Global Indianstory Global Indian ExclusiveHow 19-year-old Josh Roy’s AI-implemented solution for tackling Cassava Mosaic Disease is winning international praise

How 19-year-old Josh Roy’s AI-implemented solution for tackling Cassava Mosaic Disease is winning international praise

Written by: Amrita Priya

(September 13, 2024) When 19-year-old Josh Roy presented his AI-implemented solution for the genetic modification of whiteflies, at the 2024 TKS Focus Hackathon, it emerged as the global winner, beating over 400 competitors from 300 cities and 80 teams. His solution aims to combat the devastating impact of Cassava Mosaic Disease (CMD) on cassava plants, an essential food staple in the tropics, and address food insecurity.

This groundbreaking project, validated by leaders such as the Global Head of Data Science at GSK, was showcased at London Tech Week 2024, which attracted over 45,000 attendees. It also earned Josh a scholarship to the prestigious Villars Institute’s inaugural ecopreneurship program. Josh is in active discussions with researchers, NGOs, and technology companies to bring his solution to market and positively impact millions of lives.

This November, the US-based youngster would be flying to West Africa to receive the prestigious Global Entrepreneurs Award. “I am due to collect the award in-person in the world’s first entrepreneurship village in Akure, Nigeria, where the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu and billionaire Mrs. Folorunso Alakija would be present as guests of honour,” he tells Global Indian.

Josh Roy at the London Tech Week

There’s more to Josh’s personality. A passionate musician and host of The CapitalTycoon Podcast, where he engages with successful innovators, he was also the first student in the UK to complete a music GCSE in tabla. ‘Tabla is one of the main focuses in my life alongside entrepreneurship. If you think about it, the two go hand in hand, as both require the ability to think creatively,’ he remarks.

Dabbling in AI-powered innovation, music and podcasting

The British-born innovator describes himself as ‘a design engineer at the intersection of business, tech, and product design’ and is passionate about creating solutions to make the world a better place. As the developer of AI-powered innovations, he also identifies as an AI ethicist and is working on an AI-powered tabla tutor prototype designed to train students at all levels, aiming to revolutionize tabla education.

When asked how he balances his academics, music and other interests he smiles, “I don’t know if I balance it well, and I’m not sure I’m at the stage to offer advice on how to find balance in my work. As my mentor John Spence told me, “If you genuinely enjoy and are obsessed with what you’re working on, that’s what you should be doing.” I believe it’s this sense of enjoyment I get from these projects that keeps them from feeling tedious or time-consuming.”

Josh looks at each aspect of his life as complementary rather than separate. For instance, he looks at his podcast as an avenue to explore new ideas while engaging with successful innovators who provide insights that often benefit in his own entrepreneurial ventures.

The Indian-origin innovator who was born and brought up in the UK, received training in Tabla by Kuljit Bhamra MBE. “My passion for the tabla offers a creative outlet that recharges me mentally, which is essential when juggling high-pressure projects,” he remarks.

He has chosen an alternative education path through The Knowledge Society (TKS), where learning is deeply integrated with hands-on, real-world problem solving. “This flexible approach has allowed me to dedicate time to all my passions,” he mentions.

Josh got the opportunity to enroll in the two-year TKS programme after bagging the Unicorn Scholarship, which is only awarded to 20 students annually. He ranked in the top 0.06% of the 31,298 students who applied in the most recent batch. Its acceptance rate is far lower than that of the most prestigious universities in the world.

Combatting Cassava Mosaic Disease to address food insecurity

It all started with an upbringing that focused on seva. Even before he turned 10, Josh started volunteering with food banks and distributing meals to underprivileged elderly people. This sparked his commitment to tackling food insecurity. While he was still in school, the opportunities to attend tech conferences opened his eyes to technology’s potential. Later, a few Hackathon victories fuelled his desire to work on the problem of food insecurity all the more, and he came up with the AI-optimized tool for the genetic modification of whiteflies – engineered to combat the devastating impact of Cassava Mosaic Disease that has potential to benefit 35 million Nigerians.

