Aisha Desai: Bringing Ramadan joy to London with Ramadan Lights UK
By: Amrita Priya
(April 25, 2024) A few years ago, London based Aisha Desai got the opportunity to move to the Middle East to study Arabic. She spent two Ramadans there – one in Jordan and the other in Palestine. “Ramadan was my favourite time of the year there. Night time used to be amazing with the festive spirit and lights everywhere just like the Christmas in the UK. Everyone used to wish each other. You could feel the real spirit and joy of Ramadan,” the Indian origin youngster remarked. After getting back to the UK, she yearned to create the same joy during the holy month of Ramadan in London and started an initiative called Ramadan Lights UK.
Recently Aisha received the UK PM’s Points of Light award for her initiative to illuminate the heart of London in the festive spirit. Through Ramadan Light UK Aisha has been spreading joy among the Muslim community throughout the entire month of Ramadan. Apart from her experiences in the middle-east, her project was inspired by the joy that she experienced witnessing the festive Christmas lights in central London during her childhood.
Aisha with Ramadan Lights Installation
The Point of Light award recognises volunteers who are actively contributing to their community and serving as inspirations to others. “Ramadan Lights is about sharing the joy and spirit of Ramadan with our neighbours, and celebrating the rich cultural diversity of modern Britain. I am delighted to accept this award, and salute the British Muslim community who have supported the project so generously from the start,” Aisha remarked after receiving the award.
The project of light and joy
Aisha started the project in 2020 and piloted beautiful lit up Ramadan structure in her hometown of North London but had dreams to light up ‘the most iconic place in the world,’ – the heart of London. “It was a crowdfunding campaign to illuminate my neighbourhood,” she shares about her first year’s attempt.
Over the years, the project started getting bigger in reach. Last year Aisha partnered with the ‘Ramadan Open Tent Project’ in the UK to create the magic of first-ever display of more than 30,000 eco-friendly lights, creating 61 moons along Coventry Street in London. This year the Ramadan Lights installation was also done at Edgware Road, Nutford and Piccadilly.
It was a ‘dream come true’ moment for her. “It was so surreal. I was overwhelmed by the response and it was just so beautiful to see everyone with their families and their friends and taking pictures and sending me messages of how much they are enjoying,” she shared adding, “It’s been incredible. I think it’s really important for Muslims to have positive representation in the west and there’s no better place to start in, than London which is so diverse and so multicultural.”
One of the reasons for Aisha to start the project was to inspire other young Muslims ‘to do the same in their cities, and in their countries. “Hopefully we can take it to other parts of London like Carnaby Street region, Oxford Street but my ambition is to go global. I want to take it to Paris to Milan to New York,” she remarked.
To her great joy, five sisters in Germany started the project this year and their city and even invited Aisha to see the beautiful lights and have iftar with them. “I am so grateful for the Ramadan Lights project as it has given me the opportunity to meet a wonderful group of genuine, caring and committed Muslims in Germany,” shared Aisha.
Always inclined to spread joy in the community Aisha is also the founder of Fre3dom Clothing, a charity that uses youth culture-led street fashion to raise money for humanitarian causes in the Middle East.
Involving community
Aisha always wanted to keep her project – Ramadan Light UK, a crowdfunding project because she wanted the entire community to participate in creating a magical atmosphere during the festive season. “My idea was to promote the project as an initiative which is for the community and by the community,” She said.
However, the execution was not easy. She had to be very persistent to make her dream turn into a reality. “I made great efforts to take permission of the council. Once I got the permissions from the concerned authorities, everything else was a really smooth process.
Aisha Desai
The Indian origin youngster is born and brought up in the UK and holds a bachelor’s degree in Arabic language and middle eastern history from the University of Manchester. She has also studied in the Middle-East for a couple of years to build a command over the Arabic language. Apart from actively being involved in community initiatives, Aisha works as head of community at the UK based financial startup Algbra.
