Global Indianstory Global Indian ExclusiveLeading the way: Young entrepreneur Akshat Mittal aspires to initiate a social change in India

Leading the way: Young entrepreneur Akshat Mittal aspires to initiate a social change in India

Written by: Namrata Srivastava

(October 2, 2022) CM Arvind Kejriwal’s decision to implement the odd-even car rule in the national capital was appreciated not just across the country, but by many foreign leaders as well. However, the scheme that was aimed at curbing the growing rate of pollution and traffic in Delhi, did cause the city dwellers some discomfort. Akshat Mittal’s father was one of the people whose schedule was disturbed, as every other day he had to search for a friend who owned a vehicle with an odd registration number. To help his father, and millions of other Delhiites, the then 13-year-old entrepreneur came up with a web platform Odd-even.com – which helped people in New Delhi share rides in 2015. The platform helped over 60,000 people and was later sold to a carpooling company Orahi for an undisclosed amount.

“When the Chief Minister declared that odd and even numbered cars will ply on alternate days, I thought about the problem people would face due to enforcement of the new rule. The idea was that many people living in the same locality might want to go to the same place, but might not be aware of each other. My website aims to bridge the communication gap. Besides, the platform will also help make new contacts,” the young entrepreneur told YourStory during an interaction.

Entrepreneur | Akshat Mittal | Global Indian

Akshat Mittal, entrepreneur

However, his story doesn’t end here. When the pandemic forced blue-collar workers to migrate back to their native places, Akshat found another online platform, Bharat Shramik, to help the daily wage labourers look for a sustainable livelihood closer to their homes. Decorated with many awards, including the Student Entrepreneur of the Year 2020, this future leader is currently studying business economics at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Like father, like son

When he was just a toddler Akshat would sometimes just sit on his father’s lap and watch him develop websites for his work. As he grew up, he too started learning about computer coding programmes from his father. A brilliant child, it didn’t take long for the young entrepreneur to create a website all by himself. “I did the HTML, CSS, and JAVA coding, and my father helped me with PHP coding,” explained the Global Indian.

Akshat and his father at the UN Women conference

For Odd-even.com, Akshat focussed on connecting people travelling on a similar route to reach their workplace. In fact, his website was so sophisticated that it ran on algorithms based on the age, gender, profession, and timings of commuters’ travel. “All you need to do is log in and put your details, including name, registration number of the car, destination, and preferences,” shared Akshat. To ensure the riders’ safety, the platform also asked the user to log in through their social media platform and upload a government-issued photo identification proof.

Making an impact

When COVID stuck, Akshat was studying in standard XI. One day, while watching the news with his family, the young entrepreneur got to know about migrant workers moving back to their homes in huge numbers. While it seemed like a situation that would solve itself in a couple of days, the news about labours dying of heatstroke, accident, or even starvation moved the young boy. “I was touched by the news of migrant workers starving and dying due to hunger. While there are jobs and unemployed workers, there is no mechanism to tie them together,” Akshat shared with Economic Times.

After a few weeks of working day and night, Akshat developed a website – Bharat Shramik – that could help with the situation. The platform uses matchmaking technology to help unemployed workers search for a job closer to their homes. The workers can register themselves on the website by calling a multi-lingual helpline number +91 8822 022 022, which is powered by Knowlarity. The platform also helps employers, who had to close operations during the pandemic, to hire a workforce from the website. The database will also be shared with the local governments to help them improve their unemployment programmes.

The young entrepreneur, who aspires to be an investment banker someday, is focussed on helping those in need. “I aspire to initiate a bigger social change in India. I noticed how there was no single repository where citizens can list all the issues that they face daily. I wish to create such a database one day,” the changemaker said during a media interaction.

