Global Indianstory Global Indian ExclusiveRiya Karumanchi: Young innovator empowering the visually impaired with SmartCane

Riya Karumanchi: Young innovator empowering the visually impaired with SmartCane

Compiled by: Team GI Youth

(November 14, 2024) One afternoon in Toronto, Riya Karumanchi was at a friend’s house when she noticed her friend’s grandmother, who was visually impaired, moving slowly and carefully around the room. The woman relied on her white cane, tapping it as she went, trying to feel her way through. The scene left a powerful impression on young Riya. “She was bumping into a lot of things, trying to get around,” Riya recalled. “She told me the device she was using was literally just a stick. And it’s never been updated.” That ordinary white cane, a standard for over a century, suddenly looked painfully outdated and insufficient. Riya could not shake the question: Why hadn’t anyone improved this?

From that moment, Riya was on a mission. Her idea was simple yet revolutionary: visually impaired people deserve modern tools, just like everyone else. She founded SmartCane, a high-tech reimagining of the white cane that uses haptic-based GPS navigation and ultrasonic sensors to guide visually impaired users safely. “It was just so baffling to me,” Riya said in an interview, “that nobody invented and innovated on something so traditional. And it’s been like that for so long.”

Riya Karumanchi

Riya’s work quickly expanded. Over the past few years, she has launched two med tech companies. In addition to SmartCane, she founded another company focused on developing a wearable device for monitoring patients in retirement homes. Her work on this led her to join Deloitte’s aging technology team, where she led an innovation project to develop a wearable device powered by machine learning to predict falls up to three weeks in advance, aiming to improve the quality of life and independence for elderly users.

Turning Vision into Reality

With each step, Riya spent hours researching assistive technologies, often surprised by how overlooked the accessibility community was. “There are so many unsolved problems around the world,” she explained. “The accessibility community was a huge group that was being left behind!” Her goal went beyond improving one device—she wanted to set a new standard for inclusive innovation.

Riya with SmartCane

With the SmartCane, Riya wanted to bridge a technological gap for the visually impaired. The cane uses GPS to guide users with vibrations—one buzz for left, two for right. Ultrasonic sensors detect obstacles from knee to head level, alerting the user with vibrations. In the future, Riya plans to add a camera with AI that could recognize faces and identify objects. “It’s about improving accessibility and empowering people to move independently,” she explained, summing up SmartCane’s mission.

Her SmartCane prototype gained support from both the visually impaired community and investors. She raised over $85,000 from major companies like Microsoft and Arrow Electronics, and with a team of engineers, brought the SmartCane closer to commercialisation. “We’ve had so much support, and it’s been really helpful, so I’m excited to actually get the cane into the market,” she said.

A Second-Generation Perspective

Riya’s ambition and work ethic come from her close-knit Indian family in Canada, part of a vibrant community that values social responsibility. Her parents, who encouraged her curiosity and creativity, also instilled in her a sense of responsibility to use technology for real-world solutions. “They always pushed me to think about how I could make a difference,” the Global Indian said. Their support, along with her community’s values, helped her stay determined as she worked to make her vision a reality. Like many young, second-generation Indians, Riya balances respect for her heritage with a forward-thinking approach, finding ways to contribute to both her local and global communities

A New Generation of Women in STEM

Riya’s success reflects a broader movement: young women are increasingly making their mark in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Riya herself recognises this shift. “I’ve been seeing an amazing movement that’s been encouraging more and more females to pursue a career in STEM, with so many resources and support. This is wonderful, and we need more things like this!”, said the girl who is pursuing MS computer science from Stanford University. Although women remain underrepresented in certain tech fields, initiatives that provide mentorship and STEM exposure are helping young girls find their place in these traditionally male-dominated arenas.

Riya’s success has inspired her to share her insights with others. She currently mentors startup founders in Silicon Valley and Toronto, particularly helping young people get started in entrepreneurship.

