Global Indianstory Global Indian ExclusiveChangemaker Shloka Ashok is ensuring students her age land internships

Changemaker Shloka Ashok is ensuring students her age land internships

Written by: Team GI Youth

(April 11, 2023) Studying in X standard, 16-year-old Shloka Ashok wanted to intern at a company that could help her enhance her knowledge and also gains the experience of working in an organisation. Talented, and a brilliant student, the youngster made a list of companies she wanted to work at and started sending internship applications to each one. The trouble was, no one wanted to hire a 16-year-old. While, a year later, the changemaker managed to get an internship through her parents, she couldn’t help thinking that she didn’t get the internship through her merit. And that is what got her motivated to start her platform, InternMee.

Changemaker | Shloka Ashok | Global Indian

The online platform connects high school students with companies offering internships, leadership, and volunteering opportunities. “Our mission is to give students access to the right network, exposure to various careers and opportunities, and ultimately accelerate their journeys into the work world. Our platform is ideal for mid-size to large companies, student-run organisations, start-ups, and NGOs across sectors,” the young changemaker said.

Enabling over 11000 students through her portal, Shloka recently received the prestigious Diana Award for her contribution towards empowering the world’s youth. “I am immensely grateful to receive The Diana Award and be part of a global community of young, inspirational changemakers. This international award cements my belief that young people have the power to change the world and the recognition not only provides the validation that every young changemaker needs, but also acts as a driving force to do more,” the Global Indian expressed, soon after receiving the award.

Driven and passionate

Since a young age, Shloka has been driven and focussed on doing something productive daily. A brilliant student, the changemaker has won several laurels over the years. However, it was quite disheartening for the youngster when she couldn’t get any internship, despite being eligible. “Back in 2020, just when COVID-19 hit, I was keen to pursue a meaningful internship during my summer vacation. My research led me nowhere, and my parents used their contacts to help me. But I felt it was unfair as they did not gauge my skills and I was hired purely based on their recommendation,” the changemaker said.

While several other students might have dismissed the incident, it got Shloka thinking about how difficult it would be for students whose parents didn’t have such a big network. “There are many students who would want to do their internship and look for different companies but are helpless as they don’t get an opportunity anywhere. I began thinking about students in India and abroad who might not get beyond the classroom opportunities to gain new skills and understand their true capabilities,” she shared.

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A post shared by InternMee (@internmee)

While she wanted to do something to help the other student, she didn’t know what or where to begin. “I conducted a survey among 350 students across the globe and found out that 95 percent of them were thinking to do an internship, but didn’t know what to do,” said the changemaker, who after reviewing several survey applications, decided to start a platform to allow these young minds an insight into potential career paths, enabling them to explore their interests and aptitudes in search of their ikigai.

Standing up for a noble cause

In December 2020, Shloka launched InternMee – which is purely for students and run by students. “The type of internships that students want to take up and the connections they want to make do matter for their future. Through InternMee, we connect students with start-ups as well as NGOs or social initiatives that they’d be interested in volunteering for. We also connect them with other student-run organisations. All this is for free and we don’t charge a single rupee for connecting students and companies,” she said.

I am grateful to receive the @DianaAward This award cements my belief that young people have the power to change the world. I aim to continue working towards creating equitable opportunities & this award has motivated me to dream bigger & take on more social responsibilities(1/3) pic.twitter.com/PKgqwW3XUP
— Shloka Ashok (@shloka_ashok) July 2, 2022

So, how does the platform works? Students have to just sign up on the platform and gain access to a range of internship opportunities across fields. They can apply to postings that interest them and the applications would be sent to the concerned organisation, which would evaluate candidates before choosing to offer them the position. “We don’t charge the companies either on our platform. But what we have started monetising is the partnerships or collaborations that we post on our website and Instagram page,” she said. The platform has over 35,000 students registered, from over 85 countries and was featured in the top 10 internship search websites by a recent survey.

Going forward the young changemaker plans to leverage InternMee, to open doors to the less privileged, by building a focussed track for students in government schools. “I aim to continue working towards creating equitable opportunities and receiving The Diana Award has motivated me to dream bigger and take on more social responsibilities. We are in discussion with some NGOs and see this as one of the future paths for our organisation,” she expressed.

