Anmol Narang: Breaking barriers as a trailblazing Sikh-American in the U.S. Army
By: Amrita Priya
(July 5, 2024) The U.S. has an estimated 750,000 Sikh-Americans. Anmol Narang made history when, at the age of 23, she became the first observant Sikh to graduate from the U.S. Military Academy, West Point in 2020. It was a dream come true for the young officer to pass out from the most famous military academy in the world with more than a 200-year-old history.
As the saying goes, ‘where there is a will, there is a way’, she recalled mailing her application to West Point, the military academy in the US from a hotel in Hawaii during her junior year of high school. She had just visited the Pearl Harbor National Memorial there and had felt inspired to serve.
“Gender and religion do not hinder a person’s ability to be successful,” Anmol said, adding, “That’s the great thing about the United States military is that it brings together people from all corners of the world.”
Anmol Narang
After completing a rigorous four-year training programme at the 222-year-old U.S. Military Academy, Anmol Narang finished her Basic Officer Leadership Course at Fort Sill in Lawton, Oklahoma. She then reported to Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, for her first posting, as a second lieutenant. After a year of her posting there, she was conferred the Federally Employed Women (FEW) Meritorious Service Award for her outstanding performance.
Inspired by her grandfather
Growing up in Roswell, Georgia, Anmol found the real stories her maternal grandfather, a veteran of the Indian Army, “very fascinating.” Her career choice to enter the Army was a natural progression. “The idea of a career in the Army seemed appealing” to her, even when she was young and didn’t know how to make it a part of her life.
Her grandfather, who served in the Indian Army in the 1960s and 70s, instilled in her the values of service and giving back to the community. A visit to the Pearl Harbor National Memorial in Hawaii during a trip strengthened her desire to follow her grandfather’s example. Learning about the sacrifices of service members, and the results of those sacrifices was very impactful on her impressionable mind.
Anmol Narang
When she graduated from the US Military Academy, excited and happy to be fulfilling her dream, she remarked, “The confidence and support of my community back home in Georgia has been deeply meaningful to me, and I am humbled that in reaching this goal, I am showing other Sikh Americansthat any career path is possible for anyone willing to rise to the challenge.”
Choosing the air defence branch
Anmol Narang had pursued a year of undergraduate studies at the Georgia Institute of Technology before joining West Point military academy, where she studied nuclear engineering which led her to a career path in air defence.
Upon graduating from the U.S. Military Academy, Anmol chose the air defense branch. “Air defense units play a pivotal role in ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific region and help ensure that events like the bombing of Pearl Harbor don’t happen again,” Anmol had shared, explaining her choice. She highlighted that she was honoured to share such an important mission in the Pacific with her teammates.
Anmol went on to serve as the fire control platoon leader for Delta Battery, 1-1 ADA (Air Defense Artillery) which consisted of a diverse group of soldiers who operated U.S. Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC-3) systems.
Anmol Narang
Outstanding performance in service
After a year at Kadena Air Base in Japan, Lieutenant Anmol Narang was awarded the Federally Employed Women (FEW) Meritorious Service Award during the annual FEW virtual leadership conference.
FEW’s Military Meritorious Service Awards recognise outstanding military service members within the Armed Forces who have distinguished themselves through significant contributions to their service in the US.
For her consistent engagement with subordinates and mentoring of female soldiers in Delta Battery, she got nominated by one of her mentors, Lt. Col. Rosanna Clemente, former commander of 1-1 ADA, and finally won the award.
Through her journey of becoming the first observant Sikh to graduate from the U.S. Military Academy and her dedicated performance as a soldier, Anmol Narang has been an inspiration for young people to pursue their dreams, regardless of gender or religion.
(October 16, 2024) October 1st, 2024, was no ordinary day for Nidhi Gautam, a student from Karnataka currently pursuing her bachelor's degree in History and Geography at Miranda House, Delhi University. She received the extraordinary opportunity to serve as the British High Commissioner to India for a day - a position typically held by seasoned diplomats. While this role usually takes years of experience to attain, she earned it after being selected from a competitive pool of over 140 applicants. Lindy Cameron, the British High Commissioner to India, took on the role of Deputy High Commissioner for the day, shadowing Nidhi and supporting her in carrying out the responsibilities of the High Commissioner. The opportunity equipped Nidhi with a deeper understanding of the responsibility that comes with leadership. "One key takeaway for me was the immense responsibility diplomats carry. It’s about presenting a seamless front to the world, but behind the scenes, there’s a wealth of knowledge, collaboration, and effort that goes into every decision," she remarked in an interview with Global Indian. [caption id="attachment_39867" align="aligncenter" width="745"] Nidhi Gautam with Lindy Cameron, the British High Commissioner to India[/caption] The ‘High Commissioner for a Day’ competition The opportunity allowed the 19-year-old
[caption id="attachment_39867" align="aligncenter" width="745"] Nidhi Gautam with Lindy Cameron, the British High Commissioner to India[/caption]
The ‘High Commissioner for a Day’ competition
The opportunity allowed the 19-year-old to experience the challenges and responsibilities of international diplomacy, especially within the context of the strong UK-India partnership.
