Global Indianstory Global Indian ExclusiveAnoushka Jolly: Youngest entrepreneur on Shark Tank India to win seed fund

Anoushka Jolly: Youngest entrepreneur on Shark Tank India to win seed fund

Written by: Amrita Priya

(July 31, 2022) The first season of Shark Tank India, a franchise of the American business reality show wrapped up in February this year. It received entries from 62,000 entrepreneurs from across the country, out of which 198 businesses were selected to pitch their ideas to the sharks – investors ready to chip in seed funding. Out of this, only 67 entrepreneurs got successful in raising funds. Delhi girl, Anoushka Jolly was one of them.

With a pre-revenue valuation of ₹50 lakh and five lakh funding for her anti-bullying app Kavach (‘shield’ in Hindi) the 13-year-old became the youngest entrepreneur to win funding for her idea on the business reality show.

Social Entrepreneur | Anoushka Jolly | Global Indian

Anoushka Jolly, founder of Anti Bullying Squad

“I have been able to educate and impact several thousand school kids and their parents through my anti-bullying initiatives. I have even managed tie ups with one of the largest NGO of India – Bhumi, as well as a Nigerian NGO to eradicate bullying from children’s lives,” says Anoushka in a conversation with Global Indian.

How a victim of bullying turned into a changemaker

“I was bullied for a year when I was in grade three,” says Anoushka elaborating on what led her to work on the cause of anti-bullying. “Two classmates were emotionally blackmailing me and making me feel that I wasn’t capable enough. It affected my self-esteem. I found myself doing things like apologising when it was not required. I used to be upset all the time and formed a habit of looking down upon myself until I gathered courage to talk about it,” she recalls. However, what she describes as the lowest phase in her life, was also “turning point,” one that helped her “identify the purpose of life – to stop bullying and help kids be happier.”

By the time Anoushka reached class six in 2018, she launched her startup, Anti Bullying Squad (ABS), and started conducting seminars and online sessions across the country to make people realise how severe the impact of bullying can get, starting from her own school. Educational institutions, social organisations and experts have all been with her in her endeavour realising there was huge gap in knowledge on this aspect. Her mental health startup has so far been able to reach several thousand students, parents and teachers from 50+ schools.

Kavach – the shield against bullying

The teen social entrepreneur soon realised that seminars and sessions would solve one aspect of the problem but wouldn’t tackle it in its entirety. A real impact, she found, could only be made when incidents are reported. “Bullying continues unabated because there is hardly any intervention in schools. Authorities tend to be largely unaware of the extent of the problem. Students don’t want to report because they don’t want to be known,” remarks Anoushka.

Putting on a smile and not disclosing bullying will not help

Kavach, therefore, is the answer to her idea of a mechanism which enables students and their parents to report bullying incidents anonymously. “Schools can now tactfully intervene and take action,” she believes.

She also runs a one-hour programme which is available on ABS website and YouTube comprising of 10 videos and MCQs to help children and their parents get sensitized about the issue.

Shark Tank India experience

Shark Tank experience is not the only winning moment that has come the youngster’s way. When she was nine, she was part of the Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA), a US franchise that teaches entrepreneurship skills to under-18s. Anoushka had managed third place in the investor panel for pitching ABS. “Most of the students were in their teens, I was only nine at that time and the youngest of all,” she remarks. “The winning amount was about twenty to thirty thousand but it boosted my confidence immensely.” Happy that she could raise funds on her own, without even having to ask her parents, Anoushka had invested the amount in setting up ABS. It brought her recognition among the ‘Top 21 for 2021’ Innovative Tech-Based Women-Led Startups by ITC & Shecapital.

Her share of limelight on television has not been limited to Shark Tank. The social entrepreneur was also recognised as a Network18 Young Genius in a reality TV show organised by Network 18. She had received an invitation from the Ministry of Culture on behalf of The Government of India to be a part of the song ‘Mauka Hai’ amongst the 40 youth icons like PV Sindhu, Hima Das and Mira Bai Chanu as part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations.

