Global Indianstory Global Indian ExclusiveMeet the five Indians selected for Rhodes Scholarship 2024

Meet the five Indians selected for Rhodes Scholarship 2024

Compiled by: Amrita Priya

(January 5, 2024) Five Indian students have been selected as Rhodes Scholars for 2024, and will head to Oxford University for their postgraduate studies. The rigorous selection process, which involved over 1,000 applicants, was conducted by a panel headed by former foreign secretary and Ambassador, Nirupama Rao. Global Indian takes a look at the youngsters who have bagged what is arguably one of the most prestigious scholarships in the world. They will join a cohort of 105 scholars from around the world for their fully-funded postgraduate study.

Since 1903, the Rhodes scholarship, offered by the Rhodes Trust, has brought the world’s best and brightest young students, handpicked from the top universities around the world, to the University of Oxford. It was established by Cecil John Rhodes, a British mining tycoon and the founder of De Beers—a diamond company that had, until recently, wielded control over global trade.

The Rhodes Trust’s website states:

We find, bring together and develop exceptional people who are impatient with the way things are and have the courage to act.

Originally intended to foster unity among English-speaking nations, this esteemed and long-standing international scholarship programme underwent revisions over time. By the 21st century, eligibility expanded to encompass citizens from all countries. Indians gained access to this scholarship opportunity in 1947.

Joann Rachel Cherian

Joann is interested in delving into the possibility of faith becoming a subject of public discourse. She is keen on merging her love for writing to examine the interplay between faith and everyday experiences. Having completed a BA in English from Christ University and subsequently earning an MA in English from Jawaharlal Nehru University, she now aims to pursue theology at Oxford University.

Indian youth | Rhodes Scholars 2024 | Global Indian

Joann Rachel Cherian

Her ambition is to blend her literary expertise with theological studies, thereby innovating new methods of interpreting sacred texts. Joann is particularly interested in investigating how the Bible addresses matters of gender. She envisions a future with increased female theologians in India. Alongside her academic pursuits, she holds a passion for music, fiction, films, and engaging in profound conversations about life over cups of tea.

Ayan Gupta

Ayan, a senior student at National Law University (NLU), Delhi, holds a keen interest in matters related to sentencing and punishment, particularly focusing on the complexities surrounding the death penalty and prolonged incarceration. At Oxford, Ayan aims to explore the fields of criminology and criminal justice for his further studies.

Ayan Gupta

With a love for teaching Ayan hopes to shape the future of criminal justice education. He has served as research and teaching assistant to his professors in NLU Delhi and currently serves as the editor-in-chief of NLUD’s Journal of Legal Studies. In his free time he loves either playing or watching tennis.

Asma Shakeel

Hailing from Kashmir, Asma aspires to make a career in the sphere of global and imperial history. She is currently pursuing international history at Georgetown University in Qatar, and plans to pursue a master’s degree in global and imperial history followed by a Ph.D. in history at the University of Oxford.

Asma Shakeel

During her time at Oxford, Asma aims to explore the archives of British missionaries in South Asia to gain deeper insights into the history of Kashmir, the Himalayan region where she spent her formative years. Her ultimate vision is to develop a digital archive chronicling Kashmir’s history, facilitating access and contributions from generations of Kashmiris. With the archive her plan is to offer an alternative perspective, inviting Kashmiris to share their family’s oral histories, photographs, obituaries, and personal experiences, to illuminate and comprehend their past, and influence their present in the process.

Mohammad Zayaan Asimi

Mohammad, a final-year BA LLB (Hons) student at Gujarat National Law University, hails from Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. His academic focus revolves around the convergence of law, society, and technology. His ambition is to explore the influence of technology in enhancing access to justice within marginalised segments of society. He aspires to undertake socio-legal research at Oxford.

Mohammad Zayaan Asimi

The sports enthusiast has represented Jammu and Kashmir in national basketball tournaments.

