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Published on 30, Aug 2023
Written By: Namrata Srivastava
(January 1, 2022) Alina Alam wears many hats. Entrepreneur, TedX speaker, Forbes 30 under 30, and Commonwealth Youth Award finalist. Winning awards is her zeitgeist — The NCPEDEP Mindtree Hellen Keller Award, the Microsoft Nipman Award, yes, the list is long and impressive. However, away from these accolades is a girl who cares and believes in the power of positive action. Bringing smiles to the differently-abled is what gives her immense joy, and if she can play matchmaker to some, then that’s all the better. Alam built Mitti Café to help people with disabilities join the workforce and compete with the best in business. Thanks to the café, there are people with visual and hearing impairments, Asperger’s and Down’s syndrome feeling the warmth of a life fulfilled. Today, Mitti Café has 17 outlets across India, and has served over 6 million meals. What’s more, the clientele of hip and happening youngsters love tucking into their favourites from the menu that is also in Braille. A café like no other, when workplace accommodation is a struggle for the differently-abled across India, the café and Alina Alam have blazed new trails by employing the disabled. The journey began at empowerment The girl
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The girl from Kolkata was no doubt egged on by her HR executive father, and her mother who is a homemaker. Her siblings often help in her cafe activities. Her sense of compassion comes no doubt from being raised in a family where monetary aspirations were not important, a social purpose was.
When Alam, 29, started the cafe, her mission was to empower persons with disabilities by providing them opportunities to succeed. Looking back, Alam says that it’s been a many-splendored journey.
She was just 23 when she first thought of doing something different and socially relevant. Pursuing her master’s in development studies at the Azim Premji University, Bengaluru, a documentary film on Roman emperor Nero left her with no doubt on her path ahead. The film showed Nero treating prisoners of war with extreme brutality before large crowds as the guests watched in silence or enjoyed the spectacle. It disturbed Alam. “I felt that the problem was not Nero as I feel the world will always have people like him. The problem was with the individuals who treated others as inconsequential. What if I am one of the guests at Nero’s party? If something wrong is happening and you are not taking sides, that means you are on the side of the oppressor,” she tells Global Indian Youth.
She then skipped campus placements and volunteered for organisations in the disability inclusion space. “I was passionate about doing something for the disabled,” she says. While working with Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled in Bengaluru, she saw what the differently-abled are capable of. “I understood that they have enormous potential but lack opportunities. They just need someone to guide and upskill them. What better way to reach out and connect them to the world than through food?” smiles Alam. Mitti Café was born, and the differently-abled got a new lease of life.
The name of the cafe is unique. “Mitti” n Hindi means soil. “The concept is that everyone belongs to the soil and, we all will return to the soil one day. So, everyone is equal,” she adds.
It has been a rollercoaster ride since 2017, but a very fulfilling one. “Entrepreneurship is challenging. I had zero experience and no capital,” she remembers. So, she put on a brave face, and went door-to-door in Hubli, Karnataka, with pamphlets written in bold, calling the disabled to join her with no bar on age, education or experience. Only one person joined her. “She almost crawled in,” Alam smiles. “I got positive strength, and the journey started with one staff who was wheel-chair bound,” she adds.
A café office in Hubli in a dilapidated tin hut infested with rats, slowly things started falling in place, and Alam opened the first branch at the BVB College of Engineering and Technology campus in Hubli in August 2017.
In four years, she has opened 17 cafés in Bengaluru and Kolkata. Not content, Alam also provides experiential training and employment to adults with physical and intellectual disabilities so that they can get gainful employment. The organisation also creates awareness about inclusion and disability rights.
With 106 adults with special needs managing Mitti Cafés, the chain has served over 6 million meals in just four years. “We have 16 cafés within institutions such as Wipro, Infosys, Accenture, Wells Fargo Cytecare Hospital,” adds Alam.
The café has self-explanatory menu cards printed in Braille, are disabled-friendly, with no compromise on ambience. Then, there is the warm smile of the staffers to put one at ease. One of the critical features of the café is the extensive training programme, so the cafés are able to compete with the best in the business. “Our training includes hygiene, culinary skills, sessions about prevention of sexual harassment, etc,” explains Alam, who schooled at Modern High School for Girls and did psychology at Sophia College for Women.
During the pandemic too, Alam has been on point. The MITTI Karuna Meals gave migrants and others sustenance, serving over 7.2 lakh meals with plans to expand to thousands more. Alam, also recently got married to a Mumbai-based entrepreneur. She recalls the many rejections early on for her venture so when she got a call from Deshpande Foundation under condition that she move to Hubli, she moved lock, stock and barrel.
