Global Indianstory Global Indian ExclusiveCharanjot Singh: Meet the first Indian to qualify for the FC Pro 24 World Championship

Charanjot Singh: Meet the first Indian to qualify for the FC Pro 24 World Championship

Compiled by: Team GI Youth

(July 26, 2024) A 23-year-old from Chandigarh, who is a rising star in Indian esports, has scripted history by becoming the first Indian to qualify for the FC Pro 24 World Championship. In a thrilling play-in match, Charanjot Singh emerged victorious with a 5-4 scoreline against “JP Sleator,” securing his place among the top 32 players in the world. This achievement followed his impressive third-place finish in Gathering D, solidifying his spot in the main competition. The FC Pro World Championship 24 stands as the pinnacle of eFIFA competition, hosted in Berlin, Germany, with an impressive $1,000,000 prize pool. Charanjot’s historic qualification marks a monumental moment for Indian esports, yet his journey is far from over.

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His love for esports began with casual gaming at his friend’s place during weekends, while growing up in Chandigarh. “I did not have a console at that time. I used to play during my summer vacations or in weekends,” said the boy who loved Fortnite, Call of Duty among other games. But it was FIFA that he like the most owing to his love for football. He remembers watching 2010 FIFA World Cup as a seven year old, and was instantly hooked. However, things took a serious turn in 2019 when he participated in his first esports competition in Chandigarh. “That was the start of my competitive chapter in e-sports,” he said in an interview.

He cultivated his passion for FIFA through local tournaments, where his skill and dedication eventually propelled him to the forefront of Indian esports. “During the lockdown, I began playing professionally for the first time. In 2020, I signed my first eSports contract,” he added. Two years later, he represented Bengaluru FC at Indian Super League. But the big break came when he represented India at the 2022 Asian Games held in September 2023 in Hangzhou in China. It was in 2018 that esport was first introduced as a demonstration sport in 2018 in Jakarta and Palembang.

In a short span, Charanjot has become popular in the world of esports with even Korean players recognising him. “The pressure of being the favorite makes me perform better,” he had said.

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However, it hasn’t been an easy journey for Charanjot who had a hard time finding sponsors since it’s esports and not sports. Since mobile games are quite popular in India, those esports tournaments gather much viewership than FIFA. “That’s because FIFA is a console game. Getting consoles in India is a costly affair. For mobile games you can get any mobile and start playing games but for console games you need to spend ₹40,000-50,000 at least. Then you have to buy games every year. You get sponsors… but you have to really convince them,” said Charanjot, who is BA Final year.

Charanjot, who plays three-four hours every day, focuses on enjoying the game rather than feeling the pressure. “If your opponent is sitting near of next to you, it gets intimidating. But the best players are those who are able to deal with the pressure,” he added.

The young player is glad that e-sports has now found international recognition, and wants more parents to support their kids who aspire to pursue esports. “It is not just being a gamer. You can also consider the content side. If you can create good content then you can sign with the e-sports teams. There is a lot of money in e-sports for sure. But I will not advise you to stop studies and just play e-sports. It is easy and hard money together. If you are winning tournaments then you feel making money is easy. But once you start struggling, it becomes difficult.”

Charanjot Singh | Global Indian

But he does feel that presence of more tournaments such as ESL will have a positive impact as the popularity of FIFA and football has surged, especially with the recent rise of football in India. “However, the growth of the game is still in a learning stage, similar to the dormant stage, and the cost of the console is prohibitive. I believe that it is difficult for people to access FIFA in eSports due to the console’s cost, which is approximately ₹50,000.”

Charanjot will be seen playing it up at FC Pro 24 World Championship in July this year, and is keen to become the best FIFA gamer in the world. “I want to continue playing as long as my body allow me to do so … as one ages the reflexes get slower.” This prestigious event gathers top players worldwide for intense one-on-one virtual football competition. His participation not only highlights his talent on a global stage but also sets a benchmark for Indian esports, inspiring others to pursue international recognition.

