Not so black and white: How photographer Akshat Bagla is making waves in NYC
Written by: Team GI Youth
(November 3, 2022) Photographer Akshat Bagla first arrived on the scene when he was 17 years old, as an Artist-in-Residence at his local chapter of the Rotary Club in Kolkata. He hasn’t looked back since. After graduating from the School of Visual Arts in New York, the now 23-year-old Akshat has been appointed as the Director of Photography for Differio, the world’s largest gay menswear company.
Akshat was 13 years old when he first learned from his cousin how to use a camera. As the family gathered around the dinner table, the cousins would spend their time taking photos of the food. “I thank my cousin, he’s the reason I’m here,” Akshat told The Daring. He and his camera were not easily parted after that and Akshat would take photographs of everything he could, from his friends to things he saw on the streets.
Akshat Bagla
Akshat’s road less travelled
Born in Kolkata, to a business family that distributes raw paper, Akshat was trained from an early age as the young scion, primed even as a child to take over the family business. The advent of photography changed all that. The moment of reckoning arrived when he came home with his first set of images. “I put everything on the computer, and I saw the images. I was reliving the whole moment. I was looking at something I experienced but in the form of a photo, which I could cherish for the longest time,” he told The Daring. “What got to me more than the camera and the medium itself is the whole idea of capturing a moment for eternity, you know?”
He did his best to photograph everything he could, going out into the streets as much as he could. Not that walking through the streets was easy. Akshat had grown up sheltered and his parents didn’t fancy the idea of wandering around alone. When the pandemic started in March 2020, Akshat returned home to Kolkata. He would go out every day, waking up early to take photographs. “I explored so many areas, and I talked to more people than I ever did in the sixteen years of living there before.”
It was the start of a new life in more ways than one. The camera that always hung at his side emboldened the young man, helping him open himself up to the world. “It made me more outgoing and able to talk to anyone, anywhere,” he said.
Being able to follow his dreams took some doing, especially at home. Still, his parents did come around to his way of thinking. The first turning point came when he was 17, when he was entrusted with restructuring and editing the priceless photo archive of The Rotary Club of Calcutta, which chronicles the institution’s century-long history.
Studying at the School of Visual Arts only brought him more exposure, from working with the online presence of Indus Net Technologies to photographing bread for the NYC-based academy Bengingi. Akshat has also chronicled the Black Lives Matter protests and done Gay Pride photo shoots for Differio. He has also made himself a name as a re-branding expert.
Black and white photography is all the rage these days, as it has been for a while. Not for Akshat, though. He prefers to lean into his Indian-ness, to celebrate the vibrance and colour of his homeland. “As a visual artist, I rely on our traditional affinity to colours,” he said, in an interview with Outlook. “Cinematic fashion / food photography and rebranding – my two specialties – call for careful proportion between daring and comforting,” he told Newstrack.
Bagla’s bread photographs for Bengingi and the Gay Pride photo shoot for Differio have been hailed as works of art, although they stand as marketing campaigns. In America, Akshat honed his skills, learning to frame images from what he saw around him. At the BLM protests, where thousands gathered on the streets, Akshat would walk effortlessly up to people and strike up a conversation, before documenting them. “I’m trying to tell their story at the end of the day,” he said.
(December 23, 2021) Driven, zealous and supremely skilled, 15-year-old golfer Avani Prashanth is a teen wonder whose achievements have now made her the number 1 amateur player in the country. The Bengaluru-based ninth grader recently won the Global Prodigy Award 2021, which recognises the top 100 child prodigies around the globe from different verticals. Thrilled to bits about her latest recognition, Avani tells Global Indian, "It feels great to win this award as so many children who are talented in diverse fields had applied for it. I will be heading to Dubai for the award ceremony in February 2022." [caption id="attachment_8763" align="aligncenter" width="530"] Avani Prashanth with her winning trophy at All India Ladies Amateur Championship[/caption] Road to No. 1 Avani is now the best ranked Indian golfer on the World Amateur Golf Ranking at 136th position globally, and is the number one amateur golfer in India. The All India Ladies Amateur tournament which was held in November, which Avani won, propelled her to the number 1 spot in the country. "This is a prestigious tournament which is played over a period of seven days, and I had to play nine rounds of golf. I'm the only player to have won
The All India Ladies Amateur tournament which was held in November, which Avani won, propelled her to the number 1 spot in the country. "This is a prestigious tournament which is played over a period of seven days, and I had to play nine rounds of golf. I'm the only player to have won both the match play and the stroke play, and this rare double victory is all the more special as no one else has won it in the last decade," beams the teenager who is eyeing the Asian Games for more silverware, and busy training under her British coach.
