Basketball player Ishan Sharma is shooting his way to stardom
Written by: Team GI Youth
(October 26, 2023) When he was just about four years old, his father bought him a ball. While he first played soccer with it for the first couple of days, the kid soon started playing basketball with his friends with the same ball. It was here that Ishan Sharma, an Indian Canadian basketball player, started his journey. And today, the 6’5″ player has a reputation as a dangerous perimeter shooter.
“I think my biggest strength is my ability to shoot the ball in catch-and-shoot situations, off-the-dribble situations, live-ball situations and also creating my shot when defenders overplay me,” the player said in a recent interview, adding, “I have a high IQ for the game, play with a lot of skill and feel which allows me to use ball screens as well and make decisions off being a primary ball handler or secondary ball handler and just making the right read every time I touch the ball. So those are my strengths.”
After winning several games for his team at the Fort Erie International Academy, and leading the Canadian team in FIBA tournaments, the star player is set to join the University of Virginia’s basketball team for 2024. “Everybody is really humble here and that really stood out to me,” said Ishan, talking about his selection, “I really see myself fitting in well, both on and off the court, and improving my game.”
Starting young
Ishan’s parents moved from India to Milton, Ontario in search of better opportunities. Growing up Ishan watched several matches – of various sports – with his father and brother, who is also a Canadian Elite Basketball League player. But the one sport that allured him the most was basketball. “I grew up watching a lot of Klay Thompson, Tyler Herro, Devin Booker, those kinds of 2-guards, and they’re really skilled. They really can shoot the ball and I kind of like watching them model my game after them, see what I can add, and all that kind of stuff,” the player said, adding, “I started playing basketball when I was around four or five years old. I played rec basketball for the first time when I was in third grade. I played for like the local team in Milton called Halton Basketball and from there I just worked really hard playing for them for a long time. Worked hard, but then COVID happened and I found my way to UPLAY and so through UPLAY, I got some exposure and I met some people who have helped me get to where I am today.”
Ishan with his team
While at school, the player started representing his country in the FIBA competitions. Talking about his biggest takeaways, Global Indian said, “Being able to represent that country is the utmost honour. It’s truly a privilege to represent where you’re from in your home country, but one of my biggest takeaways is that basketball has become a global game. It’s not just the US, it’s not just Canada, but everywhere in the world. You know, Africa, Europe, these places have really tough, physical, skilled guys who can do everything. So you know, we have to always stay locked in because it’s not just North America now, it’s a global game. So it just opened my eyes to the world of basketball that’s obviously grown.”
Goals ahead
With a good height and strong catch-and-shoot ability, the basketball player feels that his greatest strength is the off-the-dribble situation – which can help the University of Virginia win several matches in the forthcoming season. But, there are also several fields that the player is looking to work on going forward. “First of all, I’m trying to get stronger physically. And also work on my finishing package around the rim, finishing over taller defenders, finishing through contact and I feel like those two things will help me at the next level,” the player said.
A Rubik’s cube enthusiast, who also loves to play pool when he isn’t at a tournament, is very proud of his Indian heritage. “I take a huge pride in that because basketball’s not that big in India, yet, so I can represent my country in a sport that’s not very popular and maybe kids growing up that look up to me who are Indian or Canadian Indian, they can look up to me and see that these things are possible. I can work hard. I can be in a similar situation and I can do whatever I want. I don’t have to let my background, my race, my heritage, or my country affect the things that I want to do. So I take a lot of pride in that,” said the player after winning a match recently.
Ishan with his family
As he starts a new journey in his life, Ishan is looking to inspire the next generation through his game. “I would just want to be remembered as someone who used their platform to inspire upcoming players, especially young kids who are of Indian descent or South Asian descent who maybe look at me and see something that they want to do and see that it’s possible. So just inspiring those kids who really want to do something with basketball or with sports in general,” the player expressed.