Exploring New Frontiers

Beyond health tech, Riya has recently turned her attention to clean technology, interested in how engineering can help develop sustainable energy solutions. This new area represents her commitment to using her skills and experience for social impact, whether in health, accessibility, or the environment. She’s currently exploring ideas in energy resource engineering and hopes to contribute to innovations that advance clean tech in practical ways.

Looking Ahead

Riya’s goal is to create products that make a meaningful impact on people’s lives. Her SmartCane is just the start of her vision for accessible technology, and her work with elderly care and interest in clean tech show her commitment to addressing real-world problems. “Instead of building a company that has a valuation of a billion dollars, it’s the person that can impact a billion people,” she said. “It’s ambitious, but that’s my goal.”

In Riya Karumanchi, we see a powerful example of how today’s youth are using technology not just to innovate, but to make a positive difference. As SmartCane moves closer to commercial release and she explores new projects, Riya’s journey encourages others to think big, act with compassion, and break down barriers in the tech industry.

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Published on 14, Nov 2024

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Pepper Content: How 23-year-old Anirudh Singla built one of India’s largest content platforms

(March 5, 2024) Back in 2020, Anirudh Singla, like his classmates, went around with butterflies in his stomach during interview season. The only difference was that his classmates were giving interviews to get placed, while Anirudh Singla was preparing to conduct them. Anirudh Singla, Rahul Mathur and Kishan Panpalia were engineering students at BITS-Pilani, and, at the same time running a company that had generated Rs 1.25 crore in revenue by the time they graduated. They are the co-founders of Pepper Content and today, their clientele includes Google, Amazon, HUL, Facebook, and P&G, to name a few, as they on-board over 100 companies every month. Some three years after the Global Indians founded Pepper Content, the company was growing at 15 percent every month, and had received funding from Lightspeed Venture Partners, one of the world's top VC firms. Theirs is a fairytale story created through good old pragmatic hardwork, persistence, failure and determination. Young and driven to entrepreneurship It all started when Anirudh Singla decided he wanted to fund his own graduation. At BITS Pilani, he realised he was surrounded by 900 students who were as smart, if not smarter than he was and he wanted to stand out.

At BITS Pilani, he realised he was surrounded by 900 students who were as smart, if not smarter than he was and he wanted to stand out. "The one thing I was good at was writing," he said in an interview. He had also grown up in an entrepreneurial household, and seen his father build a $100 million business from the ground up. Singla knew about the importance of the hustle and the grind and got to work. He found a small digital marketing agency that needed 250 articles of 500 words each on car parts. "We quoted 75 paisa per word, which is around Rs 375 per article. However, the customer insisted on 10 paisa per word - you can't outsource it at that rate, no writer will agree. But we wanted a statistical advantage and we were just starting out so we negotiated it to 15 paisa per word," Anirudh recalls.

At the time, they were in the middle of exam season but Anirudh was determined to meet his goal of Rs 2.5 lakh in the next two months. He, along with Mathur and Panpalia, would write till 5 am, sleep for a couple of hours and then head out at 8 am to write their exam. After two weeks of this, they earned Rs 16,500. "It was a great feeling to have," Anirudh says.

Similarly, Panpalia had also arrived at BITS with big dreams and an entrepreneurial drive. Born in a tier-3 city named Akola in Maharashtra, Panpalia had made his first profit in the ninth grade, when he bought five kilos of produce, and sold it when the price was higher Rs 50 per kilo. "Those few hundreds I earned ignited the entrepreneur in me," he says. He would spend his time reading inspiring stories of young entrepreneurs who had made it big and like most ambitious Indian teens, wanted to make it to an IIT. He wrote the exam and was admitted to BITS Pilani, which he describes as the best thing that ever happened to him. "I entered college in 2019 and in the first year, like any tier-3 student, the first three months were bizarre. I was in a new world, full of new people and I was sure I didn't belong." He put himself out there anyway, joining entrepreneurial cells and clubs, where he happened to meet Anirudh Singla, who was just starting Pepper Content.