On her first foray in Hubli, she says, “I learnt the best lessons of resilience through the struggles. I also got to meet Narayan Murthy, who visited our cafe. That is how the Infosys cafe happened a year later,” she says. The Kolkata born Alam loves crooning, and is a newspaper junkie, which helps her stay abreast.
Today, her exuberance is double - she would like to start the café in every major city, with plans afoot for an outlet in Hyderabad in 2022, and wants to follow it up with Chennai and Mumbai. “Then I want to take Mitti Cafe international,” avers the girl whose belief and conviction have created a legacy to a section of society that has finally got its own girl saviour.
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(January 17, 2025) Every year, the ubiquitous computing community, a global network of researchers and innovators dedicated to seamlessly integrating technology into everyday life, gathers to celebrate innovation and societal impact. This tradition honours the legacy of the late University of Washington Professor Gaetano Borriello, who pioneered mobile and sensor technologies to address global healthcare challenges. This year, the prestigious Gaetano Borriello Outstanding Student Award was presented to Anandghan Waghmare, an Allen School scholar from India, at the ACM International Joint Conference on Pervasive and Ubiquitous Computing in Melbourne, Australia. Named after the late professor, the award recognizes Ph.D. students whose contributions embody Borriello’s values of academic excellence and societal impact. “I believe technology can be a powerful tool for improving people's lives and well-being. For example, some of my projects focus on developing devices to enhance health and make everyday tasks easier. I'm driven by the idea of creating innovations that bring more happiness and ease to people's lives,” Anandghan, shared in an interview with Global Indian. The innovator is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Computer Science at the University of Washington. [caption id="attachment_41568" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Anandghan with Glucoscreen Strip | Photo Credit: Allen School[/caption] Professor Gaetano Borriello's legacy
Read Morerently pursuing a Ph.D. in Computer Science at the University of Washington.
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Gaetano Borriello, a distinguished computer scientist and innovator, was instrumental in shaping the field of ubiquitous computing. He was a professor at the University of Washington Allen School and a visionary researcher who combined technical expertise with a deep commitment to societal impact. Borriello’s groundbreaking work focused on developing mobile and sensor technologies to address pressing global challenges, particularly in healthcare and underserved communities. His projects emphasized how technology could bridge gaps in equity and justice, making a tangible difference in the lives of marginalized populations.
Beyond his technical contributions, Borriello was deeply respected as a mentor, educator, and advocate for using technology ethically and inclusively. The Gaetano Borriello Outstanding Student Award, named in his honour, emphasizes his enduring influence.
For Anandghan, the recognition was both humbling and inspiring. "This award means a lot to me,” said the innovator who has always looked up to past recipients and respected their work and contributions. The award recognizes the PhD scholar’s groundbreaking research, his dedication to creating socially meaningful technologies, and his active engagement in the academic community.
Waghmare’s doctoral research at the University of Washington’s UbiComp Lab focuses on enhancing the functionality of everyday devices through ingenious modifications. One of his standout projects, GlucoScreen, transforms a smartphone into a prediabetes screening tool. Leveraging the computational and networking capabilities of smartphones, GlucoScreen introduces low-cost, disposable rapid tests for at-home blood glucose monitoring. This innovation addresses a critical gap, as more than one-third of U.S. adults have prediabetes, with over eighty percent unaware of their condition.
“A lot of technology is already built into these devices like smartphones—the computing power, the networking, the display. I try to leverage everything in existing devices and add what’s missing,” Anandghan explained. GlucoScreen’s potential to enable early detection and management of prediabetes represents a significant step forward in preventive healthcare, particularly in regions where access to traditional diagnostic tools is limited.
In addition to GlucoScreen, Anandghan has also developed WatchLink, a system that allows users to integrate additional sensors with smartwatches to measure UV exposure, body temperature, and alcohol levels. His work also includes creating wearable devices like the Z-Ring, which uses radio frequency sensing to enable intuitive, context-aware hand interactions. These innovations showcase his ability to blend engineering ingenuity with societal relevance.
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Beyond his research, Anandghan Waghmare’s contributions to the academic community are noteworthy. Since 2019, he has actively reviewed submissions for leading conferences such as IMWUT and CHI, and held various organizational roles, including video previews co-chair at UIST and web co-chair at the International Symposium on Mixed and Augmented Reality. His upcoming roles in 2025 include serving as publications co-chair at CHI and registration co-chair at UbiComp.
