Krrish Chawla: Stanford University student making clean air accessible
Compiled by: Team GI Youth
(March 15, 2023) Being surrounded by nebulizers and inhalers during Diwali has been one of the core memories for Delhi-born Krrish Chawla while growing up in the capital. As someone who battled respiratory problems throughout his childhood, the 20-year-old was always surrounded by air filters to enhance his breathing. This propelled him to find a solution for many like him, who were facing similar issues. “Being curious as a kid, I was just 14, when I dismantled a purifier inside my home to discover a very simple working design. However, I was taken aback the moment my father told me about its exorbitant price. With a strong resolution that breathing pure air is not a luxury but a necessity — I decided to build one myself,” the Stanford University student said.
Being a science student, he was well aware of the operations of an electrical circuit and soon started experimenting with different prototypes. It took him 320 prototypes to finally come up with a commercially viable model – “with a focus on delivering maximum efficiency at the most economical rates.” This gave birth to Breathify in 2018 – an air-purifying device with an innovative ‘Reverse Air’ technology. “My parents helped me immensely during the initial days. With the help of my father, I was able to innovate and design a technology called ‘reverse air’. It essentially reverses the components used inside the device to reach maximum filtering efficiency,” he added. In simple terms, the technology reverses the direction of airflow, thus eliminating any scope of air-mixing with surrounding pollutants.
Made of eco-friendly components, the air purifier is 99 percent plastic-free, uses a HEPA filter that can trap 99.97 percent of ultra-microscopic particles, and is available at ₹4230. “It is a simple plug-in-play operation, consuming 25-65 watts of electricity. The only maintenance is to change the HEPA filter,” he told HT.
Being a teenager when he made the device, Krrish had to face many challenges, but for him, the prime struggle was to convince people about the simplicity of an air purifier. “I did several demos in front of people showing them the efficiency of my device. Since childhood, I was deeply inspired by minimalism. I believe that instead of incorporating a lot of complexity inside the machine, we should focus on a simple design to boost functionality,” the Global Indian said.
The startup began with initial financial assistance from his father and later, he invested the profits from new orders. “I learned on Google through research and experimentation. The challenge was to understand the airflow and correct it as required,” he said. Breathify has till now helped improve the lives of over 48,000 people and has reached more than 12000 users in India.
Krrish, who is currently pursuing Computer Science at Stanford University, is an avid photographer and a national-level golfer. He is constantly striving for social upliftment, making positive differences in the world – a step at a time. A common aim of all his projects is environmental sustainability, which he hopes to achieve in the near future.
(January 6, 2021) Singing the Indian national anthem evokes fervour and patriotism. Some hum the British and American ones. Well, not fully, but at least some words! Yet, this Indian boy’s anthem repertoire is something that will take you aback. The 15-year-old Indian anthemologist Yathaarth Murthy is a two-time Limca Book of Records holder for singing the highest number of anthems in the world. He disarms with his eager smile as he shares how he mastered a whopping 260 national anthems – that is how many there are in the world, incidentally! That’s not all, this teen is also an avid environmentalist and was one of the 20 winners of the India 20 Under 20 organised by White Canvas, a mentoring organisation recognised by Niti Ayog. Born and raised in Bengaluru, Yathaarth’s first tryst with anthems happened when his Hindustani classical music teacher tutored him to perform anthems of four countries – India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Japan -- on the keyboard. “That was back in 2014. It got me hooked. I liked the lyrics and wanted to explore more anthems. So, I began researching on YouTube and Wikipedia, and taught myself several more countries’ anthems,” the Indian anthemologist tells Global Indian. Onward on, one anthem at a time Anthem spurting became a passion for the student of Vidyashilp Academy. “It lit a spark and there was no
wp-image-9313 aligncenter" src="https://www.globalindian.com/youth//wp-content/uploads/2022/01/IMG_31791.jpg" alt="Indian Teen | Yathaarth Murthy | Global Indian Youth" width="417" height="640" />
Onward on, one anthem at a time
Anthem spurting became a passion for the student of Vidyashilp Academy. “It lit a spark and there was no turning back,” he says. Soon he was spending hours pouring over anthems of different nations. While he understood the gist of a few, he enjoyed the lyrics and tunes too.
