Global Indianstory Global Indian ExclusiveSirish Subash earns ‘America’s Top Young Scientist’ title in the 3M Young Scientist Challenge

Sirish Subash earns ‘America’s Top Young Scientist’ title in the 3M Young Scientist Challenge

By: Amrita Priya

(October 29, 2024) When Sirish Subash’s innovation, an AI-based handheld pesticide detector named PestiSCAND, was tested, it demonstrated an impressive 85 percent accuracy in detecting pesticide residues on fresh farm produce like spinach and tomatoes. The effectiveness of this innovative tool paved the way for Sirish’s victory at the 2024 3M Young Scientist Challenge. The Georgia teen from Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology won the $25,000 grand prize along with the title of ‘America’s Top Young Scientist.’

The 14-year-old credits his parents for instilling in him the curiosity that inspired him to design a pesticide detector. “My parents always insist that I wash fruits and vegetables before consuming them,” he shared in an interview. “I wondered, how necessary is this really, and how effective is washing? Does it actually work to ensure that produce is clean?” This curiosity led him to innovate the award-winning tool in the Challenge where he competed against nine top finalists. The final event was held at the 3M global headquarters in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Oct. 14 and 15.

Indian Inventor | Sirish Subash | Global Indian

Impact of 3M Young Scientist Challenge

The 3M Young Scientist Challenge, now in its 17th year, continues to inspire middle school students to apply STEM principles to solve real-world problems. As the United States’ premier science competition, it is administered by Discovery Education and 3M.

Each year, the top 10 finalists, comprising public and private school students from across the U.S. are evaluated through a series of challenges – including a presentation of their completed innovation project. Their work gets scored independently by a panel of judges.

Past 3M winners have gone on to give TED Talks, found nonprofits, file patents, and make it onto the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, highlighting the far-reaching impact of this platform.

Technology behind Sirish’s innovation – PestiSCAND

Sirish’s tool uses spectrophotometry to measure the wavelength of light reflecting off fruits and vegetables, combined with a machine learning model to analyse the data and detect harmful pesticides – all without damaging the food.

All one needs to do is download an app, point the tool at the food in question, and determine if an additional rinse is necessary. “That’s the main goal of PestiSCAND – to help people ensure that they aren’t consuming pesticides so they can avoid any associated health risks,” Sirish explained in an interview.

PestiSCAND is equipped with a sensor, power supply, display screen, and processor. By utilising a non-destructive method, it provides an efficient and reliable solution to the growing concern over pesticide contamination. The tool’s ability to quickly assess the safety of fruits and vegetables marks a promising step toward healthier food standards.

Indian Inventor | Sirish Subash | Global Indian

Sirish demonstrating how to use PestiSCAND

Journey of earning the title

The finalists faced a series of interactive challenges and were assessed on their creativity, application of STEM principles, passion for research, presentation skills, and ability to inspire. Each finalist was paired with a 3M scientist for one-on-one mentoring throughout the summer, guiding them from concept to prototype development. Sirish Subash was paired with Aditya Banerji, a senior research engineer at 3M’s Corporate Research Process Laboratory.

With Aditya’s support, Sirish refined his idea over the course of four months. Competing against nine other brilliant young minds, he showcased his ingenuity and presentation skills during the final events, ultimately securing the grand title and the cash award.

A dream comes true

The Indian origin teen has been passionate about science since the first grade and has dreamed of applying to the 3M Young Scientist Challenge for many years. A remarkable student, he even skipped the fifth grade. During his sixth-grade year, his family spent much of their time in India, which prevented him from setting up a project that year. In seventh grade, he applied, but things didn’t go as planned. In eighth grade, knowing it was his last chance, he made sure to apply again. “It has been a dream of mine to make it here,” said the Global Indian, who has just begun his studies in ninth grade.

Indian Inventor | 3M Young Scientist Challenge | Global Indian

Sirish with his mentor Aditya Banerji, senior research engineer at 3M’s Corporate Research Process Laboratory

Passion for writing

Beyond his passion for science, Sirish Subash is also an avid writer, having authored two books: Carbon Block Puzzle and Biochemistry: The Fun Way! – both available on popular platforms like Amazon and Barnes & Noble. For his first book, he set a record with the Asia Book of Records as the youngest non-fiction author at the age of 10.

His first book, Carbon Block Puzzle offers a concise and accessible way to understand the fundamentals of climate change – a crucial issue today where distinguishing fact from misinformation can be challenging.

