Global Indianstory Global Indian ExclusivePrerana Manoj: Honoured among Canada’s Top 100 Women for STEM innovation

Prerana Manoj: Honoured among Canada’s Top 100 Women for STEM innovation

Written by: Amrita Priya

(May 29, 2024) Emphasising the meaning of her name, which reflects her purpose, she explains, “Prerana translates to ‘inspiration’ in Sanskrit, and it summarises my mission – to be inspired and to inspire others.” True to her name, she is an inspiration to girls in STEM and AI innovation. The Thrissur native was named one of the ‘Top 100 Women in Canada’ in 2023 by the Women’s Executive Network of Canada. “At 16, I was the youngest of the 2023 winners. I was privileged enough to meet with the honourable Princess Sarah Culberson of Sierra Leone at the award ceremony, and I shared my journey of innovation with her,” Prerana tells Global Indian.

Indian youth | Prerana Manoj | Global Indian

Prerana Manoj with Top 100 Women in Canada Award

With one of her best friends, Diane Gui, Prerana is co-developing Project HeartScope, a collection of machine learning models designed for the accurate and efficient diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases and conditions. “We were also privileged and grateful to have received the opportunity to share our project and vision as finalists of Team Canada for the global competition, Technovation Girls. We presented it on the grand stage at Synopsys, San Francisco, alongside teams from India, Brazil, Uzbekistan, and others,” she shares. The project was selected for the Technovation Girls Global Competition 2023 in San Francisco from over 2,000 teams.

Project HeartScope

When Prerana moved to Toronto with her parents, the city’s vibrant atmosphere reminded her of her native Bengaluru. This move played an integral role in developing her fascination with STEM and other fields. “In Toronto, I developed a growing interest in business and technology and learned about transformational emerging technologies such as AI, which have significant potential to make waves in industries worldwide,” she shares.

In the new city, she made friends with Diane and learned about health leader Osei Kwadbo Boateng and his non-profit, The OKB Hope Foundation. The foundation works towards providing healthcare services for underserved communities. Inspired by his passionate work, the friends became interested in finding ways to build tech-based solutions for low-income communities.

Prerana Manoj with Project HeartScope cofounder Diane Gui

Soon, they founded Project HeartScope for efficient diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases. “Currently, the model is capable of diagnosing cardiomegaly using binary classification and transfer learning techniques,” shares Prerana adding, “Project HeartScope has been featured at the Johns Hopkins Global Health Conference as well”.

Realising the increasing gap in experts in the healthcare industry, especially for cardiologists, Prerana and Diane wanted to experiment to see whether they could develop a model that could detect the presence of cardiomegaly (a heart condition) based on X-ray scan images. “Although still a work in progress for accuracy and general development, as beginners in the area of Artificial Intelligence, we found our small wins to be significant milestones in the greater journey ahead,” Prerana remarks.

Research work at Ontario Tech University

Earlier in 2023, Prerana joined the EILab at Ontario Tech University under the supervision of Dr Roland VanOostveen to work on a specialised research project to analyse the affective domain in the online learning environment.

“I worked on coding analyses of online discussions and deciphering the relations and connections between various forms of body language, facial expressions, and gestures to provide greater insight into online learning experiences. The paper is currently being submitted and will be published soon,” she says.

Prerana and Diane presenting Project HeartScope at TikTok Office for Canada Learning Code’s Demo Day Challenge

Laurels in STEM

Prerana has always been full of ideas and dedicated to turning them into reality for the good of society. In 2021 the youngster was given the opportunity to present her start-up idea, the P. A Shield, aimed at improving water conservation efforts in Canadian households at Dragons Den (a reality TV show where aspiring entrepreneurs pitch their business concepts and products to a panel of Canadian business moguls). At the end of her pitch, she received a shared investment of $25K from the investors.

“My inspiration for the P. A Shield came from learning about the water crisis in grade 7 geography. I realised that although spreading awareness is very important, taking action can lead to active results. As a 13-year-old with little experience in technology or business, I joined a start-up accelerator for high school students called Start-up Dojo to learn about how to start my own idea,” she shares.

