Global Indianstory Global Indian ExclusiveIndore student Asmi Jain wins Apple Swift Student Challenge with groundbreaking healthcare app

Indore student Asmi Jain wins Apple Swift Student Challenge with groundbreaking healthcare app

Compiled by: Team GI Youth

(June 15, 2023) “She’s already poised to make a profound impact on the world by helping people with their health, and we’re excited to see what she does next,” said Apple CEO Tim Cook, about Asmi Jain, a twenty-year-old developer from Indore, who is one of the three winners of the Apple Swift Student Challenge. Overnight, the quiet teen from Indore skyrocketed into fame, and the world learned Asmi Jain’s name. Cook was all praise for Jain, saying that the ioS developer community in India has always fascinated him, and that the young girl’s work exemplifies creativity. Jain’s app playground was declared one of three winners from 375 entries received from around the world.

Jain, who is a student at Medi-Caps University in Indore, found her call to action when a friend’s uncle had to undergo brain surgery. The procedure left him with misaligned eyes and facial paralysis. It stirred her to action and she began working on an app that can track a user’s eye movements as they follow a ball moving around the screen. According to the press note by Apple, “The playground’s purpose is to help strengthen the eye muscles, and though it was inspired by her friend’s uncle, Jain hopes it can be used by people with a variety of eye conditions and injuries.

Asmi Jain, winner of Apple Swift Student Challenge.

Driven by empathy

Jain is one of the three, first-time winners of the Swift Student Challenge, an annual competition organised by Apple during the Worldwide Developer’s Conference. The program is intended to provide young developers with a platform to showcase their coding abilities and creative ideas. The challenge requires participants to create interactive playgrounds and apps using Swift, Apple’s programming language.

Always driven to make a positive impact on society, the Global Indian found that the healthcare sector was the ideal place to put her coding skills to use. She had also spent years volunteering to help people in her community. She is also part of a forum at university for students to collaborate and work through coding problems.

“When you feel as though you’re part of something bigger, it motivates you and drives you to do better,” she remarked. “Coding lets me create things that help my friends and my community.” It also gives her a sense of independence, she says, which is “very empowering.”

Asmi’s plan involves getting feedback to make sure the app is “effective and user-friendly, then release it on the App store,” she says. “Ultimately, I want to expand it so that it helps strengthen all of the muscles in the face, and I hope it can one day serve as a therapy tool that people like my friend’s uncle can use at their own pace.”

Asmi is among a group of elite, AI-savvy young coders around the world who are harnessing cutting-edge technology to create social change. Developers like Asmi Jain are at the forefront of creating innovative solutions that address healthcare challenges. Technology has helped enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare systems, benefiting healthcare professionals and patients alike.

Through intuitive user interfaces and secure data handling, as is the case with Asmi’s app, patients are empowered to actively participate in their own healthcare, while healthcare providers can access critical information in real-time, leading to better decision-making and more personalized care.

What is the Apple Swift Challenge?

The Apple Swift Student Challenge is an annual competition organized by Apple during the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). It is specifically designed to provide young developers with an opportunity to showcase their coding abilities and creative ideas using Swift, Apple’s programming language.

The challenge invites students from around the world to submit their interactive playgrounds or apps created with Swift. Participants are encouraged to think innovatively and solve real-world problems through their projects. The entries are judged based on various criteria, including technical accomplishment, creativity, and the overall design of the project.

Winners of the Swift Student Challenge receive a range of exciting prizes, including a WWDC21 jacket and pin set, a one-year membership in the Apple Developer Program, and access to future WWDC events. Moreover, their projects are showcased on the Apple Developer website and in the App Store.

The Apple Swift Student Challenge not only recognizes the talent and potential of young developers but also provides them with a platform to gain exposure, connect with industry professionals, and kickstart their careers in app development and software engineering.