Since 2017, the British High Commission has celebrated the International Day of the Girl Child, observed in October, through initiatives like the 'High Commissioner for a Day'. This initiative, designed to empower young women across India, is more than just an opportunity to shadow diplomats. It is a platform to promote gender equality, challenge societal norms, and provide young women with the tools to tackle global challenges head-on.
Nidhi secured the first spot in the competition through a thought-provoking one-minute video submission. The youngster’s articulate response and clear vision to the question, “How can the UK and India collaborate on technology to benefit future generations?” stood out, ultimately leading her to this once in lifetime experience.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PW73g9IoSM
Stepping into diplomacy - a day to remember
The day began like no other, with Nidhi arriving at the British High Commission in New Delhi. Her morning started with a breakfast briefing from the senior leadership team, where she was introduced to the inner workings of UK-India relations. The focus was on the UK-India Technology Security Initiative, a key aspect of the two nations' partnership. Discussing everything from climate change to healthcare, this briefing provided Nidhi with a comprehensive view of the critical collaborations happening between the UK and India.
What struck her most, however, was the gravity of the role she was stepping into. 'I was seated at the head of the table, and I remember feeling an overwhelming sense of responsibility. They treated me with such respect, just as they would a real diplomat,' she reflected, recalling how she was served first and even had the car doors opened for her. "That moment made me realize the power and symbolism of diplomacy. Riding in the High Commissioner’s vehicle with the flag was surreal. These were ceremonial gestures, but they also made me feel like I was part of something much bigger than myself."
This, of course, was only the beginning. Nidhi’s day as High Commissioner took her through a series of meetings and visits that would leave a lasting impact on her future ambitions.
[caption id="attachment_39862" align="aligncenter" width="700"] The day started with a breakfast briefing[/caption]
The power of innovation – a visit to IIT Delhi
A defining moment of Nidhi’s day was her visit to the National Centre for Assistive Health Technologies at the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi. Here, she was exposed to cutting-edge innovations designed to empower individuals with disabilities, particularly those who are visually impaired. "The most memorable and impactful moment was witnessing the various innovations being developed to assist differently-abled individuals. What struck me wasn’t just the advanced technology, but the social impact of these innovations," Nidhi explained with palpable enthusiasm.
"It was incredibly inspiring to see how knowledge and technology are being used to uplift those in need. This is where diplomacy meets real-world change. It’s not just about policies and negotiations, but about creating tangible benefits for society," she added.
The experience deepened her understanding of how science, technology, and diplomacy intersect to create a better future. She recognized that technological innovation, when combined with effective diplomatic partnerships, has the power to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges.
[caption id="attachment_39863" align="aligncenter" width="660"]A visit to the National Centre for Assistive Health Technologies at IIT-Delhi[/caption]
Shaping global health - a visit to the National Institute of Immunology
Following her time at IIT Delhi, Nidhi visited the National Institute of Immunology, where she observed ongoing advancements in vaccine development. Given the global importance of vaccines in a post-pandemic world, the visit provided good insights on the collaborative work being done by the UK and India in biotechnology. Nidhi saw firsthand how scientists from both nations were working together to tackle global health challenges—a poignant reminder of the importance of international cooperation.
Reading about these topics in textbooks is one thing, but seeing it unfold in real time was extraordinary. "I now have a much deeper understanding of how global health challenges are addressed and the pivotal role diplomacy plays in facilitating these collaborations,' Nidhi remarked.
[caption id="attachment_39864" align="aligncenter" width="707"] A visit to National Institute of Immunology[/caption]
Inspiring leadership and the role of women
One of the most rewarding aspects of Nidhi’s experience was her interaction with Lindy Cameron, the British High Commissioner to India, who served as Deputy High Commissioner for the day. Their discussions spanned a variety of topics, from the UK-India Technology Security Initiative to the broader role of young women in leadership.
“Lindy’s warm encouragement and insightful thoughts throughout the day inspired me profoundly, reminding me of the importance of dedication and passion in serving one’s country,” Nidhi remarked.
For the DU student, seeing women at the helm of diplomacy and leadership roles was a powerful inspiration. "One of the key lessons I took away from the day was the importance of collaboration, not only between countries but also within leadership. Women play such a significant role in these discussions, and seeing them in action was both inspiring and empowering," she noted. "It filled me with pride to see women driving change at such a high level. It reinforced my belief that women are remarkable at what they do and that more of them deserve to be in leadership positions."