Bullies are not villains

A lot of kids have reached out to her and shared their stories. “They just wanted a person to listen, and were waiting for someone to talk about it. By finding a listener, fifty percent of the problem vanishes,” she tells. Anoushka is happy about the fact that she has been that listener to so many kids. When people share their stories, it keeps me motivated to work even harder for millions of students who are suffering from the problem,” she says.

Anoushka shared one of her supporter, Nysha’s art work on her social media handle that emphasised on ABS perspective

However, Anoushka does not believe that bullies are always villains. “No one is born a bully, they are usually led into it in one way or another. We need to be open to hear their side of the story, be empathetic and forgiving because sometimes peer pressure also leads them to bully. However, the good thing is that we can always lead them back to being good,” she mentions.

Journey ahead…

The daughter of an entrepreneur father, and chartered accountant mother, Anoushka is currently working in the metaverse/gamification space with a focus on mental health. “As a society we do not acknowledge mental health issues of teenagers and since youngsters love immersive experiences, I am combining technology with mental health for a cause,” informs the teenager who loves psychology, biology and Spanish.

She feels she has found her purpose in life and would like to continue the work she is doing but scale up in time. “I want to be very well educated and be a life-long learner.”

Follow Anoushka Jolly on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Follow Anti Bullying squad on its website

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Published on 31, Jul 2022

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She had always had an interest in filmmaking and a conviction strong enough to compel her to quit college and follow her passion instead. She joined a production company as a researcher and not long afterward, was asked to go in front of the camera.

"I realised that while I loved being on camera, shaping the stories and bringing in new perspectives and narratives that hadn't traditionally been seen on television was what I liked best," she said. She turned to other roles - she has been a director, writer, and producer, apart from presenting. She is also the founder of 'Untamed Planet', a production company that seeks to make an impact in the conservation world.

Scaling new heights in Ladakh

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Documenting wildlife to conservation

Vaz and her team travel around the world documenting wildlife and exotic locations but that's only one part of what they do. Vaz also takes on issues like animal trafficking, travelling undercover, and coming face-to-face with dangerous kingpins across the globe. Like tracing manta ray traffickers across Asia, for instance. That became Peng Yu Sai, which was nominated for the 'Green Oscars' and takes the viewer into a murky world comprising fishermen, middlemen, traffickers, and even armed forces personnel as Vaz tries to protect her beloved nautical giants.

She describes, in the Overheard podcast, seeing the manta ray trade for the first time. She was in a village in eastern India when a local farmer told her to come to see the "flat pancake fish." Intrigued, she wandered through the bustling seafood market, which overflowed with every kind of exotic marine life - more than she had seen in the ocean itself. Hundreds of people jostled through the market, the air ripe with the smell of sweat and dead fish - "You cannot wash that smell off you," she remarks. She saw piles of tuna, crab, prawn, bull shark - and then, to her dread, "twenty-five dead manta rays lying on the floor. It felt like a waste of life."

Malaika Vaz is also behind Nat Geo Wild: Living with Predators, a three-episode series that "documents the stories of the real heroes of Big Cat conservation - local communities." In each episode, Vaz talks with ex-poachers, tribal communities, and the forest guards who are at the forefront of protecting India's Asiatic Lions, leopards, and tigers. The series aired across the Asia-Pacific, South Asia, Middle East, and North Africa, starting on August 15, 2020.

The power of stories

She has also produced films about migrant workers through the National Geographic Covid-19 fund for Journalists, explored bat conservation after the species received a bad rep during the pandemic, and elephant tourism.

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Follow Malaika Vaz on Instagram

Shahan Ali Mohsin becomes the first Indian to win FIA Formula 4 car racing Indian series

(December 23, 2023) When most kids of his age were glued to cartoons on television, Shahan Ali Mohsin would watch motorsport racing. But his visit to the Indian Grand Prix changed it all for the teenager. Looking at the fast-speed cars, he knew he wanted to be on the track driving one. And now a few years later, he has become the first Indian to win the FIA Formula 4 car racing championship. The 19-year-old, who represents the Hyderabad Black Birds team, picked up the trophy at Madras International Circuit in Sriperumbudur, a town panchayat some 35 km away from Chennai. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shahan Ali Mohsin (@shahan_racing) It's nothing short of a dream come true for the teenager who has spent a considerable amount of his life on racetracks. It was in 2011 that he first visited Indian Grand Prix, and was determined to make a career in motorsports. Seeing his passion, his father Shahroo Mohsin, a shoe exporter based in Agra, did some research and soon enrolled Shahan at the Meco Motorsports Karting Academy in 2012. He adapted to it pretty soon. "In my first time driving a go-kart I

