Oyon Ganguly: Indian American teen’s attempt to conserve and reuse water
Compiled by: Team GI Youth
(April 12, 2023) It was the viral ALS ice-bucket challenge – wherein participants dump buckets of cold water on each other’s heads – that made the then nine-year-old Oyon Ganguly come up with an idea of a water-recycling device as he was surprised by the terrible waste of water. 10-minute shower wastes 50 gallons of water – this piece of information was enough for this Indian American to come up with The Cleaner – a water recycling prototype that filters water to be re-used in the shower. The invention won this Massachusetts resident Invention Mighty Minds contest, a national-level contest run jointly by the National Inventors Hall of Fame (NIHF) which acts as America’s platform for budding young inventors.
“I asked my mom how much water is used in a single shower and I learned that around 50 gallons of water is used in a single use. Multiply that by five people taking 20-minute showers, that’s around 500 gallons,” he said in a YouTube video. This was enough for him to come up with a device that could recycle and reuse water that drains away during a shower. His invention was made inside a strawberry box that held three layers of cleaning material–gravel, sand, and charcoal.
Explaining how his invention works, the Global Indian said in an interview, “When someone takes a shower, the water goes down the drain and through the pipe before it reaches a filter with three layers: gravel, sand, and charcoal. The water, which is now clean and filtered, sits in a storage tank before it gets pumped back up to the bathtub. Because over time, the filter gets clogged, there will be a little door to make sure you get access to the filter.”
The grandson of Bengali novelist and Sahitya Akademi award-winner Sunil Gangopadhyay, Oyon took the help of his friend Mateo Rosado for the filtering process. Oyon reveals that his invention can save both water and money. “Even though the invention can be expensive, it saves the government from spending more money to get water and also reduced your water bill,” he explained in the video.
He credits his mother for making him participate in the Mighty Minds competition. “I went to Camp Invention in Watertown. We build things with recycled materials and my shower model was built mostly with recycled stuff. I spent an hour over two weekends putting together the presentation,” he said.
Oyon has worked on another invention idea – The Space Cleaner – a solar-powered robot with one arm that melts space junk and the other arm vacuums up the melted liquid. The idea for this came to him while watching Apollo 13 with his parents. The Indian American thought to himself, “What happens to everything that’s flying off the ship into space?”
He plans to be one of the three things when he grows up – an inventor, work at Lego, or for Mojang (the company that develops the video game Minecraft).
(May 24, 2024) “So grateful to have had the opportunity to immerse myself in the Bridgerton universe, dressing up and joining the world of Julia Quinn’s incredible characters. Thank you, Netflix and Shondaland, for a wonderful experience that I will forever cherish,” British-Indian actress Banita Sandhu shared with her fans, announcing her Hollywood debut in the eagerly awaited third season of Netflix’s Bridgerton. The first episode of the Season 3 premiered this month, with Banita sharing the screen with British actors like Luke Newton and Nicola Coughlan. Banita’s character, Miss Malhotra, introduces a fresh dynamic to the social scene of the show's fictional Regency-era London, challenging the established norms among its eligible bachelors. [caption id="attachment_37960" align="aligncenter" width="614"] Banita Sandhu on the sets of Bridgerton[/caption] Bridgerton, adapted from Julia Quinn's novels, has mesmerised audiences in all its seasons with its lavish production design, captivating storylines, and diverse casting bringing the story of the nobility of the early 1800s in London. From UK to India Banita Sandhu hails from Wales, UK. She began her acting journey on the local stages in the UK before getting an opportunity to play roles on the screen - in TV commercials and short films. The English
rton, adapted from Julia Quinn's novels, has mesmerised audiences in all its seasons with its lavish production design, captivating storylines, and diverse casting bringing the story of the nobility of the early 1800s in London.
From UK to India
Banita Sandhu hails from Wales, UK. She began her acting journey on the local stages in the UK before getting an opportunity to play roles on the screen - in TV commercials and short films. The English Literature student had started working in short films even before she turned 18, and later worked in ads for Vodafone India and Wrigleys. Very early on in her career, at the age of just 20, Banita got an opportunity to work in Bollywood.