Prerana Manoj at the Dragons Den platform

After experimenting with circuits and learning about business along the way, she got encouraged to apply her idea to Dragons Den. “Although it took quite a bit of motivation, I realised that there was no harm in sharing my idea and so I submitted it. I remembered being shocked to hear back for an interview for stage two, and ultimately receiving the offer to pitch. It was truly a surreal moment, and I will be forever grateful to the wonderful producers, staff and the Dragons for making it a transformative experience in my journey of innovation. At 14, receiving an offer on the grand stage is a moment I can never forget,” she says.Although Prerana’s passion for the water crisis persists, she decided not to pursue the deal channelling all her focus on emerging technologies such as AI and immersing herself in new opportunities of innovation that come her way.

From Bengaluru to Canada

Prerna did her schooling from Bengaluru. “The city along with my homeplace, Thrissur, Kerala, has profoundly shaped my identity and who I am today,” she mentions.

Prerna moved to Calgary, Canada as a grade three student when her parents went there for work. In Calgary, she was exposed to a new culture and later discovered a passion for chess, debate, and public speaking. “I spent most of my middle school years attending summer stampedes and ice skating during the winter in Lake Louis, Banff. As life was settling in, along came an opportunity to journey further eastward to Canada’s largest city and growing start-up hub, Toronto,” she tells.

Prerana Manoj with Princess Sarah Culberson of Sierra Leone at the WXN event

Currently a junior at Bishop Allen Academy, Etobicoke, the teenager aspires to make a positive impact on those around her. “I’ll go where my journey takes me, and I hope to make a difference for each milestone I achieve,” she signs off.

Wearing multiple hats

In her free time, Prerana usually plays chess. “It’s been my favourite hobby since I was eight. I also enjoy writing,” she says. Prerana is associated as a managing director of personal growth with an online publication – The Teen Magazine founded by Harvard alum, Mia Johansson. She also runs her own newsletter, ‘I am Prerana’.

“Honestly, when it comes to managing my school work and projects, I usually prioritise based on the time of the year. Junior year hasn’t been the kindest in giving me free time, but my weekends usually lend those hours to me,” she signs off.

Prerana Manoj during an edge walk

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Russell

June 2, 2024 6:41 am

Hell yeah Prerana!

Published on 29, May 2024

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The last straw: Aditya Mukarji’s global fight against plastics

(December 21, 2023) Aditya Mukarji is a familiar face in the growing crop of young global climate warriors, who are boldly taking their fight to the doorsteps of the powers that be. Mukarji's cause is the battle against single-use plastics, one of the most pressing environmental hazards of the day. We use trillions of single use plastics per year and since the majority of these aren't recycled, they make their way to landfills and oceans. Birds and marine animals mistake them for food and fish consume thousands of tonnes per year. This plastic makes its way up the food chain and goes full circle back to human beings, who reportedly consume the equivalent of half a credit card each week. Now a Sophomore President's Scholar at the University of Toronto, the Global Indian has been part of the climate strike in New York led by Greta Thunberg and served as a Youth Ambassador for the Earth Day Network in 2020. He is also the Co-Founder and Environment Head of The Alternatives, an online page with a global following that spreads awareness about the harms of plastic pollution. In 2021, he represented India at the Youth4Climate Driving Ambition in Milan, at

of plastic pollution. In 2021, he represented India at the Youth4Climate Driving Ambition in Milan, at COP26 and in 2019, was an India representative at the UN Youth Climate Summit.

How it began

In 2018, Aditya Mukarji came across a video of a doctor trying to pull a plastic straw out of a turtle's nose. The imagery was stark, and left Mukarji, who was only 14 at the time, feeling quite disturbed. "The crying and bleeding of the turtle really impacted me, and made me feel guilty for human actions, which we take without thinking of the consequences for other living forms," Mukarji remarked in an interview later. He hadn't imagined that the plastic we use everyday had such a catastrophic effect on the environment. He began reading up about the consequences, and learned that oceans and landmasses are inundated with single-use plastics that don't biodegrade.

Mukarji turned to his mentor, Ms Bharti Chatturvedi, of Chintan, who told him about the problems of waste management and waste pickers. The solution, he felt, lay in tackling the problem at its source - and eradicating the use of single-use plastics in the hospitality industry. Mukarji, then a class 11 student at Shri Ram School, Gurugram, embarked on a door to-door campaign in and around Delhi-NCR, where he lived at the time, to spread awareness about the problem and to promote eco-friendly solutions. "I feel like straws are hte most useless invention for the common man,' he said. "They have the least utility and maximum environmental impact."

