Global Indianstory Global Indian Exclusive2022 Recap: Meet the young sports stars who brought up India’s medal tally

2022 Recap: Meet the young sports stars who brought up India’s medal tally

Compiled by: Team GI Youth

(December 28, 2022) It has been a year of sports for India. From our young guns’ marvellous performance at the Commonwealth Games to sports stars like Nikhat Zareen, Ravi Kumar Dahiya, Neeraj Chopra, and Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa securing gold at the individual world tournaments – India established itself as a global force in 2022. With these champions at the helm, the future of Indian sports does look good.

Global Indian takes a look at some glorious podium finishers, who have proved India’s mettle in the world of sports this year.

Nikhat Zareen, boxer

Champion | Nikhat Zareen | Global Indian

Indian boxer Nikhat Zareen receiving the Arjuna Award from President Murmu

2022 proved to be a golden year for Indian boxer, Nikhat Zareen. The sports champion, who started her journey as the only girl in Nizamabad’s boxing academy, won several gold medals in various international boxing championships held this year, including the Commonwealth Games, IBA Women’s World Championship, and Strandja Memorial Boxing Tournament. And on November 30, the pint-sized boxer was conferred with the prestigious Arjuna Award by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu. “It’s an absolute honour to be conferred with the prestigious Arjuna Award by the Hon’ble President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu Ji. Gratitude to the Almighty for guiding me on my journey and to all those who shared it with me. Onwards and upwards!” the champion tweeted after receiving the Arjuna Award.

Currently, at the national camp taking place at the Indira Gandhi Stadium, the flyweight boxer is training hard to claim many more medals for the country. “I took a short leave to visit my family in Nizamabad after winning the World Championship. But I am back at the training camp now. My next aim is the 2024 Paris Olympics. I dream of winning gold there for my nation,” Nikhat said.

Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, chess grandmaster

17-year-old chess grandmaster Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, who has conquered the world in the war of checkmates, has been conferred the Arjuna Award in 2022. In 2016, Praggnanandhaa (meaning ‘delight of the intellect’) became the youngest international master in history, at the age of 10 years, 10 months, and 19 days. The coveted ‘Grandmaster’ title that he earned later at the age of 12 made him the fifth youngest person ever to do so. Fondly called ‘Pragg’, the prodigy defeated world champion Magnus Carlsen three times in a row in 2022, thus becoming a household name.

Champion | Praggnanandhaa | Global Indian

Praggnanandha with his mother and female grandmaster sister, Vaishali Rameshbabu

The grandmaster began traveling abroad for tournaments at the tender age of seven. “I have lost count,” the champion said, pausing to think about it. “I have probably visited 30 countries.” No matter where he goes, his focus remains unwavering, concentrating on one thing only – the game that he is there to play.

Akhil Rabindra, racing driver

Fascinated by cars since a very young age, racer Akhil Rabindra went from enjoying recreational go-karting on weekends to becoming the first Asian to be selected by the Aston Martin Racing Driver Academy. In fact, the champion kicked off its 2020 season with the French FFSA GT4 Championship, one of Europe’s strongest GT National Championships.

Champion | Akhil Rabindra | Global Indian

Akhil Rabindra, racing driver

“The Aston Martin Racing Academy was a big achievement,” shares the Indian racer, adding, “They help in many different fronts such as physical and mental training, the technique of driving, and a lot of on and off stuff. They are not just focused on the driving part but it is a holistic approach to teaching. It is also the network as you get to interact with drivers who would help you out in different situations. They help tap into different forms of support with ease,” he said.

The champion, who recently won the Driver’s Championship which recently concluded in Hyderabad Street Circuit, also secured a double podium finish in the season opener with his new team, Racing Spirit of Leman, at the European GT4 Championship.

Aadil Bedi, golfer

He might be only 21, but golfer Aadil Bedi has already made a name for himself in the world of sports. The champion, who was recently crowned winner of the inaugural Ballantine’s Golf Championship – Mixed Pro Challenge, picked up a golf stick for the first time when he was just four years old. “From that moment on, I was hooked,” shared the young champion.

