Global Indianstory Global Indian ExclusiveAway from his father’s glory, swimmer Vedaant Madhavan is creating his own niche

Away from his father’s glory, swimmer Vedaant Madhavan is creating his own niche

Written by: Team GI Youth

(February 11, 2023) It wasn’t long ago that the world was discussing the existence of nepotism in the entertainment industry. While several star kids follow in their parent’s footsteps, there is one who is working hard to make his own name in the field of sports. Actor R Madhavan’s son, Vedaant is a national record-holding swimmer, who recently won the gold medal in 800m freestyle at the Danish Open, held in Copenhagen. The young swimmer also won a gold medal in men’s 200m Freestyle at the Khelo India, being organised as part of the G20 Summit, reaching the mark in mere 1:55.39 minutes.

Swimmer | Vedaan Madhavan | Global Indian

“I was always into athletics,” the swimmer shared during one of his recent interviews, adding, “I put in a lot of time and effort into swimming and am really happy to win these medals. My dad was literally in tears after I won the medal. Both mom and dad were so happy and proud of me. The sacrifices they made to help me reach this level finally paid off.” Global Indian takes a look at the champ’s glorious journey and the tournament lined ahead for him.

A born athlete

While Vedaant would often visit his father on the sets of his movies, and was quite fascinated with the profession, he never could see himself in front of the camera. Always a part of the school’s sports team, he discovered his love for swimming only five years back, while at a school competition. “I was swimming with my school team, and a few of the members were national-level swimmers. I was quite taken by them and would swim with them regularly. One day, we had a competition against other schools and the coach decided to put me in that relay. And that moment I realised I can keep up with them, even though they were three years older than me. I was having a lot of fun, and started taking part in various swimming events and also joined a competitive club,” the swimmer shared.

It was the 2021 Jr Aquatic Nationals in Bengaluru where the swimmer first created a splash at the competitive level by bringing home a staggering seven medals for Maharashtra, including four silver medals in 800m freestyle, 1500m freestyle, 4 x 100m freestyle relay, and 4 x 200m freestyle relay events. “My parents were quite supportive of my taking part in these events,” Vedaant shared, “Throughout the process, my parents didn’t question any of my decisions. Even though my father travels a lot because of his profession, he calls me from where he is and motivates me ahead of any heat. However, I don’t really like to have the title of R. Madhavan’s son. I want to create my own identity and my competitors respect me for who I am”

Though his father is his hero, the youngster takes inspiration from the swimming legend, Michael Phelps. The swimmer said, “He is the best swimmer of all time, and watching him inspires me a lot. I also attended a conference along with 10 other kids where Phelps was the key speaker. I asked him about his training schedule and he informed me that he trains as much as I do – about 6 km every session in the morning. But I must add that I look up to a lot of Indian swimmers as well, such as Sajan Prakash, Kushagra Rawat, and Srihari Nataraj.”

Long journey ahead

Although he is just back from a huge win, the young swimmer is training hard for some very important tournament lying ahead. “There are some competitions. I will have to sit down with my coach and decide which ones I have to go to and which ones I don’t have to go to. At this point, my main goal will be the junior nationals which are in July 2023. Based on my performance at the Jr Nationals, I will be selected for the FINA junior world games and world school games.”

Swimmer | Vedaan Madhavan | Global Indian

Vedaant and his parents, with Odisha’s CM Naveen Patnaik

However, the swimmer’s main goal, like several other sportspersons, remains the beautiful Olympic medal. “It’s everyone’s main target,” the youngster quipped when asked about the Olympics, adding, “In the junior nationals, depending on my performance, I will be selected for the Asian Games, and that can eventually help me represent the country in the Olympics. Last year, when Sajan and Srihari made the Olympic ‘A’ cut, it gave young swimmers like me a lot of hope. Right now, I am preparing to participate in the 2024 Olympics, and win some medals for the country.”

The youngster, however, is not only limiting himself to water sports. Exploring other career options, Vedaant is taking several additional courses at school. “Right now I am focused on swimming. However, I am a part of the acting programme in school, and also taking a few business classes. I have also been a part of several environmental science projects in my school,” shares the swimmer.