While Yathaarth, the only child of architect parents, found the accents and pronunciation a bit difficult, he kept at it. “The first few tries were difficult. As I continued to practice, I got a hang of the pronunciations too. Before I knew it, I was able to sing more than 100 anthems,” says Yathaarth. Incidentally, the term “anthemologist” was something he coined to describe his unique feat.
[caption id="attachment_9312" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Yathaarth Murthy with Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai[/caption]
It was around this time in 2017, that he told his mother about wanting to apply to the Limca Book of Records. To his surprise, he had in fact made the record. That’s how a young Bengalurean came to hold the Limca record for singing the highest number of anthems – 112 at the time. “When I first picked up learning these various anthems, I didn’t think I’d one day become a record holder or a TEDx speaker,” says the class 10 student. Yet, he soon broke his own record when he learnt all 260 anthems, and once again set a new Limca record in 2019.
Saving the environment, one lake at a time
As a primary school student, Yathaarth used to love watching TedX videos and wanted to be on the hallowed platform himself. His dream soon came true when he was invited to deliver his first TED talk in 2018 at age 12. “My first talk was about my journey as an anthemologist,” says the youth who has so far given four TED talks, the most recent in December 2020. The topics have been varied: environment, anthems, and on pursuing one’s dreams.
After he’d set his second Limca record, Yathaarth wondered, “What next?” “How could I give back to the community and do something meaningful? It was around then that I began learning more and more about the environment and climate change. I watched Greta Thunberg’s speeches. Shortly, I began working in the environment sphere in my own small way,” he adds.
Soon, Yathaarth was holding climate strikes and working on a school project for the World Federation of UN Association which earned him more accolades in 2019. “I worked on a project with four friends. We decided to revive Manae, a 4.5 acre lake on the outskirts of Bengaluru. The city was once filled with beautiful lakes, but today most are highly polluted or encroached upon,” says the environmentalist, who launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise Rs 8.27 lakh for the lake’s revival. He worked with Anand Malligavad, also known as the Lake Man of India, to revive the lake and would often visit the lake in his free time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IVIcvIMKhU
“When we first visited the lake, we could see the barren lakebed and there was barely any flora and fauna. Today, the lake is thriving and hosts various birds like peacocks, has beautiful flora and is the water source for a neighbouring village,” beams the boy who still visits the lake sometimes. His work to revive this lake earned him a spot on White Canvas’ India 20 Under 20 list.
Making time count
Anthems and the environment apart, Yathaarth is also a basketball and music lover. As he gears up for his board exams, he has already begun planning for a future as a diplomat representing India at the United Nations. “I’ve chosen sociology, global perspective, history, and environment management, so I can apply to colleges abroad, and work towards working with the UN,” says the teen who spent the better part of the pandemic trying to conduct relief work. From distributing food to the needy through the iCare brigade to organising Housie for a Cause, and diverting funds towards Covid relief, Yathaarth has been busy doing his bit to spread cheer in otherwise dismal times.