A report by India’s centre for budget and policy studies found 71 percent girls reported doing domestic chores during the pandemic, compared to 38 percent boys. (January 11, 2021) While most girls her age were dealing with the aftermath of the pandemic, 22-year-old Devanshi Ranjan was helping marginalised girls in need. The winner of the prestigious Diana Award for her noble endeavours, this graduate of Lady Shri Ram College for Women, has been advocating for more investment in social causes -- gender and youth development since the Corona outbreak. The social activist, Devanshi implemented impactful, innovative initiatives to uplift marginalised groups in highly sensitive rural areas in India. “When the award was announced, friends and family contacted me after the ceremony and saying, “you’ve made it,” which didn’t sit well as this award is not the end. The Diana Award comes with a sense of responsibility to continue Lady D’s legacy. I’d like to work even harder to make a difference,” says the fervent feminist, who is currently director of operations for Ladli Foundation, USA, an international non-profit corporation in special consultative status with the United Nations ECOSOC. The social activist has taught 1,000 children as volunteer for an NGO
ivist has taught 1,000 children as volunteer for an NGO as well.
From LSR to Project MicDrop
Born and brought up in Delhi, social activist Devanshi did her schooling in DPS, Vasant Kunj and went on to study at Lady Shri Ram College for Women, University of Delhi where she pursued a degree in BA (hons) political science (2021). Currently pursuing a one-year postgraduate diploma in conflict transformation and peacebuilding at LSR, Devanshi is determined. Her mother, a government school teacher and father, a second-generation police officer nurtured in her, a deep belief in social upliftment. “Public service was a part of my upbringing. However, the realisation of the daily traumas experienced by us (women) hit me somewhere around my first year in college. I realised how this violence is systematic, persistent, pervasive and entrenched deep within the psyche of patriarchal Indian society. This is something I could identify with, despite being privileged, so just think about the struggles of women and gender minorities from historically underrepresented and marginalised groups. This thought made me take up this cause,” shares the girl who loves cats, and feeds two strays daily.
Committed to addressing these lacunas, Devanshi went on to start Project MicDrop with her friends. “My friends Gayatri Ahuja, a current Young India Fellow and Diya Joseph, a JMC political science graduate and I wanted to catalyse individual awareness and collective action to respond to the crises during lockdowns. Project MicDrop aims to be an inclusive, intersectional initiative for discussions of feminism, gender, sex and sexuality. It acts as a catalyst and facilitator towards enabling women, trans and non-binary people to exert agency, freely express and take pride in their identities, and work to challenge prevalent societal norms by creating spaces for feminist discourse,” she tells Global Indian.
When statistics alarmed her
While doing extensive research about the state of a girl child in rural India, Devanshi came across statistics that alarmed her. A report by India’s centre for budget and policy studies found 71 percent girls reported doing domestic chores during the pandemic, compared to 38 percent boys. Access to a phone was also 11 percent greater for boys. “Girls are facing the burden of household duties, just to sustain themselves for a meal a day. They also have to take care of children because of overcrowding in families. I studied the increase in school dropout rates. The gendered impact of the pandemic put female students at risk of early marriage, early pregnancy, poverty, trafficking and violence,” she ruminates. This led the gender activist to work with girls from marginalised communities. She also joined NGO Tamana as a teacher volunteer, as part of the national social service scheme, an Indian government sector public service programme conducted by the ministry of youth affairs and sports, for the 2018-2019 intake. “In my tenure, I taught over 1,000 students with intellectual and developmental disabilities by engaging them in interactive activities and self-researched learning modules,” she reveals.
Ladki padhao
At Ladli, the social activist aims to achieve gender equality, focusing on prioritising the concern of women’s health and well-being, especially in developing countries. It combats patriarchy, inequality, and gender-based violence. Having been part of Ladli for four years now, Devanshi’s work is focussed on three verticals: education and skill development, women’s empowerment and livelihood, and COVID-19 relief work. During the pandemic, Devanshi chose to focus on girl child education for a couple of reasons. “A girl child is more likely to drop out of school because women are viewed as a liability, not an asset. Women traditionally and even now are viewed as “paraya dhan”(other’s wealth) where the family they’re born in wouldn’t get anything out of them by investing in their education while a male child represents the continuity of lineage. Most hold such beliefs - urban, semi-urban or rural as patriarchy is deeply entrenched in Indian society,” she muses.
Breaking barriers, overcoming taboos
Given the fact that patriarchal notions are deep-seated in underprivileged situations where families struggle in a financially weak environment, it becomes difficult for children from those areas to have adequate resources to avail education. “Even if there’s the slightest chance for them to avail educational facilities, it always goes to the boys,” Devanshi mulls.
