Global Indianstory Global Indian ExclusiveAvi Gupta: Indian-American teen revolutionises healthcare with affordable ventilator invention

Avi Gupta: Indian-American teen revolutionises healthcare with affordable ventilator invention

Compiled by: Team GI Youth

(September 13, 2023) “I want to take you back to March 2020. The coronavirus had landed in the United States. Social distancing entered into our vocabulary. Schools were closed and store shelves were empty. Against this backdrop, Europe grappled with its first wave of coronavirus. One of the key shortages they faced – ventilators,” that’s how Avi Gupta opens his TedX speech. The Indian American from Portland reveals that the US, especially Oregon, too faced a similar situation with a shortage of hundreds of ventilators for the critically-ill covid patients.

That’s when Oregon Health Authority reached out for help from many individuals and companies, including INTEL. However, it didn’t take the responsibility of designing and manufacturing a ventilator, instead the request was filtered down to the senior staff of the company, one of whom happened to be a manager of Avi at a former internship. That’s how the Stanford University student joined a team of doctors, researchers, and fellow engineers to co-found LifeMech, a non-profit that builds low-cost ventilators. Such has been the impact of his work that he was awarded the Truman Scholarship 2022 for his commitment to public service.

Avi Gupta | Indian American | Global Indian

Avi Gupta played a key role in developing low-cost ventilator

Then an 18-year-old, Avi helped design the ventilator’s user interface, as amid the crisis, “rapid development and deployment of the technology were essential.” Interestingly, he wasn’t just the youngest member of the team but also the reigning Jeopardy Teen Tournament champion. “The original prototype which was fully functional was made in our garages. So, it’s truly something that can be deployed worldwide,” the Global Indian said in an interview.

Avi, who switched to Stanford to pursue his interests in artificial intelligence and public policy after a year of college at Columbia University’s School of Engineering, knew that the prototype had to be scalable in both design and manufacture. But more than anything it had to be “low-cost and open source to be deployed in communities worldwide.” “What it meant that anybody like a doctor or a non-profit in another country could download our designs and code and easily manufacture the ventilator with the parts available in their country,” he added.

Avi Gupta | Global Indian | Indian American

Avi Gupta is currently studying at Stanford University.

Though he found the process of designing the interface stressful, he also found it equally rewarding as it could have a direct impact on someone’s health. Avi, who collaborated with his father, Dr Saurabh Gupta, a cardiologist for the making of the ventilator, said that the project epitomises the work that he wants to do – using technology to solve a bigger problem. “It’s using technology to advance public service,” he told the Stanford Daily. Later, the ventilator was approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) and used widely during the ventilator shortage.

Apart from this, Avi is also involved in Public Interest in Tech (one of the groups on the Stanford campus) which focuses on fostering conversations around technology’s role in society. Since his school days, Avi has been keen to make a change, so when he won the 2019 Jeopardy Teen Tournament, in honour of the host Alex Trebek, he donated a part of his winnings ($100,000) to raise awareness and fund early pancreatic cancer research. He partnered with OHSU Knight Cancer Institute to create and lead the #InspiredBy campaign, raising over $225,000.

It was in 2016 that he kickstarted his journey towards creating social impact when he founded Project 32, a student-run social startup that uses the power of education to tackle dental diseases in youth. Since its inception, Project32 has provided thousands of dental hygiene kits to children in the US, India, Guatemala, and Haiti.

In his free time, he loves to play chess and basketball and is a huge Portland Trail Blazers fan.

