Rishab Jain: Indian-American teen’s algorithm can help fight pancreatic cancer
Compiled by: Team GI Youth
(March 24, 2023) He was just 13 when he won the Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge for coming up with an algorithm that uses artificial intelligence to help doctors target the pancreas during cancer treatment. Meet Portland-born-and-raised Rishab Jain, who is currently a research intern at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The young Indian American has created an algorithm could change the way doctors target the pancreas while treating cancer, as they are difficult to spot due to their movement.
Currently, doctors target radiation in the area they believe the pancreas is, in the process also killing other healthy cells. “In the radiotherapy treatment where radiation is applied to kill tumour cells, my tool tracks the pancreas in the scan itself. When the radiation hits, it hits the pancreas accurately and efficiently so it can help treat the tumour much more effectively,” the 17-year-old told TIME.
Rishab Jain
It was in the summer of 2017 that Rishab, who is among TIME’s 25 Most Influential Teens, first became interested in pancreatic cancer during his trip to Boston to meet his brother, where he learnt about the low survival rate and its deadliness. It is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the US and is the eighth most common cancer in women. In India, it has a 98 percent mortality rate, says Rishab.
“Currently, pancreatic cancer is detected in a late stage, and by then, doctors try to use radiotherapy to help treat it, but most of the time, it’s not effective enough, so I got inspired to do some research on this because I’m a big programmer, and I like artificial intelligence, so I wondered if I could combine my knowledge in the two areas to help solve the problem,” the Global Indian said at TedTalk. That’s what led to the creation of an AI-based tool called PCDLS (pancreatic cancer deep learning system) Net to improve pancreas tracking during a treatment called radiotherapy for pancreatic cancer.
In the process, he contacted 253 doctors and received replies from 30 leading experts from institutions at cancer centres and around the world. He found that it’s hard to find the exact location of the pancreas, as the stomach and liver cover most of the area. During the radiation, millions of healthy cells are also affected by collateral damage. “My tool is able to reduce that area to around four millimetres, so that saves millions of healthy cells and can improve patient quality of care,” he added.
The teenager is of the opinion that his algorithm can be incorporated in the hospital’s existing radiography equipment or be incorporated directly into new machines, and is in touch with doctors in implementing the idea.
Rishab, who also won the 2022 Regeneron Science Talent Search, wants to become a biomedical engineer and help make a difference in other people’s lives. He is also the founder of a non-profit, Samyak Science Society, which helps promote STEM learning for children who didn’t have the same opportunity as him and raise pancreatic cancer awareness.
What does a brewer’s spent grain have to do with cutlery? Absolutely nothing, yet in this latest innovation, everything. The next time you order food, gobble away, and chomp on the Eco Ware edible cutlery instead. There will be much less plastic in the world. Three Indian students from Ku Leuven University in Belgium created a biodegradable, edible cutlery brand called Eco Ware from a beer by-product, and it won the 2021 KICK Challenge Student Award. Anusuya Samantaray, Apoorva Vardhan and Varun Singh won this university business competition which focuses on social entrepreneurship. Their end goal is now to create a sustainable world, and reduce the human carbon footprint at a time when the latest Climate Change report warns us of the consequences of living on the edge. [caption id="attachment_12770" align="aligncenter" width="1600"] Apoorva Vardhan[/caption] What got them started Anusuya was pained at the sight of the trashed beaches in Odisha, and even helped clear plastic waste as a child while Varun and Apoorva also wanted to help Belgium (and the world) answer the single use plastic menace. Apoorva (Faculty of Science), Varun (Faculty of Bioscience Engineering), Anusuya (Master of science in sustainable development) found that spent was perfect to make Eco Ware
Anusuya was pained at the sight of the trashed beaches in Odisha, and even helped clear plastic waste as a child while Varun and Apoorva also wanted to help Belgium (and the world) answer the single use plastic menace.
Apoorva (Faculty of Science), Varun (Faculty of Bioscience Engineering), Anusuya (Master of science in sustainable development) found that spent was perfect to make Eco Ware edible cutlery.
“Apoorva, Varun and I did a lot of research and found that spent grain, a byproduct of the beer manufacturing industry is edible and a rich source of fiber. Restaurants in Belgium also use spent grain in pizzas. The country has over 1,000 beer brands and generates 60,000 MT of spent grain annually. We decided to use this to come up with an edible cutlery range including spoons and dip cups,” Anusuya told Global Indian about Eco Ware edible cutlery.
