Global Indianstory Global Indian ExclusiveAn Odissi of dance: Danseuse Vrinda Chadha performs across the world, breathing life into the artform

An Odissi of dance: Danseuse Vrinda Chadha performs across the world, breathing life into the artform

Written by: Amrita Priya

(March 25, 2022) Dancing across continents is a many splendoured thing. The beautiful and emotive Vrinda Chadha’s life has been a whirlwind of such experiences. It also shows the depth of her craft. A tryst with mudras which began at 13, has today created a body of work that is noteworthy. It started when the light footed Odissi danseuse would accompany her guru Ranjana Gauhar, a Padma Shri recipient to shows across India and internationally. Now 26, the Delhi-based dancer is also a faculty member at Gauhar’s Utsav dance academy. An accomplished dancer, another feather in her hat is that she is empanelled with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations and Doordarshan. Her evocative performances bring Odissi alive.

Vrinda Chadha, Odissi danseuse

Ask her about her performances, and the danseuse rattles off, “In Spain, Argentina, Korea, Japan, China, Singapore, United Kingdom, Madagascar, and Seychelles.” All this, as part of her guru’s troupe and also for solo renditions. With such a vast repertoire, awards have been aplenty too. The Nalanda Nritya Nipuna Award in Mumbai, Young Talent Award by the International Academy of Mohiniyattam in Delhi, the title of Odissi Ratna in Bhubaneswar, and the Kameshwari Award in Guwahati, Vrinda is a member of the International Dance Council UNESCO, Paris and also a Teach for India fellow.

A step in the right direction

“I was always fond of dance and could express more through the artform than with words,” Vrinda shares in an interview with Global Indian. This knack for dancing was identified by her parents who took the Modern School, Vasant Vihar, kindergartener to Gauhar, who stayed in the same locality. A reputed artiste even back then, Gauhar’s mentorship turned out to be just the impetus the young Chadha needed to flourish.

“Guruji recognised my ability, honed my natural inclination towards dance, and gave me direction. For any person pursuing an artform, getting the right guru is the winning mantra. I am fortunate to have trained under her,” says the Lady Shri Ram College alumna.

A Punjabi girl in love with Odissi

When she first began dancing, Vrinda had minimal knowledge about the artform or the different dance forms in existence. It was as if she was destined for Odissi to take over her entire being. “I did not even realise how it got interspersed with my personality,” quips the nimble footed dancer who is also trained in Hindustani classical music and yoga.

“I was on a dance tour organised by Sangeet Natak Academy, representing Odissi in a multi-style troupe at Seychelles. There, we had a performance in which AR Rahman was the chief guest. It was an absolute joy to dance before him on stage as the show was in his honour. It was lovely to be so close in-person with such a music composer and artiste,” says the dancer who feels that Odissi is very intense and divine. “it gave me a special feeling that drew me towards it. Now, it is very difficult to differentiate me and my dance,” she admits. Over the years, Vrinda has built a special rapport with her guru Ranjana Gauhar, also a Punjabi woman who dedicated her life to Odissi.

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A post shared by Vrinda Chadha (@vrinda.dance)

Giving back

“Performing artistes and people watching them are privileged to have access to art forms. But art seldom reaches the people who need it. With this in mind, I took up the Teach for India fellowship to introduce dance and music to the underprivileged. The idea is not to make them experts, rather to enhance their ways of self-expression and emotional literacy through these media,” adds Vrinda, who has been teaching dance across Delhi’s government schools.

A life aligned to dance

Her father, Bhavnesh, a businessman, and mother, Poonam, a homemaker egged the young girl’s aspirations along, all for her career in dance. “They aligned my education to dance so that I could be happy with my choice. I took up philosophy as my major as it is parallel to dance,” says Vrinda, who has an elder brother.

“The life of an artiste may look very rosy, but it can also be full of challenges in the initial phases when establishing oneself is a slow process. Recognition takes time. During this phase, family support goes a long way. To be able to do what you love is a huge blessing,” Vrinda effuses. Even today, there is more to explore, and to stretch her artistic brilliance every time she takes to the stage.

Vrinda with her family

An avid traveller, not just when dancing in different countries – she loves travelling solo. India’s heartland endear itself to her, be it Himachal Pradesh for hiking and trekking or just the hills.

