Global Indianstory Global Indian ExclusiveNeelakantha Bhanu Prakash: The fastest human calculator is on a mission to eradicate math phobia

Neelakantha Bhanu Prakash: The fastest human calculator is on a mission to eradicate math phobia

Compiled by: Amrita Priya

(May 3, 2023) In 2020, a 20-year-old Neelakantha Bhanu Prakash broke human computer Shakuntala Devi’s record when he won India’s first ever gold medal at the Mental Calculation World Championship held in London. He wasn’t just the first Indian but also the first Asian to claim a gold and the BBC went on to report, “You could say Neelakantha Bhanu Prakash is to maths what Usain Bolt is to running.”

This was his competition debut and Neelakantha managed to defeat 29 opponents from 13 countries. He was so fast that judges made him jump through more hoops and make even tougher calculations to confirm his extraordinary accuracy.

Three years have passed since then and the Hyderabad based youngster has visited more than 23 countries, conducted more than 500 stage shows and impacted two million students with a mission to eradicate maths phobia. Neelakantha, who holds 50 Limca records for his extraordinary math calculations founded his company Bhanzu, a math ed-tech platform that aims to revolutionise the global math learning landscape. In 2022, Forbes featured the Global Indian in its 30 Under 30 Asia list, for making a difference to the math learning environment through his social entrepreneurship.

Neelakantha Bhanu Prakash

Making adversity an advantage

Born in in Eluru in Andhra Pradesh, Neelakantha suffered a head injury in 2005, which left him bedridden for one year. However, instead of being bogged down by adversity, he picked up math and mental calculation as a hobby and worked to hone his skills. When he finally recuperated, he entered the competition circuit.

“My parents were told I might be cognitively impaired. So, I picked up mental maths calculations for survival, to keep my brain engaged,” he told the BBC in an interview.

Over the years, the math stalwart has bagged many gold medals and has held world records for fast arithmetic calculations. He has also won the International Speed Math Championship ’13 and the National Speed Math Championship ’11 and ’12. In 2015, he won the Math Genius Award.

After he graduated from Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan’s Public School (Vidyashram) Hyderabad, he went on to study at St. Stephen’s College, Delhi and earned a BSc honours degree in Mathematics.

Neelakantha with his trophies when he was 10 years of age

Helping get rid of maths phobia

In one of his many TEDx talks Neelakantha asked the audience, “Why is maths something that we universally accept as important but are always consistently scared of?” It’s a phobia he hopes to remove from the minds of young students. Neelakantha has been working to make youngsters understand mathematics in such a way that they are able to engage with the subject more fully.

In the TEDx talk he remarked, “250 million students in India are currently in schools learning math. Out of these, more than 187 million students cannot do simple math calculations. It is not okay to be in a position where fundamental skills – literacy and numeracy are still not achieved.”

In order to inspire children and teach them to love mathematics, his company Bhanzu offers a special curriculum that makes math a fun activity, which is relatable and can be used in daily life.

Maths – a mental sport

Mental math is a sport, Neelakantha believes. He has trained his mind to think quickly, whether it is in Math or something else. He doesn’t, however, like to be called a prodigy, saying it is not an ability he was born with, but something he developed with hard work. As a child, he would spend over six hours a day practicing, after school.

“I look at it as “unstructured practise where I keep thinking about numbers all the time,” he said in an interview.”I practice with loud music on, when I’m talking to people, catching and playing cricket, because this is when your brain is being trained to do multiple things at the same time,” he added.

Considering it his duty to promote math as something ‘enjoyable’ the math wizard is on a mission to ‘eradicate math phobia and explore infinite capabilities of the human brain’.

