Global Indianstory FintechSamyak and Sowmay Jain: Disrupting decentralised finance through InstadApp

Samyak and Sowmay Jain: Disrupting decentralised finance through InstadApp

Compiled by: Team GI Youth

(September 23, 2023) Samyak and Sowmay are still on the right side of 20, but are at the helm of the fifth largest company in the decentralised finance space globally. As it is with every great success, this story begins with a big idea, and a big risk. Much to the alarm of their parents in Kota, Rajasthan, the young baadshahs of blockchain dropped out of college – Samyak was doing engineering and his older brother, Sowmay, was on his way to being a Chartered Accountant – to follow their interest in cryptocurrency and found Instadapp, which has already become a major disruptor in the global DeFi space.Their parents wished they would find ‘real jobs’ but the brothers weren’t just goofing around – they had found their purpose and wanted to give it everything they had. In their case, the risk paid off.

As of 2022, the company had raised two rounds of funding, and got the attention of top investors like Naval Ravikanth and Pantera Capital in the first round, raising $12.4 million. “The funding gave us a lot of boost, especially in convincing our parents who used to insist on us getting a real job,” Sowmay, who is now 25 (his brother is 23) told Forbes, shortly after the brothers made it to the magazine’s coveted Gamechangers list in 2022. The company has assets worth $10.6 billion circulating in smart contracts, says Forbes.

Sowmay and Samyak Jain. Photo: Forbes

How it began

The first turning point for the dynamic Global Indians came in August 2018. They participated – and won – the ETHIndia hackathon in Bengaluru, one of India’s biggest Ethereum events. Ethereum is a decentralised, open-source blockhain system where people can write smart contracts (programs that follow rules automatically without the need for a middleman).

United by their interest in blockchain and decentralised finance, it was at this hackathon that Samyak and Sowmay Jain first created the Instadapp platform. “It started as a passion for us but we pursued it and came out on top in the hackathon,” Sowmay said an in interview. “We kept on expanding Instadapp, adding new features and addressing additional difficulties in decentralised financing.”

In September 2019, they went in for their first round of funding and came out shining, with big ticket names flocking to be part of Instadapp.

Defining DeFi

This story begins with Decentralised Finance, or DeFi, as it is known in tech circles. It’s a gamechanger in the financial landscape, using blockchain technology to reimaine and rebuild traditional financial instruments like loans, insurance and trading. The main platform for facilitating this is the Ethereum blockchain.

Conventional finance operations work through banks, brokerages and exchanges, all of which act as middlemen to facilitate transactions, grant loans and manage assets. These are the gatekeepers and each have their own terms and conditions and methods for verifying transactions. DeFi on the other hand, has an open approach. A team of developers create a generic smart contract which will autonomously execute, allowing users to interact directly with each other and to input specific terms, like the amount to lend, the interest rate and duration, inc ase of a loan.

How does InstadApp work?

Obviously, it’s a complex world. That’s where InstadApp comes in – it provides a user-friendly interface to simplify interaction with these otherwise complicated DeFi protocols. So instead of users having to directly interact with the complex world of smart contracts and decentralised platforms, InstadApp works as a bridge, and makes it easier for users to tweak and use these smart contracts.

Instadapp is like an app store, but for all things crypto. It acts as a bridge between the traditional cash economy and the newer blockchain-based decentralised currencies. Basically, it helps convert transactions done with regular money into cryptocurrency, based on how individuals interact within the online space.

The concept is in big demand, indicated by the fact that InstadApp manages over $10 billion in assets. Instadapp stands out in this space by offering itself as a platform for developers to craft and refine trading tools and protocols. Developers can create interfaces on InstadApp that are tailored to the evolving needs of the market.

“Instadapp’s revenue strategy will be to deduct fees on financial volumes and lending / borrowing going through the platform,” Sowmay explains. That’s in the future, though. Right now, it’s all free. “We intend to establish our tokens / DAO and determine the fees.” A DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization) is a digital organization that operates based on pre-set rules encoded as computer programs, known as smart contracts, without centralized control. Operating on blockchain technology, it allows multiple participants to make decisions collaboratively. Tokens, in this context, are digital assets or units of value issued by projects or organizations on the blockchain. They can represent various utilities within a specific ecosystem, such as granting access to services, providing voting rights in a DAO, or acting as a medium of exchange.

