Global Indianstory Global Indian ExclusiveChanging the future: Coder Kyra Anand is breaking the computer barrier for many girls

Changing the future: Coder Kyra Anand is breaking the computer barrier for many girls

Written by: Team GI Youth

(January 20, 2024) For countless years, girls have often found themselves on the sidelines when it comes to the field of software development. Whether due to societal expectations, limited opportunities, or outdated stereotypes, a barrier has existed, keeping many young girls from exploring this industry. However, a remarkable 13-year-old is reshaping the narrative. Kyra Anand, a young coder based in Dubai, founded the ‘Girls Do Code’ initiative at the tender age of 10. Amidst the COVID-19 lockdowns, Kyra adeptly learned Scratch and Python online. Recognizing the glaring underrepresentation of women in the tech industry, this young coder established the initiative with the aim of inspiring more girls to explore coding and technology.

Coder | Kyra Anand | Global Indian

“I created ‘Girls Do Code’ as I really love coding myself, and I am passionate about getting more women into coding. I truly believe that girls are capable of doing anything. While I was learning a few coding languages from my father, I noticed that several of the girls in my class – though curious – didn’t know where to learn these languages. So, I established a platform where everyone can learn the nuances of these languages from,” shared the young coder, who is also a Diana Award winner.

Starting young

Born and brought up in the United Arab Emirates, Kyra was always fascinated by coding languages, and all the cool things one can create after learning them – an interest she shares with her father. However, during the pandemic, while she was learning these languages from her father, Kyra noted a lack of similar passion for technology among the girls around her. It was this realisation that prompted her to take the initiative in spreading her love for technology among her friends and in society at large.

“I realised it was only them, but it was almost all the girls in my grade in school that really weren’t interested in technology, and I was shocked because I love technology so much,” said the coder, who is currently a student at the Jumeirah College. After a bit of survey, where she connected with girls her age in Dubai and India, the youngster proposed the idea of establishing a teaching platform to her father, who was more than happy to assist her in the endeavour.

“My father really supported me through this journey. I knew a bit of coding, however, putting it all together was still a bit of a task for me. He helped me figure out a lot of things, and I am very grateful for that. At that time, I was also teaching a few of my cousins, and my sole mission was to launch Girls Do Code as a project to provide coding education to girls in my community,” the coder shared, who enthusiastically approached her teachers to organise coding sessions during lunch breaks at school and after school hours.

A young visionary

With time, however, Girls Do Code became bigger. The initiative broadened its outreach, and Kyra collaborated with organisations – in Dubai and India – to provide education to underprivileged and street children. “I thought why not share this passion with a lot more girls and maybe help them gain interest? So, then I started teaching my community, taught my cousin, and then my mother told me about an organisation called Harmony House in India. They didn’t have a computer programme, so I thought I should teach them,” the coder expressed.

Connecting India and the UAE through technology, Kyra began conducting classes via Zoom while teaching her local community face-to-face. The coder starts by teaching young girls Scratch, a computer language that helps develop logical thinking skills, and then progresses to Python. “I have taught around 36 children today including Code to Care volunteers who are the volunteers in my school who want to help GDC,” the Global Indian said.

Kyra believes that coding is an essential life skill that nurtures logical and structured thinking, benefiting everyone. Her impact goes beyond coding, as seen in her ‘G.I.V.E. initiative,’ where she raises funds for charities and organises community activities throughout the year. Talking about what is keeping her busy these days, the young coder said, “Currently, I am working on an inventive project that involves developing a system capable of identifying whether someone is wearing a mask or not using their webcam.”

