Global Indianstory Global Indian ExclusiveForbes 30 Under 30 Asia leaders Gagandeep and Gursimran on creating India’s first AI-powered, driverless car

Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia leaders Gagandeep and Gursimran on creating India’s first AI-powered, driverless car

By: Amrita Priya

(September 3, 2024) Bengaluru-based entrepreneurs Gagandeep Reehal and Gursimran Kalra unveiled the next generation of autonomous mobility last year with a driverless car, zPod – India’s first autonomous vehicle without a steering wheel. Equipped with a network of strategically placed high-resolution cameras, the vehicle can continuously capture real-time images of the surroundings and feed them into an advanced AI system. The AI then processes this visual data, making intelligent decisions to safely navigate and drive without any human input.

“It showcases True Vision Autonomy, relying purely on camera sensors (yes, ‘only’) for the first time in history,” remarked Gagandeep Reehal while sharing a video of Kris Gopalakrishnan, co-founder of Infosys, and TCM Sundaram, Chairman of Chiratae Ventures, taking the country’s first autonomous vehicle ride with him.

With this groundbreaking innovation in 2023, the co-founders of Minus Zero started 2024 on a high note. They not only secured a partnership with Ashok Leyland and the International Institute of Information Technology Hyderabad (IIITH) but also earned a spot on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list.

“But this is just the beginning; much more is on the way. While we are the faces of this project, it belongs to the entire team at Minus Zero,” remarked Gagandeep after being named in the 2024 Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list.

Nature-inspired AI

At Minus Zero, the approach to AI is deeply inspired by nature, particularly in how humans develop intelligence. Unlike traditional AI, which often focuses on highly specialised tasks, Minus Zero’s nature-inspired AI aims to emulate the way humans learn and adapt.

“Human intelligence begins with a broad, generalised understanding of the world, which is gradually refined into specialised skills, such as driving. This process allows humans to adapt to new environments and tasks efficiently, explains Gagandeep adding, “In driving, for example, humans didn’t learn by mastering every specific situation first. Instead, we developed a foundational understanding of how the world works—like recognizing obstacles, predicting the behaviour of other drivers, and making quick decisions based on constantly changing surroundings. This generalised intelligence is what Minus Zero seeks to replicate in its AI systems.”

By building AI that mimics this adaptive, learning-based approach, Minus Zero’s technology doesn’t rely on extensive pre-mapped data or an overload of sensors. Instead, it can adjust to new geographies, vehicle types, and unpredictable scenarios, just as a human would.

This innovation in AI doesn’t just make autonomous driving possible; it makes it safer and more adaptable, aiming to overcome the limitations of current robotics and AI systems in driving, believe the entrepreneurs.

The Minus Zero journey

High school friends Gagandeep and Gursimran founded Minus Zero in 2020 as two undergraduates with a bold vision for solving autonomous driving challenges in India.

“Minus Zero is India’s first startup building foundational AI models for autonomous driving, delivered as an industry-first intelligent platform for automotive OEMs, enabling autopilot and self-driving capabilities for next-generation vehicles across all geographies,” Gagandeep shared.

Having demonstrated India’s first autonomous concept vehicle, the zPod, the start-up has garnered support from leading investors like Chiratae Ventures and others.

AI innovators | Gagandeep Reehal and Gursimran Kalra | Global Indian

Gagandeep Reehal at Dubai World Trade Centre

In addition to the recent Forbes accolade, Minus Zero has been recognized with prestigious awards such as the NASSCOM AI Gamechanger award. The company has also represented India on international stages, including Vivatech 2023 in Paris, France, and the World Self-Driving Congress in Dubai.

Driving the future of Indian commercial vehicles with Ashok Leyland

Sealing a deal with Ashok Leyland, the country’s top commercial vehicle manufacturer, is a great milestone for the young entrepreneurs who are in their early twenties. The partnership is set to transform the commercial trucking industry by deploying autonomous solutions on a large scale.

Minus Zero’s pioneering autonomous driving platform, powered by its innovative nature-inspired AI technology would be integrated into Ashok Leyland’s fleet of commercial vehicles. The collaboration aims to enable safe and scalable adoption of autonomous driving in the commercial vehicle sector.

