Olympic Dreams: Tennis champ Shrivalli wants to bring home the gold
Written by: Namrata Srivastava
(December 22, 2022) Shrivalli Rashmikaa Bhamidipaty, who was crowned the national hardcourt tennis champion (women’s singles) 2021, was 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. “I was just 11 years old and frankly, I only noticed the clothes of the kids who were playing at the stadium,” laughs the 20-year-old tennis star during an interview with Global Indian. “I told my father that I wanted to play because I also wanted to wear those clothes,” she adds.
Shrivalli Rashmikaa Bhamidipaty, tennis player
However, Shrivalli has come a long way since then. The right-handed tennis star, recently recorded twin victories as she entered the singles quarterfinals and doubles semi-finals of the Balaji Amines Solapur Open Women’s ITF $25K Tennis Tournament held in Solapur. The player is currently doing her degree at St. Francis College for Women, Hyderabad, has also won numerous titles, including ITF Women’s (doubles) $15000 – 2022 held in Gurugram. She was also a semi-finalist at the ITF Women’s (singles) $15000 – 2022, Ahmedabad.
Making of a champion
Born to two sports players – her father being a cricketer and mother a national-level basketball player – Shrivalli was always encouraged to play sports. “I was a very active child, mostly because my parents were into outdoor activities. My father, especially, is a sports freak. He encouraged me to pick up an extra-curricular activity in school,” shares the tennis star, who is also a trained Carnatic singer.
While she took part in various sports, including swimming and roller skating, tennis was her ‘one true love’. And once she started training, it did not take the coaches at the LB stadium much time to realise that Shrivalli was a gifted player.
“For the first year, I went to the stadium to just have fun. I was the most talkative kid in the stadium, who loved picking up balls more than hitting them,” she laughs, adding, “But one day when my father had come to pick me up, one of the coaches asked him if I would like to take up the sport professionally. After coming home, my father posed the same question. In fact, I remember he warned me that it would be a tough journey. I was about 12 years old and didn’t really understand what was so tough about playing tennis. So, I just said yes,” the tennis player recalls.
Even as she worked hard to win every tournament, she did not forget to enjoy her childhood. Although she was a good student, she was also a trouble-maker in class. “I was a notorious student. A few friends and I would bunk classes together. We would never leave the school premises, but we just would not attend the classes some times. Since I was very talkative, the teachers would sometimes even kick me out of the class. But I was a good student, my grades were really good. And I’d win gold in almost every tournament, so my teachers and principal were happy with me,” smiles the tennis champ.
When the going gets tough
During her initial years, the tennis player won several medals, including the national title 2014-15, and under-18 petit camp open doubles in Mauritius in 2016. However, like every player she had to face some tough losses as well. While she recognised her potential as a player, Shrivalli learnt a lot from the matches she couldn’t win.
Shrivalli with her parents
“I knew right from the beginning that I was able to do something extraordinary, something not everyone could do. As a junior, I wasn’t much of a performing kid. So, I would constantly put pressure on myself to perform well. And when I didn’t, the losses hit me very hard. Also, the other tennis players my age were performing really well, and I would inadvertently compare myself with them. In almost every tournament, even before the draw was out, I would freak out,” shares the young player.
For two years, Shrivalli constantly struggled with self-doubt which affected her game. Explaining how important it is to be mentally strong to win the games, the tennis player adds, “I did go to a psychologist subsequently and that helped me a lot. I started concentrating on my game more than the outcomes. So, as I moved towards my under-18s, my game improved a lot.” Her parents, Shrivalli says, were very supportive through her journey, and never once put pressure on her.
Olympic dreams
One of her biggest victories was defeating Rutuja Bhosale at the ITF $25K Pune R1 – 2021. That instilled a great deal of confidence in her. “I think all players feel nervous before a match. I do too. But I am confident now that I can play against, and defeat, any player,” remarks Shrivalli, who is very inspired by Novak Djokovic.
Shrivalli 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 tournament. But a dream come true will be representing India at the Olympics and winning gold for the country,” says the tennis star, who loves cooking or baking in her free time.
