California teen Adarsh Ambati uses AI to save water
Compiled by: Darshana Ramdev
(November 19, 2022) In 2018, then 13-year-old Adarsh Ambati’s life came temporarily to a standstill when his mum suffered a third-degree heart block. Adarsh recalls seeing her connected to wires that were meant to monitor health but didn’t allow her to move around. So, Adarsh Ambati, now the founder of the Green Initiatives Movement, decided to develop a portable, cost-effective device that could monitor vital signs without hampering mobility.
Nine months later, the prototype for the vital signs monitor was ready. By the time he won the prestigious Gloria Barron Prize in 2021, Adarsh had also devised the Community Sprinkler and started an Amphibian Biodiversity Protection Initiative.
Adarsh Ambati
The Contactless Monitor
Now a freshman at Stanford University, Adarsh’s first project, the Contactless Monitor, was ready nine months after his mother’s illness. Fortunately, her mobility had been restored, so Adarsh ran over 1000 tests on his protype, as part of a 40-participant pilot study. “It took me around nine months to develop the device and build an app with notifications so doctors could use it, but also regular people,” he told The Guardian. “Because it’s contactless and relatively portable, it could even be used to detect infectious diseases like Covid-19.”
Even as a teenager, the young Global Indian was especially perceptive of the world around him, alive to its problems and eager to find solutions, which he does using his deep interest in technology and coding. Growing up in California, he noticed his neighbours using automatic sprinklers, using vast amounts of precious water on landscaping.
A low-cost community sprinkler alert system
“While going to school in the rain one day, I saw one of my neighbours with their sprinklers on, creating run-offs,” he told Vintage Billboard. “Through research, I found that 25 percent of the water used in an average American household is wasted each day due to overwatering and inefficient watering methods.”
In 2016, Adarsh began work on a prototype for a smart, low-cost, community sprinkler alert system. When he conducted a two-month pilot with 10 neighbouring homes, he found they had the potential to save some 50,000 gallons of water in a couple of months. “The sprinkler system is compliant with water regulations, to cost-effectively save water for entire neighbourhoods using a Raspberry Pi, moisture sensors, PyOWM (weather database) and by utilising free social media networks like Twitter,” he added.
The idea was to save the excess water that is wasted during general-purpose irrigation. The device can detect and integrate real-time weather forecast data to provide the optimum levels of water. It doesn’t stop there. The sprinkler alert system is also connected to social media and can publish information on when to turn on sprinklers and for how long.
The prototype cost about $50, which, incidentally, is less expensive than the higher-end smart sprinklers. By Adarsh’s estimate, it can be brought down to about five cents or less per household, since the device can serve an entire community.
A scalable model
Some 83 percent of water used in outdoor landscaping can be saved, a huge deal in Northern California, 100 gallons of water is used for outdoor landscaping everyday, in an average household. The sprinkler alert system was also presented to the San Jose City Council, who even considered installing the system in their public grass areas.
Recognition found Adarsh in 2019, when he won MagPi Magazine’s Coolest Projects USA competition. Phil Colligan, the CEO of Raspberry Pi, also expressed his support. In 2021, he received the prestigious Gloria Barron Prize. Adarsh is also the founder of Gro-STEMS, which sells succulents to support technology training at San Jose’s LifeMoves Homeless Shelter and Aarti Girls School for abandoned children in Kadapa, India.
(July 30, 2022) Little Abhijita was thrilled to receive an invitation last year from the Ministry of Culture on behalf of the Government of India to be one of the 40 youth icons in the theme song honouring Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav - 75 years of India's Independence. The junior high school student and author of three books became a part of the 'Mauka Hai' song released by T Series right before Independence Day 2021, along with other notable young Indians including Neeraj Chopra, Sonam Wangchu, and P V Sindhu. [caption id="attachment_20063" align="aligncenter" width="616"] Abhijita during her book launch at Oxford bookstore[/caption] The Ghaziabad-based novelist, who got huge recognition as soon as she published her first book at seven, tells Global Indian, "I started writing when I was just five. An Elephant's Advice, the first story I ever wrote, was about raising awareness to eat healthy food. My family appreciated it a lot." Encouraged by appreciation, she went on to write more such stories which later got compiled into her first book. From “no” to “yes” "Several publishers turned my manuscript down after learning about my age, questioning how a seven-year-old could write a book. Invincible Publishers finally agreed. They were
riting when I was just five. An Elephant's Advice, the first story I ever wrote, was about raising awareness to eat healthy food. My family appreciated it a lot." Encouraged by appreciation, she went on to write more such stories which later got compiled into her first book.