Aadil Bedi, golfer

Inspired by his father, Aadil took part in numerous golf championships from a young age and in 2018, became the youngest player to represent India in golf at the Asian Games. Training hard to win as many international tournaments, the young golfer wishes to bring home several coveted trophies. “There were no matches in the last two years. I am preparing very hard to win as many titles as possible. I am a part of tournaments in Indonesia, Singapore, and Korea, taking place later this year. There is an event in Australia as well. Frankly, I will be playing about 10-12 tournaments in the coming year. I am very excited to represent India internationally,” the champion said.

Shrivalli Rashmikaa Bhamidipaty, tennis player

Crowned as the national hardcourt tennis champion (women’s singles), Shrivalli Rashmikaa Bhamidipaty was only 11 when she first held a tennis racket in her hand. Calling herself an “accidental” tennis player, Shrivalli was introduced to the game at the Lal Bahadur stadium in Hyderabad. Recording twin victories as the champion entered the singles quarterfinals and doubles semi-finals of the Balaji Amines Solapur Open Women’s ITF $25K Tennis Tournament, she is passionate and focussed. “I think all players feel nervous before a match. I do too. But I am confident that I can play against, and defeat, any player,” shared the youngster.

Champion | Shrivalli Rashmikaa | Global Indian

Shrivalli Rashmikaa, tennis player

The champion dreams of representing India at the Olympics and works at her aspirations without compromise. Her day begins at 4.15 am and training continues for between five and six hours a day. And along the way, she hopes to win as many cups as she can for her country. “I will be participating in several upcoming national and international tournaments. But a dream come true will be representing India at the Olympics and winning gold for the country,” shared the tennis star.

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Published on 28, Dec 2022

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Earthshot Prize 2021 finalist Vinisha Umashankar ‘irons’ out a plan to save the Earth

(January 12, 2022) “We have every reason to be angry. But I have no time for anger. I want to act. I am not just a girl from India. I am a girl from Earth and I am proud to be so,” smiled the pint-sized bespectacled Vinisha Umashankar at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow. The student innovator, environmentalist, entrepreneur and optimist had Prince William, and other world leaders in awe. Suddenly, a toothy 15-year-old Indian environmentalist was in the reckoning. However, this native of Tamil Nadu is not ready to rest on her laurels, and demands action. “All of us should understand that environmental issues are real and can't be fixed later. Most importantly, they are not someone else's problem. We all must work together to understand environmental problems and solve them before it is too late. Today’s actions matter tomorrow,” says Vinisha, who is one of the eight baton-bearers to carry the Commonwealth Games 2022 torch in India from January 12 to 15, 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvLD6waVlkk Being the youngest and the only school student to earn a spot among the finalists for The Earthshot Prize 2021, the TEDx speaker was invited by Prince William, The Duke

y Prince William, The Duke of Cambridge, to speak at the World Leaders’ Summit at the COP26 in November 2021. Such was the impact of her five-minute speech that global leaders like US President Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Bill Gates, and PM Narendra Modi gave her a standing ovation. Vinisha’s plea has since gone viral with over 30 million views.

Enriched to be in the company of the minds whose innovations and solutions are making an impact on Earth, she was apt and self-assured. “COP26 was quite critical because we have to plan actions for the next 10 years, and execute them together for a better future. I am keen to take forward what I learnt to make the Earth better,” adds the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam IGNITE Award winner (2019).

Thinking beyond fossil fuels

Her invention of a solar-powered ironing cart became the lodestar. She was just 12 when she started designing her innovation after the idea struck when accompanying her mother to deliver ironing clothes.

[caption id="attachment_9525" align="aligncenter" width="1080"] The Solar Ironing Cart[/caption]

Seeing six ironing vendors in her neighbourhood, Vinisha saw how charcoal burning is a serious threat to the environment. “They use charcoal to heat an iron box, and usually throw the burnt charcoal away with the garbage. It made me think about the number of ironing carts in India, the amount of charcoal burnt every day, and the damage done to environment,” says the SKP Vanitha International School student, who found her “eureka” in solar power which effectively substitutes charcoal. “Using renewable solar energy is the aim of my innovation,” Vinisha says in an exclusive with Global Indian.

