Indian teen painter Semmozhi – A creator-preneur who has six million followers
Written by: Vikram Sharma
(January 7, 2022) As a five-year-old, N Semmozhi would be immersed in sketching and painting for hours. Random drawings but immensely creative. An image in her head would be put to paper. Some made sense, others did not. Now 16, Semmozhi is one of those creative bees who has a rare quality of dreaming her painting, and then painting that dream. The teen content creator is self-sufficient, not dependent on parents for pocket money as her artwork has already made her an independent artist. She has six million-plus followers of her art page — Art and Soul — on Trell today.
“Content creation is all about bringing your ideas to life. Sometimes we have something in our heads, but have trouble translating that on paper. My content helps me visualise what I see,” smiles the 16-year-old.
For the girl with a penchant for imagery, an artwork is the representation of an artist’s soul. “From colour combinations, loose strokes of brush and little shades in the corners. That’s what Art and Soul is about,” informs the youngster, in an interview with Global Indian.
When art came a-calling
Born and brought up in Chennai, Semmozhi was always curious with an enduring passion for art. “My father realised my talent early, enrolled me in art classes. Art grows within you and I am the evidence of it,” smiles this 11th grader at Union Christian Public school in Chennai. Her mother is a chartered accountant and CFO at a hospital, and her father runs a garment chain.
Her journey of converting art from a hobby to a career has been exhilarating. Early this year, she started uploading artworks on social media with the handle “artandsoulby semmu” and within a couple of weeks, a video went viral. “Seeing social media’s potential, I joined Trell in July to create more videos on arts and crafts to share my passion with the world,” informs Semmozhi, quoting Pablo Picasso, “Art washes from the soul the dust of everyday life…”
An artwork by N Semmozhi
How she reached six million
With tips from masterclasses with content experts, Semmozhi was off to a flying start. Her followers kept increasing by leaps and bounds, and soon crossed 6 million. “I wanted my content viewers to create something similar (to her artwork) that is still uniquely theirs,” quips the creator-preneur, who confesses that initially she was scared whether she could pull it off.
Her art speaks for itself – From landscape painting to skyscapes to a perfect moon light painting to charcoal shading of stones lying on the seashore, she does it effortlessly. She can come up with lightning clouds, a 3-D chair and even a resin comb in a matter of minutes. “The pandemic only had a positive impact on me and helped me bring out my artistic skills. Online classes gave me sufficient time to hone my craft and the support from my family made it even easier to focus on my passion,” says the immensely talented content creator who calls herself a perfectionist.
Paying it forward
The first pay cheque is cherished, especially as a teenager. It was no different for Semmozhi. And no, she didn’t use it on gifts for family or herself. The 16-year-old donated her first earnings to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s Covid relief fund. Not satisfied, she handed over her second salary too. The gesture was well-appreciated from all quarters more so as her contribution was personally accepted by minister for school education, Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi. “People of my generation are quickly becoming agents of change and am elated to actively be a part of this movement,” feels the teenager who says earning makes her responsible.
The eleventh grader aspires to direct innovative box-office reality shows in future. “Equipping the basic qualities of an artist and learning the hardships of making money in the course of my career has taught me that people with real skills need to be treasured and provided with opportunities,” says Semmozhi, a huge fan of reality shows.
An artwork by N Semmozhi
Interestingly, for her CBSE main board exams, Semmozhi opted for painting as her major paper. This despite her peers and other people advising against it. “I found it hard to cope with the drawing syllabus since it involved mural traditions, temple architecture, Warli Art and post-Mauryan trends in Indian art and architecture, caves and sculptures. Later, I realised that not only did it make me better at details, I also found an affinity to learn the most boring subject of all time — history,” smiles Semmozhi, whose school provided her expert coaching as the only student who opted for the subject.
When not creating content, Semmozhi loves to dance and cook. “Becoming an artist has been my childhood dream but I do like to dance all my worries away,” signs off Semmozhi, whose favourite Global Indian is Indra Nooyi, CEO of PepsiCo.
