Global Indianstory Global Indian ExclusiveFour Golds, One Silver: Math wizards lead India to best-ever performance at International Mathematical Olympiad 2024

Four Golds, One Silver: Math wizards lead India to best-ever performance at International Mathematical Olympiad 2024

By: Amrita Priya

(August 2, 2024) “Apart from the Olympics of sports, a few days ago an Olympics took place in the world of Mathematics – the International Mathematical Olympiad. In this Olympiad, the students of India performed very well,” remarked Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the latest episode of his monthly radio broadcast, Mann Ki Baat. “Our team has given its best performance, winning four golds and one silver. Youth from more than 100 countries participate in the Olympiad, and our team was successful in ranking in the top five in the overall tally,” he said praising the young math wizards.

The six-member team that brought India laurels comprised of Aditya Mangudy Venkat Ganesh (Pune), Siddharth Chopra (Pune), Arjun Gupta (Delhi), Kanav Talwar (Greater Noida), Rushil Mathur (Mumbai), and Anando Bhaduri (Guwahati). This year the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) was held at the University of Bath. After their return from the UK, PM Modi interacted with the team on his radio show. The young winners were connected over the phone during the live broadcast of Mann Ki Baat.

The International Mathematical Olympiad is meant for high school students. The 65th edition of the competition took place between 11th and 22nd July this year. Apart from the five medals, the Indian team got an honourable mention.

India’s legacy at the International Mathematical Olympiad

This year teams from the USA, China, and South Korea finished as the top three winners. India secured a total score of 167, just one mark behind South Korea, which finished third. A total of 609 students (528 male, and 81 female) participated at the IMO 2024, representing 108 countries.

The fourth rank in 2024, marks the best performance by India at the IMO since the country’s debut in 1989, both in terms of the number of gold medals won and the rank achieved. Previously, India’s highest rank was seventh, which was achieved in both IMO 1998 and 2001.

Since 2019 (except for 2020 when the team couldn’t participate), Team India has secured at least one gold medal every year, accumulating a total of nine gold medals over this period.

Indian team member Aditya’s performance also earned him an overall ranking of fifth, marking the best performance by an individual from an Indian team ever.

Talking about his tryst with mathematics Aditya shared with the PM, “I had keen interest in math since early childhood. My teacher in standard six played a significant role in developing my interest in the subject.” While Siddharth his school mate added “I was in same class as Aditya and even I had interest in math since childhood, and the same teacher helped us hone our skills in standard six.”

Indian contingent in the UK

Before heading for the competition, the Indian team trained at the IMO Training Camp held at Chennai Mathematical Institute (CMI). In UK the young math wizards were accompanied by mentors like professor Krishnan Sivasubramanian of IIT Bombay, and former IMO medallists Rijul Saini of Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBSCE), and Rohan Goyal; currently a Ph D student at MIT, USA, among others.

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Apart from participating in the competition the high schoolers were thrilled to meet people from different countries and to explore the city of Bath and Oxford. “We met lots of students from other countries and it was very nice to interact and connect with them. We also got an opportunity to meet several famous mathematicians. We loved exploring the city of Bath and were even taken to Oxford University. It was a very good experience,” Siddharth shared in Mann Ki Baat.

Making friendship with mathematics

Answering Modi’s question on how to build a friendship with mathematics, Rushil remarked, “When we learn addition as kids, we are taught to carry-forward, but we are not taught why carry-forward is important. Similarly, when we learn about compound interest, we never ask where the formula for compound interest comes from. I think that maths is actually an art of thinking and problem-solving. I believe that while practising maths, if we question why we have to do things the way we are taught, and understand the reasons – it would increase our interest in the subject, as students get scared of things which they cannot understand.

Rushil looks at mathematics as a very logical subject. “It allows creative thinking, enabling students to come up with out-of-the-box solutions – a quality that comes in handy in the Maths Olympiad.”

Preparation, selection and family’s support

The students participating in the Mathematical Olympiad get four-and-a-half hours to solve a paper consisting of three long math problems. Although, on average, there is one-and-a-half hours to solve each problem, they are complex and the preparation to answer them correctly takes days.