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Published on 09, Aug 2024

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Nandita Saxena, the pastry chef who bagged a silver at WorldSkills 2022

(December 27, 2022) “Every time I think about it, it feels unbelievable,” says Nandita Saxena, the young confectioner who bagged the silver in the patisserie and confectionery category at the WorldSkills Competition 2022. The youngster, who first learned about the competition in a college magazine, had dreamed of bringing home a medal ever since. In 2022, she managed it, becoming the first Indian woman to win a silver medal. The global competition, which was held between September and November 2022 is considered the gold standard of vocational skills. [caption id="attachment_25863" align="aligncenter" width="608"] Nandita Saxena[/caption] Founded in 1950, the WorldSkills Competition provides youngsters from across the globe a chance to compete, experience, and excel in their chosen endeavour. This was the 46th edition of the competition, which is held every alternate year in a new country. Originally scheduled to be held in Shanghai, then postponed by the pandemic, the WorldSkills 2022 is something of a ‘special edition’, also because it was held across 15 countries instead of a single venue. India was represented across 50 skill categories, with participants bringing home two silvers, three bronzes and 13 medallions. Plan to win “Through my college magazine I had learned that Mohit Dudeja

kills 2022 is something of a ‘special edition’, also because it was held across 15 countries instead of a single venue. India was represented across 50 skill categories, with participants bringing home two silvers, three bronzes and 13 medallions.

Plan to win

“Through my college magazine I had learned that Mohit Dudeja had brought India a silver medal in the patisserie and confectionery category in 2017,” says the alumnae of IHM Aurangabad.

[caption id="attachment_25866" align="aligncenter" width="722"] Nandita during the WorldSkills Competition held at Lucerne, Switzerland[/caption]

Nandita had discovered her love for baking as a child and when she heard of Dudeja, she pored over his Instagram profile. She was deeply inspired by one post, in which Dudeja had written, “If you have the skills, you must participate and be confident of winning.”

Nandita made up her mind to participate too, she tells Global Indian. She travelled to Lucerne, Switzerland, for the competition, going up against people from 15 countries.

The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), under the ministry of skill development and entrepreneurship, Government of India, has been leading the nation’s participation on the WorldSkills Platform. “Our training sessions for the competition were organised by the government,” says Nandita. She was pleasantly surprised to find that Indians’ patisserie and confectionery skills were comparable to the best in the world.

[caption id="attachment_25865" align="aligncenter" width="722"] Nandita during the WorldSkills Competition held at Lucerne, Switzerland[/caption]

The ten days spent in the breathtakingly beautiful Switzerland is an experience that has got etched in the youngster’s mind. Apart from the six days of events, the competitors enjoyed excursion trips. “It gave us an opportunity to get to know each other and develop friendships,” she says.

Stepping into the world of hospitality

Passing out from Amity International School in Noida, Nandita went on to pursue a degree in hotel management. “Unfortunately, due to Covid-19, it was just one and a half year of in-college experience. But five months of intensive in-house training in hospitality management at Taj Vivanta, Aurangabad proved very helpful.”

Nandita also did an internship at Lavonne Hospitality, subsequently getting a job there, which helped her hone her skills even further. There, she was mentored by the senior chefs, who, upon learning that she was participating at the WorldSkills competition, wholeheartedly guided her. “It was good for me that the competition was postponed due to the pandemic. The delay helped me polish my skills and learn enough to bring home the silver medal,” Nandita remarks. “Most of the modules required for the competition were covered by my mentors, and the rest was taken care of at the government organised workshop,” says the pastry chef, who always looks forward to learning new things.

[caption id="attachment_25867" align="aligncenter" width="783"] Professionals at Lavonne Academy prepared her for different modules - Anosh Ranbhise, chocolate showpiece, Prathana Narang entremet, Vinesh Johnny, sugar stand and overall training, Joonie Tan, fondant, and Mani chef, bonbons[/caption]

For WorldSkills challenge, participants begin with a regional round and graduate to the national round, with the winners going on to represent the country on the global platform. The national winners are assigned an expert, who train them for the international challenge. That’s how Nandita became a protégé of Vinesh Johnny, one of the cofounders of Lavonne Academy.

Baking and tennis

The multifaceted youngster has been a national level lawn tennis player. “I started baking at the age of six and playing tennis at eight,” she says. She spent her school years juggling her academics, baking and tennis. “I was six years old when I decided I wanted to be a pastry chef and at 16, I started catering neighbourhood orders for cakes and pastries,” Nandita says.