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Published on 03, May 2023

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Amey Agarwal: Providing healthcare access to Nephrotic syndrome warriors

(January 31, 2024) Amid the hustle and bustle of Kolkata emerges a story of resilience, compassion, and a relentless pursuit of making a difference. Meet Amey Agarwal, a youngster who has not only won over a 15-year battle with nephrotic syndrome but has also transformed his personal struggle into an inspiration for others. Amey's commitment to raising awareness and providing assistance for those affected by nephrotic syndrome gave birth to Nephrophile - a nonprofit - which has till now helped 300 families and even earned him a Diana Award. Amey's journey with nephrotic syndrome, a condition causing the kidneys to leak large amounts of protein into the urine, began at a tender age. For 15 years, he battled the challenges that the condition brought with it but instead of succumbing to the adversity, he emerged stronger, driven by a deep-seated belief that every child, irrespective of their economic circumstances, deserves a chance to become an adult. [caption id="attachment_35533" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Amey Agarwal[/caption] Helping people affected by Nephrotic syndrome In his pursuit of making a meaningful impact, the 17-year-old founded Nephrohelp, a charitable community dedicated to supporting children suffering from nephrotic syndrome. His vision goes beyond mere sympathy; it is a

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In his pursuit of making a meaningful impact, the 17-year-old founded Nephrohelp, a charitable community dedicated to supporting children suffering from nephrotic syndrome. His vision goes beyond mere sympathy; it is a mission to bring about positive changes in the lives of vulnerable families grappling with the harsh realities of this condition. The heart of Nephrohelp lies in its commitment to facilitating kidney transplants and providing essential support for those in need.

Through the relentless efforts of Amey and his team, the organisation has successfully raised funds and sponsorships, enabling life-changing kidney transplants for two children. "We are more than obliged and happy to help Warisha Khan (14 yrs) and Gaurav Mukherjee (13 yrs) by taking initiative in providing them all the medical necessities under the mentorship and guidance of Dr Rajiv Sinha, Professor & HOD of Pediatric Nephrology Division and thank him for extending his support for this noble cause," the student of St. Xavier's Collegiate School said in a statement.

The powerful impact

Beyond transplantation support, Nephrohelp has touched the lives of over 300 families by providing essential medicines and necessities. During COVID-19 pandemic, his compassion extended further as his organisation donated masks to hospitals, ensuring the safety of frontline workers. The impact of Nephrohelp is not confined to immediate assistance as his team organised awareness campaigns and health check-up camps, spreading knowledge about nephrotic syndrome and offering preventive healthcare to communities.

His dedication and selfless service to bring about transformative change has helped him earn Diana Award 2023 - which speaks volumes about his dedication, resilience, and the positive ripple effect his work has on communities. It is his commitment to education and awareness that have played an important role in his journey as a young changemaker. Recognising the need to inform and empower, Amey co-authored a book Nephrohelp’s Guide to Nephrotic Syndrome, published in both Hindi and Bengali, to raise awareness on nephrotic syndrome. Of them, he donated over 2500 books in rural areas to not only provide valuable insights into the condition but also serve as a guide for others who may be navigating similar challenges.

Amey's advocacy extends beyond the immediate impact of Nephrohelp as his efforts have made nephrotic syndrome visible on a broader scale, challenging societal perceptions and fostering understanding about the struggles faced by those with this condition. In a world where compassion often takes a backseat, he has become a force that transcends boundaries, making a profound difference in the lives of many. He is now committed to provide treatment to over 200 children each year, which reflects his dedication to accessible healthcare.

His vision for a world where every child has the opportunity to grow into adulthood fuels the organisation's initiatives and inspires others to join the cause. In a society that often overlooks the struggles of those with chronic conditions, Amey proves that one person's belief in making a difference can indeed change the world.

Follow Amey Agarwal on LinkedIn

Changemaker Shloka Ashok is ensuring students her age land internships

(April 11, 2023) Studying in X standard, 16-year-old Shloka Ashok wanted to intern at a company that could help her enhance her knowledge and also gains the experience of working in an organisation. Talented, and a brilliant student, the youngster made a list of companies she wanted to work at and started sending internship applications to each one. The trouble was, no one wanted to hire a 16-year-old. While, a year later, the changemaker managed to get an internship through her parents, she couldn't help thinking that she didn't get the internship through her merit. And that is what got her motivated to start her platform, InternMee. The online platform connects high school students with companies offering internships, leadership, and volunteering opportunities. "Our mission is to give students access to the right network, exposure to various careers and opportunities, and ultimately accelerate their journeys into the work world. Our platform is ideal for mid-size to large companies, student-run organisations, start-ups, and NGOs across sectors," the young changemaker said. Enabling over 11000 students through her portal, Shloka recently received the prestigious Diana Award for her contribution towards empowering the world's youth. "I am immensely grateful to receive The Diana Award and

portunities, and ultimately accelerate their journeys into the work world. Our platform is ideal for mid-size to large companies, student-run organisations, start-ups, and NGOs across sectors," the young changemaker said.

