Indian-origin Manvin Khera makes history: Miss Globe 2023 crown lands in Malaysia
Compiled by: Amrita Priya
(December 22, 2023) Indian-origin Malaysian model Manvin Khera made Malaysia proud by winning the Miss Globe 2023 title. With its inception in 1925, the contest holds the distinction of being one of the world’s longest-running major international beauty pageants. The annual event, with headquarters in Albania, is ranked seventh in prominence in the international beauty contest for women.
Manvin’s win marks a historic first for Malaysia, as she brought home the first ever Miss Globe crown, leaving behind 49 contestants from across the world. “It’s truly an honour to represent my country on the international stage and I am really happy to be the first ever Malaysian to bring home the Miss Globe crown. I am happy to have raised the bar high for my country,” the 22-year-old said in an interview with after the historic win.
Manvin Khera
Beyond the glitz and glamour of the ramp, Manvin is a dedicated law student pursuing her education at the University of Malaya. She is a passionate advocate for animal rights and veganism, and aspires to become a human rights lawyer while continuing her modelling career.
A pageant pro
Before her participation in the Miss Globe competition, Manvin has competed in multiple pageants, gaining recognition and winning titles.
Her journey in the world of modelling began in 2017 when she earned the Miss Teen Malaysia title at the age of 16. This win led her to participate in the Miss Teen International competition held in her country of origin, India that same year. She was one of the top 10 contestants in the competition and earned recognition for the best national costume.
Manvin Khera
Continuing to pursue her modelling career alongside her academic endeavours, Manvin kept on working for modelling assignments and subsequently participated in the inaugural Ratu Wanita Malaya pageant, the Malaysian franchise of the Miss Globe competition. Apart from clinching the main title in the international pageant, Manvin also won the titles of ‘Best in Evening Gown’ and ‘Best in Talent’.
Her advice to people chasing their dreams is, “stop doubting yourself. Whatever aspirations that you have, just go for it.”
The multifaceted youngster
Born in 2001 in Kuala Lumpur, Manvin hails from a family where both her parents are business owners. “Initially they were apprehensive of me entering the field of modelling but as I won the pageants, they said, ‘we believe in you’,” Manvin revealed.
Despite her Malaysian upbringing, the Indian-origin youngster boasts of fluency in Punjabi (her mother tongue), Hindi, English, and Malay.
The Malaysia-born Indian has passion for diverse cultures and has travelled to countries like India, Thailand, Singapore, Australia, Indonesia, and the United States learning about their cuisines and exploring the cultural diversity in the process.
Manvin Khera
Before appearing in the Miss Globe nationals, she suffered from acne for a year and felt quite insecure about the situation. “It was a challenging phase for me and I was constantly worried about it and of facing the camera but I worked towards improving the condition and was finally able to come out of it,” she shared highlighting. “Health problems can be reversed with corrective measures and you should not let them come in between you and your goals.”
When it comes to the inspiration of life, Manvin finds a role model in Priyanka Chopra, and respects her achievements, confidence, and humanitarian endeavours.
Not merely limited to pageants, Manvin’s talents extends to classical dance forms like Bharatanatyam, Kathak, and Odissi. She also finds joy in, archery, hiking, and reading.
(September 21, 2023) In an era marked by climate uncertainty, dwindling arable land, and a growing global population, the traditional methods of agriculture are facing unprecedented challenges. However, a beacon of hope shines through the innovative and sustainable practice of hydroponics, which is poised to revolutionise the way we grow food. And pioneering this movement is a young Indian American agriculturist, Rahul Vijayan, a junior at Shadowcreek High School in Pearland, Texas, who recently won the prestigious President's Environmental Youth Award (PEYA), 2023. At just 16, this Global Indian has established the nonprofit organisation, called ' Farm to Tray', to enhance access to fresh organic produce in Houston-area schools. "The problem I am seeking to fix is poor child nutrition in American public schools," the agriculturist expressed, adding, "Most students in the USA receive about one-third of the nutrition from unhealthy lunches and breakfasts served in schools. However, I feel that food quality is only the tip of the iceberg; a lack of proper nutrition is detrimental to everything. Students have yet to be taught proper nutritional habits from a young age." Talking about being recognised by the US President for his efforts, he said, "I'm truly honoured, especially being
ed in schools. However, I feel that food quality is only the tip of the iceberg; a lack of proper nutrition is detrimental to everything. Students have yet to be taught proper nutritional habits from a young age."