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Published on 15, Jun 2023

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Meet Shomik Verma, the rising star researcher leading the way in clean energy

(June 1, 2023) In a world plagued by the urgent threat of climate change, the need for sustainable and clean energy solutions has reached a critical juncture. However, as the world grapples with the challenges of dwindling resources and escalating environmental concerns, a young Indian American researcher, Shomik Verma is leading the charge towards a greener future. Recently bestowed with the prestigious Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowship, Shomik has emerged as a beacon of hope, dedicating his expertise and unwavering commitment to developing groundbreaking advancements in clean energy. A Ph.D. student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the researcher is fascinated by the future of energy and has worked in a variety of fields including electric vehicles, solar cells, fuel cells, hydrogen production, thermal energy storage, and thermophotovoltaics. "At MIT, my current endeavours revolve around several compelling projects. Firstly, I am engaged in modelling the optimal implementation of a thermal energy grid storage system, aiming to bolster the reliability of renewable energy sources, shares the researcher, as he connects with Global Indian, adding, "I am dedicated to the design of a cutting-edge power plant that harnesses the potential of hydrogen combustion and thermophotovoltaic power generation. Also, I am focused on

cher, as he connects with Global Indian, adding, "I am dedicated to the design of a cutting-edge power plant that harnesses the potential of hydrogen combustion and thermophotovoltaic power generation. Also, I am focused on fine-tuning the performance of thermophotovoltaic cells through meticulous first-principles calculations."

A child prodigy

Born to immigrant parents from Bihar, who had come to America in search for better opportunities, the young researcher experienced the rich essence of Indian culture during his childhood. "I grew up in Sugar Land, Texas, and was surrounded by the sights, smells, and sounds of Indian culture. Whether it was spending my weekends watching Bollywood movies or indulging in delicious meals at my favourite restaurants in Hillcroft, I always felt a deep connection to my Indian roots. What also helped was that there were several Indian Americans in Texas, and many of my friends were from the community. So, I never felt out of place. Education was highly valued at my place, and on many weekends, you would find me competing in math competitions alongside fellow Asian Americans," shares Shomik, who is also a very skilled tabla player.

While he was a meticulous student right from the beginning, it was during his high school years that the young researcher began to catch interesting patterns that paved his career path. During the math competitions he attended, Shomik noticed a recurring trend: these events were frequently sponsored by oil and gas companies. This discovery pushed Shomik to undertake an important project seeking sustainable storage for storing carbon dioxide.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcP7k-MBhbw

"I found myself caught between two worlds — one driven by the fossil fuel industry that supported my way of life, and the other marked by the looming danger of global warming that I studied about in school. To bridge these contrasting realities, I undertook a project during high school, collaborating with the multinational corporation Schlumberger on carbon capture and storage. My goal was to identify suitable locations for storing carbon dioxide. However, instead of finding the clarity I sought, I discovered that the stored carbon was often utilised for enhanced oil recovery, which only added further complexity to the situation," shares the researcher, who did not stop working on the issue despite several hurdles.

Driven by challenges

As the researcher finished his high school, a tragedy struck the family. Shomik lost his uncle to black lung disease, which occurs dues to continued exposure to coal dust. As he recovered from the blow, Shomik decided it was time to devote his life to clean energy. The researcher joined Duke University’s Pratt School of Engineering to pursue his graduation in mechanical engineering. During his time at Duke, Shomik won the prestigious Marshall Scholarship for his research on solar thermal hydrogen production and hydrogen fuel cell optimisation for vehicle applications. In fact, Shomik helped lead the Duke Electric Vehicles team to two Guinness World Records for fuel efficiency, for both battery electric and fuel cell vehicles.

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

Recalling his time there, the young researcher shares, "During my time at Duke University, I have been fortunate to fully immerse myself in the world of science through numerous hands-on experiences. From residing at the Smart Home and actively participating in the installation of solar panels to constructing high-efficiency vehicles, I have personally witnessed the positive impact that novel energy technologies can have on both the environment and human well-being. These tangible, real-world applications serve as a constant source of inspiration, propelling me towards a research career dedicated to creating innovative solutions for the challenges we face in the realm of energy." Shomik, who was the president of the Duke Energy Club, was also elected to Tau Beta Pi and serves as co-president of Pi Tau Sigma.