“We were aware of edible cutlery and its presence in minimum capacities in India. There was also this concern that it’s being made out of agriculturally stressed products (wheat for example). We wanted to find possibilities to make it as eco-friendly as possible. Thanks to Varun, we discovered how brewers spent grain (BSG) could be of use. Apoorva and I, as students of sustainability, further incorporated ideas to reduce the carbon footprint by going local with our project.”
[caption id="attachment_12771" align="aligncenter" width="754"] The edible cutlery developed by the Anusuya, Apoorva and Varun[/caption]
Work in progress
The team came up with Eco Ware edible cutlery cups and trays that were awarded the Gemma Frisius KICK Student Award for a business idea with impact. The trio researched extensively, and conducted a small pilot survey to understand consumer behavior with a focus on edible cutlery — 91% were open to the use edible cutlery, 3% showed partial interest.
Given that KU Leuven is the European capital of innovation, they were confident that the idea will kindle eco-consciousness among all. In agreement about the lack of sustainable policies in India, poverty, policy making and execution hurdles, they hope to ignite the same fervor back home. Even as Leuven sets the pace for such interventions, Anusuya feels there is a lot to learn from the indigenous communities in India, “Their knowledge of organic material such as using sal leaves to stitch plates, natural non-toxic dyes, farming methods, there is much tacit knowledge of the environment that could be used to build on innovating sustainable ways of living.”
For any foodie, taste is tantamount to consumption, so how does spent grain translate on the taste meter? Spent grain is used by farmers as fodder, and there has been a growing interest in alternative uses of spent grain in the food industry. “Brewer’s spent grain is a perfectly edible by-product of the beer industry, and is being significantly incorporated into breads, cookies and even pizza doughs because of its rich fiber content," says Anusuya says of the ingredients of Eco Ware edible cutlery.
“As a matter of justification, according to a paper presented at the 18th European Roundtable on Sustainable Consumption and Production Conference (ERSCP 2017), spent grain is proven to be rich in fiber and protein content. The only reason breweries simply give away the grains as fodder or discard them is because there is no current large-scale industry set up to add value to the processed spent grain/flour. Processing of spent grains into flour is an energy demanding task, so they find it feasible to sell it as fodder. We want to bridge the gap."
Being eco conscious
Anusuya’s upbringing had much to do with her chosen course. Her father’s naturalist leanings helped her gain knowledge about coastal bio-diversity. In fact, Sanjay Samantaray is the chief organizer of the India Surf Festival and founder of Surfing Yogis. A childhood amidst the tranquil seaside forests of Puri, influenced by her father who is action oriented and hosts events like beach clean-up drives, and promotes eco-tourism, she adds, "Sustainable development addresses the intricacies of the complexities; a process that is holistic and takes into account all three dimensions — societies, ecology and the economy to pursue sustainable growth,” says the girl, who did her BSc in sustainable development at Xavier University, Bhubaneswar.
Kanpur boy Varun Singh, 25, is doing his Masters in Food Technology (IUPFOOD), offered by KU Leuven and Ghent University. It is his experience that cemented this innovation. A B.Tech in food technology from Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences (SHUATS), Prayagraj, Varun also worked as a manufacturing executive in Too Yumm and a research associate at Mordor Intelligence.
“The knowledge and exposure at the Faculty of Bioscience Engineering is life-changing. I get to work on critical industrial problems related to food processing, packaging, and preservation. Added is the access to labs equipped with the latest equipment, valuing millions of Euros, used for the sole purpose of increasing food safety, food innovation, and promoting healthy eating,” says Varun as he works on Eco Ware edible cutlery. His research interest is working on chocolates as Belgium is world-famous for its expertise, and loves composing music, playing the guitar, and sketching.
For Apoorva, who is originally from Delhi, but has lived in Pune, her bachelors in Plant Sciences from University of Delhi paved the way for a degree in sustainable development with a specialization in ecology. She too is passionate and is inspired most by, “How you can come up with solutions that have the power to change the world and bring systemic change in society,” says the student, who will be traveling to Rwanda shortly for field work and master thesis, and is interested in agroforestry and food systems, for her PhD or career.