Follow Kyra Anand on Instagram
Follow Girls Do Code on their website

Name*

Email*

Name*

Email*

0 Comments

Inline Feedbacks

View all comments

Published on 20, Jan 2024

Share with

ALSO READ

Ashwath Kaushik: Singapore based rising chess star making history and inspiring minds

(March 22, 2024) After a challenging three-hour match last month at the Burgdorfer Stadthaus-Open in Switzerland, Ashwath Kaushik, a third-grade student, was on cloud nine. At just eight years, six months, and 11 days old, he made history by becoming the youngest player on record to defeat a chess grandmaster in a classical tournament match. His opponent was the 37-year-old Polish Grandmaster Jacek Stopa. “I feel very proud of my game and how I played against the grandmaster. My expectation was to win and my goal was to beat the grandmaster and get the world record,” said the Indian-origin chess player, who represents Singapore in international tournaments. At the Burgdorfer Stadthaus-Open in Switzerland, he finished 12th overall. 'It's a classical contest, and I am very happy with the results,' he shared after the win. Impressive milestones at young age Before facing Stopa, Ashwath had won his opening three games at Stadthaus-Open. The tension in the game had escalated from the early stages. In the 13th move, Stopa proposed a draw, but Ashwath chose to continue. As the game approached its conclusion, the young player capitalised on a mistake made by Stopa, ultimately securing the most significant triumph of his burgeoning

ung age

Before facing Stopa, Ashwath had won his opening three games at Stadthaus-Open. The tension in the game had escalated from the early stages. In the 13th move, Stopa proposed a draw, but Ashwath chose to continue. As the game approached its conclusion, the young player capitalised on a mistake made by Stopa, ultimately securing the most significant triumph of his burgeoning career.

The youngster does not like to go for draws. “Fight till the end, even if you are losing because there is still some hope. Never give up and keep playing, try your best,” he said. “Just get to the centre and develop lots of pieces. Don't blunder pieces randomly and just develop pieces and you'll be better and your opponent will blunder pieces and then take advantage of the mistakes of your opponent," he remarked. This is part of his winning strategy, and the young player emphasises, 'Go in confident, don't take draws, and always go for the win.'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-s_dH6p6vio

Born in 2015, the young player has swiftly garnered recognition by securing victories in several youth tournaments. He had emerged the World Under-8 Rapid champion in 2022.

The same year, the then six-year-old had won three gold medals at the Eastern Asian Youth Championships in the Under-8 segment. A year prior to that in 2021, he had in the World Cadets Rapid Championships in Greece, and proved his talent.

“Chess is very important to me because it's fun to play. You get to think a lot, and it's good for your brain,” the young boy shared in a recent interview. The eight-year-old travels overseas multiple times a year for tournaments, and has displayed the patience and diligence by playing the game for up to five-and-a-half hours in tough tournaments.

Extraordinary talent

No one in Ashwath’s family plays chess and it was a surprise for his parents to see their son getting such a fine grip of the game at such a tender age. After discovering the game at the age of four the young player would spend hours engrossed in it. “It’s surreal as there isn’t really any sports tradition in our families” Ashwath’s father Kaushik Sriram said in an interview with Chess.com.

When he was introduced to the game by his parents, Kaushik had quickly surpassed their skills and had even outplayed his grandparents. Recognising their son’s extraordinary talent, his parents enrolled him in chess lessons to further hone the game’s tactics.

He ‘has a photographic memory’, Ashwath’s father said. “He solves long complex puzzles visually. He finished GM Jacob Aagaard’s entire Grandmaster series recently without using a board,” he added.

Ashwath also loves building LEGO in his leisure time. However, chess always remains on top of his priority list.

[caption id="attachment_36776" align="aligncenter" width="389"] Ashwath Kaushik[/caption]

Dedication and support

The young player who aspires to become a world champion, was so focussed since the beginning that he could play chess all day. Looking at his extraordinary talent his father had approached some of the best coaches in Singapore, who readily agreed to train the youngster looking at his talent. Amongst Ashwath’s trainers are Kevin Goh Wei Ming, a grandmaster and CEO of the Singapore Chess Federation.

