Kevin J Patel: Indian-American climate activist leading the charge for a greener tomorrow
Compiled by: Team GI Youth
(October 11, 2023) “My activism doesn’t come as a choice. My activism doesn’t come as a hobby. It’s a survival tool for my community,” says Kevin J Patel, a Los Angeles-based climate activist, who is the founder of OneUpAction International, an organisation empowering marginalised youth by providing them with the resources they need to be changemakers. Being one of the youth voices on the climate crisis, Kevin currently serves as a 2020 National Geographic Young Explorer. It was at the age of 12 that a health issue led Kevin to become aware of the environmental damage caused by the many oil refineries in the surrounding area. He is one of the two million California residents who live within 2,500 feet of an operational oil and gas well and are prone to health issues.
Born to immigrant parents who moved to the US in search of better opportunities, Kevin grew up in a space where they grew their own food. However, he lived in a community in South Central Los Angeles where food scarcity was common, and it was in his first semester of sixth grade that he became aware of the issue. “I realized my community wasn’t getting access to healthier foods; I really wanted to do something about it. I started teaching my peers to grow food. Many did not know that food comes from farms and they can grow their own foods,” he said in an interview.
However, things amplified in the second semester of his sixth grade when one day sitting in his classroom, he felt a sudden chest pain. He was fit, played sports, and had no high blood pressure, but ended up being diagnosed with arrhythmia, a condition in which the heart beats at an irregular rhythm. Confused, he started looking for answers as to why this might have happened to him and he found the answer in the location he lived. “South-Central Los Angeles was classified as a ‘sacrifice zone’ — places where residents, often low-income and/or people of colour, live close to freeways, factories, and oil wells. That’s where environmental inaction and damage have resulted in arrhythmia-stoking levels of smog. So, I started protesting. I led marches, petitioned government officials, and demanded climate justice from anyone who would listen,” he said.
While getting actively involved in activism, Kevin didn’t see many people who looked like him, especially in the youth climate movement. In 2018, more than 85 percent of staffers in over 2000 environmental nonprofits were white. This nudged him to start OneUpAction International in 2019 to create a platform for young individuals who were BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color). “I consider myself an intersectional climate activist, and one of the millions of people across the world who are already victims of the climate crisis. I didn’t see a home for people like myself.”
Over the years, OneUpAction translated into more than just giving voice to BIPOC, it turned into an organisation that supports and empowers marginalised youth to become changemakers, and to tackle the climate crisis within their local communities for a regenerative future. “Now we’re an organization that is helping young individuals across the globe implement and accelerate solutions within their communities.”
Kevin, who is pursuing Political Science at Loyola Marymount University, has over the years collaborated with the community to create a one-of-its-kind Youth Climate Commission in LA County to amplify youth voices. “The power of young people is crucially needed. I also think we just need to intergenerationally work together to really make sure that we’re solving these issues.”
The young climate activist is into hiking and photography, and is keen to get more young people equipped with the resources like monetary aid, membership and all “to implement solutions and drive action within their communities.” “We need more young people at the table, and this is where OneUpAction is currently focused. Youth will drive the change our planet needs.”
(March 20, 2022) Trailblazing into the male domain, milking buffaloes, and riding a bike to deliver milk, Shraddha Dhawan, a native of Nighoj village, near Pune, has established herself as a unique entrepreneur. The 23-year-old village entrepreneur had entered the family dairy business seven years ago as a teenager studying in class 11 when she saw her polio-afflicted father struggle to deliver milk. From a couple of buffaloes, the village entrepreneur’s relentless efforts burgeoned the small family business into a farm with over 80 buffaloes and a turnover that grew 24 times. All set for future The soon-to-be-married entrepreneur is now venturing into the bio-fertiliser business, CS Agro Organics, with plans to reach international markets. Juggling responsibilities with elan is her forte. When children of her age were busy with studies and play, she was working to make the family business grow. “I am confident that my new venture will reach the pinnacle,” she tells Global Indian. Inspiring others, garnering support When she initially started delivering milk door-to-door, Shraddha felt a bit awkward. But she soon began enjoying her work. Seeing her efforts, her parents, Satyavan and Janaki, and younger brother supported her and began helping her. Now, with the
When she initially started delivering milk door-to-door, Shraddha felt a bit awkward. But she soon began enjoying her work. Seeing her efforts, her parents, Satyavan and Janaki, and younger brother supported her and began helping her. Now, with the business having grown by leaps and bounds, Shraddha has employed a team of people. “With the increasing number of buffaloes, it was difficult to manage on our own and we started employing people to take care of day-to-day activities,” says the village entrepreneur, whose turnover has gone from Rs 25,000 to Rs 6 lakh per month in a span of seven years.
