Meet Nikhil Kumar, the young table tennis champion representing the USA internationally
Written by: Team GI Youth
(July 18, 2023) Indian-Americans are not just making waves in the business and political worlds, but also in the world of sports. Many young Indian-origin athletes are representing the USA in different tournaments and bringing home medals. One such champion is California-based 20-year-old table tennis player Nikhil Kumar – who is the second youngest table tennis paddler from the US, who qualified for the Tokyo Olympics three years back.
The champion displayed remarkable talent by becoming the U9 National Champion and U10 runner-up in both the prestigious US Open and US Nationals competitions. As if that wasn’t impressive enough, Nikhil was chosen to represent his country in the highly esteemed World Cadet Championship. However, it was at the tender age of 12 that he truly made his mark by securing the first rank in the North American tournament organised by ITTF. Gearing up to represent the USA in the next Olympics, the champion is also pursuing Computer Science at one of the most prestigious academic institutions — the University of California in Berkeley. “I feel great to have qualified for the Olympics,” the Global Indian said during an interview, “For me, being one of the younger ones does not make a difference because throughout my career I have been facing opponents and having teammates that were at least a couple of years older than me table tennis is a game of skills, not of age.”
A happy accident
Son of a software professional couple, who moved to the USA from Kerala, Nikhil picked up the table tennis paddle out of sheer boredom. “I started playing table tennis when I was about five or six years old because I wanted a hobby,” the champion shared, “I was introduced to the sport when I joined summer camps at the India Community Center (ICC) in Milpitas, California. It was just one of the many different activities I was involved in. I started training more actively at the age of eight with Anil Kashyap.”
Nikhil with his family
Eventually, the youngster started taking part in local tournaments and also winning – which made him train harder and more regularly. After training with Kashyap till 2014, the champion was coached by Tao Wenzhang, who took him to international competitions including the World Championships in 2017. The arrival of Italian coach Massimo Constantini, known for his successful training of India’s Commonwealth Table Tennis squad, had a profound impact on the performance of numerous players, including Nikhil. “Coach Massimo at ICC helped a lot with new techniques, and understanding the game. He has been a great guide to me since then and opened up more opportunities to train and play in international competitions,” said the champion, who has been inspired by watching the members of the Chinese National team train and compete at international tournaments.
Paddling his way to glory
The left-handed attacking table tennis player truly made his mark after winning the 2017 ITTF Junior gold medal, which got him noticed by the USA Olympic selection team. However, his path was not without any thorns. The champion shared, “From the point of view of table tennis, I have had my share of wins and losses. There were a few competitions where I wished I had done better, but in the end, I lost out to someone stronger. Physically, I had challenges with growth spurts causing aches and pains from time to time.”
Talking about his experience at the Olympic selection camp, he said, “My biggest challenge came earlier this year as we headed to the Olympic trials. Having played extremely well during the year, I was quite hopeful of making it. But as we got closer there were uncertainties thrown by way of changes in procedures etc that put a lot of pressure on me. There was a point in time at the beginning of the year when my coach advised me to take a break because of the pressure I was putting on myself. However, it all worked out in the end as my parents, coaches helped me get into the best shape to compete at the trials.”
Training hard for the Olympics in Germany with many professional players, Nikhil is looking to take his game a notch higher. “My main goal is, of course, to be in the best shape I can be for the Olympics and produce the best results I can. Outside of that, I want to get into the top 100 for men’s ranking. Also, I just started pursuing Computer Science at UC Berkeley, and that is quite exciting,” the champion shared.
(December 12, 2024) Hurried lunches eaten alone in a corner of the cafeteria, endless hours at school spent mostly in silence, her heart racing at the thought of speaking to her peers, and worst of all, having to answer the dreaded question, 'Where are you from', made every day a struggle for nine-year-old Taanvi Arekapudi, who is now a passionate advocate for teen mental health. Born in Ireland to Indian parents, then moving to the US at the age of nine meant identity was a complex, confusing concept for the young girl. "A nine-year-old is expected to be happy and excited about life. I would see my peers in the US being that way, and then there was me, faking a smile to fit in, pretending to be happy because that's what society told me," Taanvi tells Global Indian. Now 16 years old, Taanvi greets me with a ready smile that no longer needs forcing. She speaks with courage and insight too, boldly talking about the worst moments of her life and how she learned to find happiness even when everything seemed gloomy. Learning to face herself not only helped her heal, it also gave her purpose. "My mission is
emed gloomy. Learning to face herself not only helped her heal, it also gave her purpose. "My mission is to help my peers with coping strategies to use in their daily lives," Taanvi says.