“When one looks at dance, people think it’s only about performance but there are other aspects to it too,” says Vrinda, who keeps her love for the artform alive by researching and studying about Odissi. Practice is an everyday ritual for her. As she chalks out her future plans, she intends to take forward her guru Ranjana Gauhar’s legacy and work towards furthering the cause of Odissi dance.

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Published on 25, Mar 2022

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Harshwardhan Zala: The inventor’s drone can destroy landmines without human risk

(September 28, 2022) A video on YouTube sparked a life-saving idea in Harshwardhan Zala - the one that came after the teenager saw a handful of soldiers trying to defuse a mine, and in the process, it exploded leaving many injured. He couldn't get the image out of his head and kept thinking about a possible solution that could help locate and deal with landmines without putting human life in danger. This gave way to a drone that can detect and detonate landmines, which the inventor and co-founder of Aerobotics7 built at the age of 15. “We’ve developed a technology called multi-spectral detection to identify metal and plastic landmines, unexploded ordnance, and improvised explosive devices. We can detect explosive devices, track their location and detonate them with our wireless detonator, averting any human risk,” the bespectacled teenager told Forbes India. [caption id="attachment_22372" align="aligncenter" width="900"] Harshwardhan Zala is the co-founder of Aerobotics7[/caption] Developed over three years, EAGLE A7 (Escort for Attacking on Ground & buried Landmines as Enemy) is a battery-operated quadcopter drone that was built using a 3D printer. With an accuracy rate of 91 percent, it can detect landmine explosives and send real-time data to a ground control station.

ried Landmines as Enemy) is a battery-operated quadcopter drone that was built using a 3D printer. With an accuracy rate of 91 percent, it can detect landmine explosives and send real-time data to a ground control station. So how exactly does it work? The drone detects landmines while hovering closer to the ground, and sends real-time signals to the nearest army base. It also drops a wireless detonator on the spot, which can be blasted by the military. "I am currently working with the Indian Army and CRPF to help clear all the landmines in the country. Once that is accomplished, I will share my technology with the rest of the world," India's drone whizz told The Better India.

Born to an accountant father and a homemaker mother, the Ahmedabad resident was always into electronics and technology, so much so that at age 10, he made a remote control that could control and operate home appliances wirelessly. Seeing his interest in gadgets, his parents encouraged his talent. At a tender age, he was busy looking for solutions to the problems of the world. "I would be reading books about the problems that the world was facing, and when I could, I would visit the cybercafé and watch YouTube videos about these problems. Finding a solution was like my mission then,” he told The Better India in an interview.

[caption id="attachment_22375" align="aligncenter" width="660"] Harshwardhan Zala working on the prototype[/caption]

Since he was too young to be allowed at a cyber cafe, he asked his granddad to accompany him and would spend seven-to-eight hours reading and learning. During one such visit to the cyber cafe, he came across a video that reflected how people die of explosions because of undetected landmines. This got him thinking about a solution, and made a prototype, however, his age played a spoiler as none of the companies took him seriously. "Some advised me to complete my education, while others were outright dismissive," the Global Indian added, and the rejection was a redirection for him as he soon started his company Aerobotics7 in 2016, with the help of seed money from his parents and his savings that he earned by guiding engineering students on their academic courses and projects.

The invention got the attention of the Gujarat government with whom he signed a Memorandum of Understanding worth ₹5 crores at the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2017. "In 2017, after the exhibition of my 5th prototype in Gujarat, the govt provided me with two and a half lakhs. The funds were still not enough for building the drone so, I imported parts from Taiwan and China and concentrated on the tech," he told The Tribal Box. It also opened up more avenues for the teenager who visited Silicon Valley and was invited to events like Maker Faire Bay Area. Harshwardhan, who took a break after his class 10 exams to focus on his startup, enrolled in the Copenhagen Business School to study Business Strategy and Innovation. In 2018, he demonstrated the drone to the Indian and Israeli Prime Ministers, and in 2020, "we did a successful demonstration and started working closely with Indian Army and CRPF. The device was tested by the Army and we recorded a great accuracy of 91 percent.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nplQiu6dZlo

Harshwardhan says that over 110 million active landmines are buried under the ground, and it will take around $33 billion to clear all the landmines across the globe, according to a UN report. And he plans to help the world. "I always wanted to make our planet a better place to live in," he told BBC, and the 20-year-old is exactly doing that with Aerobotics7. In no time, it has established itself as one of India's most innovative and purpose-driver drone companies, and now has its eyes set on the American market to build the best technology and make the world a safe place. "We partnered with PeaceJam Foundation in the US and under the mentor-ship of the Noble Peace Prize winner Jody Williams, we have launched a campaign called World Without Landmines. The mission is to remove all landmines across the world by 2025 and reclaim and re-imagine the land for agriculture and other purposes which can also contribute to fighting against climate change," he told The Tribal Box.

