Meet the young wildlife conservationists conquering India’s jungles
Written by: Team GI Youth
(September 14, 2024) “Nothing is more dangerous to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future,” wrote Jon Krakauer in his iconic biography, Into the Wild. Just like his protagonist, Chris McCandless, young conservationists have turned their back on what is tried and tested, seeking their fulfillment in the heart of India’s forests instead. From working with the little-known fishing cat, like Tiasa Adhya, to getting up close and personal with leopards as Shaaz Jung does in Bandipur forest, Global Indian takes a look at India’s conservationists and the people helping to protect India’s treasury of forests and wildlife.
Growing up, Tiasa would run home excitedly to her rooster, Nontu, and his many wives, all cared for by Tiasa and her brother. ‘Home’ had been transformed into a menagerie, with many pigeons, rabbits, fish and the family dog and cat. These experiences were the first seeds of Tiasa’s desire to be in wildlife conservation. Tiasa says in an interview that her coach, Partha, led her to the field. Today, she’s one of India’s young conservationists, and is part of the Fishing Cat Working Group to protect the under-appreciated Fishing Cat.
She has worked with Dr Shomita Mukherjee, the country’s only small cat specialist, to study the species. The team also works to preserve the animal’s natural habitat and to collaborate with local communities to reduce negative interactions.
Members of the International Fishing Cat Working Group also work in Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam to provide global guidelines to protect the fishing cat.
In 2019, conservationist Ayushi Jain was living in Kanathur village, Kerala, searching for the rare Cantor’s giant softshell turtle. The matter had come to light due to unusual, mass fish death and the Cantor, which can grow up to one metre in length, was suspected as the cause.
Ayushi began working with the Cantor giant softshell turtle back in 2016, during an internship at the Turtle Survival Alliance in Lucknow. After finishing a course on Herpetology at the Indian Institute of Science, she began studying the distribution and mapping of turtles at ATREE, Bengaluru. In 2018, she was selected as a Distinct and Globally Endangered Fellow by the Zoological Society of London. She believes that the most effective conservation efforts involve working with the local community.
A group trip to Eaglenest in Arunachal Pradesh when she was an undergrad student at St. Xavier’s College, would change Nandini Velho’s life. She would go on to be part of the team that organised the first-ever Arunachal Bird Festival at Eaglenest and is the author of The Eaglenest Memory Project, based on interviews with the Bugun and Shedukpen tribes.
One of India’s most important conservation voices, Nandini holds a PhD from James Cook University in Australia. In order to understand policy, she worked as a Policy Fellow at the Ministry of Environment and Forests with then-environment minister Jairam Ramesh, with the forest department and local community leaders.
Malaika Vaz
Even as a child, Malaika Vaz was captivated by the great outdoors. She is the youngest person to reach the Arctic and the Antarctic with the students at the Ice Foundation. Early on, she learned windsurfing, and sailing and is a professional diver. As she grew older, though, she felt she needed more than just adventure. Having witnessed firsthand the devastation caused by unsustainable tourism, illegal trade, and climate change on the marine ecosystem. And she decided to do something about it.
She was swimming in the Maldives the first time she spotted a manta ray – “I saw a beautiful black shadow coming out of nowhere. It was curious about me. I was frozen, I wasn’t expecting this giant cloud to come up to me. It was poetic. Ever since then, I have been obsessed with them.”
“I realised that while I loved being on camera, shaping the stories and bringing in new perspectives and narratives that hadn’t traditionally been seen on television was what I liked best,” she said. She turned to other roles – she has been a director, writer, and producer, apart from presenting. She is also the founder of ‘Untamed Planet’, a production company that seeks to make an impact in the conservation world.
It’s easy enough to see why Shaaz Jung has over a million followers on Instagram. His brand of wildlife photography is raw, captivating and filled with the fury of the jungle.
Shaaz Jung’s role as a conservationist is unconventional – he spends his days studying and photographing wildlife and has become known for his affinity for big cats. He has also helped establish eco-friendly wildlife camps in South India and also in East Africa.