The cold-calling method

They built their company through cold calls and cold-emails, weeding through hundreds of rejections - not only were they very young, they were also engineering students with no experience in content. They cold called 50,000 people, and cold-emailed 10,000 others. "We didn't know the right way, so we cold called," said Panpalia. He put college on the backburner to join "a company that was not even a company," he says. His friends and family advised him not to do it, saying he should at least finish his engineering first, and that he was too young for entrepreneurship. "But I took the plunge. We needed our first 100 customers and we didn't know how to get them."

So, they pooled in their resources. "Initially it was all about customer obsession," Singla says. "LinkedIn was my Instagram. We had class till 1 pm in my second year and during that time I would send 40-50 customised LinkedIn messages to marketing heads and CFOs and everyone. That's 1,200 messages per month." Colleges have marketing teams and databases, which they also used. They were doing upto seven hours per day of just cold calling. "I learned that consistency is very important, it always compounds," he says.

Pepper Content started out as an aggregator of sorts, linking talented content creators, graphics designers and later video editors with businesses. The pandemic helped grow their business, as the gig economy expanded with it and many professionals turned to freelance works instead of structured nine to gives. They offer video production, blog writing, whitepaper content, thought leadership content, subtitling, voiceovers and infographics. "Every company is a content company," Singla states. The idea, they say, is to ensure that companies have access to the 'top three percent of freelance talent' in a single platform. Today, their company is valued at over Rs 500 crores as the global content economy is valued at more than $400 billion.

The company, which is based in Mumbai and boasts some 1,50,000 creators and 2,500 business clients, also has a library that includes blogs on content marketing and technology and how to stay ahead of the curve, case studies about their customers, e-books and whitepapers on the latest trends and marketing insights. On the SaaS side of things, they have now launched an AI co-pilot for enterprise marketers.

The AI platform

"The future isn't just AI or human intelligence, it's AI + human intelligence," Singla told Forbes. Rather than seeing AI language models like Chat GPT as a threat to businesses like his, he believes they will only help them. As companies are now scaling up content requirements in a big way, the handful of writers and creators on marketing teams will now need a certain amount of automation.

Their platform will work on keyword research, identify the right creators for the job and use data analytics tools to assess the final product. "Every piece you publish should be more intelligent than the last one," he says. The AI platform will help with the biggest struggle for marketers - organic traffic and providing returns on investment. "It will help build an SEO content strategy, content operations, content analytics and distribution," Singla explains. "Every piece you publish should be more intelligent than the last one."

Follow Anirudh Singla on LinkedIn.

Indian-teen Yathaarth Murthy croons 260 national anthems, is a 2-time Limca record holder

(January 6, 2021) Singing the Indian national anthem evokes fervour and patriotism. Some hum the British and American ones. Well, not fully, but at least some words! Yet, this Indian boy’s anthem repertoire is something that will take you aback. The 15-year-old Indian anthemologist Yathaarth Murthy is a two-time Limca Book of Records holder for singing the highest number of anthems in the world. He disarms with his eager smile as he shares how he mastered a whopping 260 national anthems – that is how many there are in the world, incidentally! That’s not all, this teen is also an avid environmentalist and was one of the 20 winners of the India 20 Under 20 organised by White Canvas, a mentoring organisation recognised by Niti Ayog. Born and raised in Bengaluru, Yathaarth’s first tryst with anthems happened when his Hindustani classical music teacher tutored him to perform anthems of four countries – India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Japan -- on the keyboard. “That was back in 2014. It got me hooked. I liked the lyrics and wanted to explore more anthems. So, I began researching on YouTube and Wikipedia, and taught myself several more countries’ anthems,” the Indian anthemologist tells Global Indian. Onward on, one anthem at a time Anthem spurting became a passion for the student of Vidyashilp Academy. “It lit a spark and there was no

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Onward on, one anthem at a time

Anthem spurting became a passion for the student of Vidyashilp Academy. “It lit a spark and there was no turning back,” he says. Soon he was spending hours pouring over anthems of different nations. While he understood the gist of a few, he enjoyed the lyrics and tunes too.