Talking about being recognised by the US President for his efforts, he said, "I'm truly honoured, especially being so invested in sustainability and nature and climate change. I always love finding peers who are in the same field as me. I'm even trying to connect with some students there to bring hydroponics to their school and bring some of their projects to mine."
Food for all
The youngster, who has always been fascinated by newer technology and developing alternative methods to help people, embarked on his hydroponic farming journey in 2021 when he interned at Moonflower Farms, a large 20,000-square-foot sustainable greenhouse situated at 3905 Fuqua in Houston. Around the same time, Federico Marques, the CEO and founder of Moonflower Farms, collaborated with Vijayan to introduce hydroponic farming into schools, starting with Shadow Creek High School earlier this year. Their joint efforts resulted in the development of two systems: one, a six-by-four-foot hydroponic farm, allows students to cultivate crops like tomatoes, lettuce, mint, basil, and peppers; the second is a grow kit designed as a small, hands-on laboratory to introduce hydroponics to younger students at the elementary school level.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJHeRqrsI9k
In 2022, Rahul received a $3,200 grant from Earthforce, which funded the creation of the inaugural hydroponic farm in the advanced placement environmental science curriculum at Shadow Creek High School. This hydroponic system has successfully completed six cycles of produce growth. Subsequently, in January, he organised a symposium that inspired teachers throughout Alvin ISD to explore the integration of hydroponic farming into their classrooms. "I realised how big the market is and how teachers actually value this new tool and way of teaching students in a new, fun way," the agriculturist said.
Rahul collaborated with the Children's Environmental Literacy Foundation to supervise hydroponic farming practices in 49 schools spanning Texas, California, New York, and Connecticut. "I'm trying to expand it to more classes and curriculums to utilise this form of handheld teaching and project-based learning," the youngster said.
Apart from this, the 16-year-ols is also working on expanding the farming area in Houston. Interestingly, the oncology department at Houston Methodist Hospital in the Texas Medical Center has embraced Rahul's hydroponic farming techniques to establish a therapeutic garden for cancer patients. "Seeing these plants grow right next to them in their bedsite and eating fresh produce really helps boost morale and recovery," the agriculturist said.
The road ahead
Rahul's project combines technology and community responsibility. His efforts involve practical assessments to determine the optimal garden size, and his use of hydroponic technology eliminates the need for genetically modified organisms (GMOs) or pesticides, all while conserving space and water. Not only has the agriculturist introduced this technology to his community, but he also encourages others to embrace it. "I will continue to work on this project for a long time to come," he said, "My goal, although it's rather ambitious, is to have every American public school utilise hydroponic infrastructure to curb this problem of nationwide poor nutrition in schools."
[caption id="attachment_33192" align="aligncenter" width="633"] Rahul Vijayan has put together a first-of-its-kind hydroponic symposium[/caption]
The agriculturist is currently collaborating with the City of Pearland, Kroger grocery stores, and even NASA to share the benefits of his project with a broader audience. Moreover, he plans to establish new gardens in other schools, with a comprehensive seven-step plan for hydroponic implementation across school districts and states. His garden and teachings serve as an inspiration for others to incorporate fresh, organic produce into school lunches while instilling the principles of sustainable agriculture in the student curriculum.
"Eventually, I want my school's student body to run the programme within the environmental club. The produce generated by this cultivation would be used in the school cafeteria system. I plan to expand to eight already interested schools by March next year in my district alone. Although in parallel, I am working with schools and teachers from Ghana, India, and other US states," said the agriculturist.