Cleaning the air, making us breathe

The innovation won her the Children’s Climate Prize in 2020, and helped her get a slot as a finalist at The Earthshot Prize in the Clean Our Air category in 2021. “I was happy that environmental innovations like a solar ironing cart got due recognition. It can play a crucial role in reducing environmental damage and climate change. I hope my innovation motivates students to innovate on products that could help protect the environment for future generations. I am happy that the solar ironing cart is my little contribution towards an ambitious goal,” says the confident young inventor.

[caption id="attachment_9526" align="alignnone" width="1080"] Vinisha Umashankar won the Children's Climate Prize 2020.[/caption]

Vinisha’s invention is built on an integral-type chassis, the ironing cart, “can be fitted with a coin-operated GSM PCO, USB charging points, and provide mobile recharging services. The solar panel doubles as the roof of the ironing cart,” she adds.

The girl who reads too much

Born in 2007 in Tiruvannamalai (Tamil Nadu), her business consultant father and school teacher mother realised how fascinated she was by science and maths as a child. They are the wind beneath her wings, and her biggest support system. “My parents bought me many books to read, and explore,” reveals the Class 10 student, who often accompanies her parents to museums, zoological parks, botanical gardens, palaces, and forts. Her love for Nature and environment stemmed from these visits, and to country farms and animal asylums.

As one of the eight baton bearers from India to carry the Commonwealth Games torch and a participant at the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, she is also preparing for her boards. How she strikes a balance between the acclaim, endeavours and studies evokes a smile. Her time management skills, she explains, “I sort my scholastic and co-scholastic activities a day or week in advance. I prepare a to-do list, and finish it one by one. I schedule everything meticulously so that I don’t spend too much time on a single activity – all done a little at a time rather than in one long slot! However, I listen to music, go for a walk, exercise and relax in between activities.”

A tale of many talents

Despite her hectic schedule, Vinisha finds time to unwind curling up with a book, cycling or trying her hand at photography. A yoga and gymnastics enthusiast, she has a Grade 4 electronic keyboard certification from Trinity College London too.

[caption id="attachment_9527" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Vinisha Umashankar with PM Narendra Modi at COP26[/caption]

Having accomplished so much so young, she advises youngsters “to believe.” “If you think that you can move a mountain with your fingers, believe that you can. What other people think of you is irrelevant. No one is in charge of your future, but you. Gain knowledge around your passion and strengths. Develop a unique set of skills that work. It is better to try and fail than just dream about achieving great things! You learn a lot by doing things and even more by failing. Do not fear failure. That’s how great people have done it,” adds the teenager, who wants to become a research scientist or a theoretical physicist in the future.

Next on agenda for the Earth Day Network Rising Star 2021, is, “To manufacture the solar ironing cart. Also, over the years, I have given over 100 interviews, 40 innovation talks, and 40 motivation speeches to over 25,000 school and college students. I will continue to inspire young minds to create an environmentally-conscious society,” says the committed teen activist.

Follow Vinisha Umashankar on Linkedin and Twitter

Reading Time: 6 min

Uday Bhatia: Diana Awardee helping illuminate households in rural India

(July 19, 2023) It was in the spring break of 2022 that the then 16-year-old Uday Bhatia embarked on a school project. His destination was the village of Bichpuri in Uttar Pradesh, where he aimed to mentor 30 students on financial literacy and ways to earn a sustainable livelihood. Little did he know that this endeavour would profoundly impact the lives of the village residents. It all began when his students turned up without homework the following day. When inquired, he learned about the frequent power outages plaguing the area, lasting between 6 to 8 hours each day, making it impossible for the students to finish their assignments. "The only alternative they had was kerosene lamps, which I found was harmful due to the release of carbon monoxide and sulphur dioxide. Additionally, they posed risks of respiratory problems and eye irritation," Uday tells Global Indian. Motivated by the discovery, Uday delved into research and found that an inverter costs ₹10,000, the amount equivalent to the average income of many households in the village. This pushed him to find a low-cost solution, which he did with an emergency inverter bulb capable of providing 10 hours of power backup. The ground-breaking invention,

emergency inverter bulb capable of providing 10 hours of power backup. The ground-breaking invention, that has illuminated 5000 households till now in five states, earned him the Diana Award 2023.