Taanvi Arekapudi is a youth mental health advocate and founder of Uplift Teens Today, a nonprofit providing mental health resources and support to teenagers. Through initiatives like her bestselling book, Uplift Teens Today: Coping Strategies for Mental Health, the Emotion Cards Deck, and the Nexus platform, she empowers peers with practical strategies and creates safe spaces for dialogue. Her work spans schools, communities, and national platforms, breaking stigma and championing youth-led mental health advocacy.
Transformed by challenges
For months, Taanvi hid behind a smile, because she didn't think anyone would understand. Finally, the dam broke, and when Taavi was at home with her family. "I was scared. What would my parents and my sister think of me. But the first thing my parents told me was, "You're not alone." That day, a great weight was lifted off Taanvi's shoulders. She realised it was okay to feel that way, and to have those emotions—but then what? Get stuck in a loop? That evening, Taanvi's mom taught her a five-minute mindfulness technique, a guided meditation in which she imagined clouds and rainbows. "It made me feel calm," she recalls. "I could feel present without worrying about who I would sit with for lunch the next day."
That was the start of her journey of self-healing. Taanvi had a strategy to help herself and wanted to share this with the world.
The mindfulness journey
Taanvi's mindfulness meditation brought her peace, and while it could work wonders, she needed more. She began looking for more strategies to help herself, and began her journey of self healing. She learned breathing techniques and regulation techniques, so when she felt a strong emotion, she could acknowledge it and also have a strategy to help herself.
Around that time, the pandmic hit and the world went into lockdown. It was a tough time for everyone, Taanvi Arekapudi included, but this time, she had the strategies she needed to cope with her emotions. She wondered what her friends were going through, and if they were hiding sadness behind their smiles too, as she once had. She asked them how they were feeling, and many admitted they weren't doing to well. And Taanvi thought, 'Why don't I start a club'? The idea was to have students come and share their experiences. It took off immediately, and students were sharing their own troubles, as well as their coping strategies. Her school supported her as well, and many of her peers told her how much it had helped them.
Writing a bestseller
[caption id="attachment_40920" align="aligncenter" width="605"] Taanvi's book, Uplift Teens Today, became a bestseller[/caption]
At the age of 13, when her peers were worrying about makeup, school dances, and homework, Taanvi Arekapudi published her first book on teen mental health, written by a teen for teens. She began writing at the age of 12, as a teen reaching out to other teens, hoping to remove the stigma around mental health conversations by sharing her own story. Writing the book wasn't easy, she admits. She had to be vulnerable all over again, and to relive the emotions and experiences that had troubled her so much. Still, the experience was catharctic.
"At the start, I was sharing strategies along with anecdotes. I had a writing advisor, though, and she told me that it was hard to achieve a flow that way. She suggested that the flow be built around my own stories, with the strategies and challenges interspersed." So after a year and a half of work, she started afresh. All the while, picturing her book in a reader's hand kept her motivated. It took another year to complete the work. "There was a lot to learn—I had started off saying something had made me sad or lonely. But then I learned to redo it, and to show what those emotions meant as well. So instead of saying I felt lonely on my first day at school, I wrote that I was sitting by myself in a corner, and how that felt."
Her efforts paid off and the book was very well received. It was also a genre-maker - most books for teenagers are written by doctors and psychologists. Hers was the first one to be written for teenagers, by a teenager. "I sold thousands of copies, and it was so lovely to see people picking up my book. And I have had countless young people come up to me and say it helped them. Adults did too."
This was followed by the emotion card set. Children are not taught about emotions—it's either happy or sad, Taanvi says, adding, "And if you're sad, you're told to shoo it away." It motivated her to create the emotion card set to be used by teens and counsellors to spark conversations about mental health and emotions. It also comes with easy-to-follow coping techniques that are rooted in mindfulness and breathing exercises.
Three years ago, she created her own curriculum. By this time, Taanvi was visiting schools and spreading the word among her peers. The Mental Health Minutes are a set of monthly strategies where she shares different techniques and how and why to do them.