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Published on 11, Feb 2023

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Entrepreneur Akshat Mohite’s Astroborne will train the next generation of astronauts

(February 28, 2024) The dream of space exploration resonates universally, capturing the imagination of people around the globe. However, the reality remains that the actual experience is reserved for a privileged few. Government-run space programs offer select individuals the chance to embark on space journeys, but these opportunities are limited. On the private front, the exorbitant costs associated with space travel make it an exclusive venture accessible only to the extremely wealthy. However, a 23-year-old entrepreneur from Thane, Maharashtra, is breathing life into the dream of ordinary individuals venturing into space. Akshat Mohite, founder of Astroborne Space and Defence Technologies, is ambitiously working towards establishing Asia's leading private astronaut training facility. The facility aims to serve private astronauts, government personnel, and space enthusiasts. As a participant in NASA's Project PoSSUM citizen-science astronautics training programme, Akshat envisions training around 700 candidates each year, with a particular emphasis on aspiring astronauts. "Our world-class training programmes are being designed to breed the next generation of space explorers," shares Akshat as he connects with Global Indian for an exclusive interview. "Once we have the land, the facility should be ready in 18-24 months. The Astroborne facility will provide specialised training using modules like hypoxia

lorers," shares Akshat as he connects with Global Indian for an exclusive interview. "Once we have the land, the facility should be ready in 18-24 months. The Astroborne facility will provide specialised training using modules like hypoxia chambers, space suit acclimatisation, G-Force exposure, and spacecraft ingress/egress simulations. It will also have an onsite analog habitat to facilitate prolonged and hyper-realistic mission simulations, driving innovation in aerospace education. We are also registered with space regulator and promoter Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), already has an agreement with a US astronaut training facility, Nastar Centre," he adds.

A curious cat

Born in Mumbai, Akshat owes all his success to his inquisitive nature. "I have been a very curious kid. I would question my parents about everything," shares the entrepreneur, adding, "I remember my parents took me to watch the movie Krishh. I was very young - probably in the second standard - and this was the first time I got to know that one could become a scientist. So, frankly, I have been working towards becoming a scientist since then. Also, I must add that my school is affiliated with the IGCSE board, which enabled me to understand how to write research papers."

Akshat has received acclaim for his research endeavours, with over ten specialised publications and six research papers accepted by the International Aeronautical Federation. His work has earned him invitations to present at prestigious conferences worldwide, and he was selected to showcase his research at the NASA Ames Space Settlement Contest in both Washington and Los Angeles. "During my 11th grade, I got an opportunity to attend a seminar by an eminent NASA scientist, which motivated me to pursue a career in the field of space technology. eventually, I wrote a research paper about how we can settle about 20,000 people in space, and couriered it to the NASA Ames Research Centre. They were so impressed by it, that they invited me to present the paper at there," says the entrepreneur.

ALSO READ | Aathira Preetharani is on a mission to make space tech accessible

Ask what motivated him to write this paper, and the youngster quips, "I knew about the International Space Station (ISS), but of course, that facility can accommodate a limited number of people only, who can carry out their research missions. So, that got me thinking about another facility like the ISS, but a much bigger accommodation area. It would help humans conduct so much more research and on many diverse topics."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ggu8T8AGVEo&pp=ygUNQWtzaGF0IG1vaGl0ZQ%3D%3D

Unfortunately, though, Akshat couldn't get a visa when he applied to go to the NASA centre to present his paper. "I was going to travel with my mentor, and frankly was quite heartbroken when I didn't get the visa. However, I approached our former Minister of External Affairs, Sushma Swaraj ma'am for help. A few of my friends in the USA also reached out to presidential candidate, Kamala Harris. And that's how I actually got my visa in the next attempt. But then by then, the NASA conference was over so it made no sense to go to the USA," shares the entrepreneur.

Space bound

In 2019, Akshat became a part of NASA's Project PoSSUM - Polar Suborbital Science in the Upper Mesosphere. "The programme is affiliated with the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences (IIAS), a U.S.-based institution specialising in operational science, flight test engineering, and bioastronautics," shares the entrepreneur.