Why it’s a gamechanger

InstadApp is not the first payment gateway of its sort. However, as Samyak explains, “We cover the whole DeFi space – borrowing and lending, investments. There are lots of opportunities for frontend developers to build different apps. It can evolve further in the future and maybe replace bank accounts,” he smiles.

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Published on 23, Sep 2023

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To a tee: Indian origin golfer Sahith Theegala’s rise to stardom

(October 13, 2022) Every evening when he was a child, when it was time to leave his beloved golf course for the day, Sahith Theegala would burst into tears, begging begging to stay a little longer. He went on to win the Junior World Championships at the age of six. Now in his senior year at Pepperdine University, the Indian-origin golfer is already a star, winning four collegiate titles and the Australian Master of the Amateurs in January 2020. In that year, he also won the Haskins Award, the Ben Hogan Award and the Jack Nicklaus Award. He is the fifth player ever to win all the Player of the Year honours. In the American golf scene, dominated by whites, Sahith Theegala stands out, also because Indian-American sports stars don't come around too often. Theegala is an inspiration for more reasons than being a prodigy. The 24-year-old suffers from scoliosis, which is an abnormal curvature of the spine - one shoulder is visibly higher than the other. He works with his chiropractor and although it doesn't cause him pain, it does account for a "pretty big bend to the right," and an unorthodox swing. Despite this significant setback, the Global

right," and an unorthodox swing. Despite this significant setback, the Global Indian went on to become one of the best golfers at Pepperdine University and is loved for his infectious enthusiasm, both on and off the greens.

Born and raised in LA, the son of Karuna and Muralidhar Theegala, Sahith maintains a strong connection to his Indian roots. He lives at home with his parents, for one. In February 2022, when he lost out to Scottie Scheffler at the very last moment, he won more fans than he could have hoped when, according to Golf Digest, he teared up and sobbed on his mother's shoulder, as his dad stood by saying, "It's okay." Sahith's father, Muralidhar, moved to the US from Hyderabad in 1987, to attend graduate school and the family still goes back to India as often as they can.

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The Indian-American golfer's childhood was spent on municipal golf courses, which charge a modest $30 for a round. The courses aren't well-maintained but it was all his middle-class family could afford - and they were keen to nurture their son's talent. "My dad, even though he never plays golf, he's the one that taught me the game pretty much," he told PGATOUR.com.

"We weren't in the greatest financial situation when I was a kid and we had no experience with sports at all, so my father spearheaded the whole mission to college and professional golf... He put everything that he could into me." Despite their financial constraints, Theegala's parents spent their savings on buying him equipment, paying course fees, for a trainer, travel costs and the litany of expenses that came with his passion.

Determined not to let his scoliosis stand in his way, Theegala would spend days out on dusty golf courses, adapting "his putting stroke by tilting his head to the right so he could see the appropriate line from the gall to hole," according to the New York Times.

In 2015, Theegala graduated with honours from high school in California and had won a number of golf awards by that time. "I'd say I was a pretty good golfer," he said, in the interview with PGATOUR.com. He made it to Pepperdine University in California, which is ranked in the top 10 in men's golf among US universitites. "At Pepperdine, I went from average to slightly good to what I felt like was ready to be a decent professional golfer."

An emotional @SRTheegala is consoled by mom and dad after coming up 1 shot short of a playoff @WMPhoenixOpen.

The 24-year-old earned countless new fans this week. pic.twitter.com/tq5Q2YsFCy

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 13, 2022

His winning streak in 2019 came to an abrupt pause after a wrist injury. He bounced back, though, making his professional debut in June 2020, somewhat unconventionally. Theegala might not have imagined starting out with the Outlaw Tour but gave a stellar performance nonetheless. The pandemic dealt a heavy blow, when the Pepperdine campus closed and Theegala had to return home. Although that season ended prematurely, Sahith's team ranked first in the country.

His family is always in the stands as he plays, cheering him on. And his fan base is always growing. "I'm an introvert by nature," he told NYT. "You hear about the best performers in the world - singers and dancers - who are really big introverts. But it's different when you get on the stage. When I'm in the act of playing golf, I don't even think about people watching."