“During the preparation phase, it takes up to three days to work on one such problem,” Arjun shared. Talking about the preparation process, he informed the PM that the team prepared for IMO by looking up problems on the internet and practising previous years’ papers. “As we worked on the problems, our speed and proficiency increased – most significantly, our problem-solving ability improved, helping us not just in mathematics but in other walks of life.”

Kanav from Greater Noida, who is now in class 11, shared that he started preparing for the Olympiad when he was in standard seven. Both he and Arjun credited their families for support. “I feel that when a member of a family is preparing for such a competition, it’s not just the struggle of the participant but the entire family,” remarked Arjun.

International Mathematical Olympiad 2024 Team

Selection for the finalists from India for the International Mathematical Olympiad is conducted in five stages by the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE). Kanav shared that although he came very close to qualifying last year, he could not finally make it and was dejected. However, he felt motivated by his parents’ words – ‘that it’s the journey that is important, not the destination’. “If we love the subject and enjoy the journey, we will ultimately get success,” was the advice of his parents that kept him motivated.

Strategy of success

It was Anando’s second IMO experience, and he loved both. “Math requires patience,” he believes. “In the way we are taught maths, we are given a formula to memorise. Whether one truly understands the formula is often overlooked. Just solving problems using the formula is emphasised, so that with practice, the formula gets ingrained in memory. But what would happen if one forgets the formula in the exam? Hence students should try to understand the formula first,” was his advice to students.

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Published on 02, Aug 2024

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Tee party: Californian golfer Sahith Theegala clinches 2023 PGA Tour win

(October 17, 2023) "It doesn't feel real. It's probably not going to set in for a while. But man, that was a lot of good golf, and that was some of the most fun I've ever had in my life." 2023 has been a strong year for Californian golfer Sahith Theegala, who captured his first PGA Tour victory in September at the Fortinet Championship. He finished 21-under 267 at Silverado Resort's North Course in in Napa, California, as friends and family cheered him on from the stands. "Just the support I have is mind blowing. I got to bed at night these last few days and i'm like, I can't believe how many people are cheering for me and rooting for me," Sahith told Golf Week USA. "I can definitely hear my dad," he smiled. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sahith Reddy Theegala (@srtheegala) Theegala's father, Muralidharan Theegala, has always been his number one fan, escorting him daily to practice all through his childhood. At the time, only the reasonably-priced municipal golf courses were within reach financially, and Theegala and his parents were determined to do whatever it took. Every evening when it was

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Theegala's father, Muralidharan Theegala, has always been his number one fan, escorting him daily to practice all through his childhood. At the time, only the reasonably-priced municipal golf courses were within reach financially, and Theegala and his parents were determined to do whatever it took. Every evening when it was time to leave his beloved golf course for the day, Sahith Theegala would burst into tears, begging begging to stay a little longer. He went on to win the Junior World Championships at the age of six. Now in his senior year at Pepperdine University, the Indian-origin golfer also has four collegiate titles and the Australian Master of the Amateurs under his belt. In 2020, he also won the Haskins Award, the Ben Hogan Award and the Jack Nicklaus Award. He is the fifth player ever to win all the Player of the Year honours. In the American golf scene, dominated by whites, Sahith Theegala stands out, also because Indian-American sports stars don't come around too often.

Inspiring Through Adversity

Theegala is an inspiration for more reasons than being a prodigy. The 24-year-old suffers from scoliosis, which is an abnormal curvature of the spine - one shoulder is visibly higher than the other. He works with his chiropractor and although it doesn't cause him pain, it does account for a "pretty big bend to the right," and an unorthodox swing. Despite this significant setback, the Global Indian went on to become one of the best golfers at Pepperdine University and is loved for his infectious enthusiasm, both on and off the greens.

Born and raised in LA, the son of Karuna and Muralidhar Theegala, Sahith maintains a strong connection to his Indian roots. He lives at home with his parents, for one. In February 2022, when he lost out to Scottie Scheffler at the very last moment, he won more fans than he could have hoped when, according to Golf Digest, he teared up and sobbed on his mother's shoulder, as his dad stood by saying, "It's okay." Sahith's father, Muralidhar, moved to the US from Hyderabad in 1987, to attend graduate school and the family still goes back to India as often as they can.