“He is tactically very sharp, mainly due to lots of practice and we are trying to build his strategic understanding,” Goh remarked in an interview. Ashwath has also received training from grandmasters Thomas Luther and Andrey Kvon. A member of the Under-14 squad of Singapore, Ashwath considers Late Soviet-Latvian chess legend Mikhail Tal his idol.

He receives constant support from his parents and his school, Overseas Family School in Pasir Ris. Interestingly, he is keen on introducing his four-year-old brother to the game of chess as well. Like any child, he has his favourites, such as Juicy Drop candy, and enjoys family outings to the Singapore Zoo and Universal Studios Singapore.

The Indian-origin player had moved to Singapore with his parents in 2017 when he was barely two years old.

ALSO READ | Praggnanandhaa: The prince of chess and Arjuna awardee 2022

Reading Time: 5 mins

Beyond classroom walls: Entrepreneur Saket Pathak’s tech-driven revolution to make learning inclusive for all

(November 26, 2023) When Saket was around nine years old, he went home to visit his grandparent's home in India with his parents. While he was playing with the local kids, he realised that several of those kids did not go to schools regularly, or had books to study at home. He noticed the absence of adequate resources and learning tools for proper education in schools serving underprivileged communities. "It was in 2017," says the entrepreneur, adding, "Since then I have been striving towards helping kids around the world through what I think is a resource many needy kids lack: proper education and learning tools. The experience I got from my trip in the beginning led me to the conclusion that children don't get the exposure to education that they need." Currently studying at the Silver Creek High School in San Jose, California, Saket Pathak is the founder of Learning Quest, a non-profit initiative that focusses on distributing books and other learning supplies to underprivileged children in various parts of the world. The young entrepreneur, who recently won the prestigious Diana Award, has been energetically gathering funds and books from donors globally, contributing over 8,000 books to 20,000 children in

ther learning supplies to underprivileged children in various parts of the world. The young entrepreneur, who recently won the prestigious Diana Award, has been energetically gathering funds and books from donors globally, contributing over 8,000 books to 20,000 children in the USA, India, and Africa. The Global Indian's initiatives have garnered media attention, secured several grants for Learning Quest, and served as inspiration for numerous individuals to join the noble cause.

A boy with a mission

He was only in the third grade when after learning about the gender gap in education, Saket started rooting for girls' rights. "I have been advocating for education rights and accessibility without any boundaries of gender or financial constraints since I was quite young. I even hosted local spelling bees and used the donations to give back to an organisation specialising in education," said the entrepreneur.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5Aj5_iWxIE

But the kid genius doesn't just have a golden heart and passion for an educated world. He shared, "I have been coding since elementary school and can work with the languages of Python and Java. I am also skilled in HTML / CSS, which is what, was used to create the website for Learning Quest. I am currently delving into learning about Swift, which will help the creation of the "in development" Learning Quest mobile application. All of this will help in the creation of the Learning Quest technology side." His other strength, he adds, is in marketing. "My mission was to spread the word about Learning Quest to as many people as possible and impact as many lives as possible." The Learning Quest team has buit a network of partners and collaborators and also made it onto the local news. "We will soon expand to a team of volunteers around the globe and sustain more partners in donations of books as well as scaling our mobile application," Saket explains.

Empowering minds

Founded in 2022 by Saket, Learning Quest has been exclusively dedicated to distributing books donated by individuals, schools, and libraries in the USA to underprivileged children in India. Speaking about the mission of his organisation, the entrepreneur said, "When a child is deprived of essential resources, what they do afterward and their perception of the world is changed as an effect. With proper education comes the ability to think better, earn better, and explore new horizons. But if a kid does not attend a school or lacks educational resources, their view of the world would be constrained, they pick low-income jobs early in their life and this cycle keeps going in a loop."

According to Learning Quest data, approximately 40 percent of children living in poverty lack access to the necessary education. In certain regions of the USA, both teachers and students face financial constraints, hindering their ability to provide a quality education for children. "Roughly 72 million children are affected by this issue and therefore are not prepared for the real world. This can lead to many things such as unemployment, poor health, under-representation, and even cases of exploration," he explained.