(October 25, 2024) At just 17 years old, Mumbai-based Adeetya Jain, a senior at Rahul International School, is not your typical high school student. Trained under entrepreneur Namita Thapar, of Shark Tank fame, at her Thapar’s Entrepreneurship Academy, he is building a platform poised to change how children learn about money. As the founder of Ecobyte Kids, a pioneering initiative aimed at making financial literacy accessible to children, Adeetya is on a mission to empower the next generation with the knowledge they need to navigate the world of finance. The platform's journey began during the pandemic and has since evolved. With the vision of blending education and technology, Adeetya Jain is now making use of AI to transform Ecobyte Kids into a personalized financial literacy hub. “Our goal is not just to make finance and economics interesting, but also to make them accessible for children across India,” Adeetya shares with Global Indian. A vision born in the pandemic The idea for Ecobyte Kids came to life toward the end of the COVID-19 lockdown in 2021. While the world was struggling to adjust to the new normal, Adeetya saw an opportunity to create something impactful. "We started building a team with
img class="aligncenter wp-image-40001 size-full" src="https://www.globalindian.com/youth/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/AJ.webp" alt="Indian youth | Adeetya Jain | Global Indian " width="438" height="577" />
A vision born in the pandemic
The idea for Ecobyte Kids came to life toward the end of the COVID-19 lockdown in 2021. While the world was struggling to adjust to the new normal, Adeetya saw an opportunity to create something impactful. "We started building a team with the goal of creating a Market Viable Product (MVP) and were able to do it in eight months right after," says the youngster who now leads a team of 30 young volunteers who are below 18.
Initially, Ecobyte Kids was conceived as a fun, digital newsletter aimed at teaching financial literacy to kids between the ages of 9 and 16. “To make financial news and information interesting for children, we created a sample four-page newsletter that was graphic and funky but at the same time enriched with simplified economics and finance concepts,” Adeetya shares. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and this small project quickly grew into a full-fledged venture. “Soon we positioned ourselves as a digital media startup for finance and economics with a niche target audience,” tells the young entrepreneur.
From newsletter to tech-backed learning solution
Ecobyte Kids is steadily evolving. Today, the platform is transitioning into an AI and Machine Learning-powered financial literacy hub. “Our focus on content creation remains intact,” Adeetya says, “But we have started exploring and executing a lot of tech-based initiatives to deliver our content.”
He and his team are working on personalized learning modules that adapt to different age groups, ensuring that younger kids receive simpler explanations while older children are introduced to more complex financial concepts. “To put it simply, the level of jargon and intensity of concepts will vary even in the 9-16-year-old age group,” Adeetya explains.
One of the upcoming features of Ecobyte Kids includes an AI-powered chatbot and a natural language processor, which will help users easily access simplified financial knowledge. “Our digital solutions, including the chatbot, will only provide verifiable, easy-to-understand and accurate content,” Adeetya shares.
In addition, his venture is working on delivering content in multiple Indian languages, ensuring it can reach children from different linguistic backgrounds.
Entrepreneurship in the DNA
“For me, entrepreneurship is the most viable extracurricular activity. It is something I derive a lot of joy from - almost an escape from the rigorous academia in high school,” says Adeetya, for whom entrepreneurship also runs in the family. Both of his parents are successful entrepreneurs, and their example inspired him from an early age. "My parents are originally from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, who came to Mumbai to study and then established their entrepreneurial ventures,” says the youngster, whose mother runs an interior designing firm, while his father has his own pharmaceutical company.”
Their entrepreneurial drive has been a constant source of inspiration for Adeetya, encouraging him to take risks and follow his own path. “They have truly guided me along the way, and I certainly derive inspiration from them to take risks and to continuously innovate.”