“The effects of climate change are already happening. The first inklings of damage have already been done. Unless more people learn about climate change, the darkest days could come soon. That’s where Carbon Block Puzzle comes in,” Sirish mentions on his website. “The book educates readers on climate change and how to prevent it. Only if truth prevails will the right thing happen, and only then will humanity be safe from climate change.”

Aimed at young readers, Carbon Block Puzzle conveys its message in an engaging way, using the video game Block Puzzle as a tool for learning

His second book, Biochemistry: The Fun Way!, is an illustrated graphic novel designed as an introductory guide to biochemistry. The story follows fictional characters Burger Bob and his cousin SciKid, who runs a biochemistry business. The novel explores a wide range of topics, from foundational chemistry and amino acids to enzymes, proteins, sugars, polysaccharides, nucleic acids, cellular components, and the immune system, concluding with the complement system and practical applications of biochemistry in the real world.

Sirish Subash also runs a YouTube channel called SciKid Sirish, where he shares videos on various science topics and experiments, offering explanations and insights into each.

Indian youth | Sirish Subash | Global Indian

Sirish published his first book at the age of 10

Looking ahead…

The Indian-origin Georgia teen aspires to go beyond his current accomplishments. He dreams of developing more devices and resources that will have a positive impact on people’s everyday lives. With a drive to educate and innovate, Sirish aims to continue making a difference, using his curiosity and talents to improve the world around him.

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Published on 29, Oct 2024

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Varin Sikka: The young innovator’s invention AirCat tackles carbon capture with self-sustaining tech

(October 30, 2024) Varin Sikka, a 16-year-old innovator, is advancing climate technology with his invention, AirCat, a Direct Air Capture (DAC) system designed to capture carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere. AirCat addresses the high energy costs traditionally associated with DAC systems and has been in development for over three years. Sikka’s invention could play a pivotal role in climate change mitigation by offering a new solution to the ongoing issue of carbon emissions. Sikka’s journey with AirCat began in 2020 when intense wildfires near his home in California blanketed the sky in an ominous orange hue for weeks. "The wildfires brought the reality of climate change right to my doorstep," Sikka said. "Seeing it first-hand drove home the urgency of this issue." The fires had an immediate impact on his commitment to climate action, inspiring him to dedicate countless hours to developing a solution. He recognized that traditional DAC systems were often criticized for their high energy consumption, and he set out to create a more efficient alternative. [caption id="attachment_40111" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Varin Sikka[/caption] From Concept to Prototype Over the next three years, Sikka worked tirelessly to bring AirCat from concept to prototype, learning advanced math and science along

arin Sikka | Gloria Barron Prize | Global Indian" width="1024" height="768" /> Varin Sikka[/caption]

From Concept to Prototype

Over the next three years, Sikka worked tirelessly to bring AirCat from concept to prototype, learning advanced math and science along the way. "Teaching myself the technical aspects was challenging but necessary," he stated. Sikka attributes part of his progress to mentors and internships, which provided guidance and insight into navigating technical obstacles. "Having mentors who believed in my work was a huge help. They kept me motivated when things got tough," he shared.

AirCat’s primary advantage lies in its energy efficiency, which sets it apart from other DAC technologies. Unlike traditional systems, which often require large amounts of external power, AirCat is powered by the excess energy generated by wind turbines. "Many DAC systems require vast amounts of energy, which limits their feasibility," Sikka explained. "But with AirCat, the system essentially powers itself, allowing for net zero energy usage." By utilizing the power that would otherwise go to waste, AirCat provides a sustainable solution with minimal environmental impact. This self-sustaining approach has garnered attention for its potential to reduce the carbon footprint of air capture technology.

A Turning Point at COP28

In 2023, Varin Sikka took his prototype to COP28 in Dubai, where he presented AirCat to a global audience of climate experts. The event marked a significant milestone for him, as he shared his vision for AirCat at the Siemens Energy Pavilion. "Climate change isn’t a distant threat; it’s burning in our lungs, scorching our lands," he told the crowd, urging them to recognize the immediacy of the crisis. His call to action resonated with many in attendance, who saw AirCat as a promising tool in the fight against climate change.

The positive reception at COP28 opened doors for Sikka, including a potential partnership with Siemens Energy. Currently, he is working on scaling AirCat beyond the 3D-printed prototype to an industrial level. His goal is to make AirCat widely available and to deploy it in regions most affected by climate change. "I dream of AirCats helping reduce CO2 levels in developing countries where climate change impacts are most severe," he stated. This vision reflects Sikka’s commitment not just to technological innovation, but to using his work to benefit communities around the world.