Having studied economics at Utrecht University, Shaaz left the corporate world to follow his passion instead. He now runs his camp, The Bison and is closely affiliated with African Under Canvas, where he leads wildlife and photographic expeditions.
He was 12 when he caught his first snake and looking back, he attributes his sense of adventure to his grandfather, who introduced him to the wonders of wildlife when he was still a child. Soon, Nirmal and his friends were called upon if there was a snake in the neighbourhood, which they would trap and release into the wild.
A wildlife rehabilitator by the time he was in his teens, Nirmal became Goa’s youngest Honorary Wildlife Warden at 18. At 21, he led a team of 200 on a nature conservancy project in Chorla Ghat. Working with Captain Nitin Dond, the conservationist’s team team restored 800 acres of de-forested land and converted it into a diverse, private nature conservancy.
Kulkarni is now the chairman of a research centre and director of a wildlife nature resort. As a qualified herpetologist, he spends the monsoon months in the Western Ghats and heads off to the Northeast in April and May.
(May 29, 2024) Halfway through her address at the Harvard Commencement 2024, Shruthi Kumar went off script. As the crowd roared its approval, she acknowledged 13 of her peers, who had not been allowed to attend the commencement ceremony due to the university's stance on pro-Palestine protests. "As I stand here today, I must take a moment to recognize my peers - the 13 undergraduates in the Class of 2024 that will not graduate today," Shruthi, a powerful orator, announced. "I am deeply disappointed by the intolerance for freedom of speech and the right to civil disobedience on campus." Nebraska-born Harvard graduate Shruthi Kumar has never been one to go unnoticed in a crowd. Growing up in Nebraska, she made the most of what the US’ social and educational fabric had to offer, and also stayed in touch with her Indian roots, learning classical dance and also yoga. "I grew up in the Great Plains of Nebraska alongside cattle ranches and cornfields," Shruthi said in her commencement address, titled 'The Power of Not Knowing'. "As the eldest daughter of South Asian immigrants, I was the first in my family to go to college here in the US. There was a
the US. There was a lot I didn't know," the Global Indian said.
[caption id="attachment_38042" align="aligncenter" width="432"] Shruthi Kumar was one of three students from the class of 2024 who had won the opportunity to deliver an address at the Harvard Commencement Ceremony[/caption]
A star is born
However, there was a lot she did know - growing up, Shruthi was a versatile star student, making the most of the holistic and dynamic education system in the US. Apart from excelling academically, Shruthi plays the violin, has her own non profit and is a prize winning orator. "I just like learning new things about the world," Shruthi said. "You're constantly learning." She was also one of the US' top teen 'yoga athletes'.
Always politically driven and inclined to public speaking, Shruthi Kumar was a finalist in the 2019 NSDA Original Oratory competition, and in that year, named the 2019-2020 Voice of Democracy winner. She's also an experienced yogini, and was the first Indian-American to represent Team USA at the World Championship of Yoga Sports, and is the founder of yo-yogi.org, a non-profit dedicated to making student health and well-being a priority in schools worldwide. As if that isn't enough, she has also won prizes for her neuroscience research and became a published author in 2017, when her poetry was appeared in that year's edition of Creative Communication Celebration of Poets.
Shruthi began doing yoga as a child - "I just like how you have control over yourself. Yoga allows you to have control over your own body." In the early days, her practice was meditative, but by the time she hit her teens, she was on the lookout for a new challenge. She began doing yoga competitively, and by the time she turned 16, she she was ranked in the top three in the US. In 2017, she went on to represent Team USA at the World Championship in China. "I was kind of shocked," she said later. "Going in to this I didn't expect to get any high rankings as I did."