For Nidhi, the experience was more than just a day in the life of a diplomat—it was the affirmation of a dream. "I’ve always wanted to become a diplomat, and this experience reaffirmed my desire. It’s not an easy path, especially in India where competition is intense, but I’m committed to working hard and broadening my knowledge to one day achieve that goal," she shared.
Nidhi’s biggest source of inspiration is India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar. "He continues to inspire me every day with his depth of knowledge and contributions to diplomacy. I aspire to one day follow in his footsteps and serve my country with the same passion and dedication," she added.
Aspiring for a future in leadership
As Nidhi Gautam continues her education at Miranda House, this unique experience has given her a fresh perspective on international relations, technology, and leadership. She sees herself not only as a future diplomat but as a champion for gender equality and innovation. Her passion for diplomacy, technology, and cultural exchange is set to shape her path forward.
"The future of diplomacy is bright, especially as more young leaders, particularly women, are given platforms to shine. Initiatives like ‘High Commissioner for a Day’ are essential in promoting gender equality and inspiring the next generation of change-makers," she said. "More women deserve to be in leadership positions. The world is better when everyone has equal opportunities."
Extraordinary opportunities in 2024
The year 2024 has been full of extraordinary opportunities for the youngster. Earlier this year, she was part of a nearly 100-student cohort invited to the Raisina Dialogue 2024, a multilateral conference held annually in New Delhi, after being selected through an application process. Describing the Raisina Dialogue experience she remarks, "It was truly beyond words. It was a unique opportunity to meet people from diverse backgrounds, including civil servants, diplomats, and top leaders from around the world. I’m extremely grateful for that experience, just as I am for the chance to serve as the British High Commissioner for a day."
[caption id="attachment_39861" align="aligncenter" width="643"] Nidhi Gautam with Lindy Cameron, the British High Commissioner to India[/caption]
Both the opportunities have been exhilarating and learning platforms for the young scholar. As Nidhi puts it, "The experiences taught me that collaboration and leadership go hand in hand. Whether it’s between countries or individuals, shared knowledge and expertise always lead to better outcomes."
What stood out the most for Nidhi was the warmth and encouragement she received from the entire team at the British High Commission. "Their supportive smiles and kind words reassured me, making the experience even more memorable," she signed off.
(December 18, 2024) It was in 2022 a then 14-year-old Tejas Pugalia realised that countless students in rural India miss school during monsoons due to a lack of school bags to protect their books. This sudden awareness that the attendance rate dropped to 28 percent during raining season pushed the Nagpur lad to start Threads4Good, an initiative that transforms textile waste into durable school bags. In three years, Threads4Good has not only provided 3200 upcycled bags to the underserved kids but also upcycled 3,000 kgs of textile waste by employing marginalised people. A feat that has helped Tejas win the Diana Award 2024. "I'm delighted. Our months and months of hard work have been recognised," he tells Global Indian. [caption id="attachment_41038" align="aligncenter" width="543"] Tejas Pugalia[/caption] Each year, the Diana Awards, named after the late Princess of Wales - Diana, spotlight 200 young people across 45 countries who are making a difference. And this time, Tejas is among the 27 young Indians recognised for their impactful work. "It validates the work and is a testament to all the people who received the award that our work is creating an impact in the world. It motivates us to continue the work, not
who are making a difference. And this time, Tejas is among the 27 young Indians recognised for their impactful work. "It validates the work and is a testament to all the people who received the award that our work is creating an impact in the world. It motivates us to continue the work, not only for the recognition but also for the immense support we have found in the community," adds the 17-year-old.
Like any regular day, Tejas Pugalia was neck-deep in studies when he received an email from his school teacher. A mere peek at the notification was enough for him to leave the class. The 12th grader had won the Diana Award 2024 for Threads4Good. "I was such an incredible moment," he says, adding, "People are excited for the work that we do at Threads4Good and this in turn excites me."
How an idea turned into purpose
It all began in the January of 2022 when the country was grappling with the third wave of Covid, and Tejas's house help was in need of a tutor for her children. An academically-inclined Tejas jumped in to help. Those four months of tutoring made him aware of the many glaring problems that kids face in government schools. "The attendance rate in schools is very low during monsoons as most of the kids don't have school bags, leading to the risk of books getting wet," reveals Tejas, adding, "Staying back at home, they are often forced to take up some small daily work to earn money for the family."
Initially Tejas Pugalia believed it to be one of case but soon realised it was a persistent problem across many government schools in India. "With the help of friends in different cities, we conducted a survey and found lack of school bags did lead to low attendance. The attendance which was 70 percent otherwise went down to 28 percent during monsoons."