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Published on 11, Apr 2023

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Etro effect: Equestrian Anush Agarwalla’s historic win at Asian games takes the world by storm

(October 5, 2023) Anush Agarwalla is exactly where he should be now — on top of the world. From weekend joyrides on horseback when he was barely three to becoming a passionate and accomplished equestrian years later — Anush Agarwalla has galloped his way to glory. This year, he became the winner of India’s first-ever bronze medal in individual Dressage at the Asian Games 2023. “There is no better feeling than having a good ride. With Etro (his horse), I really felt like we were flying in the arena,” smiles Anush, speaking exclusively to Global Indian after his historic win. He scored 73.030 to finish third and claim his second medal at the Asian Games. [caption id="attachment_33359" align="aligncenter" width="474"] Dressage champion Anush Agarwalla.[/caption] Etro shines Anush says Etro, the nine-year-old stallion by Escola, whom he has been riding only since February, has a very strong character. “He just went into the stadium and was ready to shine. Etro knew that he was the centre of attention and that is exactly what he loves. Everything was in perfect sync and it was just unbelievable fun to ride him,” says the champ. Anush felt Etro’s amazing energy right from the time he entered

nly since February, has a very strong character. “He just went into the stadium and was ready to shine. Etro knew that he was the centre of attention and that is exactly what he loves. Everything was in perfect sync and it was just unbelievable fun to ride him,” says the champ.

Anush felt Etro’s amazing energy right from the time he entered the arena. “Our partnership is quite young. But the way he performed in Asian Games, I think he really grew out of himself. Etro was proud of himself when everyone around was clapping.” Since 1951, India has won only 13 medals in the Asian Games equestrian (including the dressage team which Anush was part of and which won gold). India had not won an individual medal in the sport ever.

Preparation

The accomplished equestrian says the sole focus was on training for the big day. “I had some great coaches and we were constantly training. Importantly, I was happy with my horse. It felt good from the very beginning,” says the 24-year-old. Anush says he did not do anything special before the Asian Games when it came to preparations. “I don’t do anything special before any event in general because I just like to follow my daily routine and schedule. That’s what helps me best,” he says.

He believes that changing anything in his training schedule affects his performance. “When I know that I have done something differently or included something new, other than my routine, I start getting nervous. So I just try to keep everything the way it is,” he says.

The Team’s Gold win

On September 26, the Indian Dressage Team made history by winning a gold medal at the Asian Games, marking the first time in 41 years that India has achieved this feat. The team, consisting of Anush, Sudipti Hajela, Divyakriti Singh, Hriday Chheda, showcased exceptional skill and teamwork to secure the coveted gold medal, marking a a significant milestone for India in the world of equestrian sports, particularly dressage, a form of horse riding where riders and their trained horse execute a series of precise movements.

[caption id="attachment_33364" align="aligncenter" width="725"] Anush, along with the Indian Dressage Team.[/caption]

Anush says the team was confident of the win from the very beginning. “As a team, we knew that we had good chances to win a medal. We had good results in the previous shows we competed at, which were also our qualifiers for the Asian Games. We knew if everything works out, we could win gold, but of course we were not 100% sure about it,” smiles Anush.

Still, hearing the announcement that the team won gold was the most amazing feeling ever, Anush says. “Everything worked according to our plan. All riders performed well, everyone was happy with the performance and it was just amazing to win the gold for the country.”

Anush’s family was present at the stands cheering for him. “My experience at the Asian Games has been exactly what I ever wished for. Besides my coach, my family was in the stands. I could feel their constant support which was overwhelming,” says Anush, whose phone didn’t stop ringing with congratulatory messages pouring in from friends and well-wishers from across the world after the win.

Born to ride

Anush Agarwalla, who was born in Kolkata in 1999, first sat on a horse when he was three-years-old. He would accompany his parents to the club. “Thereafter, I enrolled myself for riding lessons at the club. I was riding in the Tollygunge Club until the age of 11,” says Anush, who subsequently started to pursue his equestrian dreams in Delhi by training at OREA stables.

“I used to travel back and forth from Delhi every weekend because I shifted my trainers from Kolkata to Delhi. I had to complete my schooling in Kolkata but ride on the weekends in Delhi” recalls Anush, who completed his class 10 from La Martiniere, Kolkata. He then shifted to Sri Ram School, Aravali.