The road ahead...

From Duke, the researcher moved to the UK, where he attended the University of Cambridge and Imperial College of London to pursue an MPhil in material science. "As a Marshall Scholar in the UK, I focused on enhancing the efficiency of solar cells. My research revolved around utilising computational chemistry and machine learning to design innovative photon conversion materials," he shares.

Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology under the guidance of Professor Asegun Henry, the young researcher wishes to work on and develop renewable and clean energy sources for the world. "At present, I am actively engaged in researching energy storage techniques aimed at enhancing the dependability of variable renewable energy sources, particularly solar power. My ultimate aspiration after completing my Ph.D. is to utilise the knowledge and skills I have acquired to drive the decarbonisation of industries. I wish to facilitate the widespread availability of affordable, clean, and dependable energy for all," says the researcher, as he signs off.

Follow Shomik Verma on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube and his website

Reading Time: 6 mins

Trash to Triumph: Vivek Gurav’s global impact with Pune Ploggers

(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 in UK

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.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Plogman | Vivek Gurav (@theplogman)

Chalk of Shame

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.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Pune Ploggers (@puneploggers)

Follow Vivek Gurav on LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram
Follow Pune Ploggers on LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram

Reading Time: 5 mins

Riddhi Javali: Eradicating period poverty by educating and helping rural school girls

(September 28, 2024) A newspaper article about Shuchi Scheme - a menstrual hygiene project by the Karnataka government that distributes free sanitary pads for school girls - coming to a halt owing to Covid-19 shifted something in the then 14-year-old Riddhi Javali. Being a teenager herself, the Bengaluru resident understood the problems that girls in villages would be facing due to this unforeseen circumstance. "Despite coming from a privileged background, kids like me were having an issue procuring the essential items. So with the Shuchi scheme coming to an abrupt stop, it was hard for me to even fathom the kind of problems the adolescent girls in villages would be facing, as discussing periods is still considered a taboo," says changemaker Riddhi, who then decided to start Project Repeat - an effort to provide young girls in rural areas with safe and sustainable menstrual hygiene products like reusable cloth pads. What began as an idea to help the adolescent school girls in nearby villages of Bengaluru has now transformed into a movement that is spread across the state of Karnataka, and has so far impacted 400 government school girls in rural areas. "It has been quite a journey for me,"

w transformed into a movement that is spread across the state of Karnataka, and has so far impacted 400 government school girls in rural areas. "It has been quite a journey for me," the DPS Bangalore South student tells Global Indian, adding, "Knowing that my efforts are helping the girls, gives me immense satisfaction and reaffirms that I am on the right path."

[caption id="attachment_25201" align="aligncenter" width="413"] Riddhi Javali is the founder of Project Repeat[/caption]

A newspaper clipping that changed it all

A newspaper article stating around 19.29 lakh government school girls were awaiting sanitary pads after the Shuchi scheme was stalled, made Riddhi jump into action. The closure of schools due to Covid-19 deprived lakhs of young girls of sanitary napkins and Riddhi was keen to find a solution. Understanding that the disposable sanitary pads provided by the government harm the environment, she knew that sustainable menstrual products were the answer. She had three options - biodegradable pads, menstrual cups, or cloth pads - to choose from to begin the journey. She zeroed in on cloth pads as they are cost-efficient, eco-friendly, and could be washed and reused for up to five years.

"Initially, the plan was to employ rural women who could make cloth pads by procuring waste cloth from cloth factories. However, the proposal was busted when I was told that a medical grade cloth was needed for the process," reveals the 19-year-old who had to think on her feet, and immediately started looking for NGOs who make cloth pad kids. That's when she came across Giocare. "I ordered the first batch of 50 cloth pad kits from my pocket money and got in touch with Srinavasa V sir, the Block Resource Coordinator for Dept of School Education and Literacy Government of Karnataka. He took me to a government school in Harrohalli village on the outskirts of Bengaluru, my first visit," adds Riddhi, who distributed cloth pads to the girls and educated them on menstruation.