Theegala is, however, always aware of being an Indian American, of the fact that it means he is viewed differently by default. He's also playing a sport that has never really welcomed non-white players. "I'm definitely proud of my Indian heritage and I hope I'm inspiring other Indian Americans and people in India to know they can compete in sports," he says. "It's obviously not the main purpose of being out there but it's an ancillary effect of what we're doing and I'm all for it."

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Yash Aradhya: Formula 4 racer speeding towards victory

(March 18, 2023) He stood tall and proud as former President Ram Nath Kovind gave him the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar in 2020. Awarded for his exceptional contribution to motorsports, Formula 4 racer Yash Aradhya has what it takes to surge past the chequered flag. Yash was just nine when he first began training, and now a decade later, he is at the threshold of a spectacular career. The 20-year-old, who is currently studying in the Netherlands, is among the new stars rising up in the world of racing. "It's such a great time to be in motorsports. A lot of new talent is venturing into it, and many new opportunities are opening up for us in India," Yash tells Global Indian. The boy, who had a podium finish at the X1 Racing League, has participated in the 2020 French Formula F4. Till now, he has won seven National Championship and six Club Championship titles, with around 65 race podiums. [caption id="attachment_8740" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Yash Aradhya at French Formula 4 2020.[/caption] Born in 2002 in Bengaluru to an adman father and a homemaker mother, Aradhya's love for speed began when he was just six. "It was during a road

ntent/uploads/2021/12/50935773492_826411802c_c.jpg" alt="Yash Aradhya" width="600" height="800" /> Yash Aradhya at French Formula 4 2020.[/caption]

Born in 2002 in Bengaluru to an adman father and a homemaker mother, Aradhya's love for speed began when he was just six. "It was during a road trip from Bengaluru to Mumbai that I got excited about cars and speed. I remember my dad explaining to me about horsepower and engines and it fascinated me. I was thrilled by the passion for speed, so at six, I started karting for fun," reminisces Yash.

Racing is in his DNA

Yash officially dipped his toes into racing at age nine. Seeing his passion, his father approached JK Tyres' head Sanjay Sharma for the national racing championship. "Hardy uncle (as we fondly call him) put us in touch with Akbar Ebrahim (the first Indian to race in the international circuits) and it was under him that my training began," recalls the 19-year-old whose ultimate goal is to become a Formula 1 racer.

At nine, he scored his first win at the JK Tyre MMS Rotax Rookie Cup 2012 by clinching second at the podium, which turned out to be a foundation for the forthcoming winning championships. "Graduating to the junior level was a different ball game as there is a speed difference and fighting for the top position was getting exciting and challenging at the same time. However, my passion to win helped me exceed everyone's expectations including my mentor after I won Formula Junior Series FLGB," says the Utrecht University student.

[caption id="attachment_8738" align="aligncenter" width="799"] Yash Aradhya with his mentor Akbar Ebrahim[/caption]

The win set the ball rolling for Yash who was soon nominated by the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India to represent the country at Academy Trophy. It opened new opportunities for the teenager, and took him to Europe and Asia to race. With each passing year, Aradhya won more podiums and in 2019, he graduated from karting to car with the MRF 1300 National Championship 1600.

The run up to the podium

However, it hasn't been an easy run, especially since he came from a non-motorsport background though he found the perfect support system in his dad. "I knew that I wanted to be a Formula racer, and my dad helped me achieve my dream. He put me in touch with my mentor, helped me get sponsors who have put their faith in me. Despite being an expensive sport, my dad has gone above and beyond to make my dream come true," beams the Formula 4 racer.

With the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar, Yash is the only teenager under 18 years to be awarded in the category of motorsports. "I didn't realise how big of a deal it was until I was standing in front of the President of India. The award means a lot to me and holds immense value," says Yash who still remembers PM Narendra Modi's advice to him. "He added, 'This award is not the end. Take it as a beginning step, and continue to excel in the field'."

[caption id="attachment_8737" align="aligncenter" width="532"] Yash Aradhya with former President Ram Nath Kovind[/caption]

The mettle to train

The boy from Bishop Cotton Boys School is completely focused on excelling now. Under the tutelage of coach Akbar Ebrahim, fitness coach Ramji Srinivasan and nutritionist Ryan Fernando, Yash is spreading his wings far and wide. He reveals that unlike other sports, racers don't get to train on the tracks every single day. "I do physical and mental training every day under the guidance of my coaches. However, we get only two days to test drive before the championships," says Yash, who is currently studying economics and business economics in the Netherlands and enjoying his stay in a new city.