Avani topped off this major victory with another laurel by winning the IGU All-India Junior Golf Championship in Ahmedabad a week ago. The golfer is also a two-time winner on the Women's Professional Golf Tour of India. Some of the other milestones in this fervent youngster's journey are being the best-performing Indian female in the US Kids World Championship held at North Carolina and also at the European Championship held at Scotland.
The road to number one has been filled with arduous work and perseverance for Avani. Her tryst with golf happened when she was barely four. "My father, who used to play golf, wanted to take my granddad to learn the sport. On that particular day, I excitedly asked my father to take me along too, and he did and also gave me a junior club to play with. Although the coach was reluctant about teaching a four-year-old, he was amazed by my hand-eye coordination at such an early age. When he and my dad returned after three hours, they saw that I was still practising with the club. They were convinced that I was born to play golf," reminisces Avani, who first trained in Gurgaon, post which she went to Nigeria and then finally moved to Bengaluru six years ago. "Bengaluru is where I honed my golf skills properly. I currently train at the Karnataka Golf Association and also at the Eagleton, The Golf Resort and Sir Laurence Brotheridge, my coach from the UK, trains me online."
Balancing act
A ninth grader from Greenwood High School, Avani credits her school management for their constant support. "My principal Aloysius D'Mello and my teachers are really supportive and accommodative. They let me give my exams according to my schedule and don't pressurise me even if I am unable to write the exams along with the other students. Recently, I wasn't able to give my term 1 exams with the others as I was busy playing tournaments, so they created a separate question paper for me, and allowed me to take the exam later," says a thankful Avani.
Of course, having supportive parents who root for you consistently can make a youngster's journey towards their goal all the more easier. "My parents Surekha and Prashanth have been very encouraging and supportive. My dad never thought twice about taking me on a tour to Scotland when I was just six, and spending money on the best equipment and coaches to train with. In fact, my dad is my best friend," shares Avani. Her father works in the pharmaceutical industry and her mother, a home maker travels with Avani on her golfing exploits.
Despite not being able to indulge in typical teen activities like most other people her age, Avani maintains that she doesn't miss out as she loves playing golf. "I also get to travel across the world for tournaments while playing my favourite sport, so I have the best of everything," smiles the tiny golfer who idolises American golfer Nelly Korda who won the LPGA seven times.
Making golf more accessible
Golf in India is still a growing sport, and not accessible to everyone because of how expensive it is. While Avani was lucky to have the best training facilities, not every aspiring golfer has that privilege. In order to make the sport more accessible to youngsters, Avani says, "They should create more driving ranges as most of them are currently in private clubs, which you need to be a member of, to be able to undergo golf training. Increasing the number of driving ranges will expose more youngsters to golf and also make the sport more accessible to them."
[caption id="attachment_8783" align="aligncenter" width="440"] Avani Prashanth is an amateur golfer.[/caption]
As for her future plans, the go-getter has her eyes set on the Asian Games. "My goal for 2022 year is to break into the top 50-100 in the world and win a gold at the Asian Games in China, that will be held in September 2022," she signs off.
We cannot always build the future for our youth but we can build our youth for the future. - Franklin Roosevelt (March 12, 2023) In 2017, during the December 31 episode of his radio programme, Mann Ki Baat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his desire to make the youth of India the think tanks of democracy. “I have an idea to organize mock parliaments in every district of India, where the youth between 18 and 25 can sit together and brainstorm on ‘New India’, find ways for the country’s betterment and chalk out plans,” he had said. Shortly after, the first edition of the National Youth Parliament Festival (NYPF) kicked off in 2019, with the objective to help youngsters understand the workings of Parliament, and become integral forces of democracy. Since then, after competing for selection in the district and state-level mock parliaments, successful youngsters get the opportunity to participate in the annual event - National Youth Parliament Festival at Parliament complex, New Delhi. Fourth edition of NYPF The fourth edition of NYPF launched with the theme ‘Ideas for a Better Tomorrow: India for the World’ commenced on 2nd March 2023 in the Central Hall of Parliament, New Delhi. The
, successful youngsters get the opportunity to participate in the annual event - National Youth Parliament Festival at Parliament complex, New Delhi.