Follow Avi Gupta on Linkedin

Name*

Email*

Name*

Email*

0 Comments

Inline Feedbacks

View all comments

Published on 13, Sep 2023

Share with

ALSO READ

Deepika Kurup: Indian American providing access to clean water through her innovation

(May 25, 2024) Each summer New Hampshire-based Deepika Kurup along with her family travelled to India and the only way to beat the scorching heat was to drink plenty of water. But her parents always warned her to have only boiled or bottled water. "Because unlike in America where I can open on the tap and get clean, portable drinking water, water in India is often contaminated," said Deepika in her TEDx Talk, adding that not everyone is fortunate enough to have access to clean water like her. She would often wake up to scenes of people queuing up outside her grandparents' home in India to collect water in buckets from a tap. "I saw children my age filling up plastic bottles with this dirty water from streams on the roadside. Watching these kids forced to drink water that I thought was too dirty to touch changed my perspective of the world," added the changemaker who was compelled to find a solution. Eventually, she came up with a water purification system - a cement-like composite material activated by sunlight, drastically diminishing bacteria levels in water - an innovation that won her the title of America's Top Young Scientist. Global water

ist.

Global water crisis

"I wanted to learn why these kids lacked water - a substance essential for life. I found that we are facing a global water crisis," said the girl who is currently studying at Harvard University. It is no secret that three-fourths of the earth is surrounded by water, but not many know that only 2.5 percent is freshwater, of which only 1 percent is available for human consumption. According to the UN World Water Development Report 2023, two billion people lack safe drinking water. Moreover, people in Africa and South Africa were the most affected due to the arid environment.

Moreover, she found that lack of access to clean water for girls meant not attending schools during their periods. "So water also affects women’s health and … how women can contribute to the economy because instead of spending time with their family and instead of spending time working and raising money, women have to walk hours on end every day to go collect water," she said in an interview, adding, "That definitely is not something that I used to see in the United States and so I wanted to do something to change that." Growing up in Nashua, New Hampshire, she found her support system in her father who is a civil engineering professor who always encouraged her interest in science.

Finding an affordable solution

She was only 14 when she began working on the solution and wanted to combine her passion for science, technology, engineering, and maths. She converted her garage into a lab and started sifting through reams of journals on research in water. That's when she came across the then-used treatments - solar disinfection (SODIS) or Photocatalytic SODIS to purify water. However, seeing their disadvantages, Deepika was keen to create a safe, sustainable, fast, and cost-effective means of purifying water.

That's when she came up with the idea of a pervious photocatalytic composite - which combines filtration with photocatalysis. Explaining the process, she said, "First the water percolates through the composite filter which destroys 98 percent of coliform bacteria. Later, the filtered water is exposed to sunlight for 15 minutes which leads to 100 percent total coliform inactivation." Since the composite combines titanium dioxide with cement, it can be formed into several shapes which results in a versatile range of deployment methods.

Leading the way

However, Deepika had to find her path and it wasn't an easy journey for this Indian American. "I was only 14 when I started and had no access to a sophisticated laboratory. But I didn't let my age deter me from my interest in pursuing scientific research and wanting to solve the global water crisis," says Deepika who calls water a universal human right.

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

She has patented her technology, and to bring her project to the real world she started Catalyst for World Water, a social enterprise aimed at catalysing solutions to the global water crisis. "Alone a single drop of water can't do much, but when many drops come together, they can sustain life on our planet. Just as water drops come together to form oceans, I believe that we all must come together when tackling this global problem."

Follow Deepika Kurup on LinkedIn

Innovation in orbit: India’s space tech pioneers make their mark

(November 28, 2023) From launching Chandrayaan 3 in July, to sticking its perfect landing on the Moon's south pole, and launching a mission to study the sun - the Indian Space Research Organisation has just witnessed what we can safely call the most successful year. Although ISRO didn't have a traditional beginning and faced significant financial constraints, it has emerged as one of the world's most successful space agencies. Remarkably, this achievement has not only transformed ISRO but has also inspired countless aspiring youngsters who wish to take the Indian flag to space one day. In recent years, India's space technology startup ecosystem has experienced significant growth. Nevertheless, 2023 marked a milestone year as various private entities entered the scene by launching their own satellites. According to the most recent Economic Survey, India now boasts a total of 104 space startups and 368 space technology companies. With the industry poised to attract over $300 million in investments in 2023, Global Indian examines the prominent participants in India's space technology ecosystem. AgniKul Cosmos Their journey began at IIT Madras in 2017 with just ₹3 crores in seed funding. Back then, Srinath Ravichandran and Moin SPM had just one goal: to build

nvestments in 2023, Global Indian examines the prominent participants in India's space technology ecosystem.