From “no” to “yes”
"Several publishers turned my manuscript down after learning about my age, questioning how a seven-year-old could write a book. Invincible Publishers finally agreed. They were reluctant too in the beginning but when my mother persuaded them to read the manuscript once, they said, 'Wow!" reminisces the youngster with a smile.
Impressed with the little wordsmith’s calibre, they agreed to a four-book agreement. Her non-fiction works, Happiness All Around, We Will Surely Sustain, and To Begin with the Little Things, combine stories and poems to encourage readers to live better lives.
The publishing house claims on the book's cover that "the writings have been left untouched so that the innocence does not get diluted" and adds that the title, cover design, and illustration ideas were all contributed by the young author.
Right after her first book released, the pandemic started. Abhijita made it a setting for her second book. She based the novella on her experiences during the lockdown, with characters that included herself, her parents, every member of her extended family, and the housemaid.
Three books and five honours
Abhijita is the great grand-daughter of acclaimed poets, Rashtrakavi Shri Maithili Sharan Gupt and Santkavi Shri Siyaramsharan Gupt. The youngster who showed interest in the craft on her own instead of being pushed into writing, seems to beautifully carry the legacy forward.
After her debut novel was published in 2019, Abhijita was recognised by the International Book of Records as the youngest author as well as the youngest author to write both prose and poetry at the age of seven. She also received the honour of Grandmaster in writing by Asia Book of Records.
[caption id="attachment_20064" align="aligncenter" width="772"] Abhijita with recognitions she received for her first book as a seven year old[/caption]
For her second book, she was recognised as the youngest author to create a non-fiction book on the Covid 19 pandemic, by both India Book of Records and the World Book of Records UK.
More books in future
“I am going to write many books in the future. When something is your hobby, you cannot stop doing it. So, I would carry on even when I become a doctor and have less time,” says the Ruskin Bond fan who aspires to be a good human being first and then a doctor.
Her determination to become a doctor is unwavering. “My dreams do not change rapidly because I am stuck to them,” says the youngster firmly. “When I was small, I used to think whether I should be a firefighter, scientist, doctor, or writer. But now I am stuck to one goal”. The standard four student at Presidium School has already begun reading fundamental biology books and watching videos about it, even though biology wouldn't be covered in her course curriculum for another two years.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0lQHseMJB4
The little author is so drawn to her craft that if she has the urge to write, she can find the focus anywhere. She maintains two diaries, one in which she writes poems whenever an idea comes to her mind and one in which she writes stories. “Poetry has some restrictions like choosing a rhyming word. I am not able to express my feelings wholeheartedly. There is something still left, I feel and that is why I love writing stories more,” says Abhijita, who received the Global Prodigy Award 2021 along with 99 kids from across the world in Dubai.
Coping with homework, school, playtime, and writing is not difficult for this young novelist. “I find time easily as it is my passion. I’ve gotten used to it,” says the prodigy, who never shows her work to adults till it is perfect. Her books have been giving beautiful messages to children her age ending with some or the other lesson or moral.
(July 8, 2024) With the Olympics just around the corner, India's rising star in table tennis, Sreeja Akula does not feel the pressure. “This is my first Olympics, and I am as prepared as I can be. I will give it my best shot and not worry about the rest,” the upcoming Olympian tells Global Indian. The Arjuna Award winner is currently ranked 25th in the world and comes off a great year that saw her go from strength to strength. 2024 was a watershed year for the young player as she became the first Indian women table tennis player to win international tournaments courtesy of her victories at the WTT Feeder, Corpus Christi, Texas, and the WTT Feeder, Beirut II. The right-handed player who plays both singles and doubles has performed at the highest levels over the past years by consistently beating formidable players from Korea and China. The paddler’s story is one of perseverance and triumph, making her one of the most promising athletes on the Indian sports scene. [caption id="attachment_38518" align="aligncenter" width="519"] Sreeja Akula[/caption] Family matters Sreeja's initiation into table tennis began at the age of nine, when her parents enrolled her in a local coaching center.
alindian.com/youth//wp-content/uploads/2024/07/sreeja-1024x1024.png" alt="Sreeja Akula | Table Tennis | 2024 Paris Olympics | Global Indian" width="519" height="519" /> Sreeja Akula[/caption]
Family matters
Sreeja's initiation into table tennis began at the age of nine, when her parents enrolled her in a local coaching center. Recognizing her potential, her coach encouraged her to participate in various state-level tournaments.