Nandita played tennis under the aegis of The All India Tennis Association, the governing body of tennis in India. “Since I grew up in Noida, I played several tournaments representing Uttar Pradesh,” says the youngster, whose all-India rank was 77 in the under -18 categories. “I have also represented Uttar Pradesh several times in national competitions organised by CBSE,” she adds.

From protégé to mentor

Nandita comes from a family which is artistically inclined. Her parents are architects and her elder sister is a dentist. “Ever since I can remember, I had an inclination towards taking up a career that is creative,” tells the pastry chef.

[caption id="attachment_25868" align="aligncenter" width="740"] Nandita with her WorldSkills expert Vinesh Johnny[/caption]

With loads of happiness that has come her way after winning a silver, Nandita has been busy not just working in the baking division of Lavonne Hospitality’s cafes but also taking classes at Lavonne Academy of Baking Science and Pastry Arts. “I will also train the next competitor who will represent India in the patisserie and confectionery category at WorldSkills,” says the twenty-two year old.

“From clearing the state levels to representing at the international platform WorldSkills has been a journey of personal growth and everlasting friendships,” she signs off.

Follow Nandita Saxena at LinkedIn and Instagram

Reading Time: 5 mins

Eshani Jha: The teen’s bio-waste filtration device can increase access to clean water

(June 17, 2023) Eshani Jha was only 17 years old when she created a low-cost, water filtration device to address the problem of clean water around the world. In 2021, just as the San Jose teen entered the University of Berkley, she was named winner of the Stockholm Junior Water Prize for her innovative, low-cost, water filtration device, which uses treated biochar as a filtering material. Eshani received a blue crystal award, a handmade diploma and a cash prize of $15,000 awarded by the Stockholm International Water Institute. Her work is also in keeping with the UN's SDG, in particular, SDG 6, which aims to ensure available and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. The idea is to improve access to clean drinking water, sanitation facilities and hygiene practices, while addressing water scarcity, water pollution and water-related ecosystems. The clean water challenge "Water contamination is a key challenge of modern civilisation," the Global Indian said. "Nearly half the world's hospital beds are filled with patients suffering from water-related diseases. According to the UN's Environment Program, 80 percent of global wastewater goes untreated and contains a wide range of contaminants, from human waste to toxic industrial discharge. Severe pathogenic

water goes untreated and contains a wide range of contaminants, from human waste to toxic industrial discharge. Severe pathogenic pollution affects around one-third of the world's rivers. Correct water filters are inaccessible to those who need them dueto tradeoffs between cost and effectiveness," the young innovator remarked. Her invention, she says, can lower the cost of use to less than $1 per month for consumers, if it is mass-produced.

[caption id="attachment_31179" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Young innovator Eshani Jha[/caption]

The San Jose- teen is the winner of two of the top competitions for science and innovation - the Stockholm Junior Water Prize and the Regeneron Science Talent Search 2021. Eshani received recognition and a cash prize of US$150,000 for her innovative low-cost water filtration device called Biochar. Her invention not only removes heavy metals like lead but also addresses pesticides, microplastics, and pharmaceuticals in drinking water. Inspired by her Indian heritage and witnessing the plight of underprivileged communities during a trip, Eshani is determined to provide accessible solutions for water contamination issues. "I see a multitude of applications for this, and I also see great potential in targeting other contaminants too," Jha said. "My ambition is that this should be a one-stop filter."

The journey to the Stockholm Junior Water Prize

Jha's research is titled 'Thiol Functionalized and Manganese Dioxide Doped Biochar for the Removal of Toxic Organic and Inorganic Contaminants from Water" It was chosen for its applicability, the choice of a commonly-available material (biochar) and its potential for scaleability, the Stockholm International Water Instititute said later.

The young innovator began her work when she was a student at Lymbrook High School in San Jose, and was first recognized by the California Stockholm Water and Environment Association. Her research was chosen by a panel of engineering professors and board members of the CWEA, after which she went on to represent her state at a competition hosted by the Water Environment Federation. After being declared the winner there too, she went on to the SIWI international platform, competing against 44 finalists from 32 countries.

Eshani Jha's remarkable journey from a high school student to an internationally recognized innovator serves as an inspiration to young minds around the world. Her determination to address the global water crisis has led to the creation of a low-cost water filtration device that holds the potential greatly increase access to clean water.