[caption id="attachment_25202" align="aligncenter" width="739"] Riddhi interacting with girls at Karnataka Public School in Harohalli[/caption]

In a country where menstruation is still a taboo topic and around 23 percent of girls drop out of school upon reaching puberty, getting the girls to open up was a task for Riddhi. "They were extremely shy. But with each school interaction, things started to get better and more streamlined. However, what struck me the most was their problems. Some told me that their school washrooms would get blocked girls would try to flush their pads, and that the government wouldn’t repair them for months," says Riddhi, adding, "Others informed me that garbage collectors won't pick up pads, and later the piles of pads were either burned or buried."

A challenging project

The first few trips were an eye-opener for the teenager, who was keen to help. But funding was a challenge that kept prolonging the task at hand. "After spending my pocket money initially, I realised that this wasn't a long-term solution. That's when I started an online fundraiser, while it was family and friends who started contributing at first. But later, we did a tie-up with Ladies Cosmo Circle Bengaluru who funded us for one school," says the changemaker, who believes that people are all for spreading awareness but still think twice before contributing money. "That's the reason I continue with my campaigns so that the funds keep pouring in," she adds, stating that she now has a team of volunteers who help spread awareness by constantly contributing to the website as well as their Instagram page.

[caption id="attachment_25203" align="aligncenter" width="500"] A girl student with cloth pad kit at Government High School, Attihalli[/caption]

While Riddhi now has an army of volunteers who help her with Project Repeat, when she started, it was a one-man or in her case, one-woman show. "For two years, I was the only one who was visiting the schools, giving presentations, raising funds, and even updating the website. But soon the word spread, and like-minded people came forward to lend their support and skills," adds the changemaker. However, it was an uphill task for Riddhi, who had to not only push herself out of her comfort zone but also had to fight the age bias. Recalling an incident, the changemaker says, "I remember once I had finished giving a presentation in one of the schools when one of the teachers told the students that it was my mom who was behind Project Repeat and doing everything. I had to correct her and say that I was the one spearheading this, while my parents were there for moral support."

[caption id="attachment_25204" align="aligncenter" width="783"] Riddhi Javali giving a presentation about menstrual hygiene at Government School Attihalli[/caption]

Plans of expansion

However, these challenges have only made her more determined to work towards period poverty. After having impacted 9-10 government schools in Karnataka, she has now begun creating awareness about menstruation in her school as well. "We have started with Class 7 and Class 8 where boys and girls educate both boys and girls," says the Class 11 student, who has plans of expanding Project Repeat to parts of Tamil Nadu. "Since my mother is from the state, I am comfortable with the language, and can reach out to school girls in rural areas." However, her ultimate aim is for Project Repeat to reach every corner of India, and get more girls and young women out of period poverty. "As little girls, we are so ashamed of periods that not many speak about them openly. So it is important to change this mindset at a young age, as these are the formative years," adds the teen changemaker.

Riddhi calls her software engineer parents the wind beneath her wings, always letting her "explore and discover things." "From pushing me to do better to being present at every school visit despite their busy schedules, they have been huge pillars of support for me," says a grateful Riddhi who loves unwinding by cooking, reading books, playing badminton, and learning Carnatic music.

[caption id="attachment_25205" align="aligncenter" width="536"] Riddhi Javali giving Project Repeat cloth pad kit to a government school girl[/caption]

Riddhi, who began following her passion at the age of 14, advises young people to take the first step. "If you have a slight inkling about what you want to do, take that first step. At times, that's the hardest part but once you do it, things start to fall in place," the changemaker signs off, adding, "Always believe in yourself."