While Yathaarth, the only child of architect parents, found the accents and pronunciation a bit difficult, he kept at it. “The first few tries were difficult. As I continued to practice, I got a hang of the pronunciations too. Before I knew it, I was able to sing more than 100 anthems,” says Yathaarth. Incidentally, the term “anthemologist” was something he coined to describe his unique feat.

[caption id="attachment_9312" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Yathaarth Murthy with Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai[/caption]

It was around this time in 2017, that he told his mother about wanting to apply to the Limca Book of Records. To his surprise, he had in fact made the record. That’s how a young Bengalurean came to hold the Limca record for singing the highest number of anthems – 112 at the time. “When I first picked up learning these various anthems, I didn’t think I’d one day become a record holder or a TEDx speaker,” says the class 10 student. Yet, he soon broke his own record when he learnt all 260 anthems, and once again set a new Limca record in 2019.

Saving the environment, one lake at a time

As a primary school student, Yathaarth used to love watching TedX videos and wanted to be on the hallowed platform himself. His dream soon came true when he was invited to deliver his first TED talk in 2018 at age 12. “My first talk was about my journey as an anthemologist,” says the youth who has so far given four TED talks, the most recent in December 2020. The topics have been varied: environment, anthems, and on pursuing one’s dreams.

After he’d set his second Limca record, Yathaarth wondered, “What next?” “How could I give back to the community and do something meaningful? It was around then that I began learning more and more about the environment and climate change. I watched Greta Thunberg’s speeches. Shortly, I began working in the environment sphere in my own small way,” he adds.

Soon, Yathaarth was holding climate strikes and working on a school project for the World Federation of UN Association which earned him more accolades in 2019. “I worked on a project with four friends. We decided to revive Manae, a 4.5 acre lake on the outskirts of Bengaluru. The city was once filled with beautiful lakes, but today most are highly polluted or encroached upon,” says the environmentalist, who launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise Rs 8.27 lakh for the lake’s revival. He worked with Anand Malligavad, also known as the Lake Man of India, to revive the lake and would often visit the lake in his free time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IVIcvIMKhU

“When we first visited the lake, we could see the barren lakebed and there was barely any flora and fauna. Today, the lake is thriving and hosts various birds like peacocks, has beautiful flora and is the water source for a neighbouring village,” beams the boy who still visits the lake sometimes. His work to revive this lake earned him a spot on White Canvas’ India 20 Under 20 list.

Making time count

Anthems and the environment apart, Yathaarth Murthy is also a basketball and music lover. As he gears up for his board exams, he has already begun planning for a future as a diplomat representing India at the United Nations. “I’ve chosen sociology, global perspective, history, and environment management, so I can apply to colleges abroad, and work towards working with the UN,” says the teen who spent the better part of the pandemic trying to conduct relief work. From distributing food to the needy through the iCare brigade to organising Housie for a Cause, and diverting funds towards Covid relief, Yathaarth has been busy doing his bit to spread cheer in otherwise dismal times.

Follow Yathaarth Murthy on LinkedIn

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Mission Kashmir: Teen kickboxer Tajamul Islam brings the winds of positivity to the valley

(February 19, 2022) If ever under attack, Tajamul Islam can defend herself confidently. The 14-year-old gold-winning kickboxer lands powerful punches, delivers deadly kicks, and knee strikes to take down adversaries. With nerves of steel, her long and short range striking techniques, replete with offensive and defensive movements, stun onlookers. The Kashmiri teen kickboxer’s combat skills are incredible. In short, Tajamul is a born fighter. People used to tell me that girls have to get married, their only place is in the kitchen and not in sports like kickboxing. I felt they were (being) stupid. - Tajamul Islam Kickboxing her way into winning tournament after tournament, Tajamul made India proud after winning the Under-14 World Kickboxing Championship in Cairo in 2021. This was the second time she'd won a gold. “I am now training hard to win gold at the Olympics. I am just 14 now, and will be participating in world championships for the next few years,” smiles Tajamul, speaking exclusively to Global Indian. Children from all over Kashmir have taken to kickboxing because of her. [caption id="attachment_11038" align="aligncenter" width="696"] Tajamul after her win in Egypt[/caption] The first Kashmiri girl kickboxer As the first Kashmiri girl to have represented India

over Kashmir have taken to kickboxing because of her.