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"Soon after I finished my 12th standard examinations, I flew to Florida, USA, and started training as an astronaut. I underwent the G-Force training in an Extra 300 L aircraft. I also went through hypoxia chamber training, which basically tells us what happens to our brain when there is less oxygen in the air - so during this training some people cry or others lose focus. However, I was informed that since Indian cuisine has a high content of iodine, it helps us retain oxygen in the body. In all honesty, I am not sure how scientific this is, but I didn't face anything while inside the hypoxia chamber. My oxygen level dropped till 85 percent, and then stabalised there," he adds

It was here that Akshat got the idea of starting a company that could facilitate this training not only for astronauts but also for space enthusiasts. "I did thorough research and got to know that a single ticket to space can cost anything between $40 million to $70 million through SpaceX. Also, according to PWC Deloitte, the Asian market is a lot more willing to pay for services such as human space flight, more than any other continent. That gave me the confidence that I could set up such a facility and give services at a much cheaper cost. There are over 5,000 candidates from Asia applying for training in the US and Europe annually but not more than 10-15 are accommodated. These people would prefer coming to India, spending less, and getting the same facilities," he shares.

Currently only focussed on building the Astroborne facility, Akshat shares that he wants to create a facility for those who might not want to go to space, but wish to get the training of an astronaut. "We are still in our early stages, and yet the company has already received inquiries from around 450 aspirants. We have the full-support of the government, which is also quite motivational for us. Astroborne is also developing India's first six-seater commercial space module - Airawat - engineered for suborbital space tourism missions, which will be capable of reaching altitudes of up to 400km," shares the entrepreneur as he signs off.

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The Yale scholar integrates Bharatanatyam with mindfulness

(October 14, 2022) Yale scholar Shruti Parthasarathy, who has been learning Bharatanatyam since the age of five, has introduced the ancient Indian dance form to the people of Middleton, Wisconsin where she grew up and now to students at Yale where she is currently an undergrad student. With cultural workshops and a new app launch she combines her love for dance with the growing need for mindfulness, helping people discover the spiritual potency of Bharatanatyam, which originated in India thousands of years ago. Shruti, who has performed at many concerts in the US and also a few in India, founded Mindful Kala to bring Bharatanatyam into the spotlight and make the ancient dance form’s cultural history visible through the lens of social well-being, the need of the hour in modern society. She has been collaborating with Yale University to expand the reach of this novel approach, using Bharatanatyam to reduce stress and mood disorders and mitigate the effects of increasingly sedentary lifestyles.The youngster has bagged several awards in dance competitions and volunteer work, including the President's Volunteer Service Gold Medal in US. She has also written a book to help children build an interest in the dance form. Bharatanatyam at

ale University to expand the reach of this novel approach, using Bharatanatyam to reduce stress and mood disorders and mitigate the effects of increasingly sedentary lifestyles.The youngster has bagged several awards in dance competitions and volunteer work, including the President's Volunteer Service Gold Medal in US. She has also written a book to help children build an interest in the dance form.

Bharatanatyam at Yale

Through Mindful Kala, Shruti offers small as well as longer intensive workshops at the Good Life Center at Yale, where she is enrolled as an undergraduate scholar. Her interactive app allows people of all ages to learn about the benefits of the integration through activities and informational slides.

“I aim to empower people through interactive and easily accessible educational tools to elevate well-being and foster inter cultural sensitivity through Indian dance forms,” says the youngster, who was introduced to Bharatanatyam by her mother, Hemalatha when they moved from India to Madison 15 years ago.

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Pupil in US, guru in India

While staying in Middleton, Shruti was trained in Bharatanatyam by her guru, Medha Hari, who lives in Chennai. The two communicated online using Skype video conferencing on their computers. Although they were sceptical about Skype as medium of learning, they learned to make it well.

Both student and teacher were extremely dedicated and together, managed to overcome the challenges of learning and teaching through a computer screen, as well as navigating the significant time difference. In the process the guru and her pupil developed a lifelong bond, from a distance of 8,400 miles away from each other.

The discovery…

As a middle-schooler, Shruti was frequently stressed. She would retreat to her basement and dance, finding that it brought her great relief. As she grew up, she noticed how many people around her are stressed and wondered if dance could help them too. She began teaching Bharatanatyam to both children and adults in her vicinity. “The dance form demands that every part of the body remain active at all times, from the facial muscles right down to the toes. It’s a good workout option as well,” Shruti says. Physical benefits aside, Shruti is a firm believer in the dance form’s capacity to offer mental calm, too.