(July 23, 2023) When the wheels of the world came to a screeching halt in 2020, people saw themselves adapt to changes that the pandemic brought with itself. Amid the uncertainty and fear, a family in Bengaluru found that their 9-year-old son Surya has Type 1 diabetes. The news left his 12-year-old sister Divaa Uthkarsha shell shocked. "I had no idea what Type 1 diabetes was. My first reaction was he is just a child, how can he get Type 1 diabetes? I was shocked at my brother's diagnosis and my lack of awareness on the chronic condition," Divaa tells Global Indian. It was this knowledge deficit that prompted her to start Project Surya in 2021 to help create awareness and provide assistance to underprivileged children living with Type 1 diabetes. The initiative won her the Diana Award 2023. "It was a moment of pride because I have been putting my heart and soul into Project Surya. It is an inspiration and motivation to work harder and help more people and save more lives," adds the 15-year-old. [caption id="attachment_32064" align="aligncenter" width="726"] Divaa Uthkarsha is the founder of Project Surya[/caption] When life turned upside down In 2020, Divaa's life took a
wp-image-32064" src="https://www.globalindian.com/youth//wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_1465.jpg" alt="Divaa Uthkarsha | Global Indian " width="726" height="662" /> Divaa Uthkarsha is the founder of Project Surya[/caption]
When life turned upside down
In 2020, Divaa's life took a significant turn when her younger brother was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, a condition where the body stops producing insulin. Fortunately, their doctor parents provided valuable support, guiding her to comprehend the complexities of the illness. The family as a collective took time to adjust to the new reality. "Eventually within a few months, he became independent and could manage himself," adds the teenager who accompanied her brother on all doctor visits. "I would ask them all sorts of questions and read the manuals and diet chart in detail to understand the subject. Previously, I thought diabetes only affected adults." Together, the family embarked on a journey of lifestyle changes, altering their diets and habits to accommodate Surya's needs. "It isn't just a lifestyle change but also takes a toll on mental health."
Having witnessed the challenges firsthand, Divaa gained a profound insight into the resources required and the considerable expenses associated with managing Type 1 diabetes. less privileged children lacking access to essential resources, knowledge, and proper healthcare facilities. This prompted her to contemplate the plight of the less privileged kids lacking access to essential resources, knowledge, and proper healthcare facilities. Motivated by her experiences, she founded Project Surya in June 2021, aiming to improve the quality of life for underprivileged Type 1 diabetic children residing in Karnataka.
The beginning of Project Surya
Upon joining the Future Leaders Program by 1M1B, which aims to cultivate one million young leaders impacting one billion people, Divaa embarked on her journey of conceptualising Project Surya. "After identifying our problem statement and target audience, we started working on our plan of action. We came up with solutions that were very effective, sustainable, and impacted Type 1 diabetic children in a significant way," adds the National Public School student.
Her journey in developing Project Surya involved a meticulous process of gathering insights through 30 interviews with key stakeholders, such as doctors, dieticians, and Type 1 diabetic children, alongside conducting over 500 surveys involving teenagers and ASHA workers. "It was through Samatvam Endocrinology For Science and Welfare Trust that we conducted online sessions, awareness workshops, Q & A sessions, and interactive counselling sessions with the help of an endocrinologist and raised awareness about Type 1 diabetes in a concise and scientific manner, covering essential aspects such as dietary considerations, the importance of exercise, and adjustments to insulin dosage when eating outside." Divaa discovered that many teenagers and ASHA workers lacked awareness and had misconceptions, often confusing Type 1 diabetes with general diabetes affecting older individuals." However, the sessions conducted by Project Surya helped dispel myths and equip them with the knowledge to manage diabetes effectively."
Crowdfunding and Samatvam - the helplines
Project Surya has adopted crowdfunding as its approach, successfully raising ₹1,50,000 till now. "Additionally, we are receiving $5000 from a corporate based in the US. We are also in talks with corporates for grants and CSR funding," reveals the teenager. The initiative aims to support underprivileged children with Type 1 diabetes by donating both funds and insulin syringes to Samatvam, who then distributes them.
Despite government healthcare facilities not providing free insulin, Divaa, and her team stepped in to offer low-cost insulins to these children through Samatavam. Their goal is to raise more funds to provide insulin pens, a less painful alternative to syringes, further enhancing the quality of life for these young patients.
Despite being passionate about Project Surya, many questioned her credibility initially owing to her age. "The major stakeholders that I pitched my project to initially didn't believe me. As I was only 13, many thought that this was some school project that I would get over within a few weeks. But I had to convince them how passionate I am about the cause." Fundraising, too, posed difficulties as the appreciation for the project did not always translate into donations. "Initially not many people showed up at fundraising events but then we were successful when almost 8000 people were in attendance. Right now, we are looking at accelerating the funding of the project."
Throughout the two-year journey of Project Surya, Divaa has experienced both successes and setbacks, but she has come to realise the impact that even a small step can have on someone's life. A passionate individual who enjoys playing basketball and engaging in debates, she firmly believes in seizing every opportunity that comes her way.