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The Indian-American golfer's childhood was spent on municipal golf courses, which charge a modest $30 for a round. The courses aren't well-maintained but it was all his middle-class family could afford - and they were keen to nurture their son's talent. "My dad, even though he never plays golf, he's the one that taught me the game pretty much," he told PGATOUR.com.

"We weren't in the greatest financial situation when I was a kid and we had no experience with sports at all, so my father spearheaded the whole mission to college and professional golf... He put everything that he could into me." Despite their financial constraints, Theegala's parents spent their savings on buying him equipment, paying course fees, for a trainer, travel costs and the litany of expenses that came with his passion.

Determined not to let his scoliosis stand in his way, Theegala would spend days out on dusty golf courses, adapting "his putting stroke by tilting his head to the right so he could see the appropriate line from the gall to hole," according to the New York Times.

In 2015, Theegala graduated with honours from high school in California and had won a number of golf awards by that time. "I'd say I was a pretty good golfer," he said, in the interview with PGATOUR.com. He made it to Pepperdine University in California, which is ranked in the top 10 in men's golf among US Universitites. "At Pepperdine, I went from average to slightly good to what I felt like was ready to be a decent professional golfer."

An emotional @SRTheegala is consoled by mom and dad after coming up 1 shot short of a playoff @WMPhoenixOpen.

The 24-year-old earned countless new fans this week. pic.twitter.com/tq5Q2YsFCy

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 13, 2022

His winning streak in 2019 came to an abrupt pause after a wrist injury. He bounced back, though, making his professional debut in June 2020, somewhat unconventionally. Theegala might not have imagined starting out with the Outlaw Tour but gave a stellar performance nonetheless. The pandemic dealt a heavy blow, when the Pepperdine campus closed and Theegala had to return home. Although that season ended prematurely, Sahith's team ranked first in the country.

His family is always in the stands as he plays, cheering him on. And his fan base is always growing. "I'm an introvert by nature," he told NYT. "You hear about the best performers in the world - singers and dancers - who are really big introverts. But it's different when you get on the stage. When I'm in the act of playing golf, I don't even think about people watching."

Theegala is, however, always aware of being an Indian American, of the fact that it means he is viewed differently by default. He's also playing a sport that has never really welcomed non-white players. "I'm definitely proud of my Indian heritage and I hope I'm inspiring other Indian Americans and people in India to know they can compete in sports," he says. "It's obviously not the main purpose of being out there but it's an ancillary effect of what we're doing and I'm all for it."

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The purpose driven: Meet 5 changemakers driving social change

(February 24, 2023) "You are never too small to make a difference." These words by Swedish environmentalist Greta Thunberg hold true for hundreds of changemakers who are up in arms to create a purposeful change, and young Indians are not far behind. From period poverty to water crisis, they are holding the torch for almost every problem, and showing them the out gate through their incredible ideas and consistent efforts. Global Indian takes a look at five such changemakers who are making a difference at a young age. Amika George "Girls Too Poor to Buy Sanitary Products Missing School" - this headline on the BBC website in 2017 was the starting point of a revolution that was set to change the course of the education system in the UK. Behind this tectonic shift was a then 17-year-old Amika George, who stumbled upon the fact that period poverty was a startling reality in not just India or Kenya, but the UK too. One in ten girls in the UK was unable to afford sanitary products. Many girls were forced to miss school every month for the lack of access to menstrual products - this shocking truth led the activist to set

ls were forced to miss school every month for the lack of access to menstrual products - this shocking truth led the activist to set up Free Periods, to campaign against period poverty.

[caption id="attachment_23569" align="aligncenter" width="726"] Amika George is the founder of Free Periods.[/caption]

It was on Instagram that the movement took off in April 2017 and soon turned into a peaceful protest outside Downing Street with a turnout of 2000 people including big names like Suki Waterhouse and Adwoa Aboah. "I was shocked and decided to start a campaign to lobby the government, urging them to give free menstrual products to children from the lowest income families. I found support quickly and globally. So many people outreached to offer support, with many telling me that this was something they were going through and needed to be addressed." she told Pink Parcel.