Keen to solve the widespread issue, Tejas decided to provide school bags but soon realised it wasn't a viable option as they were expensive. That's when a friend, Dhrishit Patel, mentioned that his father's textile factory in Ahmedabad had thousands of tonnes of textile waste that could easily be repurposed to make bags. "That was our eureka moment." Tejas saw an opportunity to make a difference by turning textile waste into school bags for underprivileged children and helping them continue their education. This led to the start of Threads4Good.
Multifold impact
"We partnered with a handful of textile factories and recycling and upcycling units in five cities to bring our mission to fruition," says Tejas, who first began the textile waste collection drive in his school in Nagpur. "We organise it twice a month, inviting students to bring their old clothes or any textile items," says Tejas, who holds similar drives in residential areas and high-rise societies.
"The textile waste is collected by upcycling units, who within a day or two, return with upcycled fabrics that's used for making bags. However, Threads4Good aimed to create a deeper impact and began empowering marginalised individuals by providing them with employment opportunities. "It's through NGOs or centre for marginalised people that we contacted them and taught them how to make bags." Currently active in five cities - Nagpur, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and Delhi/NCR, Threads4Good has employed 27 people. "They are mostly widowed women and specially-abled people. We are not only offering them a livelihood but a chance to live a dignified life. They are paid ₹60 per bag and each bag takes around 18 minutes to make."
Looking back, Tejas reflects on a key milestone for Threads4Good: reducing costs to reach more people. Initially, the high tailoring expenses posed a challenge, limiting their ability to expand. However, the decision to employ marginalised individuals turned this challenge into a solution. It not only lowered production costs but also gave these individuals financial independence and a renewed sense of dignity. “A lot of them couldn’t afford basic necessities, but now they are earning,” says Tejas. Alongside this, Threads4Good partnered with organisations like the Robinhood Army, whose volunteer network help identify children in need, collect textile waste, and ensure the timely delivery of school bags.
The army of volunteers
Collaboration has played a pivotal role in Threads4Good's growth in five cities. Working with partners like the Robinhood Army has streamlined the process, making it more structured and time-efficient. “We have a 14-day cycle that starts with the delivery of recycled fabric and the making of bags and ends with the Robinhood Army identifying children and distributing the bags. Before these collaborations, the cycle took much longer,” explains Tejas, who works with an army of 320 volunteers. In Kolkata, Threads4Good has also partnered with an NGO that tutors underprivileged students. “They have valuable contacts and help us identify children who need school bags,” adds Tejas. These partnerships have not only reduced timelines but also brought a more organised approach to achieving Threads4Good’s mission.
Ask him about the funding, and the teen says that the initiative has received several grants and awards with cash prizes, all of which are used to support their mission. In Nagpur, a billionaire investor helps by paying ₹60 for each bag made in the city. "Threads4Good has also partnered with the CSR teams of major companies and is in the final stages of talks with TCS and a company in Kolkata. These collaborations are helping us continue and grow our efforts," says Tejas.
Saving carbon emission
Ever since its inception, Threads4Good's impact has gone beyond empowering marginalised individuals and helping children access education — it’s also making a significant contribution to the environment. "I was shocked that it takes about 2700 litres of water to make one cotton t-shirt. Over the years, we have upcycled 3,000 kgs of textile waste and have saved around 88-90 million litres of water which would be polluted," says a proud Tejas. Moreover, Threads4Good has kept textile waste out of landfills, preventing the release of harmful carbon emissions. "Textile waste in landfills is often burned, contributing to carbon pollution. By upcycling, we’ve prevented 60,000 kilograms of carbon emissions," he adds.
Plans of expansion
Having created an impact, Threads4Good is now gearing up for its next phase of growth, with plans to expand to more cities across India and even beyond its borders to countries like Bangladesh and South Sudan. “We are in talks with embassies and local communities to help replicate the model in these countries,” shares Tejas. The mission remains the same: to support underserved children and ensure they have the resources to continue their education. "We are also focusing on creating sustainable and eco-friendly umbrellas."
Threads4Good is also taking steps to address the systemic issues that prevent underserved children from getting an education. The team has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Supreme Court of India, highlighting the inadequate implementation of the Right to Education Act. “Article 21A of the Constitution requires government schools to monitor attendance and ensure students go to school, but that’s not being done,” says Tejas. The PIL also highlights the poor quality of mid-day meals in some schools. “Many times, the meals are so bad that they end up harming students instead of helping them,” he adds. Tejas hopes this effort will lead to better enforcement of laws and improved standards in schools, making the education system fairer while continuing its work on the ground.
Tejas Pugalia, a state-level football player who enjoys cooking to unwind, has simple advice for young people: observe the problems around you and think deeply before coming up with a plan to help. “A lot of kids ignore social injustices and choose not to react, but there are so many issues in India — both social and environmental — that need attention,” he says. For Tejas, change begins with awareness and the willingness to take small, meaningful steps to address these challenges." Small, consistent efforts can lead to a significant impact," he signs off.