Along the course of her endeavours and studies, she has started replacing certain generic words she grew up hearing to those that aptly fit situations. “I don’t really use the term underprivileged – I’d rather use the words historically marginalised and under-represented groups. I also don’t like the term empowerment of women - the act of empowering someone is just reinforcing the saviour complex,” believes the social activist.
With her interests are centred around international development, gender and policy, Devanshi hopes to continue working, and pursue higher studies in international affairs and policy, with the intersection of gender. Binge watching on OTT, the movie buff loves watching romantic and comedy films with her mother and sister. R & B, classical and rock music are her other faves.
When not dedicating her time to social causes, the gritty 22-year-old enjoys reading political literature. “I also have a keen interest in learning about different languages and cultures. I have studied French for over nine years, and have swiftly picked up Spanish too,” she smiles.
Devanshi believes that it is important for the youth to constantly ask questions, and work towards finding solutions to causes they care about. “Amidst the pandemic, tons of youngsters started their own helplines and initiatives to help people in distress and the youth played a major role in creating change during COVID,” concludes the social activist.
(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,
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, 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
(November 12, 2024) In 2012, a then 12-year-old Vishal Vijay returned to Oakville, Ontario, from what was supposed to be a simple family trip to India. But what he and his younger brother, Ishan Vijay, saw during their visit to Faridabad changed their lives forever. The two brothers, used to the comforts of suburban Canada, came face-to-face with children living in extreme poverty. For Vishal, it was impossible to shake off the image of kids his age begging on the streets. "This girl was begging on the side of the street. How is it that she is in this situation and that I'm not? I thought that's really unfair, and I need to do something about this," he recalled. [caption id="attachment_40317" align="aligncenter" width="480"] Vishal Vijay[/caption] Planting the Seeds of Change Upon returning home to Oakville, Vishal and Ishan Vijay didn't just talk about what they had seen; they acted. Together, they formed Children in Action, a small group of friends who raised funds to support education and essential needs for disadvantaged kids. Their first fundraiser — a bake sale — raised just under $400. "We were over-the-moon ecstatic, and we knew that we had to keep going, and that there
sed funds to support education and essential needs for disadvantaged kids. Their first fundraiser — a bake sale — raised just under $400. "We were over-the-moon ecstatic, and we knew that we had to keep going, and that there were more kids that needed our help," Vishal said. What started as a small youth group soon evolved into Every Child Now (ECN), a youth-run nonprofit focused on alleviating child poverty and empowering young people.
Building Hope, One Step at a Time
Since its founding, Every Child Now has grown beyond anything the brothers imagined. They've raised over $100,000 and launched projects that have touched thousands of lives. Their efforts include building a schoolhouse in Rajasthan, providing clean water in Sierra Leone, and distributing school supplies to disadvantaged children. "We focus on providing children and their families with their five basic needs: education, food, clean drinking water, shelter, and health care," Vishal explained in an interview. The brothers' impact stretches from the streets of India to communities across Canada.
While their work started with a focus on India, the Vijays soon realised poverty wasn’t confined to one place. “This affects kids all around the world. We quickly realized this was not something that was isolated to the communities that we have visited,” Vishal said. Domestically, they’ve helped indigenous communities and children in need by providing school supplies and running educational workshops. Through partnerships and persistent fundraising, the nonprofit has supported projects in Canada, India, Nepal, and West Africa, helping provide essential resources, from clean water and education to health care and shelter. Their efforts led them to receive Junior Citizen Awards in 2015 from the then Lt Governor of Ontario, Elizabeth Dowdeswell.
Indians living in Canada, like the Vijay brothers, are contributing immensely to their communities. Canada’s Indian diaspora is known for its resilience, cultural contributions, and commitment to social welfare. For Vishal and Ishan Vijay, this connection to their heritage has fueled their work both locally and abroad.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought new obstacles. With schools closed, the educational gap widened. The brothers knew they had to adapt. "When the pandemic first hit, we were really noticing this divide that was starting to occur in education, where many children didn't have access to the resources and support that they needed at home," the Global Indian said. They responded by launching Social Educating, a program connecting kids in grades 4 to 8 with university students who tutor them online for free. This initiative helped bridge the gap for many Canadian students struggling with remote learning.