(January 24, 2022) Alpine skier Aanchal Thakur does not recall how she fell in love with skiing. She does, however, remember when her feet were strapped to two wooden planks, and was given two sticks to manoeuvre on the snow. “I was five-years-old and I have been skiing ever since,” smiles the slalom champion. The Manali girl, all of 25, created history by winning a bronze medal in the giant slalom category at the Federation Internationale de Ski meet at Kolasin, Montenegro in December 2021. That made her the first-ever Indian to win a medal at the event. It was Aanchal’s second medal, internationally. The first, another bronze, she won at the 2018 Alpine Ejder 3200 Cup held in Turkey. The little girl from the hills "My generation could never think of winning international tournaments. Now, we are slowly gaining confidence. When I won the bronze in Turkey, my father couldn’t believe I had won. Competing against the best is what matters,” says Aanchal. The Alpine skier recalls how she joined the event despite a deep cut on her hand (while ‘tuning’ her skis earlier). The girl with a never-say-die attitude learnt skiing in Burua, Solan Valley. On her seventh
The girl with a never-say-die attitude learnt skiing in Burua, Solan Valley. On her seventh birthday, seeing her potential, her father, Roshan Lal Thakur gifted her, the first professionally made skis. She was hooked.
“I fell in love with skiing and gliding through the snow at high speeds. I would keep challenging myself to go faster,” smiles the girl who awaits winter so she can ski. Her father, a skiing instructor, and her brother (a professional skier) are her constant teachers and guides.
A risky sport, Aanchal admits, “Coming down the hill at high speeds, there are bound to be falls. It is a risky sport, but that's part of the game. A risk of back and leg injuries are always on my mind."
From Solan to Youth Olympics
In India, winter sports like skiing, snowboarding and skating are limited to Manali, Sikkim, Gulmarg and Kashmir. “We hardly have any winter sporting events covered in the media as there aren’t many competitions too," mulls the alpine skier.
Her father, who owns an adventure company in Manali, had organised some events, and Aanchal feels the scenario can progress if there is awareness.
The DAV College (Chandigarh) graduate, Aanchal has been representing India in skiing competitions since school. At just 15, she took part at the Winter Youth Olympics Games at Innsbruck 2012 (Austria). Declared the best skier at the National Ski and Snowboard Championship 2020 (Manali), she came first in the giant slalom, and second in the Khelo India National Winter Games, 2021, Gulmarg.
Training is what keeps her in the running - Aanchal went to Switzerland in 2011, coached under Heera Lal, a former Olympian, and became the first Indian to participate in the Winter Youth Olympics 2012. “I still get goosebumps thinking about the moment when I held India’s flag at the opening ceremony,” she tells Global Indian.
Competing with international athletes can be “demotivating,” but the alpine skier is thankful that her father frequently reminds her of her stellar achievements - how far she has come, and the road ahead. “He would repeatedly say, ‘remember you have come from a place where people are still not aware of the sport,’” smiles the slalom champ.
Skiing is also an expensive sport. Just the skiing equipment costs ₹5 lakh, and training ₹20 lakh as it is overseas since India does not get enough snow, or for extended periods. “Getting sponsors or support in India is difficult as winter sports is yet to make a mark," she says, adding, "My father saved some money for my training. Crowdfunding has helped too. Many people have contributed to buying equipment or for my training abroad.” Incidentally, Thakur’s Instagram has been the most effective to gather funds.
It takes courage, and dedication
An early riser, Aanchal devotes two hours to outdoor training, another hour in the gym to build her core. She religiously follows Lindsey Caroline Vonn, American former World Cup alpine ski racer. Aanchal was training with her brother Himanshu in Austria for the past few months to prepare for the Winter Olympics at Beijing 2022. Sad that she missed some qualifiers, she reveals, “I participated in a few races, but there was a lockdown in Austria due to the third wave. So, I missed out on a few competitive events that would have seen me participate at Beijing.”
Back to Manali, Thakur hopes to make it to the next Olympics and the World Skiing Championship in March 2023 (Austria). “I have been upset about not qualifying for this Olympics, but my family has been keeping my spirits up. My brother says skiing is all about moving forward. So, I want to look at the brighter side and hone my skills to prepare for my next race,” says the avid football fan who loves CR7 - Cristiano Ronaldo.