The impact
With the vision of making a significant impact, Project Surya took a deliberate approach, focusing on one-on-one interactions and targeting a smaller support group of 100 diabetic families over the last two years. "Directly, we have impacted 150 children and indirectly, we have impacted so many people as these children educated other children and families, thus creating a ripple effect," adds Divaa. To raise awareness about Type 1 diabetes among the masses, the initiative organized rallies, school sessions, and engaged with ASHA workers. The result was far-reaching, impacting over 2000 students through sessions held in seven schools, and creating a Domino effect of awareness as volunteers initiated drives in their schools and ASHA workers spread the word in their community. Passionate about the cause, Divaa has actively advocated for insulin tax bans and the inclusion of Type 1 diabetes in the Disabilities Act, furthering her commitment to creating a positive change.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faokCq8SsMM&t=2s
Looking towards greater sustainability, Divaa envisions implementing an "adopt a child" plan as a funding option for Project Surya, where individuals can commit to supporting a child's insulin needs for a specified period, ranging from 5 to 10 years or until the child reaches adulthood. Alongside, she plans to secure additional funds from corporates and continue fundraising efforts. "We want to provide insulin pens and more effective diabetes management resources to these kids because the resources they currently have are limited and painful."
With 95,600 cases of Type 1 diabetes affecting children under 14 years of age in India, Project Surya is determined to make a positive impact on these young lives. "From creating awareness where people under what Type 1 diabetes is, its symptoms, and the lifestyle changes they can make to keep it under check, we also focus on the mental health aspect where we talk about the stigma surrounding diabetes. The right approach and information can go a long way. And that's what we are doing," she signs off.
(November 18, 2023) When most kids his age were stressed about picking the right subject for their undergraduate course, then 18-year-old Trishneet Arora had already made up his mind to leave the path of formal education, and work full-time on developing his entrepreneurial venture. Already a cyber-security pro, Ludhiana-based Trishneet had designed the prototype of several platforms to protect a website from any kind of attack. He asked his father for ₹75,000 as seed money and used it to start his company, TAC Security. Providing services to many multinational enterprises and government agencies, including Reliance Industries, Central Bureau of Investigation, Punjab Police, and Gujarat Police, Trishneet's company is currently counted among the Top 10 cyber security companies in the world. [caption id="attachment_34186" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Trishneet Arora, CEO, TAC Security[/caption] An ethical hacker, the young entrepreneur has been featured in Forbes’ 30 under 30 Asia, making him the youngest Indian to be featured on the list. "TAC Security is a friendly hacker that helps corporate companies recognise its weaknesses before the fraudulent hackers can use them adversely,” the cyber security expert explained during an interview, adding, "We focus on providing specialised services called Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing. The former helps
eaknesses before the fraudulent hackers can use them adversely,” the cyber security expert explained during an interview, adding, "We focus on providing specialised services called Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing. The former helps to discover the security loopholes present in organisation’s systems but does not exploit the vulnerabilities. The latter is employed to demonstrate how damaging security vulnerabilities could be in a real cyber-attack." Currently based out of New Mexico, the United States, Trishneet's net worth is estimated to be around USD 5 million.
Starting young
When Trishneet was just eight years old, his father bought him a second-hand computer. A curious cat, Trishneet ended up dismantling the computer. While he wasn't able to put it back together, his father made him sit with the mechanic to understand each component and where they go to make the machine work. This incident inspired the young boy to start learning about the computer's hardware and software, and eventually, the cyber security expert managed to hack his father's computer in 2007.
[caption id="attachment_34185" align="aligncenter" width="600"] The Nasdaq billboard at New York's iconic Times Square displayed a congratulatory message to TAC Security for being poised to become the largest company in vulnerability management[/caption]
A huge turning point in his journey came when he failed his eighth standard, and decided to teach himself the nuances of ethical hacking and cyber security. Realising their son's potential his parents supported his decision. The rest, as they say "was history". In about four years, Trishneet became an ethical hacker, able to hack any computer in the world. And thus began his journey of entrepreneurship. "The whole journey started with just ₹75,000 and reached this level. But it is not about achievement. Nor the destination. It is about the journey. Meeting new people and new customers, solving their problems of cybersecurity, hiring the right people and a strong leadership team, leading a profitable venture, expanding abroad… all of this has been phenomenal,” the Global Indian said in an interview.