In the process of developing an app for the oganisation to make the service accessible to more and more kids, Saket has grand plans for Learning Quest. "We have already impacted many children and know how we can further develop Learning Quest for the better. We have been able to gather fundamental information to better understanding how the application should be created and which areas will be impacted the most. Going ahead, I wish to build a sustainable enterprise working in several communities or countries that are looking to grow significantly, focussing on increased efficiency," shared the entrepreneur.

Follow Saket Pathak on LinkedIn

Reading Time: 6 mins

Spaceonova: Enabling space tech for therapeutic applications

(August 11, 2022) India's Space Activity Bill 2022 is all set to give private sector participation in space tech the launch pad for which they have been waiting. As space-related activity and research are ramped up around the world, India, which is home to over 100 spacetech startups, intends to be a major a global player. In November 2021, Hyderabad-based space tech firm Skyroot Aerospace successfully test fired Dhawan 1, India's first privately-built fully Cryogenic rocket engine. As Skyroot makes headway on its launch vehicle, Vikram-1, the company will give private innovation another boost, through its collaboration with Spaceonova. A space-research startup co-founded by Shivam Singh and Dr Shreya Santra, Spaceonova is currently developing a one-of-a-kind miniaturised lab in space that will be launched on Vikram-1. "We are looking at biophysical experiments in microgravity using technology called micro-electromechanical systems," Shivam says, in an interview with Global Indian.This year, Shivam will head to the US to complete his training as a Scientist-Astronaut Candidate by Project PoSSUM, the Aeronomy Research Program at the International Institute of Astronautical Sciences (IIAS). At the time of our conversation, Shivam had just moved to Hyderabad, where Spaceonova will be part of the Atal Incubation Centre at

>At the time of our conversation, Shivam had just moved to Hyderabad, where Spaceonova will be part of the Atal Incubation Centre at the CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology. The Incubation Centre falls under the umbrella of the Atal Incubation Mission, a non-profit company established in 2019. It is part of the larger Atal Innovation Mission, a flagship initiative by the government of India and NITI Aayog. "Here, we have access to the high-tech biological labs and other facilities we need," Shivam says.

Missing out on IIT to being a citizen space scientist

Born in Visakhapatnam, into a Navy family, Shivam's early years were spent moving around the country. He returned to hometown and finished his tenth grade at the Navy Children's School, showing a deep interest in both science and psychology. So, he ended up at the FIITJEE junior college with a 100 percent scholarship, where all roads led to IIT and the focus was concentrated solely on strategising for the rigorous entrance exam.

"I almost gave up on studying at that point," Shivam admits. "I spent two years thinking of everything except my coursework." He didn't get into the IIT of his choice and instead joined Delhi University for a BSc Honours in Electronics. "There was a certain mindset at the time - if you take BSc, you are a failure," he remarks. "But I decided to follow my passion for the subject and prepare for B.Tech. The course also had an entrepreneurial element, which interested me."

In college, Shivam, who was interning with i3 Indya Technologies, would conduct technical workshops at local colleges. As he did this, he realised the glaring gaps in the system and the fact that students aren't adequately prepared to meet industrial needs. "Even the IITs train you to work at Google and other MNCs but don't really delve into newer technologies," he says. At the same time, he and a friend were discussing the absence of telescopes in college and decided to start their own astronomy club, Vyoma. This was back in 2019. "We did some research and participated in an asteroid search, we managed to locate three confirmed asteroids," Shivam says. Hhey also interned with the Star Lab in Surat, which was working to build a 3D printed, high-powered rocket. "They were working on the recovery system and although I didn't have enough knowledge then, I joined the team as a Systems and Propulsions Engineer."