Shark Tank fame Namita Thapar – a mentor
It wasn’t just his family who inspired him. Adeetya credits entrepreneur Namita Thapar for playing a key role in his development as a business enthusiast. “Namita Mam has been a vital part of my entrepreneurial journey under whose tutelage I launched my first startup, RootsUp,” Adeetya says. "She has given valuable inputs which have greatly influenced the products and services Ecobyte Kids provides today.”
Adeetya first met Namita during the online interview session of the Thapar’s Entrepreneurship Academy's (TEA) incubator program. “After getting accepted in the program, we bonded over my startup idea and pitch-deck development over the length of the program which was in an online mode due to the pandemic.” She later added him to the Thapar Entrepreneur Academy’s Star Alumni Group which increased their interactions. The youngster calls her his ‘go-to mentor’.
As part of the TEA Incubator Program, where he won the Best Pitch Award, Adeetya Jain received prize money to run the startup. Though RootsUp didn’t pan out due to resource and time constraints, the experience gave Adeetya valuable insight into the world of startups and set the stage for Ecobyte Kids. “However, I feel that the idea of RootsUp is still relevant, and I would love to pick it up again in the future,” he says.
Balancing academics and other initiatives
For the high school student, balancing schoolwork with running a startup is no easy task, but Adeetya has found ways to manage both. “Up to 10th grade, managing studies and entrepreneurial ventures is not much of a challenge if you remain consistent,” the 12th grade student says. But with the added pressure of competitive exams and university applications, Adeetya has had to perfect the art of time management.
“Dabbling between academics and activities of interest not only requires desperation but also the ability to pull all-nighters,” he admits. His dedication to both his studies and his venture has paid off, due to the support he has received from teachers and family. “I have received a tremendous amount of support from my family members and all my teachers in school and coaching institute,” he says, also expressing gratitude to Prem Ranjan, a professor at his coaching institute.
A passion for writing, arts, and social work
In addition to his entrepreneurial pursuits, Adeetya Jain is a talented writer and an avid lover of the arts. He is a three-time winner of the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition and is currently working on publishing his anthology of poems. “I certainly had a knack for writing. I always appreciated unabridged literature and have been an avid reader - a trait my mother instilled in me,” he says.
Adeetya’s love for writing extends to his work at Ecobyte Kids, where he contributes to the content creation efforts. He also enjoys drama, debate, collecting stamps and coins and participating in occasional plays in Mumbai. “Apart from this I love debate and MUNs and have been part of the Indian National Camp for debate.”
Adeetya is also part of SpecsAid, a student-run vision-correction initiative that has collected, refurbished, and distributed over 5,000 spectacles for those in need. This initiative has been featured in print and radio.
What’s next for Ecobyte Kids?
Looking ahead, Adeetya Jain and his team have ambitious plans for Ecobyte Kids. “We are hoping to launch our print media vertical soon,” he shares, informing that the team is trying to bring on board a group of undergraduate students with backgrounds in economics and finance, currently attending leading universities, to provide advice on relevant content development.”
For him Ecobyte Kids is more than just a venture - it’s a movement to educate and empower the next generation to become financially literate. Talking about his career goals he says, “I certainly wish to continue as an entrepreneur. I have always been attached to tech and finance and would most probably continue developing and executing ideas in that field.”
How is financial literacy important for youngsters?
Better Money Management: Learn to budget, save, and spend wisely.
Smart Decision-Making: Make informed financial choices.
Understand Current Affairs: Stay updated on financial news and trends.
Student Loan Awareness: Understand how loans work, including interest rates and repayment options.
Understand Debt: Manage credit cards responsibly.
Early Investing: Start building wealth through savings and investments.
Financial Independence: Gain the skills to manage personal finances independently.