Minus Zero COO Gursimran, Ashok Leyland CTO N Saravanan and Minus Zero CEO & CTO Gagandeep

“Ashok Leyland brings decades of experience in delivering high quality products at scale and we are excited to partner with them in this journey of accelerating autonomous driving in India and globally. This partnership marks the beginning of India’s autonomous driving story,” said Gagandeep after signing the deal.

The collaboration is initially focused on developing customised autonomous trucking solutions for ports, factory operations, and corporate campuses. As regulations around autonomous driving evolve, the entrepreneurs plan to expand into hub-to-hub applications and long-haul trucking.

“Minus Zero’s groundbreaking work is a step towards creating autonomous vehicles that can navigate the complexities of real-world environments with the same intuitive understanding that humans possess,” Gagandeep remarks.

Follow Gagandeep Reehal and Gursimran Kalra on LinkedIn

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Published on 03, Sep 2024

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Scaling new heights: Meet young Indian mountaineers who are climbing their success peaks

(January 13, 2023) When mountaineer Avtar Singh Cheema first decided to be a part of the Indian Army mission to scale Mt Everest in 1965, many in his village came to see him off, thinking they wouldn't meet him again. He went on to become the first Indian to conquer the world's tallest mountain, inspiring many Indians to undertake challenging expeditions. However, the last few years have seen a steep rise in the number of young mountaineers who are not afraid to scale the heights of these ice monsters. Global Indian takes a look at some of these young mountaineers, who are flying the nation's tricolour very high - quite literally! Arjun Vajpai Snowed in for seventy-two hours at 7,000 metres, Arjun Vajpai lost sensation in the left side of his body. His Sherpas had long since abandoned the teenager – his first attempt to scale Mount Cho Oyu in Nepal in 2012 had resulted in catastrophe. Arjun is no ordinary kid, however, two years prior, in 2010, he had achieved the ultimate mountaineering feat – scaling Mount Everest – and becoming the youngest Indian ever to do so. In 2011, he became the youngest person to climb Lhotse and the

ount Everest – and becoming the youngest Indian ever to do so. In 2011, he became the youngest person to climb Lhotse and the youngest mountaineer to scale Mount Manaslu. No stranger to adversity, therefore, Arjun began the agonising descent from Mount Cho Oyu, crawling for 17 hours using only his right arm and leg.

[caption id="attachment_17559" align="aligncenter" width="582"] Arjun at the Kangchenjunga Base Camp, in 2018[/caption]

Today, the youngster holds the title of being the world’s youngest mountaineer to summit six out of the total 14 highest mountains in the world. Born to Col. Sanjeev Vajpai and Priya Vajpai in 1993, Arjun’s fascination for trekking and mountaineering goes back to his childhood. He started young and began training at the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, Uttarkashi. The mountaineer who loves exploring the routes of new peaks, however, doesn't feel are records are endgame. "It makes me feel super happy but I’m not someone who chases records. It’s a moment of pride, not just for me but for the country, to hold a title and each time motivates me to climb more and take India’s flag to some of the highest peaks on earth. I want to be the youngest in the world to do all 14 peaks above 8,000 metres," he shared during a press interaction.

Anvitha Reddy

The youngest daughter of a farmer from a small district of Telangana, Bhongir, Anvitha was always good at sports. She got to know about mountaineering while pursuing her graduation and was motivated by her physical education trainer to join a group training to climb Mt Kilimanjaro - the highest peak in the African continent. There was no looking back for this mountaineer after she conquered the African giant in January 2021. The same year, Avnitha scaled Mt Elbrus and Mt Khadey.

In 2022, Anvitha became the first Indian woman to reach the True Summit of Mount Manaslu - the world’s eighth-highest mountain (8,163 metres) - in Nepal. "I was ecstatic on reaching the top of the world, a moment I aspired for the last eight years had come true. It was this moment which kept me going despite enormous challenges," the mountaineer shared during a press interaction, adding, "I’ve planned to climb seven mountains in the seven continents in one-and-half years. Now that I’ve already climbed three, the next treks will begin in December."