They now want to develop a finished product with the help of Leuven Research and Development department of KU Leuven, collaborating with researchers and research labs at KU Leuven’s beer institute. Working on developing partnerships with breweries in Leuven, they will go local before expansion. Product development, manufacturing and building partnerships is their focus, and they are on the lookout for funds and partnerships for distribution. They believe in ideating and challenging frontiers. In unison they say, “Keep hustling,” adding that research was their foundation.
As they work towards a tangible product in Eco Ware edible cutlery, there is a second year to complete, projects, and master thesis to finish too. Anasuya adds, “While most other companies are exploring the market using rice and wheat, which are agriculturally stressed commodities, the spent grain initiative is most eco-friendly. Upon discovering sustainability, it made me believe that the problems we face today are not isolated affairs. Sustainable development addresses the intricacies of the complexities; a process that is holistic and takes into account all three dimensions — societies, ecology and the economy to pursue sustainable growth.”
(May 21, 2023) When The Jungle Book was released in 2016, the film became an overnight success. The realistic depiction of the animals and the lush jungle environment captivated audiences, creating a visually immersive experience. Based on Rudyard Kipling's timeless story, which has a universal appeal, the film adaptation grossed $966 million worldwide against the budget of $175 million making it one of the highest-grossing films of the year. The themes of friendship, self-discovery, and the connection between humans and nature resonated with audiences worldwide, contributing to its international success. Directed by Jon Favreau and produced by Walt Disney Pictures, it found success in tapping the nostalgia and familiarity associated with the book, the 1967-animated film and of course, the timeless story of the orphaned boy, ‘Mowgli’, who grows up in the jungles of India. [caption id="attachment_30231" align="aligncenter" width="838"] Neel Sethi in The Jungle Book[/caption] Amidst the grandeur of the creatures and beauty of the jungle Neel Sethi's portrayal of Mowgli as the only live-action actor in a computer-generated imagery (CGI) dominated film was widely praised. In his debut role, the then 12-year-old created magic with his powerful performance. Walt Disney Studios recruited puppeteers to give the debutant actor
aligncenter" width="838"] Neel Sethi in The Jungle Book[/caption]
Amidst the grandeur of the creatures and beauty of the jungle Neel Sethi's portrayal of Mowgli as the only live-action actor in a computer-generated imagery (CGI) dominated film was widely praised. In his debut role, the then 12-year-old created magic with his powerful performance. Walt Disney Studios recruited puppeteers to give the debutant actor partners to act with. “Those animals weren't really there, but they looked like they were,' Neel said in an interview, talking about his experiences on set.
“I would just make it normal and pretend that’s it’s not a puppet. If it was a bear or a panther, I just thought to myself, it’s not a puppet. That made it a lot easier,” he remarked.
Impressing audiences with iconic debut
Selected from two thousand hopefuls during a worldwide casting search by Favreau and his team Neel stood out. Quite interestingly, he was not even looking for an acting assignment. His dance teacher had seen a flyer for the auditions and had suggested Neel to give a try.
Director Jon Favreau revealed the details of the audition. “He was a little younger than we thought. But there was something that made me smile. Then he started doing martial arts. After the audition was over, he said, I do my own stunts. I thought, this kid’s having a good time and I met with his family.”
After his selection, the youngster underwent extensive training to prepare for the physically demanding role. He worked with a movement coach who taught him parkour and martial arts techniques to enhance his agility and coordination. The training was crucial for the scenes that required him to interact with the CGI animals and navigate through the jungle environment.
[caption id="attachment_30232" align="aligncenter" width="712"] Neel Sethi on the sets of The Jungle Book[/caption]
Sethi's dedication and enthusiasm on set despite the challenges of acting in a predominantly virtual environment, impressed the cast and crew. He formed a strong bond with director Jon Favreau and received his guidance throughout the filming process. “I didn’t know acting. He taught me everything I know,” Neel said.
Director Jon Favreau praised him for bringing the beloved character of Mowgli to life so memorably, and for his ability to imagine and react to things that weren't physically present during filming. “Jon actually got into the puppet sometimes and that helped me interact with them naturally,” Neel shared.