Cassava is a calorie-rich vegetable and the third-largest source of carbohydrates in food in the tropics, after rice and maize, making it an important staple. In African Cassava Mosaic Virus is a plant virus that infects cassava plants, causing mosaic symptoms on leaves and leading to significant yield losses in regions where cassava is a major food source. It is primarily transmitted through infected cassava stem cuttings and by the whitefly Bemisia tabaci. When Josh came to know how millions of people in Nigeria suffer from food insecurity due to the Cassava Mosaic Disease, the AI enthusiast got drawn to solve a solution to the problem, and came up with an AI-driven gene editing solution for the genetic modification of whiteflies that cause the Cassava Mosaic Disease.

Josh during the Villars Institute’s mentorship programme

Later, the week-long mentorship he received from ecopreneurs and scientists — pioneers in their respective fields — as part of his scholarship to the prestigious Villars Institute broadened his horizons. “With guidance from experts like Sofia de Meyer and Sofia Khwaja-Horekens, I’ve refined my food insecurity project, focusing on key stakeholders. Meeting people like the chief economist of Mars Inc. Bruno Roche and my mentor Jini Sebakunzi was an honour, and the experience deepened my connection with nature, and problems in its realm,” he says.

Work in progress

“The next steps involve collaborating with agricultural institutions in Nigeria and across Africa to conduct field trials of the modified whiteflies. This will help demonstrate the tool’s effectiveness in real-world conditions. We are also working on partnerships with government bodies and NGOs to create awareness and ensure smooth adoption of this innovation. Once proven in field tests, scaling the technology will involve aligning with policymakers, farmers, and supply chain partners to ensure it reaches the 35 million Nigerians who stand to benefit,” tells Josh.

For the youngster, the goal is to not only combat CMD but to create a sustainable model that can be replicated across different regions suffering from crop diseases, ensuring long-term food security.

“My Father was my support for me from the beginning of my unconventional path and encouraged me going against cultural expectations by working to solve humanity’s biggest problems through entrepreneurship or should I say, ecopreneurship,” he remarks.

Other projects

Josh has worked on other AI projects like Project Dynamo while pursuing a consulting challenge with The Knowledge Society (TKS). “It’s an initiative I launched to train NGO students in climate change problem-solving and systems thinking, partnering with SOS Children’s Villages, India. This project also leveraged AI to translate educational content into regional languages, making it more accessible across diverse communities,” he informs.

Additionally, he has worked alongside Google for another TKS Challenge in AI-driven initiatives, for addressing problems like information overload that its employees face.

Josh Roy

Persistent in seeking mentorship

Josh Roy understands the importance of quality mentorship and has actively pursued it from business leaders.

Determined to reach out to John Spence, the Chairman of Karma Group Global, the youngster tried over 100 email variations until he successfully connected with Spence. “I was inspired by the experience he created at Karma so I was determined to get his mentorship for entrepreneurship. I tried 100 different variations of emails with trial and error as it was hard to find, until his personal hotmail email worked when I found it through a chrome extension,” he says.

This persistence led to a year and a half of valuable email exchanges, culminating in a phone call. “Since then, Spence has been reading my monthly newsletter where I update him and my other mentors on my personal growth. I consider him and his philosophies an influence in my projects and business endeavours. Persistence won at the end,” remarks Josh who loves speaking opportunities.

In addition to Spence, Josh has built strong relationships with other mentors like Kabir Mathur CEO and co-founder, Leen and Manoj Thacker, entrepreneur, and ambassador of Innovaud Swiss. He connected with Kabir during a family trip to Egypt and with Manoj through a friend’s introduction. “Both mentors have been instrumental in guiding my journey, with Kabir even nominating me for The Diana Award and supporting my case for an O-1 visa in the US,” he says. Josh’s persistence to seek guidance have earned him mentorships that continue to shape his entrepreneurial path.

In the shoes of a mentor

One of the youngster’s moments of pride has been getting into the shoes of a mentor of 300 youngsters at Toronto in AI and gene editing for 1517 Fund‘s annual summit.