(May 11, 2022) Having lived in the US in the early years of his life, Prajwal NH did struggle in the early days as he adjusted to life in India. Seeing potholes on roads and garbage on the sides of the streets was a jarring contrast to the spick and span highways of the US. But that didn't make him detest his surroundings. Instead, he took it upon himself to "solve these problems with affordable technology." The 15-year-old innovator, who has his name in the India Book of Records for being the Youngest Microsoft Azure AI Engineer Associate, loves "fixing" problems by marrying technology with ideas that help in creating social impact. "Social impact is at the core of everything I do. For me, every innovation should solve a problem on a larger scale. This vision led me to make many apps that are economical solutions to bigger problems like water scarcity or road safety," Prajwal tells Global Indian. [caption id="attachment_16334" align="aligncenter" width="866"] Prajwal NH[/caption] The game-changing moment The Chikmagalur-born moved to the US with his family after his IT professional dad got a transfer. Back then, like every kid growing up in America, Prajwal had dreams of becoming an
The Chikmagalur-born moved to the US with his family after his IT professional dad got a transfer. Back then, like every kid growing up in America, Prajwal had dreams of becoming an astronaut. However, everything changed for him when he moved back to India for good after a few years. Seeing the pollution and the trash littered all across Bengaluru, he was taken aback. "Life in the US was quite different. But I think that moment shifted my perspective. I knew I had to find a solution. I didn't know how, but I knew I had to," says the Class 10 student.
Being someone who was fascinated by technology especially battery-operated toys as a child, he loved dismantling them to see what was inside and later use the components to create his DIY gadgets. "I think my dad played an influential role in my journey. He works for IBM and I would often see him work. Though I didn't understand much back then but it intrigued me," says the teenager, for whom a robotics class in his seventh grade turned out to be a game-changer. After taking YouTube tutorials for years, he found the perfect learning ground for programming and Arduino.
Creating impact with affordable technology
This learning led him to make the Fix Me app, a smart way to improve roads. "The idea of fixing the potholes stayed with me ever since I landed in India. But it was only in 2019 that I decided to take it seriously. Upon research, I found that 6000 accidents happen every year due to potholes, and among them 300 are deadly. I realised the process of reaching out to the government officials is tedious and hence, nothing changes," says the BGS National Public School student. The teenager understood the gap and came up with an app through which citizens of an area can send the accurate location of the pothole, reducing complaint time to under three minutes. "It's a digital petition that can be tracked and monitored. The government official has to upload a picture of the fixed pothole for the complaint to be closed," says Prajwal. The app was a winning idea – he won the Top 20 Innovators award at the ATL Marathon 2019. Prajwal is still in talks with the authorities to make this app more feasible for the citizens, after which it will be available on Android and iOS.
Around the same time, he was awarded 'Water Hero' by the Ministry of Jal Shakti for his innovation - Ultrasonic Integrated Smart Water Tap - that's economical and saves 5x more water. "The usual infrared sensor taps are not only expensive (₹5000) but don't work when exposed to sunlight and are colour sensitive. So, I decided to use the ultrasonic technology that kills bacteria and decreases the wastage of water, and made it for only ₹400," says the innovator who has plans of commercialising it soon.
2020 brought with it an international recognition for Prajwal who won the coronavirus app challenge from Massachusetts Institute of Technology US for his Covid-19 Aid app. "I started working on it even before the Aarogya Setu app was out. I wanted it to be a platform where people could report their symptoms, myths about Covid could be busted, and to infuse some positivity during uncertain times," says the innovator, adding, "MIT featured my app on their website."
Turning a teen entrepreneur
The same year, he dipped his toes into the world of startups with Cloud Attack under the mentorship of Bhavesh Goswami, the founder of CloudThat. Learning the nuances of entrepreneurship at such a young age has been a task for this teenager. "The concept of our startup is to help youngsters learn cloud computing by playing a game. Making anything fun makes it easier to grasp the concept. But it has been a lot of trial and error. Understanding the challenges and overcoming them has been the greatest lessons," says Prajwal who has gained experience in hiring, marketing, product development, and management in just two years.