It was while working for Wrigley’s ad which was being directed by Bollywood director Shoojit Sircar that she caught his attention and earned the Bollywood break.
The 26-year-old made her Indian cinema debut in 2018 in ‘October’, a Shoojit Sircar film opposite Varun Dhawan. She was a second-year student of English Literature at the King’s College, London at that time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vracgLyJwI
The following year Banita went on to star in a Tamil production ‘Adithya Varma’ (remake of Telugu film Arjun Reddy) and the sci-fi series for Netflix, ‘Pandora’. Banita also worked with singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh in his track ‘Jind Mahi’, a love ballad.
Acting across continents the British-Indian actress went on to work at the British Dark Comedy, ‘Eternal Beauty’, and later Shoojit Sircar’s historical drama ‘Sardar Udham’ starring Vicky Kaushal.
The India connection
“My grandparents came to Britain from Punjab, northern India, shortly after World War II. Both my parents were born here and my sister and I were raised in a middle-class existence in Caerleon,” Banita told BBC.
Although she grew up with an interest in acting, low representation of South Asians on screen in the UK made her ambitions seem unreal. Also, coming to terms with her cultural identity was challenging. There were very few Asian girls in her small town which predominantly had only white people. “I really struggled with my identity as a kid. I used to hate my skin colour and wished I was the blond girl who all the boys liked,” she said in an interview with the Guardian.
Banita did not have any known relatives in India, nor had she travelled to the country before. However when an opportunity to work in Bollywood fell in her lap, she was more than happy.Working in Indian films helped her learn about her country of origin. “I loved learning more about the culture, my family’s lives, struggles and traditions,” she said.
In preparation for her debut in Bollywood, the UK-born actor, who could speak only a smattering of Punjabi, had to learn Hindi, and took lessons for a year before the filming began. It was a challenging task and she was nervous about her delivery in a new language, but luckily most of her lines were a hybrid of English and Hindi, and things went well.
Making strides in acting beyond boundaries
Since then, Banita has worked in many film projects across continents. Her recent film Mother Teresa and Me went to earn the Best Film Award at the Mirabile Dictu International Film Festival. Sardar Udham starring Vicky Kaushal has won awards in the categories of Best Hindi Film (feature), best cinematography, best audio, best costume design and best production design at the 69th National film awards held in 2023.
Banita has several brand promotion projects in her kitty. She has wrapped up her work in India’s spy sequel ‘Our Agent 116’ before immersing herself in the world of Bridgerton in Hollywood. “Wish I could keep the costumes,” the actor joked, talking about the grandeur, glitz and glamour of the regency era that the historical romance series offers.
(May 10, 2024) After graduating from the Ramaiah Institute of Technology in Bengaluru, Pranay Kumar embarked on a new chapter in Sikkim. Passionate about entrepreneurship, he founded Chakrasfarm Pvt Ltd, which found a home at the AIC-SMUTBI at the Manipal Institute of Technology at Sikkim. The breathtaking beauty of the state served as a catalyst for his thoughts on climate change, as he noticed a lack of awareness on the subject in the region. Pranay founded the non-profit Nine Foundation which has impacted 500 students. “It’s a non-profit organisation I established to tackle climate change through education. The best part is that we offer our program completely free of cost to students. We don’t charge anything from schools we collaborate with,” Pranay tells Global Indian. Although agritech had sparked his journey, the Sikkim floods ignited in him a passion that he couldn't ignore. “As an engineer, I felt compelled to contribute to nature. Witnessing the exploitation of our planet became too much to ignore,” he shares. [caption id="attachment_37722" align="aligncenter" width="655"] Pranay Kumar[/caption] Compelled to take action “Witnessing our planet's vulnerability, I knew action was crucial. Inspired by UCDF, I co-founded Nine Foundation, not just to educate, but to empower. Seeing
“Witnessing our planet's vulnerability, I knew action was crucial. Inspired by UCDF, I co-founded Nine Foundation, not just to educate, but to empower. Seeing the potential in young minds fuelled my mission to equip them as the leaders of tomorrow's climate fight,” he remarks.