For this, Taanvi connects with school districts—there are 50 schools in her district in Seattle alone, and teachers share the resources with the students. "Lots of adults create strategies for youth, but they didn't resonate with me. So I thought, why not share my own? She began making short videos to share with other teens. "Some students love it, others take it in subconsciously, and later, when they are stressed or low, they remember these strategies," she says. "I have a lot of people coming up and saying they didn't listen that day but went back to it later," she says.
With a solid body of work to her credit, Taanvi now works with the University of Washington, where she does research with psychologists there. The aim is to make it part of school curriculums, for which she organizes fairs and recruits student volunteers to spread the word. "And every time I launch in a new district or community, I also launch Nexus," Taanvi explains.
Creating a curriculum and a global mental health resource library
Nexus is Taanvi’s ambitious project, a free, 24/7 mental health hub for schools that connects students with peer stories, resources, and coping strategies. “It’s already reached 800,000 students nationwide, and I’m working to make it global,” she says. Nexus brings together everything she has created—her book, her emotion cards, and her curriculum—into one accessible platform. “It’s a way for teens to feel less alone and have real tools to help them navigate their emotions.” Nexus’s impact has been widely recognized, earning awards like the Washington Health Care Authority Youth Prevention Project of the Year and the Digital4Good Most Innovative Award. Now available as a website, Taanvi's plan is to turn it into an app as well.
Her passion for helping others also led her to collaborate on the Inside Out curriculum with the Crown Institute at the University of Colorado. Drawing on the beloved animated movies of the same name, the curriculum teaches emotional intelligence in a relatable, visual way. “I grew up with Riley’s story, so being part of a project like this is so meaningful to me. I want to make sure it connects with teens on a personal level, just as the movies did for me.”
[caption id="attachment_40921" align="aligncenter" width="447"] Taanvi's Emotion Card set is availabe on her website.[/caption]
Advocacy at the community and national levels
Taanvi’s work isn’t limited to schools and communities—she has also taken her advocacy to the legislative level. “I had the chance to testify for House Bill 2256 with the Washington Health Care Authority,” she says, her voice filled with pride. “The senators usually give you just 90 seconds, but I was so passionate about the need for more mental health funding that they turned off the timer and let me keep speaking. The bill passed, and it means more resources for youth mental health programs.”
Her advocacy extends into the Indian community, where Taanvi Arekapudi leads mental health-themed talks during festivals at temples. “In India, we’ve always had a focus on mental health, but somewhere along the way, the stigma grew,” she says. “Now we’re bringing that back, connecting the themes of festivals like Diwali with positivity and self-care. It’s incredible to see parents and youth open up after hearing my story and knowing it’s okay to feel this way.” Her temple visits, like all her work, aim to break down barriers and spark conversations.
Taanvi’s impact on teen mental health has also earned her several honors, including the Presidential Volunteer Service Award, the Civic Champions Award, and recognition as a National Young Leader by the National Alliance on Mental Illness. She recently started a raw Instagram series to make her work even more relatable. “It’s unscripted and real—because not everything is perfect. People need to know they’re not alone in what they’re feeling.”
When asked what motivates her, Taanvi smiles. “When I started, I didn’t know if my voice mattered. But now I know that it does—and that’s a message I want every young person to hear. If you have a passion, start advocating. Your voice can make a difference.”
Follow Taanvi Arekapudi on her website, Instagram and LinkedIn. Her book is available for purchase on Amazon. Access Nexus' resources here.
(November 24, 2023) When Sadhguru recognised Oviya Singh's efforts to spread awareness on soil conservation, the joy and elation of 12-year-old knew no bounds. “His acknowledgment in one of the Save Soil Campaign events and later, a mention of my name in the 'youth in action' section on his website, are recognitions that evoke indescribable emotions," she smiled. The NCR-based youngster became one of the youngest TEDx speakers in India last year, gaining recognition in India and beyond. The powerful public speaker has been using her gift of gab to motivate not just youngsters but also industrialists, public figures and government authorities to do their part in making the planet a better place through initiatives like soil conservation and other measures to enhance sustainability. [caption id="attachment_34275" align="aligncenter" width="787"] Oviya Singh[/caption] “We will either be remembered as the generation that let the planet die or as the generation that even God looks up to and says ‘damn!, these guys are competition,” the orator remarked in one of her speeches urging children and adults to do their part. Beyond oratory, the talented youngster has ventured into writing, co-authoring two books. Her first book, Living Life of Inspiration, is a compilation of motivational stories
her speeches urging children and adults to do their part.