Raising Awareness on Climate Solutions

Beyond AirCat’s design, Varin Sikka is passionate about raising awareness around the need for scalable climate solutions. He uses digital platforms to share the science behind carbon capture, often emphasizing the immense scale required to offset current emissions. In a recent blog post, he highlighted that removing the carbon we emit annually would require planting approximately 1.6 trillion trees, a scale that would occupy land equivalent to the size of North America. "It’s an overwhelming task," he wrote, "but it underscores the urgency of investing in technological solutions like AirCat." For Sikka, these calculations demonstrate the need for a multifaceted approach to climate change, one that includes both natural and technological methods of carbon capture.

While AirCat is currently focused on DAC technology, Sikka’s commitment to climate action extends beyond this single invention. He envisions a future where carbon capture becomes a routine aspect of industrial operations worldwide, integrated into energy infrastructures to reduce emissions. "We have the technology; what we need now is action," he emphasized. Sikka advocates for government support of carbon capture technologies, cleaner energy practices, and investments in renewable resources. His vision includes making DAC technology accessible and affordable, especially for developing nations where resources are limited. "DAC can’t just be for wealthy countries," he argued. "The places hit hardest by climate change deserve access to these tools as well."

A Future Beyond AirCat

"DAC can’t just be for wealthy countries. The places hit hardest by climate change deserve access to these tools as well." - Varin Sikka

Looking ahead, Sikka plans to introduce additional innovations to address the climate crisis. "AirCat is just the beginning," he stated. His approach combines scientific rigor with a clear vision for practical, large-scale implementation. Through AirCat and his ongoing efforts, Sikka is positioning himself as a key figure in the next generation of climate innovators. His work exemplifies the role that young inventors can play in tackling global challenges, and he remains committed to his mission. "Climate change demands our best efforts," he said. "I’m just trying to do my part."

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Aman Anubhav: The Bihar teen who has impressed NASA and top global space research organisations

(November 5, 2022 ) Aman Anubhav lives in Sikahar, a village in the interiors of Gaya, the sacred city of Bihar. Nestled into the forest, the weather is cool all year round with the temperature difference between the main town and Sikahar varyies up to five degrees. “In the night it gets very dark here. So, I grew up watching lots of stars and constellations. My father became astronomy teacher, helping me understand the wonders of the natural science” says the teenager. The founder of DeuxStem, which teaches space science to the layman, Aman received his first smartphone only when the pandemic hit and classes were moved online. With it, his knowledge grew multifold over the next couple of years, so much so that Aman is already passing on what he has learned to the less privileged. During the pandemic, the family faced such dire financial constraints that Aman even had to quit studying at a private school and enroll temporarily in the local village school. Still, he persevered. Currently studying in Class 12 at Delhi Public School, Bodh Gaya, Aman educates people about physics, astronomy and aerospace through his website, social media and YouTube channel, has received appreciation

lass="size-full wp-image-23868 aligncenter" src="https://www.globalindian.com/youth//wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Aman_image.jpg" alt="Indian Youth | Aman Anubhav | Global Indian" width="1213" height="926" />

Currently studying in Class 12 at Delhi Public School, Bodh Gaya, Aman educates people about physics, astronomy and aerospace through his website, social media and YouTube channel, has received appreciation from National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and also from many other globally renowned organisations from the sphere of space science.

Apart from creating educational content, DeuxStem is working in partnership with International Astronomical Search Collaboration (IASC) that provides high-quality astronomical data to citizen scientists around the world, to make original astronomical discoveries and participate in hands-on astronomy.

Aman and his team have been identifying asteroids (small rocky objects that orbit the Sun) in collaboration with IASC. Two of the twelve identified asteroids are already under deep review of NASA. Deeply inclined towards the STEM subjects, Aman has also digitally developed 105 aerospace equipment designs, some of which have stood out in competitions and been acknowledged by specialists in the domain.

All about space

The sixteen-year-old student of standard 12, DPS, Bodh Gaya strives to deliver top class pedagogy in advanced STEM knowledge to the masses. “My purpose in starting DeuxStem was to put all my aerospace equipment designs, and research papers on modern physics, quantum physics, special relativity, general relativity in one place so that people can read them, and get educated.”

Within months of his initiative, he was thrilled to get an appreciation from NASA, European Space Agency, Ariane Group – an aerospace company based in France, JAXA Space Center, Japan, and astronaut Tim Peake,” he tells Global Indian.

https://youtu.be/IAPEjUQjghc

We also got a very good appreciation post from Canadian Space Agency. They even started following our organisation on social media and website. German Aerospace Centre (DLR) also acknowledged our efforts. This motivated us to create some more digital designs of aerospace equipment - Aman Anubhav

Developing aerospace equipment designs

“These days people want to go to places other than earth, and it is possible only with the help of aerospace equipment,” he smiles. Aman dreams big and doesn’t shy away from the work either and taught himself the basics of aerospace design.