AgniKul Cosmos

Their journey began at IIT Madras in 2017 with just ₹3 crores in seed funding. Back then, Srinath Ravichandran and Moin SPM had just one goal: to build and launch a space rocket within a few years. Although they faced many challenges over the last six years, these two young individuals successfully established India's first private launchpad and mission control center at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota in November 2022. With a total funding of $34.5 million, AgniKul is now one of India's most respected space startups.

[caption id="attachment_26136" align="aligncenter" width="602"] Srinath Ravichandran and Moin SPM, founders, AgniKul Cosmos[/caption]

The facility at Sriharikota has a launchpad and mission control center. It's special because it has India's first rocket engine that was made using 3D printing. They built this facility in just two months. Soon, they'll use it to launch India's first private spaceflight into orbit. "We are trying to get the first few launches this year. These would be developmental flights (test launches). Then scale to a commercial launch in 2023," Srinath had said during a press interaction, adding, "There are going to be big breakthroughs in the Indian space industry in the next few years. The gestation period is a bit long, but I think we are already there. The government being upfront is going to encourage a lot of people to give it a shot. ISRO is helpful and it also has the attention of the Prime Minister’s Office. India will be among the top three in the next five years."

Skyroot Aerospace

One of India's most accomplished space companies, Skyroot Aerospace, has finally launched the Vikram-S after much waiting and several years of effort. This achievement is a big step forward for India's private space industry. The rocket, which is a single-stage design with a spinning motion and uses solid propellant, can carry a payload weighing about 550 kilograms. It's carrying three customer payloads, including one from a customer outside of India. This six-meter-long rocket was built in just two years and features a core structure made entirely of lightweight carbon fiber.

[caption id="attachment_26121" align="aligncenter" width="601"] Pawan Kumar Chandana and Naga Bharath Daka, founders, Skyroot Aerospace[/caption]

Two friends, Pawan Kumar Chandana and Naga Bharath Daka, founded a company in Hyderabad. Their goal is to become the world's leading provider for launching small satellites within the next five years. Speaking about their ambitions and plans, Pawan recently said in an interview, "2023 is just the beginning of an era of SpaceTech, which would be the next trillion-dollar industry. We are more like a cab to space, where we can offer dedicated rides to required orbits to satellite customers while companies like SpaceX are focused on building very large vehicles.”

Dhruva Space

In 2012, while ISRO was busy with the Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan), a man named Sanjay Nekkanti had a vision. He dreamed of creating India's first private satellite and enabling organizations to harness the potential of small satellites. This dream led to the birth of Dhruva Space, India's inaugural space technology company. Later, the founder was joined by his friends from BITS-Pilani - Abhay Egoor, Krishna Teja, and Chaitanya Dora. Fast forward to 2022, the company reached a significant milestone when it successfully deployed its satellite orbital deployer on the PSLV C53 in June, followed by the launch of its two Thybolt satellites on PSLV C54.

[caption id="attachment_26122" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Sanjay Nekkanti, founder, Dhruva Space[/caption]

This startup, which operates in both Hyderabad, India, and Graz, Austria, provides versatile satellite platforms that can be customized for various applications. Their goal is to make space access quicker, more dependable, and more affordable. Dhruva Space also offers a comprehensive solution, allowing clients to own and manage space-based assets in one place. Speaking to the press after launching two satellites in November last year, Abhay said, "We are looking to raise or invest about USD 20 to 25 million over the next two years where this amount of capital would be used to invest and build an infrastructure facility for assembly, integration, and testing of satellites up to 100 kg class. We are exploring setting up the same facility in Hyderabad. We are already in conversation with parties."