Life beyond ‘The Jungle Book’
After making a special place in the hearts of the audiences worldwide, Neel has continued to pursue acting. The same year in which The Jungle Book released; he lent his voice to the English version of the animated film The Guardian Brothers (also known as Little Door Gods). The film, originally produced in China, tells the story of two ancient Chinese deities who must save their town from a nefarious force. Sethi lent the voice to the character named Yu Lei.
[caption id="attachment_30233" align="aligncenter" width="899"] Jon Favreau with Neel Sethi[/caption]
In 2017, he appeared in a short film titled Diwali, directed by Raj Trivedi. The film explored the themes of family, tradition, and cultural identity through the perspective of a young Indian American boy – which Neel is in real life as well. Born in 2003 in New York City, the actor calls the place his natural habitat. “I was born and raised here. I love being here. I can see myself in New York and Los Angeles, that’s it,” he said in a recent interview.
Taking pride in cultural roots
Even while he loves living in the United States, he maintains a connection with his Indian heritage. His parents are of Indian descent with roots in Gujarat.
In interviews, he has mentioned his Indian background and expressed pride in his cultural roots. Sethi has mentioned celebrating Indian festivals like Diwali and expressed interest in learning more about his heritage. Taking a break from acting to study, he recently completed his degree in film studies and is now back on the lookout for acting opportunities. “I would like to work in challenging roles with famous actors,” the nineteen-year-old smiled while talking about his future.
[caption id="attachment_30234" align="aligncenter" width="806"] Neel Sethi with his parents and sister in a recent trip to Goa[/caption]
‘The Jungle Book’ in India
The film that won accolades for achievements in visual effects at the 89th Academy Awards, 70th British Academy Film Awards, and 22nd Critics' Choice Awards, got dubbed in Hindi. Child actor Jasleen Singh Chadda gave voice to Mowgli’s character. Famous actors lent their voices to other characters - Irrfan Khan to Baloo, Om Puri to Bagheera, Priyanka Chopra to Ka, Nana Patekar to Sher Khan and Shefali Shah to Raksha.
As the Japanese anime TV series Jungle Book had been very popular in India in the 1990s, Disney India also commissioned a contemporary recording of ‘Jungle Jungle Baat Chali Hai’ (the popular song of the series) and released it as part of the film's promotional campaign in India. Neel Sethi has been to India on a few occasions after that and has enjoyed a huge fan following in his country of origin.
(March 28, 2022) One balmy afternoon at a medical shop in Thane, the then 16-year-old Arjun Deshpande witnessed an unpleasant scene. An old man, deep in debt, profusely pleaded with a shopkeeper to pay a hefty medicine bill later. The shopkeeper refused. “His wife had cancer and his son, who was an auto driver, was the sole breadwinner. They had spent a lot on treatment, and were finding it hard to manage money for medicines daily. He was helpless, and felt guilty. I saw how a common man was burdened with paying bills for necessities like medicines. This made me determined to bring about a new era in the world of pharma,” says Arjun who started Generic Aadhaar in 2019 to help provide medicines to the aam junta at low cost. In three years, Generic Aadhaar has a presence in all states, and has opened over 1,500 stores across India. Such has been the vision and mission of the startup that even Ratan Tata invested in it. “We share the same mission and want to serve people. When he saw the same vision and determination to work for the people, he spontaneously supported Generic Aadhaar,” Arjun says in an interview
tion to work for the people, he spontaneously supported Generic Aadhaar,” Arjun says in an interview with Global Indian.
[caption id="attachment_13569" align="aligncenter" width="490"] Arjun Deshpande is the founder of Generic Aadhaar[/caption]
How a young boy got an idea
Born in 2002 in Thane to a mother who works in pharma, and a businessman father, Arjun learnt about the pharmaceutical industry at a young age as he often accompanied his mother on official trips. The 19-year-old understood that multinationals selling medicines were burning a hole in the pockets of the common man by adding “marketing and promotional cost.” “About 60 percent Indians cannot afford to buy daily medicines because of high prices. Since there is no alternative for medicines, MNCs have been selling medicines at a very high rate for decades,” says Arjun who is on a mission to eliminate middle-chain costs and provide medicines from manufacturer to end customers directly through a pharmacy-aggregator business model.