[caption id="attachment_12930" align="aligncenter" width="442"] Village entrepreneur Shraddha Dhawan[/caption]
Inspired by Shraddha, other girls in her village started driving a bike, but her entrepreneurial choice remains unique. “I was blessed. Instead of people looking down upon me for doing something that was outside a ladies’ purview, fellow villagers appreciated me for my work, calling me my father’s son. I am grateful to my father for believing in me and allowing me to do things which were not stereotypical and my mother for her constant support,” says the eldest of three siblings. While her brother, who is now in his teens, is ready to step into her shoes, her sister had not been very inclined towards dairy farming since the beginning.
The physics student is pursuing her M.Sc from a college which is 20 km away from her village. She loves trekking and finds solace in going to nearby places to recoup. The village entrepreneur is proud of her origins and says that her village has some fine trekking routes nearby. Her fiancé, Chaitanya, who is pursuing a Ph.D and researching the world of bacteria, is all set to join her new venture as a business partner. While Chaitanya will bring his in-depth knowledge to the table, Shraddha will put her entrepreneurial skills to the best use with their new venture.
Epitomising the Indian woman
With plans to create an impact with her bio-fertiliser venture, Shraddha is happy to start something afresh. “As far as my dairy business goes, I did not think about myself, the aim was to put my family of five in a comfortable position financially. I always looked at it as ours, not mine alone. The new venture is something that I would call my own. I am hoping to get good investors who would help me realise my dream of making rural farmers prosper in their lives,” says the village entrepreneur.
After her wedding, she would be relocating to Jategaon where her fiancé lives. With the experience of rising from almost nothing, she is all set to make Jategaon as popular as Nighoj through her work.
(June 14, 2024) Last month in London, a rather unusual scene unfolded at the Buckingham Palace. An 18-year-old Indian girl Arti, who hails from a village in Uttar Pradesh, made a spectacular entry into the gates of the palace in a pink e-rickshaw - something she drives back home in Bahraich. This wasn't a just publicity stunt. It was a choice that was not just a sustainable mode of transport but also a symbol of an idea and a movement. Clad in a yellow chikankari kurta, she made her way inside the palace to meet King Charles III after receiving the Amal Clooney Women's Empowerment Award, named after the world-renowned human rights barrister. [caption id="attachment_38238" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Arti at The Buckingham Palace[/caption] She received the honour for inspiring young girls through her work with the government's Pink Rickshaw initiative, which offers safe transport for women and aims to drive social change. "I take pride in being able to inspire other girls who face similar challenges. The newfound independence allowed me to see the world in a different light. Now, I am able to fulfill not only my dreams but also those of my daughter," said Arti, who is a participant
challenges. The newfound independence allowed me to see the world in a different light. Now, I am able to fulfill not only my dreams but also those of my daughter," said Arti, who is a participant in the Aga Khan Foundation's (AKF) Project Lehar.
In late May this year, she made her maiden visit to London to receive the award at The Prince's Trust Awards in London. Founded by His Majesty King Charles III, The King's Trust International (formerly Prince's Trust International) empowers young people in 20 countries through employment, education, and enterprise programs.
[caption id="attachment_38239" align="aligncenter" width="549"] Arti with King Charles III[/caption]
"It has been an unbelievably amazing experience, meeting the King who was so nice and sent his namaste to my family back home too. He also listened carefully as I spoke about how much I love driving my e-rickshaw, which does not run on polluting diesel or petrol but the one that I charge at home every night, she added. Her journey epitomises bravery, perseverance, and an unyielding resolve to triumph despite all odds.