(December 31, 2021) The news of the first all-Indian team to compete internationally at the 2021 Asian Le Mans in February sent ripples of anticipation among Indian racers. The all-Indian driver line-up of Narain Karthikeyan, Arjun Maini and Naveen Rao came in fifth place, and spurred the racing aspirations of many. New technology, new drivers, and hopefully more corporate involvement are what we can expect in the future. We need to break away from cricket being sold as the only sport in India. - Gaurav Gill Of course, the memory of Formula 1 great Michael Schumacher wheel to wheel with Jean Alesi in a tarmac crunch to the chequered flag at the 1995 Europe Grand Prix, is still among the most memorable moments for racing aficionados, etched in many minds. Finally, India too has taken to a sport that is not cricket. Many youngsters are training, learning and being mentored to be the next Schumacher (or close), and it is a sign of the growing popularity of motorsports in India. Ten years after that 1995 scene, Coimbatore-born Narain Karthikeyan scripted history by becoming the first Indian to debut at Formula 1, inspiring the current generation to get behind the wheel
a 1, inspiring the current generation to get behind the wheel of a mean machine that can go insanely fast around a corner.
The adrenaline rush, blind cuts, and need for speed keeps every racer revving. However, the lack of sponsors and expensive gear often play spoilsport, thus nipping many dreams in the bud. Perhaps, this most expensive sport in the world is finding stable footing in India with a handful of young Indians revving up at the start line, and pushing the gas pedal on greater accomplishments.
The young blood
This October, the 23-year-old racer Arjun Maini became the first Indian to make a podium debut at the DTM Championship after claiming second place at the Norisring (Nuremburg) race circuit. “For me, it was a very special moment to be the first Indian driver in DTM and I am very proud of it,” tweeted Maini.
Arjun Maini, the Bengaluru boy started with go-karts when he was eight, thanks to his racer dad Gautam Maini, who once participated in the national championships. It was in 2011 that Arjun Maini made headlines when he won the Sahara Force India’s One from a Billion talent, and since then there has been no looking back for this lad.
If Arjun Maini is vrooming through unchartered territory with each of his races, his younger brother Kush Maini, too, is busy taking the legacy forward as he made his debut at the World Endurance Championship in Bahrain this year. Following the footsteps of his brother, the 21-year-old began his journey with the national karting championship before graduating to cars in 2015. In no time, he made waves in the European racing circuits by competing in the Italian Formula 4 championship, and British Formula 3 championship. However, it was this year’s Formula 3 Asian Championship where his team Mumbai Falcons did the unthinkable by clinching a third place at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. “The year 2021 Asian F3 Championship has not been the smoothest of rides, had a lot of engine issues throughout the campaign and some unlucky moments but all the credit goes to @mumbaifalcons who never stopped believing in my capability and we finished off the championship strong with a podium. A historic moment for Indian motorsports and it’s been a pleasure to be a part of it,” he wrote on his Instagram after the historic podium finish.
A universe of opportunities
If the Maini brothers found inspiration through their father, 19-year-old Formula 4 racer Yash Aradhya’s love for motorsport stemmed from his need for speed. The recipient of the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar, Yash’s passion began at nine years of age, and despite no family background in motorsport, the teenager dived into the game out of sheer love. “I started with karting and here I am,” the Bengaluru-born teenager tells Global Indian Youth.
Each year, new names crop up, and sponsors are at the heart of this expensive sport, and a deep bank balance too. “Motorsports is an expensive sport but I wouldn’t say the same anymore as opportunities are being given at the grassroot level. You have a chance of being picked up and taken forward as long as it’s backed by the performance that helps the sponsors and investors put their faith in you,” adds Yash, who has dreams of becoming a Formula 1 racer.