“My father used to play table tennis, as did my sister Ravali, so I sort of grew up watching them play and was obsessed with becoming a good player. Also, I was very weak as a child, so my parents encouraged me to play as it helped to build my stamina,” she states.
Having trained at St. Paul’s Academy, the YMCA, and then at the academy started by her coach, Somnath Ghosh, Sreeja’s childhood was spent mostly on courts in Hyderabad.
Sporting stars are not born in isolation. The young sporting star saw immense sacrifices made by her family. With both parents (mother Sai Sudha and father Praveen Kumar) in insurance, one of them constantly accompanied her as she played in tournaments across the country, traveling by trains and buses, always supporting her along the way.
She recalls, “My father had to shift from a government job to the private sector just so that he could afford the expenses of travel and tournaments. My mother learned to ride a two-wheeler so that she could pick us up and drop us off at the academy. My grandparents took over running the household, as either of my parents used to constantly be on the move along with me. I am here because of my entire family.”
It was all this grit and hard work that helped Sreeja Akula make her mark very early on in her career. Just two years after she started playing (in 2009), she won her first medal (bronze) at the national championships and never really looked back.
Sreeja Akula's rise through the ranks of Indian table tennis has been nothing short of meteoric. She made her mark on the national scene with her performances in the National Table Tennis Championships. In 2017, she won the Junior National Championship, showcasing her talent and signaling her arrival on the big stage.
Her transition from the junior to the senior level was seamless. Sreeja's consistent performances earned her a place on the Indian national team.
2022 was a breakout year, where she clinched the gold (mixed doubles) at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Sreeja also claimed the Senior National Championship in 2022 in women’s singles, successfully defending the title she first won in 2021.
Incidentally, the sportswoman is good at her studies too and spent time traveling hooked on her studies. She laughs, “Academics and sports are my twin loves. I used to travel to tournaments with my text books. I scored a 9.5 GPA in my tenth grade, thanks to my teachers at Rosary Convent, and 96% in my 12th grade.”
Balancing act
Since her childhood, Sreeja spent her time on the court. Did she ever miss out on the regular growing-up activities of going to the movies and hanging out at a mall with friends? “I really don’t believe in having regrets. I always enjoyed playing table tennis, and there was no pressure on me from anyone. Of course, sport requires some sacrifices, but then so does anything if you want to excel,” she explains.
Women players from Hyderabad have really made it big in recent years, from Sania Mirza and Saina Nehwal to PV Sindhu and Nikhat Zareen, as Sreeja joins the big league. Is the sporting environment more conducive for women now? “I’ve been really lucky to have the unstinted support of my family at every stage. Also, I’m an employee of RBI and have support from the Deccan Sports Foundation. Things are definitely looking up for women as we see more and more women athletes make their mark. Also I’ve never really been discriminated against due to my gender.”
Along with her physical fitness, the table tennis star has been working on her mental fitness too, practicing yoga and meditation for ten years. Focusing on the troika of technical skills, physical fitness, and mental toughness, she is today a formidable player on the court.
The Olympic journey
As Sreeja Akula sets her sights on the Paris Olympics in 2024, her journey so far provides a strong foundation for her aspirations. Part of the historic India women’s team to have qualified for the first time for the Olympics, Sreeja is well on her way to achieving her dream of winning a medal on the biggest sports stage.
One of the critical factors in Sreeja’s favor is her experience and exposure to international competitions. Competing against the best players in the world has honed her skills and given her the confidence to face tough challenges. Her ability to adapt to different playing styles and conditions is a significant advantage as she prepares for the Olympics.
"Everyone keeps asking me about the Olympic medal, but I approach every game as if it were an Olympic match. Each victory matters. I take this competition seriously, but it's no different from any other game I play. The Olympics are wonderful, but winning or losing isn't everything. I aim to remain consistent in my outlook, regardless of the outcomes," she explains.
Sreeja Akula’s journey is an inspiring story of passion, perseverance, and hard work. With her skills, experience, and determination, she surely has the potential to bring home an Olympic medal and make India proud. The road to Paris in 2024 is challenging, but a billion Indians are in her corner.
Quick takes
Favorite athletes: Saina Nehwal and Sachin Tendulkar.
When not training: Love reading.
Next target: To be ranked in the top 20 in the world.