After finishing class 11, Anush moved to Germany to take the sport more seriously in 2017. “I realised that I was not at the level where I wanted to be and I would not be able to achieve my goals. That’s how the journey started,” says the horse rider, who trained with German Olympian Hubertus Schmidt.

Anush enrolled himself in the National Institute of Open Schooling and iOS to complete his class 12. “I was flying back and forth from Germany for my exams,” says Anush, who is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in economics from University of Paderborn in Germany. He is in his last semester and hopes to complete his undergrad degree by February next year.

In August 2022, equestrienne Shruti Vora and Agarwalla made history by becoming the first Indians to compete in an individual dressage event at the World Equestrian Championships in Herning, Denmark. He had also represented India in several international competitions, including the Asian Games 2018, where he finished seventh in individual dressage.

What’s next?

“My next goal is to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics. I missed out on the Tokyo Olympics by just one spot so I hope to make it this time,” says Anush, who flew back to Germany immediately to begin training for his next milestone.

Follow Anush Agarwalla on Instagram

Creating impact: Meet the 5 young Indian innovators driving change

(January 21, 2023) "Creativity is thinking up new things. Innovation is doing new things." These words of Theodore Levitt stand true for the brigade of Indian teen innovators who are helping solve the biggest issues, one problem at a time. From saving the earth to creating social impact, this new generation of precocious youth is solving the problems of today with ambitious, ground-breaking technology. Global Indian turns the spotlight on such young innovators who are breaking the glass ceiling with their innovations. Zain Samdani As a 15-year-old visiting India from Saudi Arabia, Zain Samdani had no idea that this family vacation was set to change the course of his life. A meeting with his partially paralysed distant maternal uncle left him “shocked.” In the era of technology, seeing his uncle dependent on others for every small thing was nothing short of a horror. That encounter nudged this robotics enthusiast and innovator to develop Neuro-ExoHeal, an exoskeletal hand rehabilitation device that utilises neuroplasticity and Azure technology to help patients with neurological damage recover faster at an affordable price. The innovation not only left Google CEO Sundar Pichai impressed but also made the 21-year-old win Microsoft 2022 Imagine Cup World Championship, which is

ly left Google CEO Sundar Pichai impressed but also made the 21-year-old win Microsoft 2022 Imagine Cup World Championship, which is considered as the ‘Olympics of Technology’ with more than 10,000 participants from 160 countries.

[caption id="attachment_17917" align="aligncenter" width="587"] Zain Samdani[/caption]

"Having been interested in robotics from a very young age, I started working with prosthetic designs in 2013. But I realised that a cosmetic prosthetic hand could cost between ₹1-₹2 lakh while a robotic prosthetic hand was available anywhere between ₹40-₹50 lakh. I knew that affordability was the key. But the meeting with my uncle only strengthened my passion to find an affordable solution," Zain told Global Indian. The earliest prototype made him one of the 16 global finalists at the Google Science Fair in 2016, and later the advanced version recreated the magic in 2019. "My uncle could feel the sensation on the very first day of using Neuro-ExoHeal. It’s something that otherwise takes weeks or months to achieve."

Follow Zain Samdani on Linkedin, Twitter and Instagram

Jui Keskar

India is home to 0.58 million persons living with Parkinson's disease, and Pune-based inventor Jui Keskar's abode was no different. Having seen her uncle battle the illness for the past nine years with incessant rounds to the hospitals, she was keen to help him. But how? The question gnawed away at her, until the 2020 lockdown came as a blessing in disguise for the teenager, giving her the time to dive into research and find a potential solution to helping her uncle. While scrolling through heaps of data on the internet, the innovator realised that the medication depended on the tremor history, and there was no device to measure them.

[caption id="attachment_20519" align="aligncenter" width="520"] Jui Keskar[/caption]

That was a turning point for the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2022 recipient as she decided to develop a wearable device to measure tremors and analyse data to chalk out a customised medication for the treatment. After months of hard work, the innovator nailed the solution in JTremor-3D, a wearable device that enables the tracking of tremors every 1/10th of a second in a person's body, and stores the data in a Cloud database, which is then sent to the doctor after the information is processed. Embedded with sensors and accelerometers and gyro meters, this device helps in producing the data that can help determine the course of action for a patient.