It’s been a decade since Indian racer Karun Chandok turned up the heat on the racing track in Formula 1, but new blood is now gearing up to test the waters by putting themselves on the biggest platform. It’s the plethora of opportunities that have made these youngsters confident of their skills and talent. “The new generation is quite lucky as there are so many opportunities for us in India, and the costs are low. We get the European standard of racing in India with European drivers coming in and giving us the best exposure and opportunity to prove ourselves and gain experience,” adds Aradhya.
Like Yash, Jehan Daruvala, too, was just nine when he found motorsports. Spanish Formula 1 driver Fernando Alonso kept Jehan glued to the Formula 1 track as a child. Now, a decade later, like his racing hero, he is all set to knock the doors of Formula 1. At the cusp of achieving his childhood dream, the 23-year-old has come a long way. From excelling in karting championships across Europe in 2013 to transitioning to cars in 2015, he has proven his mettle time and again. So much so that he has found a fan in Arjuna Award-winner and racer Gaurav Gill. “Jehan is doing great at the world level in Formula racing,” says Gaurav Gill, who won the Asia Pacific Rally Championship thrice and Indian National Rally Championship six times.
The future is bright
It was in the early 2000s that Gill started competing at the national level, and in the past two decades, this 40-year-old racer has seen the Indian motorsport scene evolve. “Motorsport has evolved from being a hobby to a career sport especially after my Arjuna Award. The younger generation can now look at it being a full-time job/sport,” says Gill.
Gill, who calls motorsports an ever-evolving sport, is excited about the future. “New technology, new drivers, and hopefully more corporate involvement are what we can expect in the future. We need to break away from cricket being sold as the only sport in India. We see so many Olympians now, and I hope to see lots more motorsport engagement soon,” says the racer who has started his own school to groom aspiring racers to hone their skills.
As more and more Indian-origin youth foray into the world of motorsports, India is finally ready to get past the chequered flag once again in the international circuit. One race at a time.
(February 9, 2024) As a six year old, when Pushti Laddha held a tennis racquet for the first time, she fell in love with the sport instantly. Her parents, both huge tennis fans, only encouraged her to pursue it. Hardly three years later, Pushti was out on the tennis court playing her first tournament, surprising the audience with her aces. Ever since, she has proved her mettle in several tournaments and is now one of the most promising tennis stars of the country. “Every win is special and every loss is the best teacher,” smiles tennis player Pushti Laddha, speaking to Global Indian. From playing Nationals to being selected for the Road to Wimbledon in 2020 and playing in the ITF (International Tennis Federation) World Tennis tour (Junior Circuit), Pushti has come a long way. The latest feather in her cap was leading the Telangana State Tennis contingent as the U-19 Team Captain at the inaugural ceremony of the 67th National Games held at Jodhpur recently. [caption id="attachment_35701" align="aligncenter" width="331"] Pushti Laddha[/caption] Leading the team “Jodhpur was a great experience. There were moments in the tournament where we had to fight through and moments where we had fairly easy wins,”
“Jodhpur was a great experience. There were moments in the tournament where we had to fight through and moments where we had fairly easy wins,” says the teenager, who holds a career high ranking of 525 in the ITF, junior girls category. Her All-India ranking stands at 38 in the girls U-18 category.
Looking back, it was all worth it and leading the team into the finals was a great feeling, she says soon after her return from Jodhpur. “Though we fell short in the end, there are a lot of experiences to take away from the tournament and it definitely feels amazing to bag the silver for the state while also clutching gold in the individual event,” says Pushti, a class 12 student of Obul Reddy public school, Hyderabad.
On top of her game
Having played professional tennis for past 10 years, Pushti has remained on top of her game throughout. She ranked first in the Telangana state Tennis Association (under-10 and Under-12 category) and has an AITA (All India Tennis Association) playing experience of over 6 years. Based in Hyderabad, she toured all over the country to play various AITA series and has so far played 50 AITA tournaments.
Among the many tournaments she played, the one that stands out for Pushti was the nationals that was held in New Delhi in 2021. “This tournament was especially challenging because I went in with almost no practice for three weeks and lacked confidence. I was not in proper shape to play, so I did not expect much,” recalls the tennis player.