Virat Chandra

When a five-year-old Virat first told his parents that he wanted to climb mountains, his parents thought that it was just one of those things kids say while growing up, and forget about the next day. But when Virat persisted, they had no choice but to introduce him to a local mountaineering trainer. Exactly two years later, Virat Chandra Telukunta became one of the youngest mountaineers to summit Mt Kilimanjaro in 2021. And just one year later, Virat won the prestigious Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar.

"I remember when we stepped out for the last leg of climbing Kilimanjaro, the visibility was very low. I was frightened because it was still dark and whistling winds with a snow downpour. With support from our guides, we could make it to the summit. It took almost eight hours to reach the summit," the mountaineer shares, adding, "I am very happy and proud that I was honoured by the Prime Minister of India. I have just started my mountaineering journey and there are many other peaks I want to scale."

Piyali Basak

A young primary school teacher from the small village of Chandernagore in West Bengal, Piyali Basak created history by becoming the first Indian to scale the highest mountain in the world, Mt Everest, without any supplemental oxygen in 2022. The mountaineer, who has been passionate about this adventure sport since she was a young girl, had attempted the record in 2019 as well, however, had to drop the plan due to bad weather conditions. But that is not where it ends. After conquering Everest, she climbed Mount Lhotse - the world's fourth-tallest mountain - in just two days. In 2021, the young mountaineer also climbed Mount Dhaulagiri in Nepal without oxygen supplementation.

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A post shared by Piyali Basak (@piyali.basak.90)

The mountaineer, who was inspired by legendary Tenzing Norgay, shared with the press, "I started my journey when I was just five. I could climb mountains easily without any support. I started going for treks at an early age and developed a passion for them. Mountaineering is my life and I will continue climbing new peaks, and making my country proud."

Reading Time: 6 mins

‘App’solute vision: Diana Awardee Freya Thakral’s recycling & mental health smart solutions

(February 16, 2022) Frantically scribbling away ideas for a startup in 2019, Freya Thakral stumbled upon the huge plastic waste menace. The then 13-year-old created an app that recycles plastic, and even helps ragpickers live dignified life. The same year, India generated over 34 lakh tons of plastic waste, and the teenager knew it was time to take matters into her hand. Freya’s Recycler App, a free door-to-door waste collection service won her the Diana Award 2020. “I had no idea that my work was creating such a huge difference. The award was a validation of sorts, and has made me more comfortable about the path that I have taken,” she tells Global Indian. Incredibly, this isn’t the only app that made Freya a global name. The 15-year-old won the British Citizen Youth Award 2021 for empowering girls to express themselves through her wellbeing app Curiousify. An initiative that began during the pandemic, it helps women deal with mental health issues. [caption id="attachment_10922" align="aligncenter" width="493"] Freya Thakral at Young Founders Summit[/caption] When adventure gave her ideas Born in 2006 to a teacher-father and a homemaker-mother in the UK, Freya moved to Nepal with family at six owing to her dad’s

c1684-c02f-47a3-9d54-e084185d53901.jpg" alt="Diana Awardee | Freya Thakral " width="493" height="657" /> Freya Thakral at Young Founders Summit[/caption]

When adventure gave her ideas

Born in 2006 to a teacher-father and a homemaker-mother in the UK, Freya moved to Nepal with family at six owing to her dad’s sense of adventure. “After a year-and-a-half in Nepal, we moved to Delhi which was my home for almost five years,” says the 15-year-old who enrolled in the British School then. Fitting in was a task as neither was she “academically inclined” nor did she have “any particular hobbies.” However, things shifted for the teenager when she decided to participate in the Young Founders Summit, a global start-up competition and accelerator programme. There, Freya came up with the recycling app.

“Since I stayed in the UK and Nepal, I had seen the way waste was disposed. If England has a set system of disposing, open dumping of solid waste was a common practice in Nepal. In Delhi too, plastic was mixed with other waste, making it difficult to recycle. I realised no one was encouraged to recycle. That’s when the idea of a Recycler App struck me,” smiles the innovator who then involved ragpickers to help them in their vulnerability.