[caption id="attachment_20364" align="aligncenter" width="543"] Team Spaceonova[/caption]

How Spaceonova came to be

One year later, Vyoma, which began amid great opposition from their seniors in college, emerged as Spaceonova. At the time, their aim was to teach astronomy and the latest technology to students and faculty in their college and to underprivileged kids. The idea was to "create a space ecosystem where anyone can be a space technologist." So far, over 45,000 students across some 40 countries have been impacted by their work, which involves helping them to pursue careers in the space sciences.

In August 2021, their organisation became Spaceonova Private Limited, a space tech and research company, which received its government of India recognition in October that year. "We have two laterals," Shivam explains. "One is space research and tech, we're using microgravity research for therapeutic applications."

Microgravity is a condition in which the pull of gravity is so low that objects appear weightless. These 'G-forces' can never entirely be absent - however, one would have to go very far from the Earth's orbit to experience this state. "We are looking at simulators, high altitude balloons and parabolic flights to create microgravity conditions," Shivam explains. "We could, for instance, launch our lab in a balloon and allow it to free fall, mimicking microgravity for a few seconds. This will give us real-time data on how the lab performs."

High altitude balloon tests for the miniature lab are being planned for the end of 2022. "This is our milestone for the year. Once it's done, we move to space qualification testing and expose it to thermal radiation. Next year comes the orbital launch." They are also working to access parabolic flights through the US-based spaceflight services. A Falcon 20 aircraft is specially modified to simulate microgravity conditions.

Revolutionising therapeutic research

The possibilities of using microgravity are endless, especially in terms of therapeutic applications," Shivam says. "For instance, there are many recessive traits which are revealed in those conditions that are not revealed on earth. It can lead to faster R&D, more innovation and generation of IP and holds great potential in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and fluid physics." Pharma giant AstraZeneca has been studying nanoparticle formation in microgravity to revolutionise molecular-targeting strategies in drug delivery systems.

"In India, we still tend to think of space research in terms of satellites and launch vehicles," Shivam remarks. "But there are many companies already exploring therapeutic applications, software and space robotics." Spaceonova currently has a core team of four people, led by Dr Shreya Shanta and Shivam.

Follow Spaceonova on Instagram

Dance Marathon: Shrusti Sudhir Jagtap breaks Guinness World Record

(June 18, 2023) Srushti Sudhir Jagtap, a 16-year-old student hailing from Latur in Maharashtra, etched her name in history by achieving a remarkable feat, shattering the previous Guinness record for the longest individual dance marathon. With an extraordinary duration of 127 hours, she surpassed the previous milestone of 126 hours established by Nepalese dancer Bandana Nepal five years back in 2018. “After dancing for five days straight, Srushti Sudhir Jagtap (India) has broken the record for the longest dance marathon by an individual,” reported the Guinness World Records (GWR) website. [caption id="attachment_31198" align="aligncenter" width="898"] Shrusti's record-breaking attempt[/caption] The youngster's record-breaking dance marathon started on the morning of May 29 and continued until the afternoon of June 3 at her school auditorium, where an enthusiastic crowd of supporters kept her spirits alive. Determined to break the record, the Latur teenager had held two practice sessions of non-stop 126 hours of dancing before making the official attempt. “Due to strong practice, I was familiar with all the changes in my mind and body, so I was calm and composed until the end,” Shrusti said. The youngster showcased the rich and diverse cultural heritage of India in her five-day-long performance. Perseverance and record-breaking performance

atur teenager had held two practice sessions of non-stop 126 hours of dancing before making the official attempt. “Due to strong practice, I was familiar with all the changes in my mind and body, so I was calm and composed until the end,” Shrusti said.

The youngster showcased the rich and diverse cultural heritage of India in her five-day-long performance.

Perseverance and record-breaking performance

Srushti’s remarkable journey as a dancer and record-breaker exemplifies her unyielding determination, passion, and patriotism.

From a young age, she displayed extraordinary talent and a profound admiration for Indian culture. Her aspiration to represent her country through dance motivated her to take on the formidable challenge of surpassing the record for the longest dance marathon. “I wanted to promote Indian culture,” the teen said.