“I got the opportunity to mentor alongside a panel of 15 other mentors consisting of Zach Laberge (18-year-old founder of Frenter, who raised over three million CAD), Danielle Stratchman (co-founder, Thiel Fellowship) and Michael Patrick-Gibson (author of Paper Belt on Fire),” tells Josh adding, “I recall a Neuralink intern, Kyrylo Kalashnikov, attending the office hours I was hosting. Gaining exposure to some of the brightest minds in North America was both humbling and inspiring. It felt like they were the true mentors, even though I had the label of mentor for a day!”

Josh during 1517 Fund’s office hour

The migration story and future

Born in Tooting, London Josh hails from a family with roots in Kolkata. He was raised in Ascot for most of his life, as well as in Lambeth. His mother is a singer-songwriter who was born in London, and did schooling both in India and the UK. His father is a corporate professional who was born and raised in Kolkata. This March, the youngster moved to the US along with his father who got a new job posting. “I decided to relocate with him and pursue my entrepreneurial dreams in the US,” he says.

In the short-term, Josh’s priorities are clear and twofold: “Radical collaboration with agricultural engineers, scientists and farmers to refine and implement my solutions, ensuring credibility and scalability. Secondly, to earn my O-1 Visa that will allow me to better pursue my entrepreneurial endeavours in the US.” He is happy that he received his OCI last month.

With prestigious awards, recognitions, scholarships and mentorship the youngster is confident of making his entrepreneurial dream in America come true.

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Published on 13, Sep 2024

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Kush Maini: India’s next racer prodigy navigating the lanes to Formula 1

(May 13, 2023) The roaring engines of India's racing scene have been revving up in recent years, with an influx of young, passionate individuals setting their sights on becoming professional racers. From the hum of the local karting tracks to the adrenaline rush of Formula racing, India's motorsport landscape is witnessing a surge in homegrown talent. At the forefront of this high-octane revolution is Kush Maini, a prodigious racer who is rapidly carving his name on the international stage. As he accelerates towards his Formula 1 aspiration, the 22-year-old youngster serves as the perfect inspiration for aspiring racers across the nation, showcasing the immense potential that lies within India's motorsport arena. It’s a realm not unfamiliar to the racer, who is carving his path strategically, one race at a time. "I always knew what I was capable of – I wanted to prove to myself and everyone else, and start positively. To get my first podium early on, I think we can start building on it as a team. It’s a good feeling. It’s a great start to the year in one of the toughest championships in the world," the Global Indian racer said during an interview after he produced

. To get my first podium early on, I think we can start building on it as a team. It’s a good feeling. It’s a great start to the year in one of the toughest championships in the world," the Global Indian racer said during an interview after he produced an impressive drive on his Formula 2 debut to finish fourth in the feature race recently.

A passionate beginning

Since he was just a toddler, Kush was fascinated by racing cars. What helped further his dreams was that his elder brother, Arjun, shared the same passion. Sons of industrialist Gautam Maini, the two brothers started frequenting the karting tracks while they were still in primary school. "My first win in karts was when I was 10, in the Indian National Championship," the racer shared, adding, "Looking back, I was up against a field of drivers who were older than me, including Jehan (Daruvala). But it turned out to be a great race for me to clinch a victory. Before that year, I hadn't tasted victory, and this was the final race where I managed to cross the finish line first. This triumph indeed boosted my confidence."

When he was just 12-years-old, the young racer decided to leave his family and shift to his karting mechanic’s home in Italy, so that he could focus solely on becoming the racer he dreamt of. "I grew up in Bangalore, India, and went to school there, but I moved to the UK quite early on for karting. Then I’ve also lived in Italy (and) in Switzerland, so I’ve been about," the racer said during an interview, adding, "The last couple of years I am put up in the UK and that’s where I conduct all my training. I think it’s just an easier base than India even though I’d love to live at home. It’s just too far away."

While he was driving minor leagues in the UK, the racer made his international debut in the year 2016 at the Italian F4 Championship. "It all started with a single-seater, competing for BVM Racing in the Italian F4 Championship," he shared. And, the beginning of this racers' campaign was impressive, accumulating points in the year's initial six races. Following a challenging phase in the middle of the season, the Indian racer achieved his maiden podium finish in car racing, clinching third place in the concluding race at Vallelunga. He concluded the season ranked 16th overall and secured the fifth spot in the rookies' championship.