Advice to young players: Keep improving and don’t succumb to pressure and expectations. Also, remember that there are no short cuts to success, only hard work and dedication.
(May 13, 2023) The roaring engines of India's racing scene have been revving up in recent years, with an influx of young, passionate individuals setting their sights on becoming professional racers. From the hum of the local karting tracks to the adrenaline rush of Formula racing, India's motorsport landscape is witnessing a surge in homegrown talent. At the forefront of this high-octane revolution is Kush Maini, a prodigious racer who is rapidly carving his name on the international stage. As he accelerates towards his Formula 1 aspiration, the 22-year-old youngster serves as the perfect inspiration for aspiring racers across the nation, showcasing the immense potential that lies within India's motorsport arena. It’s a realm not unfamiliar to the racer, who is carving his path strategically, one race at a time. "I always knew what I was capable of – I wanted to prove to myself and everyone else, and start positively. To get my first podium early on, I think we can start building on it as a team. It’s a good feeling. It’s a great start to the year in one of the toughest championships in the world," the Global Indian racer said during an interview after he produced
. To get my first podium early on, I think we can start building on it as a team. It’s a good feeling. It’s a great start to the year in one of the toughest championships in the world," the Global Indian racer said during an interview after he produced an impressive drive on his Formula 2 debut to finish fourth in the feature race recently.
A passionate beginning
Since he was just a toddler, Kush was fascinated by racing cars. What helped further his dreams was that his elder brother, Arjun, shared the same passion. Sons of industrialist Gautam Maini, the two brothers started frequenting the karting tracks while they were still in primary school. "My first win in karts was when I was 10, in the Indian National Championship," the racer shared, adding, "Looking back, I was up against a field of drivers who were older than me, including Jehan (Daruvala). But it turned out to be a great race for me to clinch a victory. Before that year, I hadn't tasted victory, and this was the final race where I managed to cross the finish line first. This triumph indeed boosted my confidence."
When he was just 12-years-old, the young racer decided to leave his family and shift to his karting mechanic’s home in Italy, so that he could focus solely on becoming the racer he dreamt of. "I grew up in Bangalore, India, and went to school there, but I moved to the UK quite early on for karting. Then I’ve also lived in Italy (and) in Switzerland, so I’ve been about," the racer said during an interview, adding, "The last couple of years I am put up in the UK and that’s where I conduct all my training. I think it’s just an easier base than India even though I’d love to live at home. It’s just too far away."
While he was driving minor leagues in the UK, the racer made his international debut in the year 2016 at the Italian F4 Championship. "It all started with a single-seater, competing for BVM Racing in the Italian F4 Championship," he shared. And, the beginning of this racers' campaign was impressive, accumulating points in the year's initial six races. Following a challenging phase in the middle of the season, the Indian racer achieved his maiden podium finish in car racing, clinching third place in the concluding race at Vallelunga. He concluded the season ranked 16th overall and secured the fifth spot in the rookies' championship.
Life on the tracks
In 2017, the racer joined forces with Jenzer Motorsport, competing once more in Italian F4 alongside teammates Giorgio Carrara, Federico Malvestiti, Giacomo Bianchi, and Job van Uitert. His second year proved quite fruitful, marked by podium finishes at Imola and Monza, in addition to numerous top-five results that contributed to his eighth-place finish in the overall standings. What makes him so successful - the youngster credits his disciplined schedule for it all. "I think the discipline it teaches you. I think it just improves you as a person. There’s a lot more structure in your life. In the last few years when I got serious about racing, I think my life structure has changed. I’m focused on the training so I think it’s the qualities that it teaches you," he expressed.
The following year saw the racer ascend to the British Formula 3 Championship with Lanan Racing. In 2019, he transitioned to the Formula Renault Eurocup, teaming up with M2 Competition. He made an immediate impact, securing a podium finish in his debut race at Monza. However, he couldn't replicate such notable results throughout the rest of the season. Nevertheless, his consistent accumulation of points led to a sixth-place finish in the standings with 102 points, making him the second-highest-placed rookie. Speaking about his racing style to a media outlet, the racer has said, "I would say aggressive. Of course, it just depends on the situation. If it’s a track with a lot of high-speed corners, you want to go easy on the steering. Whereas if you take a race situation, you know if you’re starting second or third, you’ve got to be smart."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNb9_YZqEtc
The youngster recently claimed his first-ever Formula 2 podium with a third-place finish at Albert Park in Melbourne. And now the racer, who is currently on a winning spree, has his eyes on the highest ground – Formula 1. "I think it is achievable. Formula 1 needs an Indian. I want to give my absolute best in F2. If I am good enough and it is meant to happen, then it will. I’m not rushed," he said.