Mindfulness for mental health
However, not everything was rosy and being in high school is a challenging time, especially for immigrant kids in the US, where the pressure to overperform is very high and constant. So when her cousin was diagnosed with depression at the age of 13, Shruthi felt compelled to do something about it. While conversations around mental health are common enough in the US, the treatment options, which include therapy or medication are simply out of reach for most middle class homes, and certainly not for low-income, marginalised communities. However, mental health is a pressing problem, with research showing that 49 percent of students in the Washington DC area report feeling "a great deal of stress on a daily basis." Around 26% of the respondents had been diagnosed with depression.
In fact, life was hectic for Shruthi herself. "I had to go to bed at 4 am just to finish homework," she recalled. Realising this helped spark the idea for yo-yogi. That year, before she began her sophomore year, she took a spiritual trip to India,. and spent two weeks in the mountains. Her aim was to explore yoga, which, in the west, is often seen as just another physical activity. It gave her confidence and Shruthi learned thorugh experience that five minutes of focussed meditation have the power to change your day.
Since post facto care often requires medical intervention and is also expensive, Shruthi decided to take a preventive approach for which she leaned into her years of experience practicing yoga and meditation. Her focus was on young minds, as their brains are still developing and more open to absorbing new things. She began teaching techniques like mindfulness and meditation, to help students cope with the stress of life in a more holistic fashion. According to research by Harvard Medical School, yoga practice in schools leads to increased productivity, focus and concentration, improves self regulation, reduces anxiety and stress and leads to better academic performance overall.
Go-Yogi
Her organisation, Go Yogi, uses technology to integrate custom stress management techniques, breathing exercises and mindfulness practices directly into school curriculums. The go-yogi app has over 2000 student users, is part of the curriculum in several states and also has over 40 multilingual lessons in mindfulness. They also focus on the mental wellbeing of teachers.
Even in high school, Shruthi was seen as a generous person, who cared for the welfare of other people. She volunteered weekly at the local hospital, and taught yoga to kindergarten students. "Volunteering is important to me because sometimes I take my life for granted, and it's a good reminder every week to go and help someone who really needs it," she said.
Outside of school, she was an active member of the NSAA Student Advisory Committee, a student-run group that helps young people get involved in extracurriculars. At the time, she was interested in law and medicine and eventually hoped to study medicine at Harvard.
[caption id="attachment_38044" align="aligncenter" width="594"] Shruthi Kumar entered Harvard University as a pre-med student before switching tracks to public health.[/caption]
Life at Harvard
As Shruthi Kumar described in her speech, life at Harvard University was very much marked by embracing uncertainty, and the "power of not knowing. "The words 'I don't know' used to make me feel powerless," she admitted in her speech. "Like there was no answer, and therefore, no way. As if I was admitting defeat." That would change on campus.
Shruthi arrived at Harvard as a pre-med student, and boldly decided to follow her passion and switch her major to the humanities. "I didn't know a field called the 'History of Science' even existed. I now find myself a graduate of the Department," she said. "In my freshman year of college, for the first time in my life, I was taught by a professor of colour. A Historian of Science who made clear to me that history is just as much about the stories we don’t know as the stories we do."
The Menstruation Equity Project
She continued her activism too. In 2021, during her sophomore year, she realised she had her period. However, when she checked the women's restroom at the Science Center, she found the dispenser was empty. It made her think. "Why is this installed here, if it's not going to be restocked - if it's not supporting me. And what do I do now?" Her options were to walk across campus to a pharmacy, or back to her dorm and either way meant being late for class. She wondered how many women had to interrupt their education for the same reason.
"It led me to think about ideas of infrastructural equity and what it means for women to be in educational spaces," Shruthi said. And when she did her research, she found that over one-third of women have missed events or activities due to a lack of access to menstrual products. As the founder of the Menstrual Equity Project, she led efforts to make Harvard 100% period secure by ensuring free and accessible menstrual products across campus. This project involved extensive collaboration with university administration and custodial teams, resulting in the installation of menstrual product dispensers in over 817 bathrooms across campus.