As a reward, the Bihar boy has bought himself a new tablet, after having achieved so much with just a smartphone. “I was introduced to a smart phone for the first time during the Covid-19 outbreak, when my school classes shifted online. Before that, we were strictly not allowed to use them,” he says. Like any teenager, he spent his time playing games, watching videos and streaming films.

Aman explored aerospace through a game he had on his phone. “That’s how my passion for designing aerospace equipment developed,” he says. Although there is software available to create these designs, doing so requires a good amount of scientific knowledge. This he acquired through books and research papers from Springer, the German multinational publishing company, watching YouTube videos and going through relevant material available at MIT OpenCourseWare (OCW), a web-based publication of virtually all MIT course content. “It has some really good courses in aerospace dynamics - that helped,” he says. Aman also watched movies like Interstellar, Ad Astra and Martian.

[caption id="attachment_23873" align="aligncenter" width="839"] Aman Anubhav[/caption]

One of the designs that he is really proud of is a piece of equipment he has named Vyomgami. Derived from the Sanskrit word Vyom Shastra, the name means the scripture of aerospace. “Weather balloons are used to launch rockets to the upper atmosphere and then ejected there, helping the rocket take off without having to fight atmospheric resistance. That’s how it gets into orbit with very little fuel consumption.” Vyomgami is meant to facilitate this process.

The design of Vyomgami stood out in a competition organised by Spaceonova, an organisation that educates people about space and aerospace. He has also come up with solutions that he has named Rakshak and Pavana that can help achieve sustainable energy and clean climate.

Don’t expect the voyage to be a cruise - we should focus on research and innovation rather than scores to help secure the true act for which humans are here - 'Development' - Aman Anubhav

Aman attended one of Asia’s largest Techfest, IIT Bombay Techfest last year. Amidst the many talented young minds, he got acquainted with Roshan Naidu a VIT student who is now the co-founder of DeuxStem, taking care of the operations part of it. He has also participated in CERN - European Council for Nuclear Research conference. "I got the opportunity to interact with Dr Steven Goldfarb from University of Melbourne working at ATLAS experiments for the launch of LHC (large hadron collider), Higgs Boson, Gravity & Graviton and particles & nuclear physics," he tells.

Finding asteroids

Talking about his partnership with IASC, Aman says, “It’s a not-for-profit organisation that enjoys sponsorship from well-known research bodies like NASA, International Astronomical Union, Catalina Sky Survey etc. to equip citizen scientists with knowledge of astronomy.

IASC get pictures of the night sky directly from NASA-controlled Pan-STARRS Observatory in Hawaii. “These pictures are like data of identifying asteroids, which is a technical and tedious process.”

[caption id="attachment_23875" align="aligncenter" width="950"] The process of finding asteroid in progress[/caption]

There are certain criteria to classify an asteroid. Since it involves processing an extremely large amount of data (several Petabytes per night are captured by NASA telescope), they send it to IASC, giving citizen scientists an opportunity to make original astronomical discoveries and participate in hands-on astronomy. In collaboration with IASC, Aman and his team have educated 85 people from places like USA, Pakistan, Morocco, Iran and other countries on astronomy, hand-holding them in identifying asteroids. The discovered asteroids are then put under deep review of scientists at NASA.

“It’s such a technical and tedious process that in close to three years, we have been able to identify just about 12 preliminary stage asteroids,” says Aman.

Out of those 12, two have qualified for the probational phase of study by NASA scientists. “The process of the preliminary stage asteroids getting categorized for probational review takes another six-to-10 months. Once NASA confirms after their investigation, we will get to name the asteroids we identified,” he says.

[caption id="attachment_23842" align="alignnone" width="1284"] Aman's village[/caption]

Making an impact

Aman is associated with Child Rights and You (CRY), and has raised funds to support the cause. He was also selected to the prestigious LaunchX 2022 a programme hosted by MIT to promote entrepreneurship and technology. "Just about 10 percent of students who apply for the programme get selected globally for this programme," says he.

Although the programme was scheduled offline at the University of Michigan, due to covid protocols it was conducted online. With a team of students from different countries, Aman developed a startup - SEDU which was a solution to teach teenagers about the importance of sexual knowledge and removing taboos attached to it. To facilitate knowledge in a fun way he and his team developed a physical board game and a web game. Through marketing and sale they got successful in generating $285 during the five weeks course and $500 thereafter for the business model, completing the programme with flying colours.