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A post shared by Shahan Ali Mohsin (@shahan_racing)

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The very next year, Shahan began competing in the Asian Rotax Championship. By the second season, he already managed a few podiums. At the age of 12, he won the Asian Championship's Micro Max category and even had his first race in Europe at the Rotax Grand Festival. "In 2018, I returned to Europe to do the Central European Championship. I got one podium, a second place, there. I did the Rotax Grand Festival in 2017 as well, finishing fourth that year," he added.

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"I have set a goal to make India proud by giving my best in the remaining races of the championship," Shahan said.

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Recap 2023: Teen innovators making waves with award-winning solutions

(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,

Teen Innovators | Shanya Gill | Global Indian

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.

[caption id="attachment_33778" align="aligncenter" width="435"] Shripriya Kalbhavi[/caption]

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.

[caption id="attachment_33578" align="aligncenter" width="648"] Aditya Chaudhary[/caption]

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.

[caption id="attachment_32712" align="aligncenter" width="617"] Rohan Kalia[/caption]

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.

[caption id="attachment_31612" align="aligncenter" width="527"] Kiara Nirghin[/caption]

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.

Building CITTA: How Akanksha and Tanay Sharma are shaping baby care in India

(February 21, 2024) The baby care industry in India has seen significant growth over the last few years, driven by increased consumer awareness rising disposable incomes, and is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 14.02 percent from 2022 to 2027. Parents want safe, natural and cruelty-free products for their babies, as overall trends move towards healthier, more sustainable lifestyles. Indian brands have risen to the challenge, bringing modern innovation together with a deep understanding of local and cultural nuances, and India's age-old traditional remedies. CITTA, co-founded by 24-year-old Akanksha Sharma, her mom, Monisha Sharma and brother, Tanay Sharma, is a Pune-based baby care brand that reached a turnover of Rs 1.2 crore within two years. [caption id="attachment_36018" align="aligncenter" width="613"] Akanksha and Tanay Sharma with their mother, Monisha[/caption] ‘Nushke’ to building a brand When Akanksha was studying in the US, her mom and grandma would call her all the time, lovingly giving her advice or ‘nushke’ like 'drink turmeric milk,' and 'use rosewater when you're out in the sun'. Around this time, a well-known baby care brand received a lot of bad press for using unsafe ingredients in their baby powder. Akanksha, who was always entrepreneurial, teamed up with her

you're out in the sun'. Around this time, a well-known baby care brand received a lot of bad press for using unsafe ingredients in their baby powder. Akanksha, who was always entrepreneurial, teamed up with her mom and brother to create a safer alternative, and CITTA came to be. Both siblings were abroad - Akanksha was studying Apparel Industry Management at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in LA, while Tanay was doing a Bachelor's at the University of Toronto. Eventually, they returned home to build their business.

Business in their blood

"I was born and raised in a business family," Akanksha tells Global Indian. "I have witnessed their struggles, growth and expansion. Entrepreneurship is in my blood. My parents are my biggest inspiration since I saw them during their struggling years and I see them now and all that they have accomplished. It pushes me to do better everyday." A quiet and shy child, Akanksha grew into a confident young adult, going on to become head girl at Lexicon School in Pune, where she also participated in co-curricular activities, played basketball, volleyball, took part in debates, elocutions and lots more.

Akanksha and Tanay, who are currently 24 and 22 respectively, grew up in a joint family of 10 members where struggles were common in the early years. "I would see all the adults in my family work very hard till late. They made a decision to start a school together in which there were only 16 students in the first year, out of which three were me and my two sisters," she says. Today, the school has 10,000 students, and holds a valuable lesson for Akanksha and Tanay. "Anything is possible with consistent hard work and dedication," says Tanay. "It pushed me to do better. I got into the University of Toronto and did my undergrad there along with running my own small business."