Beyond oratory, the talented youngster has ventured into writing, co-authoring two books. Her first book, Living Life of Inspiration, is a compilation of motivational stories of achievers from different walks of life. Her second book, Rise: Poems of Heat, Resilience, And Light, features inspirational and motivational poems by her and other budding poets.
Awards and accolades
Recently the Global Indian became the recipient of the Nelson Mandela Award that came with the opportunity of visiting the University of Oxford to receive the medal and the certicate in person. It was presented at the Global Peace Summit organised by the NRI Welfare Society in the UK. "The Nelson Mandela Awards event was an extraordinary chapter in my life, one that has left an indelible mark on my soul, inspiring me to strive for excellence and contribute meaningfully to society," she shared.
Oviya has been Champion at the Youth Spoken Fest twice, and has excelled in various other competitions. She claimed the top position in the National Public Speaking Championship (2019), the Podcast Challenge (2021), and the National Speech and Debate Tournament (2022). She also emerged the winner in the extempore competition at the IDIA International Fiesta 2021. “I didn’t even know that talking could be a talent until they gave me a few awards for just talking,” she laughed in an interview.
A member of PlanetSpark’s podcasting club, the prodigy hosts her podcast Go Out and Contour the World.
Becoming one of India’s youngest TEDx speakers
In last year’s TEDx event held at Jamia Millia Islamia, the then eleven-year-old Oviya had made a mark as one of the youngest Indians to deliver a TEDx Talk. Her talk centred on the critical environmental issue of soil degradation, shedding light on alarming statistics concerning the global decline in agricultural soil quality. This speech was aligned with the event’s theme, 'Different Lenses.' She provocatively posed the question, "Is the world running out of food?" to her audience, drawing attention to the pressing matter.
She was among distinguished company. Other speakers at the event included the vice-chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia University Padma Shri Najma Akhtar, Supreme Court senior advocate Sanjay R Hegde, journalist and anchor Arushi Kapoor, peace activist and author Dr Maria Khan, and finance content creator Ankur Warikoo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpJXJG6hD5M
Oviya’s selection as a speaker amongst these influential personalities was a testament to her remarkable gift of expression through speech. “When I came to know that I would be speaking amidst these stalwarts, I was awestruck. ‘How will I even open my mouth in front of these people?’ I thought. But my father motivated me to just forget everything around me and concentrate on my speech. I am glad that it went well and on top of that all the esteemed people present at the event, appreciated my speech,” she remarked.
Finding a purpose
Oviya’s interest in soil was purely accidental. During a workshop on public speaking, she was asked to enlist all the topics that she liked and disliked as the subject of her speech. Her 'like list' comprised topics like favourite K-Pop bands, while her 'dislike list' encompassed typical topics assigned in school elocution contests, such as the environment.
As part of the workshop she was tasked with researching and speaking about a topic from her 'dislike list' – specifically, the environment. During her research on the topic, she stumbled upon ‘the developing crisis that might even lead to the next World War – the global food crises’.
During her research, Oviya also learned that while factors like food wastage and increasing population contribute to this looming crisis, the most alarming factor is agricultural soil degradation, which is severely impacting global food cultivation.
Later, when she got selected to deliver a TEDx Talk, she spoke on 'soil conservation,' a topic that she had become very passionate about – making it her purpose to spread awareness on the matter.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBcajpjZUS8
Generation for change
Olivia calls herself a part of the ‘generation for change’. Her speeches are centred on not just soil conservation but sustainable living as a whole. “We really need to work for this environment because if we are not going to be the ones who are going to work on it then I don't think we'll be even able to survive after 20 or 30 years,” she said adding, “This is the thought that inspires me every morning to get up and keep working for this cause.” Apart from her parents she is indebted to her mentor Priyanka Behl who has been her constant guide.
The youngster who loves playing badminton and reading JK Rowling’s books is hard pressed for time due to her tight academic and oratory schedules. “I had to sacrifice my playing time for oratory,” said the youngster. Her sacrifices are paying off 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.”