Receiving the Stockholm Junior Water Prize and the Regeneron Science Talent Search 2021 accolades further solidifies Eshani's place as a pioneering force in the field of science and innovation. The recognition and cash prizes she has received not only validate her groundbreaking work but also provide her with the resources to continue her research and bring her vision to life.

Re-purposing bio waste

Eshani's invention, Biochar, not only filters out heavy metals but also tackles contaminants like pesticides, microplastics, and pharmaceuticals, ensuring cleaner and safer drinking water. Her commitment to addressing water pollution and scarcity aligns perfectly with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 6, underscoring the relevance and impact of her work on a global scale.

With a clear vision of expanding the application of her filtration device to target other contaminants, the young innovator is determined to provide accessible solutions for water contamination. As Eshani Jha continues her journey at the University of Berkeley, her innovative spirit and dedication will undoubtedly shape the future of water filtration technologies. Through her groundbreaking research, she has opened doors to a world where clean drinking water is not a luxury but a fundamental right for all.

Planting forests, creating shoes from plastic, making glass into sand – these young Indian activists are conservationists with a plan

(December 28, 2021) Three years ago, a young Swedish girl made the world stop in its tracks by emphasising the extent of environmental damage in the world. Her fervent plea was to ask if this is the world we were leaving behind for our children. At a UN climate conference in New York, Indian youth, Greta Thunberg delivered her most famous speech where she berated world leaders, “You all come to us young people for hope. How dare you? You have stolen my dreams and my childhood with your empty words.” Even as Thunberg continues to propagate change with her climate activism, a host of children the world over continues to work and innovate to provide solutions to help mitigate climate change. Of these, are several Indian-origin activists. From nine-year-old Prasiddhi Singh who’s planting fruit forests to increase green cover, Bengaluru-based Sahithi Pingali, who developed an app to help clean lakes, Karan Jerath who worked to address one of the largest marine oil spills, to US-based Nihal Tammana whose recyclemybattery.com helps recycle toxic batteries, and Udit Singhal, who’s working to create a zero-waste ecosystem through his company Glass2Sand. [caption id="attachment_8949" align="aligncenter" width="569"] Karan Jerath[/caption] The future is young Indian According

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[caption id="attachment_8949" align="aligncenter" width="569"] Karan Jerath[/caption]

The future is young Indian

According to findings from the Future of Work international research report, over 85 percent of young people in India are interested in a green job. About 84 percent of those surveyed also believe that their generation can create solutions to some of society’s biggest challenges. Quite a tall order for young minds.

“Young people, at the end of the day, want to be agents of change in an effort to prevent and adapt to the climate crisis, and the biodiversity crisis. For what it’s worth, I believe it is our responsibility to help them achieve this, if we possibly can,” observed Prince Charles, in a meeting with international business leaders at St James’ Palace in London earlier this year.

As the focus has begun to gradually shift towards creating sustainable job opportunities for the future, these young minds are waiting for no one. They’re marching right on in their quest to create sustainable futures through their innovations and campaigns.

[caption id="attachment_8950" align="aligncenter" width="754"] Vinisha Umashankar[/caption]

Take for instance Vinisha Umashankar, the 14-year-old innovator from Tamil Nadu who was invited to speak at the COP25 in Glasgow by Prince William to speak on clean technology and innovation. Incidentally, the high school student from the small temple town of Tiruvannamalai, designed a solar-powered iron cart called the Iron-Max. The cart is an alternative to the charcoal burning ironing carts that dot Indian streets and the invention also earned her the Earthshot Prize (or Eco Oscars) that was launched by Prince William.

Talking about her invention, Vinisha said in a tweet, “The big ‘problem’ I am trying to solve is to eliminate the practise of burning charcoal to heat an iron box for pressing clothes by vendors. My innovation, the solar ironing cart will save trees, reduce air pollution, protect the environment and help stop the climate change.”

Similarly, Delhi-based teen Udit Singhal is working to help create a zero-waste ecosystem through his startup Glass2Sand, which has so far processed over 8,000 bottles into over 4,815 kg of high-grade silica sand. The 18-year-old was named by the UN in the 2020 cohort of young leaders for sustainable development goals. In a statement, Singhal said, “As a Young Leader for the SDGs, I will be an active agent of change. I hope to be able to encourage communities to embrace a better civic sense to create sustainable living spaces -- like when mountain-high landfills are detonated.”