Her initiative of integrating Bharatanatyam with mindfulness had taken off, even before she joined Yale. The university supported her efforts, helping her greatly increase her scale of reach. And to Shruti, giving back in some way feels like a personal responsibility. “It’s my identity and passion and I wouldn’t want to lose it for anything,” she tells. Shruti loves everything about the dance form, from the stories to the make-up and costumes.

Bharatanatyam findings published in health journal

When Shruti began her initiative in school, it worked well with students. This led her to turn her project ‘Calm with Kalaa’ into a larger study on decreasing cultural bias. She started an experiment with 46 freshmen at her high school and put them through an eight-week intensive program of learning what Bharatanatyam is and its connections with well-being.

The pilot study provided evidence of improvements in emotional and physical health of adolescents. A statistical decrease was found in anxiety, fatigue, depressive symptoms, and pain intensity. There was a significant statistical increase in body appreciation, embodiment, peer relationships and mindfulness.

The findings of her study were published in the Advances in Global Health and Medicine Journal. She later presented her findings at the Academic Consortium of Medicine in 2021, receiving state and national media attention. She was also thrilled to find a decrease in bias in the students who were part of her study.

More experiments at Yale

Once Parthasarathy joined Yale, she continued to grow her organisation Mindful Kala and its initiative collaborating with the Good Life Centre, there. She got in touch with various cultural organizations and other clubs at Yale to scale up her initiative. Shruti has held virtual and in-person workshops with hundreds of students since then.

With help from her professors and psychology researchers, Dr Laurie Santos and Dr Elizabeth Goldfarb, Mindful Kala is conducting a randomized control trial of 53 students and educators at Yale. They are participants of a four-week Mindful Kala intensive course to study the levels of increase in well-being, mindfulness and anti-bias notions in them.

Integrating technology with art

Shruti and her team of experimenters at Yale have created an app to help people of all backgrounds get an insight into the ancient Indian dance form as well as into the principles of mindfulness. They are hoping to make an impact not just in the US but around the world. At the moment, the app is being offered as a campus initiative programme from the Yale Student Mental Health Association.

Transforming research into innovation

The ace dancer plans to take up cognitive science and sociology as a double major. She has deep interest in researching the psychosocial underpinnings of the relationship between mental wellbeing and interdisciplinary movements. She aims to translate her research into innovation so that accessibility to mental health resources increases and there is greater sense of intercultural sensitivity to a diverse array of communities.

Some of Shruti’s Bharatanatyam performances have been at:

Tamil Sangam (WITS), Madison
Dance Festival, Sri Venkateshwara Temple, Chicago
Hindu Temple, Fitchburg
Lawrence University, Appleton
Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan, Chennai

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Reading Time: 5 mins

Fighting spirit: Pooja Nagpal trains rural girls in self-defence

(December 13, 2022) "Didi, I need to protect myself." Pooja Nagpal was taken aback, to say the least, by the diminutive teenager who stood before her, hand in a sling. The girl, Neha, had been beaten by a family member and knew she had to learn to defend herself. Pooja, an Indian-American activist with a second-level black belt in Taekwondo, is the founder of For a Change, Defend, a non-profit that teaches girls self-defence techniques. In 2013, soon after the Nirbhaya tragedy, Pooja arrived in the upper mountain areas of Himachal Pradesh, to take a crash course in self-defence for young girls there. A determination to prevail "Neha’s grandmother had told her that girls can't laugh, her brother got more food from her, she had been told that there was no point in girls being educated past the ninth grade, that she had to wear a veil when guests came home. How does anyone have an ounce of confidence in that environment," Pooja demands. From that point on, Neha became her most dedicated student, staying back after class to ask questions, determined to perfect every kick and punch. On Independence Day that year, 250 of Pooja's students demonstrated in front of an

rmined to perfect every kick and punch.

On Independence Day that year, 250 of Pooja's students demonstrated in front of an audience. Neha, who was holding the Indian flag in her hand, addressed the crowd, saying, "The time is now. We need to start fighting for women's equality. Parents, teachers, and family members need to understand the power that girls can bring to the future of India." Pooja, who was watching, realised at that moment the true power that a fighting spirit can bring.

[caption id="attachment_25318" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Pooja Nagpal[/caption]

Pooja opens her ted talk in Manhattan Beach with a kick and a 'kihap', which is a traditional shout and rapid exhalation of breath used in Taekwondo. The sound is as essential to the kick as the movement itself, a means to concentrate a martial artist's power. "It is a declaration of one's fighting spirit and the determination to prevail," she told her audience.