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Prasiddhi Singh: The eco-warrior on a mission to save the planet by planting trees

(May 19, 2023) On a regular Sunday, ten-year-old Prasiddhi Singh accompanies her parents to the local market in Chengalpattu to procure fresh produce. But the young environmentalist has her own agenda - she picks up saplings from the nearby nursery to plant them. It's this quest to save the Mother Earth that has made her plant over one lakh trees till now. It was the devastating after-effects of cyclone Vardah in 2016 that inspired this little eco-warrior to literally get her hands dirty, and get on the task of enhancing the green cover. She believes one person is enough to bring about the change, and that's what she is doing. "Ever seen a bird or squirrel swipe a credit card for food? Or an animal pay for clothes? Only humans pay for our existence on this planet. The reason many (might) give is advancement. But what kind of advancement is this?” laments Prasiddhi Singh, a ten-year-old environmentalist whose efforts to create a greener planet start with a call to action. Prasiddhi speaks about plausible solutions to climate change that she began by nurturing numerous fruit forests. Today, her initiatives and NGO have won many accolades and awards. The Diana Awardee

s. The Diana Awardee and the youngest recipient of the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2021, her intrinsic connect with nature is remarkable.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCo9iLzKx-E

The eco-warrior from Tamil Nadu who began her “green activist” journey at the age of just four, has several micro forests to her credit, and has planted over 1 lakh trees till now. “Each of us can make a significant contribution. But we need to try to create change. I have been close to nature since I was two, and I always knew that I had to do something for the planet,” Prasiddhi tells Global Indian.

The little eco-warrior is on a mission - to keep planting trees to enhance biodiversity and to keep spreading awareness. Being the youngest delegate at the G20 Youth 20 Consultation, she calls the experience "a melting pot of ideas, knowledge, and passion. As the youngest speaker among an esteemed group of experts, I felt both honoured and humbled to be included in such a prestigious lineup."

A nature lover

The Mumbai-born Prasiddhi was only 21 days old when she shifted to Tamil Nadu after her father, who is an automotive engineer at Mahindra & Mahindra, transferred to Chengalpattu. The new surroundings were the perfect catalyst in helping her form an unconditional bond with nature. “Since I was two, I have drawn inspiration from nature. The trees taught me to never give up, and grow in any condition. The bees taught me the meaning of collaboration, and from the sea, I learnt to celebrate all phenomenon - high tide or low tide,” says the student at Mahindra World School.

[caption id="attachment_30150" align="aligncenter" width="806"] Prasiddhi Singh[/caption]

The nature enthusiast started planting saplings after witnessing the devastating loss of tree cover in the 2016 Vardah cyclone. “So many trees were uprooted, and it felt like they were crying. It made me sad. I knew I had to do something,” she recalls. So, she rolled up her sleeves, and got her hands dirty, literally. At age four, she participated in plantation drives around her neighbourhood, engaged with NGOs and like-minded folk. Having planted over 20 fruit forests that are located in Chengalpattu, Kanchipuram, Puducherry, Kanyakumari and Chennai, the fruit tree forests bear mangoes, amlas, jamuns, guavas, jackfruits and custard apples.

Stepping up for a cause

Giving nature a chance to breathe again, the little girl with big ideas started the Prasiddhi Forest Foundation in 2018 in Chengalpattu with an intent to increase green cover, nurture biodiversity and make recycling a way of life. “I formed an unconditional bond with nature and this has helped me understand my power. Like a 4 mm seed grows into a 100 feet tall tree, I know that I should never underestimate my power even if I am just a child. I can make a significant contribution in creating an impact,” says the TedX speaker.

How she funds these initiatives give you a hint of her resourcefulness. Prasiddhi has formed an eco-army of individuals who source funds – Selling bookmarks, pencils and grow kits, Singh has also done it all. “During the pandemic, I raised funds by taking online webinars and sessions on how to become an impact creator. The prize money I received from Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar was donated to my NGO. I contribute every single penny I receive,” enthuses Prasiddhi.