Life and role models

Aman comes from a humble background. His father, a farmer, is still trying to recover from the losses of the pandemic, after his business shut down. It was so hard on the family that Aman had to discontinue his studies at DPS and enroll himself in the village public school for a time. “When I was in class 9, it became difficult to continue studying at the local school so I was re-admitted to DPS,” says Aman. He aims for a PhD in Astrophysics, so that he can be a researcher from “the very start.”

The Bihar teen is deeply inspired by Google CEO Sundar Pichai and relates to him a lot. “His father had to spend a year’s salary to buy him the air ticket to send him to Stanford University in the US” remarks he adding, “I too cannot afford higher education.” Like his role model he aims to bag a scholarship from a good institution to take forward his dreams.

[caption id="attachment_23843" align="aligncenter" width="1268"] Aman's village[/caption]

In his free time, the youngster likes going to the farm with his father and even enjoys helping his mother in the kitchen. “It’s not very conventional for boys to work in the kitchen where I live but my mother appreciates it,” says the teen who could barely converse in English until 2019. “It was after getting my phone that I immersed myself in listening to TED talks and podcasts, and from there I have picked up the ability and confidence to speak English,” he says.

The teenager is a good example of how to put technology to good use for enhancing one’s knowledge and personality, and that if there is a will, a lot can be achieved even when the resources are limited.

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From Competitions to Contributions: Mithra Rajaram champions climate action

(February 15, 2024) A resident of Mudichur in southern Chennai, which is known for its frequent floods, Mithra Rajaram has had close encounters with nature's fury. Growing up amidst such challenges deeply influenced the mind of this 15-year-old. When the pandemic struck, she saw it as a chance to 'pause, reflect, and act for nature.' Mithra is the winner of the British Council Climate Action Video Making Competition. Her winning entry was showcased at prestigious events like UNCOP26 and COY16 and is also a British Council resource for teaching. Additionally, the teenager emerged a winner at Enterprise Adventure, an international event focusing on youth entrepreneurship, organised by the UK-based charity ‘Teach a Man to Fish’. These two wins led Mithra to venture into social entrepreneurship. Her organisation, 'N2 - Nurture The Nature,' reflects her commitment to making a positive impact on the environment. For her volunteering and climate action efforts Mithra has received the WE Volunteer grant, by WE Schools, a non- profit charity organisation in the UK. [caption id="attachment_35806" align="aligncenter" width="395"] Mithra Rajaram[/caption] The British Council climate action video In 2021 Mithra learned about a video competition being organised by the British Council, and decided to participate. “I didn’t

s/2024/02/Screenshot-2024-02-14-120419.jpg" alt="Indian climate activists | Mithra Rajaram | Global Indian " width="395" height="697" /> Mithra Rajaram[/caption]

The British Council climate action video

In 2021 Mithra learned about a video competition being organised by the British Council, and decided to participate. “I didn’t have high- end electronic equipment or any knowledge about a tech platform that would help in creating an impressive video. But still, I tried my best to deliver my message for climate action,” Mithra tells Global Indian. To her great delight, the video that she co-created with two fellow nature enthusiasts was selected as one of the top ten videos in the global competition.

“In their official statement, the British Council stated, ‘Selected from more than 200 entries across the world, these ten videos demonstrate both the width and depth of the climate issues surrounding schools, and feasible solutions for teachers and students to tackle climate change impact’,” Mithra shares.

https://youtu.be/BvdJjO4jeAA?si=2vJm0DaHeOHxxSi1

That win served as a catalyst, helping her recognise the power of educational videos to convey a message to society. The youngster went on to make several such videos to drive in her point. "In the next 10-20 years, we are going to witness significant development and technological transformation. However, alongside these advancements, the planet is facing increasing temperatures and alarming signs of environmental degradation, such as sudden floods and declines in biodiversity," she remarks. "It is important that we take action now to build a sustainable future. As a responsible Indian youth, I believe it's my duty to contribute towards shaping a safer future," she tells.

Winning at ‘Teach a Man to Fish’ event

Continuing with her winning streak, Mithra became the winner at the international event, Enterprise Adventure, conducted by the UK-based charity organisation 'Teach a Man to Fish.' Talking about Enterprise Adventure, Mithra says, “It’s a platform for youngsters to learn about businesses, curate their own, plan and launch them.” She participated in the category of developing a social enterprise, where young people aged 13 to 19 from countries like Nigeria, Zambia, Pakistan, and the UAE had also competed. Mithra was 14-years-old when she bagged the first prize.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Urw31gBxmVk

In the world of social entrepreneurship

With victories in two global competitions Mithra established her organisation, ‘N2- Nurture The Nature’. "N2 was founded in 2022, attracting many passionate young students eager to make a difference in nature through their skills," she explains. "We have organised awareness programmes, training sessions, and mentoring workshops for students." In an extension of N2, Mithra initiated 'Catalyst Academy' during the same period, with the goal of educating people about the transformative potential of 21st-century skills in addressing real-world issues. "It's an emerging social enterprise aimed at engaging and inspiring more children," she adds.