[caption id="attachment_32012" align="aligncenter" width="547"] Uday Bhatia is the founder of Uday Electric[/caption]

A low-cost solution for power outages

Initially, he had no sense of direction but only a strong will to find a low-cost solution for people of Bichpuri. This led him to comb through reams of information and explore varied options like solar panels and hydropower before zeroing in on power storage system - a technology he describes simple yet complex. "I started using a lithium-ion rechargeable cell. How the bulb works is that when it's connected to a power source, the energy gets stored in the cell. During a power outage, the stored energy from the cell powers the bulb, ensuring it continues to glow," reveals Uday, who reached the solution after working on seven-eight prototypes.

However, one problem still loomed large - the limited backup time of three hours. That's when he tapped into his expertise in computer science to devise a solution. Leveraging his skills, he developed a pulse width modulation technique in conjunction with dynamic lumen technology. By implementing this approach, he found a way to extend the backup duration. "The algorithm enables one to adjust the bulb's brightness according to their requirement. The lower the brightness, the longer the backup. For instance, if someone desires a brightness level of 9 watts, they could adjust the bulb's settings from 12 watts to 9 watts, thereby granting them the freedom to control the brightness and the backup duration," says Uday who is happy that his technology caters to people across all demographics.

“For a longer backup, we decrease the brightness of the bulb. The algorithm helps the user have an optimum level of brightness based on his needs. If someone needs a 9-watt brightness, they can move it from 12 watts to 9 watts, thus giving them the freedom to control the brightness and the backup," adds Uday who is happy that his technology caters to people across all demographics. "In Uttar Pradesh, people are using it at a lower brightness, while in the Himalayas, since a new hydropower plant has come up, people are using it at a higher brightness."

The beginning of Uday Electric

It was after 24 prototypes that Uday arrived at the 10-hour backup. However, the journey over the past year has been nothing short of captivating for Uday. It all began with his humble experiments conducted on his terrace, eventually culminating in the establishment of Uday Electric in June 2022. The brand name was chosen as a blend of Uday's luminous technology and a personal touch, inspired by the meaning of his name, which signifies the rising of the sun. "I thought people in the villages would easily connect with it."

The dire situation in Bichpuri served as a catalyst for Uday's journey into sustainable energy solutions, leading to the birth of Uday Electric. Their tagline, "Bijli gul fir bhi ujaala full," encapsulates their mission. The initial six months were dedicated to intensive research and development, and later they organised their first donation drive in Kabadi Bazar in Dehradun, followed by another collaboration with the Aasra Foundation.

Uday was only 16 when he started Uday Electric, and for the most part has been the sole army behind the work, apart from an outsourcing company that helps with manufacturing. But now he plans to get an in-house team into place and start full-fledged manufacturing.

Creating brand value

Being a teenager, age did play a spoiler, however, the entrepreneur recognises the significance of brand value as a crucial stepping stone for any business. "In order to gain trust, we would offer one-year warranty for our bulbs, surpassing the standard six-month warranty provided by others. Though we were a loss-reading company initially, we distributed free bulbs to retailers for testing purposes." His resilience proved instrumental in navigating the challenges, ultimately illuminating 5000 households across Uttar Pradesh, Uttrakhand, Rajasthan, Haryana and Kerala. As a novice, he pursued three strategies - cold calling retailers in different markets to gauge demand, advertising on platforms like India Mart and conducting on-location surveys in places like Manesar industrial area and Kabadi Bazaar in Dehradun.

Uday firmly justifies the price of ₹250 for his bulbs, emphasising that he is not in direct competition with other bulbs on the market but rather with expensive power storage systems. "You either buy an inverter which costs a lot in comparison to the price of the bulb." At the onset, he bootstrapped the business, starting with an initial investment of ₹17,000 from which he produced the first 100 bulbs. "Initially, we started with the profit-making incentive and later used the sales reserves to do donation drives, since we wanted to check the consumer response first."

Making an impact

In a short span, Uday Electric has made a significant and positive impact on the lives of individuals in rural India. His vision as a value creator is to ensure that every household in rural areas has access to sufficient lighting. "And in places where electricity is yet to reach, I want to illuminate them with the help of renewable energy," he says, adding, "Uday Electric is not just a bulb but I see ourselves getting into renewable energy soon."