Fighting against the odds
Born into a family of daily wage labourers struggling to make ends meet, Arti was married off by age 13 and forced to leave school. The marriage quickly dissolved, leading her to return home with her infant daughter. Facing limited earning opportunities as a single mother in her village, Arti started engaging in domestic tasks at home. Her outlook changed when she discovered Project Lehar - a collaboration between AKF and The King's Trust International - which inspired her to envision a brighter future for herself and her daughter. Fueled by determination, she set out to turn that vision into reality.
Project Lehar provides vocational training, entrepreneurship opportunities, and life skills courses tailored for girls and young women from economically disadvantaged backgrounds in Uttar Pradesh and neighbouring Bihar. Additionally, it offers support for girls who have discontinued their education to help them complete their studies.
[caption id="attachment_38240" align="aligncenter" width="692"] Arti with her daughter[/caption]
For Arti, Project Lehar provided the insight and confidence to consider self-employment as a viable option. "The programme helped me develop my skills, especially those that impact my life, such as problem-solving ability, communication skills, managing stress and emotions, and understanding entrepreneurship," she said, adding, "Through the learning I had over that period, I became capable of making important decisions for my life."
Changing the course of her life
It was in the July of 2023 that Project Lehar introduced Arti to the Indian government's pink e-rickshaw scheme, which serves a dual purpose: to enhance employment opportunities for marginalised women, particularly widows and single mothers like Arti, and to improve women's access to safe transportation, thereby enhancing their mobility and independence.
In Arti's community, driving has long been seen as a job for men. Girls and women have fewer chances and less freedom compared to boys and men. She was one of the first women in her area to join as a trainee driver. After passing her driving test, she began driving regularly. Now, she spends six hours a day behind the wheel, earning ₹15,000 per month (about $180) to support herself and her daughter. "I know my daughter will be proud of me one day," said Arti.
Getting recognition in the UK
During her recent visit to London, she enjoyed every moment and celebrated her win, and even bought some cake and a pair of shoes for her daughter.
[caption id="attachment_38241" align="aligncenter" width="731"] Arti receives the award in London[/caption]
Seeing her journey, Amal Clooney, the British activist-barrister after whom the award is named said, "This year's winner, Arti, is an inspirational example of someone whose trailblazing work in a typically male arena makes women in her community safer. Arti is determined to create a world where her daughter will not face the obstacles that she has faced, and she is already making a difference through her example."
Arti's journey as an e-rickshaw driver in her village in Uttar Pradesh is not just about earning a livelihood but proof of her resilience, courage, and breaking gender barriers. Her determination to make the streets safer for women by offering reliable and secure transportation is an inspiration to many. Her story reminds us that change begins with individuals like her, who refuse to be bound by societal norms and instead, forge their own path, creating a brighter and safer future for generations to come.
(November 15, 2022) The General Assembly of Illinois in the United States was created by the first state constitution adopted in 1818. As of 2022, the current General Assembly is the 102nd one. In a proud moment for India, in such a long period of its existence, Indian descent Nabeela Syed has written history by becoming the first Indian, first Muslim and its youngest member. Overjoyed with her victory in the recent election she tweeted: My name is Nabeela Syed. I am a 23-year-old Muslim, Indian-American woman. We just flipped a Republican-held suburban district. [caption id="attachment_24208" align="aligncenter" width="1001"] Nabeela Syed[/caption] The Indian-American democrat, whose parents immigrated to the USA from Hyderabad, was born and raised in Palatine, Illinois. She won the US midterm elections that concluded on 8th November 2022, defeating Chris Bos of the Republican Party, receiving 52.3 percent of the votes, and will be joining the Illinois General Assembly from January 2023. “It is important as a young Indian woman to inspire other folks (in the USA) so that we can make a mark in the country,” Nabeela said in a television interview after her win. [embed]https://twitter.com/NabeelaforIL/status/1591940528110997505?s=20&t=XYsx9oV1_TMWOc8issZmkQ[/embed] At the beginning of the campaign of the race last
vember 2022, defeating Chris Bos of the Republican Party, receiving 52.3 percent of the votes, and will be joining the Illinois General Assembly from January 2023.
“It is important as a young Indian woman to inspire other folks (in the USA) so that we can make a mark in the country,” Nabeela said in a television interview after her win.