The girl who met Prime Minister Narendra Modi when she won the award is also a deep thinker. “They say with great power comes great responsibility. The award made me more conscious about my responsibility. Prime Minister Narendra Modiji made me take three sankalpas (promises). Be regular in whatever tasks I do and persevere, keep my promise of working for the nation and be humble,” says the youngest fruit forest creator.

Having received the highest civilian award for children is no mean feat, and she is already an impact creator. “Trees never eat their fruits or rivers don’t drink their water. Nature has made me understand the meaning of service,” says the Class 5 girl with a vision that takes one aback.

An environmentalist with a cause

Her G3 project - Generate your oxygen, grow your food and gift the community, she hopes will help create a sustainable environment by connecting with people through online or offline sessions, and providing eco kits to help them connect with nature.

Prasiddhi, who loves to skate, do yoga, doodle and cycle, has also represented the country at the Harvard World Model United Nations. “It was inspiring as I was the youngest keynote speaker. It made me realise that people want to create an impact by contributing to society but at times, they don't know what to do. The new generation is aware and feels responsible. Today, we just form 25 percent of the population but we are 100 percent of the future. Our actions matter,” Singh believes.

Prasiddhi, who found her biggest cheerleaders in her guru Swami Niranjananda Saraswati and her maternal grandfather, is deeply inspired by Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls: 100 Tales of Extraordinary Women as it helped her understand the need to stand up for change. “I learnt that despite struggles and challenges, these women brought (about) change. I realised that I don't need to be a grown-up to make a change,” adds the daughter who was influenced by stories about her parents’ childhood amidst nature.

She is interested in the four S' - Soil, Sustainability, Spirituality and Space. Soil, she says, is beneath us and is a basis of life. "It is essential. I don't just want to protect trees, I want to understand them too," she says, adding that the spiritual aspect includes understanding oneself in order to change the world. "Sustainability means living our lives in an eco-friendly way and Space includes protecting Mother Earth."

Today, Prasiddhi wants everyone to take small steps towards creating a healthy planet. “The murmurs of discontent of the motherland have gone unnoticed for a while but now we have to address reality. The world is undergoing a climate crisis. Rather than looking up to the government and leaders, we should focus on the actions we can take to make a change. It can be as simple and small as - saving water, planting trees, or saving electricity. Every action counts and can create an impact,” she signs off.

Follow Prasiddhi Singh on LinkedIn and Twitter

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Kirtikumar Anandrao Ramchandani: The ethical hacker representing India in international championships

(March 20, 2024) For someone who has been interested in cybersecurity since a young age, representing India at international championships in new-age Information Technology platforms was a surreal experience. The past few months have been very fruitful for Ahmedabad's Kirtikumar Anandrao Ramchandani. At the High Technology Championship held in Veliky Novgorod, Russia, in September 2023, he secured a silver medal in Neural Networks. The same year in November, he clinched a bronze at The Professional Championship held in St. Petersburg, Russia, for IT Software Solution. The year 2024 also began on a high note as he emerged as a finalist at the Sports/Competitive Programming competition held in Kazan, Russia, in February. From a young age, Kirtikumar has excelled in cybersecurity. At just 15 years old in 2018, he received the title of 'youngest cyber security researcher' from World Records India for securing over 100 websites by identifying and reporting vulnerabilities in their web applications. That same year, his name was inscribed in the India Book of Achievers. [caption id="attachment_36726" align="aligncenter" width="657"] Kirtikumar Anandrao Ramchandani[/caption] The 21-year-old wears multiple hats as an ethical hacker, cybersecurity expert, and programming enthusiast, winning several awards. He has also dabbled in professional eSports, and had

oads/2024/03/GI-6loQW4AACJVU-1024x683.jpeg" alt="Kirtikumar Anandrao Ramchandani is an ethical hacker who represents India in new-age Information Technology international competitions." width="657" height="439" /> Kirtikumar Anandrao Ramchandani[/caption]

The 21-year-old wears multiple hats as an ethical hacker, cybersecurity expert, and programming enthusiast, winning several awards. He has also dabbled in professional eSports, and had achieved a Top 32 rank at the World Cyber Games held in Seoul, South Korea, in 2019.