(April 2, 2024) At 15, Chhavi Kohli was honoured with the National Child Award by the President of India. Now, at 23, this fencing athlete wears multiple hats. The sportsperson has represented India at many international tournaments. She has been a part of the Indian national fencing team and was the youngest fencer to participate at the age of 14 at the National Games in 2015. She is also a two-time Commonwealth Games medallist. Apart from being a sportsperson, Chhavi is a professional painter, and mental health practitioner. She completed her MSc in Performance Psychology at The University of Edinburgh in 2023, and is working on her goal to become a licensed psychologist in the UK. [caption id="attachment_36978" align="aligncenter" width="453"] Chhavi Kohli[/caption] “Currently, I work as a psychologist for Indian nationals in the UK offering services through my initiative Spark Matters. I deal with clinical and non-clinical cases of couples, students, families, athletes, and young professionals,” Chhavi tells Global Indian. “My journey in sports has taught me to keep growing and never lose hope,” added the athlete who has also given motivational talks on well-being as a TEDx Speaker. Pressures of sports, mental health and emerging a winner Born and raised
my initiative Spark Matters. I deal with clinical and non-clinical cases of couples, students, families, athletes, and young professionals,” Chhavi tells Global Indian. “My journey in sports has taught me to keep growing and never lose hope,” added the athlete who has also given motivational talks on well-being as a TEDx Speaker.
Pressures of sports, mental health and emerging a winner
Born and raised in Patiala, Chhavi had always been inclined towards sports as a child. She tried her hand at multiple sports before taking up fencing at the age of nine. Reminiscing about her school days, she mentions, “Lalit Gandhi was my coach at school and he had a major impact on my performances while I played for India.”
When she took up fencing, her parents enrolled her under coach Mohit Ashwini. For nearly a year, the fencing coach did not allow her inside the training hall meant for professional players as he wanted to test Chhavi’s consistency, and interest levels. After the young fencer had proved her seriousness for the game by attending the coaching sessions regularly, he started making her train at the training hall.
Under his guidance, Chhavi made India proud by winning the Commonwealth Championship medal twice. She also went on to win the Thailand Minime series Under-16 series twice in a row in 2016, and 2017. The young fencer was honoured with the President's Excellency Award in 2016 by former President of India, late Pranab Mukherjee for her good performances at the international games.
Despite achieving a lot at a young age, in 2018, Chhavi had to give up fencing briefly due to burnout and anxiety induced by performance pressure. “I experienced burnout due to the overwhelming pressure of academics. Since I was in 12th grade and had no breaks for rejuvenation or recovery from my sport over a decade as my coach did not believe in the idea of taking a break,” she remarks.
It was a time when her passion for fencing had turned into pressure for her. “I constantly indulged in thoughts of what others would think about me and my performances,” she shares.
Chhavi had to take a sabbatical of a-year-and-a-half. By the end of it, she bounced back with the support of her parents and after undergoing therapy to look at her passion for sports with a different lens. The athlete went on to win multiple competitions after her return to fencing, and since then has become an advocate of mental health.
Journey of rising above self-doubt
The experience of getting counselled was therapeutic and helpful for the athlete, making her look at her passion with a different lens. “The attitude of running after medals and the pressure that accompanied that mindset got altered in playing the game for the love of it,” she remarks. Not only this, Chhavi passed her 12th board exams with flying colours earning 96.75 percent marks.
Owing to her personal positive experiences of taking therapy Chhavi developed an interest in counselling, and started using social media to spread awareness on this vital issue and has eventually turned a counsellor.
Despite being a sportsperson she never neglected academics and pursued bachelors of arts in psychology, certificate course, diploma and advanced diploma in guidance and counselling from Panjab University, Chandigarh, and pursued MSc in performance psychology at the University of Edinburgh.
The sportsperson has won the BUCS championship and won the Scottish student sport champion award for 2022-23 in the UK.
Inner spark matters
As a mental health and well-being enthusiast, Chhavi has started her counselling service - Spark Matters - dedicated to supporting individuals and communities in their journeys towards improved well-being.
The mental health advocate has curated a wealth of resources, including articles, self-care tips, and evidence-based practices for people to achieve greater balance and resilience in life. “As someone who has experienced the benefits of therapy firsthand, I believe that seeking help for our mental health should be just as normalised as seeking help for our physical health,” Chhavi remarks.