Enabling over 11000 students through her portal, Shloka recently received the prestigious Diana Award for her contribution towards empowering the world's youth. "I am immensely grateful to receive The Diana Award and be part of a global community of young, inspirational changemakers. This international award cements my belief that young people have the power to change the world and the recognition not only provides the validation that every young changemaker needs, but also acts as a driving force to do more," the Global Indian expressed, soon after receiving the award.

Driven and passionate

Since a young age, Shloka has been driven and focussed on doing something productive daily. A brilliant student, the changemaker has won several laurels over the years. However, it was quite disheartening for the youngster when she couldn't get any internship, despite being eligible. "Back in 2020, just when COVID-19 hit, I was keen to pursue a meaningful internship during my summer vacation. My research led me nowhere, and my parents used their contacts to help me. But I felt it was unfair as they did not gauge my skills and I was hired purely based on their recommendation," the changemaker said.

While several other students might have dismissed the incident, it got Shloka thinking about how difficult it would be for students whose parents didn't have such a big network. "There are many students who would want to do their internship and look for different companies but are helpless as they don't get an opportunity anywhere. I began thinking about students in India and abroad who might not get beyond the classroom opportunities to gain new skills and understand their true capabilities," she shared.

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While she wanted to do something to help the other student, she didn't know what or where to begin. "I conducted a survey among 350 students across the globe and found out that 95 percent of them were thinking to do an internship, but didn't know what to do," said the changemaker, who after reviewing several survey applications, decided to start a platform to allow these young minds an insight into potential career paths, enabling them to explore their interests and aptitudes in search of their ikigai.

Standing up for a noble cause

In December 2020, Shloka launched InternMee - which is purely for students and run by students. "The type of internships that students want to take up and the connections they want to make do matter for their future. Through InternMee, we connect students with start-ups as well as NGOs or social initiatives that they'd be interested in volunteering for. We also connect them with other student-run organisations. All this is for free and we don't charge a single rupee for connecting students and companies," she said.

I am grateful to receive the @DianaAward This award cements my belief that young people have the power to change the world. I aim to continue working towards creating equitable opportunities & this award has motivated me to dream bigger & take on more social responsibilities(1/3) pic.twitter.com/PKgqwW3XUP

— Shloka Ashok (@shloka_ashok) July 2, 2022

So, how does the platform works? Students have to just sign up on the platform and gain access to a range of internship opportunities across fields. They can apply to postings that interest them and the applications would be sent to the concerned organisation, which would evaluate candidates before choosing to offer them the position. "We don't charge the companies either on our platform. But what we have started monetising is the partnerships or collaborations that we post on our website and Instagram page," she said. The platform has over 35,000 students registered, from over 85 countries and was featured in the top 10 internship search websites by a recent survey.

Going forward the young changemaker plans to leverage InternMee, to open doors to the less privileged, by building a focussed track for students in government schools. "I aim to continue working towards creating equitable opportunities and receiving The Diana Award has motivated me to dream bigger and take on more social responsibilities. We are in discussion with some NGOs and see this as one of the future paths for our organisation," she expressed.