Siddhant Dhawan

Siddhant completed his BS in bioengineering at Stanford University in 2022 and is currently pursuing a research-focused MS in biology at the same institution. During his tenure as a researcher at Stanford, he has contributed to multiple neuroscience research papers while working in the laboratories of esteemed professors like Nobel laureate Prof. Thomas Sudof, Prof. Tarik Massoud, and Prof. Nicolas Grillet.

Siddhant Dhhawan

Devoted to advancing inclusive healthcare and education, Siddhant spearheads initiatives that advocate for menstrual equity and promote science education, impacting numerous individuals in both the US and India. His dedication extends to advocating for mental health support and promoting diversity within academia. In preparation for a career as a physician-scientist, Siddhant intends to further his studies in neuroscience. He aims to conduct research on motor neuron diseases utilizing stem cells and genetic engineering techniques.

The applications for the 2025 Rhodes Scholarships will open in June 2024. More information about the Scholarship application can be found here.

“There are over 4,500 living Rhodes scholars residing in more than 100 countries around the world,” shares the Rhodes Trust’s website.

Some of the eminent Global Indians who have been Rhodes Scholars in the past:

Montek Singh Ahluwalia – Economist and policy expert who won the Padma Vibhushan award
Sanjay Singh – Businessman and former first class cricketer
Dr Menaka Guruswamy – Senior Advocate at the Supreme Court of India
Sagarika Ghose – Journalist, columnist and author who has written biographies of former Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Tanjore Ramachandra Anantharaman – One of India’s eminent metallurgists and materials scientists
Late Girish Karnad – Playwright, author, actor and director

Name*

Email*

Name*

Email*

0 Comments

Inline Feedbacks

View all comments

Published on 05, Jan 2024

Share with

ALSO READ

An Odissi of dance: Danseuse Vrinda Chadha performs across the world, breathing life into the artform

(March 25, 2022) Dancing across continents is a many splendoured thing. The beautiful and emotive Vrinda Chadha’s life has been a whirlwind of such experiences. It also shows the depth of her craft. A tryst with mudras which began at 13, has today created a body of work that is noteworthy. It started when the light footed Odissi danseuse would accompany her guru Ranjana Gauhar, a Padma Shri recipient to shows across India and internationally. Now 26, the Delhi-based dancer is also a faculty member at Gauhar’s Utsav dance academy. An accomplished dancer, another feather in her hat is that she is empanelled with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations and Doordarshan. Her evocative performances bring Odissi alive. [caption id="attachment_13347" align="aligncenter" width="511"] Vrinda Chadha, Odissi danseuse[/caption] Ask her about her performances, and the danseuse rattles off, “In Spain, Argentina, Korea, Japan, China, Singapore, United Kingdom, Madagascar, and Seychelles.” All this, as part of her guru’s troupe and also for solo renditions. With such a vast repertoire, awards have been aplenty too. The Nalanda Nritya Nipuna Award in Mumbai, Young Talent Award by the International Academy of Mohiniyattam in Delhi, the title of Odissi Ratna in Bhubaneswar, and the Kameshwari Award

repertoire, awards have been aplenty too. The Nalanda Nritya Nipuna Award in Mumbai, Young Talent Award by the International Academy of Mohiniyattam in Delhi, the title of Odissi Ratna in Bhubaneswar, and the Kameshwari Award in Guwahati, Vrinda is a member of the International Dance Council UNESCO, Paris and also a Teach for India fellow.

A step in the right direction

“I was always fond of dance and could express more through the artform than with words,” Vrinda shares in an interview with Global Indian. This knack for dancing was identified by her parents who took the Modern School, Vasant Vihar, kindergartener to Gauhar, who stayed in the same locality. A reputed artiste even back then, Gauhar’s mentorship turned out to be just the impetus the young Chadha needed to flourish.

“Guruji recognised my ability, honed my natural inclination towards dance, and gave me direction. For any person pursuing an artform, getting the right guru is the winning mantra. I am fortunate to have trained under her,” says the Lady Shri Ram College alumna.