(September 13, 2024) When 19-year-old Josh Roy presented his AI-implemented solution for the genetic modification of whiteflies, at the 2024 TKS Focus Hackathon, it emerged as the global winner, beating over 400 competitors from 300 cities and 80 teams. His solution aims to combat the devastating impact of Cassava Mosaic Disease (CMD) on cassava plants, an essential food staple in the tropics, and address food insecurity. This groundbreaking project, validated by leaders such as the Global Head of Data Science at GSK, was showcased at London Tech Week 2024, which attracted over 45,000 attendees. It also earned Josh a scholarship to the prestigious Villars Institute's inaugural ecopreneurship program. Josh is in active discussions with researchers, NGOs, and technology companies to bring his solution to market and positively impact millions of lives. This November, the US-based youngster would be flying to West Africa to receive the prestigious Global Entrepreneurs Award. “I am due to collect the award in-person in the world's first entrepreneurship village in Akure, Nigeria, where the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu and billionaire Mrs. Folorunso Alakija would be present as guests of honour,” he tells Global Indian. [caption id="attachment_39224" align="aligncenter" width="508"] Josh
would be present as guests of honour,” he tells Global Indian.
[caption id="attachment_39224" align="aligncenter" width="508"] Josh Roy at the London Tech Week[/caption]
There’s more to Josh’s personality. A passionate musician and host of The CapitalTycoon Podcast, where he engages with successful innovators, he was also the first student in the UK to complete a music GCSE in tabla. 'Tabla is one of the main focuses in my life alongside entrepreneurship. If you think about it, the two go hand in hand, as both require the ability to think creatively,' he remarks.
Dabbling in AI-powered innovation, music and podcasting
The British-born innovator describes himself as ‘a design engineer at the intersection of business, tech, and product design’ and is passionate about creating solutions to make the world a better place. As the developer of AI-powered innovations, he also identifies as an AI ethicist and is working on an AI-powered tabla tutor prototype designed to train students at all levels, aiming to revolutionize tabla education.
When asked how he balances his academics, music and other interests he smiles, “I don't know if I balance it well, and I'm not sure I'm at the stage to offer advice on how to find balance in my work. As my mentor John Spence told me, "If you genuinely enjoy and are obsessed with what you're working on, that's what you should be doing." I believe it's this sense of enjoyment I get from these projects that keeps them from feeling tedious or time-consuming."
Josh looks at each aspect of his life as complementary rather than separate. For instance, he looks at his podcast as an avenue to explore new ideas while engaging with successful innovators who provide insights that often benefit in his own entrepreneurial ventures.
The Indian-origin innovator who was born and brought up in the UK, received training in Tabla by Kuljit Bhamra MBE. “My passion for the tabla offers a creative outlet that recharges me mentally, which is essential when juggling high-pressure projects,” he remarks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xxT7frsjtE
He has chosen an alternative education path through The Knowledge Society (TKS), where learning is deeply integrated with hands-on, real-world problem solving. “This flexible approach has allowed me to dedicate time to all my passions,” he mentions.
Josh got the opportunity to enroll in the two-year TKS programme after bagging the Unicorn Scholarship, which is only awarded to 20 students annually. He ranked in the top 0.06% of the 31,298 students who applied in the most recent batch. Its acceptance rate is far lower than that of the most prestigious universities in the world.
Combatting Cassava Mosaic Disease to address food insecurity
It all started with an upbringing that focused on seva. Even before he turned 10, Josh started volunteering with food banksand distributing meals to underprivileged elderly people. This sparked his commitment to tackling food insecurity. While he was still in school, the opportunities to attend tech conferences opened his eyes to technology’s potential. Later, a few Hackathon victories fuelled his desire to work on the problem of food insecurity all the more, and he came up with the AI-optimized tool for the genetic modification of whiteflies - engineered to combat the devastating impact of Cassava Mosaic Disease that has potential to benefit35 million Nigerians.
Cassava is a calorie-rich vegetable and the third-largest source of carbohydrates in food in the tropics, after rice and maize, making it an important staple. In African Cassava Mosaic Virus is a plant virus that infects cassava plants, causing mosaic symptoms on leaves and leading to significant yield losses in regions where cassava is a major food source. It is primarily transmitted through infected cassava stem cuttings and by the whitefly Bemisia tabaci. When Josh came to know how millions of people in Nigeria suffer from food insecurity due to the Cassava Mosaic Disease, the AI enthusiast got drawn to solve a solution to the problem, and came up with an AI-driven gene editing solution for the genetic modification of whiteflies that cause the Cassava Mosaic Disease.