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Published on 02, Oct 2022

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Footballer Shubho Paul: The next big thing in Indian sports evolution

(March 28, 2024) Growing up, Subho Paul's father toiled in a textile mill while his mother managed the household, leaving the family with few of the basic amenities often taken for granted. At just 13 years old, Subho would finish school only to embark on a journey to the training ground, pedalling on a borrowed bicycle without the luxury of football boots, as his family couldn't afford them. Introduced to the sport at the tender age of six by his elder brother Raju Paul, who harboured aspirations of a professional football career himself, Subho displayed remarkable talent. Witnessing his younger sibling's aptitude for the game, Raju, a decade his senior, selflessly relinquished his ambitions, securing a job at the Howrah municipal corporation to facilitate Subho's budding football career. [caption id="attachment_15140" align="aligncenter" width="558"] Shubho Paul[/caption] While India may have missed out on the opportunity to participate in the FIFA qualifiers this time, the future of Indian football looks to be in safe hands. Over time, the country has nurtured exceptional talents, with some even making their mark in prominent international leagues. Among these talents is this 18-year-old footballer, who recently achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first Indian to join

ark in prominent international leagues. Among these talents is this 18-year-old footballer, who recently achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first Indian to join Bayern Munich’s Under-19 World Squad. Hailing from a humble background in a small town in Bengal, the Sudeva Delhi FC player was overjoyed upon learning of his selection for the German squad.

“I never thought such a day would come. I came to Sudeva to play in the I-League but never thought the experience at Sudeva would bring me to this stage. Especially after seeing the Bayern jersey with my name on the back, I am feeling happier,” the footballer said in a press conference soon after his selection. The Global Indian was selected via a programme overseen by the German and European football powerhouses Bayern, constituting a two-step initiative guided by Bayern legend and World Cup winner Klaus Augenthaler and Christopher Loch – the Bavarian club’s coach for international programmes.

Rising from the ashes

Fortunes took a turn for the better when Kolkata football icon Chima Okorie graced a nearby ground to oversee trials. The aspiring footballer watched eagerly from the sidelines, yearning for an opportunity to showcase his skills before the legend, renowned for his prolific goal-scoring record while representing Kolkata giants East Bengal, Mohun Bagan, and Mohammedan Sporting. Remarkably, his wish came true. Okorie noticed the young lad, approached him, and inquired about his aspirations. What unfolded next was akin to a fairy tale.

Competing barefoot against older boys, Subho consistently found the back of the net, earning the admiration of Okorie, a formidable striker in his own right. Impressed by Subho's prowess, Chima Okorie not only provided him with his inaugural pair of football boots and kit but also assumed a mentorship role. Under Okorie's tutelage, avenues began to unfold for the budding footballer, leading to his selection as one of the inaugural recruits for Bengaluru FC's academy following trials.

The serendipitous encounter with Okorie unlocked numerous opportunities for Subho, some of which were previously beyond his awareness. Following his initial training stint at Bengaluru FC, Subho ventured back to Kolkata and swiftly caught the attention of Sudeva Delhi FC, where he showcased his scoring abilities across different age categories. Since becoming an AIFF-registered player, the young prodigy has netted an impressive 87 goals in 41 matches, underscoring his remarkable goal-scoring prowess, which ultimately led to his selection for Bayern's World Squad.

Climbing the ladder

Before joining the German team, Subho also represented India at the Under-16 level, playing a pivotal role in India's qualification for the 2020 AFC Under-16 Championships in Bahrain, which have since been postponed. He demonstrated his skill by scoring three goals in three qualifying matches.

Speaking about his selection at Bayern Munich’s Under-19 World Squad, the footballer said in a press conference, “I was unaware that such a programme was underway, and my details had been shared with Bayern. I went back to my home for a week and the coach called me back to Sudeva for training. I was not told about any involvement from Bayern Munich to not affect my mentality. The coach called up a meeting one day with all the players and that is when I got to know about my selection in the Bayern Munich World Squad.”

The news of his call up to the World Squad has been emotional for his elder brother. During an interaction with the media, Shubho shared that since his family couldn’t afford to support both sons playing football, his elder brother took up a job. Crediting his brother for his success on the field, he said that he only played cricket growing up, but his brother motivated him to think about football seriously and took him to the coaches.

