brought up in Durban, Omishka was a very dedicated student right from her school days. She was selected as the head girl of her school and vice house captain of the school house, and had passed the International Benchmark Tests with distinction in Mathematics, Science and English.

Although she is armed with a bachelors and master’s degree in medicine along with diploma in primary emergency care and diploma in HIV Management Omishka’s educational goals are far from over. She aspires to specialise in cardiology or endocrinology.

Beyond the world of healthcare Omishka’s passions include travel, running and reading.

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Reading Time: 5 mins