A Punjabi girl in love with Odissi

When she first began dancing, Vrinda had minimal knowledge about the artform or the different dance forms in existence. It was as if she was destined for Odissi to take over her entire being. “I did not even realise how it got interspersed with my personality,” quips the nimble footed dancer who is also trained in Hindustani classical music and yoga.

“I was on a dance tour organised by Sangeet Natak Academy, representing Odissi in a multi-style troupe at Seychelles. There, we had a performance in which AR Rahman was the chief guest. It was an absolute joy to dance before him on stage as the show was in his honour. It was lovely to be so close in-person with such a music composer and artiste,” says the dancer who feels that Odissi is very intense and divine. “it gave me a special feeling that drew me towards it. Now, it is very difficult to differentiate me and my dance,” she admits. Over the years, Vrinda has built a special rapport with her guru Ranjana Gauhar, also a Punjabi woman who dedicated her life to Odissi.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Vrinda Chadha (@vrinda.dance)

Giving back

“Performing artistes and people watching them are privileged to have access to art forms. But art seldom reaches the people who need it. With this in mind, I took up the Teach for India fellowship to introduce dance and music to the underprivileged. The idea is not to make them experts, rather to enhance their ways of self-expression and emotional literacy through these media,” adds Vrinda, who has been teaching dance across Delhi’s government schools.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cjjA5XHPuI

A life aligned to dance

Her father, Bhavnesh, a businessman, and mother, Poonam, a homemaker egged the young girl’s aspirations along, all for her career in dance. “They aligned my education to dance so that I could be happy with my choice. I took up philosophy as my major as it is parallel to dance,” says Vrinda, who has an elder brother.

“The life of an artiste may look very rosy, but it can also be full of challenges in the initial phases when establishing oneself is a slow process. Recognition takes time. During this phase, family support goes a long way. To be able to do what you love is a huge blessing,” Vrinda effuses. Even today, there is more to explore, and to stretch her artistic brilliance every time she takes to the stage.

[caption id="attachment_13360" align="aligncenter" width="689"] Vrinda with her family[/caption]

An avid traveller, not just when dancing in different countries – she loves travelling solo. India’s heartland endear itself to her, be it Himachal Pradesh for hiking and trekking or just the hills.

“When one looks at dance, people think it's only about performance but there are other aspects to it too,” says Vrinda, who keeps her love for the artform alive by researching and studying about Odissi. Practice is an everyday ritual for her. As she chalks out her future plans, she intends to take forward her guru Ranjana Gauhar’s legacy and work towards furthering the cause of Odissi dance.

Follow Vrinda Chadha on Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube

Reading Time: 5 mins

Eisha Yadav: On a mission to avert old-age loneliness and social isolation

(June 14, 2023) “Ignoring the well-being of the 103 million (elderly) population of India is no less a humanitarian crisis. Just as the children, the grandparents of the society deserve to have a better, rest of their life,” Eisha Yadav wrote, in her entry to the essay competition organised by US based India Philanthropy Alliance (IPA) - a coalition of non-profit, philanthropic, and charitable organisations that mobilise people and funding in the United States to support meaningful causes in India. The youngster won the first prize and a cash award of $1000 to donate to a non-profit of her choice. “After doing a lot of research, it was clear that the team of HelpAge India were not only doing great work in the field of combating social isolation and loneliness of the elderly but also making sure that they don’t have to work in their old years, and have enough money to take care of their health.” says Eisha as she connects with Global Indian from California. The youngster donated the entire prize money to the organisation. That was in 2021. “We are still working together to this day,” she says with a smile. [caption id="attachment_31067" align="aligncenter" width="444"] Eisha Yadav[/caption] Personal

derly but also making sure that they don’t have to work in their old years, and have enough money to take care of their health.” says Eisha as she connects with Global Indian from California. The youngster donated the entire prize money to the organisation. That was in 2021. “We are still working together to this day,” she says with a smile.