Life on the tracks

In 2017, the racer joined forces with Jenzer Motorsport, competing once more in Italian F4 alongside teammates Giorgio Carrara, Federico Malvestiti, Giacomo Bianchi, and Job van Uitert. His second year proved quite fruitful, marked by podium finishes at Imola and Monza, in addition to numerous top-five results that contributed to his eighth-place finish in the overall standings. What makes him so successful - the youngster credits his disciplined schedule for it all. "I think the discipline it teaches you. I think it just improves you as a person. There’s a lot more structure in your life. In the last few years when I got serious about racing, I think my life structure has changed. I’m focused on the training so I think it’s the qualities that it teaches you," he expressed.

The following year saw the racer ascend to the British Formula 3 Championship with Lanan Racing. In 2019, he transitioned to the Formula Renault Eurocup, teaming up with M2 Competition. He made an immediate impact, securing a podium finish in his debut race at Monza. However, he couldn't replicate such notable results throughout the rest of the season. Nevertheless, his consistent accumulation of points led to a sixth-place finish in the standings with 102 points, making him the second-highest-placed rookie. Speaking about his racing style to a media outlet, the racer has said, "I would say aggressive. Of course, it just depends on the situation. If it’s a track with a lot of high-speed corners, you want to go easy on the steering. Whereas if you take a race situation, you know if you’re starting second or third, you’ve got to be smart."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNb9_YZqEtc

The youngster recently claimed his first-ever Formula 2 podium with a third-place finish at Albert Park in Melbourne. And now the racer, who is currently on a winning spree, has his eyes on the highest ground – Formula 1. "I think it is achievable. Formula 1 needs an Indian. I want to give my absolute best in F2. If I am good enough and it is meant to happen, then it will. I’m not rushed," he said.

Follow Kush Maini on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and his website

Reading Time: 6 mins

Nikita Menon: Indian danseuse shining a spotlight on Bharatanatyam in Singapore

(May 3, 2024) Kohl-rimmed eyes, with beautiful mudras, and nuanced facial expressions, there is a story unfolding on the Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay, the durian-shaped landmark in Singapore. An Indian girl is deep in the midst of shabdam, a part of Bharatanatyam, and the audience is left spellbound. In the hustle-bustle of Singapore, Indian danseuse Nikita Menon is taking the age-old dance form to new audiences. The 27-year-old's tryst with dance began early, and over the past two decades, Nikita, who was conferred the title of Natya Visharad by the Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society, is evolving. "In recent times, there is great acceptance about Indian classical dance across the globe. There is a lot of visibility, and I think it is one of the most exciting times to be an artist,” Nikita tells Global Indian in an interview. For someone who initially trained under Guru Maalika Girish Panickkar in Singapore, Nikita relocated to Bengaluru for a brief period at the age of 16 to learn the nuances of dance from the Late Smt Nagamani Srinivasa Rao. "I owe everything to my gurus who have been the guiding light for me," says Nikita, who now performs in the

o. "I owe everything to my gurus who have been the guiding light for me," says Nikita, who now performs in the UK where she currently resides.

Dance - an extension of oneself

Born in Trivandrum to a businessman father and a marine geologist mother, Nikita moved to Kuwait when she was two-month-old. When most children of her age would immerse themselves into cartoons, little Nikita would watch classical dance on Doordarshan. It wasn't until she was three that she began her formal training in Singapore, where her family settled in the late 90s. "I was always inclined towards dance, even when I could hardly comprehend beats or movements. I was three when I started training. After my parents enrolled my elder sister into dance, I wanted to learn too,” recalls Nikita.

Being obsessed with colours, Bharatanatyam was the perfect celebration of what Nikita loved. "Dance is an expression and extension of oneself," she says. Her pure love turned into a passion as a soloist at just eight years of age. "I was so fortunate to have access to such a beautiful art form," adds Nikita, who has performed across Asia and Europe.