(May 21, 2022) As a young child, environmentalist Sneha Shahi would go to the north east of India, where her father was stationed. Over the years, she fell in love with nature. Back in Vadodara, Gujarat, where she grew up, Sneha showed a marked interest in environmental activities. Today, a PhD scholar at the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment in Bengaluru, Sneha is one of India’s 17 UN Young Climate Champions. [caption id="attachment_16973" align="aligncenter" width="615"] Sneha Shahi[/caption] "Ever since we were in school, we have been learning about how the irresponsible disposal of plastic waste can adversely impact our flora, fauna and land water systems,” says the young activist, during an interview with Global Indian. “While we are taught about it, most of us don’t ever do much to actually reduce the impact.” Sneha is among the proactive few and has cleaned around 700 kilos of waste from a rivulet so filthy that people mistook it for a gutter. Daughter of the earth A military brat, Sneha grew up travelling to various parts of the country, even though she was primarily in Vadodara. "I come from a joint family. My grandfather was also in Indian Air
s cleaned around 700 kilos of waste from a rivulet so filthy that people mistook it for a gutter.
Daughter of the earth
A military brat, Sneha grew up travelling to various parts of the country, even though she was primarily in Vadodara. "I come from a joint family. My grandfather was also in Indian Air Force, and after travelling across the country my family decided to settle in Vadodara for it was a beautiful, quaint city," says the young environmentalist, who loves to travel. "I loved to go to national parks and zoological parks, and enjoyed spending time there. So, it was natural that I would develop an interest in working with the environment,” says Sneha, laughing as she recalls people’s surprise when she first told them her career choice. She stuck with it, though, enrolling at Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda to pursue bachelor's degree in environmental science and later a masters in the same subject. And this is where her life took a turn.
A rivulet runs through it
Her love for nature inspired her to enroll in UNEP’s Plastic Tide Turner Challenge, which began in her college in 2019. Funded by the United Kingdom since 2018, the “Tide Turners Plastic Challenge” has reached over 225,000 youth in 25 countries in Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean. The initiative is a crucial element of the British government’s 25 Year Environment Plan to reduce ocean plastic.
At 23, when she was doing her masters in environmental studies, Sneha led a campaign to clean a polluted rivulet that had been choked with plastic waste. Since the rivulet ran through their college campus, Sneha managed to round up 300 students for the campaign. They began cleaning what they thought was a ‘nala’ or gutter which was once said to have been home to several crocodiles. However, the crocodiles left, unable to withstand the mounting garbage. “We would make jokes about crocodiles living on campus,” Sneha says. “But that isn’t the issue, is it? The fact is that the stream belonged to the crocodiles and we ruined it.” The endeavour took months and the team had cleaned 700 kilos of waste by the end.
Braving the odds
While the students worked day and night to clean the rivulet, they faced several challenges during the campaign. "The biggest task was to create awareness in the nearby localities about plastic waste. For most of them this nala had been a dumping place for years. The after-effects of such deeds were shared and it took some time to see them react positively," shares the environmentalist, adding, "Sometimes, the police would also enquire about our projects as they had never seen anyone bother to clean this stream."
However, things changed slowly. "Today if someone throws plastic in the stream, the locals question them and ask them to pick up the garbage. They are very protective of the stream," she smiles. The environmentalist also points out that what amazed her the most was the interest shown by the local women. "We think they are mere housewives, but they are important stakeholders in society. When we were running the awareness campaign, I was amazed by how much they wanted to learn about the water bodies near their homes, how they cause flooding and pollution and its impact on their health," Sneha says.
Interestingly, after removing over 700 kg of plastic from the urban stream, many turtles and crocodiles found their way back to the water during the monsoon. "Many other insects and plants also grew in their surroundings," shares Sneha, who adds that the college authorities installed fences for the safety of students. Currently, Sneha's juniors are managing the programme, while she monitors them.
Currently pursuing her PhD in Extreme Hydrological Events at ATREE, Bengaluru, Sneha is gearing up to work on restoring the Thamirabarani, Tamil Nadu’s only perennial river. "The project is only six months old and is still being developed," Sneha explains. The Thamirabarani, which is 128 long, "supports drinking water and agricultural activity," the environmentalist says, adding, "We want to install physical instruments to control pollution and also spread awareness on the harm it has caused. We want to impact the prevailing mindset."