Fourth edition of NYPF
The fourth edition of NYPF launched with the theme ‘Ideas for a Better Tomorrow: India for the World’commenced on 2nd March 2023 in the Central Hall of Parliament, New Delhi. The event saw the participation of 87 state level winners competing for the top three positions, with 29 finalists speaking in front of a national jury in the Parliament Declamation Contest. The remaining 58 attended the proceedings. The jury members included, members of parliament and also secretaries from the ministry of youth affairs and sports.
Speaker of Lok Sabha, Om Birla, who felicitated the winners in the Central Hall of the Parliament, mentioned that the very spot in which the winners were gathered was also witness to the transfer of power from Britain to India. “It was here in the Central Hall that India’s freedom fighters and Constitution makers prepared the supreme law of the nation - the Constitution of India,” he said. Just as it is done in parliament sessions, live streaming of NYPF 2023 was done by the ministry of youth affairs and sports.
Speaking on the occasion, Anurag Singh Thakur, minister for youth affairs and sports remarked:
District Youth Parliaments (DYP) were conducted to select members for the State Youth Parliament (SYP). More than two lakh youngsters from 748 districts of all the states and union territories of India participated at 150 venues nationwide.
The minister for youth affairs and sports also pointed out that girls have outnumbered boys in NYPF and lauded them for their active participation. Global Indianputs the spotlight on the winners of this year’s edition.
Aastha Sharma
Winner of first prize
Hailing from Loshta village in Shimla district, Himachal Pradesh Aastha is a second year BSc student of Centre of Excellence College, Sanjauli. The daughter of an apple orchardist stirred the audience with her powerful speech bagging the first prize. Quoting Franklin Roosevelt she said, ‘we cannot always build future for our youth but we can build our youth for the future.’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9a1j8SdxarM
Talking on the behalf of all youngsters she mentioned, “we all have set our goals for 2047 and have dreams of a future-ready India. Youth has the potential of doing so. The only need is to provide them with resources and a good chance.”
Naresh Chhetri
Winner of second prize
The youngster from Sikkim was all praise for India and its leadership. “We have been divided into the first world and the third world but making it ‘one world’ is an initiative that has been taken by India,’ he said. “The whole world is looking at India not just as an export market but a competitive force that can globally lead,” he added.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hfxZ7y1-mo
Naresh who hails from Mangan district of Sikkim, also talked about G20 Presidency of India and how its theme ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ or ‘One Earth. One Family. One Future’ reflects India’s perspective that the world is one big family.
Mahira Khan
Winner of third prize
Speaking in the context of the ‘Millet Mission’ and the ‘National Health Protection Scheme,’ Mahira Khan said, “Today our jowar, bajra and ragi are being celebrated as super foods all over, and the world looks at ‘Ayush’ for a healthy lifestyle. In us lies immense abilities to solve any internal or external conflict through peace, passion and compassion.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMaPQ2Hhcmg
Mahira hails from Raipur, Chhattisgarh from where she pursued her bachelors. Currently pursuing masters in mass communication from Jamia Milia Islamia University, the youngster belongs to a family of businessmen who have encouraged her to participate in several national level oratory competitions in the past.