Pixxel

Back in 2019, while still in college, two 20-year-olds, Awais Ahmed and Kshitij Khandelwal, made an unconventional choice. Instead of pursuing a traditional job, they decided to venture into something new. Although their decision might not have had unanimous support at first, the entire nation celebrated when these two young entrepreneurs successfully launched their satellites, named Shakuntala, into a low Earth orbit (LEO) using a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket in April 2022. Pixxel continued to make strides in the space industry by launching their second satellite on Isro's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) C54 mission.

[caption id="attachment_26123" align="aligncenter" width="604"] Awais Ahmed and Kshitij Khandelwal, founders, Pixxel[/caption]

Giving an insight into their company and its mission, Awais said, "Our one-line model is to make satellite imagery data useful. This is why we process the data once we have it beamed down from the satellites. Once the data is ready, there are a lot of companies that know how to analyse satellite imagery. There is Orbital Insight, there are precision agricultural companies and hedge funds that buy this data to extract insights from this. They are going to be our customers. We will be working with banking institutions, agriculture, mining companies, oil and gas companies, and defence organisations. All of them are going to be our customer base."

Bellatrix Aerospace

It took a while for them to establish themselves in the space technology sector, but once they grasped the dynamics, they've been excelling in every aspect. Founded by two young entrepreneurs, Rohan M Ganapathy and Yashas Karanam, the Bengaluru-based company, Bellatrix Aerospace, is gearing up to conduct tests on their propulsion technologies, which are responsible for directing satellites to their intended locations, in 2023. Their ambitious plan includes launching a "space taxi" service by 2024.

[caption id="attachment_26124" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Rohan M Ganapathy and Yashas Karanam, founders, Bellatrix Aerospace[/caption]

The startup has introduced a cutting-edge facility to accelerate its prototyping and model production, complementing its testing lab affiliated with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc). In an intriguing move, the company is set to invest $76 million in the establishment of a local Research and Development (R&D) center and manufacturing plant in Bengaluru. This new facility is anticipated to produce a variety of thrusters, including the hall thruster, microwave plasma thruster, nano thruster, and environmentally-friendly propulsion systems.

Reading Time: 6 mins

Leaving no one behind: Entrepreneur Tarini Malhotra is a ray of hope for neurodivergent people

(September 26, 2023) When COVID hit the world, several schools were impacted around the globe. One such school was Parivartan Special School, which initiated Project Nishant, which provided the school and its students with crucial support during a financial crisis. It was for this project that a Grade 12 student of The Shri Ram School, Moulsari Campus, Gurugram, was first introduced to the world of neurodivergent individuals. Working as a volunteer for the project, Tarini Malhotra was moved by their everyday struggles, and the young entrepreneur decided to do something for these kids. “The person who contacted me is a family friend and was aware of how eager I was to do something in the field. I jumped at the opportunity and helped the school raise funds through crowdfunding," the 18-year-old entrepreneur said, adding, "The school was in urgent need of funds because of the pandemic. During the fundraising process, I got a chance to interact with the school students. I realised the problems they face, even when it comes to doing simple things in society — such as making friends or finding good schools. I learned that there are no avenues for them, especially if they come from the

a chance to interact with the school students. I realised the problems they face, even when it comes to doing simple things in society — such as making friends or finding good schools. I learned that there are no avenues for them, especially if they come from the weaker sections of society.”

And thus was Nai Subah Foundation born - a social start-up fighting the good fight for the neurodiverse and the marginalised. The entrepreneur recently won the prestigious Diana Award 2023 for her social action and humanitarian work. "As a next-gen changemaker, who wants to create a better and more inclusive community for the neurodiverse, the world is often a hostile, unwelcoming place. Recognition from The Diana Award provides me the inspiration to carry on building the transformative journey. Further, it enhances the credibility of our start-up, helps to open doors, and develop more meaningful networks that can enable and enrich Nai Subah Foundation’s projects in a multitude of ways," she said after winning the award.