In her first match, the score was 2-5 and she was three match points down against a really tough opponent, but she clutched the game by winning the next 11 games in a row. “Winning that match and reaching the next round gave me a significant boost in confidence. In fact, I won the next 3 rounds after that, beating incredible opponents,” smiles the youngster.
That tournament gave her an experience she will never forget. “It taught me the importance of never giving up and why it’s important to always believe in oneself even in the toughest moments,” informs Pushti, who got the opportunity to meet the President of India for outstanding achievements in sports and academics on Children’s day in 2019.
Growing up in Hyderabad
Born in Hyderabad in December 2006, Pushti Laddha is the daughter of senior IPS officer Mahesh Chandra Laddha and Sunita Laddha. She studied at the Meridian School in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad.
When it comes to her academics, Pushti is an equally bright student who has always scored high. “I secured 97.6 per cent in Class X, which was among the top five,” shares a beaming Pushti, who even topped her class for last eight years. She was also appointed as deputy sports secretary in Meridian school.
She was awarded the best all-rounder, Math-a-Magician and general proficiency certificates consecutively for the last four years by her school. She also won gold medalist in the Euphoria Sports Fest inter-school tennis championship in 2018 and went on to receive the young Achievers award for excellence in sports and academics by Metamorphosis.
“I have plans to pursue higher studies and my family, being completely supportive, has been helping me with decisions,” says the budding tennis star, who was also awarded the Star pupil award in Grade X in a batch of 150 students.
Discipline everyday
Pushti Laddha makes it a point to practice for 4-5 hours everyday which includes tennis and gym sessions. “Tennis sessions are generally in the morning for 2-2.5 hours after which I attend school, followed by fitness sessions. I have coaches with whom I work out a schedule for each day and also for the week,” informs the teenager, who trains with her coach Praveen Bhargava at the Ace tennis academy in Hyderabad.
Throughout her tennis journey, Pushti faced multiple challenges and overcame it. “Challenges arise in every part of the journey, be it injuries or balancing sports with academics. I have realised that discipline is the only way to overcome them all,” says Pushti.
(August 27, 2024) It was in the fall of 2023 that Sravan Krishna Kodali found himself walking through the gates of Stanford University, where he enrolled himself in a bachelor's degree. But with a Cameron Impact Scholar under his belt which was given to the 18-year-old teen from New York by the Bryan Cameron Foundation for his dedication to community service and exceptional academic achievements. "I am extremely honoured to be a Cameron Impact Scholar, but I owe all to people who have supported me throughout high school," he had said. Promoting educational equity Born into a family hailing from Enikepadu in Vijayawada, his father is a businessman, and his mom is an anesthesiologist. Sravan was studying at the Christian Brother Academy in Syracuse when he found a way to make the most of his time during the Covid-19 lockdown. With the world locked in their homes, the Indian-American teen saw most of his peers engaging in unproductive activities which made him think of a solution. He started Empower CNY to offer online tutoring classes in Science and Math for lower-grade students. [caption id="attachment_38969" align="aligncenter" width="381"] Sravan Kodali[/caption] Empower CNY was created to promote educational equity in Central New York,
Empower CNY was created to promote educational equity in Central New York, addressing the issue of young students falling behind due to unequal resource distribution in our education system. To address this challenge, Empower CNY connects local students with high school volunteers. Tutors not only contribute to the community's development but also gain the chance to enhance their interpersonal and leadership skills. With diverse student leadership, Empower CNY creates activities and programs tailored to the needs of all ambitious students. "At Empower CNY, our goal is to equip every student with the resources needed to achieve their full academic potential," said Sravan.
The way this program works is that high school tutors from across Central New York register through their website and undergo an initial interview process. After the interview, tutors are paired with a student in need of tutoring. We hold weekly sessions on Saturday and Sunday, offering both morning and evening times. Parents and tutors can provide feedback through our optional session review forms. "We are currently operating at eight centers and providing virtual tutoring through video conferencing services to 50+ families," states their website.