With a startup to his name at the age of 15, he advices youngsters to "not wait for the opportunities. Instead, create them. Just start." The teenage entrepreneur, who is eyeing MIT for future studies, wants to create an empire of technology in India. "I want India to be the technology hub of the world. I want to create opportunities so that there is no more brain drain," says the boy who has found a great support system in his parents. Calling them the wind beneath his wings, he is happy to have been given a chance to follow his dream. "If I hadn't come back to India, I wouldn't have been this proud of myself. The return helped me find a mission in life," concludes Prajwal.
(November 15, 2023) Imagine being dubbed a ‘Kachra Wala’ while striving to keep your city's river banks clean. This was something that software developer and environmentalist Vivek Gurav faced. With a deep passion for environmental cleanliness, he weathered the initial backlash and founded Pune Ploggers. His community of volunteers engages in ecological rehabilitation through clean-up drives and plogging (combining jogging with picking up litter), and adopting rivers like Mula-Mutha, Indrayani, and Pawana in Pune for rejuvenation. What began as a modest initiative in Pune has blossomed into a movement spanning 32 cities across India with more than 10,000 volunteers, and has also expanded to the United Kingdom, impressing the prime minister of UK, earning the ‘Points of Light’ award and wide recognition in UK’s media. [caption id="attachment_34111" align="aligncenter" width="533"] Vivek Gurav[/caption] Pune Ploggers in the UK After completing his bachelors in computer science engineering in Pune, Vivek went on to pursue a master's in environmental policy and management at the University of Bristol in the UK. Undeterred by cold weather and snowfall, he extended his community-benefit efforts in the United Kingdom as well, and gradually got successful in establishing plogging communities in several cities of the UK with thousands of
anagement at the University of Bristol in the UK. Undeterred by cold weather and snowfall, he extended his community-benefit efforts in the United Kingdom as well, and gradually got successful in establishing plogging communities in several cities of the UK with thousands of volunteers.
Vivek's initiatives earned him the Point of Light award from the UK PM, leading to an invitation to 10 Downing Street. He met PM Rishi Sunak who showed immense interest in the youngster’s plogging initiatives. Reflecting on this journey, Vivek remarked in a speech “What made this small campaign transform into a global voice was the intention to make an impact. My purpose didn’t allow me to sleep, and keep my dreams confined to one location. I wanted to expand and reach out to as many youngsters as possible and build a community that would thrive on the simple idea of change making.”
The life changing journey
In 2014, Vivek moved to Pune from a small village of Maharashtra with aspirations to attain something big in life, oblivious of the milestones he would soon achieve in the sphere of community development. “As a village boy the first thing that caught my attention in the big city was the poor condition of Mula-Muttha river. It was filthy and looked like a drainage.” It stinked and the water was black due to the trash that flowed through the heart of the city. Vivek witnessed the same filthy condition of another river that flowed near his engineering college.
[caption id="attachment_34118" align="aligncenter" width="860"] Pune Ploggers Team[/caption]
“I come from a village where clean rivers flow. We can actually go and drink the clean river water. When I came to Pune I was disappointed to see that rivers of the city in such a polluted state,” said Vivek adding, “People from villages go to cities to study, to build their dreams but the problem in the cities is that people are not mindful enough about their natural resources.” This discovery compelled him start changing the scenario, one step at a time.
Initiating change
In his first year of college, he launched a cleaning drive along the littered river near his campus. To begin with he approached the local municipal council but encountered a blame game between residents and authorities regarding their responsibilities. Frustrated with finger-pointing on each other, he decided to take action on his own. Igniting his inner eco warrior, he started cleaning the river at five am daily, inviting friends to join. Over three months his efforts transformed the once filthy riverside into a clean and popular hangout spot for students. This became a powerful example of an individual initiative and team effort bringing about positive change.