From “rags” to sustainable riches

It was after speaking to marginalised ragpickers in her locality, many of them children, Freya realised the need to build a more sustainable method of recycling. Driven by a passion to transform the lives of ragpickers, she decided to build the app to connect users with ragpickers.

The summit helped her find her first investor. With funds pouring in, she set up a warehouse in Ghaziabad and paid money to ragpickers. “A judge liked my idea, and even got me in touch with an investor who helped me understand the business side,” says the Class 10 student who had to learn coding online to develop the app with a little help from her father.

Launched in June 2019 on iOS, the app was initially available in South Delhi. “Anyone who wanted to avail the services could simply slot a date and time, and the ragpicker would collect plastic at the doorstep, which was sent to a recycling plant,” explains the young activist who at first started with only three collectors, and soon the number grew to 10.

[caption id="attachment_10924" align="aligncenter" width="620"] Freya Thakral with the middleman[/caption]

However, convincing ragpickers to work wasn’t easy. “Being so young, not many believe in your vision. So, it took time building trust. We worked with a middleman who had access to the app, and would send ragpickers to homes as not everyone had a touchscreen phone,” explains the Diana Awardee. Her motto was to improve the lives of ragpickers, and employ them. “Instead of roaming the streets, they could reach people who required their services. We would also pay a large part of the money we received from recycling to them,” adds the Brighton School Bangkok student who had 500 active users on the app that she calls the “Uber of recycling.”

Awards & glory thanks to a vision

Freya won the Diana Award 2020 for her app, and it completely “surprised” her.

“I had no idea that my work was getting noticed. While I couldn’t receive the award in person due to the pandemic, it was great connecting with those doing noteworthy work,” smiles the Diana Awardee.

Recycler’s operations are on hold since the pandemic began in 2020. “Collectors weren’t allowed into people’s houses. Since many came from squatter settlements, people were uncomfortable having them near during Covid-19. I, too, moved to the UK, thus it was hard to manage,” reveals Freya who wasn’t sure of “putting the burden of the business on someone else” in her absence. A handful of old users still use the app, and avail services.

Helping those struggling in the pandemic

As lockdown put a spade on everything, Freya was busy creating the app Curiousify which focusses on wellbeing and the mental health of young women. After experiencing emotional difficulties, she needed a constructive outlet to express herself. “I realised many young women going through issues were exposed to negative and incorrect information, thus exacerbating the situation. So, I decided to bring a sense of community with Curiousify,” reveals the girl who offers a curated collection of bite-sized articles and videos that are positive and helpful. The mental health campaigner won the British Citizen Youth Award 2021 for empowering girls to express themselves.

[caption id="attachment_10926" align="aligncenter" width="516"] Freya Thakral at the British Citizen Youth Award 2021[/caption]

Freya is now bettering the app by adding new features like a language convertor to make it accessible to a larger audience. Looking forward to working for something bigger than her, the Diana Awardee avers, “Joining the United Nations is definitely on my list.”

She credits the awards for opening her mind to possibilities. “The current generation needs to get out of their comfort zone,” she implores.

Follow Freya Thakral on Linkedin

Reading Time: 5 min

De‘coding’ tech: Berkeley sophomore Krish Samtani’s 0Gravity turns geeks into pro coders

(March 4, 2022) Did you know that IT’s top brass like Larry Page, Bill Gates, and Steve Dorsey were all coding prodigies before they launched ground-breaking tech conglomerates? Not too long ago, coding was considered the forte of computer geeks, an intimidating concept to many. Yet, that seems to be changing with coding clubs mushrooming across the country. And one such Indian coder looking to change how coding is perceived is Krish Samtani. The 19-year-old student of UC Berkeley launched 0Gravity coding, a non-profit startup, back when he was a school student in Bengaluru. The free coding club encourages students as young as 10 to learn the nuances of coding to explore a world of innovation and problem solving. Today, the teen, who received the Leadership Award Scholarship by the alumni association of his college, has educated over 1,500 children, including the children of sex workers. Incidentally, Krish is also an Ashoka Changemaker for creating social impact through his venture. When tech called, Krish answered Born in New Jersey, Krish, the elder of two siblings, moved to Bengaluru when he was eight-years-old. Both his parents – Gunjan and Dimple – work with leading financial service companies, and Krish was always

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When tech called, Krish answered

Born in New Jersey, Krish, the elder of two siblings, moved to Bengaluru when he was eight-years-old. Both his parents – Gunjan and Dimple – work with leading financial service companies, and Krish was always encouraged to push his boundaries and go beyond the ordinary. As he schooled at the International School Bengaluru, Krish found himself drawn to the world of technology when he attended a summer camp as an eighth grader at Johns Hopkins University.