The announcement of his selection for the World Squad has stirred strong emotions in his older brother. In a media interview, Shubho revealed that due to financial constraints within the family, his elder brother made sacrifices by securing employment to support their shared football aspirations. Expressing gratitude towards his brother for his achievements on the field, Shubho disclosed that while he initially focused solely on cricket during his upbringing, his brother inspired him to take football seriously and even facilitated his introduction to coaches.

Reading Time: 5 mins

Fighting spirit: Pooja Nagpal trains rural girls in self-defence

(December 13, 2022) "Didi, I need to protect myself." Pooja Nagpal was taken aback, to say the least, by the diminutive teenager who stood before her, hand in a sling. The girl, Neha, had been beaten by a family member and knew she had to learn to defend herself. Pooja, an Indian-American activist with a second-level black belt in Taekwondo, is the founder of For a Change, Defend, a non-profit that teaches girls self-defence techniques. In 2013, soon after the Nirbhaya tragedy, Pooja arrived in the upper mountain areas of Himachal Pradesh, to take a crash course in self-defence for young girls there. A determination to prevail "Neha’s grandmother had told her that girls can't laugh, her brother got more food from her, she had been told that there was no point in girls being educated past the ninth grade, that she had to wear a veil when guests came home. How does anyone have an ounce of confidence in that environment," Pooja demands. From that point on, Neha became her most dedicated student, staying back after class to ask questions, determined to perfect every kick and punch. On Independence Day that year, 250 of Pooja's students demonstrated in front of an

rmined to perfect every kick and punch.

On Independence Day that year, 250 of Pooja's students demonstrated in front of an audience. Neha, who was holding the Indian flag in her hand, addressed the crowd, saying, "The time is now. We need to start fighting for women's equality. Parents, teachers, and family members need to understand the power that girls can bring to the future of India." Pooja, who was watching, realised at that moment the true power that a fighting spirit can bring.

[caption id="attachment_25318" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Pooja Nagpal[/caption]

Pooja opens her ted talk in Manhattan Beach with a kick and a 'kihap', which is a traditional shout and rapid exhalation of breath used in Taekwondo. The sound is as essential to the kick as the movement itself, a means to concentrate a martial artist's power. "It is a declaration of one's fighting spirit and the determination to prevail," she told her audience.

Discovering India

Pooja's parents were both born in India and hers was a "bilingual household," the young Global Indian explains. Growing up in Manhattan Beach in the United States, she would listen eagerly as her parents told her stories of the rich, Indian culture, of the "rush of colours and festivities and the euphoria." More than anything else, however, she loved Indian mythology. She was in awe of the Goddess Durga, who rode into battle on a lion and destroyed demons, who was the protector of all living things. She loved the elegance of Goddess Saraswati, seated atop a white lotus, the Goddess of learning and knowledge. "Growing up," she says, "These were my superheroes. They are powerful women with a unique, symbolic fighting spirit who help and protect the vulnerable."

As she grew older, however, the enchantment of Indian mythology gave way to a hidden dark side. She heard stories of violence and discrimination against women and girls. "There are girls who were defeated before they had begun to dream. They are stripped of their fighting spirit. The determination is not to prevail, but to survive." In 2012, the stories she had heard became more real and frightening than she could have imagined, with the Nirbhaya tragedy rocking the country - and the world. She knew something had to be done.

The time to act

"How could this happen in a country so beautiful and so magical," she asked. Activists around the world swung into action, all fighting for women's safety and rights. They worked to raise awareness, towards strength in numbers and changes at the legislative level. Pooja felt this could only be one part of the solution.

[caption id="attachment_25316" align="aligncenter" width="618"] Pooja Nagpal[/caption]

While it was a wonderful effort, the fact remained that women continue to face violence every day and, in most cases, there are no repercussions for the perpetrators. In India, women are unsafe both in private and public spaces, with violence meted out in various forms, including eve-teasing, domestic violence, mental and physical torture, and marital rape. And it was a problem, she soon learned, that was not exclusive to developing countries; there was domestic violence everywhere, from Los Angeles to Ladakh.