At the beginning of the campaign of the race last year, the budding politician had remarked in one of her social media posts, “When I was first considering running, I was shocked to learn that there had never been an Indian woman or a Muslim representing Illinois in the State Legislature.” The youngster went on to add, “It’s 2021 and it’s time that our leadership starts looking a lot more like us.”
Empowering moves
Nabeela is empowering young Muslim women to take on leadership roles within her religious community at the Islamic Society of Northwest Suburbs.
Armed with a double major in political science and business from the University of California, Berkeley, the budding politician has professionally worked with several organisations like EMILY's List, America’s political action committee to raise money to elect Democrats to Congress.
[caption id="attachment_24210" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Nabeela Syed with volunteers of her campaign[/caption]
Currently, she works for a non-profit that creates various civic engagement initiatives through digital strategy, addressing issues like preventing sexual assault on college campuses, mobilising voters, and advancing gender equity. “One of the best parts is that people are sending messages from India congratulating me.
It’s incredible and humbling that the campaign gained importance beyond America,” she said in an interview after her recent win.
Proving naysayers wrong
“In our district a lot of people said that an Indian woman won’t be able to win in this kind of Republican held district,” Nabeela said, but undeterred, she pushed forward, campaigning door-to-door making people aware that she is there to work for the issues that mattered most to them. In the end, victory prevailed.
[caption id="attachment_24214" align="aligncenter" width="1181"] Nabeela just after filing a petition to include her name on the ballot on 8th March 2022. Over 2,000 community members signed the petition and dozens of volunteers circulated them[/caption]
Extremely happy with the positive outcome, she credited the voters, especially the youngsters, who came out to vote for her, proving that the ‘right wave was not as strong as it was believed to be’. “Many people in the country are in favour of reproductive healthcare freedom,” she said, remarking on one of the main agendas of her campaign that clicked.
I will always – and unequivocally – protect the right to safe and legal abortions in Illinois. And I will fight to fix our broken property tax system while keeping our schools well-resourced.
That was her campaign message, delivered loud and clear to the people she met during the past year.
Nabeela’s voluntary initiatives
Leadership, working for causes and people skills come naturally to the youngster. She served as the Campaign Manager for current Township High School District 211 School Board Member Tim Mc Gowan, helping him publicize his values of accountability, community, and equity in the schools.
[caption id="attachment_24211" align="alignnone" width="2048"] Nabeela with her supporters[/caption]
From organizing Asian American voters to flip Senate seats in Georgia, to engaging in door-to-door campaigns to help elect Democrats in Schaumburg and Palatine Nabeela has worked to advance progressive causes on both a local and national scale which has honed her politician’s skills.
Nabeela's take on Hijab
The young politician who advocates interfaith dialogue believes that it’s an individual’s right to choose when it comes to wearing hijab, just as it should be for choosing reproductive freedom. “It’s my choice to wear a hijab and no one can force me to wear it or not wear it,” she said.
I am so lucky to have that choice and I choose every single day to wear hijab and represent Muslims and be very proud of it. However, I believe that the choice is necessary and every young girl should get the right to choose.
Right from her high school days Nabeela has had some uneasy experiences with some pupils calling names but the strong girl knew how to deal with it.
In fact, it was one of the reasons people even discouraged her to contest for the elections. “People told me not to run (in the election), You are Indian and visibly a Muslim wearing hijab.” Still, the final outcome is ‘exciting’, with appreciation pouring in from ‘from people in the community, across the country, and across the world,’ turning who she is and where she comes from into a cause of record-breaking jubilation.
Firmly believing that people should not be discriminated against because of their faith, the young politician is humbled with her amazing victory, and is all geared up to fulfill the promises that she made to people during her year-long campaign.