As an ethical hacker and Penetration Tester (PenTester), Kirtikumar has earned recognition and monetary rewards from major tech giants like Apple, Microsoft, and Oracle for identifying vulnerabilities in their web applications.

Kirtikumar's interest extends to astrological predictions as well. “Anyone can check my predictions in the Astro World channel where I predicted actual dates or details about market crashes, earthquakes, election results, sporting tournaments’ results, and war which ultimately came true,” he tells Global Indian.

In the world of cybersecurity since the age of eight

At the age of eight, Kirtikumar's enthusiasm for computers became apparent as he immersed himself in activities like programming and gaming. One day, while playing Subway Surfers, he became intrigued by his cousin's method of obtaining unlimited coins in the game. This curiosity prompted him to indulge in extensive research, which led him to discover how to hack the game. By the time he turned 13, Kirtikumar had gained a thorough understanding of hacking tools such as remote access trojans (RATs). Fuelled by his curiosity in the subject, Kirtikumar kept on polishing his skills in the world of ethical hacking.

[caption id="attachment_36724" align="aligncenter" width="713"] Kirtikumar at the International High Technologies Championship 2023 at Veliky Novgorod, Russia[/caption]

Creating milestones

In 2018, at the age of 15, he won the Penetration Tester of the Year award at the United Kingdom based Cyber Security Awards ceremony with several well-known personalities in the field of cyber security as the judges. Kirtikumar also got recognised by the World Book of Records, and earned an entry into the Book of Achievers that year.

The following year Kirti became the youngest to win the Tech Savvy Award which led his interest in the field of science and technology even more, making him passionate in his endeavour to find solutions to vulnerabilities in web applications. “In 2022, I was the top security researcher on the Google Play Security Reward program,” he mentions.

Hacking for good

As Kirtikumar honed his ethical hacking skills further, he noticed that tech giants were publicly recognising cybersecurity enthusiasts for safeguarding their infrastructure by uncovering vulnerabilities in their web applications.

"Inspired by that I decided to leverage my hacking skills for the greater good, securing the internet for users by identifying vulnerabilities in the web applications of major tech companies,” he says. “When I shared the security threats with the respective companies, I was rewarded financially. Some organisations even sent me gift packs with exclusive merchandise printed with their logo and the words ‘security researcher’, as a token of appreciation,” he explains.

[caption id="attachment_36729" align="aligncenter" width="731"] Kirtikumar with Tennessee based cyber security evangelist, Dameon Welch[/caption]

Advancing from web security to browser security and Kernel security

After spending a few years in the field of web security, Kirtikumar yearned to learn something more exciting. “I decided to shift my focus to browser security taking inspiration from international security researchers, Abdulrahman Al-Qabandi and Eric Lawrence.”

After spending a couple of years mastering browser security skills, he again yearned to learn something new, and shifted his focus to Kernel security (errors of which lead to fatal issues on the PC). “I got interested in this subject by following Germany based senior security consultant, Patrick Walker,” says Kirtikumar.

With his dedication to learn advanced skills, expertise and accomplishments at such a young age, Kirtikumar has earned connections with international experts, and opportunities to participate in global forums on cybersecurity. Talking about Kernel Security, he remarks, “It is the most challenging realm of exploration for me because I love to try something tough which can push my boundaries to think out of the box.”

Also Read: Watch out for the cyber criminals: 22-year-old cyber expert Vaibhav Jha upskills natives and foreigners

Endeavours in eSports

Kirtikumar has been into competitive eSports but decided to leave it in 2020. In 2019, he participated in the regional finals of the World Cyber Games in Seoul, South Korea, securing the seventh-place finish in the Asia Pacific Region, cementing his position among the top 32 players. He also competed in the Clash Royale League (CRL 2019) and ranked among the top players worldwide in weekly Grand Challenge finishers.

[caption id="attachment_36727" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Kirtikumar Anandrao Ramchandani at The Professional Championship held in St. Petersburg, Russia[/caption]

“I left competitive gaming in 2020 after winning my last Paytm First Games. It wasn't helping me think outside the box; I was simply addicted to the game,” he explains. “Fortunately, I realised this at the right moment and began to dedicate more time to browser and kernel security research. I am pleased to have qualified for national rounds and to represent India internationally in these fields,” he remarks.