(November 20, 2022) It was in 1903 that Rhodes scholarship, the educational grant to the University of Oxford, came into existence, thanks to Cecil John Rhodes, a British mining magnate, who is also the founder of De Beers - a diamond firm which until recently controlled global trade. The oldest and one of the most prestigious international scholarship programmes was initially established with the purpose of promoting unity among English speaking countries. However, it was revised over the years, and since the 21st century, citizens from all the countries made the eligibility cut. For Indians, the scholarship made inroads in 1947, and this year marks the 75th anniversary of the Rhodes Scholarship in India. "It is an opportunity to look back and celebrate the tremendous contributions to India and the world made by the nearly 250 men and women who have won the Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford over the past decades," said Elizabeth Kiss, Warden of Rhodes House, Oxford University, and CEO of the Rhodes Trust. 2023 Rhodes Scholars The Rhodes selection criteria are powerful and have remained largely unchanged over the past 100+ years. While the language goes back to the Rhodes Trust's founding documents, the ideas are as
le/scholarships-international/94455993/expanding-the-opportunities-to-win-rhodes-scholarship" target="_blank" rel="noopener">saidElizabeth Kiss, Warden of Rhodes House, Oxford University, and CEO of the Rhodes Trust.
2023 Rhodes Scholars
The Rhodes selection criteria are powerful and have remained largely unchanged over the past 100+ years. While the language goes back to the Rhodes Trust's founding documents, the ideas are as relevant today as they have ever been - Nandan Kamath, national secretary, Rhodes Scholarships for India
Kamath, a lawyer by profession himself was a Rhodes scholar in 2000 and graduated from Balliol College at the University of Oxford. It was he who announced the names of the scholars who made the cut this year for the session beginning in 2023.
Vedanta Thapar: The final-year Physics student at St Stephen's College, Delhi University is interested in the physics and mathematics of complex systems as well as in the social issues connected to scientific research. At Oxford University, he wishes to study scientific computing and mathematical modelling with a focus on climate dynamics and policy challenges associated with it. Vedanta is a badminton player who grew up in Delhi.
Syed Muhammed Khalid: The final year English Literature student at St Stephen’s College, Delhi University holds an interest in the documentation of people's stories and movements. The youngster, who hails from Allahabad, aims to study about Indian Muslims in South Asia to get a grasp on the diversity within the community and how they respond to pressures on their identity. The literature student is involved in theatre and loves football.
Hansa Mukherjee: The final-year Economics student at Lady Shri Ram College for Women, Delhi University holds interest in researching social and behavioural interventions for improving women’s healthcare outcomes. The trained Odissi dancer is passionate about art history and graphic design.
Dr Kirtana Sivasubramanian: The scholar with an MBBS degree from Government Medical College, Omandurar Government Estate, Chennai seeks to research the potential of genetic engineering to utilise the immune system effectively in treating diseases. She aims to explore fundamental concepts of T-cell Biology that might enhance immunotherapy for cancer and autoimmune conditions. The scholar is devoted to use primary research and innovation for making cutting-edge therapies accessible to all and would love to explore it more deeply at Oxford.
Daksh Walia: The final year Master’s student of Economics at Ashoka University is interested in studying labour economics with a focus on the determinants of female labour force participation in India. He aims to gain an understanding of the economics of climate change. Daksh plans to continue working on economic research at Oxford, while simultaneously pursuing his passion for studying justice and the social production of knowledge.
Road to Rhodes Scholarship
All 250 candidates, who have been selected for Rhodes Scholarship in past 75 years, have had to pass through a competitive application process. The selection process includes a thorough review of the applications before the finalists get interviewed by a selection committee comprising of experts and leaders from diverse fields. After the preliminary interviews, another round of interviews gets conducted to shortlist the final winners.
We are committed to raising funds to permanently endow more Indian Rhodes Scholarships so that more remarkable students from this great country can join and contribute to our global community - Elizabeth Kiss, CEO, Rhodes Trust
This year’s Rhodes scholars from India - Vedanta, Syed, Hansa, Kirtana and Daksh will be heading to Oxford University in October 2023 to join a cohort of more than 100 scholars from around the globe to pursue their fully sponsored postgraduate studies, becoming part of a strong community of people aiming to bring a positive difference to the world.
The applications for the 2024 Rhodes Scholarships will open in June / July 2023. More information about the Scholarship application can be found here.