What began as a small online initiative quickly expanded into a program that now supports nearly 200 students from local schools through both in-person and virtual tutoring. In a short span, they have created an impact. "Through partnerships with key community organizations, our volunteers connect with students in need, identify local problems in education, and help address them with activism, lobbying, and organising. Primarily, we coordinate free, weekly student-support locations in immigrant and refugee hubs and provide volunteer-run workshops at resettlement agencies." So far, their team has collaborated with 12 partners across 4 cities. From refugee foundations to STEAM educational groups, these organizations have contributed to their impactful efforts.
Creating an impact
In 2022, as school shootings surged across the USA, Sravan demonstrated his dedication to tackling pressing societal challenges beyond his academic achievements. On May 26, 2022, he led a protest, supported by a local Senator, to advocate for stricter gun laws and raise awareness about the critical need for reform in response to the escalating gun violence.
His achievements, including his work as a genetic researcher and his co-founding of the youth educational organisation Empower CNY, were particularly notable to the Selection Committee, which reviewed 3,000 applications. This earned him the prestigious ‘Cameron Impact Scholar’ award in 2023 from the Bryan Cameron Foundation, earning a full scholarship for his college education. This honour, awarded to only 15 students nationwide, highlights Sravan’s remarkable community impact, exceptional self-motivation, and outstanding academic achievements.
He is the first student He is the first student from his school in the past 60 years to gain admission into Stanford University. Apart from being a top-performing student, Sravan is a skilled soccer player who actively contributes to societal improvement. In addition, Kodali has gained valuable experience through internships at SUNY Upstate Medical University, UMass Medical School, and Syracuse University, where he worked on various research projects. He also interned with the Village of Canastota, focusing on grant writing. Beyond these roles, Kodali serves as a Youth Policy Consultant with the American Youth Policy Forum, contributes to congressional campaigns, and works as an Immigration Team Intern for the Volunteer Lawyers Project of CNY.
His journey from launching Empower CNY during the pandemic to becoming a Cameron Impact Scholar underscores his dedication to academic excellence and community service. Sravan's story highlights his perseverance, creativity, and significant impact, making him an inspiring role model for future generations.
(May 1, 2022) Her kale pancakes are the rage, her kuzhi paniyaram got 2.6 million views while her vegan rasmalai got 13k likes. Yet, the sprightly, irreverently funny vegan instagrammer Anjali Harikumar - or Beextravegant is actually a physicist by profession. Not your average deep-in-her-books kinda girl, though. Currently based in Grenoble, France, Anjali is a PhD candidate working at a government lab on nanophotonics. Beyond all manner of particles, Anjali took her proclivity towards particles of a more wholesome healthy gourmet nature with Beextravegant, that creates vegan Indian recipes. With 78.7k followers, 157 vlogs (and counting) oddly enough, the vegan physicist dabbles as a freelance videographer, sharing desi recipes on her love for all forms of plantains (yes bananas), all the while being inundated with tips on doing a PhD abroad! [caption id="attachment_15908" align="aligncenter" width="521"] Anjali Harikumar, physicist and vegan instagrammer[/caption] The academically-inclined Anjali decided on stem as was expected for a smart student even though she wasn’t really convinced. “Now, I love it. The field I work in is so interesting with so much to do in it,” says the PhD student, who works on UV lamps and lasers, in an interview with Global Indian. After MTech from
ed on stem as was expected for a smart student even though she wasn’t really convinced. “Now, I love it. The field I work in is so interesting with so much to do in it,” says the PhD student, who works on UV lamps and lasers, in an interview with Global Indian. After MTech from Amity Noida in 2018, the physicist-turned-vegan gourmet studied nanotechnology. “It is the present and the future, so much of everything we use today is controlled by nanotechnology. It’s something so small, literally intangible, but something so powerful,” the physicist explains.