Training girls in rural India

In 2013, trying to earn her 'Gold Award for Girl Scouts, Pooja travelled to Himachal Pradesh with her sister, to teach self-defence at a village there. She arrived there to find young girls giggling and chatting together, much like she did with her friends back home. Pooja was, however, starkly aware of the fact that their "futures were worlds apart."

Pooja was wary at first, she was not sure how she would be received in a remote, rural region in a developing country. To her surprise, she was welcomed. "I was determined to give the girls what a kihap had given me," she said, in her TEDx Talk. "A fighting spirit and the determination to prevail." She worked flexibility, physical strength, self-defence, and mental confidence into her curriculum, spending around three hours a day training the girls.

The girls were weak - physically and mentally. She taught them the kihap. "As the weeks went on, they became louder and stronger," she recalled, smiling. After class, they would sit down to discuss role models, or the girls would make speeches to their classmates. "Many of these girls had never been asked, 'What do you want to be when you grow up'?" When she asked a 14-year-old, Rakhi, what she wanted to be, the girl's eyes were downcast. She was married, she said. She would be a housewife.

For A Change, Defend

The following year, Pooja Nagpal created her non-profit, For a Change, Defend. She returned to various rural schools in India, turning down offers from private schools that wanted her to teach martial arts lessons. "I wished to teach lower income girls, especially in rural areas that tend to be those that need the most help, since, in these areas, cases mostly go unreported,” she said.

Pooja also worked with Kiran Bedi, as she trained over 500 girls and women in various villages and slums. Bedi gave her a valuable piece of advice. "Start with six girls, then go to 60, then 600. Soon, you will have a six million-girl revolution. There is power in acting and power in activism." She watched the young girls she trained transform before her eyes. "They learned a fighting spirit and a determination to prevail. None of this could have been done without the kihap."

Reading Time: 6 mins

AI for auditory wellness: Surya Maddula’s quest to tackle noise pollution

(January 19, 2024) According to World Bank estimates, by 2050, nearly 2.5 billion people are projected to have hearing loss, and at least 700 million will require hearing rehabilitation. Also, over one billion young adults are at risk of permanent, avoidable hearing loss due to unsafe listening practices. This is an issue 16-year-old Bengaluru boy Surya Maddula wants to tackle. The youngster was intrigued by the cacophony surrounding him. The never-ending noise stirred his curiosity to find a solution, whether it was the clamour of traffic and ongoing construction work nearby, animals around, or the thunderous departure of planes. Fueled by the constant disturbances, he devoted himself to inventing a solution for the challenges posed by such man-made environmental challenges and was able to. He came up with the idea of ‘open-air active noise cancellation using artificial intelligence’. [caption id="attachment_35320" align="aligncenter" width="474"] Surya Maddula[/caption] When the teen was confident about the potential of the solution he developed after dedicated research, he filed a patent at The Patent Office, Government of India, and was granted the patent for an invention of ‘A noise cancellation system and a method to operate the same'. “Later, I applied at the India Book of Records,”

urya Maddula | Global Indian " width="474" height="350" /> Surya Maddula[/caption]

When the teen was confident about the potential of the solution he developed after dedicated research, he filed a patent at The Patent Office, Government of India, and was granted the patent for an invention of ‘A noise cancellation system and a method to operate the same'.

“Later, I applied at the India Book of Records,” Surya shares with Global Indian. He is glad to have earned their appreciation certificate and medal for getting a patent for his AI-powered solution to combat noise pollution at 15 years and 10 months.

Apart from working on this burning issue, Surya has other achievements to his credit. He is engaged in an apprenticeship with a Professor from Columbia University and is also associated with The Knowledge Society (TKS), a teenage accelerator programme. He has also contributed to and received value from entrepreneurial skills development programmes conducted by Google, Y Combinator, and BITS Pilani - Dubai Campus, to name a few.