Discovering India

Pooja's parents were both born in India and hers was a "bilingual household," the young Global Indian explains. Growing up in Manhattan Beach in the United States, she would listen eagerly as her parents told her stories of the rich, Indian culture, of the "rush of colours and festivities and the euphoria." More than anything else, however, she loved Indian mythology. She was in awe of the Goddess Durga, who rode into battle on a lion and destroyed demons, who was the protector of all living things. She loved the elegance of Goddess Saraswati, seated atop a white lotus, the Goddess of learning and knowledge. "Growing up," she says, "These were my superheroes. They are powerful women with a unique, symbolic fighting spirit who help and protect the vulnerable."

As she grew older, however, the enchantment of Indian mythology gave way to a hidden dark side. She heard stories of violence and discrimination against women and girls. "There are girls who were defeated before they had begun to dream. They are stripped of their fighting spirit. The determination is not to prevail, but to survive." In 2012, the stories she had heard became more real and frightening than she could have imagined, with the Nirbhaya tragedy rocking the country - and the world. She knew something had to be done.

The time to act

"How could this happen in a country so beautiful and so magical," she asked. Activists around the world swung into action, all fighting for women's safety and rights. They worked to raise awareness, towards strength in numbers and changes at the legislative level. Pooja felt this could only be one part of the solution.

[caption id="attachment_25316" align="aligncenter" width="618"] Pooja Nagpal[/caption]

While it was a wonderful effort, the fact remained that women continue to face violence every day and, in most cases, there are no repercussions for the perpetrators. In India, women are unsafe both in private and public spaces, with violence meted out in various forms, including eve-teasing, domestic violence, mental and physical torture, and marital rape. And it was a problem, she soon learned, that was not exclusive to developing countries; there was domestic violence everywhere, from Los Angeles to Ladakh.

Training girls in rural India

In 2013, trying to earn her 'Gold Award for Girl Scouts, Pooja travelled to Himachal Pradesh with her sister, to teach self-defence at a village there. She arrived there to find young girls giggling and chatting together, much like she did with her friends back home. Pooja was, however, starkly aware of the fact that their "futures were worlds apart."

Pooja was wary at first, she was not sure how she would be received in a remote, rural region in a developing country. To her surprise, she was welcomed. "I was determined to give the girls what a kihap had given me," she said, in her TEDx Talk. "A fighting spirit and the determination to prevail." She worked flexibility, physical strength, self-defence, and mental confidence into her curriculum, spending around three hours a day training the girls.

The girls were weak - physically and mentally. She taught them the kihap. "As the weeks went on, they became louder and stronger," she recalled, smiling. After class, they would sit down to discuss role models, or the girls would make speeches to their classmates. "Many of these girls had never been asked, 'What do you want to be when you grow up'?" When she asked a 14-year-old, Rakhi, what she wanted to be, the girl's eyes were downcast. She was married, she said. She would be a housewife.

For A Change, Defend

The following year, Pooja Nagpal created her non-profit, For a Change, Defend. She returned to various rural schools in India, turning down offers from private schools that wanted her to teach martial arts lessons. "I wished to teach lower income girls, especially in rural areas that tend to be those that need the most help, since, in these areas, cases mostly go unreported,” she said.

Pooja also worked with Kiran Bedi, as she trained over 500 girls and women in various villages and slums. Bedi gave her a valuable piece of advice. "Start with six girls, then go to 60, then 600. Soon, you will have a six million-girl revolution. There is power in acting and power in activism." She watched the young girls she trained transform before her eyes. "They learned a fighting spirit and a determination to prevail. None of this could have been done without the kihap."