Always helping others

Growing up, Tarini was inclined towards helping others and was encouraged by her parents for the same. "In my school, we have some students who are neurodivergent and have disabilities. Spending time with them over many years made me sensitive to their needs and helped me understand the issues they face in society. This encouraged me to do something that would make a difference," the entrepreneur shared, adding, "When I was in Class 8, I volunteered as a teacher for a free school that taught children at the banks of Yamuna. That gave me a new perspective about these kids."

Talking about the time she joined hands with Project Nishant, she said, "I began spending a lot of time with children who had autism and ADHD. I found out that they were so talented. Our society focuses so much on what is wrong that they forget to glance at the positive aspects. Most people consider the neurodivergent to be a burden or a liability. This restricts their opportunities, making their life harder than it should be."

In 2020, the entrepreneur established Nai Subah Foundation, with an aim to focus on the well-being of neurodivergent people through various programmes. "The first thing that I wanted to do through the organisation was to provide the neurodivergent with avenues of work. We help them get jobs in the corporate sector. We also conduct sensitisation workshops so that they get assimilated into the space easily,” the entrepreneur said, adding, that the organisation has collaborations with over 50 companies till now.

Extending a helping hand

The organisation has implemented alternative employment models to support individuals who are unable to work in a traditional office setting. “For many people with neurodiversity, it is very difficult to go out of the house and work in an office environment. We outsource work from factories for them so they can work from home with ease. For example, we supply the materials needed to make boxes or packaging work, so they don’t have to face the stress of working in a factory,” the Global Indian explained.

[caption id="attachment_33269" align="aligncenter" width="648"] Members of the Nai Subah Foundation[/caption]

What's more, the entrepreneur is using their creative side to work as well. "We help artists find a platform by conducting exhibitions, both online and offline. This way, they get a chance to promote their work and get recognition. We also help them get orders; for instance, during Diwali, we try to secure orders for specially commissioned artworks of Lakhsmi and Ganesha," the entrepreneur said, "We are also mentoring four young neurodivergent photographers and helping them secure professional assignments."

The entrepreneur has huge plans for the foundation's future. "As for the future, we want to help neurodivergent entrepreneurs get funding and help them boost their ventures. This will not only uplift them but also uplift the people of their community,” she said.

Follow Tarini Malhotra on LinkedIn and her blog
Follow Nai Subah Foundation on LinkedIn

Reading Time: 5 mins

2023’s pageant powerhouses from the Indian diaspora: Combining pageantry, talent and social upliftment

(December 17, 2023) Indian-origin young women have been captivating audiences and making waves in the international pageant circuit, showcasing their exceptional talents, charm, and cultural heritage on a global platform. Combining their Indian roots with the influences of their adopted countries, these remarkable champions in pageantry have brought forward unique fusion of tradition and diversity. Their achievements not only highlight their beauty and grace but also their intelligence, resilience, and dedication to making a positive impact. Celebrating their victories Global Indian puts into spotlight four young women who got successful in the world of international pageantry in 2023, making the diaspora proud. Manvin Khera Miss Globe 2023 In a spectacular event held at Albania last month, 22-year-old Manvin Khera, a Malaysian model of Indian descent, secured the prestigious title of The Miss Globe 2023, at the world's oldest major international beauty contest held annually since 1925. Manvin’s victory stands as a remarkable milestone, as she is the first Malaysian to win the title in the renowned pageant, surpassing fifty contestants from across the globe. Hailing from Kuala Lumpur, Manvin has a successful career in modelling. Last year she earned the title of Ratu Wanita Malaya 2022 at the inaugural edition

ble milestone, as she is the first Malaysian to win the title in the renowned pageant, surpassing fifty contestants from across the globe. Hailing from Kuala Lumpur, Manvin has a successful career in modelling. Last year she earned the title of Ratu Wanita Malaya 2022 at the inaugural edition of the national pageant of Malaysia.

[caption id="attachment_34705" align="aligncenter" width="472"] Manvin Khera[/caption]

This multi-talented youngster who excels as a model, singer, and beauty pageant winner, has established a strong international presence in modelling. Her appearances at Thailand Fashion Week, the Bali International Fashion Week, and the Rizman Ruzaini Cruise 2023 show during Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week highlight her global prominence. Manvin aspires to be a lawyer.