Working along similar lines is 23-year-old Ashay Bhave, who launched Thaely, a sustainable line of vegan sneakers to tackle the growing menace of plastic waste. Bhave’s company produces sneakers that are made from plastic trash and so far, he has managed to upcycle over 50,000 bags and 35,000 bottles into sneakers that not just look chic but are also environment friendly.

Saving the planet with sustainability

These young minds are also mindful of the fact that rapid urbanisation has led to the reclaiming of precious eco-rich areas of land leading to mass extinctions that the Earth is now witnessing. Taking a step to change this is Mumbai- based conservation photographer Aishwarya Sridhar, who is the first Indian to win the prestigious Wildlife Photographer Award. “I believe in harnessing the power of visuals to bring about change,” says this 24-year-old, who took up conservation photography at age 11. “I hope my images and videos inspire people to become guardians of our planet,” she tells Global Indian Youth.

[caption id="attachment_8951" align="aligncenter" width="857"] Aishwarya Sridhar[/caption]

“I grew up in Panvel and have seen the stark difference in the Panvel of my childhood and the Panvel of today. From being lush with greenery and wildlife, today it is a concrete jungle that I don’t recognise. I grew up watching flamingoes and painted storks in my backyard. Today, however, the only surviving wetland in the area is a 250-acre space in Uran. Most wetlands and mangroves in Navi Mumbai have been reclaimed for SEZs and other real estate projects,” says the youngster, who has been actively campaigning to bring about a real change. In fact, her images also led the Bombay high court to declare that the Panje wetland area should be an ecologically-protected zone. Earlier this year, Aishwarya also did an undercover operation where she shot images of fireworks being set off in the Panje area. The images went viral and led to the Maharashtra CM intervening and ensuring prosecution of the miscreants.

Being the change

The idea, feel most youngsters, is to not just protect our planet, but to protect ourselves from the effects of climate change and the resultant mass extinction. Nine-year-old Prasiddhi Singh too found herself struck by the devastating effects of cyclone Vardah in 2016 which led to thousands of trees being uprooted and an overnight depletion of green cover in Tamil Nadu. The Chennai-based school goer swore to do her bit for the environment and is now on a mission to plant 1 lakh trees by 2022.

[caption id="attachment_8952" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Prasiddhi Singh[/caption]

“So far, I have created 19 fruit forests and planted 23,000 trees. I formed an unconditional bond with nature. I believe I can create a significant contribution in bringing about change,” says the TEDx speaker and green activist who raised funds for her campaigns through online webinars and sessions on how to become an impact creator. Even the prize money this Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar awardee got was donated to an NGO.

As more and more Indian-origin children ideate on environment friendly solutions, small inroads have finally been made into areas where most governments are still dragging their feet. From policy changes to awareness drives and innovations to change the future, these kids certainly seem to have a finger on the way forward.

The work the Indian youth do

Karan Jerath: Following the 2010 Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, Indian-origin student Karan Jerath was determined to find a solution. He went on to invent a subsea wellhead capping device to contain the oil spill. He won the Young Scietist Award at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in 2015 and was the youngest honoree on the 2-16 Forbes 30 Under 30 Energy list.
Sahithi Pingali: At 16, this Bengaluru girl bagged the Grand NASA Prize and even had a planet in the Milky Way named after her for her insightful study on the pollution of lakes in her city. Pingali participated in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair and used her self-programmed app and a self-made lake monitoring kit to crowdsource data on environmental issues.
Nihal Tammana: The New Jersey-based seventh grader has been tirelessly working to rid the world of battery pollutants through his startup Recycle My Battery. The company recycles all types of used batteries and Tammana has been awarded the NJ Governor’s Award and the Jefferson Award for his work.