Kumar was also a vocal advocate for affirmative action, organizing protests and speaking out against efforts to end race-conscious admissions policies at Harvard. She highlighted the importance of diversity and the potential negative impacts on campus culture and student life if affirmative action were dismantled.
[caption id="attachment_38045" align="aligncenter" width="561"] Shruthi Kumar founded the Menstrual Equity Project at Harvard University[/caption]
Kumar's diverse contributions, from menstrual equity to racial diversity advocacy, free speech and mental wellbeing, underscore her commitment to social justice and equity. From her beginnings in Nebraska to her impactful years at Harvard, her experiences blend cultural richness with a drive for social change. Advocating for marginalized communities, she stands as a powerful voice for inclusivity and empowerment, leaving a lasting impact on those around her.
(June 7, 2022) For a young seventh grader, losing seven close family members to heart ailments within a year was a traumatising experience. Her grief soon turned into a quest to discover the root cause. The findings led to a startling revelation - the lack of heart donors. The obliviousness towards organ donation as a whole prompted Seher Taneja to start Abhigyata in 2018. "When I started researching, I didn't know much about organ donation, and I realised I wasn't the only one. On digging deep, I found that for every 50,000 heart transplants needed, we don't even get 10. It shook me, and I decided to create awareness," Seher tells Global Indian. What began as a dialogue with family and friends has now turned into a movement of sorts that has reached over 10,000 people. Her first presentation was at her school (Springdales, Delhi) to "plant the seed of organ donation in young minds." The 17-year-old believes that it's important to change the mindset from a young age. Calling the problem deep-rooted, the teen changemaker says that talking about death is almost considered blasphemy. "There is so much stigma around death that it isn't easy to make people open
ar-old believes that it's important to change the mindset from a young age. Calling the problem deep-rooted, the teen changemaker says that talking about death is almost considered blasphemy. "There is so much stigma around death that it isn't easy to make people open up to the idea of organ donation," adds the Diana Award winner.
Born to a paediatrician father and an anaesthesiologist mother, Seher comes from a family of doctors. However, the tragedy that struck home led her on a mission to create awareness on organ donation. "I knew I needed to be well-read and well-versed on the topic, I couldn't misstate facts. That's when I came across a program by Dr Smita Mishra," reveals Seher who calls Mishra her mentor as she helped her understand the myths and the statistics around organ donation. "I started with high school students between 9th and 12 grade. But by 2019, I wanted to create a ripple effect, that's when I came up with a proper plan to reach out to different schools in Delhi," says the changemaker, who began building a team with an army of volunteers.
Covid-19 took Abhigyata online to a larger audience in 2020. "Our first webinar had Vasanthi Ramesh, the director of NOTTO (National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation), and Pallavi Kumar of MOHAN (Multi Organ Harvesting Aid Network) as the speakers. The session was aimed at helping youngsters clear their doubts and also to bust myths around organ donation," says Class 12 student who also collaborated with various NGOs during that time. "With the pandemic taking a toll on mental health, the webinar was a blessing in disguise as it helped me channelise my energy into something productive," says the teenager who won the Student Leadership Award 2020 by the Indian Academy of Paediatrics.
The initiative led her to win the Diana Award in 2021 along with the Tale of Humankind. Started in 2019 to engage and empower the youth, it has worked on 10 campaigns so far ranging from mental health to climate change to menstruation and gender equality. "We are bridging the gap between where we are and where we want to be, with the help and guidance of experts from their respective fields. We want to bring a sense of purpose in youngsters with our initiative," says Seher, who has learnt to be more empathetic in the process. The innovator adds that the years have made her more accountable for her actions toward the planet.