Some of the Global Indians who have been Rhodes Scholars in the past:
Girish Karnad - The playwright, author, actor and director
Montek Singh Ahluwalia - Economist and policy expert who won the Padma Vibhushan award
Dr Menaka Guruswamy - Senior Advocate at the Supreme Court of India
Sagarika Ghose - The journalist, columnist and author who has written biographies of former Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Tanjore Ramachandra Anantharaman - One of India's eminent metallurgists and materials scientists
(January 22, 2023) Proving President Joe Biden’s words, “Indian Americans are taking over the country,” right, several Indian-origin kids have been winning big at the Regeneron Science Talent Search every year. Also called the US’ Junior Nobel, several Indian-origin high school students have secured positions among the top-10 finalists at this oldest and most prestigious STEM competition, which discovers the most innovative of budding scientists. This year too, over 30 Indian-American students are among the semifinalists in the science competition. Inspired by compelling issues that cripple the pace of day-to-day life, these students have developed simple, unique, low-cost solutions, demonstrating their potential to become scientists and innovators for humankind. As these youngsters fight it to reach the top of the scoring board, Global Indian takes a look at the past Indian-origin students who won big at the Regeneron Science Talent Search. Neil Chowdhury An 18-year-old from Washington, Neil Chowdhury’s success in the Regeneron Science Talent Search 2022 is inspiring. He finished fifth among the top 10 winners of the United States’ Junior Nobel in STEM and received a cash award of $90,000 for his project, “Modeling the Effect of Histone Methylation on Chromosomal Organization in Colon Cancer Cells", which is
90,000 for his project, “Modeling the Effect of Histone Methylation on Chromosomal Organization in Colon Cancer Cells", which is an innovative computational method of studying the role of histones implicated in colon cancer.
The project he submitted to the Regeneron Science Talent Search shows his findings that histone proteins cause changes to the way a long string of DNA loops and coils itself to fit inside the nucleus of a cell. Explaining the significance of his project, Neil had earlier said that by being able to simulate biological systems and develop models of 3D genome, it can help us to better understand the inner workings of the cells.
In his experiment, Neil tried to replicate the method of modulating the DNA’s physical formation using molecular simulations of DNA polymers and coded the simulation in Python, an open-source programming language. His experiment shows that a modification of histone proteins can help with colon cancer by causing changes in the folding of DNA strings. Neil is exploring DNA, the basic building blocks of life, and will use the money to help pay tuition at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Pravalika Gayatri Putalapattu
Just 17 and already going places. Indian-American student Pravalika Gayatri Putalapattu won the seventh place at the 2022 Regeneron Science Talent Search. A resident of Virginia, Pravalika received a cash award of $70,000 for her project on real-time monitoring of laparoscopic surgeries. She designed a video-assisted program that uses machine learning to detect errors, if there is any, in surgical steps that doctors take in the operating room, so that a corrective measure can be taken immediately.
“My program was inspired by my cousin in India, who died of a preventable brain surgery complication,” Pravalika had shared during the competition, adding, "I wanted to create a tool that alleviates surgeons' stress and helps them perform better in the operating room.” Pravalika started working on Dynamic Operating Room Companion (also known as DORC) in July 2020 and her goal was to reduce the potential for mistakes in gallbladder surgeries. Using machine learning, DORC analyses live surgery videos and tracks the movements of surgical tools, such as the acceleration and velocity in use. DORC uses this info to flag potential errors.
Gopal Krishna Goel
This 17-year-old from Portland, Oregon secured the fourth position at the Regeneron Science Talent Search 2021. A homeschooled math genius, Gopal made it to the top 10 for his research on mathematical properties of random matrices, for which he received a US$ 100,000 award. For his project, he made connections between two mathematical objects related to randomness and probability.
Speaking about his journey, Gopal shared during an interview that homeschooling gave him the opportunity to explore the areas of study he loved at his own pace. He also added that his father piqued his interest in physics and they started going through most of Halliday Resnick 2nd edition together.