Despite being one of the most expensive sports, Yash has found his footing, thanks to his sponsors. After racing in Formula 4 South East Asia Championship 2019, the 2020 French Formula F4 and MRF MMSC FMSCI Indian National Car Racing Championship 2022, he is now gearing up for his upcoming championships. "Currently, I am dividing my time between studies and training. These last few years were wasted, thanks to the pandemic. However, I am excited to get back into action," says the racer who loves playing tennis and swimming in his free time.

[caption id="attachment_8739" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Yash Aradhya training for championship[/caption]

Calling the recent times one of the most exciting times to be in motosporting, Yash feels lucky to be a part of it. "There are so many career opportunities right now in motorsports. The talent is getting recognised. I would say stay tuned for more," signs off Yash.

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Golfing trailblazer: Aditi Ashok’s journey in golf and triumphs in 2023

(December 3, 2023)The 2023 Ladies European Tour (LET) was a series of golf tournaments for elite female golfers from around the world held at multiple locations around the world. India’s Aditi Ashok competed with golfers from France, Spain, Thailand, Netherlands, Sweden, Germany, Czech Republic and many other countries in the race to the Costa del Sol rankings - a season-long competition to crown the LET’s number one player. The Indian professional golfer who recently bagged silver at the Asian Games 2023, won both the opening and closing tournaments of the season at Kenya and Spain respectively. With these significant wins she made 2023 the best-ever year for Indian women golfers at the LET. “It was a great battle,” said Aditi after winning the closing tournament of LET at Spain. In May this year, Aditi had achieved a ground-breaking milestone as the first Indian female golfer to break into the top 50 in the world rankings following her T5 finish at the LPGA Founders Cup. “I have grown up with golf being a part of my life. It means a lot. A few days without golf and I start feeling a void. It is an ingrained aspect of my life,” she

days without golf and I start feeling a void. It is an ingrained aspect of my life,” she had remarked in a previous interview.

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Aditi clinched the fourth position in the tournament, whereas her counterpart Diksha Dagar attained the third spot, marking the first time in history when two Indian golfers achieved top-five rankings in the LET season.

Starting young

The 25-year-old had started playing golf when she was merely five. Born and brought up in Bengaluru, the golfer made her Olympic Games debut at the 2016 Summer Olympics. Later, she also qualified for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, representing India, finishing fourth.

Although she was unhappy about the result, the Global Indian said, “So many people in India are writing and talking about golf, and even watching it. I am looking at the positive side. The fact that my Olympic performance has generated more interest is great.”

[caption id="attachment_34409" align="aligncenter" width="827"] Aditi Ashok with budding golfers[/caption]

Finding support in parents

The golfer’s parents supported her dreams from the beginning. At the age of five when she expressed interest in the sport, her father took her to the Karnataka Golf Association driving range. So invested were her parents in Aditi’s goals of life that her father Ashok became her caddie in the 2016 Olympics, while her mother Maheshwari Ashok was her caddie at the Olympics of 2020 in Tokyo.

“Both my parents supported me a lot when I was young. My dad would take me to the golf course every day and teach me how to manage my game. My mom has been a pillar of strength. From her, I have learnt how to create a positive environment around oneself,” she remarked.

[caption id="attachment_34410" align="aligncenter" width="789"] Aditi Ashok with her father as caddie in 2016 Olympics[/caption]

Turning heads

When Aditi was still a teenager, she was the lone Indian golfer participating in the Asian Youth Games of 2013, the Youth Olympics, and the Asian Games in 2014. At the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, she emerged as the youngest competitor among all golfers, securing the 41st position, not a bright spot yet a milestone of sorts for the youngster who was trying hard to make a mark internationally.

She had got successful in clinching the National Junior Championship consecutively in 2012, 2013, and 2014, holding both junior and senior titles simultaneously in 2014. Following her victory in the Ladies British Amateur Stroke Play Championship in 2015, she had transitioned to the professional circuit the following year.