The birth of Pune Ploggers
In 2019, after graduating, Vivek finally transitioned from recognising a problem, working for community around him to launching a city-wide movement—Pune Ploggers. Combining jogging and picking up plastic, a concept originating from Sweden in 2016, the campaign aimed to make a positive impact for the residents of Pune. Volunteers would pick up trash during their morning walk or jog, engaging in a dual purpose - personal fitness and environmental clean-up. “Since our inception in October 2019, Pune Ploggers has evolved into a global community with over 10,000 active participants, spanning four years of dedicated efforts,” Vivek shared.
[caption id="attachment_34119" align="aligncenter" width="685"] Vivek's plogging efforts in the UK[/caption]
Movement to the UK – dream come true
Vivek got so steeped into the cause of tackling climate change by managing garbage that he wanted to gain expertise as a climate scientist and environmental policymaker that he thought was crucial for his non-profit’s growing environmental initiatives.
With no funds and limited financial backing, securing a loan also proved difficult as the only asset that the family could project for guarantee against the loan repayment was a small farm land in the village.
As he had been trained as a software developer, his decision to study a master’s in climate science was also met with rejection from several universities, who said he had no prior academic exposure to the subject. However, the University of Bristol finally recognised his achievements beyond his engineering course and offered him a full scholarship. Vivek Gurav left his IT job and seized the opportunity. “Coming from a humble background with no financial support, securing full scholarship was a boon and strengthened my determination to mitigate the impact of garbage and trash on the climate,” he said.
[caption id="attachment_34114" align="aligncenter" width="663"] Vivek Gurav at BBC's studio, UK[/caption]
The cause inUK
When Vivek moved to Bristol for his studies in 2021, he went on to establish a plogger community there. “When thousands woke up early on weekends, gathering to pick up trash, their collective positive intentions became a powerful force for better environment,” the Global Indian said.
“Against all odds, I found myself in a foreign land, talking to climate scientists, conducting research, and expanding my knowledge. Last year, I undertook a remarkable journey, traveling to 30 cities in the UK in 30 days, facing challenges like snowfall. This journey expanded the plogging community with thousands of active ploggers in the UK.”
To reshape mind-sets, Vivek Gurav and Pune Ploggers team has introduced an innovative initiative called ‘Chalk of Shame’. “Using chalk, we circle cigarette butts and other such litter on the streets, and write sarcastic slogans to make people realise their shameful act,” he says. This creative tool became a nationwide phenomenon, garnering millions of views on social media. It not only tackled the litter problem but also fostered creativity and awareness. The Pune Ploggers community has further expanded its focus on solving problems and encouraging values like equality and diversity, allowing like-minded individuals to thrive in generating ideas and solutions that contribute to positive societal change.
Good intentions can bring change
What began as a small initiative in Pune expanded across 32 cities in India and several cities of the UK, with a significant presence in London. Vivek Gurav’s journey, from a small town to studying climate science, exploring UK as a climate activist, and establishing a global task force, stands as a testament to the power of intentions and the transformative impact of a small yet significant issue of litter management with the big goal of averting climate change.
(October 16, 2024) October 1st, 2024, was no ordinary day for Nidhi Gautam, a student from Karnataka currently pursuing her bachelor's degree in History and Geography at Miranda House, Delhi University. She received the extraordinary opportunity to serve as the British High Commissioner to India for a day - a position typically held by seasoned diplomats. While this role usually takes years of experience to attain, she earned it after being selected from a competitive pool of over 140 applicants. Lindy Cameron, the British High Commissioner to India, took on the role of Deputy High Commissioner for the day, shadowing Nidhi and supporting her in carrying out the responsibilities of the High Commissioner. The opportunity equipped Nidhi with a deeper understanding of the responsibility that comes with leadership. "One key takeaway for me was the immense responsibility diplomats carry. It’s about presenting a seamless front to the world, but behind the scenes, there’s a wealth of knowledge, collaboration, and effort that goes into every decision," she remarked in an interview with Global Indian. [caption id="attachment_39867" align="aligncenter" width="745"] Nidhi Gautam with Lindy Cameron, the British High Commissioner to India[/caption] The ‘High Commissioner for a Day’ competition The opportunity allowed the 19-year-old
[caption id="attachment_39867" align="aligncenter" width="745"] Nidhi Gautam with Lindy Cameron, the British High Commissioner to India[/caption]
The ‘High Commissioner for a Day’ competition
The opportunity allowed the 19-year-old to experience the challenges and responsibilities of international diplomacy, especially within the context of the strong UK-India partnership.