(March 1, 2024) In November 2023, 16-year-old equestrian Ananya Settipalli realised a long-time dream - she made it to the United States Dressage Finals, competing with the best young riders in America. At her first junior nationals in 2019, which she entered at the age of 12, she landed multiple podium finishes, including a silver in show jumping. Ananya made it to her second junior nationals just before the pandemic and came home with a team gold in dressage and a team silver in jumping. Ananya Settipalli was born in Boston and discovered a love for horses when she was around four years old. "My parents put me in my first summer camp in North Carolina when I was seven, at a barn called MacNairs," she tells Global Indian. Nobody in her family had been into the sport or ridden horses, but her mum, who was a national-level track athlete, was an early inspiration. Ananya would listen to her mum's stories and wonder what it would feel like to compete at a national level. She would watch equestrian events on TV too, and remembers watching the Olympics over and over. "The way Charlotte Dujardin and Carl Hester was mesmerising to
obody in her family had been into the sport or ridden horses, but her mum, who was a national-level track athlete, was an early inspiration. Ananya would listen to her mum's stories and wonder what it would feel like to compete at a national level. She would watch equestrian events on TV too, and remembers watching the Olympics over and over. "The way Charlotte Dujardin and Carl Hester was mesmerising to me. They were the equestrians I looked up to the most growing up."
When she was nine, the family moved to Hyderabad, where Ananya began riding consistently. She started at the Hyderabad Polo and Riding Club but soon switched to Nasr Polo, where she competed at my first show at HRPC under Nasr.
[caption id="attachment_36295" align="aligncenter" width="614"] Teen equestrian Ananya Settipalli[/caption]
Training with KCS Reddy
She moved back to the Hyderabad Polo and Riding Club to train under Hyderabad's only competitive coach at the time, KCS Reddy. "His methods of training were quite different from others," Ananya recalls. She learned her basics on retired thoroughbreds (ex-racehorses), which can be very challenging to ride compared to the more traditional, docile warmbloods. "I learned most things related to riding the hard way. With off-track thoroughbreds, you have to control every action you make when you're on them," she says.
It was a challenging way to learn. At Nasr Polo, the polo horses were well-trained and easy to handle. The ones at HRPC, however, were fresh off the race course and had received a few months of training from KCS Reddy and his assistant. "It was a rough experience since the horses were so green, but I wouldn't trade it for any other," Ananya says, adding with a smile, "And if I hadn't, I wouldn't have met Princess."
On her 12th birthday, Ananya got her first horse, Princess, as a present. When she rode her for the first time, Princess, who was “as grumpy as a mare could get,” threw her off right away, leaving Ananya with a concussion and “a giant red mark” on her face.” A few months later, when Ananya was at her first show, Princess threw her again, and this time, she fractured her arm. "Nobody thought I would come back to riding. Nobody thought I would keep Princess. But I did both because the most important thing to understand with a horse is that it's never their fault," she says. Instead, Ananya learned patience, and began building a real relationship with the horse she would soon call her best friend. She would head to the stables at 5 am and spend three hours with Princess before school. "It was the best experience I ever had. On weekends, I would spend the first half of the day with her, I would bathe her, hand graze her, groom her and just sit in her stall to spend time with her. She was very sensitive but she just needed some love and a girl who had all the love in the world to offer to her." Their bond only grew, and ultimately, Ananya went on to qualify for the nationals riding Princess.
Competing in India
By this time, Ananya was going back and forth between Hyderabad and Bengaluru, where she was now training under Ashish Limaye at the Embassy International Riding School. She rode with Limaye to try horses to compete in her first Equestrian Premier League at the Embassy to qualify for the nationals. "I loved the place immediately," she said. "They had incredible facilities; everything was so well organised and everyone was extremely friendly and the horses were well taken care of." At the Embassy, she was also looking for horses to ride at the EPLs and ended up riding four, three of which came from the Embassy: Qurt, Dejavu, and Obligado. The fourth was a mare named Zala, whom she leased from the United Rider barn.
Her most special bond, however, was with Obligado, who was around 20 years old when she began riding him. "He's a thoroughbred but he could jump the 130s with ease and even when he was 19, he could jump the 115 cm classes without breaking a sweat. When I first rode him I barely knew how to jump. I couldn't even get around a course without falling off but he's an angel. He rarely misbehaved and taught me the basics of jumping."
By this time, the pandemic had hit. However, the Embassy allowed Ashish Limaye's students to stay at the riding school and continue to train. Ananya, her friends, and Ashish lived at the school for six months. "He was the most influential coach I had the opportunity to train with," Ananya says. They would ride in the morning, go to school, ride again after, and in keeping with Ashish's rule for his students, work out after riding. "Under Ashish, I competed at two Junior National Equestrian Championships in India," she says.