The golfer made history by becoming the youngest and the first Indian to triumph in the Lalla Aicha Qualifying School, earning her Ladies European Tour card for the 2016 season. This achievement marked her as the youngest victor of a Q School for an international tour.

[caption id="attachment_34408" align="aligncenter" width="601"] Aditi Ashok[/caption]

She secured her landmark win at the 2016 Hero Women's Indian Open, carding an impressive 3-under-par 213. This victory established her as the first Indian winner of a Ladies European Tour (LET) title. Her success in a country traditionally fixated on cricket brought exceptional attention to the sport of golf.

International triumphs

Since then Aditi has been performing consistently well at major international golf tournaments creating a mark for herself. The dedicated player remarked, “I think the game itself is pretty motivating. Every day is different. Just having played well yesterday or last week does not guarantee anything this week. You are always on your toes to improve every aspect of your game.”

In a remarkable year for Indian women golfers, Aditi Ashok's 2023 triumphs, securing victories and marking history alongside Diksha Dagar has contributed to India’s glory in the global stage of golf.

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Dev Shah: 2023 Scripps Spelling Bee Champion

(Jun 9, 2023) Carrying forward the legacy set by 26 Indian origin teens before him, Dev Shah, an eighth-grader from Florida, is the 2023 winner of the prestigious Scripps Spelling Bee. After three years of dedicated study and navigating numerous setbacks, Shah outperformed 230 participants to lift the coveted cup. The win also comes with a cash prize of $50,000 and a commemorative medal. Shah had to prove his mettle through 14 challenging rounds. He made it, though, spelling his way through tricky words like ‘probouleutic’, ‘schistorrhachis’, and ‘zwitterion’ to emerge the winner. The teenager appeared dazed as he lifted the cup, remarking, “It’s surreal. My legs are still shaking.” [caption id="attachment_30887" align="aligncenter" width="710"] Dev Shah, 2023 Scripps Spelling Bee Champion[/caption] The word that secured victory It was the word ‘psammophile’ that determined Dev’s win. Although the smile on his face showed his confidence, he asked for all the details first - definition (it’s an organism that thrives in sandy areas), part of speech, orthography and usage in a sentence, before venturing the spelling. Later in an interview with NDTV, he remarked, “I expected to spell it correctly because I had studied it before.” In another interview he

0"] Dev Shah, 2023 Scripps Spelling Bee Champion[/caption]

The word that secured victory

It was the word ‘psammophile’ that determined Dev’s win. Although the smile on his face showed his confidence, he asked for all the details first - definition (it’s an organism that thrives in sandy areas), part of speech, orthography and usage in a sentence, before venturing the spelling. Later in an interview with NDTV, he remarked, “I expected to spell it correctly because I had studied it before.” In another interview he mentioned, “I was confident, I knew it”.

On the day of the championship, before his fate was determined, the teenager had to endure one final commercial break. “That was the most nerve-wracking experience, and Charlotte (the runner up) and I just talked about what’s going to happen next,” he said. When the final question was posed it took him just 45 seconds to seal his win.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbXa6YIQFCw

Though Indian-origin teens have ruled the roost in Scripps Spelling Bee championship in the United States, Dev brought the first victory to his state, Florida since 1999. A resident of Largo, near St Petersburg, he wanted to win the championship anyhow as it was his fourth attempt and the last chance.

Not an overnight success

Dev’s win has been a culmination of years of commitment. He participated in 2019 and came in at the 51st rank, then fell to 76 in 2021. Even in 2022, he did not progress beyond the regional competition in his home state and the cup went to another Indian-origin teen, Harini Logan.

In an interview just after the win, the Global Indian said, “As my parents rushed on stage to embrace me, it reinforced my belief that I should never give up.” Being in eighth grade, this was his final year to compete. Seeing other kids winning over the years inspired him and kept him motivated to keep trying despite the previous results in which he was slipping down in ranking year after year.

Talking about his predecessors, the 14-year-old said, “If they could do it, I could do it too, I had been telling myself.” During the past year he devoted 10 hours of study every day to perform his best in the final year of his attempt.

Inspirations of life

The teenager, who is a fan of tennis champ Roger Federer, and the movie ‘La La Land’, looks at his grandmother as his biggest inspiration. “I am very close to my grandmother. She’s been an inspiration to me and I am very grateful to her for coming here. She’s been a great part of every moment from beginning to end,” he said talking about his spelling bee journey.