Uday recently received the prestigious Diana Award 2023, and while he is grateful for the recognition, he believes that the true validation for his work lies in the number of households he has illuminated. Since third grade, he was keen to run a business, as he was inspired by his dad and uncle, both entrepreneurs. "Uday Electric is my second venture, my first venture was an edtech marketplace for finding a tutor called FindOurTutor.com that I started during the pandemic," says the teenager who wants to do a double major in economics and computer science.

Uday loves to gym, run and swim in his free time, and is keen to take Uday Electric to new heights in the near future. He advises youngsters "to put your best foot forward and never give up. That's how you make a successful business."

Follow Uday Bhatia on LinkedIn

Reading Time: 6 min

Meet Lavik Jain, the eight year old who just published his debut novel

(June 22, 2024) Lavik Jain has always had a vivid imagination. Once, he imagined that pop star Justin Bieber’s favourite sweater went missing, then went on to weave a story out of it. This was the first time he had put his creative thoughts down on paper. It’s precisely this quality which makes the eight year-old one of India’s youngest and promising authors. “I noticed the pop star's frequent choice of sweaters and the idea ( of the missing sweater) struck me. I narrated it to my parents, who were surprised and encouraged me to write more,” smiles author Lavik Jain, speaking to Global Indian. This short story even went on to spark the idea for his first, recently released book Alexandrian Knights. [caption id="attachment_38331" align="aligncenter" width="449"] Lavik Jain[/caption] Alexandrian Knights After working on a few drafts, Lavik narrated the plot to his English teacher, who gave him some suggestions on how to make the tale more engaging. The entire experience made him realise how different people think differently. The story revolves around the unbreakable bond among four friends—Alex, Mike, Max, and Felix. Their friendship, characterized by unwavering support and loyalty, becomes a powerful force that helps them navigate and overcome the

re experience made him realise how different people think differently.

The story revolves around the unbreakable bond among four friends—Alex, Mike, Max, and Felix. Their friendship, characterized by unwavering support and loyalty, becomes a powerful force that helps them navigate and overcome the darkest challenges their adventurous journey throws their way.

“The way friendships are in India, Alexandrian Knights highlights the profound strength found in true companionship and the enduring power of human connections,” says the fourth grader of Pathways School, Noida.

Adventure world

What makes the book stand out is that it transports its readers to a world full of adventures, where anything a kid can possibly imagine, comes to life. “The colourful pictures and easy-to-follow story enabled readers picture the scenes in their minds as they read the book, making their imagination grow even more,” says Lavik.

The brave characters and the beautiful visual setting of ‘Kuldhara’ make the readers feel like they are present right there with the knights, facing challenges and discovering new things. “It’s almost like watching a 3D movie. I have tried my best to add some sci-fi and adventure, but at the same time not compromised with the relatability quotient by showcasing the power of true friendships,” says the young author, who has generated enough curiosity to keep the readers engaged and read on to see what happens next.

Upon his return to India from the US in 2022, Lavik was captivated by the vibrant Indian culture, and he was moved by the genuine affection that people share with each other. “The newfound admiration for the culture and its people naturally inspired the setting for my first book.”

He says his debut book (Alexandrian Knights) is his humble attempt to explore his imagination and himself.

Grandma’s tales

As a toddler, Lavik would listen keenly to all the stories his grandmother told him. “It took me to a mysterious world of imagination. Those memories indeed have had a profound impact on me,” says the promising author.

His parents have always stood by him. His mother, Dr. Silky Jain, is a senior paediatric haemato-oncologist working as an Assistant Professor at Post Graduate Institute of Child Health Hospital, Noida, while Lavik’s father, Dr. Harshit Jain is the Founder & Global CEO of Doceree, a platform for programmatic healthcare advertising.

“They have always been the inspiration behind all my endeavours,” says Lavik, who actively participates in debates and recently got the opportunity to become one of the ‘sharks’ in a shark tank competition held at his school.

Lavik says his parents keep reminding him to keep practicing and learning, as with more experience and knowledge, he can create stories that are special and unique. “So, I keep writing every day and constantly think of new ideas.”

A global citizen

Lavik was two years old when the Jain family moved to the United Kingdom in 2018 after Dr Harshit took up leadership role at McCann Worldgroup, UK. The family lived there for a year and a half and moved to the United States in 2019, where they stayed for three years.