Innovator at heart
The social changemaker is an innovator at heart. A STEM girl, Seher has a handful of innovations to her credit including the mobile toilet - a sensor-based automated technology to improve sanitation in an eco-friendly manner. But it was SWAR - smart gloves that convert sign language into text and voice - that earned her a spot in the Top 20 at the ATL Tinkering Marathon 2019 and was later selected for Atal Incubation Centre's Student Innovator Program 3.0. Again, SWAR was conceptualised at home where she witnessed her grandfather struggling with hearing loss. "He was retreating into a shell and was uncomfortable making any conversation. To help him, I started researching more on it and found startling facts in 2018. India is home to 18 million people with hearing impairments with only 250 interpreters. Since the majority doesn't understand sign language, it creates a divide," explains Seher who wanted to bridge the gap with her prototype. "The sensors on the gloves help convert sign language into text and speech by using a smartphone," describes the teenager who has filed for the patent.
The idea didn't just impress commerce and industries minister Piyush Goyal, it also found her a place in Startup India. "I am reaching out to corporate companies. SWAR will be launched in the market soon," says an excited Seher who is moving to the University of Pennsylvania to pursue the Jerome Fisher Program in Management and Technology. With an aim to revolutionise the healthcare sector, she plans to launch her startup in near future. "It's time we stop blaming the people in power and become a shareholder in bringing about change," says the innovator, who loves chilling with her parents and friends.
(January 28, 2023) While kids his age were stressing over the upcoming board examinations, 16-year-old Rushil Khosla was busy preparing for international tennis tournaments. And just a couple of days before his Class X Board final exam, the young champion won the prestigious Junior Davis Cup, in Asia. The tennis champ, who has won several cups for the nation, is in the top 200 in International Tennis Federation (ITF) Junior Ranking and was conferred with the Bal Shakti Puraskar in 2020. [caption id="attachment_26865" align="aligncenter" width="650"] Rushil Khosla, young tennis player[/caption] "Playing for India is a great honour and a huge motivation. It brings out the best in my game," the tennis champ said in an interview, adding, "Winning the Davis Cup Qualifiers was phenomenal and a dream come true. I would say that it is the most memorable moment of my career so far. The Davis Cup is a highly prestigious tournament and even as a 10-year-old, I aspired to compete in it." As the young star gears up to win several other trophies for the country, Global Indian takes a look at the incredible journey of this sports star. Starting young The Delhi-based tennis player, who is currently among
ng star gears up to win several other trophies for the country, Global Indian takes a look at the incredible journey of this sports star.
Starting young
The Delhi-based tennis player, who is currently among India’s Top 10 juniors, was introduced to the game at the age of seven by her sister. A huge fan of Rafael Nadal, Rushil had just one goal, to play like his idol. "I started playing at the age of seven-and-a-half. From the very start, I was really interested in sports. My sister used to play tennis and watching her I picked up the racquet as well and got the interest," he said.
A left-hander, Rushil calls himself an all-court player. "People call me doubles specialist for that reason," the champ laughed, adding, "I love to be at the net and hitting the ball hard and keeping the rallies long. I can do everything." Talking about who inspires him the most, the tennis champ said, "While Nadal is my all-time favourite, I am inspired by Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic as well. All three are so different but united in their pursuit of excellence and being the best. From other sports, Virat Kohli inspires me a lot as he is a complete professional and always gives more than 100 percent effort every time he steps out on the field."
After representing his school for about three years, and winning several medals at the local competition, Rushil's parents decided to get him into a more structured training routine and enrolled him at the Roundglass Tennis Academy in Chandigarh, under coach Aditya Sachdeva. "I can say it was a turning point for me," Rushil shared while talking about his coach, "Aditya sir has been my coach for several years now, and it has been great training under him."
Son of a professor, Rushil had to work a little extra to ensure that his grades do not drop at school as well. "I maintain a balance while focusing more on tennis. I utilise my travel time for studies. Instead of taking out a phone for movies or other entertainment, I attend online school classes, make notes instead, and start learning. Mom says I am a quick learner. So I save my playtime with friends. My mother is a professor and my Nana is a Principal and a great teacher with exceptional skills – their support is great," the champion said.