Anandghan is also passionate about encouraging young students to pursue STEM careers. By hosting high school students, sharing his research experiences, and emphasizing the importance of early exposure to technology, he hopes to inspire the next generation of innovators.
Anandghan’s journey began in Nagpur, Maharashtra, where his family instilled in him a love for learning and innovation. His father, an engineer, sparked his interest in building and creating, while his mother, a former teacher, encouraged him to think big and pursue his dreams. “My family has always been a strong support system,” he remarked, mentioning his sister, a dentist, as another source of inspiration.
Before joining the Ph.D. program at Washington University, Anandghan earned a master's degree in Interactive Intelligence from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a B. Tech from IIT Patna.
At IIT Patna, Waghmare’s curiosity and drive found fertile ground. “As a relatively new institution, IIT Patna offered unique opportunities to shape its culture. I co-founded the computer script club and participated in several student initiatives,” he recalled. These experiences laid the foundation for the scholar’s innovative mindset and collaborative spirit.
Moving to the United States further broadened Anandghan’s horizons. At Georgia Tech, where he earned his master’s degree in interactive intelligence, and later at the University of Washington, he embraced diverse perspectives and resources that enriched his research. “Interacting with people from different backgrounds has shaped my worldview and approach to problem-solving,” he said.
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Looking ahead, Anandghan Waghmare aspires to continue developing solutions that address real-world challenges. “I’m passionate about building things that have a positive impact,” he shared. Whether in academia or industry, his focus remains on creating technologies that enhance lives and promote well-being.
By enhancing existing technologies in innovative ways and inspiring others to explore STEM, he is not only honouring the legacy of Gaetano Borriello but also playing a role shaping a more equitable and connected world.
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(December 2, 2022) 2022 proved to be a golden year for Indian boxer, Nikhat Zareen. The sports star, 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 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. [caption id="attachment_24916" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Indian boxer Nikhat Zareen receiving the Arjuna Award from President Murmu[/caption] Although there were several hurdles in life - from relatives and close family friends not agreeing with her choice of career, to facing a financial crunch to support her boxing - Nikhat held on to her dreams and emerged victorious. "I remember telling my father that someone had told me that boxing is not meant for girls. He
Read Morecareer, to facing a financial crunch to support her boxing - Nikhat held on to her dreams and emerged victorious. "I remember telling my father that someone had told me that boxing is not meant for girls. He told me, there is nothing one can’t do if they are determined," she shared with Global Indian during an exclusive interview, adding, "After I first stepped inside the box, there was no turning back. I knew boxing is what I wanted to do. My father supported me throughout my journey, encouraging me. Today, after I have won many medals, I feel that all the hard work was worth it. However, I have much more potential and a long way to go."
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Despite winning so many medals, the boxer feels that she "cannot afford to take a break." Passionate and focussed, the 26-year-old 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.
Nikhat started her sporting journey in a town called Nizamabad, in erstwhile Andhra Pradesh. Participating in several school competitions, Nikhat was a junior sports star. The Indian boxer shares that her father is not only her biggest support but also an inspiration. “My father was also a sportsperson. He was working in Saudi Arabia, but when he got to know that one of his daughters is interested in sports, he left his job and came to India. Despite many people saying that I am a girl, and can’t box, my father constantly encouraged me and reminded me that the first rule of any sport is to not give up,” shares the girl boxing champ whose father mentored her early on.
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It took her just one year to prove her mettle in boxing. She won several state and national level championships and was inducted into the Sports Authority of India in Vishakhapatnam to train under Dronacharya awardee, IV Rao in 2009. With her hard work, Nikhat was selected to represent the country at the 2011 Women’s Junior and Youth World Boxing Championship in Turkey.
"I took a short leave to visit my family 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."
“I defeated the Turkish boxer Ulku Demir, which everyone said was going to be very difficult as she had the support of the crowd. But frankly more than winning the competition, the greatest moment of that tournament was when India’s national anthem was played after I won gold. I was overwhelmed and that was the moment I decided that I will become a professional boxer,” she shares.
Not only was this the first win at an international tournament for the Indian boxer, but this was also the first time she sat on the flight. Just before leaving the country for the competition, Nikhat shares an amusing incident, “I have motion sickness, so I requested a window seat on the flight. I didn’t know that you can’t use those windows.”
After the Turkey win, there was no looking back for Nikhat. She won medals at various national and international events, including the 2014 Youth World Boxing Championships, in Bulgaria, the 2014 Nations Cup International Boxing Tournament, in Serbia, and the 2015 16th Senior Woman National Boxing Championship, in Assam.