As a mental health and wellbeing practitioner, Chhavi believes that therapy is not just for people who wish to solve problems; it is also for improving as a person and working on one’s state of mind. “Well-being is extremely important. We are running after things without realising that it's costing our health,” she remarks adding. “Just like we take care of our physical health by exercising and eating well, we should be taking good care of our minds by seeking assistance from a professional if needed.”
Giving back and gaining recognition in the UK
Last year Chhavi was conferred the UK Achievers Award by British Council (India) and the Department for Trade (UK). “The award was for my pro bono work in mental health for underprivileged athletes,” says Chhavi, who keeps on counselling such athletes in an attempt to give back to the society.
The athlete, artist and mental health practitioner expresses gratitude towards the National Indian Students and Alumni (UK) for helping her gain recognition for promoting mental health and well-being as an athlete. “It was an honour to share the stage with other phenomenal achievers Parineeti Chopra, Raghav Chadha, Purva Aggarwal and Adrija Biswas,” she shares. “Representing my University, The University of Edinburgh at the award event was also a big matter of pride.”
[caption id="attachment_36973" align="aligncenter" width="865"] Chhavi Kohli while receiving the Achievers Award in the UK[/caption]
Life in Scotland and future goals
Chhavi currently lives in Scotland. With specialisation in performance enhancement, mental health, and wellbeing, she is dedicated towards promoting holistic wellness and performance psychology through her consultancy service - Spark Matters.
For the moment, fencing has taken a backseat for Chhavi. “I do not have the finances to support my fencing in the UK. Indian Fencing is not particularly flexible in accommodating the needs of fencers who are also pursuing other careers,” tells the athlete. “I am working to become a licensed psychologist in the UK and hopefully resume fencing,” she signs off.
[caption id="attachment_36977" align="aligncenter" width="555"] Chhavi Kohli with one of her paintings[/caption]
(April 12, 2024) Aditi Saigal's voice still carries the innocence and charm of youth, which might be what drew director Zoya Akhtar to her music in the first place. Although the director had reached to Aditi about her music, the young singer-songwriter, who goes by the name 'Dot', was offered the role of Ethel Muggs in Akhtar's musical, The Archies. With her unique voice, as well as her musical style steeped in jazz, which is reminiscent of Lana Del Ray, KT Tunstall and her biggest inspiration, Peggy Lee, Saigal had already begun to make a name in indie music circles by the time, and Akhtar had been following her music for a long time by the time she approached her. Being cast in a film with Bollywood's biggest star kids, catapulted Aditi Saigal into the limelight, and she is still learning how to deal with fame. However, it did open up a new, unplanned avenue - acting, for the young woman who had always thought her life lay fully in music and songwriting. In December 2023, she released her album, Practice Rooms, comprising some of the songs that had caught Akhtar's attention. Interestingly, she released them raw, without having them
them raw, without having them re-recorded or re-mastered in a professional studio. Recorded at the practice rooms in the University of Bangor, Wales, where Saigal was studying music, the songs retain their rawness and the imperfections which, Saigal believes, make them so special in the first place.
Saigal's stage name, Dot, has its origins in her childhood. "My mum and I used to do these colouring books when I was young. I am a perfectionist and everything has to be in line and the colours had to be just right. My mum on the other hand would do dots around the page, or add little designs. When I would complain that she was ruining the picture, she would say, 'a little Dot doesn’t hurt anyone and it adds so much to the picture'," Saigal told NDTV.
The Aditi Saigal household was also filled with music, and both her parents are artists. Aditi's father, Amit Saigal, earned the moniker 'Papa Rock' by the Indian rock community and was an Indian rock musician and a promoter of the genre too. He was also the founder of India's first rock magazine, the Rock Street Journal. Her mother, Shena Gamat, is also an actress who appeared as Chanda Narang, a wedding planner, in the 2010 film, Band Baajaa Baaraat. Aditi's own journey with music began small, when students were asked to sing bhajans in school, she laughs. "It always starts like that! And I also used to sing Hannah Montana and Demi Lovato. At home, we had a lot of jazz greats, like Ella and Peggy (Lee) and Louis Armstrong."
Jazz, and university life
That funnelled her into piano classes when she was young, "the typical tuition classes," as she puts it. She also learned Hindustani classical, after her grandmother, and dabbled in the bansuri. Her greatest love, however, was jazz. She went on to study it at the University of Bangor in North Wales. "That was where I started to write music in earnest," she said. "My family is pretty much all artists and they also wanted me to pursue what I wanted - which makes me very lucky, I'm aware of that."