The Chakrasfarm project got on hold due to unforeseen reasons but the engineer with an entrepreneurial bent of mind started a travel company. Moreover, the foundation has injected a new lease of life into his journey.
So profound is Pranay’s commitment to the cause that he incurs all expenses of the foundation from his own pocket. However, the rewards he gains from this investment are priceless. "There's something truly special about being present, engaging directly with the students, and witnessing their enthusiasm firsthand," he shares.
He looks at education as a tool to change the mindset of an entire generation, creating a ripple effect that lasts for decades.
The Nine Foundation
“The name ‘Nine’ wasn't chosen at random. It symbolises completion and new beginnings, which perfectly reflects our commitment to a sustainable future, and I believe education is the key to real change,” Pranay says, about the significance behind the foundation’s name.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdY-3QFGGa4
Pranay and his team partners with schools to integrate climate education into their curriculum, making environmental awareness and action an essential part of the students’ learning experience. The aim is to empower students to become informed advocates for planet Earth, equip them with knowledge and critical thinking skills they need to create a more sustainable future.
“While I have a fantastic and reliable team who helps initiate partnerships with schools, I also make it a priority to visit these schools myself whenever possible,” Pranay remarks.
Nine Foundation team engages senior and junior classes, sparking interest and action through interactive workshops and presentations. These sessions explore the science behind climate change, present real-world solutions, and empower students to take ownership of their environmental impact.
Empowering the youth
Those students who show extraordinary interest in Nine Foundation's work are given the option to become volunteers and form ‘School of Climate Change’ clubs in their respective schools. “These student-led groups serve as a platform to deepen their knowledge, brainstorm creative solutions, and organise school-wide initiatives promoting a sustainable lifestyle.”
[caption id="attachment_37732" align="aligncenter" width="594"] Nine EnviroEd volunteers[/caption]
Nine Foundation’s ‘hands-on activities’ immerse students in environmental challenges. Interactive experiences, like planting trees, cleaning up local parks, or conducting water quality tests, connect students with the environment and its problems directly and provide them with a deeper understanding of the issues at hand. The school volunteers and their teams are made to showcase their ongoing climate efforts at the end of a three-month period. “This encourages reflection, peer learning, and collaboration, showcasing the power of individual and collective action,” Pranay tells.
The most dedicated student, chosen on the parameters of leadership, initiative, and commitment, earns the title of ‘The One Human.’ “The title empowers the student to become an ambassador for climate action within their community, inspiring others to save, conserve, and protect our planet,” tells Pranay.
Challenges and triumphs
It's not always easy to fit climate change education into packed school schedules. “Funding is another hurdle (educating one child costs around Rs. 65). But seeing the curiosity and engagement in students' eyes during our sessions makes it all worthwhile,” remarks Pranay.
The outdoor learning experiences are something that he particularly cherishes. “Connecting students with nature firsthand is incredibly powerful. It's amazing to see how connected they become when surrounded by the environment we're fighting to protect,” he tells.
[caption id="attachment_37724" align="aligncenter" width="866"] Pranay Kumar at one of the sessions in Sikkim[/caption]
Future plan
So far, Pranay has impacted students in five schools of Sikkim. Very recently he has started expansion programmes in colleges of Jharkhand as he belongs to that belt being a native of Muzaffarpur. “My vision goes far beyond the schools we've already impacted in Sikkim and Jharkhand. We have a bold dream of expanding our climate change education program throughout the entire Northeast, the Himalayan belt, and eventually, the plains of India. We are on a mission to educate the whole northeast India in the next 2 years,” he shares.
Pranay even dreams of going global with Nine Foundation someday. “Charity begins at home. We're laser-focused on impacting our home country first,” he remarks adding, “It's a long road ahead, but with education as our weapon, we can build a more sustainable future, one generation at a time.”