Follow Jui Keskar on Linkedin

Nikhiya Shamsher

A hospital visit for her project, Compassionate Clowns, changed Nikhiya Shamsher's life forever. She was just 14 when she saw a man who had had half his jaw removed due to oral cancer. Upon inquiring about him, the nurse affirmed that he was one of the few lucky ones to survive. Unable to get the ghastly image out of her head, she began researching on oral subject and found staggering statistics. Five people die every hour because of oral cancer, and India itself accounts for almost one-third of the cases in the world. It's the late diagnosis that accounts for high mortality rate.

[caption id="attachment_20379" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Nikhiya Shamsher receives Diana Award for Prince Williams and Prince Charles[/caption]

Perturbed by the condition of the patients, she found her eureka moment in QuitPuff - a diagnostic device that could help early risk detection of oral pre-cancer and cancer. Explaining the process of its functioning, the innovator told Forbes India, "It is a simple principle, it detects a biomarker present in the saliva, and changes colour. The more the biomarker, the darker the colour will be, which means the higher the risk of developing oral cancer." The device contains QuitPuff reagent which changes colour after an individual spits in it and heats it for 15 minutes. One can compare the colour to the colour chart to understand the risk stage. Priced at ₹38, QuitPuff has already been tested on more than 500 patients.

Follow Nikhiya Shamsher on Linkedin

Siddharth Mandala

He was 12 when the infamous Nirbhaya rape case shook the nation in 2012. People took to the streets asking for justice, and his mom was one among them. Curious about the protests and confused about the word ‘rape’, Siddharth Mandala joined his mom for one of the protests. After surfing the net, he understood the gravity of the issue and decided to do everything in his capacity to prevent sexual assault. This awareness led to the birth of Electroshoe, a small badge that can be clipped onto any footwear, or worn as a ring or pendant and can be easily activated during any threatening situation by pressing. “It pulls out two sharp pointers, mimicking the mechanism of a stun gun and pierces through clothing, and even skin to electrocute the attacker,” explains Siddharth. He took two years to build a working prototype and another three years to create a market-friendly product by interviewing over 500 women across India and California.

[caption id="attachment_15377" align="aligncenter" width="574"] Siddharth Mandala[/caption]

The 21-year-old reveals Electroshoe activates an alarm sound to alert nearby police stations and sends location to family members. “It can even sense angst in a conversation, and can raise alarm,” the entrepreneur told Global Indian. With a built-in solar plate, it recharges itself when exposed to sunlight. “The idea was that it should be something that women can carry with them easily all the time."

Follow Siddharth Mandala on Linkedin

Vinisha Umashankar

"We have every reason to be angry. But I have no time for anger. I want to act. I am not just a girl from India. I am a girl from Earth and I am proud to be so.” These words of the 15-year-old innovator and environmentalist Vinisha Umashankar received a thunderous standing ovation at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow in 2021. The teen from Tamil Nadu, who was the only school student to earn a spot among the finalists for The Earthshot Prize 2021, was invited by Prince William, The Duke of Cambridge, to speak at the World Leaders’ Summit at the COP26 in November 2021.

[caption id="attachment_17446" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Vinisha Umashankar with her solar-powered ironing cart.[/caption]

At 12, the teen innovator started the idea of inventing a solar-powered ironing cart while accompanying her mother to deliver ironing clothes. Seeing six ironing vendors in her neighbourhood, she realised how charcoal burning is a threat to the environment. She found her eureka in solar power which effectively substitutes charcoal. The innovation won her the Children's Climate Prize in 2020 helped her get a slot as a finalist at The Earthshot Prize in the Clean Our Air category in 2021. “I was happy that environmental innovations like a solar ironing cart got due recognition. It can play a crucial role in reducing environmental damage and climate change. I hope my innovation motivates students to innovate on products that could help protect the environment for future generations. I am happy that the solar ironing cart is my little contribution towards an ambitious goal," she told Global Indian.