A stellar entrepreneur
When he started his journey, many did not even know what an "ethical hacker" does. "In the beginning when I told people I am an ethical hacker, they often mistook me for a criminal. Now I am changing their thoughts hacking can be ethical," shares the cyber security pro in an interview. Soon after he launched his company in 2013, Trishneet got an opportunity to deliver a keynote speech with former Minister of Finance, Yashwant Sinha, at a Business Relation Conference held in Gujarat. It was here that the young entrepreneur met his first clients. After listening to his speech, a few senior officials from the Gujarat Police Department asked him to organise a workshop for the crime branch personnel. Soon, he was approached by officials of the Punjab Police for similar workshops.
[caption id="attachment_34184" align="aligncenter" width="603"] On the 75th Independence Day of India, Trishneet was honoured to launch his Survey on Cyber Security supported by the National Cyber Security Coordinator of India, Lt.Gen Rajesh Pant[/caption]
While Trishneet was garnering fame, his company needed funding to grow. The youngster took a huge chance in 2016 when he approached prominent investor Vijay Kedia to fund his enterprise. "After we received the funding, we increased our momentum and set up the headquarters of TAC Security in San Francisco, California. Within a few months, TAC Security had a sizeable customer base in the North American market and the team secured Fortune 500 companies through its SaaS product," he shared.
Today, TAC Security has an impressive list of over 150 global clients and partners including the HDFC, BhartiAirtel, Reliance, National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI), NSDL, and various government agencies. "We are responsible for the end-to-end security assessment of all UPI-based applications and since 2017, have worked closely with the National Payments Corporation of India. TAC Security has been appreciated multiple times by NPCI for being a part of Prime Minister Modi's "Digital India" vision," he explained in an interview.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7DuzczlKFg
The author of two bestselling books, Hacking with Smart Phones and Hacking Talk with Trishneet Arora, the young cyber security pro has won several awards over the last decade, including Global Leader of Tomorrow, by St. Gallen Symposium, Fortune India 40 Under 40, and 50 most influential young Indians by GQ Magazine. In fact, filmmaker Sunil Bohra is working on a biographical film on Trishneet's life, which is scheduled to be directed by Hansal Mehta.
(August 8, 2023) Stranded under heavy snowfall for a span of seventy-two hours at an altitude of 7,000 meters, Arjun Vajpai experienced a loss of sensation along the left side of his body. Left to his own devices, as his Sherpa guides had already left due to his ill-fated first attempt to conquer Mount Cho Oyu in Nepal back in 2012. The young mountaineer, however, is not your typical teenager. Just two years prior, in 2010, he had achieved an unparalleled feat in the world of mountaineering – successfully reaching the summit of Mount Everest – thereby becoming the youngest Indian ever to accomplish such a remarkable feat. Further cementing his legacy, the mountaineer went on to claim the title of the youngest individual to conquer Lhotse in 2011, as well as becoming the youngest mountaineer to triumph over Mount Manaslu. [caption id="attachment_32453" align="aligncenter" width="382"] Mountaineer Arjun Vajpai[/caption] Having faced numerous challenges before, Arjun embarked on the excruciating descent from Mount Cho Oyu, a grueling journey that required him to crawl for 17 hours, relying solely on his right arm and leg. Undeterred by previous setbacks, he made a triumphant return in 2016, conquering the peak he once struggled with.
ey that required him to crawl for 17 hours, relying solely on his right arm and leg. Undeterred by previous setbacks, he made a triumphant return in 2016, conquering the peak he once struggled with. At such a young age, Arjun stands as the world's youngest mountaineer to have summited six out of the 14 highest mountains worldwide. Global Indian takes an in-depth look into the remarkable journey of this exceptional mountaineer.