(April 5, 2023) “Words seem too less to express my happiness and gratitude as I share that the MCF Raebareli has renamed the hockey stadium to ‘Rani’s Girls Hockey Turf’ to honour my contribution to hockey,” tweeted an elated Rani Rampal. With this, the former women’s hockey captain who has earned the moniker ‘the queen of hockey’ for her consistently good performances has achieved a rare honour.In another tweet, Rani remarked, “It is a proud and emotional moment for me as I become the first woman hockey player to have a stadium to my name. I dedicate this to the Indian women’s team and I hope this inspires the next generation of women hockey players!” [caption id="attachment_29085" align="aligncenter" width="760"] Rani Rampal[/caption] The journey of the twenty-eight-year-old hockey player from being a cart-puller’s daughter to representing India in all the major international hockey turfs is nothing short of an inspiration. The self-made hockey player had dared to dream when there were odds stacked against her and with her sheer dedication has come a long way. Life as a cart-puller’s daughter Growing up in Haryana, Rani dreamed of becoming a hockey player ever since she was a little girl. But her cart-puller
presenting India in all the major international hockey turfs is nothing short of an inspiration. The self-made hockey player had dared to dream when there were odds stacked against her and with her sheer dedication has come a long way.
Life as a cart-puller’s daughter
Growing up in Haryana, Rani dreamed of becoming a hockey player ever since she was a little girl. But her cart-puller father who could not even manage two meals a day for the family was unable to support her dreams. Rani persisted. Playing with a broken hockey stick, running around in a salwar-kameez as she could not afford a tracksuit, the youngster carried on. Her mother worked as a housemaid.
"I wanted an escape from my life - from the electricity shortages to the mosquitoes buzzing in our ears when we slept, from barely having two square meals to seeing our home getting flooded when it rained. My parents tried their best but there was little that they could do,” Rani said in an interview.
There was a hockey academy near their house. Rani would spend hours watching players practice. She too wanted to play but every time she requested the coach to include her in the practice sessions, he would reject her saying, she was malnourished. While her parents kept on postponing her demands to purchase a hockey stick. One day Rani found a broken hockey stick near the academy and was on top of the world. Determined to change her life’s trajectory she begged the coach to give her a chance to learn. Eventually, with lots of pleadings, he agreed to train her. This was the beginning of a history that was waiting to be unfolded.
The journey began...
When Rani’s parents came to know about her plans to play hockey, they were reluctant. Instead, they wanted her to take up household chores and disapproved of the idea of girls playing hockey wearing skirts. It was the second time that Rani had to plead very hard. “I pleaded with them to let me play and if I failed, I promised I would do whatever they wanted me to do,” she said. It was only then that they agreed.
At the academy, each player needed to bring 500 ml of milk to drink before resuming practice. However, it was just 200 ml that the family could afford for Rani. The youngster did not want to take any chances and make the coach unhappy. She would mix milk with water in a 500 ml bottle and take it to the academy to do exactly what the coach desired. Rani picked up the sport fast. Looking at her dedication to the sport and how she did not miss a single day of practice, the coach built a liking for her. Later he even bought her a hockey kit and shoes and allowed her to stay with his family so that her nutritional needs could be taken care of.
It was a joyous and emotional occasion for her family when Rani came home with her first earning, a Rs 500 note that she won in a tournament. It was her first earning and when she gave the money to her father, he wept in joy. “I promised my family that one day we would be having our own home and worked hard to keep that promise,” the Global Indian said.
On the path to success
After playing several tournaments and representing her state under the guidance of her coach who stood by her in thick and thin Rani got a chance to play at the nationals. As she started to play professionally, GoSports Foundation, a sports NGO provided Rani with monetary as well as non-monetary support. At the age of 15, she was the youngest player in the national team which participated in the 2010 World Cup. After giving several consistent performances, there came a day when she was named the captain of the Indian Hockey Team – making her parents and hockey coach swell in pride.
Keeping to her promise she fulfilled the need for one’s own home for the family in 2017. “It was an emotional day for all of us. We cried together and held each other tight” she said. Having played the sport for more than 13 years now, the veteran player has been the mainstay of the team. In 2020 the striker who often doubles up as a midfielder was honoured with a Padma Shri. Her coach Baldev Singh received the Dronacharya Award.