(March 17, 2023) Call Me Dancer, a documentary feature adaptation of real life-story of Manish Chauhan, Mumbai’s street dancer, had its world premiere at Santa Barbara International Film Festival in USA. The 84-minute-long documentary marks the directorial debut of Washington based directors Leslie Shampaine. The film also had its East Coast premiere at the opening night of the longest-running dance film festival in the world - Dance on Camera Festival, New York. Call Me Dancer revolves around Manish’s struggles and triumphs and how despite odds stacked against him, with ambition, determination and passion the youngster finally managed to turn his dream into reality. Daring to dream in Mumbai’s slums, the professional ballet dancer got his break when he received a full year’s scholarship at the Oregon Ballet Theatre, Portland in 2017. [caption id="attachment_28488" align="aligncenter" width="638"] Manish Chauhan[/caption] Manish has performed extensively in India and abroad. Coming from a community where people did not know the difference between ‘ballet dancing’ and ‘belly dance,’ Manish is an inspiration to many strugglers. The tale of dreams coming true Made both in English and Hindi (with English subtitles), the film chronicles the life of the talented street dancer who works on his dream
Manish has performed extensively in India and abroad. Coming from a community where people did not know the difference between ‘ballet dancing’ and ‘belly dance,’ Manish is an inspiration to many strugglers.
The tale of dreams coming true
Made both in English and Hindi (with English subtitles), the film chronicles the life of the talented street dancer who works on his dream going against his parents wishes.
“My father and grandfather are taxi drivers and they often told me that dancing is a hobby for rich children not for us,” Manish Chauhan reveals in the trailer of the documentary.
However, he secretly starts training at a dance school and accidentally walks into a ballet class, where he meets Yehuda Ma'or, a short-tempered 70-year-old Israeli teacher. His desire to keep on trying is only strengthened when he meets an extraordinary teacher, who was once a professional ballet dancer. “I will make ballet dancing my career and will help my parents with the money earned,” Manish decides.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cB4QL0lOgXk
Since he had started learning dance later than the others in Yehuda’s class, the trainer was sceptical about his abilities initially. However, Yehuda could see that Manish’s physical build and structure would take him far in the dance form – and gave him the chance to learn. “He has the kind of body that works best for ballet, and helps in turning and jumping,” Yehuda remarks in the documentary.
Over the course of time, Yehuda became a fatherly figure in Manish’s life, and helping the underprivileged boy with so much talent succeed became his goal.
Film full of emotions
Filmed in India, the United Kingdom, Israel, and the United States, the documentary revolves around Manish’s journey which is full of heartaches, hope and hard work. Together, Manish and his teacher transform each other’s lives, finding a purpose.
“People in my neighbourhood used to think that I am just an acrobat but I used to correct them by saying - I am not an acrobat, call me a dancer,” Manish remarks. “This is where the title of the documentary comes from,” writes director Leslie Shampaine in her message on the film’s website.
Shampaine, who is a professional ballet dancer herself, has interspersed the sensitivities of a dancer with her directorial acumen to create a poignant narrative. “Dance films are typically created by looking into our world from the outside. They convey the difficulty of the profession, but what is often lost is the passion and inner joy that pushes dancers past the pain,” she mentions. “I knew that as a dancer myself, I could offer an insider’s perspective,” she adds.
Global collaboration
The New York City-based debutant director followed and documented Manish Chauhan’s journey for five years, before she was able to tell his story on screen.
Call Me Dancer boasts of an international team comprising Indian film professionals with insights into the culture and the socio-economic reality of Mumbai.
With two original songs by British-Indian singer and songwriter Jay Sean, music by Bangladeshi American hip-hop artist Anik Khan, and a score by award-winning British-Indian composer Nainita Desai, the film is an ultimate global collaboration. “This is a story that I hope inspires people across the globe,” Shampaine remarks.
[caption id="attachment_28489" align="aligncenter" width="960"] The Global team of Call Me Dancer[/caption]
The inspirational journey...
Call Me Dancer is not Manish Chauhan’s first foray into the world of films. In 2020 the Global Indian played a part in the Netflix film Yeh Ballet.
The journey of the boy from Navi Mumbai’s chawl is a quintessential rag-to-riches story. From getting his torn shoes stitched by his mother every night, the ballet dancer who travels globally for shows has carved a niche for himself through sheer grit, passion and dedication.