Watch the full valedictory function of NYPF 2023 on YouTube
(May 25, 2022) Sustainability in space exploration is one of modern man's biggest dilemmas, drawing bright young minds all in pursuit of a solution. Among them is eleventh-grader Anushka Sharad. A NASA citizen scientist who has helped search for asteroids, the teen changemaker shows a gravity far beyond her years. She aims to bring scientific knowledge to peers with less access and open their eyes to the vast possibilities the study of science affords. She is the founder of seekinspace.com, a NASA Citizen Scientist, science communicator and an amateur poet. "Theoretical astrophysics and computational astronomy are my areas of study," says Anushka, a serious teenager with an approach that is far beyond her years. Thousands of rockets and satellites launched over the last fifty years leading to a sizeable accumulation of junk outside the earth's orbit, sustainable space exploration is one of Anushka's focus areas. Her interest is timely: The subject of space debris has entered mainstream discourse and in 2021, China found itself under criticism from NASA for "failing to meet responsible standards regarding their space debris." The reproach came after remnants from China's Long March 5B rocket fell into the Indian Ocean only to be met with stubborn
r space debris." The reproach came after remnants from China's Long March 5B rocket fell into the Indian Ocean only to be met with stubborn silence from those responsible. Another focus area is asteroid mining - rich in elements and minerals, asteroids are untapped resources. "Can we harness methods like 3D printing and look at options like asteroid mining to curb our pollution of the earth," Anushka asks, in an interview with Global Indian.
STEM awareness and a personal space odyssey
Recently, Anushka began her role as a Global Ambassador with the Women Tech Network. The community, based in California, promotes gender diversity in technology and connects professionals with top companies and startups. It is a culmination, of sorts, of her attempts to spread awareness on the diverse potential of STEM subjects. For, not one to restrict herself to a single area of study, Anushka delivers lectures on AI and machine learning to other students, hoping to help them understand how they work. She also visits schools to spread awareness on the STEM fields.
"Most students don't know how many career options there are in science. It's not just about physics and math or engineering as a career. There are many choices - technology, chemistry and biology to name a few. But students don't explore these options," explains the teen changemaker. "I have done the exploration and understand how much can be done. I must tell the others too," she tells Global Indian.
In August 2021, Anushka began seekinspace.com, where she publishes her articles and blogs. She is also a researcher with The Nebula Space Organisation, a research platform for students by students. Also associated with The Aurora Academic Journal, another student run venture that works with young researchers from across the globe, Anushka has written over 70 articles on astronomy. "I showed up on YouTube as well," Anushka says. "It's mostly for the AI sessions I conduct along with informative videos and opportunities in STEM fields."
Back to the beginning
"I knew I was made for science and it was made for me," Anushka remarks quietly. When she was in middle school, she got her hands on an encyclopaedia of science that covered an extensive breadth of topics. As she pored through them, her young mind was captivated by the idea that "We humans are made of stardust. We are the same as the cosmos. I am a cosmic entity," she smiles.
Inspired by idea, she studied more and more - always on her own, she says, "I have had no real mentor to guide me or even to point me in the right direction”. The pandemic hit and the country went into lockdown, leaving Anushka with enough time on her hands to continue her studies. She started reading every article she could find, watching videos and documentaries and making lists of books to read. She ordered the books online, building her "treasury of books," as she puts it. Writing articles to help herself analyse the information, Anushka discovered a flair for writing that she uses in her research papers, to write poetry and also, in her first book.
"I was intrigued with Stephen Hawking's The Grand Design," Anushka says. "He makes an argument against God, saying that there is no God and everything is natural," says Anushka. "I am a spiritual human being so I thought that if I want to understand God, I must read something against him. To me, it's about the power of nature."
The solitary observer
Always an observer, Anushka likes to spend her time in nature, paying attention the plants and animals she finds there. "I also like mountaineering," she says, describing many childhood vacations in the hills. "I climb the mountains and think, what is nature trying to teach me? What is it telling me? When I return, I recall those experience and try to understand what they were trying to tell me," she says. Hers is a life of observation marked by solitude, even at her young age. "Solitude is where I find my solace," Anushka admits.
Perhaps it was the solitary nature of her work but Anushka knew it was important for her to gain confidence and speak in public. "I began reaching out to students on Instagram and LinkedIn," says the teen, who is active on social media platforms. "I love connecting with students, especially when they are curious," says the teen changemaker.
Anushka visits CBSE and ICSE schools, organising sessions for students in Pune, where she lives. In October, she hopes to conduct her first session for adults as well, in collaboration with another organisation. "It will be a night camp like the one I had for students," she says. The night camp was her own first experience with a telescope, set up at the campsite beside a lake.