[caption id="attachment_39225" align="aligncenter" width="512"] Josh during the Villars Institute's mentorship programme[/caption]
Later, the week-long mentorship he received from ecopreneurs and scientists — pioneers in their respective fields — as part of his scholarship to the prestigious Villars Institute broadened his horizons. “With guidance from experts like Sofia de Meyer and Sofia Khwaja-Horekens, I've refined my food insecurity project, focusing on key stakeholders. Meeting people like the chief economist of Mars Inc. Bruno Roche and my mentor Jini Sebakunzi was an honour, and the experience deepened my connection with nature, and problems in its realm,” he says.
Work in progress
“The next steps involve collaborating with agricultural institutions in Nigeria and across Africa to conduct field trials of the modified whiteflies. This will help demonstrate the tool's effectiveness in real-world conditions. We are also working on partnerships with government bodies and NGOs to create awareness and ensure smooth adoption of this innovation. Once proven in field tests, scaling the technology will involve aligning with policymakers, farmers, and supply chain partners to ensure it reaches the 35 million Nigerians who stand to benefit,” tells Josh.
For the youngster, the goal is to not only combat CMD but to create a sustainable model that can be replicated across different regions suffering from crop diseases, ensuring long-term food security.
“My Father was my support for me from the beginning of my unconventional path and encouraged me going against cultural expectations by working to solve humanity's biggest problems through entrepreneurship or should I say, ecopreneurship,” he remarks.
Other projects
Josh has worked onother AIprojects like Project Dynamo while pursuing a consulting challenge with The Knowledge Society (TKS). “It's an initiative I launched to train NGO students in climate change problem-solving and systems thinking, partnering with SOS Children's Villages, India. This project also leveraged AI to translate educational content into regional languages, making it more accessible across diverse communities,” he informs.
Additionally, he has worked alongside Google for another TKS Challenge in AI-driven initiatives, for addressing problems like information overload that its employees face.
Josh Roy understands the importance of quality mentorship and has actively pursued it from business leaders.
Determined to reach out to John Spence, the Chairman of Karma Group Global, the youngster tried over 100 email variations until he successfully connected with Spence. “I was inspired by the experience he created at Karma so I was determined to get his mentorship for entrepreneurship. I tried 100 different variations of emails with trial and error as it was hard to find, until his personal hotmail email worked when I found it through a chrome extension,” he says.
This persistence led to a year and a half of valuable email exchanges, culminating in a phone call. “Since then, Spence has been reading my monthly newsletter where I update him and my other mentors on my personal growth. I consider him and his philosophies an influence in my projects and business endeavours. Persistence won at the end,” remarks Josh who loves speaking opportunities.
In addition to Spence, Josh has built strong relationships with other mentors like Kabir Mathur CEO and co-founder, Leen and Manoj Thacker, entrepreneur, and ambassador of Innovaud Swiss. He connected with Kabir during a family trip to Egypt and with Manoj through a friend's introduction. “Both mentors have been instrumental in guiding my journey, with Kabir even nominating me for The Diana Award and supporting my case for an O-1 visa in the US,” he says. Josh’s persistence to seek guidance have earned him mentorships that continue to shape his entrepreneurial path.
In the shoes of a mentor
One of the youngster’s moments of pride has been getting into the shoes of a mentor of 300 youngsters at Toronto in AI and gene editing for 1517 Fund's annual summit.
“I got the opportunity to mentor alongside a panel of 15 other mentors consisting of Zach Laberge (18-year-old founder of Frenter, who raised over three million CAD), Danielle Stratchman (co-founder, Thiel Fellowship) and Michael Patrick-Gibson (author of Paper Belt on Fire),” tells Josh adding, “I recall a Neuralink intern, Kyrylo Kalashnikov, attending the office hours I was hosting. Gaining exposure to some of the brightest minds in North America was both humbling and inspiring. It felt like they were the true mentors, even though I had the label of mentor for a day!”