[caption id="attachment_31067" align="aligncenter" width="444"] Eisha Yadav[/caption]

Personal experiences and finding a purpose

The ninth grader’s choice of non-profit (HelpAge India) to donate her prize money and later get actively associated with them as a volunteer from the US stems from her personal experiences.

At 90, and until he succumbed to COVID-19, Eisha’s fiercely independent maternal grandfather lived by himself in his hometown, Raipur in India. “Earlier, when my grandma was alive and needed medical attention, they lived in a different Indian city. I could not help but notice, in both cases, how lonely and bored they felt, and how unprepared and lacking the society was to support the lifestyles of the elderly” she mentions.

After her grandmother passed away her grandpa became lonelier. “It was sad and heart breaking to see him struggle with loneliness and isolation. “Though he was active, it was difficult to find things to engage himself. “Back in the US, Eisha and her mother tried to look up for opportunities for some interesting hobby classes to keep him engaged. “There were hardly any good options,” she says. Even though he found love from family members, it was hard for him to feel happy and experience a sense of wellbeing because he felt very lonely and isolated.

“I felt bad about how, in such a big society, the elderly population suffers from loneliness,” she says. “The city he knew, loved and cared for so much was not able to support his wants and needs,” she adds.

During this time, she came across the news of the essay competition of IPA. “I thought it was a cool opportunity to put across the thoughts that were worrying me so much to people who cared. Winning the competition opened a lot of opportunities for me to do something about an issue I really cared about due to my personal experiences,” Eisha remarks.

Finding support

“I have a lot of support from the organisation (HelpAge India) and I really try to do what I can to make a difference,” she says. As a high school student there are time constraints but Eisha tries to give as much time as possible to the cause. “For most causes to get successful awareness is foremost. Once you can raise awareness, you can take the cause forward easily,” she says.

She has been spreading awareness on different platforms including presentation in the local mall in California. “Since I stay in the Bay Area, there is a huge population of Indian people with whom I can engage for the cause,” she says. “I am working with American friends of HelpAge India. We are working on new initiatives and helping in fundraising and supporting the prior programmes of the organisation,” she explains.

Way ahead

Born and raised in California, Eisha has seen US cities with adult service and recreation centres offering organized activities designed specifically for the elderly. Her paternal grandfather, who is retired from the Indian Army and now stays in Bengaluru, also enjoys good facilities and community centres.

“But it is something lacking in the city in which her maternal grandparents lived. They had boring and lonely lives,” she says. “My plan is to work with local establishments in India, one city at a time, and launch programs that mimic the US and Army community centres for elderly.

“As long as I can remember I have had a knack of solving problems in whichever way I could. I always strive to make my community a better place.” The youngster is grateful that her writing talent led her to an association with the India philanthropy Alliance. “That really got me into philanthropy. The fact that my ideas were recognised and I as a kid can make a difference in issues that I care about has got me going,” the fourteen-year-old student of Menlo School, Atherton adds.

HelpAge India reports:

31 percent of the elderly have fear of getting hurt in the locality due to frailty and bad infrastructure.
59 percent of elderly report abuse as being prevalent in Indian society.
Disrespect, verbal abuse and neglect were reported as the most common forms of abuse. Son and daughter in law are reported as the major abusers, and those other than the immediate family are major perpetrators of abuse.
46 percent of the elders were not aware of any abuse redressal mechanism.
79 percent of the respondents felt that their family do not spend enough time with them.
57 percent feel financially insecure because their expenses are exceeding their savings or income.