CITTA began with a mission to create safe and nurturing baby care products. As they researched the industry, they found it needed gentle but effective skincare solutions for both infants and their parents. They expanded into the skincare segment too, along with baby care products. "We are proud to be free from toxins, harsh chemicals, parabens, sulphates, silicones, talc, mineral oils, allergens, petroleum jelly and other potential irritants," the duo say. "This ensures that are products are gentle on sensitive baby skin." The CITTA product range includes a Moisturizing Baby Balm which uses eight natural oils, including Shea butter and vitamin E. Their talc-free baby oil is made with corn, oats and kaolin, which prevents rashes. Their foaming baby wash and baby shampoo are soap-free and tear-free.

Made for the Indian consumer

As homegrown baby care brands now flood the market, CITTA caters to the specific demands of the Indian consumer. "Whether it's developing eco-friendly packaging, incorporating advanced technologies into our products or introducing unique formulations, we strive to set ourselves apart in a crowded market," Akanksha and Tanay explain. They invest heavily in sustainability, ensuring that every part of the supply chain is rooted in integrity, from the ethical sourcing of raw materials to minimizing their carbon footprint every step of the way.

Building CITTA came with its share of challenges and successes. "Each contributed valuable lessons that will significantly shape our plans and strategies moving forward," they say. There have also been numerous shifts in consumer preferences and lifestyles, which has taught them to invest more in R&D practices as they navigate the complexities of the global supply chain. "Disruptions brought about by external factors have emphasised the need for resilience and adaptability," say the siblings. "We have learned to proactively diversify our sourcing strategies, build strategic partnerships and implement agile inventory management systems." They are also working on enhancing their online presence, creating user-friendly interfaces and building robust e-commerce infrastructure.

The sibling journey

Akanksha and Tanay remain at the forefront of CITTA and use their sibling rapport to their advantage. "It's fun and nice," Akanksha smiles. "Tanay, as a brother and working partner, is always supportive. Whether in a meeting, during decision -making or facing any difficulties, you always know that there's support from someone who is equally invested. Despite my emotional nature, Tanay is calm, so we complement each other." Arguments are par for the course, but those are always sorted out in the end.

"Tanay agrees."I had always pictured working with my sister when I was younger and I really like doing so because she gives me immense support and strength," he smiles. "I get to be my goofy self around her and we get to laugh a lot together," he laughs. They strike a balance by talking shop only at the office and just being siblings at home.

It's a unique dynamic that has made for an exciting and fulfilling journey, bolstered by a deep understanding of each other and complementing one another's strengths and shortcomings. "There is a natural synergy that goes beyond business - it's a family affair infused with shared passion and dedication," say the siblings. "We celebrate victories together, learn from setbacks and constantly push each other to innovate. It's not just a partnership, it's a shared adventure that makes every success even sweeter."

Follow Akanksha Sharma and CITTA on Instagram

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Need for Speed: Racer Nikeetaa Takkale to represent India at 2023 Asia Pacific Rally Championship

(September 24, 2023) Nikeetaa Takkale, a prodigious Pune-based rally driver, has quickly made a mark in the motor racing arena. Within just a year and a half, she amassed over 60 trophies and clinched the title of the fastest driver at the INAC autocross west zone round in 2022. Furthermore, she won the prestigious motorsports award for emerging Indian women in 2022. In a true display of grit, during the Nagaland rally, she overcame severe challenges to secure third place in the Junior INRC. On the international front, Nikeetaa is gearing up to represent India as the sole female driver at the 2023 Asia Pacific Rally Championship. During a brief visit to her hometown, Pune, in 2021, Nikeetaa Takkale was attending an autocross event when she met the person who would change the course of her life. “That’s where I met Chetan Shivram (sir) for the very first time,” she tells Global Indian. “He wanted me to drive the autocross just for fun. My dad encouraged me to try as well and I decided to take part.” She ended up winning nine trophies and the best amateur laurel, on her first attempt. That sparked a passion for motorsports in

up winning nine trophies and the best amateur laurel, on her first attempt. That sparked a passion for motorsports in the already athletic Nikeetaa Takkale.