Academic brilliance

A former student of St. Stephen and Navkar Public School in Ahmedabad, Kirtikumar excelled in science and maths, earning a top 100 ranking in the International Math Olympiads (IMO) and National Science Olympiads (NSO) during his time in school. He also achieved a spot in the top 400 in the National Cyber Olympiads (NCO), as a school student.

Currently, the cybersecurity enthusiast is pursuing Chartered Accountancy and Company Secretaryship while working as an independent security researcher. “I aim to explore the intersection of finance and technology, merging my passion for both to create innovative solutions beneficial for traders,” he says.

[caption id="attachment_36728" align="aligncenter" width="527"] Kirtikumar Anandrao Ramchandani at The Professional Championship held in St. Petersburg, Russia[/caption]

When the multitasker finds some time out of his hectic worlds of CA, CS, security research and international competitions, he loves to draw, write, cook, follow cricket, and solve LR/RC/CR on GMAT forums. Ever since he was a teen, he has been giving talks to aspiring security researchers and loves participating in such sessions to share his knowledge.

Follow Kirtikumar Anandrao Ramchandani on LinkedIn and Twitter

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Social activist, Diana Awardee Devanshi Ranjan helps marginalised girls, teaches children and promotes gender equality

A report by India’s centre for budget and policy studies found 71 percent girls reported doing domestic chores during the pandemic, compared to 38 percent boys. (January 11, 2021) While most girls her age were dealing with the aftermath of the pandemic, 22-year-old Devanshi Ranjan was helping marginalised girls in need. The winner of the prestigious Diana Award for her noble endeavours, this graduate of Lady Shri Ram College for Women, has been advocating for more investment in social causes -- gender and youth development since the Corona outbreak. The social activist, Devanshi implemented impactful, innovative initiatives to uplift marginalised groups in highly sensitive rural areas in India. “When the award was announced, friends and family contacted me after the ceremony and saying, “you’ve made it,” which didn’t sit well as this award is not the end. The Diana Award comes with a sense of responsibility to continue Lady D’s legacy. I’d like to work even harder to make a difference,” says the fervent feminist, who is currently director of operations for Ladli Foundation, USA, an international non-profit corporation in special consultative status with the United Nations ECOSOC. The social activist has taught 1,000 children as volunteer for an NGO

ivist has taught 1,000 children as volunteer for an NGO as well.

From LSR to Project MicDrop

Born and brought up in Delhi, social activist Devanshi did her schooling in DPS, Vasant Kunj and went on to study at Lady Shri Ram College for Women, University of Delhi where she pursued a degree in BA (hons) political science (2021). Currently pursuing a one-year postgraduate diploma in conflict transformation and peacebuilding at LSR, Devanshi is determined. Her mother, a government school teacher and father, a second-generation police officer nurtured in her, a deep belief in social upliftment. “Public service was a part of my upbringing. However, the realisation of the daily traumas experienced by us (women) hit me somewhere around my first year in college. I realised how this violence is systematic, persistent, pervasive and entrenched deep within the psyche of patriarchal Indian society. This is something I could identify with, despite being privileged, so just think about the struggles of women and gender minorities from historically underrepresented and marginalised groups. This thought made me take up this cause,” shares the girl who loves cats, and feeds two strays daily.

Committed to addressing these lacunas, Devanshi went on to start Project MicDrop with her friends. “My friends Gayatri Ahuja, a current Young India Fellow and Diya Joseph, a JMC political science graduate and I wanted to catalyse individual awareness and collective action to respond to the crises during lockdowns. Project MicDrop aims to be an inclusive, intersectional initiative for discussions of feminism, gender, sex and sexuality. It acts as a catalyst and facilitator towards enabling women, trans and non-binary people to exert agency, freely express and take pride in their identities, and work to challenge prevalent societal norms by creating spaces for feminist discourse,” she tells Global Indian.

When statistics alarmed her

While doing extensive research about the state of a girl child in rural India, Devanshi came across statistics that alarmed her. A report by India’s centre for budget and policy studies found 71 percent girls reported doing domestic chores during the pandemic, compared to 38 percent boys. Access to a phone was also 11 percent greater for boys. “Girls are facing the burden of household duties, just to sustain themselves for a meal a day. They also have to take care of children because of overcrowding in families. I studied the increase in school dropout rates. The gendered impact of the pandemic put female students at risk of early marriage, early pregnancy, poverty, trafficking and violence,” she ruminates. This led the gender activist to work with girls from marginalised communities. She also joined NGO Tamana as a teacher volunteer, as part of the national social service scheme, an Indian government sector public service programme conducted by the ministry of youth affairs and sports, for the 2018-2019 intake. “In my tenure, I taught over 1,000 students with intellectual and developmental disabilities by engaging them in interactive activities and self-researched learning modules,” she reveals.