Entering into the big leagues
In 2019, Rushil won 21 of the 23 titles that he played for, and was even selected to represent Asia in the prestigious “Eddie Herr & Junior Orange Bowl” tournament in Florida, USA. After winning a total of six titles in the Asian A grade tournaments, which are the highest level for juniors in the category, he was ranked Asia number 1 in the U-14 category as per ATF Ranking in January 2020 - the same year he received the Bal Shakti Puraskar. Speaking about being conferred with the Bal Shakti Puraskar by the President of India, and also being referred to as a ‘friend’ by PM Modi, Rushil said, “A moment of pride for me and I will cherish the moment forever.”
The champion stepped into 2021 with a huge victory in Nairobi and continued his winning streak even in 2022. Currently standing at the sixth position among India's top 10 Juniors and in the top 200 in the world, Rushil is not worried about his ranking in the least. "Rankings can be motivating and give you the challenge of making the top 100. But other than that, it doesn't matter. I need to work on my game to win tournaments for my country. I used to be a defensive player as I was thin with limited power but my mind and intent are to hit the ball. However, with time I have stepped up to match bigger boys both in mind and skill. At this level, I can’t afford to be defensive, I need to be the aggressor and take my chances."
Aspiring to be as good a sportsman as his inspirations, Rushil has big dreams for the future. "In the next five years, I want to play and win a Junior Grand Slam and start playing on the professional tour. My ultimate goal is to win Olympic gold for my country in 2028," the tennis star expressed.
(October 8, 2023) Adhya Shastry, a talented Bharatanatyam dancer based in the UK, achieved a remarkable milestone by clinching the coveted title of BBC Young Dancer 2022. The competition, open to dancers from across the UK, provides participants a golden opportunity to showcase their exceptional talents on the renowned BBC televised stage, drawing in audiences from around the world. “I didn’t have any expectations throughout the competition and in some sense that’s what made this whole experience so beautiful because I was experiencing everything as it came,” Adhya remarked as she connected with Global Indian. At the tender age of 13 in 2017, the 19-year-old had first stumbled upon the competition. While barely a teenager, she was captivated by the dazzling finals on her television screen. The extraordinary talent displayed by the finalists that year left an indelible mark on her, igniting a determination to be on the BBC stage herself someday. [caption id="attachment_33453" align="aligncenter" width="759"] Adhya Shastry[/caption] Over the years Adhya diligently honed her skills. When she finally felt prepared, she submitted her application to participate. In April 2022, Adhya's happiness knew no bounds when she was awarded the title of BBC Young Dancer 2022, a testament to her
Over the years Adhya diligently honed her skills. When she finally felt prepared, she submitted her application to participate. In April 2022, Adhya's happiness knew no bounds when she was awarded the title of BBC Young Dancer 2022, a testament to her dedication and talent.
All about the competition
Since 2015, the BBC Young Dancer competition has been featured as a reality show on both BBC Four and BBC Two television channels. Designed for aspiring UK-based dancers in ballet, contemporary, hip-hop, and South Asian dance genres, this competition welcomes participants aged between 16 and 20.
Adhya's journey to the finals involved successfully navigating three challenging rounds. She gained invaluable insights throughout the competition feeling privileged to meet a diverse array of remarkable individuals, each with their own captivating stories. For instance, some participants were balancing their passion for dance with the rigours of psychology or medicine studies at university. While others had recently embarked on intensive dance workshops abroad, collaborating with renowned choreographers just days before the auditions. “It felt like I had been transported into a different world where everything and anything was possible!”
Experience of a lifetime
Following the successful completion of three rounds, a total of 10 dancers emerged as finalists. They were sent to Dartington Manor, a heritage property spread over 1,200 acres in Devon, dating back to mediaeval times for an immersive week of intensive training and collaborative creative sessions with renowned choreographers.
“It felt like the beginning of something new, I felt like there were so many possibilities that were ahead of me and ahead of us as a dance cohort,” Adhya shared.