Adventurous streak
The mountaineer was born in 1993 to Col. Sanjeev Vajpai and Priya Vajpai, and his passion for trekking and mountaineering traces back to his early childhood. “I was an athletic kid throughout my school years. You name the sport - volleyball, football, hockey, basketball, shot put, long jump, karate - and I have played it. Very early on in my life, I realised that if I wanted to do something in life, it would be with these set of hands and legs,” the mountaineer said during an interview.
[caption id="attachment_32459" align="aligncenter" width="683"] Arjun Vajpai at the Kanchenjunga base camp.[/caption]
Speaking about his first introduction to the mountains, he shared, "In my sixth grade, I was visiting my grandfather’s house in Pune for summer vacations. We went for a short hike to the Sahyadri Hills. Since it was my first climb, I reached the top and when I saw the sunset, I just asked myself, “If it looks so beautiful here, how beautiful must it look from the highest point on this planet?”
And there was no turning back for the mountaineer after that. He nurtured this interest from a tender age and honed his skills through training at the prestigious Nehru Institute of Mountaineering in Uttarkashi.
More than a record
Arjun's true passion lies in scaling mountains. For him, records are not the ultimate goal. “It makes me feel super happy but I’m not someone who chases records,” Arjun said in an interview, “It’s a moment of pride, not just for me but for the country, to hold a title and each time motivates me to climb more and take India’s flag to some of the highest peaks on earth. I want to be the youngest in the world to do all 14 peaks above 8,000 metres.”
Meticulous planning is the foundation of every expedition for this young mountaineer. He initiates the process by envisioning the route, delving into archives, and immersing himself in learning about the mountain's intricacies. The mountaineer thoroughly studies the experiences of past trekkers who have conquered the same peak, gathering valuable insights for his own journey. “I also make a mental note of how many ropes we are likely to require as it helps me get a feel of the mountain mentally,” he said.
Recently, the young mountaineer encountered a setback during his expedition on Mount Annapurna 1. Frostbite in both feet forced him to make the difficult decision to turn back, just 150 meters shy of the summit. Undeterred by this challenge, the mountaineer remains resolute and optimistic. In one of his Instagram posts, he pledges to return next season and conquer the mountain with renewed determination. "I’m safe and down at Pokhara today. Feet still hurt a little but the summit still echoes in my heart so close," he wrote.
Adding to his list of accomplishments, the young adventurer, Arjun Vajpai, founded the Arjun Vajpai Outdoor Academy with a noble mission. His aim is to instill a love for adventure sports in young children and promote a healthy and active lifestyle among them. In a media interaction, Arjun expressed his desire to provide a platform for kids to pursue sport climbing or wall climbing as a competitive sport, especially with its inclusion in the Olympics.
Through his academy's efforts, they have successfully installed over 200 climbing walls in various schools and colleges across India, fostering a culture of athleticism and exploration. Beyond this, Arjun's profound affection for mountains led him to create a warm and inviting homestay named "Vaikunth Home" in Almora. The cozy, red-roofed retreat serves as a haven for those seeking to immerse themselves in the tranquil beauty of the mountains.
(March 10, 2022) At Sat Paul Mittal School in Ludhiana, the students can’t wait to learn something new. For them, it entails pulling out their phones and tablets, and opening up popular game Minecraft, immersing themselves in ancient Egyptian history, or tales from the Ramayana, and more. Created by Swedish game makers Mojang Studio, Minecraft allows players to create and build a world of their own. To 15-year-old teen edupreneur, Namya Joshi, this presented an opportunity like no other. Young achiever In January 2021, when that fateful call from the Prime Minister’s office came, Namya learned that she was a recipient of the 2021 Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar. A well-earned recognition of a mammoth effort to make education more fun, interactive and easier to absorb, the teen edupreneur's skills in multimedia saw her train more than 10,000 students, teachers, and school principals from 108 countries. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoskysarVy0&t=8s Fame is no stranger to the teen edupreneur. Six months after being told about the Bal Puraskar, Namya had the media swarming her doorstep once more. This time, she had received praise from Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, who congratulated her on Twitter after their meeting. Namya had been one of 250
Namya discovered Minecraft by chance. Developed in 2009, Minecraft is the bestselling videogame of all time, with over 238 million copies sold, and nearly 140 million monthly active users as of 2021. Over the years, it has been ported to several other platforms. Players explore a 3D world with infinite virtual terrain where they can mine and collect resources, craft and shape tools, alter landscapes, build structures and simple machines. Just for fun, the teen edupreneur rendered a Manali vacation into the game!