The brothers believe that engaging youth is key to sustainable change. Vishal has spoken at youth conferences across North America, emphasizing that young people have the power to make a difference now, not just in the future. "Young people aren't just our future; they’re our present, too," he often says.
Every Child Now is guided by three pillars: inspire, advocate, and impact. “When it comes to sustainable development and activism, collaboration is incredibly important. There is a shared sense of passion and belief in the mission,” Vishal said. He understands that tackling child poverty and promoting youth empowerment isn’t easy, but he and Ishan remain determined.
Vishal who graduated from Western University’s Ivey Business School has been blending his passion for social impact with strategic thinking. His goal is to bring purpose-driven missions into whatever he does.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TiEN56ljX0
A Lasting Impact
What started as a small, heartfelt effort by two brothers to help kids they saw in Faridabad has blossomed into a movement. They know there’s still more work to be done, but they’re not backing down. “We discovered that a lot of young Canadians are really interested in social impact. I think of us as the Purpose Generation,” Vishal said.
For Vishal and Ishan, the journey from a dusty street in India to building a nonprofit that inspires youth worldwide proves one simple thing: change can begin with a single act, as long as you’re brave enough to take that first step.
(September 7, 2022) 17-year-old Srijanita Maurya belongs to Mau, a town in Uttar Pradesh which is also known as Maunath Bhanjan, one of the oldest places in the region. The city has a rich legacy in the sari industry but somehow it takes time for outsiders to fathom where it is. Whenever Srijanita introduces her town to others, she quickly adds ‘near Varanasi’ to give an idea of exactly where she stays. The Covid-induced first phase of lockdown saw Srijanita deeply worried as "humans were sheltered inside their homes but the poor stray animals were left to fend for themselves. Since I was nine, I have been rescuing stray animals with my mother,” she tells Global Indian. “My mother is not a known animal activist but has been doing her bit in her small way and has laid the foundation to make a difference; in me as well,” says the youngster who has received recognition in the form of President George W Bush's foundation’s 2022 Points of Light Inspirational Honor Roll. Using the internet for good Inspired by Delhi-based Palakh Khanna, the emerging youth icon who is working with youngsters from across the globe to raise awareness about taboo topics,
Inspired by Delhi-based Palakh Khanna, the emerging youth icon who is working with youngsters from across the globe to raise awareness about taboo topics, Srijanita decided to do something similar. For about a year she has been spreading awareness about animal welfare through the Internet. “Awareness at community levels is important to protect animals who cannot voice their feelings,” she believes. Her deep concern has taken shape in the form of her online platform – The Animal Patronage.
On the path of going global
Working on her idea for a couple of months on her own she was soon able to reach and attract the attention of the school and college students from countries like Indonesia, Vietnam, Myanmar, and India, who are now part of her 20-member team.
Youngsters voluntarily work on welfare awareness campaigns handling different departments like content creation for awareness programmes, promotional activities, managing events, and coordinating with guest speakers for the Animal Patronage podcasts. Srijanita, who has been a TEDx speaker, hosts the podcast inviting young environmentalists and animal welfare activists as guests.
Eighteen collaborations
The Animal Patronage team has managed to garner 18 collaborations with other youth-led organisations from countries like South Korea, Africa, the UK, Australia, and the US to support the reach of their initiatives and in return increase Animal Patronage’s reach in their localities. “The most prominent collaboration is with Crimson Youth Entrepreneurship Society, a youth-led organisation by Harvard students,” tells Srijanita.
“People shy away from offering just one chapati to a stray dog. In such a scenario, looking into the well-being of large animals like elephants who need more food and care is unimaginable. But they need care too.” Animal Patronage’s goal is to make people more mindful of animals and their needs and do their bit in whatever way they can, beginning with stray animals nearby.
Turning heads
“I am the first girl in my district to work on something like this,” says the 12th grader from Kids Kingdom Senior Secondary School. Many juniors in her school approach her for guidance on similar initiatives that can help them create an impact in the society.