Reading Time: 8 mins

Across the metaverse: Chennai’s Sanchi Taleda one of 79 NFT artists to showcase her work at Times Square

(July 12, 2022) Sanchi Taleda was "beyond thrilled" and also, "a little confused," when she heard the news that her NFT was to be displayed in the Metaverse. Just like that, the 22-year-old artist found her name in lights, with her work, Quarter Past Midnight, splashed across a Times Square billboard on June 19, the opening night of NFT.NYC. She's one of 79 artists (and one of the youngest of the lot) from around the world to have their work showcased on the first night of the week-long event. [caption id="attachment_19157" align="aligncenter" width="604"] Quarter Past Midnight, by Sanchi Taleda. Photo credit: Instagram[/caption] A dose of (augmented) reality For one week, the young NFT artist was given access to cryptovoxels.com, one of the largest and most popular metaverse spaces. "It was very intimidating," she tells Global Indian. "I was one of the youngest artists among a group of people who had massive fan bases. I was wondering how I fit in there, to be honest, but it was an amazing experience." After the billboard display, her work was showcased at a virtual gallery, at an exhibition titled 'Figureglyphs', which dealt with artistic interpretations of the human body. "It was an augmented

midating," she tells Global Indian. "I was one of the youngest artists among a group of people who had massive fan bases. I was wondering how I fit in there, to be honest, but it was an amazing experience." After the billboard display, her work was showcased at a virtual gallery, at an exhibition titled 'Figureglyphs', which dealt with artistic interpretations of the human body. "It was an augmented reality setup, where people could walk (physically) through Times Square and use their phones to enter virtual galleries in the Metaverse.”

Where it began

It all began with a Discord group, where "they had put out a search for artists," she recalls. The young NFT artist had just begun sharing her work on Opensea, when she stumbled upon a call for artists put out by SearchLight.Art. To her, the chances of being accepted seemed so remote that Sanchi, acting almost on a whim, sent out a piece of work she had already completed. "Here I was, trying to understand how NFTs work and suddenly, I'm part of a gallery in the Metaverse and being told my art would be on a billboard in Times Square."

Back in 2020, Sanchi, who will graduate soon from the Measi Academy of Architecture, was given an iPad to help her with college assignments. "Instead, I got into digital illustrations," she says. "It was just fun for me, a break from college." She began researching NFTs and wondered if she could enter the space herself. She pleaded with her brother to get her a crypto wallet - "He did, but only after I had done my research," she laughs.

Seeking magic in the mundane

"Where do I find inspiration? It happens when I go walking through the streets, that inspires me the most," Sanchi says. An experienced swimmer, Sanchi walks to the pool every day, soaking in the countless, poignant vignettes that make up everyday life on the bustling streets of an Indian city. "One day, for instance, I saw a man yawning to himself and scratching his head. It was such a busy road but he was lost in his own world. It made me wonder what his life is like, what he has been through."

[caption id="attachment_19160" align="aligncenter" width="521"] Photo credit: Instagram[/caption]

The ideas take seed, she says, when she's actually in the pool, swimming. "That's my time to take stock of what I have seen, to understand what has inspired me." Her art itself, however, is unplanned - she begins with an idea and let it take form. "I don't always know what it will turn out to be," Sanchi remarks. It's an advantage, she agrees, to being a digital artist working with a tool like ProCreate. Here, she has greater room for spontaneity, vastly different to conventional art where usually, everything is planned to the last detail before it makes it to the physical canvas. "I simply allow myself to draw and as I do, find different ways to build on it."

Unassuming and even a little reticent – Sanchi is not given to words, preferring to let her art speak for her. And it does. Her digital artwork, all done at home on her iPad, is reminiscent (although she doesn't intend it to be), of the Surrealists. She simply smiles at the reference - she's familiar with their work Sanchi does not borrow, her work as an artist is deeply introspective, taken from everyday scenes in the streets of Chennai, where she is based. "I want people to look at my work and go, 'but what is she thinking'? Everyone who looks at my art should interpret it differently." The NFT artist mentions digital creators like David Shrigley, who has a huge following on Instagram. Although their work is nothing alike, "he makes you think and that's what I want to do as an artist."

Breaking the norms of architecture – and art

[caption id="attachment_19163" align="aligncenter" width="494"] Photo credit: Instagram[/caption]

Now in her final year at Measi, Sanchi has created for herself a way to think in abstract terms, producing work that is very removed from the conventional approach. Her friends, she says, became used to her huddling in a corner and scribbling away - "They all know I'm a little different," she smiles. "I would spend my days scribbling my own drawings instead of actually listening in class." She shied away from "the usual rectangles, squares and boxy designs," preferring to work with shapes like triangles. "My professor would ask me, 'How do you even think this way'? It took some convincing but, in the end, he told me that he likes my designs the best." At home, however, there is no need for convincing - her father, she says, is her biggest fan. "He even comes up with names for my work."