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However, in 2017 the champion’s shoulder snapped during an Inter-University Championships bout, forcing her out of the ring for a year. “As sportspersons, we are often told that injuries are a part of our journey. But, there is nothing more difficult than sitting out of the ring and watching compatriots do so well. I always found myself thinking about all those tournaments I could have been winning medals at. I was mentally down. Many people said that I was finished and had no chance of representing India again,” shares the Indian boxer.
But just when people were about to write her off, the girl boxing champ made a resounding comeback after winning gold at the 56th Belgrade Winner International Championship 2018. “Before that tournament, I remember I was determined to show everyone who thought that my career was finished, what I was made off. I practiced a lot and finished on the podium,” says the smiling girl boxing champ.
Currently at the national camp taking place at the Indira Gandhi Stadium as a flyweight boxer, she feels she doesn’t just need power. Explaining further, the girl boxing champ says, “(I need) speed to step in and out, duck, weave and throw punches. For any tournament, I do strength training – to convert strength into power. We also do cardio, and train in the ring.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeqVH6VfVcs
A foodie, Nikhat enjoys trying new things. “When I travel for tournaments, I hardly get time. I just keep training. However, whenever there is a chance of getting a break, I go out and eat with my team members. In fact, whenever I am back in Nizamabad, I catch up with friends over street food. Although, I have to keep a tab on what and how much am I eating,” shares the Indian boxer.
(April 23, 2024) Growing up in the village of Keirak in Manipur, Elangbam Panthoi Chanu had no clue about football until she discovered the popular sport during a grassroots school sports festival at the age of 12. That got her instantly hooked. Cut to 2024, the 28-year-old has become the second goalkeeper from India to play for a club outside India, and the first Indian to play professional football in Australia. Excited for the opportunity, she said, "I've always dreamed of playing abroad and this is a great opportunity for me." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Women In Sports (@womeninsportsindia) Though she has begun her international inning with Metro United WFC in the South Australian League, she is set to undergo training with A-League outfit Adelaide United whose coach Adrian Stenta noticed her talent during the 'Women in Sports' elite footballs trials held in Kolkata in 2023. Serendipity led to her passion For someone who hails from a family that had nothing to do with sports, getting into football was a serendipitous encounter. It was the grassroots festival that turned out to be the perfect opportunity to try something new and she instantly knew
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Though she has begun her international inning with Metro United WFC in the South Australian League, she is set to undergo training with A-League outfit Adelaide United whose coach Adrian Stenta noticed her talent during the 'Women in Sports' elite footballs trials held in Kolkata in 2023.
For someone who hails from a family that had nothing to do with sports, getting into football was a serendipitous encounter. It was the grassroots festival that turned out to be the perfect opportunity to try something new and she instantly knew she had found her calling. Her coach had put her on the left wing but after the goalkeeper was left retired hurt, she decided to fill in her shoes, and that was the beginning of her journey in the world of football. Though she was new to the game and didn't understand the intricacies of it initially, her only aim on the field was to not let any ball through on her watch. "That was the beginning of my journey, and I have stayed on course since then. It has taken a lot of hard work and struggle, but that's what makes it worth it," she said in an interview.
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Each day, she would take the 5 am bus from her remote village to travel 50 km to Imphal to reach the football academy for her training. A fast learner, she picked up the game quickly, and within a year of taking up the sport, she made it to the Manipur junior state team and the Indian junior national camp. Though she comes from a family of doctors and engineers, she found support in her parents and siblings. "I'm the only one who is in sports in my family. So, my father told me that it doesn't matter what I'm doing, that if I work hard at my profession, I will succeed and show the world what Manipur girls can do. My parents wanted me to be an example for the girls in my village," Panthoi had said.
Panthoi began her career at the Women's Football Academy in the Kakching district of Manipur, where she honed her skills for four years. Subsequently, she transitioned to Eastern Sporting Union in 2012 before joining Manipur Police. In 2014, she broke into the Indian national team, however, she had to patiently wait for a long time to find a permanent position because of the presence of other talented and experienced goalkeepers. But a shinbone injury in 2021 was a major setback as many had already written her off. But she was determined to return stronger. "Apart from the team training, I would do my individual training as well. Every day I reserve at least 30 minutes for running, and do my drills, conditioning, and training for two hours apart from the practice with the team," she said.