That appalling incident at a medical store made Arjun ideate. “At 16, I saw a burning problem. It made me realise that even though our country is a hub of manufacturers and suppliers of medicines, our people have to spend a lot of money on essential medicines. I believe medicines are not a luxury but a basic necessity. I didn’t let age come in the way of my innovative idea,” says the young changemaker-entrepreneur who initially didn’t begin with an ”intention of starting a business” instead wanted to “make an impactful change in society.”
With the sole purpose to free people from the clutches of giant companies selling expensive medicines, Arjun opened the first franchise of Generic Aadhaar in Thane that provides medicines at up to 80 percent off. “The vision is to provide affordable medicines to 130 crore people in India at a price they deserve,” he adds, “by bringing all mom-and-pop medical stores under one roof to give stiff competition to big retail medical malls and online pharmacies.”
However, creating a place amid big pharma companies was a challenge for this teenager, who wanted to curb “illicit trade” in life-saving drugs and provide low-cost drugs. “Another challenge was to make them aware that there is no difference between generic medicines and branded medicines, for which we started ground-level campaigns and free health camps,” reveals Arjun. Soon Generic Aadhaar started to create a lot of buzz on social media and in the pharma sector. So much so that Ratan Tata decided to invest in Generic Aadhaar in 2020.
“Mr Tata was impressed with the venture, and saw how I was bringing change in the pharma sector. When I met him, he said, ‘Arjun, if this venture is successful, it can change the entire healthcare ecosystem for the betterment of India,’” explains Arjun who has found a mentor in Ratan Tata. “I feel fortunate to have such a business legend’s guidance and inspiration for my venture’s journey through which we both are changing the lives of millions,” adds the DAV Public School alumnus whose work is finding recognition in Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and UAE. “They are approaching us to open Generic Aadhaar franchises now,” beams Arjun with pride.
[caption id="attachment_13572" align="aligncenter" width="721"] Arjun Deshpande with Ratan Tata[/caption]
Medicines for the common man
The idea of providing medicines at a low cost, has now grown leaps and bounds. It hasn’t only provided direct and indirect employment to over 10,000 people but has also created 1,500 micro-entrepreneurs. “I believe that real India starts 50 km away from the cities. So, it is important to focus on the remotest villages for the development of India. We are expanding from Jammu to Kanyakumari and from Kutch to Arunachal Pradesh,” says Arjun who has served 20 lakh people through Generic Aadhaar.
The young change-maker and entrepreneur now plans to mark Generic Aadhaar’s presence in over 300 cities by 2022-end. “On Gudi Padwa, Generic Aadhaar is set to break its previous record of opening 25 franchises in a single day,” divulges Arjun who calls his parents his biggest strength. “When you are doing something good that can bring a change in society, parents always supports you,” adds Arjun.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVy6zz_m8lg
Making the right moves
When he’s not neck-deep in work, Arjun loves a game of chess as it helps “boost creativity and analytical thinking skills.” He also loves reading books and playing football in his free time.
Arjun is popularly known as the robin hood of the pharma world. His advice to entrepreneurs, “identify a burning problem and then look for its solution and implement it on time.” He adds, “Innovation is complex but you need to have a winning idea. Successful entrepreneurs have unique ideas that make them stand out. What you need is to do things differently from what already exists,” Arjun, the changemaker and entrepreneur signs off.
(February 18, 2024) British Indian actress Ambika Mod was 13 years old when she first picked up a copy of David Nicholls’ 2009 bestselling novel, One Day. "Everyone at school was reading it. I remember seeing that orange and white cover all over public transport – it was everywhere," the actress said in an interview. However, when she was offered the role of Emma Morley - the protagonist of the novel - for a Netflix series of the same name, she outright refused it. "I never really thought of myself as a romantic fan. I’m very cynical about that kind of stuff—about romance, love, and relationships. So this all feels a bit bizarre," the actress explained while talking about her reasons for rejecting the role initially, adding, "Also, the sheer weight and responsibility of representing Asian women on-screen was a real shock, especially at the beginning." But when the producers of the show requested her to take a second look at things, the actress delved into the reasons a bit more and came to the conclusion that she must accept the role for the exact two reasons she’s doubtful of it. [caption id="attachment_35913" align="aligncenter" width="551"] A still from the series,
ted her to take a second look at things, the actress delved into the reasons a bit more and came to the conclusion that she must accept the role for the exact two reasons she’s doubtful of it.