[caption id="attachment_11038" align="aligncenter" width="696"] Tajamul after her win in Egypt[/caption]

The first Kashmiri girl kickboxer

As the first Kashmiri girl to have represented India and won a gold in 2021, she competed with players from 90 countries. She played four bouts then — two against players from the host country, while her third and fourth were with opponents from France and Argentina, respectively. “My rival was quick in her moves, but I kept my cool, and that led me to victory,” informs the two-time gold medallist, who wore the national flag on her shoulders after winning the championship in Egypt. It was a proud moment for India. As many as 30 players from India participated in various age/weight categories in the mega event.

Born in Tarkpora, a remote village in North Kashmir’s Bandipora district in December 2008, Tajamul was just five when she took a shine to kickboxing. Her first introduction to the sport was when a kickboxing match was organised at school. Thereafter, she watched a few matches on TV, this propelled her interest. One day, while walking back home, she spotted a few youngsters practicing boxing at a local academy and that was the beginning of her kickboxing tryst. “I was instantly drawn to the sport. Like all other sports personalities, I too dreamt of appearing on TV one day. Eventually, I did,” giggles the cartoon-loving teen kickboxer.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSjdZpus2Vw[/embed]

Initially, her father Ghulam Mohammed Lone did not give in to his daughter’s kickboxing plea as she was just five. “I pleaded, and even asked my mother to convince him. Finally, he gave me the go-ahead,” recounts the recipient of the Young Achievers Award, 2021. The third of five siblings, her father is a businessman.

Staying on course, despite ridicule

Being a girl, and trying kickboxing was tough. A highly conservative society meant many played spoilsport. Yet Tajamul dedicatedly followed her heart into kickboxing at Ali Sports Academy in Bandipora, under Faisal Ali Dar, a Kashmiri martial arts coach. “People used to tell me that girls have to get married, their only place is in the kitchen and not in sports like kickboxing,” recounts the eighth grader from Army Goodwill School in Bandipora. “I felt they were (being) stupid,” quips the champ. A firm believer in the girls-can-do-better-than-boys mantra, she threw all negativity to the winds. Today, she has silenced her critics aptly.

[caption id="attachment_11039" align="aligncenter" width="453"] Tajamul with Major General Sanjiv Singh[/caption]

Grit and hard work saw the teen kickboxer bag her first gold at a state level kickboxing championship (sub-junior category) in Jammu (2015). The same year, she won another gold in the national kickboxing championship (sub-junior category) in New Delhi. In 2016, she won gold at the World Kickboxing championship in Italy. “I have worked hard to reach where I am today. I am flooded with requests from parents, including those who used to ridicule me, to train their daughters,” smiles the teenager, who is also the brand ambassador of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao -- a Government of India campaign.

Giving the valley hope

Growing up in the picturesque Kashmir valley, Tajamul’s entire focus is on kickboxing. The valley, which often witnesses violent protests, terror attacks, and border skirmishes, has not dampened her dreams. “If I ever come under attack, I can fight and take down at least five people,” laughs the champ. She credits her coaches Faisal Ali, a Padma Shri awardee and VS Rawat, a kickboxing coach of the Indian team, for training her, and aiding her victories.

When practice makes perfect

A stickler for routine, this teen kickboxer's practice begins at 5 am. Two hours later, its school, and then by evening, she is ready for another couple of hours of practice. She also finds time to coach and mentor budding kickboxers at the academy.

“Many girls ask me how I manage the tough routine. I just tell them to focus on the game, put in the hard work and set goals,” advises the teenager.

The kickboxing sensation from Kashmir is undoubtedly an inspiration for many girls in the valley. Having launched Haider Sports Academy along with her father in 2019, hundreds of children aspire to become Tajamul Islam. “They saw what I could achieve, now parents want their children to make a career in sports,” she says proudly.