Follow Vinisha Umashankar on Linkedin and Twitter

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America’s Documented Dreamers: Pareen Mhatre leads charge for immigration reform

(October 10, 2024) As her twenty-first birthday grew closer, Pareen Mhatre began to panic. An accomplished STEM student at the University of Iowa, Pareen would call her parents, who also live in Iowa City and cry, overcome with worry about her future in the US. This was back in 2021 and Pareen's life has since been an unending flurry of visa applications and waiting on tenterhooks for the next portion of her stay to be approved by authorities. This sounds like the life of any foreign student in the US, and the anticipated stresses of going from an F1 (student) visa to a coveted H-1B. Pareen, however, has lived in the US since she was four months old. A midwesterner through and through, Pareen is one of around 200,000 youngsters all facing self-deportation, and being compelled to return to countries of origin that are completely alien to them. This is the story of America's Documented Dreamers - the children of immigrant who have entered the country on long term visas like H4, L2, E2, who fell through the cracks in a work visa policy that has not yet taken them into account. So, instead of landing the internships and living

ternships and living her best lifeon campus, Pareen is familiarising herself with the proverbial alphabet soup of visa categories to be able to stay on the country she calls home.

Long way home

"I have been in constant fear for the past five years," Pareen said at the House Judiciary Hearing in 2021. "Over the past 21 years my parents and I have received help and love from this country but our hearts break when we think of my immigration status." Although the US is the only place she has ever really called home, she says, "I am treated as a foreign student, on par with newly-arrived international students." After the 'ageing out' in April 2021, she applied for the F1 student visa and spent the interim in the States on a B2 visitor visa, which didn't allow her to take classes or apply for internships.

Every year, the visa policy decides the fates of thousands, who are compelled to self-deport or if they stay on, do so as illegals. Pareen Mhatre is among a handful who have found an avenue to spread awareness and has also testified before Congress at a House Judiciary Hearing, hoping to shed more light on the size and scale of the problem. It's a forgotten part of the American Dream, where immigrants make their way to the US to build a better life for themselves, but don't foresee the impact it will have on their children. She and her family discovered Improve The Dream, an organisation started by Canadian Dip Patel, which acts as a platform for children of documented immigrants. Pareen has not allowed the fear of self-deportation to overwhelm her – she is a strong voice for Documented Dreamers, has testified before the US Senate, been named in Teen Vogue’s 21 Under 21 and made sure that her cause resonates among the political class.

A Midwesterner through and through

"What I know of India is purely from trips to see my grandparents. This is my home. I'm a midwesterner," she said, during her address." Pareen was four months old when she first arrived in Cincinnati, Ohio, with her parents. Shortly after, they moved to Iowa, where they studied at the University of Iowa on student visas. Pareen's mother, Sampada Mhatre, holds master's degrees in German, educaitonal psychology and business administration and works as an instructional services manager at the UI College of Nursing. Her father, Girish Mhatre, has a master's in computer science and is a senior application developer for UI Hospitals. Their visa processes were handled by the University itself and Pareen was listed as a dependent on her mum's visa.

Growing up, Pareen was aware that wasn't a citizen, but didn't really understand what that meant until the time came. Iowa City was home in every way - "I learned how to ride a bike about a mile from my current home. I have attended kindergarten through high school in the Iowa City Community School District," she told the Des Moines Register. She learned to read at the Iowa City Public Library and when she grew older, became a volunteer there. She also volunteered at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and witnessed first hand the "top-tier care" that staff were providing. She represented Iowa City West High at STEM and student journalism competitions at the national and state levels, bringing home several individual and team awards. At school, she served as the newspaper's online managing editor and photo editor and as a member of the student senate for three years, as well as on the principal's advisory committee. Now, Pareen studies biomedical engineering at UI, a sector that is full of opportunities for great social change through the integration of technology and healthcare.

The Documented Dreamers

Interestingly, she is not alone even in this respect. A large number of Documented Dreamers are high performers and STEM graduates, many from Asia, born to parents who living in the US on work visas. "At least 10,000 Documented Dreamers are ordered to self-deport every year," says Dip Patel, founder of Improve The Dream. Pareen found a ray of hope when she discovered Improve the Dream, and has become an integral part of the platform since. And all the while, the Global Indian is fighting for the right to live in the country she has always called home.

As her 21st birthday approached, Pareen applied for an F-1 student visa, along with a B-2, which is 'bridge' visa for visitors. The latter wouldn't allow her to either study or work, but at least it would keep her there until her student visa arrived. And surprisingly, actually having grown up in the US could hinder her case for a student visa, because she is unable to show ties to her country of birth. Her F-1 visa did come through and she will remain in the US until she graduates, after which she will join the long queue of immigrants from around the globe waiting for a H-1B.