The move was a big deal. Aditi Saigal was finally living the independent life she had dreamed of, and, in the interest of a brand new start, began introducing herself as 'Dot'. She would also head to the practice rooms to practice and record the songs she had written on her Motorola. "I didn't put them up on Spotify and Apple or whatever also because they are old songs and as an artist you want to move forward." However, the songs have finally made it to an album, Practice Rooms, which can be streamed on platforms like Spotify. "I didn't want to edit or re-record because when you go to a studio the song loses its honesty and charm. And that's what people connect with," Saigal says, even if it is "scary to put those imperfections out there." But then, she also doesn't see herself as a musician in the technical sense. "I'm a writer," she says instead. Now, with a backlog of some 150 songs, Saigal is working with musicians and producers and trying to think about how to push them.
She was still writing songs in college when she was discovered by Zoya Akhtar. During a Zoom call with Akhtar, where they were doing minor edits to her song, Assymetrical, for the film, Akhtar said, "Hey, do you act?" Saigal, who had no acting experience apart from the occasional school play decided to give it a go. "I called my mom and since she is in theatre, she gave me advice on how to read the script, timing and to go in well-rehearsed." Around three rounds of audtions followed, all on Zoom, as Saigal was in the UK. "I had a toilet roll and I was using it as hair and a comb because that was the scene I had to audition for."
The Archies
Aditi Saigal bagged the role and a place in the all-star ensemble cast, and found herself in a new world. She might have had a "tendency to seek the spotlight" (Interview by Verve magazine), but even so, this kind of attention took some getting used to. In fact, it threw her back in 2017 too, when at the age of 19, she uploaded Everybody Dances to Techno on social media, which went viral very quickly. And as always, fame brought new and added pressures - to put out new music, to find a style, to perform. The process was overwhelming, and Saigal retreated from her Instagram and her YouTube channel for a couple of years.
In 2021, Aditi Saigal returned with her EP, 'Khamotion', which features in The Archies. When the cast was finalised, including Dot as Ethel Muggs, the work began. This included year-long acting and singing workshops, which Saigal describes as an "intense boot camp." She, Khushi and Agastya (Nanda) learned dancing on the job, while Suhana Khan (Betty) and Yuvraj Menda (Dilton Doiley) took to it naturally. "We were together the whole time, as a group," she said.
"I had to learn on the job and it was really trying," Saigal admits. "You know Suhana is the actual dancer. She is very good and Yuvraj is great." Some of the cast members also had singing lessons, which Saigal didn't need. The cast bonded well, playing music together on set because there were instruments around all the time. "We share a very close bond," she says. "There is a certain intimacy you feel with your co-actors because we spent so much time together in close quarters and we were working towards something together, even when we all had different personalities." The intensive training sessions, she feels, only brought them closer together.
Then came the promotions, which Saigal found she enjoyed. "I honestly thought I wouldn't enjoy it but I did up doing so. When you're filming, you're wearing the character's clothes. But promotions are a different thing because I get to be Dot." Although she admits she doesn't know too much about fashion, she enjoys it. "When they put new clothes on you that you wouldn't have chosen for yourself, I felt like I was slipping into a new character every time. You have to embody the skin of what you're wearing."
The aftermath of fame
This kind of fame also comes with challenges and most artists find themselves at a crossroads between the popularity of the crowds and what they truly love. Can a middle ground be achieved? Saigal fits firmly into a little niche, with her jazzy sound and her slightly vintage preferences. And, as she now hopes to act more, can she bridge this gap? Is it a gap she even wants to bridge? "If you're doing work to please someone you have already missed a step," she said. "If you're doing good work you will connect with someone. You don't really need to connect with everyone."
Taanvi Arekapudi[/caption]
Taanvi's book, 
Taanvi's Emotion Card set is availabe on her 
Muskaan with Narain Karthikeyan[/caption]
Muskaan Jubbal[/caption]
Muskaan Jubbal[/caption]
Chhavi Kohli[/caption]
Chhavi Kohli[/caption]
Chhavi Kohli while receiving the Achievers Award in the UK[/caption]
Chhavi Kohli with one of her paintings[/caption]
Aditi Saigal[/caption]
Photo: Dot / Instagram[/caption]
Woow very inspirational story! I want my kids to be like him one day