Addressing noise pollution

“I realise that Noise Pollution is a big problem that is putting millions of people at risk, and as a responsible citizen of my country, it is important to me to address this problem to change the lives of people in India for the better,” he says. Surya has leveraged the power of AI to find a solution. “One of many abilities of my solution is using AI to understand foreground and background noise and classify them to eliminate unwanted background noise.”

With validation received as a Patent Certificate from The Patent Office, Government of India, the youngster is now working on the hardware.

“My hardware design is about using strategically placed sensors/sound level meters that send sound data to the Home Device, which processes noise using Cloud Computing. It puts out a sound wave with the amplitude inversed so that the sound waves cancel each other out as proved by destructive interference,” he says. “It will also help in emergency noise detection and intelligent noise sensory capabilities.”

[caption id="attachment_35316" align="aligncenter" width="635"] Surya Maddula at the Shell Changemakers of Tomorrow conference in Bengaluru[/caption]

Apprenticeship with Columbia University professor

Though noise pollution is his primary interest, the 12th-grade student is curious about many other applications of AI. Although Surya is still in school, he is working closely with Columbia University Professor Alejandro Zarate, and under the professor’s guidance, he is learning about Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) and applying it for data extraction and customization of documents. “Document processing is a big business problem, and extracting the relevant data is key for organisational success.”

Talking about the opportunity to learn from a Columbia University professor while still in school, he remarks, “I reached out to him on LinkedIn because I had been following him on the platform, and he inspired me so much that I wanted to learn under his guidance. Through the tips and guidance given by my Directors at The Knowledge Society, I learned efficient networking, helping me get opportunities I never thought I’d get,” he adds.

He is working on a project under Professor Zarate’s guidance on Large Language Models (LLMs). “The opportunity to work under the professor has improved my professional skills, and has led me to understand how LLMs work is of utmost significance,” he says. “The Zoom calls, the brainstorming sessions, the WhatsApp chats, the guidance I get, and the entire scenario of working with such an experienced professional is so exciting. There is something to learn from every call with him and every message I get from him. I feel privileged and humbled that I was able to get this opportunity,” he remarks.

Association with The Knowledge Society

Surya is also associated with The Knowledge Society (TKS) - a group of highly ambitious youngsters who want to, ‘quite literally put a ding in the universe.’ “TKS alumni go to some of the best universities in the world. They have raised millions of dollars, launched successful companies, partnered with dozens of multi-billion-dollar companies, and spoken at events and conferences, creating an impact.” Surya believes in ‘getting value and adding value,’ which is why he loves being part of TKS. The organisation has changed his perspective towards giving back and boosted his confidence with some great speaking opportunities.

[caption id="attachment_35317" align="aligncenter" width="720"] Surya Maddula at the Shell Changemakers of Tomorrow conference in Bengaluru[/caption]

“I started with TKS as part of their ‘Innovate’ program in September 2022. Since then, I’ve worked on many projects while learning about new technologies.” As part of TKS activities, he has also had an opportunity to develop an entrepreneurial bent of mind by working on problem statements and pitching solutions to problems to senior business executives of multi-billion-dollar companies who are partners of TKS.

Apart from that, he has learned from case studies to prepare for real-life entrepreneurial situations and develop skills like networking, building relations, adapting to technologies, and thinking like a business leader or future entrepreneur. “It’s a life-changing programme,” remarks Surya.

“The more effort and work you are willing to put in, the greater the outcome. That's exactly how it was for me. You can’t even compare pre-TKS and post-TKS Surya,” he remarks.

A business leader in the making

Surya aspires to have a career focusing on making life better for people around him and is enrolled in Google’s Student Entrepreneur Program. It’s a self-paced instructor-led program with coursework and lectures to prepare future entrepreneurs.

[caption id="attachment_35327" align="aligncenter" width="732"] Surya Maddula pitching at BITS Pilani Dubai's YEB[/caption]

He also traveled to Dubai for the Young Entrepreneurs’ Boot Camp (YEB) held at the BITS Pilani Dubai Campus. It was his first international flight alone after passing the selection process that comprised a written application with several questions.