Craving for vegan
From nano tech to ingredient sourcing, especially for a vegan, it was despite Anjali’s dislike for cooking! Admitting sheepishly that she couldn’t cook, her 70k-odd followers on instagram turn cliches on the head, as she is now an expert. Of course, her rebellious nature was also tamed when it was a matter of survival. “I never liked societal rules - how women were associated with cooking - thus I never wanted to learn. Then, I realised that it was a skill I actually needed,” Anjali laughs.
From Kerala, the armed forces kid was brought up across India - Rajasthan, Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra and even Jammu & Kashmir. “It was super interesting to be able to experience so many different cultures. It made me extremely adaptable,” quips the happy-go-lucky vegan physicist who does not find moving to new places daunting. Her, father, an Air Force officer, she feels, is the reason she is independent, speaks her mind, and is fearless. “I was able to start social media, endure hate comments, and persevere because of the confidence he gave me,” she adds.
Her mother, a teacher, instilled compassion and kindness in her which also led her to question her choices. It eventually led her to veganism. Her “super brainiac” younger brother, "is doing a triple major in computer science, mathematics and physics," and she is grateful for the closeness they share.
The animal loving physicist, inspired by her mother, wanted to reduce animal cruelty, and spread awareness of being ethical towards animals.
Thus began an odyssey of stutters and starts to learn cooking, and soon mastering it. Her first was a simple burnt rice and potatoes at university, soon she became a reputed vegan influencer - promoting vegan Indian food with incredibly simple and delicious recipes.
This was also the time the world over, people ventured into the kitchen during the pandemic-induced lockdowns, to reconnect with food. During the first lockdown, Anjali started an Instagram account featuring vegan Indian recipes - Beextravegant. “The West has a dominant vegan community, and thus the food is unfamiliar to Indians. I wanted to make classic Indian dishes vegan, and promote our culture too,” Anjali explains. With her PhD. thesis coming to a close, the amatuer videographer hopes to take her vegan lifestyle to a reel life too - Her vision is to start a YouTube channel, featuring recipes, editing hacks, and more.
Consistent and persistent in physics and the kitchen
“A vegan diet has so many benefits, but it can also be quite dangerous if it is not balanced,” cautions the vegan physicist who learnt from her own experience. Unaware initially, when she cut animal products from her diet, she lost a majority of her protein intake, along with essential nutrients found in meat and dairy. “I’d recommend cutting out animal protein with vegan replacements like chickpeas, kidney beans, and more. Also, take supplements of certain nutrients,” Anjali explains (with consultation from a nutritionist, of course). Any tips? Stressing on consistency, “Don’t feel pressured to turn completely vegan on the first day, it will take time, don’t beat yourself for slipping up," she adds.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwOg1NOWinM&t=8s
The vegan physicist believes that, “failure is a stepping stone to success, be consistent and persistent.” Eight months after applying for a PhD, and two years of developing her vegan conversations on Instagram, it’s a mantra she follows herself.
(December 29, 2023) In 2023, a remarkable group of Indian teen innovators emerged, leaving a positive mark on the world with their groundbreaking inventions. These ingenious teenage innovators not only showcased their creativity but also garnered recognition and awards for their impactful contributions. Through their innovations, these young innovators have introduced practical solutions that address real-world challenges, proving that age is no barrier to making a meaningful impact. From affordable medical devices to ingenious technological solutions, these Indian teen innovators have demonstrated that innovation knows no boundaries, inspiring others with their passion and dedication to making the world a better place. Global Indian puts a spotlight on a handful of Indian teen innovators who made the right noise with their work. Shanya Gill Shanya Gill, a young innovator from California, was inspired to create an affordable fire alarm after a devastating incident. According to the World Health Organization, around 180,000 lives are lost globally each year in fire-related incidents. Shanya's motivation came when a restaurant near her home in San Jose caught fire, leading to its destruction. This event made her mother more cautious, always urging Shanya to double-check the kitchen stove before leaving their house. One day, while studying,
to its destruction. This event made her mother more cautious, always urging Shanya to double-check the kitchen stove before leaving their house.