[caption id="attachment_35913" align="aligncenter" width="551"] A still from the series, One Day[/caption]
The show, which faced skepticism soon after it was announced, has now become an unexpected hit. "It was a massive undertaking for me, and for that reason, it makes me so happy that people have loved the series so much. It’s done a lot for me, and I hope it can do the same for other young women who aspire to become an actor someday," said the Broadcasting Press Guild Award-winning actress.
A chance comedienne
Born to Indian immigrants in the UK, Ambika grew up in Potters Bar, Hertfordshire with a younger sister, Priya. A shy girl growing up, the actress shared that she and her sister were "raised in an environment deeply influenced by their Indian roots, even as they navigated life in England. We loved watching Bollywood movies, dressing up, and dancing." After finishing her school, the actress joined St Mary’s College in Durham to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in English Studies.
Her passion for comedy blossomed during her university years, and since then, she has showcased her talents at various stages across the UK. "Comedy gave me everything, I wouldn't be the actor I am I wouldn't be where I am today," expressed the actress, adding, "Since I was 18 years old, it taught me who I am, as clichéd as that sounds. I figured out what my voice was, I figured out what I enjoyed. I didn't compromise because I was doing all my own stuff.” During her initial days, she worked as a personal assistant at Condé Nast during the day and did comedy at night. Eventually, Ambika shared the stage with Tom Harper at the 2015 Edinburgh Fringe Festival and took on the role of the troupe's President in 2017. Additionally, she showcases her skills in improvised comedy at The Free Association in London.
From stage to the silver screen
Her stage performances opened several doors for her, and the actress landed herself a role in the short film, Fair Bnb, in 2018. She also co-created the comedy duo Megan from HR with her comedy partner Andrew Shires. Recounting those experiences, the 28-year-old actress said, "The endeavour felt like a massive fail because progress was so slow. It started to garner attention only after 2019."
[caption id="attachment_35914" align="aligncenter" width="552"] A still from This is Going to Hurt[/caption]
However, bagging a lead role in This is Going to Hurt, the BBC adaptation of Adam Kay's memoir, proved to be a life-changing moment for her. Filmed amid the Covid-19 pandemic, she portrayed Shruti Acharya, a junior doctor. "It takes a brutal look at the Sisyphean pressures on NHS staff," the actress said, adding, "I am very glad that we didn’t shy away from the realities of what it is to be a junior doctor today, because it’s not fair on the people we’re representing. Obstetrics and gynaecology doctors have similar levels of PTSD to war veterans; it’s something that people don’t know or talk about." The Global Indian won the 2023 Broadcasting Press Guild Award for Best Actress for her role.
Talking about her current experience on the set of One Day, the actress shared, "It was quite fun, but I sacrificed a lot for this job. I didn't really see my friends and my family for like eight months, and you're working 14 hours a day. It made me reflect on what I want my life to look like. I love being an actor, but I think if you're not careful it can be all-consuming and physically speaking, your body can only do so much. So I think it's made me sort of recalibrate my priorities in terms of how much time and scope I give my career, and the jobs that I want to do and how they have to fit in with other aspects of my life.”
The actress' next series, Playdate - an adaptation by Catherine Moulton of the novel of the same name by Alex Dahl - is being produced by Disney+. "It is beautiful and I can't wait for people to see it," exclaimed Ambika.
(December 10, 2023) On the tropical beaches of Mamanuca Islands in Fiji, 19-year-old Swati Goel was handed a bunch of rudimentary supplies and told to fend for herself. "There are coconuts, here's a machete, go kill things and eat," Goel recalled later, to The Crimson. This was the start of Season 42 of Survivor, the iconic American television TV show she had grown up watching. Goel was the youngest contestant there, and that first night in her new home was terrifying. "It's truly like being lifted from reality and being put in this little alternate world that is completely cut off from everything else." In May of 2021, Goel, who had begun a degree in Computer Science at Harvard University one year prior, finally got her turn on the reality show. Around the same time, she had also enlisted in the Army National Guard, and having undergone intense physical and mental training, felt she was ready to take on the heavy duty competition for a million dollar prize. [caption id="attachment_34541" align="aligncenter" width="546"] Swati Goel | Photo: Instagram[/caption] A bright young student Born to immigrant parents, the Global Indian grew up in the Bay Area, where her father, Ashish Goel, works
Born to immigrant parents, the Global Indian grew up in the Bay Area, where her father, Ashish Goel, works as an Associate Professor of Management Science and Engineering at Stanford University. Her mother, Ruchi, is a Managing Director at Accenture. Swati was always technologically sound and academically ambitious.