Science communicator
When her blogs and articles became popular among her family and friends, Anushka thought she might like to dabble in it. "I brought my skills in science and language together to be a science writer," says the teen changemaker. "As I understood more about astronomy, astrophysics, neuralinks, AI and machine learning, I wanted to find a way to unite technology and space exploration. Humans can't really travel through space but robots can. And I want to use my skills to be part of something like this, to create something that is bigger than me."
The road ahead
Currently in the midst of preparing for her SATs and IELTs, Anushka hopes to study abroad. "There are so many opportunities available. We get to research at a very early age, which is a big advantage," says Anushka. "India doesn't lack expertise but a bachelor's degree in astrophysics is hard to find," she says. "I also thought, if people like Kalam and Gandhi can benefit from studying abroad, why can't I? I want to study elsewhere and come back here to make an impact." The teen changemaker intends to remain in research, pushing the frontiers of what is known and what can be done, like "building sustainable rockets that are in keeping with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals," she suggests. "No matter what I do, my sole purpose is simply to serve humanity."
(January 14, 2024) In 2019, Akila's cinematic debut in director Arul's spine-chilling thriller 'Kadampari' marked her entrance into the world of Tamil cinema. Although she had found success, Akila wanted more than the glamours of stardom. After the film’s release and other projects like pageantries and stage shows in India, Akila returned to the US, where she had been raised, and enrolled in the US Army Combat Training. “Soldier, paralegal, educator, singer, model, actress - these are the various jobs that I have held to date which may seem excessive; however, I believe each one of these roles is my passion and has moulded me into an individual I am proud to be today,” shares the multifaceted youngster as she connects with Global Indian. [caption id="attachment_35242" align="aligncenter" width="466"] Akila Narayanan[/caption] Apart from being a U.S. Army paralegal, and an AIT Honour graduate, Akila has earned honours like the FETNA Women Achievement Award 2022, Visionary Celebrity Award for Young Talent 2018, Queen of Madras 2017, Miss Worldwide India 2017, Miss Tamil Nadu 2016, and Miss Teen India USA 1RU 2016. With an interest in both Indian and Western classical vocals, pop, rock, jazz, and R&B, Akila has performed in award shows,
rned honours like the FETNA Women Achievement Award 2022, Visionary Celebrity Award for Young Talent 2018, Queen of Madras 2017, Miss Worldwide India 2017, Miss Tamil Nadu 2016, and Miss Teen India USA 1RU 2016.
With an interest in both Indian and Western classical vocals, pop, rock, jazz, and R&B, Akila has performed in award shows, fashion shows, corporate events, beauty pageants, and concerts throughout South India.
A Bharatnatyam dancer with training for 13 years under the tutelage of guru Sridevi Tirumalai, Akila has also done photoshoots in both the US and India for brands like Pothys, VBJ Jewellers, Lemuria, amongst others before becoming a full-time civil paralegal and a part-time paralegal at the US Armed Forces. Her choices of occupation seem quite unusual and at the same time make her career graph look unique.
From acting, singing, and pageantry to law
Growing up in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, Akila’s childhood was immersed in the arts and academia.
After high school, she moved to India for a few years to pursue her dreams of singing, modelling, and acting in the entertainment industry. She completed her BA in music specializing in Western classical and musical theatre voice at the KM Music Conservatory run by AR Rahman. The institution is affiliated with the Middlesex University in the UK. She has also earned a certification from Berklee College of Music.
Talking about what nudged her to the field of law after all that she says, “I had started teaching music at a school during my time in India. Teaching made me realise the deep divide in education systems between the rich and poor and created a desire in me to become an international public interest attorney to help bridge the gap.”
The youngster is currently pursuing her master's in international educational development from Columbia University at present and plans to enrol in a law school after her master's is over in May 2024.
She has done a paralegal certification from Boston University which has enabled her to work as a paralegal professional.
Beyond the glitz and glamour
The actor-turned-soldier recently went through six months of rigorous training for the U.S. Army after being selected as a part-time paralegal specialist there. “I was pushed to the edge physically and mentally. I learned combat skills, rifle marksmanship, land navigation, how to survive in the field, how to throw grenades, and more,” she mentions.