To prepare herself physically, mentally, and spiritually for the dance marathon, she had been following an intense training regimen. Her daily routine included up to four hours of guided meditation, six hours of dance practice, and three hours of additional exercises.

As part of her preparation, she slept at 10 in the night and woke up at three in the morning every day for 15 months.

Finding support

It was under the guidance of her grandfather and the unwavering support of her parents that Srushti embarked on a rigorous training regimen, diligently preparing her mind and body for the awe-inspiring achievement that awaited her.

Her parents, Sudhir and Sanjivani Jagtap, who are both teachers, played a pivotal role in her journey. Looking at the extraordinary talent of their daughter, they had fostered the virtue of hard work since a young age so that she does well in what she loves the most.

Her grandfather, Baban Mane, also has a crucial role to play in the youngster’s feat. He taught her Yoga Nidra (Yogic sleep), a form of guided meditation, which helped Srushti to develop exceptional control over her mind and body. “It gave me control over sleep,” she said.

[caption id="attachment_31191" align="aligncenter" width="842"] Jampacked auditorium where people thronged to see her achieve the feat[/caption]

Years of training

Born in 2007, the teenager’s feat is the result of years of training combined with the support and encouragement of a nurturing family.

Shrusti has been dancing since a young age and has won many awards and accolades along the way including the Asia Book of Records for 24 hours nonstop Lavani (folk dance of Maharashtra) in 2021.

During the official dance marathon where she shattered the record, she captivated the audience with Kathak dance performances. Though the atmosphere buzzed with excitement as Shrusti was coming closer to her goal, there were moments when she felt exhausted. To keep her refreshed, her parents sprayed water on her face during the event from time to time.

“As per our guidelines for ‘longest marathon’ records, the participant is permitted a five-minute rest break for every continuous hour of activity. These rest breaks can be accumulated if not taken. They were the only times Srushti could sleep or use the bathroom during the attempt,” the GWR website mentioned.

The youngster used to take rest breaks at midnights using the time to nap or talk to her parents to refresh her mind.

Besides coffee, she did not take any stimulants to stay awake. “Coconut water and chocolates also helped me to stay fresh,” she remarked.

[caption id="attachment_31190" align="aligncenter" width="793"] Shrusti has won several awards and accolades since childhood for her dance performances[/caption]

Triumph over challenges

The dance marathon presented its fair share of challenges, especially on the final day, when the continuous dancing took its toll on Srushti's body. The physical and mental exhaustion became more evident. However, she persevered, maintaining an unwavering focus on her goal.

It was a mentally and physically demanding feat, nonetheless the dancer’s extensive practice and thorough preparation enabled her to stay composed and calm until the very end.

A student at Podar International School, Latur, Srushti Sudhir Jagtap peacefully slept for one whole day after achieving her goal.

Follow Shrusti Sudhir Jagtap on Instagram

Reading Time: 5 mins

Yash Aradhya: How this Formula 4 racer is vrooming to podium finishes

(December 22, 2021) He stood tall and proud as President Ram Nath Kovind gave him the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar. Awarded for his exceptional contribution to motorsports, Formula 4 racer Yash Aradhya has what it takes to surge past the chequered flag. Yash was just nine when he first began training, and now a decade later, he is at the threshold of a spectacular career. The 19-year-old, who is currently studying in the Netherlands, is among the new stars rising up in the world of racing. "It's such a great time to be in motorsports. A lot of new talent is venturing into it, and many new opportunities are opening up for us in India," Yash tells Global Indian in an exclusive interview. [caption id="attachment_8740" align="aligncenter" width="489"] Yash Aradhya at French Formula 4 2020.[/caption] The boy, who had a podium finish at the X1 Racing League, has participated in the 2020 French Formula F4. Born in 2002 in Bengaluru to an adman father and a homemaker mother, Aradhya's love for speed began when he was just six. "It was during a road trip from Bengaluru to Mumbai that I got excited about cars and speed. I remember my dad

participated in the 2020 French Formula F4.