Bringing laurels to the country in numerous international tournaments Rani has also worked as an assistant coach with the Sports Authority of India. Apart from Padma Shri, she has won the Arjuna Award and the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award – the highest sporting honours of India.
With a stadium that has just got named after her, the hockey player has reached a significant milestone in her career. From being a girl who had to plead to enter a hockey academy to becoming the first female player to have a stadium named after her, Rani’s journey is extraordinary.
(August 13, 2024) It was in June this year that Sunita Williams and her co-astronaut Butch Wilmore boarded Boeing's Starliner capsule for its first crewed mission. Originally slated to spend just eight days in space, they have now been stranded for over 50 days due to technical issues. Fresh reports suggest that their rescue may be delayed, potentially leaving them in space until February 2025, causing concern about their safe return, health risks and fuelled debates on the role of humanoid robots in space exploration. Amidst these discussions, students at Purdue University have taken the initiative to form the Humanoid Robot Club, becoming the first student group to build a humanoid robot designed for space missions. "When you are in space or exploring an active volcano or conducting deep-sea research, using robotics limits the loss of life in such scenarios," says Aarav Garg, the club's president. "Our biggest motivation is the idea that if something goes wrong in space, it's a robot at risk — not a human. This significantly reduces the potential for loss of life, which is one of the reason why a robot should exist in the first place." [caption id="attachment_38800" align="aligncenter" width="811"] Humanoid Robot Club[/caption] The
The 18-year-old and his friend Riddhi Gupta founded the Humanoid Robot Club in the spring session of 2024 after watching a video of Boston Dynamics, a company that builds humanoid robots. It sparked an epiphany that despite Purdue's diverse range of student clubs, none focused on humanoid robots. "Upon research, we found that there is no student club in the entire US that delves into humanoid robots. That's when we decided to launch our own since most existing efforts focus on research, but we wanted to actually build one," Aarav tells Global Indian.
Aiming for space
Their vision is ambitious — to be the first group of students to build a walking humanoid robot for space exploration. "No one else in the world is currently doing this," Aarav emphasises. Launched in March 2024, the club has already attracted over 400 members from various majors and degrees. "Ninety percent of our members are undergraduates, mostly from mechanical and electrical engineering," Aarav explains. "More than just a club, it's like a startup where students from diverse backgrounds, united by a shared enthusiasm for innovation, collaborate on building a humanoid robot."
The teenage innovator and entrepreneur, who founded a startup called TechNuttiez while still in school, has long been passionate about coding and innovation. His move to Purdue University in the US last fall felt like a natural extension of his interest in robotics. "As a freshman, I was excited to explore new opportunities. With my background in entrepreneurship and robotics from India, I quickly secured leadership positions in two different technology clubs at Purdue within just a month of starting university. During my first semester, I got exposure on how clubs operate at Purdue, which gave me a great head start," says Aarav, who ended up starting a new club at Purdue in his second semester.
Taking the legacy forward
Launching a club that gravitated towards the field of space came naturally to Aarav and his team, given Purdue's reputation as one of the best universities in aerospace in the world. "Neil Armstrong, the first person to walk on the Moon, and Eugene Cernan, the last man to walk on the Moon, are both alumni of Purdue University. Right now, we're the leading producer of top astronauts in the US," reveals Aarav, adding, "Each month, we have the opportunity to meet an astronaut who has been to the International Space Station, so it was only fitting that we ventured into this field."
Armed with the knowledge that humanoid robots can redefine the landscape of space exploration by offering versatility and adaptability in extraterrestrial environments, Aarav was keen to build a robot with human-like capabilities that can navigate complex terrain, manipulate tools, and interact with surroundings with agility. "They can work alongside humans too."
After spending the spring and summer semesters organising and planning, the team is eager to start building the robot in the upcoming fall semester. Having raised $95,000 in sponsorship from departments at Purdue, brands like Autodesk, Altium, and Unitree Robotics, and ten official partners, the Humanoid Robotics Club is using the fund to buy equipment for their lab. They recently signed an MOU to secure a workspace on campus at the newly opened John Martinson Lab of Entertainment and Engineering. "We'll have a dedicated space to set up our equipment, including three 3D printers, and where all the members will work. It's a small lab that we are excited to build."