Two years after he began his campaign, Mukarji was able to avert the use of over 26 million plastic objects, and had persuaded some 200 establishments to become environmentally friendly. It took persistence, he says. "I called them countless times." Eventually, they understood his passion for the campaign, as well as the wisdom of his message, and he says, "many complied." The Lalit Group of hotels, Claridges, The Delhi Golf Club, the Gymkhana Club, PVR and INOX, JW Marriot Aerocity and JSW Steel all went plastic free at the behest of this determined teenager.

Not wanting to stop there, Mukarji also works on waste management and segregation at source. In India, he conducted went door to door, and to housing societies, asking them to change their waste segregation methods. During this time, he was interning with the United Nations Development Programme's plastic waste management programme. He was able to get letters of intent to segregate 35 tonnes of waste monthly.

The UN's eco warrior

He soon received recognition for his work. At 16, he was named a 2020 International Young Eco-Hero by Action for Nature, one of 17 activists from around the world to receive that recognition. "It's a very major responsibility and we have been tasked with the promotion of action in India as well as motivating other youth to take up climate action too. "No social movement or climate action movement can be truly successful unless the change is not started at the grassroots level," Mukarji remarks. "And this is where I want to change the use and throw mentality of people, make them environmentally friendly and reconnect them with their roots and heritage by taking small and simple steps," he said in an interview with NDTV.

In 2020, Mukarji collaborated with universities and organisations around the world in a global afforestation initiative called Forest of Hope. As the name implies, the aim is to increase the planet's dwindling green cover. Forest of Hope had numerous partners, including Neotia University, St Stephens College, 1 Billion Trees Africa and the Kelowna City Council in India, among others.

That year, he also interned with the United Nations Development Programme, an achievement made even more remarkable by the fact that the UN, which doesn't accept interns below the age of 18, made an exception for him. After that, he was invited to speak at the UN headquarters in India about his work and his efforts to promote a plastic-free society. "IN September 2019, I was asked to be a part of the UN Youth Climate Action Summit in New York," he told Social Story. "Here I got a chance to not only interact with UN Secretary-General Antionio Gutteres, but also join Greta Thunberg in the march."

Looking ahead

After that, Mukarji became one of the 17 Young Climate Leaders for the UN India Campaign, 'We the Change', in 2022. Now a student at the University of Toronto, Mukarji will graduate from Trinity College in 2026. He is also a part of Invest India, an initiative by the Ministry of Commer, GoI, is a Diana Awardee from 2021 and has been named an Aatma Nirbhar Champion. He also continues to practice a sustainable lifestyle on his own, through what he describes as small measures, like using a bamboo toothbrush, carrying his own jute bag to the grocery store, even if they offer eco-friendly bags, using ceramic cups at Starbucks or carrying his own cup if he wants a takeaway, living up to his own credence, ‘RefuseIfYouCannotReuse’.

Follow Aditya Mukarji on LinkedIn.

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Veruschka Pandey: Teen helping save lives through CPR training invited to UN

(March 13, 2024) Losing her grandmother to no first aid, Bengaluru teen Veruschka Pandey knew she wanted to do something in the field of public health. Her determination solidified when she saw people losing their lives to cardiac arrest during covid. Upon research, she found that many weren't trained in CPR, leading to the loss of many lives. This prompted her to start Surya Nayak, a project that helps give CPR training to ASHA workers, bus drivers, factory workers and security personnel in Karnataka. "Now I want to make it a mass movement," said the 15-year-old. International recognition Recently, she became the first teen from Karnataka and the second from India to have participated in the 1M1B Activate Impact Youth Summit held at the UN in New York. It was here that she got a chance to present her project which showcased her contribution to the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in India. [caption id="attachment_36552" align="aligncenter" width="729"] Veruschka Pandey is the founder of Project Surya Nayak.[/caption] During the summit, she emphasised the need to create awareness and make it a mass movement among health workers and the Indian youth to achieve the SDGs by 2030. "I believe it's our

is the founder of Project Surya Nayak.[/caption]

During the summit, she emphasised the need to create awareness and make it a mass movement among health workers and the Indian youth to achieve the SDGs by 2030. "I believe it's our responsibility to educate people about CPR." Comparing hearts to vessels filled with empathy, love, and life, she highlighted the importance of teaching CPR to save lives and prevent untimely deaths.