One day, while studying, the 13-year-old discovered the potential of thermal cameras to detect heat loss in homes during winter. Intrigued by this capability, she wondered if these cameras could be used to quickly detect house fires compared to traditional smoke detectors. Recognizing the possibility of saving lives with an early warning system, Shanya decided to pursue this idea. Her innovative fire alarm design recently earned her top honors and a $25,000 prize in a leading middle school science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) competition sponsored by Thermo Fisher Scientific and the Society for Science. Proud of her achievement, Shanya expressed her commitment to continue working on projects that contribute to making society a safer place.
Shripriya Kalbhavi
Shripriya Kalbhavi, a ninth-grader at Lynbrook High School in San Jose, was in for a pleasant surprise when she won a second place at the 2023 3M Young Scientist Challenge. She had been working on her invention, EasyBZ, for a while without expecting it to land her a spot in America's biggest middle school science competition, which won her a cash prize of $2000 for creating a cost-effective microneedle patch that allows for easy self-administered drug delivery without using pills or needles.
Growing up, Shripriya was afraid of needles and disliked getting injections. This discomfort and fear led her to realize that many people, especially children like herself, had no solution to their fear of needles other than being told to face it. Motivated by her own experiences, Shripriya developed the EasyBZ microneedle patch, aiming to deliver medication to patients painlessly and over an extended period. “I am really passionate about making sure that everyone is comfortable with the medical treatment that they are receiving, and I really want people to have long-term solutions to their chronic conditions. With the EasyBZ microneedle patch, I have always hoped that people can receive painless treatment that accommodates their medical needs, whether it be children who have diabetes or adults who suffer from forms of dementia like Alzheimer’s,” the innovator wrote in a blog.
Aditya Chaudhary
Aditya Chaudhary, a teenager from Delhi, shared a close bond with his grandfather, spending afternoons together listening to stories. When his grandfather was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, their quality time suffered as communication became challenging due to the disease's progression. Despite the loss, Aditya was inspired to create NeuroSight, a non-invasive headset that converts thoughts into text for paralyzed and neurological patients. Motivated by the desire to help the over 7 million Parkinson’s patients in India, Aditya turned his personal experience into a low-cost and effective solution, bringing Grey Horizon and NeuroSight to life in 2022. His innovation aims to bridge the gap between neuroimaging research and practical, everyday use.
In early 2023, Aditya began creating a prototype for his invention, and it's currently being fine-tuned. The goal is to make the device convert data into text in real-time, capturing thoughts the moment they occur in a patient's mind. Starting as a research paper that earned recognition from The Hong Kong Academy of Sciences, Aditya transformed the idea into hardware with NeuroSight. Now, he and his team are working to elevate it further by making it possible for thoughts to control prosthetic or robotic arms. "We wanted to focus on functionality as well since you can’t control your muscles in Parkinson’s because of the involuntary muscle movement. We recently pitched the robotic arm at one of the innovation and science fairs. We are now looking for mentorship in regards to advanced research behind neuroimaging that can validate our technology and work with people who can help convert the hardware into a minimum viable product," he told Global Indian.
Rohan Kalia
Rohan Kalia, a 17-year-old Indian-American student at Wheeler High School in Marietta, began his journey to create a solution for early detection of glaucoma after a family member was diagnosed with the condition. Recognizing that glaucoma is the second leading cause of irreversible blindness globally, Rohan was motivated to find an affordable way to accurately diagnose the disease. His efforts resulted in the creation of EyePal, a portable device that boasts a 95 percent accuracy rate in detecting glaucoma. Rohan's innovative solution earned him the prestigious 2023 IEEE President’s Scholarship, accompanied by a $10,000 prize.