The young scientist hopes that his work will aid in the search for the true nature of quantum gravity, more commonly known as “the theory of everything.” Gopal, who is currently pursuing his undergraduate in math, science, music, and philosophy at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is confident that the award-winning research will play a key role in the field of meteorology, nuclear physics, and quantum field theory. His research on the connection between randomness and probability.
Alay Shah
Among the top ten winners of the 2021 Regeneron Science Talent Search, 17-year-old Alay Shah from Texas finished seventh and earned a US$ 70,000 award for developing a possible low-cost alternative to MRIs. Through his research titled, Identifying Eye-Movement Patterns in Neurological Disorders to Assess Cognitive and Motor Function, Alay developed a tool to test eye movement as a low-cost, non-invasive method of quantifying deep brain function. He wrote the software, built the hardware, and conducted clinical testing on Dementia, Parkinson's, Multiple Sclerosis, and ADHD patients.
On knowing that injured footballers are immediately taken for an eye checkup to find concussion, Alay started working on the idea of using abnormal eye movements for accurate detection of several neurological disorders. During an interaction session with the media, Alay had shared that he is a big believer in project-based learning. He added that he took a look at the current eye tracking standard and he used a combination of a set of intelligent algorithms to redefine eye tracking at its core.
A resident of Plano, Alay has integrated into the device an infrared camera that uses the software he coded. The device also uses deep learning algorithms to analyze and interpret the data on pupil movement. He has already tested the tool successfully on 200 patients.
Indrani Das
Currently pursuing a degree in Chemical and Physical Biology at the prestigious Harvard University, Indrani Das took home the top prize of $250,000 for her winning project focused on brain injury at the 2017 Regeneron Science Talent Search. By manipulating astrocytes, a type of supporting brain cell in an injury model, Indrani worked to promote neuron repair.
A contributor to neuron death is astrogliosis, a condition that occurs when cells called astrocytes react to injury by growing, dividing, and reducing their uptake of glutamate, which in excess is toxic to neurons. In a laboratory model, Indrani showed that exosomes isolated from astrocytes transfected with microRNA-124a both improved astrocyte uptake of glutamate and increased neuron survival.
Explaining her research, Das said that when Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, stroke, or a traumatic injury affects the brain, the neurons, which are the main signal cells of the brain, are killed. Next, the supporting cells -- astrocytes -- that are supposed to nurture and protect the neurons, go awry and create a toxic chemical environment, poisoning the neurons.
(December 13, 2022) "Didi, I need to protect myself." Pooja Nagpal was taken aback, to say the least, by the diminutive teenager who stood before her, hand in a sling. The girl, Neha, had been beaten by a family member and knew she had to learn to defend herself. Pooja, an Indian-American activist with a second-level black belt in Taekwondo, is the founder of For a Change, Defend, a non-profit that teaches girls self-defence techniques. In 2013, soon after the Nirbhaya tragedy, Pooja arrived in the upper mountain areas of Himachal Pradesh, to take a crash course in self-defence for young girls there. A determination to prevail "Neha’s grandmother had told her that girls can't laugh, her brother got more food from her, she had been told that there was no point in girls being educated past the ninth grade, that she had to wear a veil when guests came home. How does anyone have an ounce of confidence in that environment," Pooja demands. From that point on, Neha became her most dedicated student, staying back after class to ask questions, determined to perfect every kick and punch. On Independence Day that year, 250 of Pooja's students demonstrated in front of an
On Independence Day that year, 250 of Pooja's students demonstrated in front of an audience. Neha, who was holding the Indian flag in her hand, addressed the crowd, saying, "The time is now. We need to start fighting for women's equality. Parents, teachers, and family members need to understand the power that girls can bring to the future of India." Pooja, who was watching, realised at that moment the true power that a fighting spirit can bring.