The residency programme included improvisational performances to an audience. This was where random music tracks were played. “We had never heard those tracks but were required to dance to the tunes displaying our musicality, our unique dance style, and our spur-of-the-moment creative thinking” It was nerve-wracking and fun at the same time,” she remarked.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmlbwT83ooE
Although her solo was a Bharatanatyam piece, Adhya also got to dance in a trio choreographed by one of the judges. “Since I was in a trio with a contemporary dancer and a tap dancer, the choreography included a movement language that connected us whilst also allowing us to flourish within our styles,” she said adding “Through different tasks, I learned to improvise and create pieces with other dancers exploring my own movement style and learning other styles in the process.”
Claiming the title
After the residency ended, it was a few months of waiting for the final show. At the end of it was the surreal experience of performing at the Roundhouse in London. The stage was massive. “I couldn’t believe I was going to perform in that gorgeous venue with those amazing people!” Adhya shared.
She delivered a stunning performance line-up, including a Bharatanatyam solo titled ‘Kali Kavuthwam,’ a meticulously choreographed trio by Seeta Patel, and a dynamic group ensemble piece crafted by Ivan Michael Blackstock.
When she emerged as a winner, it took a while for her to realise that she had finally clinched the top title amidst the ten brilliant finalists.
Dancing since childhood
Adhya had always been an active child. Looking at her keenness towards dancing her parents enrolled her in a Bharatanatyam class, a decision that Adhya embraced with joy.
Talking about her dance school she shares, “I started learning Bharatanatyam in Kalakunj at Reading at the age of 10. Learning there was a way for me to connect to my roots and gain knowledge about my culture. My guru, Ananya Chatterjee was always so supportive of all my endeavours and she helped harbour and grow my passion for dance. I also got to learn so much from all the beautiful dancers I danced with at Kalakunj.”
Adhya has also been a part of Yuva Gati, a dance training programme for dance styles from South Asian heritage. She was associated with it for two years gaining exposure to many dance styles. The programme connected her with numerous talented South Asian dancers and introduced her to the concept of improvisation and an understanding of the techniques underlying various movements.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-xiKwBk-S0
Dance is life
This September Adhya has started her first year of university at London Contemporary Dance School. “I am currently in a dance conservatoire that covers a lot of different dance styles like locking, popping, groove, contemporary, ballet, and more,” tells the teenager who is eager to delve deeper into these dance styles, and broaden her repertoire of movements. She is also keen on discovering how these styles can complement and enrich her exploration of Bharatanatyam.
As a dancer, Adhya’s inspiration is diverse. Whether it's observing fellow dancers' performances, immersing herself in music, engaging in conversations, delving into literature, connecting with her emotions, or simply taking leisurely walks to absorb her surroundings—every facet of life holds potential inspiration for her.
“I aspire to keep dancing and eventually start choreographing dance pieces. I have many ambitions but one of my main goals is to always be authentic in the way I move and have an honest expression of myself through dance,” she signs off.
Born in Tehran Iran, the UK-based teenager lived in India from 2009 - 2012.
(February 24, 2024) Keerthana Seetharaman has harboured a deep passion for writing and getting her work published, for as long as she can recall. However, navigating limited resources and lack of knowledge of how to go about it, posed challenges. "I felt exhausted while searching for the right platform to publish my works," she shares with Global Indian. Recognising that many others might be facing similar obstacles, the Chennai-based youngster had established The Writing Arena Publishers in 2020, when she was just a 16-year-old. Building this venture during the pandemic brought her a sense of fulfilment and productivity. "Within the confines of this venture, I constructed my sanctuary of happiness, even in the face of negativity," she shares. [caption id="attachment_36094" align="aligncenter" width="583"] Keerthana Seetharaman[/caption] So far, The Writing Arena Publishers has overseen publication of 15 print-on-demand anthologies, each featuring contributions from teenagers or adults, depending upon the theme. Keerthana’s entrepreneurial initiative has garnered attention, leading to speaking opportunities at events hosted in schools and colleges. Moreover, she was recognised with a startup award from a Chennai-based organisation and also had the privilege of meeting the Governor of Tamil Nadu. These early accolades have fuelled the budding entrepreneur’s determination to continue
print-on-demand anthologies, each featuring contributions from teenagers or adults, depending upon the theme. Keerthana’s entrepreneurial initiative has garnered attention, leading to speaking opportunities at events hosted in schools and colleges. Moreover, she was recognised with a startup award from a Chennai-based organisation and also had the privilege of meeting the Governor of Tamil Nadu. These early accolades have fuelled the budding entrepreneur’s determination to continue excelling in the realms of creative writing and entrepreneurship.