[caption id="attachment_37546" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Nikita Menon in Angkor Wat[/caption]

Growing up, Nikita had to strike a balance between Bharatanatyam and her studies, and is thankful for her parents' support. "They have been the wind beneath my wings. From making me enroll so early to financing my training, they have been my support system. For them, grades were non-negotiable. Thus, since childhood, I have maintained good grades while continuing dancing,” she reveals, admitting that it was a mammoth task to balance, but she was victorious in the end.

Embodying the philosophy of life through dance

The hard work and perseverance paid off. Dance gave her an interesting perspective on life too. “The way I think, see and feel is different. Being a classical dancer has helped me cultivate a more beautiful outlook towards life," says the University of the Arts London-graduate.

It hasn't been a bed of roses either. She faced casteism and groupism in the art form early on. “For the longest period, the art was shielded by Tambrams (Tamilian Brahmins), and fitting in was a challenge. Many 'outsiders' don't get enough performance opportunities - you have to prove yourself," reveals the dancer whose performance at Alapadma at the Madras Music Academy is most cherished (2020). The Agathi at the Wildrice Theatre in Singapore (2021) and SITA - supported by ICCR India’s Ramayana Festival are close seconds.

Raised in Singapore, Nikita is often seen as an outsider when dancing in India. "It's a common notion that artists abroad are outsiders as they haven't learnt from the place of origin. It takes time to fight this notion, and prove that the love for art transcends boundaries. However, it helped me break the glass ceiling and make it into mainstream," beams the proud girl, who has a master's degree in data science and artificial intelligence from London.

Nikita currently works as a design associate in London. "Funding a life through dance is impractical unless you are a teacher,” states Nikita, who wanted to be financially independent to fund her passion. But with a full-time job now, she has to make time for her craft.

Learning on the go

During the pandemic lockdowns, she continued dancing, and even did a few online shows. The experience of flying down to Singapore for six live shows during the pandemic when the 21-day quarantine was mandatory, was the wildest thing she has ever done for dance. “I was studying in London when my artistic director from Agathi called about live shows in Singapore. At the time quarantine was mandatory, and I also had my university finals. But I missed dance, so I decided to risk flying to Singapore,” reveals the amateur painter, who loves reading poetry too.

Excited about how Bharatanatyam has evolved over the years, she believes Singaporeans are most enthusiastic and receptive. Changing perceptions, Nikita believes, has been a collective effort by the industry in Singapore.

"The future of Bharatanatyam is in good hands. The access to good art is doubling. Artists preserve the art, and that’s what makes it beautiful," says Nikita, who has performed in London too.

Game on: Rise of India’s young gamers in the global arena

(January 6, 2024) Let me confess. Back in my growing-up days, if a youngster had expressed a desire to pursue a career in the gaming industry to their parents, a stern lecture would likely have followed. However, it's remarkable how much has changed in just the last five years. India has emerged as a global leader in the mobile gaming market, boasting the highest number of app downloads. A couple of years ago, the nation proudly claimed 421 million online gamers, and this figure has witnessed an impressive eight percent growth in 2023. What's intriguing is that the driving force behind this surge is not solely composed of multi-million-dollar companies, but rather young teenagers. These individuals are not just participating in the gaming scene; they are actively shaping the future of the industry. [caption id="attachment_35072" align="aligncenter" width="554"] Representative image[/caption] According to a recent survey, over 80 percent of Generation Z has engaged in computer gaming in the past year, surpassing Millennials by 50 percent. Their commitment is evident in the staggering statistic that they spend nearly 80 hours per week immersed in gaming. Some of these young Indian gamers have not only played and live-streamed their gaming sessions but have

itment is evident in the staggering statistic that they spend nearly 80 hours per week immersed in gaming. Some of these young Indian gamers have not only played and live-streamed their gaming sessions but have also garnered millions of viewers on YouTube, achieving both fame and considerable wealth.

Global Indian turns the spotlight on some of the industry's top players, highlighting how they are not only changing the game but also influencing the trajectory of the entire gaming landscape.