“That summer camp was one of the first times I got the opportunity to learn an applied style of education, where I did some basic mathematical modelling using coding for climate change,” Krish tells Global Indian, adding, “As opposed to the heavily theoretical curriculum I was studying back in India, this style of learning gave me a chance to build my knowledge on a practical level, rather than being confined to a textbook. As such, my passion for applied coding grew stronger over the years.”

[caption id="attachment_11806" align="aligncenter" width="505"] Krish with his family[/caption]

Inspired by this applied education, Krish was looking to attend such a class back home in Bengaluru. Unable to find any, he founded a movement to teach other children applied computer science. “That’s how 0Gravity came about in 2017. The purpose was to spark an interest and a vision amongst children that education goes far beyond the classroom, by making the sessions fun and interactive,” this Indian coder says.

Unscrambling the code

Since its inception, 0Gravity has had executives and professionals from leading technical industries deliver lessons, and talks to students. The idea, says Krish, has been to impart knowledge that can give students a glimpse of the opportunities the workforce offers. “We organise workshops that last three months, with around 20 students per batch. We have managed to educate 1,500+ students, including 700 girls in the five years since 0Gravity launched,” says the young coder, who is now a sophomore at University of California, Berkeley, where he is studying applied mathematics with a concentration on data science.

[caption id="attachment_11807" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Krish with his 0Gravity batch of students[/caption]

On how he’s connected with students at 0Gravity as a mentor, he says, “The premise of 0Gravity has always been to create an enjoyable, inclusive, and immersive learning environment. Although I was responsible for mentoring students and in growing the movement across companies, I was certainly learning a lot about myself, the students, and the growing importance of technology in the process. In addition to coding fundamentals, some of the things I picked up in my 0Gravity journey were communication (speaking with different audiences), time management, working with a team, and the various stages involved in starting an organisation.”

A ‘firm’ knowledge

Krish has partnered with several firms to establish 0Gravity programmes in three countries – India, US and England. “The firm that has been the most crucial to our expansion globally is Saggezza Inc, with whom we have set up programmes in Bengaluru, Chennai, Sunderland, and Chicago,” reveals the coder, who says that the world is becoming increasingly digitised in every facet of life and the industry. “Coding is as important a skill as reading and writing in our contemporary lives. In order to build strong foundational bases, it is important for children to hone their coding skills,” says Krish, whose father Gunjan has been the backbone of his journey with 0Gravity.

[caption id="attachment_11808" align="aligncenter" width="695"] Krish with his professors at University of California, Berkeley[/caption]

As a student in the US, Krish has been involved in various clubs and college activities including the data science and entrepreneurship clubs. “Learning here has been a pleasure too. A lot of my professors are Noble laureates and I’ve had the opportunity to meet many new people,” says the coder, who doesn’t mind bridging the time difference to continue conducting 0Gravity workshops. “I enjoy attending sessions on weekends, and value those couple of hours highly.”