She laments that Bandipora does not have an indoor stadium, saying, “Kashmir can produce great sportspersons as there is great talent here but the government has to provide facilities.” Tajamul was also congratulated by Lieutenant-Governor Manoj Sinha, J&K, on her win last year. Adding sports infrastructure will help Kashmiris be physically and mentally fit, thus overcoming the negativities plaguing the valley, including drug addiction, she believes.

Break bones, and heal them too

Kickboxing apart, she wants to eventually become an orthopaedic surgeon. “I will continue kickboxing but also work towards becoming a doctor. I want to ensure that when I break my opponents' bones, I can heal them as well,” she giggles. A huge fan of boxers Mary Kom and Lovlina Borgohain, she loves reading, music, and travelling. “I want to represent India and win a gold in the Olympics,” says the kickboxing sensation, who strengthens her core with a balance of proteins, carbohydrates, and vitamins.

Follow Tajamul Islam on Instagram

Reading Time: 8 mins

Achyuta Rajaram: Regeneron Science Talent Search winner decoding AI decision-making

(November 22, 2024) Achyuta Rajaram, a 17-year-old senior at Phillips Exeter Academy, stood on stage in Washington, D.C., shocked as his name was announced as the top winner of the 2024 Regeneron Science Talent Search. His project, which developed a method to identify the decision-making components of artificial intelligence (AI) systems, earned him the competition’s $250,000 prize. It was a moment of recognition for years of disciplined effort in understanding machine learning and pushing its boundaries. “When they called my name, I honestly thought I might faint,” Rajaram recalled. “By the time they announced the first runner-up, I had fully accepted that I wasn’t in the top ten. I was genuinely happy for my friends and ready to celebrate their success.” Instead, the recognition was his. The Regeneron Science Talent Search, often referred to as the “Junior Nobel Prize,” is one of the most prestigious STEM competitions in the United States. It challenges high school seniors to develop innovative projects while demonstrating academic versatility and depth. More than 2,000 students applied in 2024, competing in what organizers described as the largest entry pool since the 1960s. Addressing a key problem in AI research Rajaram’s project addresses a key problem in

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Addressing a key problem in AI research

Rajaram’s project addresses a key problem in AI research: understanding how models process information. While AI systems have become ubiquitous—generating images, diagnosing diseases, or driving cars—their decision-making processes often remain opaque. This lack of transparency creates risks, from unfair biases to dangerous misclassifications.

Rajaram’s method automates the identification of which parts of a model contribute to its decisions. “You can think of it like identifying which neurons in a human brain light up when you look at an image,” he explained. “Except here, it’s an algorithm, not a brain.”

This work is particularly relevant to image recognition models, which are used in applications ranging from facial recognition to autonomous vehicles. Rajaram tested his code on an open-source AI model and found that it helped resolve a significant flaw: misclassifying images when conflicting text appeared nearby. For instance, an image of a red traffic light labeled with the word “green” would sometimes be incorrectly identified as green. Rajaram’s method pinpointed and addressed the problem by isolating the components responsible for the misclassification.

“As AI models grow more complex, analyzing them manually becomes nearly impossible,” he said. “My goal was to create a tool that could automate this process, making these systems more reliable and safer to use.”

Early Influences and Support

Rajaram credits his interest in computer science to his parents, who both worked in software engineering. “My parents met while working at IBM in India,” he said. “From a young age, they encouraged me to be around computers and learn coding.” This foundation gave him the confidence to dive into complex concepts and experiment with emerging technologies.

At Phillips Exeter Academy, Rajaram quickly stood out for his academic curiosity and leadership. He co-leads the school’s physics, chemistry, and chess clubs while maintaining a rigorous schedule. His interest in AI grew during his freshman year when he noticed that much of the research focused on natural language processing, such as chatbots, rather than image-based AI models.