When she was sixteen, she spent six months at Stanford University as a research intern, where she worked under Professor James Landay and Dr Elizabeth Murnane. There, she helpd build a "test app for features for affective AI and image recognition," the Global Indian writes on LinkedIn. The prototype app, named Dragon Companions, uses a story narrative to craft augmented reality learning scenarios that draw on concepts like curiosity-driven learning , gamification and context-driven learning.
In 2019, she began a prestigious, three-month STEM program at the Research Science Institute in Cambridge, Massachussets, where she was one of 50 scholars selected from across the US. There, she worked on identifyig fake news sources using the Twitter Co-Exposure Network. As she came close to graduating for high school, she enlisted in the Army National Guard. Being born to immigrant parents and hailing from a town disconnected from the military motivated her to join the army.
Academically gifted, Swati was admitted to Harvard University in 2020 and is expected to graduate in 2025. By the time she found herself on Survivor, she was "in the best shape of her life," she says. However, she did not let her fellow contestants in on the fact that she was a computer science student at Harvard.
Ever since middle school, Survivor, which has run a whopping 43 seasons, was her comfort show. "It's just the thing I would watch whenever I was upset or sad," she said in an interview. She had always wanted to audition and would hope, back then, for Survivor to stay on air. She submitted a video audition and then waited. Even so, when she finally made it to the island, Goel was stood there in disbelief. "A small part of me was like, 'this is fake,'" she said. "They truly just left us on an island..."
Survivor, one of America's most watched reality shows, takes a group of strangers to a remote location and leaves them to survive in the wild. They build their own shelters and are given very limited food, usually rice and beans, which they are expected to figure out how to cook. The Fiji islands, where the show has been shot since 2016, are full of marine life for those who know how to catch it, and the lush tropical forests are full of edible plants and seeds, provided one knows how to recognize them. Fresh water is limited and contestants have to find their own sources, or collect rainwater in empty coconut shells, which they use for drinking and to cook their food.
It's not just that, though. Physically challenging though it is, the contestants are split into tribes and left to compete against each other in a series of challenges. It's reminiscent of William Golding's Lord of the Flies, where these people are left to create their own social hierarchies and structures, and to define their own roles within this. Players are also voted out one at a time, so when they're not hacking open coconuts or killing prey, they need to strategise and form alliance with each other.
At the end of the day, everyone is in competition, for the $1 million prize. There are no allies. That's a lesson Goel learned the hard way. Her strategy was to tell multiple people that they were her "No. 1" and confiding in a number of her competitors. Unfortunately, her contestants, despite not being Ivy Leaguers themselves, did find out she was being dishonest. She was voted off the show soon after, having perhaps spent less time on the show than she might have hoped. "I got to live out my dream," she told The Crimson later. "I'm not gonna sit here spending my life thinking about what I could have done differently."
Swati Goel has now completed her military training and does domestic missions as a member of the National Guard. She also hopes to put her fame to good use through the Open Doors Project, where she hopes to hold podcasts and a video series about mental health among the youth, to start conversations around it. That apart, Swati, who is a big fan of Elon Musk, has said, "My life’s mission is to change the world for the better. Building something like Tesla, which is uber successful and also a boon to the environment, is my dream."
The edible cutlery developed by the Anusuya, Apoorva and Varun[/caption]
Varun Singh[/caption]
Anusuya Samantaray[/caption]
Neel Sethi in The Jungle Book[/caption]
Neel Sethi on the sets of The Jungle Book[/caption]
Jon Favreau with Neel Sethi[/caption]
Neel Sethi with his parents and sister in a recent trip to Goa[/caption]
Arjun Deshpande is the founder of Generic Aadhaar[/caption]
Arjun Deshpande with Ratan Tata[/caption]
A still from the series, One Day[/caption]
A still from This is Going to Hurt[/caption]