[caption id="attachment_36301" align="aligncenter" width="426"] Ananya Settipalli with Ashish Limaye at the Embassy International Riding School[/caption]
Back to the US
In a stroke of bad luck, Ananya came down with a fairly severe case of Covid 19 in 2020. At this point, her parents decided to go back to the US, this time to Texas, partly for the good schools and also because they had found Ananya a great coach, Kai Handt.
In 2021, Ananya began riding under Handt, who is also one of the top coaches in the US for para-equestrians, at the North Texas Equestrian Center. Then, in 2022, she bought her current horse from Kai, NTEC Classico, a seven-year-old gelding "with impeccable breeding lines and amazing scope in jumping and dressage," Ananya says. That year, she competed at her first regional championship in 2022.
She attended her second regionals in 2023, this time on another of Kai Handt's best horses, the NTEC Falstaff. This time, the idea was to qualify for the United States Dressage Finals. They qualified and made it to the event in Lexington, Kentucky.
A different ecosystem
Being an equestrian in the US, Ananya says, is a very different experience from being one in India. For starters, the average level is much higher - the best riders in India struggle to even qualify when they first arrive in Germany or the US. "It's much more competitive in the US because it's a much more popular sport," she says. Shows also work differently and it took some adjusting to at first.
"After I bought NTEC Classico, it became easier because consistency is key. Having a horse to ride five days a week definitely helps when you compete with that same horse." Another difference is that riders in the US are expected to do a lot more for their horses. "In India, in HRPC and Embassy, they would know what time I would be there and have the horses ready to ride and take care of them afterward. But in America, at most barns, you tack up your own horse, untack them, and take care of them when you're done riding," Ananya explains. "It's a very different experience, but I like taking care of my horse better because it allows you to build a connection with them."
[caption id="attachment_36294" align="aligncenter" width="492"] Ananya and her father, with NTEC Classico[/caption]
The ties that bind
In dressage, a strong bond between horse and rider is key, where everything is about trust, respect, empathy, and teamwork. That's why Ananya focusses on spending consistent time with her horse, not just during the training but also by doing everyday activities like grooming and so on. "Communication is huge, I try to be clear and consistent with my cues so my horse knows what I'm asking for and I make sure to give plenty of praise and maybe a treat here and there." There are challenges of course, as with any relationship. "But I've learned to approach them with patience and understanding. It's not just about winning ribbons in the arena; it's about having a true partnership with your horse."
Ananya hopes to keep winning but says it's more than just about accolades. "It's about deepening my understanding of horses and enriching their lives through thoughtful training and care." She also wants to continue training, saying, "I aim to compete at higher level competitions and hopefully international ones as well."
(May 3, 2023) In 2020, a 20-year-old Neelakantha Bhanu Prakash broke human computer Shakuntala Devi’s record when he won India’s first ever gold medal at the Mental Calculation World Championship held in London. He wasn’t just the first Indian but also the first Asian to claim a gold and the BBC went on to report, “You could say Neelakantha Bhanu Prakash is to maths what Usain Bolt is to running.” This was his competition debut and Neelakantha managed to defeat 29 opponents from 13 countries. He was so fast that judges made him jump through more hoops and make even tougher calculations to confirm his extraordinary accuracy. Three years have passed since then and the Hyderabad based youngster has visited more than 23 countries, conducted more than 500 stage shows and impacted two million students with a mission to eradicate maths phobia. Neelakantha, who holds 50 Limca records for his extraordinary math calculations founded his company Bhanzu, a math ed-tech platform that aims to revolutionise the global math learning landscape. In 2022, Forbes featured the Global Indian in its 30 Under 30 Asia list, for making a difference to the math learning environment through his social entrepreneurship. [caption id="attachment_29720"
more than 500 stage shows and impacted two million students with a mission to eradicate maths phobia. Neelakantha, who holds 50 Limca records for his extraordinary math calculations founded his company Bhanzu, a math ed-tech platform that aims to revolutionise the global math learning landscape. In 2022, Forbes featured the Global Indian in its 30 Under 30 Asia list, for making a difference to the math learning environment through his social entrepreneurship.
Born in in Eluru in Andhra Pradesh, Neelakantha suffered a head injury in 2005, which left him bedridden for one year. However, instead of being bogged down by adversity, he picked up math and mental calculation as a hobby and worked to hone his skills. When he finally recuperated, he entered the competition circuit.
"My parents were told I might be cognitively impaired. So, I picked up mental maths calculations for survival, to keep my brain engaged," he told the BBC in an interview.