In 2020, Lavik’s father decided to establish his venture Doceree, with offices both in the US and India, and they moved back to India in 2022. “All this moving around has given me a chance to see how people live in different countries,” he says.

Globe trotter

Lavik has already travelled to 10 countries including Greece, the United States, London, Paris, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Switzerland, Ireland, Rome and Italy and says each place has its own unique story.

Describing his travel experiences, Lavik says in Greece, he learned about the legend’s sayings on the ancient gods and goddesses while in the US, he saw skyscrapers so tall they seemed to touch the sky.

One Christmas, he went to Norway and saw the beautiful northern lights and visited Lego Land, where everything adventurous one can imagine, exists. “London’s busy cobblestone streets were full of energy, Paris was sparkling with the Eiffel Tower and yummy pastries. In Dubai and Abu Dhabi, I saw amazing futuristic buildings and played in the desert sands. Switzerland's snowy mountains felt like a fairy tale. Rome was like walking through a history book with stories of kings and emperors.”

But right now, says Lavik, his heart is in India, as it is only in this country that all the colours, spices, and stories come together like magic.

Colourful culture

Back home, Lavik was immediately captivated by the colourful culture that he believes makes the country so lively. “The strong bond between family members here is truly inspiring. My family and grandparents are very close and always look out for each other. This makes me feel safe and loved,” says the author, adding people in India love to talk and learn about each other, which helped him understand their thoughts and imaginations, boosting his creativity.

What’s next

“I plan to introduce ‘Alexandrian Knights-Vol 2’ soon. In the new version, the shadow lord will become even more powerful, and Alex, Felix, Mike and Max will fight with him to save the world from being destructed by mysterious darkness,” informs the young author.

Lavik says right now, he is having fun figuring out what his interests, likes and dislikes are. But one thing he knows for sure is that he is very curious about who made the world and how the universe came into existence. “This is a big mystery that I and the world still really want to know. Maybe one day, when I'm strong enough, I'll even go to space to find out,” smiles Lavik.

What he reads

Lavik likes to read books by two of his favourite authors — Jeff Kinney and Ruskin Bond. “Jeff Kinney’s books are super funny, the characters make me laugh. Ruskin Bond’s tales are truly magical. Both make me feel like I'm in the story and this inspires me to write stories that make readers feel the similar way.”

His favorite books are Diary of a Wimpy Kid (by Jeff Kinney) and The Blue Umbrella and Roads to Mussoorie (by Ruskin Bond). “These authors have helped me love reading and telling stories even more,” says Lavik, who also enjoys dancing.

When he's not reading...

Lavik’s hobbies reflect the curiosity to know more about the unknown. “I certainly love writing, storytelling, traveling, reading, and occasionally dancing. Like my debut book suggests, I can watch anything and everything that’s sci-fi, supernatural, horror or full of adventure,” says the super talented child, who has also been a big fan of Marvel Entertainment.

Lavik’s friends often compliment him for his writing and believe in him. “My friends love it when I tell them about spooky haunted houses, amazing space adventures, and thrilling action scenes. Their encouragement makes me want to write even more.”

Alexandrian Knights by Lavik Jain is available on Amazon.

Swing Queen Renuka Singh Thakur named ICC Emerging Women’s Cricketer of the Year

(February 26, 2023) When prime minister Narendra Modi was congratulating the Indian women’s cricket team after they won the Asia Cup 2022, he had special words of praise for the Himachal girl Renuka Singh Thakur. “Renuka’s face might ooze the peacefulness of Shimla, and the innocent smile of the mountains but her tough bowling on the field defeats the confidence of even the seasoned batters,” he said in his speech. Popularly known as the Swing Queen of Indian cricket, Renuka was also commended by the PM for being an inspiration for girls in the remotest corners of India. [embed]https://twitter.com/ICC/status/1618209611051569154?s=20[/embed] Renuka was named the Emerging Women’s Cricketer of the Year 2022 by ICC. The decision came after ICC conducted a poll for the specialist panel of media representatives, the ICC Voting Academy, and cricket lovers around the world. India’s newest cricket star, who is known for her extraordinary swings while bowling, left behind Australia’s Darcie Brown, England's Alice Capsey and her Indian colleague Yastika Bhatia garnering maximum votes. ICC announced the names of the winners last month. Global voting categories were based on overall performances and achievements of the nominated cricket stars throughout the calendar year. From village grounds to international cricket

3376527 BCX0"> defeats the confidence of even the seasoned batters,” he said in his speech. Popularly known as the Swing Queen of Indian cricket, Renuka was also commended by the PM for being an inspiration for girls in the remotest corners of India.