She provides paralegal support to unit commanders and the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate in a wide range of legal matters which include criminal, international, civil, contract, and fiscal law.
Talking about the selection process in the US Army she mentions, “It is difficult. There is this test called the ASVAB that you need to get a certain score on to be selected for the paralegal specialist job. There are also physical fitness requirements that you must pass during training to graduate and become a soldier.”
Her fitness test involved deadlifting at least 120 pounds, running two miles within 22 minutes, doing push-ups, doing a plank, a power throw, and an event called sprint-drag-carry. Along with the fitness test soldiers must complete ruck marches.
“Ruck march means walking 5-12 miles with 35-50 pounds on your back. We also had to qualify for the M4 rifle. There are 40 targets and to qualify, soldiers must hit at least 23 of them,” she says.
The six months of training tested her limits and reshaped her perspective. “I did things I never thought I could do,” she says.
The love for law
The paralegal certification, the opportunity with the US armed forces, and her civil job have already laid a sound foundation for a full-fledged career in law for Akila.
“As a paralegal specialist in the Army, I gained extensive experience in legal research, drafting legal documents, and assisting with investigations and trials. I have been responsible for managing case files, preparing witnesses for testimony, and assisting attorneys with trial preparation,” she shared adding, “I have developed a strong sense of professionalism, teamwork, and leadership.”
Her responsibilities as a real estate paralegal span a wide spectrum, from managing high-volume transactions and ordering title searches to writing title commitments, preparing contracts, and closing documents, and coordinating closings with clients and lenders. She has assisted attorneys in all aspects of real estate transactions.
Purposeful ventures
Akila is in the US Army Reserve. Being part of the army reserve means she can be deployed to any country at any time within her eight-year contract. “I always have to be ready to be deployed anywhere to serve my country,” she says.
After her Army training, she came back home and went back to her civilian job as a real estate paralegal as being in the reserve is like a part-time job. “I have ‘drill’ weekends once every month and annual training two weeks every year. During drill weekends I do my paralegal specialist job and other army-related training such as going to the shooting range, doing field exercises, practicing first aid on casualties, and more,” she shares.
Musician at heart
Akila has always maintained her deep connection to music and has even managed an online music school, the Nightingale School of Music. She had begun singing at the age of four, after being introduced to Carnatic music. Whenever there were choirs and musicals in her school, she always was a part of those.
She loves educating children about the world of music. “No external achievement of mine can hold a flame to the joy that I get looking at children with constant smiles and enthusiasm for music,” she remarks.
Films are not ruled out
Although she plans to focus on law, she has not ruled out the idea of acting in Tamil films again. “I just want to focus on my studies right now, but my love for acting still calls to me,” she says.
Quite by chance, Akila had got a role in the Tamil horror movie ‘Kadampari’. “It happened by chance. I was participating in a lot of pageants in India when I moved there which made my social media presence higher. The director of the film found me through social media,” she says. “I had never really acted before but I’ve always loved watching horror movies so acting a possessed character, kind of came naturally.”
Being a master at time management
The multifaceted youngster is a master of time management and sometimes ‘compromises on doing fun things’ that most people in their 20s get to do like going out on weekends or traveling.
“I have always done so many things at the same time. In undergrad, I was doing my BA in music and teaching music at the International Village School while working in the Indian entertainment industry as a singer, model, and actress. Now during graduate school, I am doing my MA in International educational policy while working my 9-5 civilian job and my weekend army job.,” she says adding, “I think it’s all about time management.”
Her job keeps her occupied from nine in the morning to five in the evening. After that, she attends her classes until 9 pm. “So, by the time I get home, it is too late to do assignments, homework, and readings. Hence my weekends are filled with doing assignments,” she shares.
Finding support in the family
Akila’s family is her biggest support. “My parents gave me the best gift they could give their child: the freedom to follow their dreams. My parents have always gone above and beyond to help me with my career and I am doing everything I can to make them proud,” says the youngster who was born in Coimbatore and moved to the US when she was two.