Ladki padhao

At Ladli, the social activist aims to achieve gender equality, focusing on prioritising the concern of women’s health and well-being, especially in developing countries. It combats patriarchy, inequality, and gender-based violence. Having been part of Ladli for four years now, Devanshi’s work is focussed on three verticals: education and skill development, women’s empowerment and livelihood, and COVID-19 relief work. During the pandemic, Devanshi chose to focus on girl child education for a couple of reasons. “A girl child is more likely to drop out of school because women are viewed as a liability, not an asset. Women traditionally and even now are viewed as “paraya dhan”(other’s wealth) where the family they’re born in wouldn’t get anything out of them by investing in their education while a male child represents the continuity of lineage. Most hold such beliefs - urban, semi-urban or rural as patriarchy is deeply entrenched in Indian society,” she muses.

Breaking barriers, overcoming taboos

Given the fact that patriarchal notions are deep-seated in underprivileged situations where families struggle in a financially weak environment, it becomes difficult for children from those areas to have adequate resources to avail education. “Even if there’s the slightest chance for them to avail educational facilities, it always goes to the boys,” Devanshi mulls.

Along the course of her endeavours and studies, she has started replacing certain generic words she grew up hearing to those that aptly fit situations. “I don’t really use the term underprivileged – I’d rather use the words historically marginalised and under-represented groups. I also don’t like the term empowerment of women - the act of empowering someone is just reinforcing the saviour complex,” believes the social activist.

With her interests are centred around international development, gender and policy, Devanshi hopes to continue working, and pursue higher studies in international affairs and policy, with the intersection of gender. Binge watching on OTT, the movie buff loves watching romantic and comedy films with her mother and sister. R & B, classical and rock music are her other faves.

When not dedicating her time to social causes, the gritty 22-year-old enjoys reading political literature. “I also have a keen interest in learning about different languages and cultures. I have studied French for over nine years, and have swiftly picked up Spanish too,” she smiles.

Devanshi believes that it is important for the youth to constantly ask questions, and work towards finding solutions to causes they care about. “Amidst the pandemic, tons of youngsters started their own helplines and initiatives to help people in distress and the youth played a major role in creating change during COVID,” concludes the social activist.

Reading Time: 10 mins

Recap 2023: Young Indian trailblazers shine in global art and culture scene

(December 28, 2023) In 2023, a wave of young Indians made waves on the global stage, leaving an indelible mark in the realms of art and culture. From commanding attention at international film festivals to making strides in the dynamic world of K-Pop and creating mesmerising snapshots through photography, these emerging talents redefined the narrative of Indian creativity. Their achievements not only underscore the rich diversity of India's cultural landscape but also showcase the global resonance of their artistic pursuits, signaling a promising future where young Indian artists continue to captivate and inspire audiences worldwide. Global Indian takes a look at the young Indians who shone bright in the world of art and culture in 2023. Kamal Singh - Ballerino At the opening night of Brecon Festival Ballet this Christmas, an Indian took centrestage as the main lead in Nutcracker – the world’s most popular ballet – to perform to packed houses in Wales. Amid the thunderous applause, he couldn’t help but reminisce the time he first saw a ballet in a Bollywood film. Six years later, the dream of performing ballet came true for Delhi-born Kamal Singh. [caption id="attachment_26068" align="aligncenter" width="486"] Kamal Singh is English National Ballet School graduate.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_26068" align="aligncenter" width="486"] Kamal Singh is English National Ballet School graduate.[/caption]

He had never heard of ballet until he watched a Bollywood film on his small television at his home in Vikaspuri on a balmy afternoon in 2016. A sweet twist of fate put him in the company of the Imperial Fernando Ballet School that changed the trajectory of his life and made him take those steps toward his dream. Then a 17-year-old, whose father is an e-rickshaw driver in Delhi, he was bewitched by the ballet dancers and wanted to try it for himself. Five years later, he became the first Indian to be selected to study at the English National Ballet School in the UK. "Coming from a humble background, where I couldn’t afford fees for ballet school to now performing in the UK, I am living my dream. Taking a leap of faith, knowing that I can back it up with hard work is what changed the game for me,” Kamal told Global Indian