“My experience there was fantastic,” he says about the trip. “I was able to explore the city, understand it, and navigate the differences between Bengaluru and Dubai. I spent an entire day with one of my friends from TKS, and we explored the city together on the metro, the tram, and on foot from Al Karama to Atlantis. The city is magical. There’s a lot a person can learn from being in a foreign country.” Surya is grateful to everyone who made this trip happen, especially Dr. Ramachandran from the BITS Pilani - Dubai Campus.

While exploring different career options, after finishing university, he is determined to work around computer science and AI, irrespective of what he chooses to become.

Finding support in family, hobbies, and a good lifestyle

The youngster finds immense support in his family, and just by looking at his parents, he learns life lessons every day. “My dad is the best life coach, and my mom’s perspective on things is on par with how good her food is,” he says. Being always ready to face anything while keeping the environment at home peaceful, working hard, and not letting one part of one’s life affect the other are the qualities of his parents that he would like to learn.

[caption id="attachment_35318" align="aligncenter" width="722"] Surya Maddula at Shell Changemakers of Tomorrow conference in Bengaluru with Yuri Sebregts, CTO, Shell[/caption]

The teenager loves swimming, sketching, and basketball and considers sleep integral to well-being. “Sleep is so underrated. I can feel myself getting recharged when I get a good night’s sleep,” he says.

He is an avid currency collector and has currency from across the globe - from Venezuela to the UAE to Uzbekistan to Hong Kong to Singapore. “I haven’t visited all these countries but got them by trading with other collectors,” he signs off.

Follow Surya Maddula on LinkedIn

Reading Time: 5 mins

Riya Karumanchi: Young innovator empowering the visually impaired with SmartCane

(November 14, 2024) One afternoon in Toronto, Riya Karumanchi was at a friend's house when she noticed her friend's grandmother, who was visually impaired, moving slowly and carefully around the room. The woman relied on her white cane, tapping it as she went, trying to feel her way through. The scene left a powerful impression on young Riya. "She was bumping into a lot of things, trying to get around," Riya recalled. "She told me the device she was using was literally just a stick. And it's never been updated." That ordinary white cane, a standard for over a century, suddenly looked painfully outdated and insufficient. Riya could not shake the question: Why hadn't anyone improved this? From that moment, Riya was on a mission. Her idea was simple yet revolutionary: visually impaired people deserve modern tools, just like everyone else. She founded SmartCane, a high-tech reimagining of the white cane that uses haptic-based GPS navigation and ultrasonic sensors to guide visually impaired users safely. "It was just so baffling to me," Riya said in an interview, "that nobody invented and innovated on something so traditional. And it’s been like that for so long." [caption id="attachment_40362" align="aligncenter" width="471"] Riya Karumanchi[/caption]

g class="wp-image-40362 size-full" src="https://www.globalindian.com/youth/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/riya23.webp" alt="SmartCane | Riya Karumanchi | Global Indian" width="471" height="480" /> Riya Karumanchi[/caption]

Riya’s work quickly expanded. Over the past few years, she has launched two med tech companies. In addition to SmartCane, she founded another company focused on developing a wearable device for monitoring patients in retirement homes. Her work on this led her to join Deloitte’s aging technology team, where she led an innovation project to develop a wearable device powered by machine learning to predict falls up to three weeks in advance, aiming to improve the quality of life and independence for elderly users.

Turning Vision into Reality

With each step, Riya spent hours researching assistive technologies, often surprised by how overlooked the accessibility community was. “There are so many unsolved problems around the world,” she explained. “The accessibility community was a huge group that was being left behind!” Her goal went beyond improving one device—she wanted to set a new standard for inclusive innovation.

[caption id="attachment_40360" align="aligncenter" width="753"] Riya with SmartCane[/caption]

With the SmartCane, Riya wanted to bridge a technological gap for the visually impaired. The cane uses GPS to guide users with vibrations—one buzz for left, two for right. Ultrasonic sensors detect obstacles from knee to head level, alerting the user with vibrations. In the future, Riya plans to add a camera with AI that could recognize faces and identify objects. “It’s about improving accessibility and empowering people to move independently,” she explained, summing up SmartCane’s mission.