Ensuring equal access to education for all children, irrespective of their sex was the foundation of the Free Periods movement which later turned into a legal campaign against the UK government "Period poverty is a situation many girls and women find themselves in when they cannot afford costly period products. Globally, period poverty intersects with other forms of disadvantage, including poverty and geography. It costs young girls their education. It impacts their ability to fulfill their potential and affects their ability to secure decent jobs and lift their families out of poverty. Period poverty is an issue of gender inequality," she wrote for UN Women. The activism carried on for almost three years, which translated into a big win in January 2020 when the British government decided to provide schools with free sanitary products.

Garvita Gulhati

The drought crisis in 2015 left 330 million Indians affected - a number that made the then 15-year-old Garvita Gulhati frantically look for answers. Keen to find a way to conserve water, she started Why Waste? - a youth-led initiative to educate people on preserving water and changing their mind set on water wastage. In the last seven years, it has impacted over six million people and has saved over 10 million litres of water. A feat that has helped the now 21-year-old changemaker to make it to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list and has won her the Diana Award.

"At Why Waste? our main goal is to let each individual understand the importance of water resources and join hands with us in protecting and conserving this natural resource," reads the official website.

Shreya and Sahana Mantha

The last wish from their dying grandmother, who was then battling pancreatic cancer, played a catalyst for Charlotte residents Sherya Mantha and Sahana Mantha in starting Foundation for Girls (FFG) in 2014 - a nonprofit to help underprivileged girls and women. The journey into social service began early for the Mantha sisters who were raised by their mom to help those in need.

[caption id="attachment_23775" align="aligncenter" width="688"] Shreya and Sahana Mantha co-founded Foundation for Girls[/caption]

While FFG has impacted over 2500 homeless mothers and their girls through coaching, workshops, and care packs, it began with Shreya tutoring sex trafficking survivors and school dropouts when she was in Class 8. "The most important thing our mom taught us was 'treat them as just regular girls your age, and barriers will break down,' and that has how it has always been. So, our foundational principles of inclusivity and equity have much to do with how we live and lead," Shreya told Global Indian.

Arjun Deshpande

One balmy afternoon at a medical shop in Thane, the then 16-year-old Arjun Deshpande witnessed an unpleasant scene. An old man, deep in debt, profusely pleaded with a shopkeeper to pay a hefty medicine bill later. The shopkeeper refused. “His wife had cancer and his son, who was an auto driver, was the sole breadwinner. They had spent a lot on treatment, and were finding it hard to manage money for medicines daily. He was helpless, and felt guilty. I saw how a common man was burdened with paying bills for necessities like medicines. This made me determined to bring about a new era in the world of pharma,” says Arjun who started Generic Aadhaar in 2019 to help provide medicines to the aam junta at low cost. Arjun is on a mission to eliminate middle-chain costs and provide medicines from manufacturer to end customers directly through a pharmacy-aggregator business model.

[caption id="attachment_13569" align="aligncenter" width="635"] Arjun Deshpande is the founder of Generic Aadhaar[/caption]

In four years, Generic Aadhaar has a presence in all states, and has opened over 1,800 stores across India. Such has been the vision and mission of the startup that even Ratan Tata invested in it. “We share the same mission and want to serve people. When he saw the same vision and determination to work for the people, he spontaneously supported Generic Aadhaar,” Arjun told Global Indian.

Sia Godika

The hard, cracked and worn-out feet of construction workers’ children in Sia Godika’s locality stirred this Bengaluru girl into action. "It broke my heart to see them running barefoot on the streets. I rushed home to find some pairs of shoes that I could give them. Seeing my shoe rack, it dawned upon me that I had so many pairs stacked up which I wasn’t even wearing anymore". Upon research, she found 1.5 billion people worldwide don’t have shoes to wear, and around 350 million pairs of shoes are discarded each year. This led the Diana Award winner to start Sole Warriors initiative.

[caption id="attachment_27793" align="aligncenter" width="467"] Sia Godika[/caption]

It was in the fall of 2019 that Sole Warriors took a life of its own after Sia decided to help the needy by collecting used shoes, refurbishing and donating them. In just two years, the 16-year-old’s initiative has created a global movement - donating 21,000 pairs of shoes to the disadvantaged.