Reading Time: 5 mins

Diljit Dosanjh, Raveena Aurora: The Indians taking Coachella by storm

(April 24, 2023) "Sat Sri Akal ji, Punjabi aa gaye Coachella oye." The crowd roared its appreciation as Diljit Dosanjh, dressed all in black, in a traditional tehmat, kurta, vest and turban, greeted Coachella 2023 at the end of his opening song, G.O.A.T. The superstar stuck to speaking in his his native tongue, taking pride in the fact that he doesn't prefer to speak to English. Every gesture was an ode to his Punjabi cultural heritage. On day two, he appeared in white, in a tehmat kurta which he styled with sneakers. It was Coachella's Patiala Peg moment and the crowds absolutely loved it. In January 2023, when the Coachella lineup was announced with Diljit's name on the list, not many Indians knew what that meant, really. And Coachella, it seems, was not prepared for the phenomenon that is Diljit Dosanjh and the Punjabi music rage. But with Dosanjh, Ali Sethi, Jai Paul and Blackpink all in the lineup, it's clear - inclusivity is in at Coachella. The festival has has more than lived up to a promise made during the pandemic. This year's lineup is a celebration of South Asia, with Dosanjh, Pakistani singer Ali Sethi and Bangladeshi-origin producer Jai

https://www.instagram.com/diljitdosanjh/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dosanjh, Pakistani singer Ali Sethi and Bangladeshi-origin producer Jai Wolf. In 2022, Indian-American Raveena Aurora and Pakistani singer Arooj Aftab crooned their way through the festival, to much acclaim.

The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival is held every year at the Empire Polo Club in the Colorado Desert, Coachella is now organised by Goldenvoice. Today, it is one of the world's largest and most profitable festivals in the world, with over 2,50,000 attendees in 2017 and a gross revenue of $114.76. Founded in 1999, soon after the ill-fated Woodstock 2.0, the festival was an instant hit, with Rage Against the Machine headlining the inaugural edition. The biggest artists from around the world have played the festival since, including Jane's Addiction, Iggy and the Stooges, Daft Punk, Amy Winehouse, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Roger Waters, Kanye West, Lady Gaga and Beyonce (in chronological sequence).

The bid for diversity began back in July 2020, when Goldenvoice promised audiences more inclusive lineups. At that point, only one Indian artist had ever graced the festival stage. Ritesh D'Souza, one half of electronic duo B.R.E.E.D., along with pianist and vocalist Tara Mae, played the festival. Global Indian takes a look at Coachella's Indian presence.

B.R.E.E.D - Ritesh D'Souza and Tara Mae

[caption id="attachment_26561" align="aligncenter" width="484"] Ritesh D'Souza and Tara Mae at Coachella[/caption]

The niche Do Lab stage at Coachella is an open enclosure designed like a whale carcass, where Ritesh D'Souza made his appearance with some fast-paced beats, as dancers were 'sprayed' from water guns straight into the crowd. And India made its Coachella debut with what his collaborator, pianist and vocalist Tara Mae, described as a "forward-pushing sound." As Ritesh set electronic beats to the nadaswaram, his message was clear: India was going to be a global hotbed for EDM.

The bass producer had moved to Los Angeles from Mumbai only two years prior, intent on "pushing his sound internationally," Rolling Stone India writes. There, he released his debut, Binate, which made it to the Beatport and iTunes charts in 2014. At that time, when good music took precedence over political concerns, B.R.E.E.D shared the stage with rock icons AC/DC, blues rocker Jack White and the American rapper, Drake.

Raveena Aurora

In 2022, as Coachella made a blockbuster post-pandemic comeback, singer Raveena Aurora gave her electrifying performance of Dum Maro Dum, to much praise and applause. She knew she was making festival history that year, as its first female Indian-origin musician and she was determined to do so with style and substance both.

Later, she tweeted, "Only real ones will know the cultural significance of me singing Dum Maro Dum at Coachella, a song from an iconic Indian movie Hare Rama Hare Krishna, that was about the westernization of Indian spirituality. Indian culture is often appropriated on the world stage, with very little thanks given and Aurora wasn't about to let it slide, using the Coachella stage to lend her voice to every South Asian and represent the cultural roots to which she remains so deeply tied.