(March 1, 2024) In November 2023, 16-year-old equestrian Ananya Settipalli realised a long-time dream - she made it to the United States Dressage Finals, competing with the best young riders in America. At her first junior nationals in 2019, which she entered at the age of 12, she landed multiple podium finishes, including a silver in show jumping. Ananya made it to her second junior nationals just before the pandemic and came home with a team gold in dressage and a team silver in jumping. Ananya Settipalli was born in Boston and discovered a love for horses when she was around four years old. "My parents put me in my first summer camp in North Carolina when I was seven, at a barn called MacNairs," she tells Global Indian. Nobody in her family had been into the sport or ridden horses, but her mum, who was a national-level track athlete, was an early inspiration. Ananya would listen to her mum's stories and wonder what it would feel like to compete at a national level. She would watch equestrian events on TV too, and remembers watching the Olympics over and over. "The way Charlotte Dujardin and Carl Hester was mesmerising to
obody in her family had been into the sport or ridden horses, but her mum, who was a national-level track athlete, was an early inspiration. Ananya would listen to her mum's stories and wonder what it would feel like to compete at a national level. She would watch equestrian events on TV too, and remembers watching the Olympics over and over. "The way Charlotte Dujardin and Carl Hester was mesmerising to me. They were the equestrians I looked up to the most growing up."
When she was nine, the family moved to Hyderabad, where Ananya began riding consistently. She started at the Hyderabad Polo and Riding Club but soon switched to Nasr Polo, where she competed at my first show at HRPC under Nasr.
[caption id="attachment_36295" align="aligncenter" width="614"] Teen equestrian Ananya Settipalli[/caption]
Training with KCS Reddy
She moved back to the Hyderabad Polo and Riding Club to train under Hyderabad's only competitive coach at the time, KCS Reddy. "His methods of training were quite different from others," Ananya recalls. She learned her basics on retired thoroughbreds (ex-racehorses), which can be very challenging to ride compared to the more traditional, docile warmbloods. "I learned most things related to riding the hard way. With off-track thoroughbreds, you have to control every action you make when you're on them," she says.
It was a challenging way to learn. At Nasr Polo, the polo horses were well-trained and easy to handle. The ones at HRPC, however, were fresh off the race course and had received a few months of training from KCS Reddy and his assistant. "It was a rough experience since the horses were so green, but I wouldn't trade it for any other," Ananya says, adding with a smile, "And if I hadn't, I wouldn't have met Princess."
On her 12th birthday, Ananya got her first horse, Princess, as a present. When she rode her for the first time, Princess, who was “as grumpy as a mare could get,” threw her off right away, leaving Ananya with a concussion and “a giant red mark” on her face.” A few months later, when Ananya was at her first show, Princess threw her again, and this time, she fractured her arm. "Nobody thought I would come back to riding. Nobody thought I would keep Princess. But I did both because the most important thing to understand with a horse is that it's never their fault," she says. Instead, Ananya learned patience, and began building a real relationship with the horse she would soon call her best friend. She would head to the stables at 5 am and spend three hours with Princess before school. "It was the best experience I ever had. On weekends, I would spend the first half of the day with her, I would bathe her, hand graze her, groom her and just sit in her stall to spend time with her. She was very sensitive but she just needed some love and a girl who had all the love in the world to offer to her." Their bond only grew, and ultimately, Ananya went on to qualify for the nationals riding Princess.
Competing in India
By this time, Ananya was going back and forth between Hyderabad and Bengaluru, where she was now training under Ashish Limaye at the Embassy International Riding School. She rode with Limaye to try horses to compete in her first Equestrian Premier League at the Embassy to qualify for the nationals. "I loved the place immediately," she said. "They had incredible facilities; everything was so well organised and everyone was extremely friendly and the horses were well taken care of." At the Embassy, she was also looking for horses to ride at the EPLs and ended up riding four, three of which came from the Embassy: Qurt, Dejavu, and Obligado. The fourth was a mare named Zala, whom she leased from the United Rider barn.
Her most special bond, however, was with Obligado, who was around 20 years old when she began riding him. "He's a thoroughbred but he could jump the 130s with ease and even when he was 19, he could jump the 115 cm classes without breaking a sweat. When I first rode him I barely knew how to jump. I couldn't even get around a course without falling off but he's an angel. He rarely misbehaved and taught me the basics of jumping."
By this time, the pandemic had hit. However, the Embassy allowed Ashish Limaye's students to stay at the riding school and continue to train. Ananya, her friends, and Ashish lived at the school for six months. "He was the most influential coach I had the opportunity to train with," Ananya says. They would ride in the morning, go to school, ride again after, and in keeping with Ashish's rule for his students, work out after riding. "Under Ashish, I competed at two Junior National Equestrian Championships in India," she says.