“I saw a gap in the research and wanted to explore it further,” he said. “Images are central to so many AI applications, yet we don’t fully understand how these models interpret visual data.”

Rajaram’s project required more than curiosity—it demanded time, discipline, and expert mentorship. He worked closely with Dr. Sarah Schwettmann at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, spending three days a week in her lab. Each week, he dedicated 25 to 30 hours to refining his code and testing its applications.

“Dr. Schwettmann’s guidance was invaluable,” he said. “She helped me think critically about the practical implications of my work and encouraged me to push the boundaries of what the project could achieve.”

[caption id="attachment_40516" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] The winners of the 2024 Regeneron Science Talent Search[/caption]

A Practical Impact

The practical applications of Rajaram’s research extend far beyond the competition. His method could be used to improve the transparency of AI systems in industries like healthcare, finance, and transportation. For example, in medical imaging, his approach could help identify how algorithms diagnose diseases, ensuring that decisions are based on relevant features rather than spurious correlations.

“There’s so much at stake when it comes to AI,” he said. “Understanding how these systems work is the first step toward making them better.”

Rajaram is already looking ahead to the next phase of his research. After graduating from Phillips Exeter Academy, he plans to attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he will major in computer science. His goal is to apply his method to a broader range of AI models, particularly those used in critical applications like autonomous driving and facial recognition.

“This is just one tool in a larger toolbox for understanding AI,” he said. “The more we know about how these models work, the more we can trust them—and improve them.”

Beyond the Lab

Despite his academic achievements, Rajaram finds time to enjoy the typical pursuits of a teenager. He is an avid jazz drummer and a devoted fan of chess, often competing in school tournaments. He also enjoys spending time with friends, frequently visiting local restaurants.

“My favorite dish is the honey spareribs at Szechuan Taste,” he shared with a smile. “It’s the best way to relax after a long week.”

His ability to balance rigorous academic work with extracurricular interests reflects a disciplined but grounded approach to life.

Advice for Aspiring Innovators

Achyuta Rajaram is aware that his achievement will inspire other young scientists, and he is quick to offer practical advice. “Be curious about everything, not just your chosen field,” he said. “The more you explore, the more you’ll find connections between different ideas. Most things become fascinating when you dig deep enough.”

He also emphasized the importance of persistence. “Research can be frustrating. There were times when my code didn’t work, and I felt stuck. But every failure taught me something new, and that’s what kept me going.”

A Future in AI

Rajaram’s work highlights the potential of young scientists to contribute to some of the world’s most pressing challenges. By improving the transparency and reliability of AI systems, his research addresses concerns that have long plagued the field.

His success at the Regeneron Science Talent Search is just the beginning. As he prepares to join MIT, Achyuta Rajaram remains focused on pushing the boundaries of what AI can achieve—and ensuring it serves society responsibly.

“I want my work to have a real impact,” he said. “There’s so much we still don’t know about AI, and I’m excited to be part of the effort to change that.”

At a time when artificial intelligence is reshaping industries, Rajaram’s contributions stand out for their clarity and purpose. His journey serves as a reminder of the importance of curiosity, discipline, and a commitment to understanding the systems that increasingly shape our world.

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Brothers on a mission: How Vishal and Ishan Vijay are tackling child poverty across borders

(November 12, 2024) In 2012, a then 12-year-old Vishal Vijay returned to Oakville, Ontario, from what was supposed to be a simple family trip to India. But what he and his younger brother, Ishan Vijay, saw during their visit to Faridabad changed their lives forever. The two brothers, used to the comforts of suburban Canada, came face-to-face with children living in extreme poverty. For Vishal, it was impossible to shake off the image of kids his age begging on the streets. "This girl was begging on the side of the street. How is it that she is in this situation and that I'm not? I thought that's really unfair, and I need to do something about this," he recalled. [caption id="attachment_40317" align="aligncenter" width="480"] Vishal Vijay[/caption] Planting the Seeds of Change Upon returning home to Oakville, Vishal and Ishan Vijay didn't just talk about what they had seen; they acted. Together, they formed Children in Action, a small group of friends who raised funds to support education and essential needs for disadvantaged kids. Their first fundraiser — a bake sale — raised just under $400. "We were over-the-moon ecstatic, and we knew that we had to keep going, and that there

sed funds to support education and essential needs for disadvantaged kids. Their first fundraiser — a bake sale — raised just under $400. "We were over-the-moon ecstatic, and we knew that we had to keep going, and that there were more kids that needed our help," Vishal said. What started as a small youth group soon evolved into Every Child Now (ECN), a youth-run nonprofit focused on alleviating child poverty and empowering young people.