[caption id="attachment_39228" align="aligncenter" width="497"] Josh during 1517 Fund's office hour[/caption]
The migration story and future
Born in Tooting, London Josh hails from a family with roots in Kolkata. He was raised in Ascot for most of his life, as well as in Lambeth. His mother is a singer-songwriter who was born in London, and did schooling both in India and the UK. His father is a corporate professional who was born and raised in Kolkata. This March, the youngster moved to the US along with his father who got a new job posting. “I decided to relocate with him and pursue my entrepreneurial dreams in the US,” he says.
In the short-term, Josh’s priorities are clear and twofold: "Radical collaboration with agricultural engineers, scientists and farmers to refine and implement my solutions, ensuring credibility and scalability. Secondly, to earn my O-1 Visa that will allow me to better pursue my entrepreneurial endeavours in the US." He is happy that he received his OCI last month.
With prestigious awards, recognitions, scholarships and mentorship the youngster is confident of making his entrepreneurial dream in America come true.
(October 19, 2023) When UmaSofia Srivastava was just a little girl, she'd stay up late with her mom, captivated by the dazzling beauty pageants on TV. During one of those magical moments, she declared to her parents, "I'll be a beauty queen one day." Fast forward to today, and that dream has become a reality for this 17-year-old from New Jersey. After enduring weeks of scrutiny and competition, she was crowned the new Miss Teen USA. "Is this for real?" the teen from New Jersey exclaimed soon after the host of the evening, Justin Sylvester, declared her to be the winner of the contest. UmaSofia, who is of Indian and Mexican heritage, emerged triumphant from a talented group of 51 young women representing every state in the USA "I am so grateful and honored that I’m the first Mexican-Indian, first New Jersey, your Miss Teen USA 2023," she wrote on social media, adding, "This night is truly the best night of my life because I was crowned with the people that have loved and supported me throughout everything cheering for me in the audience." "The class of 2023 is truly so special. Getting to stand alongside each of my intelligent, impactful,
ruly the best night of my life because I was crowned with the people that have loved and supported me throughout everything cheering for me in the audience."
"The class of 2023 is truly so special. Getting to stand alongside each of my intelligent, impactful, and beautiful sisters already made me the luckiest girl in the world," the Global Indian added. "I have so much more to say, but for everyone who believed that a girl like me could win, who had a kind word to say or thought to think for me this week, I am so grateful. I’m yours USA!"
Not just a pretty face
A junior at the Academy of St. Elizabeth in Parsippany-Troy Hills, UmaSofia grew up in a family that supported all her dreams and aspirations. However, there were times when the teenager would feel lonely. "Growing up I did not see a lot of representation for people from either India or Mexico in the USA. I am glad that slowly but surely things are changing now. I would like to be a part of that change, and now especially since I have won this crown."
A lot more than her age, UmaSofia is a staunch humanitarian. She believes in ethnic diversity, cultural inclusivity, and societal equality, and is the cofounder of the Diversity and Inclusion Campaign at her school. The owner of the famous blog website, 'That's Fan Behavior'- which covers everything from feminism, her experience as a woman of colour, interviews with changemakers, and the many other things she’s passionate about - the beauty queen is also a published author with the title “The White Jaguar” to her credit.
"My dad's nickname for me growing up was 'his little jaguar', and that's what inspired the title of my book. Sometimes because of my background, I felt like I did not fit in. So, my book is about a little white jaguar, who has a different coloured coat than the other jaguars in the jungle. And she goes on a journey, where she meets other animals who help her embrace her differences. I aimed to create a story that would deeply connect with immigrants of colour, offering them hope and encouragement to wholeheartedly embrace their authentic selves without apology. I was able to incorporate a little bit of myself into the story," shared UmaSofia, who didn't want the book to be just in English. "People who come from diverse backgrounds - like me - don't just communicate in English at home. So, I have included words from several languages in the book, including Hindi, Spanish, and French."
More crowns to win
Motivated by the impactful work of changemakers both in the United States and around the globe, UmaSofia joined hands with the Lotus Petal Foundation, where she champions the well-being of underprivileged children in India. Her involvement spans various initiatives, encompassing education, nutrition, and healthcare, all aimed at fostering the holistic development of these young minds. As a passionate advocate for education, she took it upon herself to gather and contribute more than a thousand books to the Bridge of Books Foundation. Her generous act aimed to enrich the world of knowledge for economically disadvantaged children in New Jersey, ensuring that the wealth of literature reaches those who need it most.