[caption id="attachment_35247" align="aligncenter" width="423"] Akila Narayanan with her sister[/caption]
She considers her younger sister who is a pre-med student to be her best friend. “We love shopping for clothes, doing funny dances, and going to bookstores together,” she mentions.
Future plan – to be of use to others
Akila holds a deep inclination towards serving her community. She also nurtures the desire to start an NGO that advocates for and provides quality education to marginalised students in India. “Having a law degree will help me run this NGO,” she believes.
“I find great joy and pride in serving the nation and being a role model to young Indian American girls who aspire to join the military,” she signs off.
(April 15, 2023) The demand for water and energy is increasing at an unprecedented rate across the globe. Driven by steep population growth, urbanisation, and industrialisation, this increase in the demand has serious implications for the environment, as well as for economic development and social stability. While the world leaders are yet to find a solution for this urgent issue, a young Indian American researcher has come up with a potential solution for the rising water and energy demands. A Ph.D. candidate in Chemical Engineering at the University of Michigan, Harsh Patel is working on establishing novel low water content membranes, which are capable of selectively removing targeted ions from aqueous solutions like seawater, groundwater, and brines. The young researcher recently received the prestigious American Membrane Technology Association (AMTA) and United States Bureau of Reclamation Fellowship for Membrane Technology, along with a cash prize of $11,750. "I am extremely pleased to have received this honour," the researcher said, "Especially knowing that successful work in this area will have direct implications on global problems like water scarcity as well as technologies needed to implement the research at a larger scale.” For a noble cause A curious kid, Harsh felt quite strongly
essful work in this area will have direct implications on global problems like water scarcity as well as technologies needed to implement the research at a larger scale.”
For a noble cause
A curious kid, Harsh felt quite strongly about the water shortage issues faced by various parts of the world, since he was in the school. While he did work on several small ideas to save water at a local level, it was during his graduation years that the idea of developing a low water content membrane system that could distill even seawater. After finishing his school, the young researcher went on to obtain a BS in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology, and later joined the University of Michigan Ann Arbor, for his Ph.D.
[caption id="attachment_29302" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Harsh's experiment showing differences in ion selectivity in varying water content membranes[/caption]
Harsh's work investigates establishing novel next-generation ion-exchange membranes (IEMs) capable of selectively removing targeted ions from aqueous solutions to meet the rising water and energy demands. The results of this research will allow the discovery of design parameters to synthesise desirable IEMs for various ion separation applications which are critical for industrial applications such as lithium extraction, water softening, and nitrate recovery.
Explaining about his innovation, the Global Indian said, "IEMs are polymeric materials that possess charged functional groups on the polymer and can facilitate the transportation of counter-ions, while effectively rejecting co-ions. Most commercial IEMs cannot efficiently discriminate between different counterions, which hinders the effective isolation of lithium or nitrate as the solutions containing these two species possess other monovalent and divalent ions in high concentrations.”
[caption id="attachment_29301" align="aligncenter" width="691"] Harsh, after receiving the AMTA and Bureau of Reclamation Fellowship for Membrane Technology[/caption]
His research, however, will be crucial for the advanced treatment of alternative water supplies. "My research will have significant potential to reduce the cost, energy, and environmental impact of advanced treatment of recycling waste water and seawater that would offer clean, safe, abundant, and cost-effective water supplies in arid western states and across the globe." The researcher's work is currently revolving around synthesising inexpensive IEMs with controlled water content and charge density over broad ranges, creating opportunities to tune ion selectivity by exploring molecular-level phenomena that affect the competitive ion transport in IEMs.
Harsh is also a part of the University-funded Kamcev Lab, a research group that aims to develop next-generation polymeric materials for water treatment and energy generation and storage applications.
Avani Prashanth[/caption]
Avani Prashanth is an amateur golfer.[/caption]
Akila Narayanan[/caption]
Akila Narayanan[/caption]
Akila Narayanan[/caption]
Akila Narayanan with her sister[/caption]
Harsh's experiment showing differences in ion selectivity in varying water content membranes[/caption]
Harsh, after receiving the AMTA and Bureau of Reclamation Fellowship for Membrane Technology[/caption]