[caption id="attachment_38801" align="aligncenter" width="811"] Aarav Garg and Riddhi Gupta with the head of AAE at Purdue [/caption]
Securing key support
Starting a new club at Purdue meant having the right allies, and they found the best one in Professor Yan Gu, who signed up as their primary advisor. Being the professor of mechanical engineering and head of the TRACE lab, the only lab at Purdue that works with humanoid robots, made her the perfect contender for the position. "I waited outside her office for three hours just to pitch the idea," Aarav recalls. His dedication paid off when, after their meeting, she agreed to become the faculty advisor. "We had so many sleepless nights preparing our pitches," he adds. But the club members continued to reach out to the deans of other engineering departments at Purdue, and in no time, they had seven faculty advisors onboard, a rare feat for a student club which is usually run with one-two advisors. "We have a faculty advisor from every department of engineering," beams Aarav with pride.
Building the future
This month the students will return to the university from their summer break, energised to take up the mammoth task of building the humanoid robot. "We've divided the robot's various body parts into separate projects," explains Aarav. "In our first year, we'll focus on the legs, aiming to build legs that can walk by the end of the year. Next year, we'll introduce the arms project, where some team members will work on constructing the arms while others continue refining the legs. In the third year, our focus will shift to vision systems and space-related challenges like zero gravity, making the robot autonomous so it can navigate an entire room on its own. Each year, we’ll add new projects and continue fine-tuning the existing ones."
A great deal of planning went into the project, leaving little room for error. However, the biggest challenge for Aarav has been balancing his managerial responsibilities with his passion for actually building the robot. "Juggling two different roles at once can be quite overwhelming," he admits. "But with leadership appointed in key roles, I now want to focus primarily on building the robot. We'll be working on it every day, that's my agenda for the next three years," says Aarav, who is majoring in robotics at Purdue University. "This allows me to constantly learn and apply my knowledge, which is incredibly rewarding."
[caption id="attachment_38803" align="aligncenter" width="768"] Team Humanoid Robot Club working on the humanoid robot HUBO[/caption]
Future goals - Looking to revolutionise space exploration
With his startup experience back home, Aarav brought the expertise needed to lead the club. "I'm replicating the model, but on a much larger scale," he explains. The knowledge and dedication of his team have impressed the leadership at Purdue University. "They see us as students on a mission. We don’t just operate as a club; we approach it like a startup and a research lab," Aarav says.
With only three years left at Purdue, Aarav and his team are determined to build a functional humanoid robot before they graduate. "Our goal is to have a basic walking humanoid robot completed by the spring of 2027," Aarav shares, expressing his hope that the robot will one day make its way to space. "We aim to build the robot, present it to NASA or SpaceX, and ensure that strong leadership continues the project even after we graduate. We understand this isn’t just a three-year endeavour and may require several more years. But once it's ready, we believe it will revolutionise space exploration," he signs off.
(February 10, 2024) When Omishka Hirachund was a child, her grandmother suffered a hemorrhagic stroke and was admitted to the ICU. At that tender age, she was extremely frightened to enter the ICU, and her heart shattered when her grandmother passed away. "But it sparked a passion in me to become a doctor and make a difference in patients' lives,'' Omishka shared. Omishka, who is of Indian descent and living in Africa, went on to study medicine, viewing it not just as a career but as a means to serve society. Having completed her MBBCH at the University of Witwatersrand in 2019 and her Masters in Medical Sciences at the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal in 2023, she has been serving as the medical officer, internal medicine in the Department of Health, South Africa. She has also now aligned herself as a volunteer doctor with the #keready project – an initiative of DGMT, a South African foundation that uses mobile units to provide free health services in underdeveloped, rural communities of South Africa to promote primary healthcare. [caption id="attachment_35742" align="aligncenter" width="599"] Dr Omishka Hirachund[/caption] For her selfless service for the #keready project and other voluntary initiatives to promote healthcare and wellbeing,
ces in underdeveloped, rural communities of South Africa to promote primary healthcare.