While she is gearing up to represent her state and country in various other beauty competitions, the teenager is also working towards becoming a UN ambassador after finishing her graduation. Sharing a piece of advice for all the girls who are going to participate in these competitions, UmaSofia said, "I think what's most important is to stay true to yourself. We all have goals, ambition, and passion. But it is imperative to be open and accepting of other people's aspirations and journeys as well."
(June 16, 2023) In the realm of scientific discovery, there are individuals whose exceptional talent and dedication propel them to new heights of innovation. Such is the case with Indian-American teen Saathvik Kannan, a prodigious young scientist who recently made headlines for winning the prestigious Regeneron Young Scientist Award, accompanied by a remarkable $50,000 prize. Saathvik's groundbreaking research in biocomputational methods shed light on the heightened infectivity of the mpox (monkeypox) virus, which resurfaced in the world in 2022, presenting a significant public health challenge. Research on mpox The re-emergence of the mpox virus in 2022 sent shockwaves throughout the scientific community and global population alike. This highly infectious disease had previously been considered largely eradicated, with only sporadic cases reported in remote regions. However, its resurgence demanded immediate attention and investigation to understand the causes behind its heightened infectivity. It was during this critical juncture that Saathvik, armed with his extraordinary scientific acumen, embarked on a mission to unlock the mysteries surrounding mpox. [caption id="attachment_31118" align="aligncenter" width="586"] Saathvik Kannan[/caption] Kanan's pioneering research was centered on the utilisation of biocomputational methods, which he used to unearth and understand the factors causing such infectious diseases as monkeypox that resurged in 2022
Kanan's pioneering research was centered on the utilisation of biocomputational methods, which he used to unearth and understand the factors causing such infectious diseases as monkeypox that resurged in 2022 when the COVID-19 pandemic began to recede in most parts of the world. Bioplex, the approach he used, uses machine learning and three-dimensional protein modeling to decode structures enabling the virus to replicate. Showing his gratitude for his mentor, the Global Indian wrote, "I was overjoyed and incredibly excited. I felt that it reflected our work with Dr Singh's mentorship and guidance over the last few years culminating in my project this year."
How it began
The Missouri-born and raised Indian American was in eighth standard when he became interested in programming, and soon began learning python and other programming languages. However, it was at the age of 14 that he was propelled into the world of computational biology, after meeting a University of Missouri researcher. It began in the summer of in 2020, during the pandemic, when Saathvik's father came across a paper published by Kamlendra Singh detailing the use of RNA polymerase inhibitors while creating an initial vaccine. The paper gained attention in the scientific community nationally and internationally.
Saathvik soon reached out to Kamlendra to set up a meeting on Zoom to understand how his abilities could be used in a lab setting. To which Kamlendra replied, "If I could have a computer programmer, I could do better research." This was Saathvik's cue and soon they both joined hands, which was the beginning of a new partnership. With Covid-19 at its peak, Saathvik built a program to help analyse mutations in many viral organisms, thus leading to a paper about the D614G mutation within Covid-19.
Research for the future
Alongside the Covid-19 research, he also wrote a paper on the mpox virus after its resurgence in the 2022, which highlights the way new mutations affect the virus. "The research provides a basis for understanding several new outbreaks," Kannan said, adding, "As we have realized with Covid-19 and even mpox, any virus can go from dormancy to a full resurgence in a very short period. So, there is potential for another outbreak of mpox, where this research could be used." His research can help better understand viruses like mpox.
Beyond the scientific realm, Saathvik's achievement serves as a beacon of inspiration for young aspiring scientists worldwide. His unwavering dedication, tireless efforts, and groundbreaking research stand as a testament to the power of passion and perseverance in the pursuit of knowledge.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIj6b4GQ0Uk
The Regeneron Young Scientist Award, which recognizes exceptional scientific inquiry and innovation in high school students, is a testament to the impact young minds can have on the world. By honoring Saathvik Kanan's research on the mpox virus, this award amplifies the urgency of addressing emerging infectious diseases and encourages further exploration into the mechanisms that drive their resurgence.
The senior at Hickman High School Columbia, who likes to strike a good balance between his research and social life, is excited to continue his research even during his college life because learning is his priority.