Over the years, the math stalwart has bagged many gold medals and has held world records for fast arithmetic calculations. He has also won the International Speed Math Championship '13 and the National Speed Math Championship '11 and '12. In 2015, he won the Math Genius Award.
After he graduated from Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan's Public School (Vidyashram) Hyderabad, he went on to study at St. Stephen's College, Delhi and earned a BSc honours degree in Mathematics.
[caption id="attachment_29716" align="aligncenter" width="897"] Neelakantha with his trophies when he was 10 years of age[/caption]
Helping get rid of maths phobia
In one of his many TEDx talks Neelakantha asked the audience, “Why is maths something that we universally accept as important but are always consistently scared of?” It’s a phobia he hopes to remove from the minds of young students. Neelakantha has been working to make youngsters understand mathematics in such a way that they are able to engage with the subject more fully.
In the TEDx talk he remarked, “250 million students in India are currently in schools learning math. Out of these, more than 187 million students cannot do simple math calculations. It is not okay to be in a position where fundamental skills – literacy and numeracy are still not achieved.”
In order to inspire children and teach them to love mathematics, his company Bhanzu offers a special curriculum that makes math a fun activity, which is relatable and can be used in daily life.
Mental math is a sport, Neelakantha believes. He has trained his mind to think quickly, whether it is in Math or something else. He doesn’t, however, like to be called a prodigy, saying it is not an ability he was born with, but something he developed with hard work. As a child, he would spend over six hours a day practicing, after school.
“I look at it as "unstructured practise where I keep thinking about numbers all the time," he said in an interview."I practice with loud music on, when I’m talking to people, catching and playing cricket, because this is when your brain is being trained to do multiple things at the same time," he added.
Considering it his duty to promote math as something ‘enjoyable’ the math wizard is on a mission to ‘eradicate math phobia and explore infinite capabilities of the human brain’.
(December 1, 2023) Five years ago, Atreya Manaswi was on a fishing trip with a friend and his grandfather. The friend's granddad, who was an experienced beekeeper, was entertaining the two eleven year olds with stories about his bees. "He was telling us about how, decades ago, he would get dozens of barrels of honey and how that season, he'd gotten merely three," Atreya told Frederick Dunn, Cornell University's Master Beekeeper, in an interview. "He was describing this almost tearfully." Atreya was so moved by the story that he came home and began to do some research. It was the start of a new interest and profound breakthroughs for the young scientist. Five years on, the young Global Indian, who began his university-level research at the age of 12, has a slew of awards to his name, the most recent being the Barron Prize 2023. Now an eleventh grader at Orlando Science High School, Atreya has been conducting research in collaboration with the US Department of Agriculture and the University of Florida since the age of 12. He has developed a novel, eco-friendly, low-cost organic pesticide that acts against small hive beetles and varroa mites, some of the leading causes
en conducting research in collaboration with the US Department of Agriculture and the University of Florida since the age of 12. He has developed a novel, eco-friendly, low-cost organic pesticide that acts against small hive beetles and varroa mites, some of the leading causes of hive collapse and the decline in honey production. He is also the author of The Bee Story, a children's book about bees, environment and agriculture, meant to raise awareness about the pollinator crisis. That apart, Atreya is an active public speaker and has spoken at numerous international conferences, with the support of the UN and the World Food Forum. He is a Top Honors Awardee at the BioGENEius Challenge US, made it to the top 30 at the Broadcom MASTERS, won third place at the Regeneron Pharmaceuticals & Society for Science and is a published author in the Journal of Applied Entomology.
Atreya’s research led him to the South Florida Bee College's bi-annual conference, where he first crossed paths with Dr Jamie Ellis, a world leading entomologist. "That's where things really took off and I began my honeymoon research journey," he says. Dr Ellis would go on to become his first mentor. "After the seminar, I went up and asked him a question and we started speaking," Atreya recalls. He made an elevator pitch, daunting as it was for an elementary school student to approach a world class scientist. His other mentor is Dr Charles Stahl, at the US Department of Agriculture, and his ninth grade Chemistry teacher, Mrs Bright, he says.
Born to scientifically-inclined parents in Gainesville, Florida, Atreya's interest in STEM had been encouraged right through his childhood. His father is a physician and he was exposed to science always. "My parents would buy me chemistry kits and tools to play with, like different skeletons I could put together, and Legos, that fostered my interest in science," he said. Although he didn't get early access to labs, he learned early on how to use the cold call approach, which worked out well for him with Dr Ellis. "That's what the real world is like," Atreya remarks, showing remarkable wisdom for his age. "Nobody is going to hand you an opportunity."