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Vishal Tolambia: Social entrepreneur championing sustainability by recycling textile waste

(April 4, 2024) "Over 1,600,000 tonnes of textile waste is generated even before a garment reaches a consumer, and directly ends up in landfills," said UK-based Vishal Tolambia, the founder of Humanity Centred Designs who is on a mission to enable sustainability in the garment industry. Since India is the second-largest textile manufacturing destination, one of the biggest challenges the small-scale factories face is the accumulation of pre-consumer textile waste at the manufacturing level. To solve this, Vishal has developed a technology that can convert pre-consumer textile waste to highly durable, flexible, and strong recycled material - an innovation that has earned the 26-year-old a spot in the 2024 Forbes 30 Under 30 list. "For us, sustainability means enabling sustainable operations. It also means that we care for the planet and protect it, by making sure that 80 percent of our production is through renewable energy sources, responsible consumption of water, and minimised resource utilisation. We're on a journey to make all fashion MSEs in India circular," said Vishal in an interview. [caption id="attachment_37011" align="aligncenter" width="579"] Vishal Tolambia[/caption] Finding his passion Growing up in the town of Pushkar in Rajasthan, Vishal Tolambia's tryst with the world of fashion began at

Tolambia | Global Indian" width="579" height="868" /> Vishal Tolambia[/caption]

Finding his passion

Growing up in the town of Pushkar in Rajasthan, Vishal Tolambia's tryst with the world of fashion began at a young age. His grandfather was a trailer in a village about 25 km from Ajmer and the skills were passed onto his father, who later got into the garment manufacturing and exporting business. His early memories are of spending time at his father's unit after school and learning the nuances. To expand his knowledge and technical know-how, he joined NIFT, Jodhpur - a place that gave wings to his ideas, so much so that he won the Best Graduation Project award for his collection inspired by Gujarat's Rabari community.

Over the years, he understood the importance of sustainable fashion and decided to do his master's at the University of Arts London, however, it was the lack of funds that pulled him back. But his portfolio led him to win a scholarship and thus began his journey. While pursuing an MA in Fashion Futures course, he highlighted the issue of textile waste that was generated by garment manufacturers in Pushkar. This led him to develop a novel localised circular recycling technology that converts textile waste into inventive materials—in turn, leading to the formation of Humanity Centred Designs-Textile, the world's first recycled material from mixed pre-consumer textile waste. "After graduating, I founded Humanity Centred Designs, a material innovation hub that uses circular recycling technology to recycle textile waste from marginalized fashion MSEs in India and provide sustainable circular textile solutions," he said in an interview.

Making a difference

In just a year, Humanity Centred Designs has supported over 150 apparel MSEs in waste management and sustainable development. "Our innovative solutions have not only helped manufacturers to reduce waste and environmental damage but also helped them to stay competitive in an increasingly environmentally-conscious market," Vishal added as he established two retail stores in Bath and London from where they are retailing recycled apparel across six countries. With the opening of the stores, they are helping support over 3500 artisans in Pushkar working at MSEs by providing them with a global platform in an international marketplace.

Currently, the company functions as a centre for material innovation, aiding micro, small, and medium-sized apparel businesses in advancing sustainable practices through circular recycling initiatives. "The goal is to make the fashion industry more sustainable, ethical, and responsible by reducing waste, reducing pollution, and promoting fair labour practices," added the entrepreneur, who has won the Global Citizen Prize for his outstanding efforts to promote social change.

Future plan

For someone who tries to live a sustainable lifestyle, Vishal is committed to discovering inventive approaches to minimize the environmental footprint of the fashion industry, all while prioritizing the well-being of the communities engaged in its production process. "For me, sustainability means creating a balance between the needs of the present and future generations. I believe that a sustainable mindset and practices can benefit both the environment and society, and I strive to incorporate these principles into every aspect of our business," he added.

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

Having created a difference in such a short span of time, Vishal now plans to establish 15 flagship stores worldwide in order to showcase recycled textiles and promote ethical fashion. Moreover, his aspiration includes empowering more than 500 marginalized SMEs in India through the provision of circular recycling technology. "This will foster community development and environmental sustainability."