[caption id="attachment_12245" align="aligncenter" width="850"] Namya Joshi, teen edupreneur[/caption]
However, as she sailed through school, she noticed friends struggling to grasp lessons taught merely through text. The idea came to her in 2018 – why not intersperse a game like Minecraft with school lessons? Rushing home to the drawing board, Namya, then in Class 6, did her first render – an Egyptian civilisation. She showed it to her history teacher, who was amazed with what the teen had produced, wholeheartedly accepting her innovation into the classroom. “I could see the difference instantly. People were way more interactive in class because they could understand the concepts now,” teen edupreneur, Namya Joshi said, in an interview with Global Indian.
Spurred on by her success, Namya began creating more complex renders. “People tend to forget speeches and text-based information so I wanted to design lessons with gaming and ICT tools to make classroom lessons interesting. Now, Minecraft is used in every class in my school to make lessons more engaging and students more inquisitive,” says the teen edupreneur.
#Each One Can Teach Ten
Four years later, Namya has designed more than 100 educational lesson plans, mapping with the UN’s SDG goals. “I started by training teachers in my school, then district, state and country” smiles the teen edupreneur. Offers began pouring in from across the world and the young teen edupreneur was soon conducting lessons on Skype and Teams. She and her mother, who is the IT head of her school, were invited on a five-day tour to Finland. The altruistic teen delivered the keynote address, conducted workshops in Finnish schools to train teachers, pupils and even a prominent official from the ministry of education, who said, "I loved the way this 12 year-old-girl has engrossed everyone here!". "He shook hands with me and said, I am doing a wonderful job," the teen edupreneur says.
Namya is dedicated to her venture #Each One Can Teach Ten; firm on the belief that this would make a beautiful and impactful chain in tandem with UN SDGs, “I train people so that they can design their classroom lessons. The earnings are sent to NGOs for taking care of animals. I love nature, and want to create lessons for nature conservation too,” says the teen.
Lessons from home
Her mother, Monica, taught her never to give up, and remain grounded and humble. Namya’s father an IT professional with his own firm also hugely contributed to her prowess as did her mother. “My father tells me never to stop innovating. My grandparents tell me stories that teach me lessons about life,” says the single child. In school too, support is always forthcoming, as she describes her principal as her “backbone,” motivating her to “keep on going ahead with all my endeavours.” The teen edupreneur considers herself a pillar too – “If I cannot support and motivate myself then nobody can.”
Juggling so many priorities and taking on the world at 15 means Namya is removed from the concerns of an average teenager. Her life is marked by a strict schedule, with priorities arranged in order of importance. This timetable is followed to a tee, due diligence is the only way to balance her academics with her vocation. “I don’t go to bed without reading what was taught in class that day, so the concepts are clear,” adds the problem solver.
The way ahead
Now, the teen innovator plans to build her own startup which offers free game-based lessons for people across the world. “It should not just be gaming, it should impart learning in the process,” she says. That apart, her sweet tooth gives us a glimpse of the child within – Namya can’t resist dessert. She also makes time for an exhaustive laundry list of activities outside school and her startup - environmental science, history, physics, music, art, calligraphy, dance, sports, singing spending time with family, and reading.
Yathaarth Murthy with Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai[/caption]
The Nasdaq billboard at New York's iconic Times Square displayed a congratulatory message to TAC Security for being poised to become the largest company in vulnerability management[/caption]
On the 75th Independence Day of India, Trishneet was honoured to launch his Survey on Cyber Security supported by the National Cyber Security Coordinator of India, Lt.Gen Rajesh Pant[/caption]
Arjun Vajpai at the Kanchenjunga base camp.[/caption]
Namya Joshi, teen edupreneur[/caption]