Over the past few years, Panthoi Chanu has risen as India's premier goalkeeper and was a key member of the team that secured the runner-up position at the Turkish Women’s Cup held in February. Her extensive experience in international football was a decisive factor for Metro United, who discovered her talent through the Women in Sports football clinic.
During her debut in Australia, Panthoi and her team conceded two goals. But she hopes to make a mark by the end of the season. "It is definitely exciting playing in Australia. This is a very important assignment for me and to do it well, I know I have to work hard. This is a stepping stone for me. But my dream is not restricted to playing in one country."
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(October 14, 2023) At 16, I was worried about my upcoming XII boards, and what to pursue after I finished my school. And while most kids that age are dealing with this dilemma, Pranjali Awasthi has managed to secure a staggering ₹3.7 crores in investment for her artificial intelligence (AI) venture, Delv.AI. Charting a different course — one that is setting a new standard in the ever-evolving world of AI, the entrepreneur's journey is a testament to her unwavering determination and innovative vision for the future. With a singular objective of helping researchers to efficiently access specific information in the ever-expanding world of online content, this young entrepreneur is redefining the landscape of the burgeoning AI industry. "As more content gets uploaded online, it’s getting harder for people to find the right information, especially when that information is very specific. Delv.AI helps researchers leverage AI to find exactly the information they’re looking for," the young Florida-based entrepreneur said during a recent interaction. Like her father In the world of exceptional young talents, Prajali Awasthi stands out as a true child prodigy. From an early age, she displayed remarkable intelligence and a passion for learning that would ultimately propel her into
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In the world of exceptional young talents, Prajali Awasthi stands out as a true child prodigy. From an early age, she displayed remarkable intelligence and a passion for learning that would ultimately propel her into computer programming. The entrepreneur's father, a software engineer himself, recognised the immense potential of his child and ensured that she had early exposure to this field. At seven years old, when most children are still navigating the world of toys and cartoons, Prajali began her coding adventure.
When she was just 11, the family moved to Florida. "After I reached the USA, my curiosity thrived as I could take computer science classes and do competitive math," shared the entrepreneur, who won several competitions representing her school and also interned at Universities research labs. This is where she got the idea of starting her company.
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"When I was 13, I started interning in university research labs at Florida Internal University working on machine learning projects alongside going to high school. Because of the pandemic, my high school had gone virtual, so I was able to intern for about 20 hours a week," the entrepreneur said, adding, "My tasks included doing searches, extracting data, and creating literature reviews. In 2020, OpenAI released its ChatGPT-3 beta, and I knew we could use it to make extracting and summarising research data easier."
As a research intern, the young entrepreneur knew the difficulties and loopholes in the AI industry. "I was hyper-aware of how hard it was getting to find exactly what you needed on search engines. I began thinking about how AI could solve this problem. That was the seed for my company, Delv.AI. It wasn't a fully formed idea yet, but I knew I wanted to start a company using machine learning to extract data and eliminate data silos," shared the Global Indian.
In 2021 the young entrepreneur attended Miami Hack Week, where she crossed paths with two with two influential figures in the startup world: Lucy Guo and Dave Fontenot, partners at Backend Capital, and founders of HF0 residency – a live-in startup accelerator in San Francisco and Miami. "I was accepted into their September 12-week cohort in exchange for a small piece of my future company. My parents told me I should take the opportunity – the network alone would be worth it, so I took an absence from high school," said Pranjali, adding that the residency also paid for her to commute from and to the house via Uber every day.
"I launched the beta for Delv.AI on Product Hunt, a platform for people to share software for free, during the residency on my birthday – I'd just turned 15. It became the number three product of the day," share the entrepreneur, "I formed strong connections in the A.I. community throughout the fellowship. This network was helpful for fundraising in the months following the residency. My success on Product Hunt added to the momentum."
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Her company, which managed to raise $450,000 in total from a combination of funds and angels including Lucy Guo and Village Global, is 10-employee strong. "We're currently valued at around $12 million. I run a small and lean team, but I still do much of the work. I start my days with running and prepping for my team's daily huddle. As my team members are older than me, good communication is key, as is knowing when to take the reins," Pranjali informed.
After the company was established the youngster got very busy with all the work, however, she eventually learned to manage her studies and Delv.AI. "My parents are Indian, so academics are a priority for them. I wanted to get a GED, but we compromised on me finishing my high school credits online, which I completed in June 2023. My decision to not go to college is hard for them, but they understand," she explained, adding, "I have a lot of responsibility on my plate and passion for what I'm building. I might consider college down the line to learn business skills like law and psychology, where the in-person format of college could be beneficial.”
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