Follow Vishal Tomabia on LinkedIn

Rohan Varinakaval: Indian-American teen finds solution for schools amid air quality crisis

(February 17, 2024) It was in December of 2019 that while navigating through the bustling streets of Delhi, New Jersey-based Rohan Varinakaval had to hold his breath to avoid a cloud of smog. His tryst with Delhi's smog during his visit to India to meet his sick grandfather in a hospital left him shocked. It was a paradox - he could see that the capital was home to the best healthcare but at the time it was imprisoned by pollution, a result of farmers burning crop residue which was leading to an environmental health crisis. He found that this pollution is lessening the lifespan of an average Delhiite by nearly a decade. "Amidst this haze, thousands of students persistently attended school, their commitment to education unwavering. Students, even those with conditions such as asthma, were subjecting themselves to these toxic surroundings," said Rohan, who saw a void in the realm of air quality monitoring. This led him to take action, and he developed myAQI. Unlike regular monitors that only give air quality readings, myAQI does more. It gives schools easy advice based on current data. Instead of just knowing pollution levels, principals can get helpful tips like 'Keep students inside

Keep students inside during recess' or 'Open windows.'

[caption id="attachment_35898" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Rohan Varinakaval[/caption]

It began when Rohan realised that smog permeates through classrooms and even makes indoor learning environments safe, and the absence of air conditioning and filtration systems, it accelerates the risk. "Discussions with friends and family indicated that despite this grim scenario, the severe pollution was not being accorded priority, and school administrators were unable to address the health risks involved," he added.

On delving deeper, he found that air quality monitoring devices only provide data but do not interpret air quality data. Moreover, their usage in Indian schools was almost negligible. "They received current air quality figures, but no practical steps to counter the problem," revealed Rohan.

Passionate about engineering solutions, he was keen to find a solution. He spent countless hours talking to school leaders in both the US and India, making the app fit their needs, and fixing problems that popped up during testing the first version. So, using a particulate matter sensor and microprocessor, he created myAQI - a small, affordable air quality monitoring device designed especially for Indian schools. But what makes it different is its adaptability as Rohan understood that pollution affects people differently. Those who already have health problems like asthma, allergies, bronchitis, and COPD are more likely to get sick from bad air. His device helps provide customised recommendations for these sensitive groups, thus ensuring that everyone in the school, even those with health problems, stay safe.

"School administrators can install a myAQI device within their premises, register via an Android app, and obtain summaries of the air quality data. The most significant feature of the app, though, is its ability to offer recommendations for appropriate action based on the prevailing air quality and trends. It also allows administrators to view separate sets of suggestions tailored for different student populations with specific respiratory conditions such as asthma, allergies, bronchitis, and COPD," he added.

The Indian-American teen wants school leaders to use myAQI to help shape school rules, make smarter choices about dealing with air quality, and understand pollution levels inside their buildings better. His device can sit in a classroom and gather data from a small area, so leaders can put it where it's most needed.

Till now, the student at the Pingry School in New Jersey has distributed the device to ten schools in India, which include a total of over 16,000 students and is flooded with requests from many more schools. In the future, he wants to expand his project by providing several devices to each school. Additionally, he aims to inspire more young innovators to address environmental challenges globally.

[caption id="attachment_35901" align="aligncenter" width="368"] myAQI[/caption]

It was in December of 2019 that while navigating through the bustling streets of Delhi, New Jersey-based Rohan Varinakaval had to hold his breath to avoid a cloud of smog. His tryst with Delhi's smog during his visit to India to meet his sick grandfather in a hospital left him shocked. It was a paradox - he could see that the capital was home to the best healthcare but at the time it was imprisoned by pollution, a result of farmers burning crop residue which was leading to an environmental health crisis. He found that this pollution is lessening the lifespan of an average Delhiite by nearly a decade. "Amidst this haze, thousands of students persistently attended school, their commitment to education unwavering. Students, even those with conditions such as asthma, were subjecting themselves to these toxic surroundings," said Rohan, who saw a void in the realm of air quality monitoring.