Glaucoma, a progressive eye disease affecting the optic nerve, can lead to permanent vision loss if not detected early. During his research, Rohan discovered a significant disparity in eye care treatment worldwide and identified challenges in accessing glaucoma diagnosis and prevention, particularly in rural areas. To address this issue, EyePal utilizes a quality camera, a Raspberry Pi minicomputer, machine-learning technology, and a mobile app. The device captures fundus images, which are then sent to a mobile device for examination by a specialist. Tested on sets of fundus images, EyePal demonstrated an impressive 95 percent accuracy, providing a promising solution for accessible glaucoma detection.
Nirvaan Somany
A Facebook post about a denim requiring 1000 litres to water to be produced left Delhi-based teen Nirvaan Somany aghast. "I thought I was conscious of my water consumption but I was clearly wrong,” he told Global Indian. This led Nirvaan to start Project Jeans, a social entrepreneurial attempt aimed at mitigating the environmental consequences of denim by converting discarded denim into sleeping bags. "This led Nirvaan to start Project Jeans, a social entrepreneurial attempt aimed at mitigating the environmental consequences of denim by converting discarded denim into sleeping bags," he added. The project led him to win the Diana Award and 2023 International Young Eco-Hero award.
[caption id="attachment_33853" align="aligncenter" width="619"] Nirvaan Somany founded Project Jeans[/caption]
Till now, they have collected 8000 pairs of jeans under Project Jeans and distributed more than 1000 sleeping bags primarily in Delhi, followed by Kolkata, Mumbai, and Pune. “We also sent our sleeping bags to Turkey and Syria to aid with their earthquake relief last year,” he revealed.
Indian teen innovators have truly distinguished themselves with their exceptional contributions and groundbreaking inventions. Their remarkable achievements not only demonstrate a keen understanding of global challenges but also reflect their unwavering commitment to making a positive impact on society.
Kiara Nirghin
At the age of 13, Kiara Nirghin, an Indian-origin South African, endured a challenging period of hospitalization due to the dual diagnosis of Bilharzia and bacterial meningitis amid one of South Africa's worst droughts. Confined and unable to attend school, Kiara's profound pain sparked a transformative realization about the potential of the human mind. Reflecting on the power of knowledge during her TEDxPretoria talk, she envisioned utilizing this mental strength for productive purposes. This introspective journey led her to develop a groundbreaking solution for drought: a cost-effective "super-absorbent polymer" that enhances soil water retention. Kiara's invention not only earned her the top prize at the Google Science Fair but also secured her a spot on Time's 30 Most Influential Teens list.
In 2021, she collaborated with an international agricultural firm to introduce her groundbreaking product to the market. This innovation has the potential to revolutionize water conservation, ensuring the sustenance of crops during periods of drought and contributing to enhanced global food security. Reflecting on her approach, she expressed a mindset that envisions the world's challenges as yet-to-be-paired problems awaiting innovative solutions.
Atreya Manaswi
Five years ago, when Atreya Manaswi was just eleven, he went on a fishing trip with a friend and the friend's grandfather, who was a beekeeper. The grandfather shared a sad story about how he used to get lots of honey from his bees, but in recent times, the honey production had drastically decreased. This story deeply touched Atreya, inspiring him to start researching about bees.
Now, as an eleventh grader at Orlando Science High School, Atreya has been doing advanced research with the US Department of Agriculture and the University of Florida since he was 12. He created a new, eco-friendly, and affordable pesticide to help protect beehives from small hive beetles and varroa mites, which are major threats to honey production. Atreya also wrote a children's book called "The Bee Story" to raise awareness about bees, the environment, and farming. Besides all this, he's won several awards, including the Barron Prize 2023, and has spoken at international conferences supported by the UN and the World Food Forum.
Empower CNY[/caption]
Shripriya Kalbhavi[/caption]
Aditya Chaudhary[/caption]
Rohan Kalia[/caption]
Nirvaan Somany founded Project Jeans[/caption]
Kiara Nirghin[/caption]