She has also started 'The MYE Foundation' with the purpose to promote public speaking and youth entrepreneurship. The young activist has earned recognition as the the best delegate in several national and international Model United Nations simulations for voicing out global issues, and drafting effective resolutions.

[caption id="attachment_35807" align="aligncenter" width="916"] Mithra Rajaram with the Governor of Tamil Nadu, Thiru R.N.Ravi at the Raj Bhavan, as a part of ‘Meet and Greet with Student Achievers' event[/caption]

Motivating students who are older than her

Mithra is not just engaged in awareness programmes but is also an innovator who innovated the concept of percolation pits for restoring groundwater, integrated with a system of greywater management with herbal solutions. For this innovative concept she was honoured at SRM College of Engineering, Kattankulathur and St. Joseph College of Engineering, Chennai.

Mithra has also addressed the MBA students at Thiagarajar School of Management, Madurai upon being invited by a professor. “It was an amazing experience to share my experiences with students older than me. They genuinely liked my presentation, and the true measure of its success was when many of them approached me afterward, saying, "Your achievements at such a young age inspire us to aim higher."

[caption id="attachment_35809" align="aligncenter" width="843"] Mithra Rajaram after interaction with MBA students at Thiagarajar School Of Management (TSM) Madurai[/caption]

Recently Mithra also gave a talk at a government school as part of the ‘Chennaiyin Climate Champions’ programme. Recognising the impact of her endeavours, even her school, Shree Niketan Patasala, facilitated online connections for the 10th-grade student with youngsters from Egypt, Ukraine, and Brazil. "I trained them, and together we explored various topics, exchanging ideas rooted in our respective countries' environments," she shares.

Making a difference through writing

Mithra uses all mediums to drive in her message. She has published 15 articles in Times of India centred around environment and bringing change. The young writer’s story revolving around climate got featured in ‘Futurity’ a magazine of IATEFL (International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language). “I was invited to write my thoughts on climate action as one of the youngest authors by IATEFL,” she says. Mithra is also the author of ‘The Eco- Read’, a book for young minds to explore ways for getting involved in climate actions and become changemakers.

Striding ahead

"I want to pursue engineering to discover and unlock the potential of building a climate-resilient India," remarks the young enthusiast, who draws inspiration from various sources. "I can't pinpoint one individual. My inspiration comes from everywhere, whether it's a movie I watch or the passion of Virat Kohli and the calmness of MS Dhoni in cricket. Even at home, my optimistic mother is a source of inspiration," she remarks.

[caption id="attachment_35808" align="aligncenter" width="788"] Mithra Rajaram at her school's annual day function receiving the General Proficiency award from chief guest, IPS Aravindhan[/caption]

Balancing studies, exams, and events becomes challenging at times, but for Mithra, her love for learning and nature keeps her going. "Prioritising tasks based on daily requirements helps me maintain balance," she says. With six years of Bharatanatyam training under her belt, Mithra enjoys dancing, listening to music, and engaging in arts and crafts. "With proper planning and wise time management, 24 hours is more than enough," she signs off.

Follow Mithra Rajaram on LinkedIn

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‘Dhing Express’ Hima Das: The sprinter who is compared with a super-fast train

(October 5, 2022) Sprinter Hima Das created history by becoming the first Indian to win a gold medal at a track event at the  IAAF World U20 Championships in 2018 in Finland. Owing to her fantastic sports performances back-to-back, the Assam-born athlete was appointed as the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) under Assam’s state integrated sport policy in 2021. Proud to wear this uniform and fortunate enough to serve my state and my country on two fields. Hima posted on social media, donning her police uniform with pride. The Bannerghatta Biological Park named a tigress cub 'Hima' to honour the sprinter. The youngster also holds the national record for clocking 400 meters in 50.79 seconds at the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia. She is only the second athlete to have done her state proud by bringing home a gold at an international sporting event, after 1940-born Bhogeswar Baruah, who had won gold at the 1966 Asian Games. “I don't show tension and nervousness but I know how fast my heart beats before a race,” Hima had admitted in an interview with Olympics.com. [caption id="attachment_22672" align="aligncenter" width="713"] Hima Das with Sachin Tendulkar[/caption] Journey of the Dhing Express Born in 2000, Hima is nicknamed Dhing Express, after

aruah, who had won gold at the 1966 Asian Games.