Manju Bangalore

Miss Oregon USA 2023

Manju Bangalore, a twenty-five-year-old, clinched the Miss Oregon USA 2023 title, becoming the first South Asian woman to achieve this distinction. For the versatile young woman, the win expanded the horizons of the meaningful work that she has been doing. Beyond her success in pageantry, Manju serves as a role model for young brown girls across the US with her astronaut training, acting, modelling, activism, writing, and non-profit. Manju’s Operation Period and Painting with Parkinson’s are two initiatives that showcase her commitment to making a positive impact in the society.

[caption id="attachment_34704" align="aligncenter" width="465"] Manju Bangalore[/caption]

The youngster is pursuing her postgraduate studies at the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences in the US after completing her undergraduate studies at the University of Oregon, majoring in physics with a minor in mathematics. She has worked on five NASA internships, in addition to a White House internship focusing on science policy. Apart from modelling she has acted in television shows like ‘Black is King’, ‘Depot,’ and ‘Animal Kingdom.’ Beyond her professional endeavours, Manju is an advocate for black and transgender rights. Recently she launched her debut children’s book aptly titled ‘You Can Be All the Things You Want to Be.’

UmaSofia Srivastava

Miss Teen USA 2023

The 16-year-old teen from Parsippany, New Jersey, of Indian and Mexican descent, clinched the Miss Teen USA title at the Reno, Nevada pageant held in September of this year. Among 51 accomplished young women representing every state and the District of Columbia, UmaSofia emerged as the winner. Her journey to this victory began earlier in March when she secured the Miss New Jersey Teen USA title. She has previously been a runner-up in the pageant at the age of 14.

[caption id="attachment_33667" align="aligncenter" width="473"] UmaSofia Srivastava[/caption]

Currently a junior at the Academy of St. Elizabeth in Parsippany-Troy Hills, UmaSofia is a devoted humanitarian with a strong belief in ethnic diversity, cultural inclusivity, and societal equality. She co-founded a diversity and inclusion campaign at her school, and runs a popular blog 'That’s Fan Behaviour,' which delves into topics ranging from feminism to her experiences as a woman of colour, conducting interviews with influential change makers, and exploring various other issues affecting society. The youngster is also a published author who came up with her debut book ‘The White Jaguar.’

Aruna Sukhdeo

Miss India Worldwide 2023

Born to an Indian-Guyanese labourer, Aruna Sukhdeo etched her name in history by claiming victory in the Miss India Worldwide 2023 competition, becoming the second individual of Indian origin from Guyana to accomplish this feat in the pageant's 33-year legacy. Since its inception in 1990, the Miss India Worldwide pageant has attracted young women from the global Indian diaspora. Aruna also clinched the Miss Beautiful Hair title during the competition. Describing music as her 'escape’. The aspiring economist and singer captivated the judges with her singing prowess throughout the event.

[caption id="attachment_34700" align="aligncenter" width="490"] Aruna Sukhdeo[/caption]

Currently the youngster is in her fourth year of studies in business economics at the University of Guyana (UG), Turkeyen Campus. She looks at the win as an opportunity to work on an issue which is closest to her heart – mental health, a condition that has been affecting the younger generations like never before.

What’s your Global Indian story? Write to us at editor@globalindian.com

Reading Time: 5 mins

Prathistha Deveshwar: The first Indian wheelchair-user at Oxford is striving for change

(June 7, 2023) Pratishtha Deveshwar was just 13 when a tragic car accident left her paralysed down the waist. The sudden turn of events left her confined to a hospital bed for four months and subsequently forced her to spend three years bedridden. Returning to school was an impossible dream at first as her school wasn't wheelchair accessible. Moreover, people around them had given their verdict that her life was over, asking her parents to buy her a shop in her hometown of Hoshiarpur in Punjab to at least earn a livelihood. But Pratishtha defied societal expectations and embarked on an extraordinary journey of education, empowerment, and advocacy. The Diana Award recipient is the first Indian wheel-chair user to study at Oxford University, along with being one of the youngest and most vocal disability rights activists in India. It was a normal life for Pratishtha until October 2011, when owing to a spinal cord injury she was left paralysed. She woke up in the ICU days later to immense pain in her hands and chest but couldn't feel anything below her waist. She was told by the doctor, 'You will never be able to walk again.' At that moment she