[caption id="attachment_35742" align="aligncenter" width="599"] Dr Omishka Hirachund[/caption]
For her selfless service for the #keready project and other voluntary initiatives to promote healthcare and wellbeing, Omishka Hirachund was named in the annual Mail and Guardian's ‘200 Young South Africans’ list of 2023. She was one of the 18 Indian origin changemakers to be named in the list.
The #keready initiative
The #keready mobile clinic project has been made possible through a grant from the Department of Health of the Federal Republic of Germany that DGMT received. The project is making healthcare accessible, affordable, and relatable. With her goal of making South Africa a safer place, especially for children and women, Omishka has played a vital role in the movement.
The #keready is being carried forward in association with the provincial departments of health in the Eastern Cape, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and Western Cape areas of South Africa. Durban based Omishka provides voluntary services in the eThekwini and the Umgungundlovu districts.
With the help of young doctors and nurses #keready is not just focussed in providing free healthcare but also uses social media channels, and podcasts to help people find the right health information. Since social media and podcasts are platforms that attract more young people,this demographic segment is receiving healthcare tips and advice, which they tend to overlook.
[caption id="attachment_35743" align="aligncenter" width="831"] #keready mobile clinic[/caption]
Passionate about making South Africa better
“I would like the healthcare system to support primary healthcare initiatives and ensure equitable access to healthcare for all,” remarked Omishka after being named in the ‘200 Young South Africans’ list. Minimisation of discrimination against people living with HIV, more accessible and acceptable obstetric healthcare to pregnant women, and menstrual hygiene are some of the issues that she deeply cares about.
“The gender-based violence rates and the repercussions of the violence on our society and healthcare systems are devastating. I would like South Africans to remember who they are and what we fought so hard for — equality,” says Omishka who has started the anti-substance abuse project in the Wentworth area for teenagers, in coordination with Dr Daniel Kocks and the Department of Social Development, Government of South Africa.
The young doctor serves as a volunteer Subject Matter Expert on a medical talk show aired by Megazone Radio, aiming to educate people about common diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and depression. Additionally, she contributes articles on healthcare to scholarly journals.
Volunteering – a passion
Since her school days, Omishka has had a passion for volunteering. She actively participated in feeding schemes and donation campaigns organised by the Seva Bhakti Foundation in Durban and neighbouring areas. Additionally, she contributed to regular feeding and baking initiatives at the social service organisation, Aryan Benevolent Homes. Her involvement as a volunteer with St. Thomas Children’s Centre in Durban dates back to her growing up years. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the then medical student had dedicated herself to assisting people in various ways. “I was part of the mask drive organised by the department of paediatrics, King Edward Hospital, Durban,” she shared. The youngster was also part of the sanitary pad drive by Kerr House Women's Hospice in 2021.
Driven by her life’s mission to empower disadvantaged women, Omishka has been providing donations, assistance, lectures and educational counselling workshops at the Open Door Crisis Centre supporting abused women and children. She is also a member of the Umhlanga Women's Association which works for food relief in destitute areas.
Life beyond healthcare and future plans
Born and brought up in Durban, Omishka was a very dedicated student right from her school days. She was selected as the head girl of her school and vice house captain of the school house, and had passed the International Benchmark Tests with distinction in Mathematics, Science and English.
Although she is armed with a bachelors and master’s degree in medicine along with diploma in primary emergency care and diploma in HIV Management Omishka’s educational goals are far from over. She aspires to specialise in cardiology or endocrinology.
Beyond the world of healthcare Omishka’s passions include travel, running and reading.
Pranay Kumar[/caption]
Nine EnviroEd volunteers[/caption]
Pranay Kumar at one of the sessions in Sikkim[/caption]
Aarav Garg and Riddhi Gupta with the head of AAE at Purdue [/caption]
Team Humanoid Robot Club working on the humanoid robot HUBO[/caption]
Dr Omishka Hirachund[/caption]
#keready mobile clinic[/caption]