Follow Shloka Ashok on Instagram

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Being CarryMinati – how Ajey Nagar became one of YouTube’s biggest sensations

(March 26, 2024) Some people love him, some hate him, others love to hate him. Whatever category you might be in, Ajey Nagar makes sure you just can't ignore him. Best known by his stage name, Nagar, who will turn 25 this year, is India's most followed YouTube personality in 2024, with a whopping 41.6 million subscribers on his channel, CarryMinati and another 12.1 million on his livestream gaming page, CarryisLive. This month alone, CarryMinati ranked 36 in YouTube Entertainment and 84 worldwide. In 2019, he was named one of the Next Generation Leaders by TIME Magazine, and at the age of 20, was one of the youngest on the list. CarryMinati is slapstick, very loud, and often downright silly, with his over-the-top takes on "cringe-worthy" videos he finds on Facebook and TikTok. Behind the camera, though, Nagar is an astute and savvy creator. Born and raised in Faridabad, Nagar always steps out of the house in a black hoodie, even in peak summertime, to avoid being recognised by his legion of fans. "I can't go to malls or restaurants," he told TIME. [caption id="attachment_36840" align="aligncenter" width="382"] Ajey Nagar, aka CarryMinati[/caption] In 2019, CarryMinati found worldwide fame when he dissed

ign="aligncenter" width="382"] Ajey Nagar, aka CarryMinati[/caption]

In 2019, CarryMinati found worldwide fame when he dissed Swedish YouTuber Felix Kjellberg (PewDiePie), another controversial star of content. At the time, PewDiePie was locked in a subscriber race with T-Series and released a video that mocked an Indian man speaking broken English. CarryMinati came to the rescue on January 1, 2019, with a Hindi rap video called ByePewDiePie, where he says, "one day, India will rule the world." These days, the Global Indian produces videos only in Hindi, targetting a large chunk of India's 462 million YouTube users (India has the world's largest YouTube audience, with the US a far second at 239 million).

The CarryMinati method

Ajay Nagar began making video content when he was eight years old. And the more he did it, the surer he was that it would be his life. When he completed 10th grade, his mother hoped he would prepare to study medicine, "but I knew I couldn't do it," Nagar told the Hindustan Times. "I said, 'Buy me a PC', and chose arts," he added. It was a big move for Nagar, who comes from an established, and highly educated family. His mother is a doctor, his father a lawyer and his grandfather (late Shri Gajraj Bahadur Nagar) was a Cabinet Minister in the Haryana government.

When he started out, he ran many different channels, but around 2016, focussed his attention on one of them, where he felt he had found a niche. Back then, he was just a school kid playing video games and trying to make his friends laugh by mimicking and roasting celebrities - at the time, it was Bobby Deol. Deol went by CarryDeol and would inspire Nagar's own online name, CarryMinati.

However, the process has remained the same, even though his team has grown. The first, and most time-consuming step, Nagar says, is to find the content. And it could take more than three or four days at times. "Then comes the scripting part, it is the most fun part. I lock myself up in my room for two days and focus on the script." Then comes the shooting and editing, which takes another four days. Viewers send him ideas too, his inbox is always full with links to cringe videos. In 2018, after his team "worked day and night, to get him an opportunity," CarryMinati interviewed Tom Cruise and the team of Mission Impossible 6, and that video has received 33 million views to date.

"My expectations were nothing. I only wanted 50k subscribers, a room to play my games in and to make enough money to be able to buy new games and create content," he said. His channel grew beyond his wildest dreams, though, and time and time again, Nagar, who has also matured over the years, has re-evaluated and re-strategised his offerings. He's always the over-the-top goofy kid, though but these days, he does have to be careful of what he says, given his massive reach.

Being Ajey Nagar

In front of the camera, CarryMinati is brash and unapologetic. Behind the scenes, Ajey Nagar struggles with the weight of his fame, and of catering to expectations. "I struggle with that, as I do with getting out of the house. I have the fear that once I am outdoors, I will be judged, or that even if I eat, I will ahve 10 people staring at me." He has also admitted that he struggles to walk up to strangers, even at a party, and make conversation, and is happy when they come up to him. That said, relating to people is a crucial part of what he does, because that's the source of his content. It's also essential to him having some normality in his life. "Honestly, there has been a time when I sat down and started feeling bad about myself thinking, 'Oh, poor me, I've missed out on so many things'. The love of my friends, late night rides on scooties and eating junk food at the nearby 24x7. But take a look at my life, it's not bad at all," he said in an interview.