“I don't show tension and nervousness but I know how fast my heart beats before a race,” Hima had admitted in an interview with Olympics.com.

[caption id="attachment_22672" align="aligncenter" width="713"] Hima Das with Sachin Tendulkar[/caption]

Journey of the Dhing Express

Born in 2000, Hima is nicknamed Dhing Express, after the town near which she was born in Assam. As a child, she aspired to become a football player and loved playing the sport with the boys of her school in the village. However, the physical education teacher of the school identified her talent as a sprinter and motivated her to take it further. Although Hima’s only experience was of running through her village’s muddy rice fields, she followed his advice and as they say, the rest is history!

Born in Kandhulimari village near Dhing, to a farmer couple named Ronjit and Jonali Das, Hima is the youngest of five siblings. She attended Dhing Public High School and later, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya. After passing her senior secondary exam in 2019, Hima went on to pursue bachelor of arts in Cotton University, Assam.

[caption id="attachment_22670" align="aligncenter" width="751"] Sprinter on track[/caption]

Eventful achievements in the 18th year of life

2018 was an eventful year for the Global Indian. She won the 400 m final at the IAAF World U-20 Championships held at Tampere, Finland, clocking 51.46 seconds.

Indian track-and-field legend and former Olympian, PT Usha, gave the young athlete a rave review on social media:

Hima was inundated with congratulations from well-wishers across the country, including the president, Prime Minister, sport ministers and Bollywood personalities.

At the 2018 Asian Games, she qualified for the 400 m final, after clocking 51.00 in heat 1. She set a new Indian national record, even though it was the silver that came her way. The same year, the sprinter went on to improve the national record to 50.79 seconds in the 400 m final. 

[caption id="attachment_22696" align="alignnone" width="883"] Hima Das with Sourav Ganguly and Abhishek Bachchan[/caption]

Later, in August 2018, along with M. R. Poovamma, Sarita Gayakwad and V. K. Vismaya, the Dhing Express won women's 4 × 400 metres mix relay clocking 3:28.72 which was held for the first time at the Asian Games. This was the year of Hima’s international debut and not many sport lovers were aware of her. They soon learned, when multiple medals, with some historic ones, made her a household name. Hima was given the Arjuna Award by the President of India that year.

Roaring success with five golds in second year of her debut

Hima continued her superb performances the following year too. In July 2019, she won the 200m gold in Poznan Grand Prix in Poland at 23.65 seconds. She went on to win 200m gold at the Kutno Athletics Meet in Poland with a time of 23.97 seconds just after five days of the first win. Within a week of her second win, she bagged her third gold at the Kladno Athletics meet in Czech Republic, clocking 23.43 seconds. That same month, she added a fourth to her kitty, this time at the Tabor Athletics Meet in Czech Republic with 23.25 seconds. A fifth gold followed at the 400-metre event in Nove Mesto, Czech Republic with 52.09 seconds. In an astonishing 18-day period, between July 2 and July 20 2019, Hima won five golds and became a queen in the hearts of India's athletics fans.

So enormous was her success that the entire world took notice of the sprinting glory. “At this age, she has exhibited great courage and confidence. I didn’t see any sign of nervousness during the events,” remarked the ace sprinter, PT Usha on social media.

The athlete was being slotted for the World Championships to be held at Doha in October 2019 but unfortunately her participation had to be ruled out due to a back injury which kept her out of action for months.

Confidence and hope unaffected by injury

Though she has returned from the injury lay-off, she is returning one step at a time. She has been running 100m and 200m. “I have not cut (off) from running 400 meters. It (recuperating after injury) is a long process,” she said in an interview.

The right side of her back still gives quite a trouble. She has won 100m gold in the National Inter-State Championships with her personal best time of 10.43s.” "My L4 and L5 (two lowest vertebrae in the lumbar spine) were broken and was in a different position. Whenever I run it affects me. I did my physiotherapy and ran 30m, 40m, 50m, 100m and then 200m gradually. Till 300m, I am fine,” she told her eager fans.

The challenge...

The last 100 m of a 400-meter race is the most crucial as the sprinters have to pick a lot of speed, then. This is where Hima has been facing problems. Talking about the condition at a training stint in Poland, she said, “when I did that once I had to be taken to the hospital.” The committed athlete faced the same problem at National Inter-State Championships in Patiala in 2021 and got forced to pull out of the 100 m and 4 X 100 due to the pain. She even had to skip the Tokyo Olympics.