Follow Krish Samtani on LinkedIn

Reading Time: 8 mins

How international youth awards are creating global teen leaders, spearheading innovation

(January 19, 2022) Come February, the world will witness two Indian child prodigies - young innovator Vinisha Umashankar and teen golfer Avani Prashanth gracing the stage in Dubai to receive the Global Child Prodigy Award 2022. If one is an activist to protect green cover, the other teen wonder is India’s number one amateur golfer. It’s their contribution to the world of innovation and sports that’s made them stand tall among the 100 child prodigies from across the globe. https://twitter.com/Vinisha27738476/status/1470675490134388739 With their passion, dynamism, and appetite to learn and adapt fast, the youth of today is bringing an incremental change in society, and putting India on the global map. While their work is attracting global attention, their efforts are being lauded and recognised too, helping catapult them into the league of future leaders. Be it social activist Devanshi Ranjan who has won the Diana Award 2021 for her work to uplift marginalised groups in highly sensitive rural areas in India or teenage brothers Vihaan and Nav Agarwal who received the Children’s Peace Prize 2021 for tackling pollution in their home city by recycling household waste - these youngsters are making the right noise with their work and the well-deserved recognition.

l-deserved recognition.

Finding their tribe

It's these laurels and accolades that has made these youngsters a name to reckon with, and helped them find their tribe. Bengaluru's Sia Godika was a regular teenager working for a social cause until she found herself in London brushing shoulders with the bigwigs while receiving the Diana Legacy Award 2021. The girl behind Sole Warriors initiative that collects used shoes, refurbishes them, and donates them to the needy, has found an army of supporters and mentors, thanks to the accolades bestowed on her.

“The recognition which ensues is extremely helpful as it allows me to build a network of volunteers, supporters, and mentors. During the Diana Legacy Award, I connected with many international do-gooders. I met a co-awardee from Liberia who was so impressed with my initiative that he is helping me expand Sole Warriors to his country,” Sia shares with Global Indian.

Amplifying the impact through guidance

The awards ceremonies often work as the perfect platform for young minds to meet mentors, exchange ideas, and find healthy support systems. This synergy helps amplify the impact multifold. STEM innovator Niharika Shukla, whose ASD device helps detect autism, agrees, “The support and mentorship I’ve received from companies through awards, scholarships, and programmes have enabled me to learn more about technology and increase my impact through creating innovations to solve problems.”

The 2021 Science Fair Grand Champion and Broadcom MASTERS Top 300, Niharika is finding solutions to global issues, and believes that the support paves a way for better prospects. “Even though I’m only 14-years-old, and in middle school, support and mentorship from companies encouraging youth innovators goes a long way in helping me pave a way for my future in STEM careers and studies in college in technology and innovation,” adds the 14-year-old researcher.

Sia, too, believes in the power of such opportunities as they open the floor for interaction and knowledge dissemination. “During the Diana Legacy Award ceremony, I had the opportunity to meet CEOs, entrepreneurs, volunteers, and influencers who have their social ventures. They taught us how to manage stress, set SMART goals for ourselves, deal with the mental challenges which come with working in a challenging sector at a young age,” adds Sia, the recipient of APJ Abdul Kalam Social Volunteer Award 2021. She informs that she will be a part of a two-year mentorship programme where awardees like her are helped by mentors in their initiatives.

Motivation is the key

For some youth, motivation is the driving force to keep up the good work, and Feeding India founder Ankit Kawatra is the perfect example of it. After being selected as the United National Young Leader for Sustainable Development Goals in 2016 for tackling the issue of food waste in India, he received the Queen Young Leaders Award in 2017 for his contribution to solving India’s hunger crisis. His exceptional work has helped serve over 15.3 crore meals as of September 2021, and he takes every award as a guiding light towards fulfilling his mission.

Sharing a picture with Queen Elizabeth II, he tweeted, “Throwback to the day I was honoured by Her Majesty the Queen of England at the Buckingham Palace for my work at @FeedingIndia. Thank you @queenscomtrust and my fellow @QueensLeaders for motivating me to always work harder!”

Throwback to the day I was honoured by Her majesty the Queen of England at the Bukingham Palace for my work at @FeedingIndia. Thank you @queenscomtrust and my fellow @QueensLeaders for motivating me to always work harder! #ThrowbackThursday pic.twitter.com/22Z0eiDzTp

— Ankit Kawatra (@ankit_kawatra) January 3, 2019

Vinisha, who designed solar ironing cart, found her moment in the sun after she received the Children's Climate Prize 2020 and was the finalist for The Earthshot Prize 2021. Calling the award a stepping stone,she says, "I was happy that environmental innovations like a solar ironing cart got due recognition. It can play a crucial role in reducing environmental damage and climate change. I hope my innovation motivates students to innovate on products that could help protect the environment for future generations. I am happy that the solar ironing cart is my little contribution towards an ambitious goal.”