Reading Time: 6 mins

Young Indian environmentalists are working hard to save our planet

(February 21, 2023) The climate change sweeping the world is occurring at a faster pace than previously thought, making it imperative that governments act now to reverse the damage being done to the planet. According to a study by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), over the last few decades, the exploitation of our planet and the degradation of our environment has gone up at an alarming rate. With several natural disasters striking us more often in the form of flash floods, earthquakes, blizzards, tsunamis, and cyclones, many environmentalists have positioned themselves as advocates of sustainability, determined to meet the climate crisis at humanity’s doorstep. Global Indian takes a look at young Indians, who have been working on protecting this planet. Through their sustainability efforts across fashion, water conservation, waste management, education, policymaking, and sustainable energy, these young environmentalists inspire and impact thousands of people around the globe. Sneha Shahi, reviving rivers As a young child, environmentalist Sneha Shahi would visit the northeastern region of India, almost every summer, where her father was stationed. And that's when she fell in love with nature. Growing up in Vadodara, Gujarat, Sneha was always a girl who showed a keen interest in environmental activities.

n love with nature. Growing up in Vadodara, Gujarat, Sneha was always a girl who showed a keen interest in environmental activities. Today, a Ph.D. scholar at the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, Bengaluru, Sneha is among the 17 UN Young Climate Champions from India.

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"Since we were in school, we have been learning how plastic waste and its irresponsible disposal harm our flora, fauna, and land water systems. While we are taught about it, most people do not do anything to reduce the impact," shared the activist, who removed about 700 kg of waste from a natural rivulet that people thought to be a gutter.

Currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Extreme Hydrological Events at ATREE, Bengaluru, Sneha is gearing up to work on the restoration of the only perennial river in Tamil Nadu, Thamirabarani. "It has been only six months since I started the programme here and the project is still getting developed. The objectives currently are to restore this beautiful river, Thamirabarani, which is about 128 km long," shares Sneha, adding, "It supports drinking water and agricultural activities. We do not just want to install physical instruments to control pollution, but also create awareness about the pollution and change their mindset," shared the environmentalist.

Sagarika Sriram, climate change activist

A young 17-year-old took centre stage while top leaders from across the world gathered to discuss how they can save our planet from the changing climatic conditions at COP27, held in Egypt. Addressing her audience, the young environment activist, Sagarika Sriram, pointed out the youth’s perspective on sustainability and how youngsters can have their voices heard. Stressing how awareness must be raised in schools, her closing remarks pushed for the youth around the world to be heard when it comes to their sustainable goals, ending her speech to thunderous applause from the audience.

Called an "inspiration to all young girls in her country and West Asia” by the U.N. Environment Programme, the Dubai-based Indian ex-pat has been able to inspire and motivate numerous kids to join the movement for a cleaner and healthier future for all. Her digital platform Kids for a Better World, which the young environment activist created in 2016 as a school project, has brought together nearly 100,000 young kids from around the globe who too want to fight climate change.

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The environmentalist who has organised numerous local clean-up drives and workshops for kids believes that young people have to stand for the cause to prevent the impact of climate change. "I want to make a real change and contribute towards helping the planet revive. I just finished my final examinations and want to take a year's break to concentrate on the 2023 UN Climate Change Conference, COP 28, which will take place in the UAE," she shared.

Soumya Ranjan Biswal, marine conservation

Mangroves might appear to be merely coastal forests, but these rich ecosystems support the planet and living being in many ways. From providing breeding grounds for fish to carbon storage, and protection against flooding mangroves does it all. However, despite its importance, the mangrove forests are under threat. Odisha-based, 24-year-old environmentalist Soumya Ranjan Biswal has been voluntarily growing intending to regenerate the mangrove forests along the 18-km-long beach stretch for the last few years. Locally called Rai, Harakancha, Sundari, Bani, Guan, and Keruan, these plants are integral to the coastal habitat and livelihood of local fishermen.

The youngster is also working tirelessly to protect the threatened habitat of Olive Ridley turtles. From making sure eggs of the endangered species are protected from predators like dogs, jackals, and other animals, taking out cycle rallies to spread awareness among coastal inhabitants for the safety of the sea turtles to cleaning the beaches for the release of hatchlings, Soumya, fondly called Olly Boy has been doing it all. When the Odisha government agreed to have the Olive Ridley sea turtle as the mascot for the 2018 Hockey World Cup, that was when the young environmentalist decided to hold their historic one-month-long cycle expedition, paddling through coastal pockets of Rushikulya, Puri, Chilika, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak, and Balasore to create awareness about the protection of the turtles.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeXCsE5eKEo

While Olive Ridleys are close to Soumya, he has also been working for the cause of sparrows, reviving dry water bodies in forests and keeping beaches plastic-free. "As a coastal village boy, I've always been affected by ocean and beach pollution, high mortality rates of the Olive Ridley Sea Turtle, and mangrove destruction which have resulted in the occurrence of consistent natural calamities. This made me feel more strongly about issues like environmental degradation, climate change, and its impact on the marine ecosystem." Soumya had said during an earlier interview. Soumya was part of the "We The Change" campaign initiated by the United Nations in India.