ALSO READ | Syamantak Payra: The young scientist using technology to solve healthcare challenges

Her impactful work and thoughts were showcased through a documentary titled 'Heart is a Vessel' at the UN, followed by a panel discussion featuring her mentor Manav Subodh and acclaimed filmmaker Amit Madheshiya. Additionally, a documentary on Veruschka by Madheshiva was screened at the event. Veruschka's efforts also gained recognition beyond the summit. She recently presented her project at UC Berkeley, San Francisco, under the 1M1B programme and secured the second prize. Her project, Surya Nayak, focuses on training ASHA workers in CPR, leveraging their significant presence in rural India to create a domino effect of awareness.

Saving lives

"My project Surya Nayak aims to train ASHA workers in CPR because currently there are 1.5 lakh ASHA workers in India and one per 1,000 population. I thought teaching this substantial population predominant in rural India would help me advocate my cause and raise awareness like a domino effect because these ASHA workers are well-knit within their local community" said the student of The International School Bangalore.

[caption id="attachment_36553" align="aligncenter" width="751"] Project Surya Nayak[/caption]

It all began after she lost her grandmother, and wanted to create an impact on public health. For cardiac arrests, she found the loophole in the initial first aid - CPR, and decided to learn herself and soon felt the need to impart the education to others. However, many eyebrows were raised when they realised her age. She was only 14 when she started working with ASHA workers. "When I started training, they weren't sure and confident of their own capabilities if they could learn and really perform CPR. Finally, they realised that they could do it properly after training sessions," she added.

Over the last year, she has expanded her project to different parts of Bengaluru. Sharing her experience of carrying out the project in Kolar, she said, "I reviewed their first aid material and went for a five-hour course on CPR myself, to review what they would teach. After this partnership, I collaborated with them for my first training in Kolar."

Proud to have presented her project at the UN and in front of the UC Berkeley faculty, she said that she feels motivated and appreciated. "My efforts require bigger hands to join in to make this a successful mass movement. I feel that to achieve UN sustainable goals by 2030, each one of us has to join hands and work hard to achieve the goals and make them a possibility," she said.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Efq3WjuQCqc

Veruschka Pandey has undoubtedly made a significant impact on public health with Project Surya. Her initiative to train ASHA workers and bus drivers in CPR not only empowers these essential frontline workers but also has the potential to save countless lives. By spreading awareness and providing crucial training, Veruschka's work addresses the critical need for timely intervention in medical emergencies, ultimately enhancing survival rates. Furthermore, her recognition at the United Nations not only acknowledges her remarkable efforts but also amplifies the importance of youth-led initiatives in addressing global health challenges. Veruschka's dedication and passion serve as an inspiring example of how individuals, regardless of age, can drive meaningful change and make a tangible difference in their communities and beyond.

Follow Veruschka Pandey on LinkedIn

Dancers Nidhi and Neha Ramanathan: Sharing the magic of Indian classical art forms

(October 24, 2023) In a world where words often fall short, dance emerges as a universal language of expression. Nidhi and Neha Ramanathan, two sisters based in UAE, have harnessed this enchanting art form to convey their profound love for Indian classical dance. Despite residing far from their homeland, these siblings have managed to maintain an unbreakable connection with their cultural roots. The dancers started their journey at a young age, and have not merely excelled as choreographers but have also added their distinctive flair to classical dance forms. With each performance they deliver, they leave an indelible mark on the global stage, captivating audiences from all corners of the world. [caption id="attachment_33732" align="aligncenter" width="635"] Nidhi and Neha Ramanathan[/caption] "Sometime back a friend of ours told us that a couple of her University friends showed her our video, telling her that they are our followers on Instagram. Even today, when people recognise us it feels quite surreal. We don't consider ourselves famous," laughs Nidhi, as the sisters connect with Global Indian over a call, adding, "For now, we are working to hit 100K subscribers on our YouTube channel. Also, we would to do performances in Dubai and Chennai, and start

n't consider ourselves famous," laughs Nidhi, as the sisters connect with Global Indian over a call, adding, "For now, we are working to hit 100K subscribers on our YouTube channel. Also, we would to do performances in Dubai and Chennai, and start conducting workshops for people, who would like to learn Indian classical dance."