Sanchi, who is even toying with the idea of being an architect in the Metaverse, where she can give her abstract thinking full rein, intends to do her master's degree in the UK. It's the only place "which offers courses that bridge art and architecture. I want to be at that intersection."

Follow Sanchi on Instagram, Twitter and check out her work on Opensea.io

Reading Time: 6 min

Empowering change: Activist Sanya Sharma’s pursuit of a better world

(November 4, 2023) In 2019, as a part of a college project, Sanya Sharma came across several articles and studies about issues like forced marriages, honour killing, and female genital cutting. After several sleepless nights and researching extensively about these issues, the young activist decided to do something about it. "I wanted to raise awareness– I spoke to my father about starting a global youth-led organisation to do this. He said, 'Be the change you wish to see', she said in an interview, adding, "With his words, I founded 'Scarlet Udaan' and got on board eight other students from across the globe to work towards ending FGC." Established in July 2020, Sanya's international youth organisation strives to promote awareness about female genital mutilation (FGC). With team members from various parts of world - including India, the UK, Indonesia, the US, and Canada - the activist wishes to bring awareness on female genital mutilation and the impact it has on the lives of females belonging to different communities all around the world. "It is estimated by the World Health Organisation that 200 million females around the world have undergone FGM. In the organisation's name, 'Scarlet' stands for the strength of womanhood,

ent communities all around the world. "It is estimated by the World Health Organisation that 200 million females around the world have undergone FGM. In the organisation's name, 'Scarlet' stands for the strength of womanhood, and 'Udaan' is a Hindi word that means 'to soar' or 'to fly'. It symbolises freedom and the limitless possibilities that exist for an individual," said the 21-year-old activist, who recently won the prestigious Diana Award for her humanitarian efforts.

Digital activism

A student of Delhi Public School, Hyderabad, Sanya wasn't just a meticulous student, but she also volunteered for various causes and organisation growing up - including the National Service Scheme and Reap Benefit. After finishing her school education, the young activist got enrolled at Durham University in the United Kingdom to pursue a bachelor's of law. It was here that she first was introduced to the issue of female genital mutilation.

"In my first year at university, I was part of a project that worked on women’s issues," the activist said, "This was the first time I heard about FGC and it was baffling. I had no idea what it was. I started having conversations with friends and family members about this and they had no idea either. Everyone was like ‘What is FGC?’ This just proved to me how inaccessible that information was. FGC is a major global concern. It affects 200 million people. Academia, governments, and international organisations that address the issue do not provide enough nuance, they’re disconnected. They’re also gatekept. They use language that people do not understand, so crucial information gets lost in jargon."

And that’s where Scarlet Udaan stemmed from. While she knew she had to do something about the issue, the activist was still figuring out a way to spread the message. Speeches, meetings, and posters would have only gotten her so far, so she turned to the digital space to talk about the issue. "The digital space is accessible and really expands the possibilities of what creating change could look like. It lets us create a safe space for people having such conversations, ones that may be considered taboo, or that people do not know much about. Our team members are from eight different countries around the world. We were able to come together and work together for a common cause, which might not have been possible offline. We also have regional expertise. This creates very nuanced views of culture and tradition and the complexity of the issues we focus on. The online space has opened up a whole new realm of having access to other organizations and youth activists with similar goals," the activist said.

Miles to go before she sleeps...

Using various social media to promote our cause, including videos and podcasts, the Global Indian has been able to reach out to a broad audience. "We have different tools at our disposal to create change, which allows us to make the information accessible to more people. We have social media posts for a quick introduction to the office, a podcast for a deep dive, detailed Zoom sessions, and live streams for more targeted information. It lets us organise creative ways to make change and have an impact," she said.

The activist plans to take a few of the organisation's activities offline very soon. "As a young person, getting to work with so many other young people and survivors across the world is great. But we’re all also people on the frontlines, both online and offline. Having both brings a community together and we can push for change across the world. Especially during the pandemic, when other channels are closed off," she explained.

Currently pursuing a master's at the Duke University School of Law in the USA, Sanya is on her way to building an organisation that can be a platform for young advocates like her to voice and spread awareness about various issues across the globe. "This will not only allow for different regional and local perspectives to be expressed but create a safe space for people to have conversations about topics that are underreported," the activist expressed.

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