Hina Saifi, clean air and renewable energy activist

Working with NGOs within her village in Meerut, Hina Saifi started to work on climate awareness after noting a lack of environmental awareness in her polluted village of Sisosla. From campaigning for solar-powered solutions to mobilising local communities to tackle air pollution through public campaigns, call for action, and pamphlets, Hina has been associated with the 100% Uttar Pradesh Campaign and The Climate Agenda since 2018.

"I believe that if there’s public awareness first, then we can improve the environment. It will happen if people are aware of climate-friendly behaviours and actions. This is why I want to work in the space of public awareness and mobilization." Hina advocated during a press interaction. After she launched ‘Suraj Se Samriddhi’, a campaign to raise awareness about the benefits of solar power, Hina was selected as the United Nation Young Environment Champion last year.

Berjis Driver, sustainable urban planner

An urban planner and associate member of the Institute of Town Planners India, Berjis Driver is working with the government authorities to reduce disparities, and improve accessibility and quality of life in cities. Berjis' expertise in environmental planning was important in understanding the relationship between Mumbai’s infrastructure and its environment. As an architect, he has been contributing to statutory urban policy and guideline preparation in Mumbai and Amravati.

A UN Youth Environment Champion, Berjis advocates that the urban cities' environment has been disconnected from the ecosystem. The norms on a per capita basis track back to the 60s and 70s and are not relevant to India today. He has been working to implement the basic benchmarks for green infrastructure, with rigorous control, in every city. "The promise of being able to reach out and scale up climate action, to learn the truth behind the origins and contexts of sustainability, help navigate it favourably, and to be able to safeguard the weakest in the face of climate change, is what continues to motivate me in this journey," Berjis has shared during an interview.

Reading Time: 6 mins

Chess brilliance: Young Indian players carving a legacy on International boards

(September 1, 2023) Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa's triumph, securing the silver medal at the 2023 FIDE World Cup, marks just the initial step for India. Not too long ago, Magnus Carlsen, the World's No. 1 chess player showered Indian chess players with praise, predicting that it's only a matter of time before India emerges as the 'foremost chess nation in the world.' Carlsen remarked, "I believe India is on the right track, and it's only a matter of time before it unmistakably leads the global chess arena." Although apart from Viswanathan Anand, who clinched the coveted crown five times, no other Indian has been challenged for the World Championship title, the rise of numerous young Indian chess players to the esteemed 'Grandmaster' status suggests a promising trajectory. This surge in talent hints at India's potential to capture numerous international trophies in the years to come. Global Indian takes a closer look at these young chess prodigies, who have impressively carved out their names on the international stage even at a tender age. Aditya Samant Meet the 17-year-old chess prodigy, Aditya, who recently achieved the prestigious title of Grandmaster (GM) at the young age of 17. Hailing from Pune, Maharashtra, Aditya's journey into

y achieved the prestigious title of Grandmaster (GM) at the young age of 17. Hailing from Pune, Maharashtra, Aditya's journey into the world of chess began when he was just 6 years old. His first taste of competitive play was at the National Under-7 Open 2013 tournament held in his hometown. Chess runs in Aditya's blood as his father, Sachin Samant, was also a passionate chess player during his college days. "My father used to give the positions to me and then we used to solve them together," the chess player said in an interview, adding, "Till I was around 2200, he was my trainer. Now I have started working on my own. Even he created opening files for me sometimes by looking at the database."

[caption id="attachment_32839" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Grandmaster Aditya Samant[/caption]

The young chess player's path to becoming a Grandmaster started to take shape at the 28th Abu Dhabi Masters in 2022. And in an impressive display of skill and determination, Aditya's FIDE Rating soared past 2500 points on the May 2023 FIDE Rating list, merely four months after his remarkable victory at the Abu Dhabi Masters. "I'm excited about enhancing my gameplay, diving into more matches, and giving it my all. At the moment, I'm planning to participate in maybe one or two tournaments before dedicating time to my upcoming board exams," Aditya said after the tournament.