[embed]https://twitter.com/ICC/status/1618209611051569154?s=20[/embed]

Renuka was named the Emerging Women’s Cricketer of the Year 2022 by ICC. The decision came after ICC conducted a poll for the specialist panel of media representatives, the ICC Voting Academy, and cricket lovers around the world.

India’s newest cricket star, who is known for her extraordinary swings while bowling, left behind Australia’s Darcie Brown, England's Alice Capsey and her Indian colleague Yastika Bhatia garnering maximum votes. ICC announced the names of the winners last month. Global voting categories were based on overall performances and achievements of the nominated cricket stars throughout the calendar year.

From village grounds to international cricket

Hailing from Parsa village in Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh, Renuka was raised by her mother. She had lost her father at the tender age of three. He wanted both his children to take up sports and it was to fulfil her father’s dream that the youngster took up cricket, finding it the most interesting game.

While Renuka’s mother was busy working as a class IV employee in the Himachal Pradesh’s irrigation and public health department, Renuka would play cricket with her elder brother Vinod (who is named after cricketer Vinod Kambli) and his friends at the village grounds. Sometimes Renuka would even travel with them to other villages to play her favourite game.

[caption id="attachment_27895" align="aligncenter" width="483"] Renuka Singh Thakur[/caption]

In 2009, Renuka enrolled herself in Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association’s Women’s Residential Academy in Dharamshala, following the advice of her uncle who is a physical education teacher in a government college. Later, she was selected for the Australia tour of the national women’s cricket team, followed by tours in Bangladesh and Thailand. She performed exceptionally in all the tournaments.

Turning heads

In 2019-20, the cricket star won hearts by taking a total of 23 wickets in different tournaments, establishing herself as leading wicket-taker of the Indian women’s cricket team. The following year, she won the BCCI Senior Women’s One Day Trophy for taking nine wickets against Australia.

“All I do is step on the field with confidence and bank on the energy of the fielders to throw the balls in most challenging manner, enjoying the process all along,” she said. Renuka also remarked, in the conversation with Jemima Rodrigues and Deepti Sharma, “I love the spectators during the match. When I am on field, looking at them fills me up with confidence.”

Renuka was selected to represent India in the International T20 Cricket Series in 2021. The Global Indian went on to represent India in Women’s Cricket World Cup in 2022 and played a pivotal role in helping her team lift the trophy, leaving behind 15 teams from across the world. Renuka also became the first Indian pacer to take five wickets in T20 World Cup.

Mesmerised by her power-packed performances, cricket lovers and experts voted her as the Emerging Women’s Cricketer of the Year title from amongst an impressive list of high performing international cricketers nominated by the ICC.

With the coveted title that Renuka has earned right at the beginning of 2023, and her recent selection for ₹ 1.5 crore by Royal Challengers Bangalore, the year has already started on a promising note for the Swing Queen.

Follow Renuka Singh Thakur on Instagram

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Young Innovator Hemesh Chadalavada’s unique invention monitors Alzheimer patients

(March 7, 2022) When Hyderabad boy 15-year-old Hemesh Chadalavada saw how disoriented his Alzheimer-suffering grandmother was, he felt helpless. The young innovator worked on a Stem-based app and wearable device that would not only monitor her movements, but also give families a respite from the endless worry. [embed]https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1353690264343220224?s=20&t=fQeXi7ZraOmLTwshDgc5ig[/embed] The young innovator received the Pradhan Mantri Rastriya Bal Shakti Puraskar 2021 for his unique invention. His device, Alpha Monitor, signals caregivers and family members when a patient wanders off, and also sends vital stats, thus helping in the care of such patients. How concern led to innovation “Alzheimer’s is similar to forgetfulness; it destroys memories and other brain functions. My grandmother is one amongst many suffering from the disease. A study reveals that every 30 seconds, one individual in the world develops symptoms of Alzheimer’s. This is a huge problem that I wanted to solve,” says the young innovator in a conversation with Global Indian. Since aged six, Hemesh was captivated with the internet, “I remember watching many YouTube videos about arts and crafts. I used to put my learned skills into practice often. Soon, I started working on basic electronic projects like building electronic cars, fans, etc. By the time

ned skills into practice often. Soon, I started working on basic electronic projects like building electronic cars, fans, etc. By the time I was in my fifth grade, I learned coding and progressed onto more useful projects,” the young innovator explains.