Follow Riddhi Javali on Linkedin
Follow Project Repeat on Instagram

Sparsh: The Children’s Climate Prize 2022 winner merging innovation and sustainability

(February 14, 2023) It was 3.30 am in Singapore, and Sparsh was neck-deep in an assignment when an email popped up on his laptop. It read that the 17-year-old has won the Children's Climate Prize 2022 for his innovation - a thermal floater. "I was shocked and didn't know what to do. I screamed in joy, and I think I might have woken up some of my neighbours," laughs Sparsh, as he connects with Global Indian. The National University of Singapore student, who has received SEK 100,000 to develop his project (which converts energy from the sun into electrical energy), is ecstatic that he can now show his idea to the world. "I might be biased, but I think it's a revolutionary idea," adds the teenager, who hails from Patna. The idea first struck him when a family member back home fainted due to extreme heat, owing to a two-day blackout. "This annoyed me. Renewable energy is available in plenty but none of it is provided to us through regular supply of energy." He dove deeper into the idea, and started researching on the net, and realised that renewable energy is costly and takes up a lot of land space

ugh regular supply of energy." He dove deeper into the idea, and started researching on the net, and realised that renewable energy is costly and takes up a lot of land space (for installation). "That's when I decided to come up with a solution that was cheap, efficient and compact at the same time." Sparsh was all of 14 when he resolved to find an answer.

[caption id="attachment_27504" align="aligncenter" width="577"] Sparsh won the Children's Climate Prize 2022[/caption]

An interest that turned into passion

Electronics was something that fascinated the Patna-born even as a kid. Like most kids, he would dismantle all the toys to know what was inside. "Whenever I saw the television, I wanted to know what was inside it," he smiles, adding, "When our TV stopped working, I asked my dad to not trash it, as this was my chance to take a sneak peek into it. I actually broke it down to find what was inside it, but didn't understand a thing as I was just 8," he laughs. That's when he understood his inclination towards electronics.

[caption id="attachment_27506" align="aligncenter" width="763"] How Thermal Floater works[/caption]

But things took a turn for the best when Atal Tinkering Labs (ATL) made it to his school when he was in Grade 7. Sparsh became one of the first students to enter it. "The Lab allowed me to view all the opportunities with electronics,” he says. “For the next few years, I learnt about electronics, 3D modelling, animation and coding."

Building a thermal floater

His first brush with ATL opened up a pathway of opportunities, so when he saw the problem of power outage in Patna, he knew he had to find a solution. While renewable energy was the solution, he still had to create an idea that was feasible and cheap to use the energy. The next two years went into research, a period he calls "challenging." "With no prior knowledge on thermo dynamics, material science and renewable energy, I had to read a lot to learn the concepts. Moreover, I had to check the feasibility of the idea before coming up with a prototype," reveals Sparsh, who came up with an impressive way to mitigate climate change by using thermal energy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Pzfj9m32MA

So, what exactly is a thermal floater? "It's a device that generates electricity from the heat of the sun. Unlike the solar panels, it uses water bodies, which hasn't been explored much before," explains the innovator, who has used the Seebeck effect to produce electricity. "In the thermal floater, the hot side is the sun and the cold side is the water body. So, when electrons move from the hot side to the cold side, electricity is generated." By making use of water bodies, it reduces the pressure on land resources and helps create potential for countries where land resources are scarce. Being a clean source of renewable energy, the thermal floater also helps reduce the evaporation from ponds, reservoirs and lakes, thus providing an environmental benefit of the solar-thermal energy in areas that are susceptible to droughts, as water loss due to evaporation can add up over time and contribute to a shortage.

Winning accolades

The concept has won him Children's Climate Prize 2022, and he is now keen to bring his "revolutionary idea" to a larger audience in the coming three years. He wants to use the prize money to file a patent and work towards the making of a full-fledged prototype, so that it could reach the market as soon as possible. Currently studying computer engineering at the National University of Singapore, Sparsh plans to launch his startup in the field of sustainability in the near future. "I also want the thermal floater to reach a wider audience in the coming years."

[caption id="attachment_27505" align="aligncenter" width="703"] Sparsh is currently studying at National University of Singapore[/caption]

While he is happy to have come up with a solution through thermal floater, Sparsh had a hard time balancing academics and project work. However, in his first year of graduation, he is happy to have found the right support system in his teachers at the NUS. "It's much easier to balance studies and thermal floater project here," says the boy, who loves photography and is also working on other AI projects. The teenager wants other youngsters to take the leap of faith, and use all the available resources to take that first step. "Believe in yourself, and develop the ideas that you have. Give wings to your ideas and dreams."