Since 2017, the British High Commission has celebrated the International Day of the Girl Child, observed in October, through initiatives like the 'High Commissioner for a Day'. This initiative, designed to empower young women across India, is more than just an opportunity to shadow diplomats. It is a platform to promote gender equality, challenge societal norms, and provide young women with the tools to tackle global challenges head-on.
Nidhi secured the first spot in the competition through a thought-provoking one-minute video submission. The youngster’s articulate response and clear vision to the question, “How can the UK and India collaborate on technology to benefit future generations?” stood out, ultimately leading her to this once in lifetime experience.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PW73g9IoSM
Stepping into diplomacy - a day to remember
The day began like no other, with Nidhi arriving at the British High Commission in New Delhi. Her morning started with a breakfast briefing from the senior leadership team, where she was introduced to the inner workings of UK-India relations. The focus was on the UK-India Technology Security Initiative, a key aspect of the two nations' partnership. Discussing everything from climate change to healthcare, this briefing provided Nidhi with a comprehensive view of the critical collaborations happening between the UK and India.
What struck her most, however, was the gravity of the role she was stepping into. 'I was seated at the head of the table, and I remember feeling an overwhelming sense of responsibility. They treated me with such respect, just as they would a real diplomat,' she reflected, recalling how she was served first and even had the car doors opened for her. "That moment made me realize the power and symbolism of diplomacy. Riding in the High Commissioner’s vehicle with the flag was surreal. These were ceremonial gestures, but they also made me feel like I was part of something much bigger than myself."
This, of course, was only the beginning. Nidhi’s day as High Commissioner took her through a series of meetings and visits that would leave a lasting impact on her future ambitions.
[caption id="attachment_39862" align="aligncenter" width="700"] The day started with a breakfast briefing[/caption]
The power of innovation – a visit to IIT Delhi
A defining moment of Nidhi’s day was her visit to the National Centre for Assistive Health Technologies at the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi. Here, she was exposed to cutting-edge innovations designed to empower individuals with disabilities, particularly those who are visually impaired. "The most memorable and impactful moment was witnessing the various innovations being developed to assist differently-abled individuals. What struck me wasn’t just the advanced technology, but the social impact of these innovations," Nidhi explained with palpable enthusiasm.
"It was incredibly inspiring to see how knowledge and technology are being used to uplift those in need. This is where diplomacy meets real-world change. It’s not just about policies and negotiations, but about creating tangible benefits for society," she added.
The experience deepened her understanding of how science, technology, and diplomacy intersect to create a better future. She recognized that technological innovation, when combined with effective diplomatic partnerships, has the power to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges.
[caption id="attachment_39863" align="aligncenter" width="660"]A visit to the National Centre for Assistive Health Technologies at IIT-Delhi[/caption]
Shaping global health - a visit to the National Institute of Immunology
Following her time at IIT Delhi, Nidhi visited the National Institute of Immunology, where she observed ongoing advancements in vaccine development. Given the global importance of vaccines in a post-pandemic world, the visit provided good insights on the collaborative work being done by the UK and India in biotechnology. Nidhi saw firsthand how scientists from both nations were working together to tackle global health challenges—a poignant reminder of the importance of international cooperation.
Reading about these topics in textbooks is one thing, but seeing it unfold in real time was extraordinary. "I now have a much deeper understanding of how global health challenges are addressed and the pivotal role diplomacy plays in facilitating these collaborations,' Nidhi remarked.