Stuck in limbo

The family did get in line for a Green Card in 2012, which also involves a decades-long wait that might not ever end. The wait for Indian nationals is anywhere between 39 and 89 years due to visa caps and backogs. The process has left Pareen struggling - "I have been diagnosed with clinical depression and Generalised Anxiety Disorder," she said, in her hearing.

High-performing children of documented immigrants are the only ones stuck in this limbo. Back in 2014, President Obama establised DACA, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. However, this was designed only to help individuals who entered the US as minors without legal permission. They are given temporary protection from deportation and can work legally in the US for two years with the possibility of renewal. However, DACA failed to account for children of legal immigrants. As Pareen's mother, Sampada, pointed out in an interview, "We did everything right, and yet here we are."

In 2021, Pareen, who was in Washington to testify at the House Judiciary Committee hearing, meet with US Representative Miller-Meeks, an Ottumwa Republican. The efforts of activists like Dip Patel and Pareen Mhatre, along with political support, have resulted in the proposed American Dream and Promise Act of 2023, which will give people like Pareen some relief. It would allow people who moved to the US as dependents who have lived in the US for 10 years and graduated from a higher education institution, to obtain permanent residency.

Hope on the horizon

But all is not lost. The efforts of activists like Dip Patel and Pareen Mhatre, along with political support, have resulted in the proposed American Dream and Promise Act of 2023, which will give people like Pareen some relief. Pareen Mhatre has become a symbol of hope and resilience for immigrants in the US, who are constantly facing the threat of their families being torn apart after decades spent contributing to the country. She has channeled her anxiety into advocacy and continues to excel both as a student and as a mamber of her community.

Follow Pareen Mhatre on Instagram and LinkedIn.

Reading Time: 6 mins

Racing to put Indian motorsports on the global map – Arjun Maini, Yash Aradhya & Karun Chandok

(December 31, 2021) The news of the first all-Indian team to compete internationally at the 2021 Asian Le Mans in February sent ripples of anticipation among Indian racers. The all-Indian driver line-up of Narain Karthikeyan, Arjun Maini and Naveen Rao came in fifth place, and spurred the racing aspirations of many. New technology, new drivers, and hopefully more corporate involvement are what we can expect in the future. We need to break away from cricket being sold as the only sport in India. - Gaurav Gill Of course, the memory of Formula 1 great Michael Schumacher wheel to wheel with Jean Alesi in a tarmac crunch to the chequered flag at the 1995 Europe Grand Prix, is still among the most memorable moments for racing aficionados, etched in many minds. Finally, India too has taken to a sport that is not cricket. Many youngsters are training, learning and being mentored to be the next Schumacher (or close), and it is a sign of the growing popularity of motorsports in India. Ten years after that 1995 scene, Coimbatore-born Narain Karthikeyan scripted history by becoming the first Indian to debut at Formula 1, inspiring the current generation to get behind the wheel

a 1, inspiring the current generation to get behind the wheel of a mean machine that can go insanely fast around a corner.
The adrenaline rush, blind cuts, and need for speed keeps every racer revving. However, the lack of sponsors and expensive gear often play spoilsport, thus nipping many dreams in the bud. Perhaps, this most expensive sport in the world is finding stable footing in India with a handful of young Indians revving up at the start line, and pushing the gas pedal on greater accomplishments.

The young blood

This October, the 23-year-old racer Arjun Maini became the first Indian to make a podium debut at the DTM Championship after claiming second place at the Norisring (Nuremburg) race circuit. “For me, it was a very special moment to be the first Indian driver in DTM and I am very proud of it,” tweeted Maini.

Arjun Maini, the Bengaluru boy started with go-karts when he was eight, thanks to his racer dad Gautam Maini, who once participated in the national championships. It was in 2011 that Arjun Maini made headlines when he won the Sahara Force India’s One from a Billion talent, and since then there has been no looking back for this lad.

If Arjun Maini is vrooming through unchartered territory with each of his races, his younger brother Kush Maini, too, is busy taking the legacy forward as he made his debut at the World Endurance Championship in Bahrain this year. Following the footsteps of his brother, the 21-year-old began his journey with the national karting championship before graduating to cars in 2015. In no time, he made waves in the European racing circuits by competing in the Italian Formula 4 championship, and British Formula 3 championship. However, it was this year’s Formula 3 Asian Championship where his team Mumbai Falcons did the unthinkable by clinching a third place at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. “The year 2021 Asian F3 Championship has not been the smoothest of rides, had a lot of engine issues throughout the campaign and some unlucky moments but all the credit goes to @mumbaifalcons who never stopped believing in my capability and we finished off the championship strong with a podium. A historic moment for Indian motorsports and it’s been a pleasure to be a part of it,” he wrote on his Instagram after the historic podium finish.