Atreya's work and his elevator pitch impressed Dr Ellis, who invited him to take a tour of his labs at the University of Florida. That's where Atreya's own research began, really. During his first year, at the age of 12, he studied nutrition management with pollen substitutes. It was a laboratory study, with ten honeybees in ten different cages. "I was looking at different diet substitutes that can be given by beekeepers where there is a dearth of pollen or if the pollen isn't diverse in the natural environment," he explains. He experimented with wildflower pollen and three forms of commercially made substitutes to see what the bees preferred. He found that the bees preferred wildflower pollen, followed by a substitute called AP 23. He went on to co-author a research paper with his team, which included Dr Ellis, which was peer reviewed and then published in the Journal of Applied Entomology.
Researching hive beetles
In his second year, he began studying hive beetles, which colonise the hives. Found in over 30 states in the US, mostly in places with warmer, more humid climates, these tiny beetles eat and defecate in the hives, leading to the fermentation of honey and in extreme cases, force the bees to abandon the hives completely. There are plenty of treatments available but many are chemical-based. "These chemicals pose a severe risk to wildlife, aquatic organisms, honey bees and humans - and are also extremely expensive, costing anywhere between USD 16-22," Atreya says. Moreover, traces remain in the honey, the wax and the royal jelly, which are either eaten by humans or used in the pharmaceutical industry.
Atreya decided to look into organic substitutes. Apple cider vinegar is the most popular option among beekeepers but is also fairly expensive, leading to very high costs for beekeepers with large apiaries and several hives. "We tested seven organic agents in the form of field trials," he says. "I got stung a lot, and I learned about the hardship and determination that goes into beekeeping. Atreya and his team used seven organic agents - yeasts, scented oils like peanut, grapeseed, cantaloupe puree, mango puree and beer. "They are all odorous, basically. And our control was apple cider vinegar," he says. The beetles are naturally drawn to these substances and are known to feed on sap and rotting fruit. The strategy was to use things that the beetles like, making it easier for beekeepers to lure and trap them.
The beer-loving hive beetles
What they found was transformative. The beetles loved the beer - they had used Miller's High Life because it was inexpensive and readily available. In fact, it worked several times better than the control, apple cider vinegar. "That was the second year of research," he said. "Then we worked to refine that." Beer is up to 95 percent water, and a lab made concentrate would be far more effective. So they got to creating a synthetic blend, that was affordable and also attractive to the beetles.
The process is fascinating. It involves a polymer resin placed in a glass tube, which is attached to a vacuum and placed in a beer bottle. "Air from the beer container is pulled and trapped inside the polymer,” Atreya explains. The chemicals trapped on the polymer are then analysed and “the compounds that weigh less are selected.”, he says, adding, “Then we take beetles under a microscope and extract their antennae. The antennae can function on their own for up to five minutes and were made to respond to different chemicals on a forked electrode. "The electrode picks up what they're sensing. It's very interesting and fun to try in the lab," he smiles. The beer was 33 times more effective than apple cider and the blend they created is only half the cost of the best known chemical substitute.
Finding recognition
It's game changing research, and since it could provide beekeepers everywhere with cost-effective, eco-friendly solution to a significant problem, Atreya's work has generated a lot of interest. At the International BioGENEius Challenge US, where he was named the Global Highest Honors Awardee, Atreya interacted with other brilliant young researchers as well as top pharma companies who set up stalls and scouted for talent. He's a regular in the STEM competition circuit in the US and Canada, which comes with a lot of benefits, apart from substantial cash prizes. "The most important thing is the critical feedback you get at the regional and national levels," Atreya says. "There's also recognition and building a great network, it's an inner circle of like-minded people." Learning to take feedback, he says, is the most important thing. "If you can't do it, you won't get better." It's vital, he says, because at the national and regional levels, everyone is so exceptional.
All this and Atreya Manaswi is still only in the eleventh grade. When he's not studying bees, he practices Taekwondo and holds a second degree black belt. "I also really enjoy theatre," he says, adding with a smile that he enjoys antagonistic roles! He has also started a non profit that conducts workshops on STEM learning for students in local schools. "My aim is to host an international workshop for students around the globe, focussing on different STEM topics, tools and technologies," he adds.
Follow Atreya Manaswi on LinkedIn and read more on his website.
Nidhi Gautam with 
The day started with a breakfast briefing[/caption]
A visit to National Institute of Immunology[/caption]
Nidhi got highly inspired by 
Nidhi Gautam[/caption]
Nidhi Gautam with Lindy Cameron, the British High Commissioner to India[/caption]
Textile Collection Drive[/caption]
Threads4Good[/caption]
Teen equestrian Ananya Settipalli[/caption]
Ananya Settipalli with Ashish Limaye at the Embassy International Riding School[/caption]
Ananya and her father, with NTEC Classico[/caption]
Neelakantha Bhanu Prakash[/caption]
Neelakantha with his trophies when he was 10 years of age[/caption]
Atreya Manaswi[/caption]