[caption id="attachment_39864" align="aligncenter" width="707"] A visit to National Institute of Immunology[/caption]
Inspiring leadership and the role of women
One of the most rewarding aspects of Nidhi’s experience was her interaction with Lindy Cameron, the British High Commissioner to India, who served as Deputy High Commissioner for the day. Their discussions spanned a variety of topics, from the UK-India Technology Security Initiative to the broader role of young women in leadership.
“Lindy’s warm encouragement and insightful thoughts throughout the day inspired me profoundly, reminding me of the importance of dedication and passion in serving one’s country,” Nidhi remarked.
For the DU student, seeing women at the helm of diplomacy and leadership roles was a powerful inspiration. "One of the key lessons I took away from the day was the importance of collaboration, not only between countries but also within leadership. Women play such a significant role in these discussions, and seeing them in action was both inspiring and empowering," she noted. "It filled me with pride to see women driving change at such a high level. It reinforced my belief that women are remarkable at what they do and that more of them deserve to be in leadership positions."
For Nidhi, the experience was more than just a day in the life of a diplomat—it was the affirmation of a dream. "I’ve always wanted to become a diplomat, and this experience reaffirmed my desire. It’s not an easy path, especially in India where competition is intense, but I’m committed to working hard and broadening my knowledge to one day achieve that goal," she shared.
Nidhi’s biggest source of inspiration is India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar. "He continues to inspire me every day with his depth of knowledge and contributions to diplomacy. I aspire to one day follow in his footsteps and serve my country with the same passion and dedication," she added.
Aspiring for a future in leadership
As Nidhi Gautam continues her education at Miranda House, this unique experience has given her a fresh perspective on international relations, technology, and leadership. She sees herself not only as a future diplomat but as a champion for gender equality and innovation. Her passion for diplomacy, technology, and cultural exchange is set to shape her path forward.
"The future of diplomacy is bright, especially as more young leaders, particularly women, are given platforms to shine. Initiatives like ‘High Commissioner for a Day’ are essential in promoting gender equality and inspiring the next generation of change-makers," she said. "More women deserve to be in leadership positions. The world is better when everyone has equal opportunities."
Extraordinary opportunities in 2024
The year 2024 has been full of extraordinary opportunities for the youngster. Earlier this year, she was part of a nearly 100-student cohort invited to the Raisina Dialogue 2024, a multilateral conference held annually in New Delhi, after being selected through an application process. Describing the Raisina Dialogue experience she remarks, "It was truly beyond words. It was a unique opportunity to meet people from diverse backgrounds, including civil servants, diplomats, and top leaders from around the world. I’m extremely grateful for that experience, just as I am for the chance to serve as the British High Commissioner for a day."
[caption id="attachment_39861" align="aligncenter" width="643"] Nidhi Gautam with Lindy Cameron, the British High Commissioner to India[/caption]
Both the opportunities have been exhilarating and learning platforms for the young scholar. As Nidhi puts it, "The experiences taught me that collaboration and leadership go hand in hand. Whether it’s between countries or individuals, shared knowledge and expertise always lead to better outcomes."
What stood out the most for Nidhi was the warmth and encouragement she received from the entire team at the British High Commission. "Their supportive smiles and kind words reassured me, making the experience even more memorable," she signed off.
(January 21, 2022) What do you do when you’re fascinated with the world of startups but don’t have a tech background or the business know-how? Launch a podcast that addresses this knowledge gap. At least that’s what Indian venture capitalist Jivraj Singh Sachar did. The Kolkata-based 23-year-old launched his now hugely popular business podcast Indian Silicon Valley back in August 2020 to help answer questions like how to build a successful business. Today, with about 90 episodes in the bag, Indian Silicon Valley has been consistently ranking in the top 10 business podcasts on Spotify. And the Indian venture capitalist has managed to also feature about 30 percent of the country’s unicorns. For Jivraj, the motive behind Indian Silicon Valley (which has an active listener base of over 75,000) was simple: create a content repository for budding entrepreneurs and get valuable information and tips from industry experts. To that effect, Jivraj has so far featured several of India’s successful founders, entrepreneurs and venture capitalists. While he is not hosting his podcast, so far, a one-man show, he is working his way around the world of venture capital at his day job with AngelList India, where he prescribes to the philosophies of Naval Ravikanth and Utsav Somani. A podcast to help startups, start up! Born
alists. While he is not hosting his podcast, so far, a one-man show, he is working his way around the world of venture capital at his day job with AngelList India, where he prescribes to the philosophies of Naval Ravikanth and Utsav Somani.