There's also the struggle of expectations and insecurities. "When I'm working on my videos there are moments when I scrutinize my jokes, especially if I like them because I'm worried about whether the audience will find them funny or not," Nagar says. And it's a valid concern, because with his outspoken ways and his incredible reach, controversy follows him around. Just the other day, he found himself in hot water for his supposed mocking of cricketer Virat Kohli for not having an IPL trophy in his collection. RCB supporters were furious and the YouTuber went on to issue a quick clarification, saying it was merely a promotional skit where he was doing a parody of RCB fans. However, in a profession like this one, learning to deal with criticism comes with the job description. “I take criticism seriously, but only if it has value to it. Otherwise, I just really don’t have the time,” says Carry, adding, “The amount of criticism I receive, I criticise myself 10 times more for the same thing," he told Hindustan Times.

Tips for aspiring creators

Learn by observation, CarryMinati advises. "Don't observe it like an audience, rather do it as if it's your job. Observe the little things, then you will understand how someone does that stuff, then your mind will open up." When you're watching a video, he says, try and think about what went into making it - from the thought process to the methods of shooting. And, he adds, it's very slow going. Nobody is going to make a million subscribers in 100 days. "The main thing," he says, "is to keep doing it." Evolving and changing with the times is also crucial. Change and uncertainty are the only constants, and Nagar is always prepared for eventualities. "Evolve the content, figure out what works and figure new things in life. And be yourself because nobody can be you."

Follow CarryMinati on Instagram and YouTube.

Meet Anushree Srinivasan, the bronze medal winner of the WorldSkills Competition 2022

(December 21, 2022) It was a dream come true for 23-year-old Anushree Srinivasan when she visited her dream destination Switzerland in October to represent India in the WorldSkills competition. It was the avid traveler’s first trip abroad and that too for something as special as representing one’s nation. The youngster brought home a bronze medal in the hotel reception category of the competition which is considered the gold standard of vocational skills. “The hospitality standards in Europe are one of the best in the world. Winning a medal there was amazing,” tells Anushree to Global Indian. [caption id="attachment_25654" align="aligncenter" width="639"] Anushree Srinivasan[/caption] Founded in 1950 WorldSkills Competition provides youngsters from across the globe a chance to compete, experience, and excel in their chosen endeavour. This was the 46th edition of the competition, which is held every alternate year in a new country. Originally scheduled to be held in Shanghai, this year’s competition has been referred to as a ‘special edition’ because it got postponed due to the pandemic and then got conducted in a decentralised manner across 15 countries. Indian champions participated in 50 skill categories bringing home two silvers, three bronzes, and thirteen medallions. The joy of representing the

ar’s competition has been referred to as a ‘special edition’ because it got postponed due to the pandemic and then got conducted in a decentralised manner across 15 countries. Indian champions participated in 50 skill categories bringing home two silvers, three bronzes, and thirteen medallions.

The joy of representing the nation

In the hotel reception category, a total of 16 countries out of 58 competed. Anushree is the first Indian to win a medal in this category. The last edition was the first one in which India forayed into this category, and ranked 11. Anushree made a good jump to bag the third position, this year, claiming the bronze.

[caption id="attachment_25655" align="aligncenter" width="862"] The gold, silver and two bronze medal winners of hotel reception category at WorldSkills Competition 2022[/caption]

“During the competition that lasted for four days, our phones were ceased. We used to perform, come back and spend lots of time together without being in any touch with the outside world,” tells Anushree about the wonderful time spent with fellow competitors. Indira Thakur, Anushree’s team leader travelled with her to Montreux. She was the only competitor from India whose place of competition did not match with anyone else in the Indian contingent.

“In India, it was midnight when results were announced. I video-called my family to share the news of my win. None of us had enough words to express how happy we felt about the win,” recalls Anushree. Her parents and sisters were awake watching the competition live on Instagram.

A people’s person

As part of her on-the-job training, while pursuing her Bachelor of Science in hospitality management and administration, Anushree got a chance to explore all the segments of the hospitality industry – front desk, housekeeping, food and beverage, and the kitchen. “I felt that the front desk is my true calling as I love to interact with people and solve their problems. During my training I was the first trainee who was recognised by a guest,” tells the proud youngster. Apart from the mandatory four-month internship at Oberoi Hotels and Resorts that was required to get the Bachelor’s degree, Anushree worked there for close to a year after passing out.