His parents were the first to notice Dev’s remarkable memory. When he was only three years old, Dev became fascinated with a geography programme on their iPad. They saw he had a streak of curiosity and channelled his urge to learn and explore into a fascination for spelling and words. His father became his first coach.

[caption id="attachment_30888" align="aligncenter" width="647"] Dev Shah with his family, minutes after the win on the spell bee stage[/caption]

Dev secured his win in the 2023 championship under the guidance of his coach, Scott Remer, while his parents who gave him confidence to keep going despite slipping below in ranks in his previous three attempts.

Life ahead

This year the youngster has left behind two big stressors – middle school and the spelling bee. Hogging the limelight for the time-being he is looking forward to start doing the ‘normal stuff’ with friends like before. Upon his return to Florida from Maryland where the competition was held the youngster seemed happy to see not just family and friends but also his previous and current school’s teachers waiting eagerly to welcome him.

“I am glad to be back,” said the champion who wishes to be a neuro-surgeon as well as an engineer with little clue whether he would be able to pursue both. He is all set to start as a freshman at Largo High School, soon.

When reporters asked him tips to remember spellings, he had a playful reply. “Now we have spellcheck so you don’t have to worry about your spelling,” he smiled, while the crowd gathered to welcome him at the airport giggled. They were carrying a banner with 'psammophile,' written on it - the word that Dev spelled correctly for the win.

[caption id="attachment_30889" align="aligncenter" width="832"] Dev Shah received a warm welcome in his home state, Florida[/caption]

No mean feat

This year it was the 95th year of the Scripps National Spelling Bee competition. It began with about 11 million students in grades 8 and younger who competed in local and regional spelling bee competitions to qualify.

The final championship welcomed 231 spellers from the United States and its territories - Canada, Ghana, and The Bahamas. After competing in quarterfinals and the semi-final rounds held on May 30 and May 31, the competition narrowed down to 11 finalists who competed on the night of June 1, 2023 in a live event.

Reading Time: 5 mins

Aisha Nazia: The only Indian woman to be selected for FIFA Master course

One of Aisha Nazia's fondest memories is of her standing in a crowd and watching a football match with bated breath. As her favorite team scored the perfect goal, the Kozhikode-born football fan was euphoric. Her hometown is a mecca for football and it wasn't long before love for the game rubbed off on Nazia, who has now been selected for the prestigious FIFA Master program. She is the only Indian woman out of the 32 people that were selected from across the world for the program. Chosen out of 700 applicants, Nazia has become an inspiration for dreamers as well as go-getters. A postgraduate sports executive program, organized in partnership with De Montfort University (United Kingdom), SDA Bocconi School of Management (Italy) and the University of Neuchatel (Switzerland), the FIFA Master course is nothing short of an Ivy league program. The 26-year-old Indian has made the cut this year, but not without her share of struggles and challenges. As she quit a lucrative job to pursue her dreams, Nazia didn't find many supporters, but she was determined to follow through on her plan. How a childhood dream found wings Born in Kozhikode to Malayalam Muslim parents, Nazia found herself

im parents, Nazia found herself attracted to the game even as a child. After her parents' divorce when she was five, Nazia moved to Chennai with her mother who was then a teacher. But summer vacations took her back to her hometown each year where she fell in love with football. "I loved the way football brought the entire town together and it was the best show of secularism. It was at this tender age that my affinity towards football began to grow," she tells Global Indian in an exclusive interview from London where she has kick started the first leg of her course.

[caption id="attachment_10971" align="aligncenter" width="392"] Aisha Nazia at Old Trafford Stadium, Manchester[/caption]

While the soccer field made Nazia quite happy, she was equally ecstatic nestled between her pile of books. After securing the eighth rank in mechanical engineering at University of Kerala, she found herself working with the Indian Oil-Adani Group Pvt Ltd in Kochi in 2017. Two years before she entered the corporate world though, Nazia had volunteered as a football facilitator for the 2015 National Games that were held in Kerala. Then a third year student at TKM College of Engineering, she heard about the games being held in her city and couldn't let the opportunity slip by. "It gave me the perfect exposure to the sporting industry and the workings of it," she adds.