An LA girl all the way, Raveena starts her day with a meditation practice - which comes through in her 2022 album, Asha's Awakening. The 15-track record is a gentle, melodious amalgamation of R&B, soul, jazz and pop, with Indian and South Asian influences. "Indian culture and Punjabi culture has always surrounded me whether I embraced it or not," Raveena said. Growing up in an immigrant family that had moved to America shortly before she was born, a strong Indian influence pervaded her childhood, she recalls "going to the Gurdwara all the time." It meant she was "inundated and surrounded by that music, that celebration of colour and spirituality, that beautiful culture I'm so grateful to be part of."

Raveena began her musical career in 2017, releasing her EP, Shanti, after she graduated from NYU's Tisch School of The Arts. Her debut album, Lucid, followed in 2019. She loved pop, R&B, soul and jazz, all of which she leaned into for her own song writing. Then came a deep dive into Indian music, and Raveena began working on incorporating Hindi into her songwriting and collaborating with other South Asian artists.

Diljit Dosanjh

Diljit Dosanjh needs no introduction. This week, Diljit fans were ecstatic to hear that the 'Super Singh of Punjab' is going to be a headlining act at Coachella, alongside acts like K-Pop megastars Blackpink and Bjork. "I will sing in Punjabi, like always," the singer announced. His fans are thrilled and Diljit himself loves the festival, but remains as stoic as ever. "Jo ho raha hai, mere daayre se badi baat hai. Coachella is something I never even thought of, it was never in my plan. Whatever is happening in my life is.. maybe I don't even deserve it. I am just grateful to God."

Born in Dosanjh Kalan in Jalandhar district, Punjab, Diljit's father was an employee of the Punjab Roadways and his mother was a homemaker. Diljit began his singing career by performing Kirtan at local gurdwaras in his home town and also in Ludhiana, where the family relocated when Diljit was still in school. In 2004, he released his debut album, Ishq Da Uda Ada. Dosanjh's fame and popularity skyrocketed with his third album, Smile, and two of its tracks, Nachh Diyan Alran Kuwariyan and Paggan Pochviyan Wale. He wouldn't make it to pan-India glory for a few more years and by the time he did so, was already a Punjabi music star, touring for the diaspora around the world and performing to packed stadiums in Toronto. In 2011, he made his debut in Punjabi films, playing the lead in The Lion of Punjab, which was a flop, although his song, Lak 28 Kudi Da, a collaboration with Yo Yo Honey Singh, was a big success. One year later, he played the lead in Jatt & Juliet, which became one of the Punjab film industry's biggest hits and put him in the spotlight around the country.

Diljit's 2020 album G.O.A.T made it to the Billboard Global Chart and the Canada Top 20 and in 2022, he announced his collaboration with Warner Music, in a bid to further his global presence. Unapologetic, down to earth and totally at ease with himself, Diljit Dosanjh promises to be formidable ambassador for India's soft power at the iconic Coachella festival.

Jai Paul

[caption id="attachment_26563" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Jai Paul[/caption]

If Diljit Dosanjh is a household name, Jai Paul is an enigma. The singer-songwriter will, however, be at Coachella this year and, you might be surprised to learn, it's will be his first-ever live performance! In 2022, the musician made an appearance in Donald Glover's Atlanta and in 2019, released the album Leak 04-13, an official version of the material that had been famously leaked in 2013.

Jai Paul was born in Rayners Lane in northwest London and entered the public eye, in a manner of speaking in April 2013. An unknown user had uploaded a number of untitled tracks to the music streaming website Bandcamp, where they were made available for sale. It didn't take long for the media to pick up on a scam, atrributing the music to Jai Paul. Even so, the album did well, making it to The Guardian's Best Albums of 2013 and number 20 in Pitchfork's Top 50 Albums of 2013.