In the world of writing
The engineering student found affirmation in her writing abilities last year when she was awarded a 'Gold Finalist' certificate for her entry in the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition, an international event organised by the Royal Commonwealth Society.
The 20-year-old is set to release her debut book of poems, titled 'Engraving Emotions'.
[caption id="attachment_36095" align="aligncenter" width="608"] Keerthana Seetharaman with Ravindra Narayana Ravi, the Governor of Tamil Nadu[/caption]
Learning from obstacles
Four years back when Keerthana had launched her publishing venture, she had formed a remote team. However, during the initial phases, the volume of submissions remained minimal, causing team members to gradually lose interest. Additionally, as time passed, their priorities shifted, and the venture experienced a temporary halt in its operations.
“There were times when I questioned my own knowledge. There were days when I felt like quitting and focusing solely on studies,” she says. “But my purpose pushed me to juggle these hassles and keep working,” she adds.
Finally, embracing a solopreneur mindset, Keerthana began working with numerous roles - editor, proofreader, compiler, marketer, and beyond. "Initially, it was exhausting, but I eventually got used to the workload," she says.
Recognising the challenges and time commitment involved in writing an entire book, which can often lead to loss of interest midway, Keerthana promotes creative expression through anthologies – as the writers in anthologies need to just contribute a chapter or two. “Nurturing students to become authors is a dream I aspire to share with the world," she remarks.
Publishing anthologies however, proves to be very time-consuming, as she has to deal with multiple writers and spend considerable time coordinating their contributions.
Giving back
Keerthana also helps less privileged students to follow their dreams of writing, through an initiative called Kanavugal Meipada (Dreams Come True). The organisation conducts writing competitions in government schools, and the best entries are chosen to be part of an anthology published by her venture, The Writing Arena Publishers. She also conducts sessions on mental health and wellness for these children.
“Entrepreneurship is not all about making money, rather about adding values to people’s life,” she remarks.
[caption id="attachment_36129" align="aligncenter" width="573"] Keerthana Seetharaman during an interaction at a government school[/caption]
At Chennai’s Sri Sairam Engineering College, where she is pursuing computer science and business systems, Keerthana is actively involved in a social work project called Unnat Bharat Abhiyan, spearheaded by the government. Along with her fellow students she conducts awareness programs in Poonthandalam village, one of the ten villages her college is assisting in achieving economic stability and independence.
An eye on future
The pre-final year student is also a member of the Professional Communication Society (PROCOMM), an initiative of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) to improve engineers’ technical communication skills. Recently Keerthana has been selected to serve as a student chairperson of the society’s chapter in her college.
Looking ahead, Keerthana aims to carve a career path that integrates her degree in engineering and passion for writing.
Shruthi Kumar was one of three students from the class of 2024 who had won the opportunity to deliver an address at the Harvard Commencement Ceremony[/caption]
Shruthi Kumar entered Harvard University as a pre-med student before switching tracks to public health.[/caption]
Shruthi Kumar founded the 
Seher Taneja[/caption]
Seher Taneja[/caption]
Adhya Shastry[/caption]
Keerthana Seetharaman with Ravindra Narayana Ravi, the Governor of Tamil Nadu[/caption]
Keerthana Seetharaman[/caption]
Keerthana Seetharaman during an interaction at a government school[/caption]