[caption id="attachment_11997" align="aligncenter" width="693"] Hemesh Chadalavada[/caption]

His visits to his grandmother in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh opened his eyes to her struggles. “I realised that one of the biggest problems with my grandmother was that she used to wander off early morning or late at night, and the family and caregivers were left worried. We were fortunate that she didn’t get lost,” says the young innovator, who was intrigued enough to reach out to the Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders Society of India. There, he came across a family that had been in search of a loved one, an Alzheimer’s patient, for the past 20 years. “It was sad, they had given up hope. I thought why not develop something that would impact people around me like my grandmother,” says the Hyderabad-based Stem aspirant. He then went on to create a device that gave doctors, caregivers and family real-time information on their loved ones.

Thinking differently

Alpha Monitor’s first prototype was a wrist band that detected a patient’s movements – whether asleep, standing or walking. “I spent the 2019 summer on building a prototype to test out the concept. It is different from other products in the market. Other devices have not integrated a sensor called a gyroscope which I have,” smiles the young innovator.

[caption id="attachment_11998" align="aligncenter" width="647"] Hemesh with Governor of Telangana, Tamilisai Soundrarajan[/caption]

“Existing devices are similar to a GPS tracker around the neck that patients can easily remove, and are prone to breakage. Some devices like doormats detect if a patient steps on it but are chunky, and can be bypassed. My innovation is based on an algorithm gyroscope model that reflects even if a person rolls on the bed, or places his hands on the floor. It alerts when the patient gets up, and starts wandering through a phone call, unlike just a phone alert, that other products offer,” adds the Jubilee Hills Public School student.

A health monitor too

As his grandmother required regular checkups, which were tough due to her uncontrolled movements, Hemesh’s remote healthcare system bridged a huge gap. Data related to her pulse, heartbeat etc could be sent to a doctor at intervals. “I developed an android app that the doctor could download which connected to the gyroscope device via bluetooth,” smiles the young innovator.

[caption id="attachment_11999" align="aligncenter" width="605"] Hemesh Chadalavada[/caption]

Initially, the device was a wristband. Experts at ARDSI suggested a coin-sized reduction and customisation so it could be used as a wrist or leg band, or pinned on. They loved his useful tech-based solution.

Recognitions and inspirations

The young innovator won at Ideate for India - out of 1,33,000 students, he was among 50 chosen. Recipient of the Macmillan Budding Scientist Award, the Bal Shakti Puraskar was most precious, "I am honoured to receive the award. It is special because it is a recognition from the government of India, which motivates me to do impactful work."

[caption id="attachment_12000" align="aligncenter" width="713"] Hemesh with Former Minister of Electronics and Information Technology, Ravi Shankar Prasad[/caption]

Hemesh’s parents Kishore and Sandhya have been hugely encouraging. “They have been supportive throughout, even when I was working on my little arts and crafts projects in class 1,” he smiles. The Telangana State Innovation Cell serves as his role model, inspiring him to innovate. Hemesh is working on a startup - CreatoWise.com, a hub for YouTubers following in the footsteps of his BBA brother and homemaker mother who run a channel 'Simplify Your Home with Sandhya' with over 5 lakh subscribers.

[caption id="attachment_12001" align="aligncenter" width="673"] Hemesh with his family[/caption]

Internet, coding, and math are his passions. “Internet is a huge knowledge bank. People should not just be passive users but apply the knowledge. If one watches coding videos, they can be applied to gain knowledge in developing new projects. My favorite subject - math requires one to apply fundamentals. Since, I am not a fan of memorising, coding and building projects fit perfectly,” says Hemesh, who sees himself as an entrepreneur empowering the world with powerful innovations in the years to come.

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