Reading Time: 5 mins

Leading the way: Young entrepreneur Akshat Mittal aspires to initiate a social change in India

(October 2, 2022) CM Arvind Kejriwal's decision to implement the odd-even car rule in the national capital was appreciated not just across the country, but by many foreign leaders as well. However, the scheme that was aimed at curbing the growing rate of pollution and traffic in Delhi, did cause the city dwellers some discomfort. Akshat Mittal's father was one of the people whose schedule was disturbed, as every other day he had to search for a friend who owned a vehicle with an odd registration number. To help his father, and millions of other Delhiites, the then 13-year-old entrepreneur came up with a web platform Odd-even.com - which helped people in New Delhi share rides in 2015. The platform helped over 60,000 people and was later sold to a carpooling company Orahi for an undisclosed amount. “When the Chief Minister declared that odd and even numbered cars will ply on alternate days, I thought about the problem people would face due to enforcement of the new rule. The idea was that many people living in the same locality might want to go to the same place, but might not be aware of each other. My website aims to bridge

o to the same place, but might not be aware of each other. My website aims to bridge the communication gap. Besides, the platform will also help make new contacts," the young entrepreneur told YourStory during an interaction.

[caption id="attachment_22516" align="aligncenter" width="675"] Akshat Mittal, entrepreneur[/caption]

However, his story doesn't end here. When the pandemic forced blue-collar workers to migrate back to their native places, Akshat found another online platform, Bharat Shramik, to help the daily wage labourers look for a sustainable livelihood closer to their homes. Decorated with many awards, including the Student Entrepreneur of the Year 2020, this future leader is currently studying business economics at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Like father, like son

When he was just a toddler Akshat would sometimes just sit on his father's lap and watch him develop websites for his work. As he grew up, he too started learning about computer coding programmes from his father. A brilliant child, it didn't take long for the young entrepreneur to create a website all by himself. "I did the HTML, CSS, and JAVA coding, and my father helped me with PHP coding," explained the Global Indian.

[caption id="attachment_22517" align="aligncenter" width="639"] Akshat and his father at the UN Women conference[/caption]

For Odd-even.com, Akshat focussed on connecting people travelling on a similar route to reach their workplace. In fact, his website was so sophisticated that it ran on algorithms based on the age, gender, profession, and timings of commuters' travel. "All you need to do is log in and put your details, including name, registration number of the car, destination, and preferences," shared Akshat. To ensure the riders' safety, the platform also asked the user to log in through their social media platform and upload a government-issued photo identification proof.

Making an impact

When COVID stuck, Akshat was studying in standard XI. One day, while watching the news with his family, the young entrepreneur got to know about migrant workers moving back to their homes in huge numbers. While it seemed like a situation that would solve itself in a couple of days, the news about labours dying of heatstroke, accident, or even starvation moved the young boy. "I was touched by the news of migrant workers starving and dying due to hunger. While there are jobs and unemployed workers, there is no mechanism to tie them together," Akshat shared with Economic Times.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mONpL9lJ24s

After a few weeks of working day and night, Akshat developed a website - Bharat Shramik - that could help with the situation. The platform uses matchmaking technology to help unemployed workers search for a job closer to their homes. The workers can register themselves on the website by calling a multi-lingual helpline number +91 8822 022 022, which is powered by Knowlarity. The platform also helps employers, who had to close operations during the pandemic, to hire a workforce from the website. The database will also be shared with the local governments to help them improve their unemployment programmes.

The young entrepreneur, who aspires to be an investment banker someday, is focussed on helping those in need. "I aspire to initiate a bigger social change in India. I noticed how there was no single repository where citizens can list all the issues that they face daily. I wish to create such a database one day," the changemaker said during a media interaction.

Follow Akshat Mittal on Twitter and LinkedIn

Reading Time: 6 mins

Young mountaineer Arjun Vajpai: Conquering peaks and inspiring dreams

(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.

Follow Arjun Vajpai on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter

Reading Time: 5 mins