Akarsh Chaudhary aka Vivone

The youngest of this e-gaming army, Vivone is a seven-year-old gamer from Mumbai, who has not just participated in but also won several tournaments. The young kid began his gaming journey at four, after watching his father playing popular games such as PubG on his mobile. Having a huge following of 108K followers on Instagram and more than four lakh subscribers on his YouTube channel, Vivone has produced over 6000 live streams and videos. “I recently took part in the SkyEsports Streamers Showdown, where I played against several top gamers from across the country. I won the first prize of ₹15 lakh, even my opponents were impressed with the way I played in the tournament,” the gamer shared during an interview.

Earning an average of $6000-7000 per month through live-streaming games, Vivone is now gearing up to represent India in international tournaments. “When I started playing, I never thought I would have so many followers and subscribers. Now, my only goal is to dominate in international tournaments. Right now, I am looking for under-13 age group tournaments being organised mainly in the US, Europe, Korea, and China,” shared the young gamer.

Follow Vivone on Instagram and Twitter, or subscribe to his YouTube channel

Ajay aka Total Gaming

A YouTube sensation boasting an impressive 38.2 million subscribers, initially ventured into gaming by playing smartphone titles like Clash of Clans in 2015. The gamer then transitioned to Garena Free Fire, influenced by the game's growing popularity among his friends in India. However, it wasn't until 2018 that Ajay officially launched his YouTube channel, focusing on playing and streaming computer games.

Balancing his gaming pursuits, Ajay also works as a freelance "growth hacker" in Surat. In an interview, he revealed that his initial motive for diving into gaming was simply to make friends. "I started with the intent of making friends and playing games, and I was thrilled to see three to four people joining me in watching and playing," he shared. Ajay has achieved notable success, winning several tournaments both in India and internationally.

Beyond his gaming achievements, Ajay holds the distinction of being the first individual in India to provide Hindi dubbing for an English game, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. Reflecting on this accomplishment, he mentioned, "People widely accepted and engaged with that series, and I am working on more such content to stand out in the gaming market."

Follow Total Gaming on Instagram or subscribe to his YouTube channel

Ujjwal Chaurasia aka Techno Gamerz

Recognised as one of India's premier gamers, Ujjwal has amassed a substantial following of 37.6 million on his YouTube channel. Originating from New Delhi, Ujjwal embarked on his gaming journey at a young age, fuelled by a childhood passion for video games. His inaugural gaming experience involved the classic Snow Bros, a game he first encountered at his brother’s residence. As he matured, Ujjwal's interest shifted towards the immersive world of GTA: Vice City.

Reflecting on his introduction to the open-world genre, the gamer expressed, "I hadn't played any open-world games before that, and it was a blast. The game lets you do everything from driving to fighting other people and stealing vehicles, and so much more."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKquNyI4IxY

Ujjwal's ascent to fame is credited to his captivating and dynamic storytelling style while playing games, a factor that continues to contribute to the consistent growth of his channel. Sharing his perspective, he stated, "My priority has always been to entertain the audience while playing games like GTA, and I strive to deliver unique and fresh content with each episode. Maintaining that level of creativity is the biggest challenge I face while making my videos."

Follow Techno Gamerz on Instagram, or subscribe to his YouTube channel

Shagufta Iqbal aka Xyaa

A former software engineer turned prominent gamer, Xyaa has not only represented the country in numerous tournaments but has also established partnerships with major brands such as Intel, Logitech, and Loco for various events. Specialising in Valorant, Xyaa has been streaming on YouTube since 2012 - making her the first female online gamer in the country - amassing an impressive 285K subscribers. When discussing her current gaming preferences, she shared, "I am currently engrossed in CS: GO, Dota 2, H1Z1, and the Dark Souls series. However, I also have a deep affection for titles like Skyrim, the Witcher series, Rust, and Dying Light. I particularly enjoy casual streaming."