Paving the future

But more than anything, these honours are helping young minds carve a bright future for themselves. For the Indian American 2021 Global Teen Leader Jeeva Senthilnathan, such recognition has helped her in building trust within the community. The Chicago-based teenager, who is hoping to create change through leadership and mental health awareness, calls it the perfect validation for her work.

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A post shared by Jeeva Senthilnathan (@jeeva.senthilnathan)

“I want people to know that I am a trusted leader, and with these recognitions, I think that I know it will pave the way for me when I am older to gain other powerful political positions. We need more women in the office writing policies and leading the government. I hope to run for US Congress in the House of Representatives one day, and I want people to remember my name. These recognitions give me an opening into future college pursuits,” adds the winner of the Philanthropic Education Organization STAR Scholarship who ran for Parker Town Council.

Empowering youngsters

Awards are often a way of celebrating youngsters and turning on the spotlight on their work. Luke Tester, a judge for the Diana Award said in a statement, “Recognising young change makers can empower them, and those around them, to continue the good work – to let them know that the world has noticed and wants to say thank you. They may not be doing the task for recognition, but that certainly doesn’t mean that they don’t deserve it.”

If the International Eco-Hero awards honour the work of young environmentalists, Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar recognises children with exceptional abilities and achievements and Jefferson Awards praise the local unsung heroes who are making the world a better place through volunteering. The recognition not just helps them spread their wings but also makes them confident leaders.

“International awards and recognition give a lot of exposure to the children which eventually supports them in building a better career. It also enables them to indulge in creative innovations. Not only this, these awards encourage youngsters to think and act as global citizens,” says Vibha Suri, a teacher at Bhai Parmanand Vidya Mandir School, Delhi.

As more and more Indian-origin youngsters are coming into their own as entrepreneurs, innovators, and activists, the recognition is helping them find the courage to continue their initiatives and keep creating a change in society.

(With inputs from Team Global Indian)

Wonder Kid: Kiara Kaur’s journey through books, speeches and world records

(November 29, 2023) “Curiosity is a spark behind every great idea and I'm born with an extra scoop of that,” said five-year-old Kiara Kaur in the opening remark of her TEDx Talk on the theme, ‘Unboxing Curiosity’. In an age where digital technology has deeply integrated into the lives of children, Kiara, a voracious reader is defying the norms. She discovered her love for reading when she was merely two, and since then, has immersed herself in it. “I have read more than 2,000 books until now,” she said adding, “By listening to this you must have assumed that I am a gifted child with an extraordinary talent but let me tell you, I am just like any other kid born in this world.” Owing to her fervent passion for reading, Kiara accomplished remarkable feats by gaining entry into the World Book of Records in London, and also the Asia Book of Records. This achievement involved her reading 36 children’s books consecutively within one hour and 45 minutes back in 2021, when she was just four years old. [caption id="attachment_34326" align="aligncenter" width="897"] Kiara Kaur[/caption] Kiara's dedication has captured significant attention on social media. Her story serves as an inspiration, motivating parents

="Indians in UAE | Kiara Kaur | Global Indian" width="897" height="504" /> Kiara Kaur[/caption]

Kiara's dedication has captured significant attention on social media. Her story serves as an inspiration, motivating parents to instil this valuable habit in their own children. Now at the age of six and based in Dubai, Kiara has turned author too and is a sought-after speaker who has earned a second entry into the World Book of Records in London for becoming the youngest keynote speaker to address the World Expo in Dubai.

The author and the speaker

In 2022 Kiara made history by becoming the youngest keynote speaker at the World Expo in Dubai, earning her a place in the World Book of Records in London. Her impactful speech was titled ‘Small Changes, Big Difference’.

Prior to this achievement, as a first-grader, she had delivered a speech during the International Women’s Week celebrations at the Mexico Pavilion. Her speech centered on the crucial theme of women’s empowerment. Kiara had sought guidance from her grandmother, Commander Dr Rita Bhatra, who served in the Border Security Force for 40 years, while preparing for her talk.