' At that moment she felt her dreams, life, and aspirations had come to an end. She was later shifted to a normal hospital bed where she ended up spending the next four months. But due to the gravity of the situation, she was bedridden for another four years, until she decided to take charge of her life. Being written off by society, she knew the only way to get out of it was through the power of education. "People kept telling my parents to face facts and buy me a shop, so I might at least have a livelihood. Never mind what I wanted: career, marriage, travel; all these things were unthinkable according to conventional wisdom," the Global Indian wrote in Somerville Magazine.

But her parents encouraged her to study as she worked with her teachers and friends to find a way to continue her studies. She finally found a system and worked hard to clear her Class 12 boards. "I always knew that I could overcome my situation only with education. So, after 12th, I told my parents that I don’t want to live inside the four walls of my home anymore; I deserve better. I applied to LSR, and got admission! That changed my life,” she told HT. However, it came with its share of prejudices as many people didn't find logic in sending a wheelchair-bound girl to the university. "Those people just saw the wheelchair; they never looked beyond it to the contents of my mind or my heart. It was around this time that I first thought of advocacy not just for myself but for all people with disabilities - of which there are 28 million in India."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaGnzeGZ8y4

LSR gave her the wings as for the first time she found a safe space to be herself, surrounded by a supportive community of women who encouraged her to share her story. This was her first step towards activism, and it started right outside the gates of her college in Delhi. She met people who wanted to listen to her story and share theirs. But it was one encounter that moved her the most. "A shopkeeper invited me to visit his shop and make it wheelchair accessible. All the alterations I suggested were completed within five days of my visit. This, I learned, is how activism works: by meeting people, listening to their stories, and telling your own, until you find common ground."

Soon she began sharing her story at other DU colleges and slowly started getting more attention. She led to an invitation to speak at the UN, and it snowballed as she was then asked to join the Asia Pacific Regional Office in Bangkok and later in Nairobi. With each platform, she got an opportunity to create awareness which won her the Diana Award in 2021 for her activism for disability rights. This led her to the gates of Oxford University for a Masters in Public Policy, making her the first Indian wheelchair-user to study at Oxford University. "I realized that the cause of constant marginalization of persons with disabilities (PwDs) is the lack of inclusive policies, hence I opted for Public Policy. I want to come back to India to use the experience and knowledge by facilitating policy-level changes to improve the lives of PwDs," she said.

Earlier this month , I had the incredible honour of meeting HRH Prince Charles, who commended my achievements so far and encouraged me to keep striving for success!
I am grateful to be the recipient of The Diana Award and thank every person supporting my journey! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/HdLdg1lTUW

— Pratishtha Deveshwar (@iiampratishtha) June 29, 2021

It was at Oxford that her course reinforced ideas of activism that she had built up over the years. "I had expected Public Policy to teach me how to use the system to leverage change. It asked us to look beyond the numbers and create the right solution by empathising with the affected people," she added.

The 23-year-old was honoured by the UK Parliament with the India-UK Achievers Award recently for her outstanding contribution to society. She is back in India and keen to share the things she has learnt in the last few years. "While I may be the first wheelchair-using Indian to attend Oxford, I don't intend to be the last."

Follow Pratishtha Deveshwar on Twitter and LinkedIn

Reading Time: 4 min

Avi Gupta: Indian-American teen revolutionises healthcare with affordable ventilator invention

Compiled by: Team GI Youth

Share with

Related Stories

Eisha Yadav: On a mission to avert old-age loneliness and social isolation

Ishaan Leonard Rao: The young piano prodigy bridging cultures and genres

ALSO READ