Passionate dancers

Born in India, and growing up in Dubai, the sisters were always passionate about dancing. However, it was their mother's unwavering support and encouragement that ignited their passion and steered them in the right direction. "As kids, we loved to dance. Our mom saw how much we enjoyed it and signed us up for Bharatanatyam classes. Ever since then, our love for Indian classical dance has only grown. We've had chances to perform in Dubai, India, and on our YouTube and Instagram pages. What keeps us going is the happiness we feel when we dance and share it with people all around the world. Dance is special because it brings people together, no matter where they're from, and that's something we really love about it," shares Neha.

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A post shared by Nidhi and Neha (@nidhiandneha)

The sisters received formal training from distinguished dancers, Sri Sasi Kottakkal in Dubai and Smt. Lavanya Sankar in India. After having performed on various stages, the dancers created their YouTube channel in June 2017 and started making and uploading videos on Bollywood songs, semi-classical dance, and fusion dance. Talking about the creative process, Nidhi says, "A lot goes behind the scenes. First and foremost, identifying the right music for our dance is a thoughtful process, often tied to specific themes, festivals, or finding the perfect track that syncs with our choreography. Our friends and family shower us with suggestions and ideas. We then discuss where we toss out spontaneous dance moves and fuse our creative concepts. We also delve into the mesmerising performances of various artists, drawing inspiration from a wide spectrum of dance movements."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfKuzsc3nqM

But it's not all play for these dancers. "With so many talented artists and dance content online, it's tough to make our choreography stand out. Also, finding time to connect with our audience regularly can be a struggle due to our other commitments. But, when we see new creative stuff every day, it reminds us that creativity is always around, and that keeps us motivated," shared Nidhi, adding, "There are many artists who inspire us, including Smt. Rama, Smt. Dakshina Vaidyanathan, Sri Parshwanath Upadhye, and Smt. Priyadarshini Govind."

Spreading their wings

The dancers, who also manage their academics along with their dance career, have found that dancing has not only been their passion but also a source of relaxation. "Whenever we are stressed with any academic work, or have an examination, we love to take out some time and practice. That really helps us unwind and re-focus on the task at hand," shares Neha.

But it's not just that. The dancers share that their art has also impacted their self-growth. Crediting their parents for their success, Neha adds, "Our parents have always been incredibly supportive, motivating us to become better dancers and standing by us through it all. Our gurus have imparted not just the art of dance and the pursuit of perfection but also instilled in us a deep respect for this art form. We owe them a great deal for molding us into the dancers we've become. Additionally, the drive to keep improving with each dance session comes from within, spurring us to refine different aspects of our practice and technique."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFRx6VTR8CM

Motivated to inspire many young dancers in India and abroad, Nidhi shares that the duo feels everyone should keep their artistic side alive - no matter how busy they are. "We urge anyone passionate about Indian classical dance forms to follow their enthusiasm. It's not just a path for exploring creativity, but also a means of preserving our rich Indian culture and heritage," she says.

Follow Nidhi and Neha Ramanathan on YouTube and Instagram

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Extreme sports: Prajwal Pingali’s life as a mountain biker

(March 23, 2024) Prajwal Pingali loves to challenge his lungs and limbs, 24x7. Each time the youngster bounces his way down the rutted trails and rocks on his mountain bike, he’s on cloud nine. He has had his share of nasty falls and close shaves, but that hardly comes in the way of his next big adventure. “I love the feeling that no matter how hard you prepare for the race, you will always be bested by the mountains. They are brutal to everyone and especially those who set out to win,” smiles ace mountain biker and cyclist Prajwal Pingali, as he settles down for an exclusive with Global Indian. Racing life From the US to India and Belgium to Germany, the 22-year-old has been riding non-stop in the last few years, participating in one event after the other, both nationally and internationally. “Mountain biking really requires very little to get in. You need a bike, safety gear, and a positive attitude,” says Prajwal. The youngster has been cycling since his days in the US, where his family had shifted for four years, since 2001. “But I only started cycling as a sport around 2012 after moving back to Hyderabad when a

ternationally. “Mountain biking really requires very little to get in. You need a bike, safety gear, and a positive attitude,” says Prajwal.

The youngster has been cycling since his days in the US, where his family had shifted for four years, since 2001. “But I only started cycling as a sport around 2012 after moving back to Hyderabad when a friend of mine rode 66 km on his cycle with his dad for Independence Day,” he recalls.