(October 17, 2023) "It doesn't feel real. It's probably not going to set in for a while. But man, that was a lot of good golf, and that was some of the most fun I've ever had in my life." 2023 has been a strong year for Californian golfer Sahith Theegala, who captured his first PGA Tour victory in September at the Fortinet Championship. He finished 21-under 267 at Silverado Resort's North Course in in Napa, California, as friends and family cheered him on from the stands. "Just the support I have is mind blowing. I got to bed at night these last few days and i'm like, I can't believe how many people are cheering for me and rooting for me," Sahith told Golf Week USA. "I can definitely hear my dad," he smiled. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sahith Reddy Theegala (@srtheegala) Theegala's father, Muralidharan Theegala, has always been his number one fan, escorting him daily to practice all through his childhood. At the time, only the reasonably-priced municipal golf courses were within reach financially, and Theegala and his parents were determined to do whatever it took. Every evening when it was
Theegala's father, Muralidharan Theegala, has always been his number one fan, escorting him daily to practice all through his childhood. At the time, only the reasonably-priced municipal golf courses were within reach financially, and Theegala and his parents were determined to do whatever it took. Every evening when it was time to leave his beloved golf course for the day, Sahith Theegala would burst into tears, begging begging to stay a little longer. He went on to win the Junior World Championships at the age of six. Now in his senior year at Pepperdine University, the Indian-origin golfer also has four collegiate titles and the Australian Master of the Amateurs under his belt. In 2020, he also won the Haskins Award, the Ben Hogan Award and the Jack Nicklaus Award. He is the fifth player ever to win all the Player of the Year honours. In the American golf scene, dominated by whites, Sahith Theegala stands out, also because Indian-American sports stars don't come around too often.
Inspiring Through Adversity
Theegala is an inspiration for more reasons than being a prodigy. The 24-year-old suffers from scoliosis, which is an abnormal curvature of the spine - one shoulder is visibly higher than the other. He works with his chiropractor and although it doesn't cause him pain, it does account for a "pretty big bend to the right," and an unorthodox swing. Despite this significant setback, the Global Indian went on to become one of the best golfers at Pepperdine University and is loved for his infectious enthusiasm, both on and off the greens.
Born and raised in LA, the son of Karuna and Muralidhar Theegala, Sahith maintains a strong connection to his Indian roots. He lives at home with his parents, for one. In February 2022, when he lost out to Scottie Scheffler at the very last moment, he won more fans than he could have hoped when, according to Golf Digest, he teared up and sobbed on his mother's shoulder, as his dad stood by saying, "It's okay." Sahith's father, Muralidhar, moved to the US from Hyderabad in 1987, to attend graduate school and the family still goes back to India as often as they can.
The Indian-American golfer's childhood was spent on municipal golf courses, which charge a modest $30 for a round. The courses aren't well-maintained but it was all his middle-class family could afford - and they were keen to nurture their son's talent. "My dad, even though he never plays golf, he's the one that taught me the game pretty much," he told PGATOUR.com.
"We weren't in the greatest financial situation when I was a kid and we had no experience with sports at all, so my father spearheaded the whole mission to college and professional golf... He put everything that he could into me." Despite their financial constraints, Theegala's parents spent their savings on buying him equipment, paying course fees, for a trainer, travel costs and the litany of expenses that came with his passion.
Determined not to let his scoliosis stand in his way, Theegala would spend days out on dusty golf courses, adapting "his putting stroke by tilting his head to the right so he could see the appropriate line from the gall to hole," according to the New York Times.
In 2015, Theegala graduated with honours from high school in California and had won a number of golf awards by that time. "I'd say I was a pretty good golfer," he said, in the interview with PGATOUR.com. He made it to Pepperdine University in California, which is ranked in the top 10 in men's golf among US Universitites. "At Pepperdine, I went from average to slightly good to what I felt like was ready to be a decent professional golfer."
An emotional @SRTheegala is consoled by mom and dad after coming up 1 shot short of a playoff @WMPhoenixOpen.
His winning streak in 2019 came to an abrupt pause after a wrist injury. He bounced back, though, making his professional debut in June 2020, somewhat unconventionally. Theegala might not have imagined starting out with the Outlaw Tour but gave a stellar performance nonetheless. The pandemic dealt a heavy blow, when the Pepperdine campus closed and Theegala had to return home. Although that season ended prematurely, Sahith's team ranked first in the country.