Reading Time: 4 min

Panthoi Chanu: Meet the first Indian football player to join an Australian club

(April 23, 2024) Growing up in the village of Keirak in Manipur, Elangbam Panthoi Chanu had no clue about football until she discovered the popular sport during a grassroots school sports festival at the age of 12. That got her instantly hooked. Cut to 2024, the 28-year-old has become the second goalkeeper from India to play for a club outside India, and the first Indian to play professional football in Australia. Excited for the opportunity, she said, "I've always dreamed of playing abroad and this is a great opportunity for me." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Women In Sports (@womeninsportsindia) Though she has begun her international inning with Metro United WFC in the South Australian League, she is set to undergo training with A-League outfit Adelaide United whose coach Adrian Stenta noticed her talent during the 'Women in Sports' elite footballs trials held in Kolkata in 2023. Serendipity led to her passion For someone who hails from a family that had nothing to do with sports, getting into football was a serendipitous encounter. It was the grassroots festival that turned out to be the perfect opportunity to try something new and she instantly knew

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Women In Sports (@womeninsportsindia)

Though she has begun her international inning with Metro United WFC in the South Australian League, she is set to undergo training with A-League outfit Adelaide United whose coach Adrian Stenta noticed her talent during the 'Women in Sports' elite footballs trials held in Kolkata in 2023.

Serendipity led to her passion

For someone who hails from a family that had nothing to do with sports, getting into football was a serendipitous encounter. It was the grassroots festival that turned out to be the perfect opportunity to try something new and she instantly knew she had found her calling. Her coach had put her on the left wing but after the goalkeeper was left retired hurt, she decided to fill in her shoes, and that was the beginning of her journey in the world of football. Though she was new to the game and didn't understand the intricacies of it initially, her only aim on the field was to not let any ball through on her watch. "That was the beginning of my journey, and I have stayed on course since then. It has taken a lot of hard work and struggle, but that's what makes it worth it," she said in an interview.

[caption id="attachment_37329" align="aligncenter" width="708"] Panthoi Chanu[/caption]

Each day, she would take the 5 am bus from her remote village to travel 50 km to Imphal to reach the football academy for her training. A fast learner, she picked up the game quickly, and within a year of taking up the sport, she made it to the Manipur junior state team and the Indian junior national camp. Though she comes from a family of doctors and engineers, she found support in her parents and siblings. "I'm the only one who is in sports in my family. So, my father told me that it doesn't matter what I'm doing, that if I work hard at my profession, I will succeed and show the world what Manipur girls can do. My parents wanted me to be an example for the girls in my village," Panthoi had said.

Acing the game of football

Panthoi began her career at the Women's Football Academy in the Kakching district of Manipur, where she honed her skills for four years. Subsequently, she transitioned to Eastern Sporting Union in 2012 before joining Manipur Police. In 2014, she broke into the Indian national team, however, she had to patiently wait for a long time to find a permanent position because of the presence of other talented and experienced goalkeepers. But a shinbone injury in 2021 was a major setback as many had already written her off. But she was determined to return stronger. "Apart from the team training, I would do my individual training as well. Every day I reserve at least 30 minutes for running, and do my drills, conditioning, and training for two hours apart from the practice with the team," she said.

Over the past few years, Panthoi has risen as India's premier goalkeeper and was a key member of the team that secured the runner-up position at the Turkish Women’s Cup held in February. Her extensive experience in international football was a decisive factor for Metro United, who discovered her talent through the Women in Sports football clinic.

During her debut in Australia, Panthoi and her team conceded two goals. But she hopes to make a mark by the end of the season. "It is definitely exciting playing in Australia. This is a very important assignment for me and to do it well, I know I have to work hard. This is a stepping stone for me. But my dream is not restricted to playing in one country."

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