Despite her success, navigating the gaming landscape as a female hasn't been without its challenges. While Xyaa's streams enjoy significant popularity, she has encountered instances of cyberbullying. Addressing this aspect of her journey, she remarked, "There are a few haters. As a female gamer, some may feel that I do not deserve to be on this platform. Ups and downs are part of the journey, but the support from my fans far outweighs the negativity."

Follow Xyaa on Instagram or subscribe to her YouTube channel

Reading Time: 6 mins

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

(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

ing 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.

[caption id="attachment_31082" align="aligncenter" width="453"] Asmi Jain, winner of Apple Swift Student Challenge.[/caption]

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.

Empowering voices: Shreya Gupta, the young author making a global impact

(August 19, 2023) What were you up to when you were just a sprightly 12-year-old? Chances are, your greatest accomplishment might have been mastering that perplexing Rubik's Cube or perhaps navigating the treacherous realm of pre-algebra. But, Canada-based author Shreya Gupta is different. This 12-year-old dynamo isn't just diving into the realms of adventure between school bells; she's crafting her chapter of inspiration, compassion, and change. A burgeoning author, Shreya's words have not only penned stories but have etched a tale of benevolence. The recent winner of the prestigious Diana Award, the author raised over CAD 12,000 through the sale of her books and donated the amount to a charity supporting girls' education in India. She also gave about CAD 1,000 for Kids Help Phone in Canada. The young Canadian has worked hard on driving an anti-bullying campaign at her school and is also involved in events like the TCCSA RBC Future Launch. "It's amazing to see kids being inspired by my book," the Global Indian said in an interview while talking about her charity through books sale, adding, "I want all of my future books to raise awareness about bullying because it’s such an imperative message. I hope to

book," the Global Indian said in an interview while talking about her charity through books sale, adding, "I want all of my future books to raise awareness about bullying because it’s such an imperative message. I hope to inspire my readers and help them learn to cope with bullying and gain self-confidence."

Inspired by India

Born in Cambridge, Canada to Indian immigrants, Dr. Sunjay and Sonia Gupta, Shreya has always loved reading the book. The author, who is passionate about making education accessible to young girls in developing nations, Shreya is also one of the toppers of her class at the Grand View Public School. "My goal is to inspire young girls around the world to always chase their dreams, no matter what. Unfortunately, I have been bullied myself. This is a big reason why I wanted to spread awareness about the issue. In my spare time, I enjoy sketching, reading, and writing stories," shared the author, who also won the Mom’s Choice Award for her first book.

Her book, Flamingo Feet, is about a young girl named Aria, who has always dreamed of being a jazz dancer. When some kids bully her and call her “flamingo feet”, Aria drops out of the dance competition. "I take jazz dancing lessons which inspired me to write Flamingo Feet. I wrote it to help kids stand up to bullying and learn how to stay confident in themselves no matter what," the author expressed.

The author went on to write another book, called The Flip Side. "I wanted to write about another issue that has been affecting youngsters. So, this book is about a young girl, called Autumn, who has just recently moved to Toronto and started at a new school. She has always loved creating animations about her pet hamster named Nibbles. When Autumn gets cyberbullied for her animations online, she gets very hurt and discouraged. The story is about how this young girl fights the odds to shape her dream," she said.

The little philanthropist

While writing a book was born out of her passion, what could have inspired a young 10-year-old to do charity by selling her books? Well, the answer is a 'trip to India'. "While I was in India there were a lot of kids who were coming up to me selling pens for money so they could get food. This made me very sad that many kids did not have access to basic needs like food and clothing. I wanted to do something to help out. My grandfather runs a charity that helps girls access education in developing countries like India. I decided this was a great opportunity to get involved with the charity and write a book to raise money for it," shared the author.

[caption id="attachment_32619" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Shreya with her family[/caption]

Currently working on her other book, Shreya is very happy with the success of her books. "Both children and adults love my book. I feel so honoured. I wasn't so sure that I would earn anything from them, but when I started getting the cheques, I decided that I would rather donate the earnings towards a charity called Positive and Progressive Educational Support Canada. The charity helps girls in India access education, food, and other resources that they wouldn’t normally have access to," the author said, who is also inspiring her friends to start writing short stories.

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Reading Time: 6 mins