A universe of opportunities

If the Maini brothers found inspiration through their father, 19-year-old Formula 4 racer Yash Aradhya’s love for motorsport stemmed from his need for speed. The recipient of the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar, Yash’s passion began at nine years of age, and despite no family background in motorsport, the teenager dived into the game out of sheer love. “I started with karting and here I am,” the Bengaluru-born teenager tells Global Indian Youth.

Each year, new names crop up, and sponsors are at the heart of this expensive sport, and a deep bank balance too. “Motorsports is an expensive sport but I wouldn’t say the same anymore as opportunities are being given at the grassroot level. You have a chance of being picked up and taken forward as long as it’s backed by the performance that helps the sponsors and investors put their faith in you,” adds Yash, who has dreams of becoming a Formula 1 racer.

It’s been a decade since Indian racer Karun Chandok turned up the heat on the racing track in Formula 1, but new blood is now gearing up to test the waters by putting themselves on the biggest platform. It’s the plethora of opportunities that have made these youngsters confident of their skills and talent. “The new generation is quite lucky as there are so many opportunities for us in India, and the costs are low. We get the European standard of racing in India with European drivers coming in and giving us the best exposure and opportunity to prove ourselves and gain experience,” adds Aradhya.

Like Yash, Jehan Daruvala, too, was just nine when he found motorsports. Spanish Formula 1 driver Fernando Alonso kept Jehan glued to the Formula 1 track as a child. Now, a decade later, like his racing hero, he is all set to knock the doors of Formula 1. At the cusp of achieving his childhood dream, the 23-year-old has come a long way. From excelling in karting championships across Europe in 2013 to transitioning to cars in 2015, he has proven his mettle time and again. So much so that he has found a fan in Arjuna Award-winner and racer Gaurav Gill. “Jehan is doing great at the world level in Formula racing,” says Gaurav Gill, who won the Asia Pacific Rally Championship thrice and Indian National Rally Championship six times.

The future is bright

It was in the early 2000s that Gill started competing at the national level, and in the past two decades, this 40-year-old racer has seen the Indian motorsport scene evolve. “Motorsport has evolved from being a hobby to a career sport especially after my Arjuna Award. The younger generation can now look at it being a full-time job/sport,” says Gill.

Gill, who calls motorsports an ever-evolving sport, is excited about the future. “New technology, new drivers, and hopefully more corporate involvement are what we can expect in the future. We need to break away from cricket being sold as the only sport in India. We see so many Olympians now, and I hope to see lots more motorsport engagement soon,” says the racer who has started his own school to groom aspiring racers to hone their skills.

As more and more Indian-origin youth foray into the world of motorsports, India is finally ready to get past the chequered flag once again in the international circuit. One race at a time.

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Bollywood to Broadway: Actress Mahnaz Damania’s journey to ‘Life of Pi’

(May 9, 2023) The world of Broadway is experiencing an ingenious work of art at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theater in New York. The Broadway house is currently home to a mesmerizing adaptation of Yann Martel's Booker Prize-winning novel, Life of Pi. Directed by Max Webster and adapted by playwright Lolita Chakrabarti, the stage comes alive with various lighting, video, sound, and set elements that shift and transform throughout the performance, creating a magical world that captivates the audience. And in the middle of the ocean, with a diverse cast of 24 actors and puppeteers, is an Indian actress, Mahnaz Damania who has impressed audiences from the production's first show. The Indian stage actress has come a long way since her beginnings in the world of theater. "Sometimes I wonder to myself when we’re at the theatre, ‘Man! How did I get here?!’ And when I look back at a decade of my work I realise I’ve been so fortunate in India too to train under Faezeh Jalali working on her productions — 07/07/07 and Shikhandi – The Story of the In-Betweens — and with Rajit Kapur (Rage Productions). I feel ready as an actress because of these chances that I’m

How did I get here?!’ And when I look back at a decade of my work I realise I’ve been so fortunate in India too to train under Faezeh Jalali working on her productions — 07/07/07 and Shikhandi – The Story of the In-Betweens — and with Rajit Kapur (Rage Productions). I feel ready as an actress because of these chances that I’m very grateful for," the Global Indian said in an interview. With an unwavering passion for her craft, the actress continues to break boundaries and captivate audiences, solidifying her place as a rising star in the theater world.