That sparked something in Prajwal Pingali and he knew he had to give it a try. He joined his friend for a couple of short rides ranging from 2-5 km and decided to train up for the 100km Republic Day Ride. “It took a bit of time to build up the confidence and strength to undertake such a ride. Finally in 2014 I completed my first 100km ride with my friend on Republic Day.”

Long rides

Things developed quickly from there. In 2014, Prajwal rode 500-km from Hyderabad to Sevagram within three days. Thereafter, he kept riding the Ultra-endurance rides with different groups. In 2016, he met riders and the owners of The Bike Affair, a specialty bike store in Hyderabad. “They were extremely friendly and welcoming. I bought my first road bike at the end of the same year for an 800 km ride from Chikmagalur to Gokarna. It was with this same group that I enrolled for my first road race in December 2016,” he says.

But that turned out to be an unpleasant experience for Prajwal as he couldn’t keep up and didn’t finish the race in the end. “That was not going to pass with me. I was determined to race and win,” informs Prajwal, who then stepped up the focus and preparations which led him into full time racing.

First win

In 2017, he began participating in several cycling championships in Hyderabad and Bangalore. In October that year, Prajwal won his first Stage Race, Tour of Glory (a road race that takes place over multiple days with winners for each stage and an overall winner.

Around this time, two of his school friends who were also cyclists, convinced him to get a mountain bike (MTB) and join them on the trails. Prajwal’s first ever road racing bike was a Merida Scultura 200 2017 and his first ever mountain bike was a Merida big seven 20D. He now owns four bikes, all for different purposes and uses, which includes Specialized Tarmac SL6 2018 (road racing), Specialized Epic 2019 (Cross Country Racing), Merida Scultura 200 2017 (general purpose) and 4. Commencal Meta 29 AM 2021 (Enduro and Downhill race bike, his current primary bike).

The year of racing

The year 2018 was the year of racing for Prajwal. He would spend one weekend every month travelling to Bangalore to participate in races followed by a summer in Belgium to race there and upon his return, it was right back to travelling from location to location across India to race.

In 2018, he won the Inter-district Mountain Bike meet in U-18 category and set the fastest time of the track in all categories. He stood 2nd in the Inter-district road race (U18) and at the MTB Nationals, he placed 6th in the XCO (cross country olympic) and 9th in the XCT (Cross Country Timed). “To wrap up the year, I raced in the International Race, MTB Kerala, organised by the Cycling Federation of India and the Union Cycliste Internationale,” he informs.

Since then, Prajwal Pingali has been racing countless races in Road and MTB in many places across India. “I now race Enduro and Downhill races,” he says.

Competing in Belgium

Belgium is a world apart in terms of difficulty and competition, feels the young mountain biker. “Like many European nations, sports is an extremely important aspect of daily life and the culture around cycling is very supported there,” he says.

Prajwal rode shoulder-to-shoulder in a group of 60-100 at speeds between 30-80 kmph. He participated in nine races but could finish only two. “Racing in Belgium was quite difficult and required a lot of effort,” recalls the youngster.

Tough race

Prajwal’s personal pick for his toughest race is Monduro, a race held in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, organised by the Tawang Cycling Association in 2023.

The two-day Enduro race takes place at an altitude of 4000m above sea level, the highest enduro race in the world. “As this race takes place on herding trails, the trails have a raw feel to them, very chattery and bumpy and they stretch on for what feels like eternity,” says Prajwal.

The rock gardens are massive and technical and above all, the competition has strong riders from across the world. “Monduro has my heart. Apart from the race, it is the location and the kind and friendly people there that make me want to return to the place,” says the champ.

Hyderabad to US

Born in Hyderabad in September 2001, his family shifted to Philadelphia, US for about 4 years. Prajwal was just nine months old then.

In his growing up years, Prajwal was interested in many sports, physics, history, acting and theatre productions. His father, Pratap Pingali works as a Mentor for startups and businesses in T-Hub (Telangana Hub) while his mother runs the HUFT (Heads Up For Tails, Hyderabad) store chain.

Prajwal studied in no less than four different schools — Sloka (primary), Parkwood School International (primary), Glendale International School (middle), and Sancta Maria International School (high).

Work outs

Racing requires a lot of practice and working out, on and off the bike. Prajwal’s normal routine would include between 5-6 days of working out, ranging from on-bike high intensity interval training, on-bike endurance, skills sessions, fun trail rides, as well as off-bike strength training, Off-bike high intensity interval training, and muscle activation/engagement exercises.