This led him to take action, and he developed myAQI. Unlike regular monitors that only give air quality readings, myAQI does more. It gives schools easy advice based on current data. Instead of just knowing pollution levels, principals can get helpful tips like 'Keep students inside during recess' or 'Open windows.'

Follow Rohan Varinakaval on LinkedIn

Entrepreneur Alishba Imran is engineering a better tomorrow for all

(May 7, 2024) Growing up in Toronto, Alishba Imran carved a space for herself in the world of machine learning, robotics, and blockchain at the very young age of 18. About four years back, Alishba, who had zero knowledge about programming or coding back then, enrolled herself to join her school’s robotics team. While she faced several issues, her focus on learning, earned her the position of the lead programmer on the team. And there has been no turning back since then. A few years after this incident, while on a service trip in India, the entrepreneur learned about the lack of medication in various rural parts of the country. To come up with a solution for this, Alishba taught herself blockchain coding and launched Honestblocks, a platform that tracks counterfeit medicine in the supply chain. Her codebase for the initiative has since been integrated into IBM and used globally. She then co-founded Voltx to accelerate the development of renewable energy storage devices using machine learning and physics models to accelerate the lab to commercialisation process for electrochemical devices. “The biggest thing you can optimise for in life is people. Spend time exploring your interests, what you’re good at, and

2024/05/ALishba_BAIR.jpg" alt="Entrepreneur | Alishba Imran | Global Indian" width="552" height="368" />

“The biggest thing you can optimise for in life is people. Spend time exploring your interests, what you’re good at, and what brings you energy. I think the best things to work on are at the intersection of what you're good at, what you enjoy, and are a way for you to create value for the world," explained the Global Indian, who was recently named among Teen Vogue’s annual 21 Under 21 list of “changemakers, influencers, activists, and artists who have made a substantial impact in both their communities and the world.”

Making a difference

Born in a desi family, Alishba has always been connected to her roots. A brilliant student, the entrepreneur launched an app that uses blockchain to improve supply chain transparency to end counterfeit medication in developing countries when she was just 14. "As a child, I was always very curious and asked a lot of questions about how things work. From appliances around the house to vehicles and computers. At a young age, I found engineering and computer science very interesting because of how it technically challenged me and the vast applications to solve tangible problems," the entrepreneur shared, "In middle school, I learned how to code and was one of the first girls to join the robotics team. That was really my first glimpse into learning about building something real. I was really excited because I would travel to global competitions to meet other people from different countries who were just as interested in technology and engineering as me."

There are a lot of people in the tech industry trying to build the next big social media or note-taking app that will attract millions of dollars from big investors and bolster their company’s value," said the entrepreneur, adding, "But I don’t think the end goal of any company should be based on its monetary value, but rather the value it brings to society."

Addressing several major issues plaguing third-world countries, Alishba believes in using her skills to make a difference in society. "There are many urgent problems that need to be addressed in the world. The greatest challenges of our time — climate change, health care reform and finding ways to create sustainable energy sources. As young students and innovators, I think we have to continually ask ourselves: How do we put our talents and passions toward working on these hard problems?," she said, "Finding the answer to that question, personally, has been a great motivation for me to dive deeper into my interests. And that has been a journey that has taken me around the world."

Creating a better world

When she was just 17, Alishba founded her first company, Voltx, before which she worked with Tesla on research that could speed up the time it takes to manufacture battery cells using machine learning and physics models. "I moved to San Francisco to work full-time with my co-founder to find ways to scale the storage of batteries for solar panels and other applications, like electric vehicles (EV). I raised a pre-seed round of over $1 million for Voltx through venture capital investors. I am still continuing to build on this technology and research as a second-year student at Berkeley," said the entrepreneur, who was also named among the Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada, in 2023.

[caption id="attachment_37640" align="aligncenter" width="555"] Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recognised Alishba for her work[/caption]

Speaking about her current projects, the entrepreneur said, "I’m currently co-authoring a textbook for O’Reilly Media, Machine Learning for Robotics with my colleague PG Keerthana Gopalakrishnan. Our aim is to make more accessible the processes of using deep language learning models to build robotics that can change the way we live."

Follow Alishba Imran on her website

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