The world's a stage

Currently based out of New York City, Mahnaz was born in Ahmedabad into a Parsi family. Always wanting to be an actress since a young age, she was an active part of her school and college drama societies. The actress completed her Master's in Psychology from St. Xavier’s College, Ahmedabad, and soon landed a job as a flight attendant with Jet Airways. However, her dream of being on stage and performing a part never left her bedside.

Eventually, the actress left her job and left for New York, to do an acting course at Stella Adler Studio of Acting. And it was here that a chance meeting with Indian actor, Irrfan Khan affirmed her belief in her dreams. "I bumped into Irrfan Khan outside my acting school in NY years ago in 2010 or 2011, and I was thrilled! I exclaimed, “Oh My God It’s You!” And he goes, “Yes it is!” I told him that this is the building I study in and he’s like ‘Oh, this is where the Stella Adler acting studio is.’ And then (I don’t know why) but I asked “can I hug you?” And he said, “of course!” We continued to talk about the pros and cons of studying outside of India for the craft and then we said bye. I’ve always loved his work and wanted to work with him. Being a part of this play is the closest I’ve come so far in my career to being associated with his splendor. This is a very cherished experience for me," the actress shared. After returning to India, the actress took part as a contestant in the TV reality show Kingfisher Supermodel 2, and was later seen playing a lead part in Dharma Production's Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania.

[caption id="attachment_29881" align="aligncenter" width="632"] Mahnaz getting ready for the show Shikhandi – The Story of the In-Betweens[/caption]

However, a turning point in her journey came in 2022, when her manager approached her with an interesting role in New York. While she didn't get the part she was aiming for, she landed an opportunity of a lifetime. "My manager Sana Hanible submitted my tapes for the casting call for the part of Rani, Pi’s sister in the play but originally written as his brother in the book. On the day of the call back, the director Max Webster, playwright Lolita Chakrabarti, and casting director Duncan Stewart were in," the actress said, adding, "After my audition for Rani, I was about to leave, but they called me back into the room to read for the character of Mrs. BK who plays a family friend and teacher. There was a second call back after this one and about a month or so later I got the offer letter to be in the ensemble and understudy the two characters. I was over the moon. Of course, actors mostly want to book the principal part they test for but being an understudy comes with its levels of responsibilities and challenges."

An unforgettable journey on stage

Describing her time with The American Repertory Theatre as a "great learning experience", Mahnaz shared that she thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to learn puppeteering from experts like Fred Davis and Scarlet Wilderink under the guidance of puppetry and movement director Finn Caldwell, which was essential for her role in the Broadway production.

[caption id="attachment_29883" align="aligncenter" width="657"] Mahnaz on the set Life of Pi[/caption]

"It’s been such a great learning experience for me since this is my first regional theatre stint with The American Repertory Theatre which is, oh my god, a great way to start my stage career in the US," the actress said, adding, "I also have the opportunity with this play to learn puppeteering from the likes of Fred Davis and Scarlet Wilderink under the expert puppetry and movement direction from Finn Caldwell."

But that is not all. The actress also voiced that being a part of this South Asian cast ensemble on the set, has put a huge responsibility on her shoulders. "This story tells such a fantastic tale of survival and resilience of the human spirit, how far we can come with what we tell ourselves to cope – to get through hardship in our lives. Having so many South Asians in the cast is a testament to this survival in a way. Being in the room with so many faces that I identify with, that know what language I’m speaking, that know the struggle of living as an immigrant and more so finding a stage and story that takes you into that world," the actress expressed.

[caption id="attachment_29884" align="aligncenter" width="634"] Mahnaz with the cast of Life of Pi[/caption]

"Sometimes, I’d look around the rehearsal space and I couldn’t believe I was actually there with so many talented people that were all experiencing the same strange but familiar feeling. I’m so proud to be a part of this unraveling of sorts of the narrative we’ve been fed all our lives (be it stage or TV) and changing it to look like the actual world we live in. The wardrobe department also extended a consulting role for me on the play which I am so happy to be assisting with," said the actress, who is skimming through scripts for her next project.

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