A podcast to help startups, start up!
Born into a Sikh household settled in Kolkata, Jivraj had the typical middle-class upbringing. His father runs a business in the wood space and his mother works in the fashion industry, while his sister works with E&Y.
The Indian venture capitalist, who spent most of his formative years studying in Kolkata’s St Xavier’s College, tells Global Indian, “Like any typical middle-class family our aspirations were to focus on our studies, excel academically and eventually get a degree in engineering. However, in high school, a whole new world of opportunities opened up to me. I began to get more involved in co-curricular activities like debating and realised that there was life beyond just academics.” This was a period when he was quite active in the college TeDx scene too.
The Indian venture capitalist eventually chose to do his graduation in commerce from the same institution where he’d done his schooling, and graduated in 2020. During his college years, he was actively involved in clubs and launched a few himself too. “I found myself drawn to entrepreneurship, and wondered more and more about what it took to set up a successful business. I wanted to know the how behind several success stories out there,” smiles the Indian venture capitalist, adding that Kolkata as a city was not very entrepreneurial in nature.
That’s when he decided to launch his podcast - To build a content repository for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to build a business. The podcast, which usually lasts anywhere between 45 minutes to an hour, has Jivraj speaking to industry leaders to try and democratise industry knowledge for people his age. Some of the people he’s featured so far include Jaydeep Barman of Rebel Foods, Ashwini Ashok of Mad Street Den, Sai Srinivas of Mobile Premier League, Vikram Chopra of Cars24, Kabeer Biswas of Dunzo, and Abhay Hanjura of Licious, among others. He has also interviewed managing partners of major venture funds such as Accel India, Sequoia Capital India, and Light Speed, to name a few.
Completely bootstrapped, the only investments Jivraj had to put into Indian Silicon Valley was to buy a good quality mic and laptop. “Revenue generation was never the idea behind the podcast. I was curious about how to build a business and since I didn’t come from a tech background, I thought the best way to gain that knowledge would be by interviewing industry insiders. That’s how the podcast came about,” says the Indian venture capitalist, adding that today, he also features experts from the Bay Area, UK, Netherlands and Bangladesh.
Aired weekly, his podcasts have Jivraj quiz industry leaders on how to go about tactical things, pull off valuations, establish culture in the company, and how to startup in the first place. “I want to equip the masses with the tools to start their own company and contribute to the Indian Silicon Valley and economy,” smiles Indian venture capitalist.
All in a day’s work
On the professional front, Jivraj began working with AngelList India in December 2020; at the time he was one of the youngest employees. Today, he works in the venture operations team, and looks at investor relations. “I look up to Naval’s ideologies and principals. I also have great respect for Utsav, the India partner. At 33, he's one of the youngest investors in the country,” says the Indian venture capitalist, who is also an avid reader and loves to play table tennis when he isn’t reading up to understand the world of investments better.
A cricket and sport buff, the Indian venture capitalist also loves travelling with friends, and on occasion, adding adventure to the mix.
As his podcast continues to gain steam, Jivraj hopes that in the next few years Indian Silicon Valley becomes one of the most widely heard podcasts in the world. “I truly believe that innovation in India should not be restricted, it should be showcased to the world. And I hope we can do that through Indian Silicon Valley,” he signs off.
Pune Ploggers Team[/caption]
Vivek's plogging efforts in the UK[/caption]
Vivek Gurav at BBC's studio, UK[/caption]
Nidhi Gautam with 
The day started with a breakfast briefing[/caption]
A visit to National Institute of Immunology[/caption]
Nidhi got highly inspired by 
Nidhi Gautam[/caption]
Nidhi Gautam with Lindy Cameron, the British High Commissioner to India[/caption]