Born in 2002 in Bengaluru to an adman father and a homemaker mother, Aradhya's love for speed began when he was just six. "It was during a road trip from Bengaluru to Mumbai that I got excited about cars and speed. I remember my dad explaining to me about horsepower and engines and it fascinated me. I was thrilled by the passion for speed, so at six, I started karting for fun," reminisces Aradhya.

Racing is in his DNA

Yash officially dipped his toes into racing at age nine. Seeing his passion, his father approached JK Tyres' head Sanjay Sharma for the national racing championship. "Hardy uncle (as we fondly call him) put us in touch with Akbar Ebrahim (the first Indian to race in the international circuits) and it was under him that my training began," recalls the 19-year-old whose ultimate goal is to become a Formula 1 racer.

At nine, he scored his first win at the JK Tyre MMS Rotax Rookie Cup 2012 by clinching second at the podium, which turned out to be a foundation for the forthcoming winning championships. "Graduating to the junior level was a different ball game as there is a speed difference and fighting for the top position was getting exciting and challenging at the same time. However, my passion to win helped me exceed everyone's expectations including my mentor after I won Formula Junior Series FLGB," says the Utrecht University student.

[caption id="attachment_8738" align="aligncenter" width="799"] Yash Aradhya with his mentor Akbar Ebrahim[/caption]

The win set the ball rolling for Yash who was soon nominated by the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India to represent the country at Academy Trophy. It opened new opportunities for the teenager, and took him to Europe and Asia to race. With each passing year, Aradhya won more podiums and in 2019, he graduated from karting to car with the MRF 1300 National Championship 1600.

The run up to the podium

However, it hasn't been an easy run, especially since he came from a non-motorsport background though he found the perfect support system in his dad. "I knew that I wanted to be a Formula racer, and my dad helped me achieve my dream. He put me in touch with my mentor, helped me get sponsors who have put their faith in me. Despite being an expensive sport, my dad has gone above and beyond to make my dream come true," beams the Formula 4 racer.

With the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar, Yash is the only teenager under 18 years to be awarded in the category of motorsports. "I didn't realise how big of a deal it was until I was standing in front of the President of India. The award means a lot to me and holds immense value," says Yash who still remembers PM Narendra Modi's advice to him. "He told me, 'This award is not the end. Take it as a beginning step, and continue to excel in the field,'" reminisces the teenager.

[caption id="attachment_8737" align="aligncenter" width="495"] Yash Aradhya with President Ram Nath Kovind[/caption]

The mettle to train

The boy from Bishop Cotton Boys School is completely focused on excelling now. Under the tutelage of coach Akbar Ebrahim, fitness coach Ramji Srinivasan and nutritionist Ryan Fernando, Yash is spreading his wings far and wide. He reveals that unlike other sports, racers don't get to train on the tracks every single day. "I do physical and mental training every day under the guidance of my coaches. However, we get only two days to test drive before the championships," says Yash, who is currently studying economics and business economics in the Netherlands and enjoying his stay in a new city.

Despite being one of the most expensive sports, Yash has found his footing, thanks to his sponsors. After racing in Formula 4 South East Asia Championship 2019 and the 2020 French Formula F4, he is now gearing up for his upcoming championships. "Currently, I am dividing my time between studies and training. These last two years were wasted, thanks to the pandemic. However, I am excited to get back into action," says the racer who loves playing tennis and swimming in his free time.

[caption id="attachment_8739" align="aligncenter" width="717"] Yash Aradhya training for championship[/caption]

Calling the recent times one of the most exciting times to be in motosporting, Yash feels lucky to be a part of it. "There are so many career opportunities right now in motorsports. The talent is getting recognised. I would say stay tuned for more," signs off Yash.

Follow Yash Aradhya on Twitter and Instagram

Reading Time: 6 min