Building Hope, One Step at a Time

Since its founding, Every Child Now has grown beyond anything the brothers imagined. They've raised over $100,000 and launched projects that have touched thousands of lives. Their efforts include building a schoolhouse in Rajasthan, providing clean water in Sierra Leone, and distributing school supplies to disadvantaged children. "We focus on providing children and their families with their five basic needs: education, food, clean drinking water, shelter, and health care," Vishal explained in an interview. The brothers' impact stretches from the streets of India to communities across Canada.

"We need to realize that we are a part of a global community." - @EveryChild_Now's Vishal & Ishan Vijay #WEareCanada https://t.co/9x72VkudHW pic.twitter.com/luZBjzUmof

— WE (@WEMovement) April 19, 2017

While their work started with a focus on India, the Vijays soon realised poverty wasn’t confined to one place. “This affects kids all around the world. We quickly realized this was not something that was isolated to the communities that we have visited,” Vishal said. Domestically, they’ve helped indigenous communities and children in need by providing school supplies and running educational workshops. Through partnerships and persistent fundraising, the nonprofit has supported projects in Canada, India, Nepal, and West Africa, helping provide essential resources, from clean water and education to health care and shelter. Their efforts led them to receive Junior Citizen Awards in 2015 from the then Lt Governor of Ontario, Elizabeth Dowdeswell.

Indians living in Canada, like the Vijay brothers, are contributing immensely to their communities. Canada’s Indian diaspora is known for its resilience, cultural contributions, and commitment to social welfare. For Vishal and Ishan Vijay, this connection to their heritage has fueled their work both locally and abroad.

[caption id="attachment_40318" align="aligncenter" width="788"] Vishal Vijay teaching students[/caption]

Adapting to New Challenges

The COVID-19 pandemic brought new obstacles. With schools closed, the educational gap widened. The brothers knew they had to adapt. "When the pandemic first hit, we were really noticing this divide that was starting to occur in education, where many children didn't have access to the resources and support that they needed at home," the Global Indian said. They responded by launching Social Educating, a program connecting kids in grades 4 to 8 with university students who tutor them online for free. This initiative helped bridge the gap for many Canadian students struggling with remote learning.

The brothers believe that engaging youth is key to sustainable change. Vishal has spoken at youth conferences across North America, emphasizing that young people have the power to make a difference now, not just in the future. "Young people aren't just our future; they’re our present, too," he often says.

Every Child Now is guided by three pillars: inspire, advocate, and impact. “When it comes to sustainable development and activism, collaboration is incredibly important. There is a shared sense of passion and belief in the mission,” Vishal said. He understands that tackling child poverty and promoting youth empowerment isn’t easy, but he and Ishan remain determined.

Vishal who graduated from Western University’s Ivey Business School has been blending his passion for social impact with strategic thinking. His goal is to bring purpose-driven missions into whatever he does.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TiEN56ljX0

A Lasting Impact

What started as a small, heartfelt effort by two brothers to help kids they saw in Faridabad has blossomed into a movement. They know there’s still more work to be done, but they’re not backing down. “We discovered that a lot of young Canadians are really interested in social impact. I think of us as the Purpose Generation,” Vishal said.

For Vishal and Ishan, the journey from a dusty street in India to building a nonprofit that inspires youth worldwide proves one simple thing: change can begin with a single act, as long as you’re brave enough to take that first step.

Follow Ishan Vijay on LinkedIn