[caption id="attachment_25658" align="aligncenter" width="764"] Anushree during a task at the WorldSkills Competition 2022[/caption]

She then went on to join the management trainee programme of the ITC Group of Hotels. “In one year, I got the opportunity to work in the top five properties of ITC,” she tells. Being a part of the workforce of ITC Maratha - Mumbai, as the preopening workforce of Welcome Hotels Guntur, Sheraton New Delhi, the preopening workforce of ITC Narmada Ahmedabad, and ITC Royal Bengal Kolkata helped Anushree hone her skills.

WorldSkills by chance

“It was Ms. Annie, my front office faculty at SRM University Chennai who told me about the WorldSkills Competition and insisted that I should participate in it,” she says. “Until then I had not heard about it and did not know that it is considered the Olympics of vocational skills.” Anushree had been the vice president of the front office club of her college and had won several medals and trophies, making her teacher believe that she had the potential to represent the country in the hotel reception category.

Though Anushree was not very keen on participating, she gave in to the insistence of her teacher and is glad to have done so. “I can’t thank her enough for this,” she tells. She is also thankful to her coach Aagman Baury, general manager of the Leela Convention Centre, Shahdara, New Delhi who was assigned as the expert to help her prepare for the competition.

[caption id="attachment_25659" align="aligncenter" width="822"] All the 16 participants of the hotel reception category at WorldSkills Competition 2022[/caption]

Soon after clearing some rounds, there was a lockdown in Shanghai where the competition was supposed to be held followed by other parts of the world. Anushree had given up hope of participating but was overjoyed when it finally took shape.

She had already come a long way to earn a spot in the global challenge by then, leaving behind competitors first at the zonal level, followed by district, state, and finally at the nationals. Even after winning gold in National Skills Competition, Anushree had to go through two more rounds of selection procedures set by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), Government of India before she was chosen to represent the nation abroad.

The avid traveller

Switzerland was a dream destination for more reasons than one. “I am very fond of travelling and have travelled to 15 states and five union territories in India so far,” tells the solo backpack traveller who aims to travel to every state of the country. The adventure lover had even done camping in the Himalayas alone when she was just 20.

[caption id="attachment_25661" align="aligncenter" width="622"] Anushree in Himachal Pradesh[/caption]

To be able to explore the beauty of Switzerland was a remarkable milestone for the youngster who has been a solo traveller since she was 18. The ability to adapt to any environment is a trait that she credits to her traveling experiences.

“Before the competition started, we got enough time to explore Montreux and nearby places. An excursion trip was organised for all the competitors. Since Montreux is at the tip of Switzerland, we were even able to see France on the other side,” reminisces Anushree fondly.

Flying high

The winner of the WorldSkills Competition credits her father for adding wings to her dreams and being very supportive of whatever she wants to do in life.

[caption id="attachment_25662" align="aligncenter" width="775"] Anushree enjoying paragliding[/caption]

Whether it has been riding bikes, going on solo trips, climbing mountains, or paragliding, her father who works as Chief Accounts Officer at Tamil Nadu House New Delhi has always motivated her to fly high.

Follow Anushree Srinivasan on LinkedIn and Instagram

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Innovator at 16: Aarav Garg’s app teaches youngsters about tech

(May 26, 2022) Making an impact has always been on teen innovator and entrepreneur Aarav Garg's mind. How, though? He dabbled with the question for a while and found the answer lay in his passion – technology. A self-taught innovator, Aarav understood the power of knowledge and was keen to spread it to thousands of youngsters - first, through his YouTube channel, and then through his startup, TechNuttiez. "Most teenagers wait until college to either do coding or innovating because it’s the norm. We are breaking that stereotype by telling youngsters that they can learn early if they want to do so," Aarav tells Global Indian. Founded in 2021, the startup has already spread its wings among teenagers who are keen to learn. "I learnt everything online, without spending a single penny. And now I’m making that possible for others by providing them a platform to learn and engage with," says the Class 11 student whose innovation has been written about in Austrian and British technology magazines. [caption id="attachment_17209" align="aligncenter" width="571"] Aarav Garg[/caption] The early love for technology His first tryst with robotics began at 10 when he was introduced to programming in school. "It opened up a new world