Rhea Bakshi - Documentary filmmaker

This September Delhi-based teen Rhea Bakshi was in for a surprise when her 20-minute documentary India’s Treasures on Indian artisans won big at the New York International Film Awards, in the best student film category, making it the only Indian film to be awarded the finalist laurel. The documentary, that delves into the captivating journey of India’s age-old traditional art forms, showcases the passion and struggles of artisans who are preserving India’s heritage. "The recognition validated the work that I had put in, and, also stood for the fact that age doesn't limit a person’s ability to make a meaningful impact," she told Global Indian.

[caption id="attachment_33212" align="aligncenter" width="678"] Rhea Bakshi with artisans[/caption]

With the documentary getting a nod at an international film festival, Rhea calls it a “great opportunity for the artisans who have now taken the centrestage due to the popularity of the documentary. Through the documentary, I am trying to provide a platform for the voices of marginalised India and the people who are the real heroes of the time-honoured traditions and expertise," she added.

Aria - K-Pop singer

The Hallyu Wave, a cultural phenomenon from South Korea, has taken over the world with catchy music, impressive dances, and engaging stories. This wave, led by the global sensation of K-Pop, has captivated India, and one shining star in this K-Pop craze is Gauthami, also known as Aria. Coming from Kerala, Aria is the second Indian to join a K-Pop group, following in the footsteps of the trailblazer Sriya Lenka. Her story is about daring to dream big and making those dreams come true. Like many Indian fans, Aria passionately followed K-Pop, dreaming of being part of this dazzling world. In April, Aria made a remarkable debut with the girl group X:in, releasing their first album, Keeping the Fire.

Getting attention for her nationality, she said, “I thought people from India would be giving me all the attention but it turned out that people from all over the world are showering with me love and support. I was surprised but at the same time feel grateful." In her aspirations for the future, the 20-year-old K-Pop sensation envisions her girl band, X:in, entering the Billboard Charts, while also expressing her openness to exploring acting opportunities in both K-dramas and Bollywood as an individual artist.

Vihaan Talya Vikas - Photographer

Ten-year-old Vihaan Talya Vikas, armed with his Canon EOS 7D, ventured to the Bengaluru airport in pursuit of the perfect shot. Intrigued by an ancient tamarind grove, he soon found himself captivated by a spider on a wall next to an idol of Lord Krishna. For Vihaan, it wasn't just a normal sight; it was a moment where the spider seemed enchanted by Krishna's flute. Capturing this unique scene earned him the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2023 award in the under-10 category. Expressing his joy, Vihaan shared that photography allows him to think creatively and connect with nature.

Organised by The Natural History Museum in London, the competition, often called the "Oscars of Photography," attracted entries from 95 countries worldwide. Out of 50,000 submissions, Vihaan's photograph, titled "The Wall of Wonder," stood out among the top 100. The image, featuring a spider and an idol, conveys a powerful message of coexistence. Dhritiman Mukherjee, a judge and Wildlife and Conservation Photographer, praised the thought process and composition of the image, emphasizing its significance in conveying art, concept, conservation, and science. The winning photograph will join the WPY59 collection and be showcased in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibition at the Natural History Museum, traveling to 25 locations across four continents to raise awareness about wildlife conservation through impactful imagery.

Siddharth Salgaonkar - Filmmaker

Siddharth Salgaonkar, a budding filmmaker from Belagavi, Karnataka, gained international recognition with his short film Monster, a guerilla-style project entirely managed by him in his house. The one-minute film, featuring his mother as the sole actor and his father as a crew member, earned a spot at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival, showcasing Belagavi on the global cinematic stage.

Salgaonkar, who started making films while studying at the Srishti School of Art in Bengaluru, expresses his passion for both fiction and non-fiction. His earlier works, such as Call and Delete, explore poignant themes like the relationship between a mother and son and the peculiar attachment of a young man to an eraser, demonstrating his knack for capturing tension within mundane scenarios. Salgaonkar's films often leave audiences intrigued, showcasing his unique storytelling approach focused on everyday life experiences.