[caption id="attachment_36301" align="aligncenter" width="426"] Ananya Settipalli with Ashish Limaye at the Embassy International Riding School[/caption]
Back to the US
In a stroke of bad luck, Ananya came down with a fairly severe case of Covid 19 in 2020. At this point, her parents decided to go back to the US, this time to Texas, partly for the good schools and also because they had found Ananya a great coach, Kai Handt.
In 2021, Ananya began riding under Handt, who is also one of the top coaches in the US for para-equestrians, at the North Texas Equestrian Center. Then, in 2022, she bought her current horse from Kai, NTEC Classico, a seven-year-old gelding "with impeccable breeding lines and amazing scope in jumping and dressage," Ananya says. That year, she competed at her first regional championship in 2022.
She attended her second regionals in 2023, this time on another of Kai Handt's best horses, the NTEC Falstaff. This time, the idea was to qualify for the United States Dressage Finals. They qualified and made it to the event in Lexington, Kentucky.
A different ecosystem
Being an equestrian in the US, Ananya says, is a very different experience from being one in India. For starters, the average level is much higher - the best riders in India struggle to even qualify when they first arrive in Germany or the US. "It's much more competitive in the US because it's a much more popular sport," she says. Shows also work differently and it took some adjusting to at first.
"After I bought NTEC Classico, it became easier because consistency is key. Having a horse to ride five days a week definitely helps when you compete with that same horse." Another difference is that riders in the US are expected to do a lot more for their horses. "In India, in HRPC and Embassy, they would know what time I would be there and have the horses ready to ride and take care of them afterward. But in America, at most barns, you tack up your own horse, untack them, and take care of them when you're done riding," Ananya explains. "It's a very different experience, but I like taking care of my horse better because it allows you to build a connection with them."
[caption id="attachment_36294" align="aligncenter" width="492"] Ananya and her father, with NTEC Classico[/caption]
The ties that bind
In dressage, a strong bond between horse and rider is key, where everything is about trust, respect, empathy, and teamwork. That's why Ananya focusses on spending consistent time with her horse, not just during the training but also by doing everyday activities like grooming and so on. "Communication is huge, I try to be clear and consistent with my cues so my horse knows what I'm asking for and I make sure to give plenty of praise and maybe a treat here and there." There are challenges of course, as with any relationship. "But I've learned to approach them with patience and understanding. It's not just about winning ribbons in the arena; it's about having a true partnership with your horse."
Ananya hopes to keep winning but says it's more than just about accolades. "It's about deepening my understanding of horses and enriching their lives through thoughtful training and care." She also wants to continue training, saying, "I aim to compete at higher level competitions and hopefully international ones as well."
(December 5, 2023) As a nine-year-old, when Muskaan Jubbal went full throttle at a karting track, she felt the adrenaline rush like never before. Being behind the wheels thrilled her to bits and negotiating the curves on the track instilled a sense of control. Thereafter, the need for speed refused to die down. On the contrary, it revved into top gear. So much so that she went on to clinch the ‘best woman driver’ title in the MRF MMSC Indian National Car Racing Championship held in Chennai recently. [caption id="attachment_34435" align="aligncenter" width="552"] Muskaan Jubbal[/caption] A hard-won victory “It was definitely not easy, with this championship also being the first season I participated in. It was mixed grid and most of the racers were double my age and experience,” smiles Muskaan, as she connects with Global Indian. Moreover, the 16-year-old says, it was raining during the race, which resulted in most of the racers spinning due to the wet track conditions. “I was extremely happy that I could prove myself, especially in those tough track conditions. And it is truly overwhelming when people come forward to congratulate you. It encourages you to keep at it and do better,” says the Grade 11 student of Shiv Nadar School, Faridabad. The
Moreover, the 16-year-old says, it was raining during the race, which resulted in most of the racers spinning due to the wet track conditions. “I was extremely happy that I could prove myself, especially in those tough track conditions. And it is truly overwhelming when people come forward to congratulate you. It encourages you to keep at it and do better,” says the Grade 11 student of Shiv Nadar School, Faridabad.