In a significant milestone last year, she became one of the youngest TEDx speaker worldwide by addressing a TEDx event held in Maharashtra on Children’s Day, November 14.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1kV3NQ87FY

The little bundle of talents has also authored her first book, titled ‘Diary of a 5-Year-Old Genius Chatterbox Who Set World Records,’ which chronicles her extraordinary journey in her own words. Her mother, Dr Little Mahendra, a dean at a Dental College, mentioned in an NDTV interview that she simply typed as Kiara shared, and the process of book writing took seven months to complete.

Love for books and joy of conversations

Kiara loves the smell of the books and the ambiance of bookstores. Her fondness particularly gravitates towards storybooks adorned with big, colourful pictures and illustrations - they hold a special place in her heart. For her stepping into a bookstore feels like entering her natural habitat, as if she belongs there; she often refers to bookstores as 'the books’ paradise.'

Kiara derives immense joy from sharing the knowledge she acquires with those around her. Engaging in lively conversations is another aspect she cherishes deeply. In her TEDx talk she mentioned being called various names such as chatterbox, gaby, or a talking machine. Despite occasionally feeling disheartened by these labels, she equates conversing with people to the joy a child experiences when given a popsicle — it's a wonderful feeling she finds difficult to resist.

Change in people’s attitude

Even before being introduced to phonics, Kiara had displayed an extraordinary ability to read two or three-letter words, leaving her mother astonished. Intrigued by her daughter's aptitude, Kiara's mother decided to purchase a book for the toddler. "I began craving reading every moment," Kiara recalled. "I read everywhere, in the car, in the doctor's waiting room, even in the bathroom. Soon, books became an indispensable part of my life, and I realised the incredible power of knowledge."

[caption id="attachment_34327" align="aligncenter" width="862"] Kiara Kaur[/caption]

As Kiara delved deeper into reading, her conversational skills blossomed, allowing her to engage effortlessly with individuals of all ages. Armed with the power of knowledge, she noticed a shift in people's attitudes toward her. Previously, being labelled a chatterbox indicated that her constant talking might have led to boredom during interactions, but now, people found delight in conversing with her. Kiara's depth of knowledge surpassed expectations for her age, surprising those around her.

“I started receiving more love by people from all the age groups, and today I'm blessed with many friends. We share books, stories, toys and many other things. So you see that's the change knowledge can bring,” the Global Indian remarked.

Finding support in her mom

Kiara gives all the credits of the kind of person she has turned out to be to her mom, acknowledging her as the fundamental force behind her achievements. During her TEDx Talk, she emphasised, "The bond I share with my mom is what has propelled me to stand here before you." She expressed gratitude for the time, energy, and guidance her mother provides, enabling her to spread her wings wide. The six-year-old affectionately refers to her mother as her 'vitamin.' “My curiosity would have remained locked in a box, if my mother would have not supported me and nurtured my curiosity with her patience,’ she said.

It was her mother who initially introduced her to the enchanting world of books, a gesture for which Kiara feels eternally grateful.

The power of mothers

Kiara firmly believes that a conducive environment is pivotal for children to thrive and succeed, emphasising that youngsters learn and emulate elders around them.

She highlighted the strength of mothers in shaping the life of their children. Kiara praised her lineage, pointing out how her great-grandmother's guidance helped her grandmother to become a gynaecologist, and her grandmother's influence then shaped her own mother, who now holds the position of dean at a dental college.

[caption id="attachment_34331" align="aligncenter" width="438"] Cover image of Kiara Kau's book[/caption]

Encouraging parents, Kiara stressed the importance of investing time in children during their formative years. "As kids, we require more than just food to grow,” she said stressing on how every child needs the freedom to explore their curiosity, allowing it to flourish so that they spread the knowledge in the world through intelligence and wisdom.

“This can't be done without the support and guidance of elders. Our young minds are like bird wings, the more we open, the higher we fly so please give us your time today and I am sure you will be proud of us tomorrow,” she remarked.

What's your Global Indian story? Write to us at editor.gi@globalindian.com

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