The turning point

Though her job at Indian Oil kept her happy, she would often find herself drawn to the varied sporting events taking place in the country. So when the FIFA Under 17 World Cup was set to make its debut on Indian soil, Nazia found herself looking for volunteer opportunities on their website. Despite the fact that she didn't have a sports management degree, Nazia rolled the dice of fate and applied for the role of a workforce manager. Luck was on her side, and the 26-year-old found herself at one of the biggest sporting spectacles. Those months with FIFA turned out to be a game changer for this young woman as she learnt the tricks of the trade and found her true calling in sports management. In 2018, she quit her job to chase her dream and moved to Bengaluru.

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Since sporting events in India happen only once every few months, Nazia took up jobs as a consultant with startups to keep her stable financially. In between, she worked on two seasons of the Indian Super League.

When NBA found itself playing in India for the first time ever in 2019, the organizers got in touch with Nazia after reading a feature on her on FIFA. The conversation soon translated into an operations role in logistics.

A chance meeting

After working with the best for a few years and gaining valuable insights into the world of sports management, Nazia knew she was ready to take it a notch higher with the FIFA Master course, something she had heard about six years ago. "While volunteering at the National Games in 2015, a referee from Tamil Nadu who had trained under the Premiere League saw potential in me and encouraged me to take up the FIFA Master course," adds Nazia. But she wanted to give herself four years after her graduation before taking a plunge into any Masters program.

[caption id="attachment_10974" align="aligncenter" width="395"] Aisha Nazia at NBA matches in India.[/caption]

So when the entire world came to a standstill in 2020 and sporting events became a rarity, Nazia knew it was the right time to pursue her FIFA Master dream. "The selection process for this course is like it would be for an Ivy league school. This year 32 students were selected from a pool of 700 applicants across 29+ countries," adds the Kozhikode native. The one year course will have Nazia travel to three countries (England, Italy and Switzerland) to complete her Masters in Management, Law and Humanities of Sport.

Crowdfunding, not charity

If securing a seat among 700 students wasn't a rigorous process, Nazia found herself raising 22,000 CHF (approximately ₹28 lakh) for the course. She is one among the three students to have secured a merit scholarship which has halved her course fee, but the amount is still heavy on her pocket. "In a country like India, you can apply for an education loan against mortgage of property or gold, and I had nothing as security. Crowdfunding seemed like a wise decision to raise money for my education," says Nazia.

It was her mentor Gautham Chattopadhaya, who works with NASA, who advised her to opt for crowdfund. "Abroad, it's a very common concept to raise money for education, but in India, it's still at its nascent stage. I weighed my options for a long time and even posted on LinkedIn to get some feedback. Many encouraged me to go for it as they couldn't pursue their dreams owing to financial constraints. The stories of people on the post made me take it up as a social cause to empower people to follow their dreams. Education is a basic necessity and I decided to go forward with it to raise money and also inspire others to follow their dreams," adds Nazia.

[caption id="attachment_10977" align="aligncenter" width="423"] Aisha Nazia at Indian Super League 2019-2020[/caption]

With GoFundMe inaccessible to Indians, Nazia opted for Ketto to raise money for her education. "In India, crowdfunding is mostly restricted to medical emergencies, so my plea to raise money for education falls a little short in comparison to their issues."

However, this reality check has inspired Nazia to launch an education crowdfunding platform for Indian students soon. "I want to start a platform for people who dream of studying in India or abroad but are unable to do so due to financial constraints. My priority would be to get meritorious students their due through this crowdfunding platform," she explains.

[caption id="attachment_10979" align="aligncenter" width="575"] Aisha Nazia at a sporting event.[/caption]

The future

Nazia, who is currently at De Montfort University in Leicester, is excited for the program. "It will be an enriching experience with lots of learning and field trips. After completing three months in the UK, we will move to Italy for the next quarter. And the last six months will be in Switzerland, which is also the headquarters of FIFA. Getting to work with their management will be exciting. Also, at the end of course, FIFA selects three people for employment," reveals Nazia.

Being an advocate of sustainability, Nazia plans to work for the development of the Indian sports ecosystem after the completion of her course. "I want to focus on inclusion, youth development and come up with solutions to reduce carbon footprint during a sports event," signs off Nazia.

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