A prolific and accomplished sportsperson growing up, Nikeetaa Takkale shifted gears for a while, to study BBA and Cosmetology, before following her dreams in racing. In school, Takkale was an award-winning athlete, with 36 medals in the 400 meters, 100 meters and sprint to her credit. She played football too, and won a trophy for best football player’. After completing her IB in 12^th in an international school, she did her BBA from MIT college along with fashion design from INIFD apart from a cosmetology course from Lakme academy.

Accolades Galore

There was no looking back for Nikeetaa after that triumphant first race. She has been in motorsports for a very short time, but has won over 60 trophies in the last year and a half. In 2022, she bagged the fastest driver trophy in the INAC autocross west zone, and in the same year, won her first motorsports award for ‘emerging Indian women in motorsports’. “The very important people behind my success are my parents and Chetan Sir who have always kept me motivated whether I win or not,” she says. “These awards have always made me do better day by day and I have kept improving and am making sure that I collect many more awards in the coming years.”

Now, Nikeetaa is gearing up for the international circuit and is in training for the Asia Pacific round. She will be the only Indian woman in 2023 to represent the country in the Asia Pacific Rally Championship. In a short span, she has completed Pune Time Attack Autocross, Pune Auto Prix, Coorg Autocross, Hyderabad Indian National Autocross Championship, Pune Indian National Autocross Championship, and K1000 rally, among others.

On Track

The racetrack is an unforgiving place, filled with challenges. “Every rally has been a learning process. On many occasions, my car has broken down during the race but I always make it a point to finish,” says Nikeetaa. She recalls an experience in Nagaland, for instance, as she participated in her second rally. “Everything was new to me, from the route to the terrain. I was very new to motorsports and day one was fantastic as the timings were good.” Day two started off well too, but as she neared the final stage, the car’s steering wheel broke. “I was not able to drive because the steering wheel was moving around everywhere and it was a downhill section,” she says.

Nikeetaa continued to drive downhill without reducing speed, clinging to the steering wheel with one hand because she knew she could make a podium finish and was determined to finish the rally. “Then my key broke and I opened my car’s bonnet to start it through wires because I had not carried my spare key with me.” She called her tuner and explained the situation to him and followed his instructions to start the car. Despite all these challenges, she didn’t just finish the rally, she placed third at the Junior Indian National Rally Championship (INRC). “This experience gave me confidence and I have learnt that no matter what, it is important to never give up,” smiles the determined young driver.

Training Hard

Each rally is preceded by rigorous training. Nikeetaa drives her rally car to get used to it and hone her skills. “For the Asia Pacific cup, I am training very hard, I have been learning new skills, techniques and getting used to high-speed turns. I am very excited for the APRC round and am hoping for a very good result. My upcoming Coimbatore rally will be fun and it is very new for me because this will be my first time in Coimbatore and I am hoping it will be a successful one,” Nikeetaa explains.

Future Perfect

When she has no rallies, she likes to shop and travel. At home, she likes to spend time with family chilling with her favourite coffee. She also likes learning new things as she believes she is a person who cannot remain idle.

Nikeetaa admits that her racing career is most important to her and as her parents have always travelled with her, she really does not feel the pressure to juggle her personal and professional life. She adds, “Racing has taught me to never give up, no matter what and be competitive. Dedication is the key to success. As I have been very successful in such a short time frame, I would advise aspiring racers to always keep trying because not every day will be yours. One must win and one must lose but the day you lose will be the day you will start winning. Always keep trusting yourself and be dedicated to what you are doing. You will be rewarded for your efforts one day that will make you see the kind of success that you would have never imagined.” Apart from the upcoming Asia Pacific Cup, she wants to drive in the World Rally Championship which is her biggest dream in motorsports. Until then it is time to cheer this youngster as she steers her way in a trajectory that few have tread – and done so successfully.

Follow Nikeetaa Takkale on Instagram

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