“It’s kind of a bold statement from a 17-year-old but I truly mean to motivate every single youth regardless of gender, economic condition, or geographical location so that they can contribute to society in some way or the other,” remarks the teen who has been recognised as Harvard Innovation Fellow by Harvard University students’ body.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIc1VmyNEQM
Srijanita plans to study forensics science and become a medical examiner in the future, and has been managing her social initiatives along with studies by beginning her day at three in the morning.
Doing the extra bit
She has also started a movement called Petrichor (which means the first sun ray of the season in Latin) to help youngsters with well-researched information about different internship options available and significant tips on resume building.
Never failing to take out some time every day to devote to her initiatives, she is dedicated to increasing the team size as well as its reach. Since the Animal Patronage team is a multinational student body, meetings are scheduled during the weekends, taking into consideration time zones and study schedules of volunteering students. Srijanita is excited about the Global Kids Achievers Award that she would be receiving in November in Delhi.
(February 8, 2024) Each year, Delhi/NCR greets the sunrise under a heavy smog blanket, pushing the city's Air Quality Index (AQI) into the alarming red zone. This concerning situation is a result of the burning of crop residues in the neighbouring states of Punjab and Haryana, which contributes to 26 percent of the capital's air pollution. This led IIT grads Arpit Dhupar and Anand Bodh to form Dharaksha - a startup that specialises in converting rice stubble into biodegradable packaging. Started in 2019, the deep-tech startup uses a biotechnology process to produce packaging material capable of biodegrading within 60 days under standard soil conditions. [caption id="attachment_35688" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Arpit Dhupar[/caption] It all began when an innocent drawing from his nephew made Arpit think hard. A typical scenery painting had all the elements - the sun, the mountains, the sky, and birds - but the sky was coloured grey as opposed to the blue that took him aback. "We shouldn’t live in a world where we have to explain to kids that the sky should be painted blue. It should be a given," the Forbes 30 Under 30 said in an interview. The painting gave him some food for thought, and
dn’t live in a world where we have to explain to kids that the sky should be painted blue. It should be a given," the Forbes 30 Under 30 said in an interview. The painting gave him some food for thought, and he began building a startup that could help keep the skies blue.
It was during his sabbatical from work that he travelled through the remote villages of Punjab and Haryana to understand the grim issue of stubble burning. Upon his interactions with locals, he found that farmers were keen to get rid of the leftover crop as it was of no use to them. Due to high moisture, they can't be used for fuel as well. So he came up with the idea of using baler machines to compress and stack the stubble and began working on Dharaksha with Anand Bodh. To solve the stubble-burning crisis, he decided to use mushrooms to degrade the stubble, which led him to conceive a biodegradable material like thermocol. Arpit realised that harvesting mushrooms on the stubble gave strength to the structure. "This wasn’t a waste material but could be a usable one. Through bio fabrication, we could use the stubble waste to create a material similar to thermocol, but one that was biodegradable," he added.
Upon some research, he found that thermocol is worse than plastic, and burning it releases toxic gases such as carbon monoxide and about 90 different hazardous chemicals. "It's shocking how little conversation there is around this material." Explaining the process, he says that once the stubble makes it to the factory, it's sterilised and the mushroom culture is added. "The mycelium grows, forming a sort of interlocked structure that holds the material in place. This makes it strong, so no resin needs to be added. The mix is then put into the oven, where the mushrooms are neutralised," he elaborated.
This led to the making of a packaging material that's flameproof and can endure high moisture conditions. Interestingly, each piece of material produced helps prevent 250 tonnes of thermocol from making it into landfills. "We have formed internal software and processes which enables us to keep track of each unit produced from Day 0 till the end of its life cycle. Each unit produced holds a separate identity in our systems. We manufacture 20,000 pieces per month currently and are scaling up 5x in the next few months," said Anand, adding that companies like Dabur, V-Guard, Pernod Ricard, Nestle, Fyllo, Gourmet Jars are their customers.
"I started the venture with the aim of making the skies blue. I feel satisfied that we are making a difference,” he added.
Shripriya Kalbhavi[/caption]
Aditya Chaudhary[/caption]
Rohan Kalia[/caption]
Nirvaan Somany founded Project Jeans[/caption]
Kiara Nirghin[/caption]
Vishal Vijay teaching students[/caption]