The ‘next big thing’ in Indian motorsport
Muskaan, whom many in the racing circuit refer to as the next big thing in Indian motorsport, raced her way into winning major motor sporting competitions across India, including the Ladies Open BND Wars India at Budh International circuit and Mahindra XUV 300 turbo sportswomen with drive off-road adventure zone, among others — all in a span of five years. She started taking part in competitions since 2018, when she was 11.
“I have had an inclination for cars and speed since the age of six,” says Muskaan, who happens to be the youngest and fastest female on the track. She recalls sharing the track with India’s first Formula One driver Narain Karthikeyan. “I even took advice from him on how to improve my skills further,” she says of her meeting.
[caption id="attachment_34436" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Muskaan with Narain Karthikeyan[/caption]
Muskaan participated in the Sodi World Series - Karting championship in Dubai in 2020. “Participating at an international level made me stand with the strongest competitors from all around the world. Seeing them perform motivated me also to work harder towards achieving my dreams in motorsport.”
Need for Speed
Born January, 2007 in Faridabad, Muskaan’s father Jyotinder Singh Jubbal is the owner of Mahindra Stiller Auto Trucks Ltd., which is a manufacturing unit.
“Both my parents and brother are also into motorsport,” informs Muskaan, whose father loves participating in Autocross & TSD Rally formats. Her mother, Amandeep Kaur (Aman Jubbal), is also a National podium holder in Auto Gymkhana and has multiple podiums in Autocross, TSD Rallies & Rally.
Muskaan’s first national championship was the JK Tyre 4-stroke National Karting Championship in 2019. Additionally, in the same year, the FIA conducted three rounds of Girls on Track in India, where Muskaan emerged as the winner in all three rounds in karting slalom and achieved podium placements in sim racing. “These achievements in the first year greatly boosted my confidence in the sport, and there has been no looking back since then. It's more than just a sport, it's a passion.”
A strict regimen
Muskaan is a regular at the Buddh International Circuit (Tarmac) and the Off-Road Adventure Zone (Dirt & Off Road), where she goes for practice. She trains with motorsports enthusiast Rohit Khanna, whom she describes as an excellent coach who contributed to her wins. “I go to the track thrice or four times a week for practice,” says Muskaan.
An intensive regimen, which has Muskaan out on the track several times a week, as well as the frequent travel involved in races and training means she has to compromise on school work from time to time. She admits that juggling academics and professional sport isn’t always easy, but she tries to give them her best shot always. “But it's a bit easier for me as not only my school friends but all my teachers are also extremely supportive and encouraging,” says the youngster.
The youngest on the circuit
Recalling her experiences from various championships, Muskaan says the perception is different when people don't know you and tend to treat her like a kid. “But when you win, it's an entirely different story. Opinions and perceptions do change, and then they have so many questions, which is always fun to answer. When people already know you at the event where you are participating, the expectations are always higher.”
Among her favourite cars is the Porsche 911. “It is unbelievably powerful and beautiful inside and out, and owning one would be a dream come true,” says Muskaan, whose favourite driver is Lando Norris, a Formula 1 driver for Mclaren.
So what are her future plans? “I want to fulfill my dream of becoming one of the best racers for sure. I would certainly love to make racing my full-time profession,” she says.
However, at the same time, Muskaan wants to keep a ‘Plan B’ ready. “It would undoubtedly involve a business or something related to the automotive industry,” she informs.
When she is not behind the wheels on a racing track, Muskaan loves to cook and try out new recipes. “I love listening to music, baking or you would find me at the golf course. I love playing Golf.”
Village entrepreneur Shraddha Dhawan[/caption]
Arti with King Charles III[/caption]
Arti with her daughter[/caption]
Arti receives the award in London[/caption]
Nabeela Syed with volunteers of her campaign[/caption]
Nabeela just after filing a petition to include her name on the ballot on 8th March 2022. Over 2,000 community members signed the petition and dozens of volunteers circulated them[/caption]
Nabeela with her supporters[/caption]
Teen equestrian Ananya Settipalli[/caption]
Ananya Settipalli with Ashish Limaye at the Embassy International Riding School[/caption]
Ananya and her father, with NTEC Classico[/caption]
Muskaan with Narain Karthikeyan[/caption]
Muskaan Jubbal[/caption]
Muskaan Jubbal[/caption]