Her SmartCane prototype gained support from both the visually impaired community and investors. She raised over $85,000 from major companies like Microsoft and Arrow Electronics, and with a team of engineers, brought the SmartCane closer to commercialisation. "We've had so much support, and it’s been really helpful, so I'm excited to actually get the cane into the market," she said.

A Second-Generation Perspective

Riya’s ambition and work ethic come from her close-knit Indian family in Canada, part of a vibrant community that values social responsibility. Her parents, who encouraged her curiosity and creativity, also instilled in her a sense of responsibility to use technology for real-world solutions. “They always pushed me to think about how I could make a difference," the Global Indian said. Their support, along with her community’s values, helped her stay determined as she worked to make her vision a reality. Like many young, second-generation Indians, Riya balances respect for her heritage with a forward-thinking approach, finding ways to contribute to both her local and global communities

A New Generation of Women in STEM

Riya's success reflects a broader movement: young women are increasingly making their mark in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Riya herself recognises this shift. "I've been seeing an amazing movement that's been encouraging more and more females to pursue a career in STEM, with so many resources and support. This is wonderful, and we need more things like this!", said the girl who is pursuing MS computer science from Stanford University. Although women remain underrepresented in certain tech fields, initiatives that provide mentorship and STEM exposure are helping young girls find their place in these traditionally male-dominated arenas.

Riya’s success has inspired her to share her insights with others. She currently mentors startup founders in Silicon Valley and Toronto, particularly helping young people get started in entrepreneurship.

Exploring New Frontiers

Beyond health tech, Riya has recently turned her attention to clean technology, interested in how engineering can help develop sustainable energy solutions. This new area represents her commitment to using her skills and experience for social impact, whether in health, accessibility, or the environment. She’s currently exploring ideas in energy resource engineering and hopes to contribute to innovations that advance clean tech in practical ways.

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

Looking Ahead

Riya’s goal is to create products that make a meaningful impact on people’s lives. Her SmartCane is just the start of her vision for accessible technology, and her work with elderly care and interest in clean tech show her commitment to addressing real-world problems. “Instead of building a company that has a valuation of a billion dollars, it’s the person that can impact a billion people,” she said. “It’s ambitious, but that’s my goal.”

In Riya Karumanchi, we see a powerful example of how today’s youth are using technology not just to innovate, but to make a positive difference. As SmartCane moves closer to commercial release and she explores new projects, Riya’s journey encourages others to think big, act with compassion, and break down barriers in the tech industry.

Follow Riya Karumanchi on LinkedIn

Transcendental prodigy: 100 world records, three honorary doctorates and 200 awards – K Prisha is the youngest yoga guru of the visually impaired

(November 5, 2023) Teen prodigy K Prisha is often addressed as "Dr Prisha" in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, and rightly so. The youngster has been honoured with not just one but three honorary doctorates for her spectacular achievements in yoga and social service — from the University of Jerusalem Medical College & Hospitals, Vellore (2019), Indian Empire University, Chennai (2021), and World Tamil University of USA (2021). [caption id="attachment_19534" align="aligncenter" width="511"] K Prisha, yoga prodigy[/caption] In 2018 and again in 2019, Prisha brought home the gold in the international yoga championships held in Mayalsia and Thailand. She’s also the youngest yoga teacher for the blind and has been certified by the NCPCR, government of India and holds 100 world records for a plethora of skills – yoga, swimming, blind-folded cycling, skating, ambidextrous writing, solving the Rubik’s Cube, Aqua Yoga, and more. Global University, Missouri, USA, recognised Prisha as the youngest person to hold the maximum number of world records. This little bundle of talent has even written a book, Yoga Indrae Seivom Inbum Peruvom, in Tamil, highlighting the benefits of the 5,000-year-old ancient Indian therapy to prevent and cure three common diseases – diabetes, asthma, and blood pressure. [caption id="attachment_19535" align="aligncenter" width="718"] Prisha's room-full of awards[/caption] Such is

ised Prisha as the youngest person to hold the maximum number of world records. This little bundle of talent has even written a book, Yoga Indrae Seivom Inbum Peruvom, in Tamil, highlighting the benefits of the 5,000-year-old ancient Indian therapy to prevent and cure three common diseases – diabetes, asthma, and blood pressure.