" wp-image-17209" src="https://www.globalindian.com/youth//wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Untitled-design-4.png" alt="Teen innovator | Aarav Garg | Global Indian" width="571" height="571" /> Aarav Garg[/caption]

The early love for technology

His first tryst with robotics began at 10 when he was introduced to programming in school. "It opened up a new world for me and I immediately gravitated towards it. However, it was just a basic introduction," says Aarav. Every day after school, he would get on the internet looking for information. "Since my parents come from a non-tech background, YouTube became my learning tool. From dabbling in different programming languages to reading articles online, I learnt a lot," says the teen innovator, who built his first robot - the line follower - in the same year. It took him about a month to build.

"It follows a line on the ground as it’s mostly used in the manufacturing and storage industry. Companies like Amazon and Alibaba use them in their warehouses," says the TedX speaker.

[caption id="attachment_17213" align="aligncenter" width="757"] Aarav Garg working on one of his innovations[/caption]

A propagator of self-learning, he believes "there is nothing one cannot learn online." With innumerable videos and articles available online, there is no dearth of information but accessing the right information is equally critical. The thought led him to start his YouTube channel in 2018. "In the last few years, I learnt a lot about robotics and wanted to give back to the community of self-learning through my channel. My first video garnered over 130k views and that pushed me to generate more content," says the teen innovator, whose mission is to educate youth on technology.

Innovator to entrepreneur

Understanding its impact, Aarav wanted to scale it up, and in 2021, he launched his startup TechNuttiez - to bring together young self-learners under one roof. "We launched a mobile app on iOS and Android this February which has videos, articles, projects, interviews with budding entrepreneurs, and a monthly digital magazine that tells you everything you need to know about technology," adds the 16-year-old. His recent addition includes quizzes that help you earn "T-buck points" which can be redeemed at brands like Boat, Akudo and The Souled Store among others. "Our target audience is teenagers who are willing to self-learn. A lot of information isn't available on the internet, and that's where we come in - to bridge the gap."

[caption id="attachment_17211" align="aligncenter" width="724"] Technuttiez app built by Aarav Garg[/caption]

Calling this shift from a content creator to an entrepreneur "gradual", Aarav was keen to make a greater impact. "I wanted to convert my knowledge into a product that could be available to a larger audience," says the teen entrepreneur. The app has seen 2000 downloads from across 90 countries in the first three months of its launch. Currently, TechNuttiez has 20 teenagers working passionately in various departments like social media, content creation, marketing, and design. "Being in the initial stage, we’re experimenting and understanding the response to the app in order to shape up the product better," explains the teen innovator.

The future

Entrepreneurship is the course he has taken, but he calls himself "an innovator" at heart. This passion led him to design a pocket weather station in 2021, an innovation that earned him recognition from Telangana IT Minister KT Rama Rao. "It started with an idea to make a video on how to use a temperature sensor. It was later translated into a handheld device that provides accurate weather prediction. The innovation was successful and garnered attention in India and abroad," says Aarav who also made a giant SD card as a part of a contest for the website Instructables.

[caption id="attachment_17212" align="aligncenter" width="642"] Aarav Garg with Telangana IT Minister KT Rama Rao.[/caption]

Technology is the future, and Aarav wants more students to get a hang of it early in their life. That's why his startup has partnered with schools in Hyderabad to create awareness on technology. "We want to show them the potential in the field," says the teenager, who plans to either crack JEE or get admission into a US university. But his heart lies in building more startups when he grows up. "I think starting early has its advantage. It gives you an edge over others. There are infinite resources available, make the most of them," he advises. The teen innovator, who loves playing snooker and football in his free time, is excited to grow his product and help it reach its potential.

Follow Aarav Garg on Linkedin and Twitter

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