The sprinter was eagerly looking forward to come back with a bang at Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022 but coming to the previous form required some more recuperation. She failed to qualify for the finals of the women's 200m in August 2022.

National Games 2022

The 36th National Games of India is being held in Gujarat from September 29 to October 12, 2022. India’s prestigious multi-event sporting competition has returned after a gap of seven years in Gujarat. It was last held in 2015 in Kerala. The nation wanted the ‘Dhing Express’ to come roaring back to action. However, she could not clinch the gold.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=970H49AxWfo

She hasn’t lost hope and is looking forward to future events. Hima, is among an elite team of sports stars who have put India on the world map for athletics. She enjoys such a reputation that she will always be India’s ‘star sprinter’.

- Follow Hima Das on Facebook and Instagram

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Entrepreneur Alishba Imran is engineering a better tomorrow for all

(May 7, 2024) Growing up in Toronto, Alishba Imran carved a space for herself in the world of machine learning, robotics, and blockchain at the very young age of 18. About four years back, Alishba, who had zero knowledge about programming or coding back then, enrolled herself to join her school’s robotics team. While she faced several issues, her focus on learning, earned her the position of the lead programmer on the team. And there has been no turning back since then. A few years after this incident, while on a service trip in India, the entrepreneur learned about the lack of medication in various rural parts of the country. To come up with a solution for this, Alishba taught herself blockchain coding and launched Honestblocks, a platform that tracks counterfeit medicine in the supply chain. Her codebase for the initiative has since been integrated into IBM and used globally. She then co-founded Voltx to accelerate the development of renewable energy storage devices using machine learning and physics models to accelerate the lab to commercialisation process for electrochemical devices. “The biggest thing you can optimise for in life is people. Spend time exploring your interests, what you’re good at, and

2024/05/ALishba_BAIR.jpg" alt="Entrepreneur | Alishba Imran | Global Indian" width="552" height="368" />

“The biggest thing you can optimise for in life is people. Spend time exploring your interests, what you’re good at, and what brings you energy. I think the best things to work on are at the intersection of what you're good at, what you enjoy, and are a way for you to create value for the world," explained the Global Indian, who was recently named among Teen Vogue’s annual 21 Under 21 list of “changemakers, influencers, activists, and artists who have made a substantial impact in both their communities and the world.”

Making a difference

Born in a desi family, Alishba has always been connected to her roots. A brilliant student, the entrepreneur launched an app that uses blockchain to improve supply chain transparency to end counterfeit medication in developing countries when she was just 14. "As a child, I was always very curious and asked a lot of questions about how things work. From appliances around the house to vehicles and computers. At a young age, I found engineering and computer science very interesting because of how it technically challenged me and the vast applications to solve tangible problems," the entrepreneur shared, "In middle school, I learned how to code and was one of the first girls to join the robotics team. That was really my first glimpse into learning about building something real. I was really excited because I would travel to global competitions to meet other people from different countries who were just as interested in technology and engineering as me."

There are a lot of people in the tech industry trying to build the next big social media or note-taking app that will attract millions of dollars from big investors and bolster their company’s value," said the entrepreneur, adding, "But I don’t think the end goal of any company should be based on its monetary value, but rather the value it brings to society."

Addressing several major issues plaguing third-world countries, Alishba believes in using her skills to make a difference in society. "There are many urgent problems that need to be addressed in the world. The greatest challenges of our time — climate change, health care reform and finding ways to create sustainable energy sources. As young students and innovators, I think we have to continually ask ourselves: How do we put our talents and passions toward working on these hard problems?," she said, "Finding the answer to that question, personally, has been a great motivation for me to dive deeper into my interests. And that has been a journey that has taken me around the world."

Creating a better world

When she was just 17, Alishba founded her first company, Voltx, before which she worked with Tesla on research that could speed up the time it takes to manufacture battery cells using machine learning and physics models. "I moved to San Francisco to work full-time with my co-founder to find ways to scale the storage of batteries for solar panels and other applications, like electric vehicles (EV). I raised a pre-seed round of over $1 million for Voltx through venture capital investors. I am still continuing to build on this technology and research as a second-year student at Berkeley," said the entrepreneur, who was also named among the Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada, in 2023.

[caption id="attachment_37640" align="aligncenter" width="555"] Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recognised Alishba for her work[/caption]

Speaking about her current projects, the entrepreneur said, "I’m currently co-authoring a textbook for O’Reilly Media, Machine Learning for Robotics with my colleague PG Keerthana Gopalakrishnan. Our aim is to make more accessible the processes of using deep language learning models to build robotics that can change the way we live."

Follow Alishba Imran on her website

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