Divya Deshmukh

During a press conference, the 17-year-old chess player was asked about her future chess plans. With a confident smile, Divya replied, "I don't really have any specific plans. My main focus is to continuously improve my game." That's the level of assurance radiating from this remarkable talent in Indian chess. Her journey with chess began at an early age, and her passion for the game shines brightly. By the time she turned 12, she had already secured an astounding 14 gold medals for India on the international stage.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QSiTABXeT4

Hailing from Maharashtra, this young chess prodigy clinched the title of National Women's Chess Champion in 2022. Adding to her impressive list of achievements, she recently emerged victorious at the Asian Continental Women's Chess Championship held in Kazakhstan. "I am very happy to win my maiden Asian women's gold medal," the chess player said after the tournament, adding, "In fact, this is my entry to the World Cup through one more route."

Nihal Sarin

At just 14 years old, he achieved an impressive Elo rating of 2600, securing his place as the third youngest player in history to accomplish this feat at that time. Nihal, hailing from Thrissur in Kerala, is the child of Sarin Abdulsalam, a dermatologist, and Shijin Ammanam Veetil Ummar, a psychiatrist. His remarkable abilities were evident from a young age, as he could identify the capitals and flags of 190 countries by the age of three. He also astounded many by memorising the scientific names of insects and plants during the same period.

[caption id="attachment_32840" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Grandmaster Nihal Sarin[/caption]

The story of how his journey in the world of chess began is quite fascinating. To keep his son engaged during school vacations, his father introduced Nihal to a chess set, while his grandfather A. A. Ummar taught him the game's rules. By the tender age of seven, this budding chess enthusiast had already clinched multiple titles, including the Kerala State Championship in the Under-07 category, two Under-09 titles, two Under-11 titles, and one Under-15 title. "I want to play the best players of the world. I don’t know if I would be able to defeat them, but playing is something I can surely do," said the chess player who won the Gold Medal as part of the Indian team in the FIDE Online Chess Olympiad 2020.

Rakshitta Ravi

Achieving a remarkable 93 percent in her 10th board exams, Rakshitta Ravi's exceptional academic performance was closely followed by her attainment of the title Indian Woman Grandmaster (WGM) in 2019. However, the fact that her father, T.S. Ravi, is a former International Master (IM), made her achievement less of a surprise for those who knew her story. “My parents are aware of the rigors that come with the sport. They help me stay grounded and motivated. In fact, my coach, RB Ramesh sir has also been instrumental in helping me raise my game in the last few years,” Rakshitta said in a recent interview.

[caption id="attachment_32841" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Grandmaster Rakshitta Ravi[/caption]

Recipient of the National Child Award for Exceptional Achievements in 2016, presented by the former President of India, Pranab Mukherjee, this young achiever took her first steps on the chessboard at the tender age of two. Rakshitta's journey into competitive chess commenced when she was only four and a half years old. A significant breakthrough arrived in 2012, marked by her notable performance at the Asian Youth Chess Championships in Sri Lanka, where she secured a bronze medal. Swiftly following this triumph, merely a year later, Rakshitta claimed gold in the U-8 rapid blitz category at the World Youth Chess Championships in Dubai. "I have been working hard on becoming more consistent in the last one year and that has paid dividends. But, I do not want to compromise on my education as well, so I take time out to make sure I study," the chess player said.

Raunak Sadhwani

Raunak, the fourth youngest Grandmaster from India, achieved an Elo rating surpassing 2500 before even entering his teenage years. Just recently, he showcased his remarkable skills by maintaining an undefeated streak and securing the championship in the Masters group of the Serbia Open chess tournament held in Belgrade, where he competed among a formidable gathering of 233 participants. "Nothing in the world can beat the pleasure of winning strong tournaments. I am happy that I played some good chess and consider myself deserving of this title. I am happy that I can put our Indian flag on the top of this list of Serbia Masters. This is just the beginning, I will work harder and try to bring home more titles," the chess player said after winning the tournament.

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

Ranked as India's 13th player, this Grandmaster stands tall among the world's most accomplished chess prodigies in his age group. Crediting his parents for his success, the young player said, "As it is rightly said - behind every young child who believes in himself is a parent who believes first. So I want to thank my parents for their strong belief in my strength, and standing rock solid with me in my chess journey of highs and lows. I also want to thank Indian Oil Corporation, my coaches, and West Bridge Anand Chess Academy."

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