[caption id="attachment_19535" align="aligncenter" width="718"] Prisha's room-full of awards[/caption]

Such is her command of yoga therapy that people in Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry flock to her for treatment and workshops. "Yoga improves immunity, stamina, and focus." I have been doing it since I was one-year-old, "Prisha tells Global Indian. It has helped her "get superpowers," she says, claiming she can "bend a spoon if I want by looking at it (telekinesis)." She’s so attuned to her senses and surroundings that she can ride a bicycle or cook blindfolded.

I can body scan for healing diseases and also make future predictions with the deep focus that I have attained from yoga and meditation - K Prisha

Teacher and healer who is sought by many

The youngster, who has an impressive collection of over 200 medals, awards, and certificates that she bagged in state-wide, national, and international competitions and events, teaches yoga every day to the visually-challenged. She has also been teaching the elderly in old age homes, and NCC cadets, apart from conducting numerous workshops for people from different walks of life. With her guidance, visually challenged students have found a drastic improvement in their eyesight. Schoolkids have also enhanced their focus, and the elderly and those who suffered from COVID-19 are able to lead healthier lives. One of her visually impaired students even went on to break a world record in yoga.

[caption id="attachment_19541" align="aligncenter" width="546"] Prisha with her visually impaired students[/caption]

It all started at home...

Yoga flows in the family. Since Prisha's mother, G Devi Priya, a lawyer by qualification and a yoga teacher by passion, was deeply seeped in it, the prodigy started showing interest in it when she was just one year old. She could do some asanas even before she could walk. The legacy starts with her grandmother, who is a professor of Yoga in Pondicherry. So far, Devi Priya has been her first and only guru, under whose guidance the teen has made extraordinary achievements.

Despite being a gold-medalist in law and MSc in naturopathy and yoga, Devi Priya has been completely focused on managing her multi-talented daughter’s schedules, travelling with her for workshops and competitions.

Her father, Karthik Rajendran, is a businessman and sports enthusiast who has inspired Prisha to excel in sports and martial arts like tennis and karate. At the age of seven, she participated in state and national level crossbow shooting and won gold medal in both. The multi-talented teen has a blue belt in karate and has won several competitions in it as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfkTKEO3Gz0

However, the love for yoga surpasses all. "I want to become a doctor of naturopathy and spread awareness of yoga throughout the world," says the teenager, who has been invited as a judge at the National Youth Festival conducted by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and as chief guest to an event at Nehru Yuva Kendra, a Government of India entity. The youngster’s list of achievements never seems to end. She has been invited to several television programmes covering her extraordinary talent, and has been leaving people awestruck with her ability to instantly choreograph any dance number while possessing a great ear for music.

Yoga for a good life

The standard nine student of Meena Shankar Vidyalaya School, Tirunelveli, looks at her passion to teach yoga as a vehicle of the common good, so that even the vulnerable, like the differently-abled, can benefit and lead a wholesome life. Her dream is impressive — to adopt a village and teach yoga to everyone there.

[caption id="attachment_19546" align="aligncenter" width="712"] Prisha participating in a yoga competition, a few years ago[/caption]

In 2022, the golden girl of yoga had went to two international trips. She went to Malaysia for a 16-day workshop organised by the Malaysian Association for the Blind where she also conducted a four-day camp on yoga awareness. She also travelled to Dubai to receive the Global Child Prodigy award, which was conferred to 99 other youngsters from across the globe. "Until now I have transformed lives of more than 10 million people through free yoga classes," tells Prisha who hopes to transform more lives in India and abroad in the days to come.

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