Prajwal Pingali is not a strong advocate for strict diets unless there is a specific reason and it is monitored by a medical expert. The rule for him is simple — “everything in moderation. If you eat it, you have to burn it.”

Destination Dirt

In Hyderabad, Prajwal Pingali is part of a Mountain Biking group called Destination Dirt where the members build trails, organise meetups and rides, as well as host beginners to MTB workshops and teach people to safely ride trails and enjoy themselves. “We have riders of different levels and backgrounds.”

The dangers of the sport

Unfortunately, says Prajwal, cycling in any form is very dangerous in India. “MTB is in my opinion safer than commuting or road racing since the chance of a two-ton vehicle slamming into you is basically non-existent,” feels the MTB champion adding that all the risk in MTB is in the hands of the rider and not someone else.

In 2019, Prajwal had a major accident when a car crashed into him as he was cycling around Araku Valley with his team. “I suffered injuries to my head and leg. The impact was such that I was briefly sent flying and landed close to the edge of the hill, luckily there were barriers,” he recalls.

The mountain biker has had crashes before but none this serious. “I was hospitalised and had to get a skin graft. I was wheel-chair bound for one month,” says Prajwal, adding almost 98% of his falls have been injury-free or barely anything serious.

This experience shaped his life. “The way we build our cities and roads must change to prevent needless deaths due to a split second mistake or a distracted driver. Our safety should not be entrusted in others’ hands,” he says.

What does mountain biking take?

“You will fall from time to time, you will not be racing at the pro level immediately, you will make mistakes and sometimes parts will break, but if you don’t fuss and whine about every issue and actually believe in yourself, then you can easily become a mountain biker,” says Prajwal.

Life outside of cycling

Prajwal says he deals with ADHD and is neuro-divergent. “I tend to have a vast multitude of passions and hobbies that I take up and add to my skill set, like tools in a box,” he says.The youngster has a keen interest in History and Physics, likes playing the bass guitar, drumming, action photography and videography. He loves camping and hiking, blogging, theatre and acting, dance and even typewriting.

Prajwal Pingali always wanted to become a pilot. “Covid-19 badly affected the plan. Although the dream is alive and burning strong, it must sit on the backburner till the moment is right,” says the cyclist, who is currently helping his family run their franchisee, HUFT in Hyderabad.

Currently, he is applying to many colleges in Germany for a BSc in Geography with a focus on Urban Planning. “I chose Germany as I have lived there and like the access to mountain biking trails and resources that I have. It is also beneficial that I can speak in German.”

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

(December 28, 2022) It has been a year of sports for India. From our young guns' marvellous performance at the Commonwealth Games to sports stars like Nikhat Zareen, Ravi Kumar Dahiya, Neeraj Chopra, and Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa securing gold at the individual world tournaments - India established itself as a global force in 2022. With these champions at the helm, the future of Indian sports does look good. Global Indian takes a look at some glorious podium finishers, who have proved India's mettle in the world of sports this year. Nikhat Zareen, boxer [caption id="attachment_24916" align="aligncenter" width="522"] Indian boxer Nikhat Zareen receiving the Arjuna Award from President Murmu[/caption] 2022 proved to be a golden year for Indian boxer, Nikhat Zareen. The sports champion, who started her journey as the only girl in Nizamabad’s boxing academy, won several gold medals in various international boxing championships held this year, including the Commonwealth Games, IBA Women’s World Championship, and Strandja Memorial Boxing Tournament. And on November 30, the pint-sized boxer was conferred with the prestigious Arjuna Award by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu. “It’s an absolute honour to be conferred with the prestigious Arjuna Award by the Hon’ble President of India Smt. Droupadi

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

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

Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, chess grandmaster

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

[caption id="attachment_24781" align="aligncenter" width="692"] Praggnanandha with his mother and female grandmaster sister, Vaishali Rameshbabu[/caption]

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

Akhil Rabindra, racing driver

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

[caption id="attachment_25902" align="aligncenter" width="686"] Akhil Rabindra, racing driver[/caption]

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

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

Aadil Bedi, golfer

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

[caption id="attachment_18777" align="aligncenter" width="681"] Aadil Bedi, golfer[/caption]

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

Shrivalli Rashmikaa Bhamidipaty, tennis player

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

[caption id="attachment_25696" align="aligncenter" width="671"] Shrivalli Rashmikaa, tennis player[/caption]

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

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