Pooja opens her ted talk in Manhattan Beach with a kick and a 'kihap', which is a traditional shout and rapid exhalation of breath used in Taekwondo. The sound is as essential to the kick as the movement itself, a means to concentrate a martial artist's power. "It is a declaration of one's fighting spirit and the determination to prevail," she told her audience.
Discovering India
Pooja's parents were both born in India and hers was a "bilingual household," the young Global Indianexplains. Growing up in Manhattan Beach in the United States, she would listen eagerly as her parents told her stories of the rich, Indian culture, of the "rush of colours and festivities and the euphoria." More than anything else, however, she loved Indian mythology. She was in awe of the Goddess Durga, who rode into battle on a lion and destroyed demons, who was the protector of all living things. She loved the elegance of Goddess Saraswati, seated atop a white lotus, the Goddess of learning and knowledge. "Growing up," she says, "These were my superheroes. They are powerful women with a unique, symbolic fighting spirit who help and protect the vulnerable."
As she grew older, however, the enchantment of Indian mythology gave way to a hidden dark side. She heard stories of violence and discrimination against women and girls. "There are girls who were defeated before they had begun to dream. They are stripped of their fighting spirit. The determination is not to prevail, but to survive." In 2012, the stories she had heard became more real and frightening than she could have imagined, with the Nirbhaya tragedy rocking the country - and the world. She knew something had to be done.
The time to act
"How could this happen in a country so beautiful and so magical," she asked. Activists around the world swung into action, all fighting for women's safety and rights. They worked to raise awareness, towards strength in numbers and changes at the legislative level. Pooja felt this could only be one part of the solution.
While it was a wonderful effort, the fact remained that women continue to face violence every day and, in most cases, there are no repercussions for the perpetrators. In India, women are unsafe both in private and public spaces, with violence meted out in various forms, including eve-teasing, domestic violence, mental and physical torture, and marital rape. And it was a problem, she soon learned, that was not exclusive to developing countries; there was domestic violence everywhere, from Los Angeles to Ladakh.
Training girls in rural India
In 2013, trying to earn her 'Gold Award for Girl Scouts, Pooja travelled to Himachal Pradesh with her sister, to teach self-defence at a village there. She arrived there to find young girls giggling and chatting together, much like she did with her friends back home. Pooja was, however, starkly aware of the fact that their "futures were worlds apart."
Pooja was wary at first, she was not sure how she would be received in a remote, rural region in a developing country. To her surprise, she was welcomed. "I was determined to give the girls what a kihap had given me," she said, in her TEDx Talk. "A fighting spirit and the determination to prevail." She worked flexibility, physical strength, self-defence, and mental confidence into her curriculum, spending around three hours a day training the girls.
The girls were weak - physically and mentally. She taught them the kihap. "As the weeks went on, they became louder and stronger," she recalled, smiling. After class, they would sit down to discuss role models, or the girls would make speeches to their classmates. "Many of these girls had never been asked, 'What do you want to be when you grow up'?" When she asked a 14-year-old, Rakhi, what she wanted to be, the girl's eyes were downcast. She was married, she said. She would be a housewife.
For A Change, Defend
The following year, Pooja Nagpal created her non-profit, For a Change, Defend. She returned to various rural schools in India, turning down offers from private schools that wanted her to teach martial arts lessons. "I wished to teach lower income girls, especially in rural areas that tend to be those that need the most help, since, in these areas, cases mostly go unreported,” she said.
Pooja also worked with Kiran Bedi, as she trained over 500 girls and women in various villages and slums. Bedi gave her a valuable piece of advice. "Start with six girls, then go to 60, then 600. Soon, you will have a six million-girl revolution. There is power in acting and power in activism." She watched the young girls she trained transform before her eyes. "They learned a fighting spirit and a determination to prevail. None of this could have been done without the kihap."
Rahul Vijayan has put together a first-of-its-kind hydroponic symposium[/caption]
Rhodes Scholars 2023[/caption]
Pooja Nagpal[/caption]
Pooja Nagpal[/caption]