His family is always in the stands as he plays, cheering him on. And his fan base is always growing. "I'm an introvert by nature," he told NYT. "You hear about the best performers in the world - singers and dancers - who are really big introverts. But it's different when you get on the stage. When I'm in the act of playing golf, I don't even think about people watching."
Theegala is, however, always aware of being an Indian American, of the fact that it means he is viewed differently by default. He's also playing a sport that has never really welcomed non-white players. "I'm definitely proud of my Indian heritage and I hope I'm inspiring other Indian Americans and people in India to know they can compete in sports," he says. "It's obviously not the main purpose of being out there but it's an ancillary effect of what we're doing and I'm all for it."
(January 20, 2024) For countless years, girls have often found themselves on the sidelines when it comes to the field of software development. Whether due to societal expectations, limited opportunities, or outdated stereotypes, a barrier has existed, keeping many young girls from exploring this industry. However, a remarkable 13-year-old is reshaping the narrative. Kyra Anand, a young coder based in Dubai, founded the 'Girls Do Code' initiative at the tender age of 10. Amidst the COVID-19 lockdowns, Kyra adeptly learned Scratch and Python online. Recognizing the glaring underrepresentation of women in the tech industry, this young coder established the initiative with the aim of inspiring more girls to explore coding and technology. "I created 'Girls Do Code' as I really love coding myself, and I am passionate about getting more women into coding. I truly believe that girls are capable of doing anything. While I was learning a few coding languages from my father, I noticed that several of the girls in my class - though curious - didn't know where to learn these languages. So, I established a platform where everyone can learn the nuances of these languages from," shared the young coder, who is also a Diana Award
I noticed that several of the girls in my class - though curious - didn't know where to learn these languages. So, I established a platform where everyone can learn the nuances of these languages from," shared the young coder, who is also a Diana Award winner.
Starting young
Born and brought up in the United Arab Emirates, Kyra was always fascinated by coding languages, and all the cool things one can create after learning them - an interest she shares with her father. However, during the pandemic, while she was learning these languages from her father, Kyra noted a lack of similar passion for technology among the girls around her. It was this realisation that prompted her to take the initiative in spreading her love for technology among her friends and in society at large.
"I realised it was only them, but it was almost all the girls in my grade in school that really weren't interested in technology, and I was shocked because I love technology so much,” said the coder, who is currently a student at the Jumeirah College. After a bit of survey, where she connected with girls her age in Dubai and India, the youngster proposed the idea of establishing a teaching platform to her father, who was more than happy to assist her in the endeavour.
"My father really supported me through this journey. I knew a bit of coding, however, putting it all together was still a bit of a task for me. He helped me figure out a lot of things, and I am very grateful for that. At that time, I was also teaching a few of my cousins, and my sole mission was to launch Girls Do Code as a project to provide coding education to girls in my community," the coder shared, who enthusiastically approached her teachers to organise coding sessions during lunch breaks at school and after school hours.
A young visionary
With time, however, Girls Do Code became bigger. The initiative broadened its outreach, and Kyra collaborated with organisations - in Dubai and India - to provide education to underprivileged and street children. "I thought why not share this passion with a lot more girls and maybe help them gain interest? So, then I started teaching my community, taught my cousin, and then my mother told me about an organisation called Harmony House in India. They didn’t have a computer programme, so I thought I should teach them," the coder expressed.
Connecting India and the UAE through technology, Kyra began conducting classes via Zoom while teaching her local community face-to-face. The coder starts by teaching young girls Scratch, a computer language that helps develop logical thinking skills, and then progresses to Python. “I have taught around 36 children today including Code to Care volunteers who are the volunteers in my school who want to help GDC," the Global Indian said.
Kyra believes that coding is an essential life skill that nurtures logical and structured thinking, benefiting everyone. Her impact goes beyond coding, as seen in her 'G.I.V.E. initiative,' where she raises funds for charities and organises community activities throughout the year. Talking about what is keeping her busy these days, the young coder said, "Currently, I am working on an inventive project that involves developing a system capable of identifying whether someone is wearing a mask or not using their webcam."
Josh Roy at the London Tech Week[/caption]
Josh during the Villars Institute's mentorship programme[/caption]
Josh Roy[/caption]
Josh during 1517 Fund's office hour[/caption]
