Global Indianstory Global Indian ExclusiveThe future takes flight: Medhansh Trivedi’s groundbreaking human-carrying drone

The future takes flight: Medhansh Trivedi’s groundbreaking human-carrying drone

By: Amrita Priya

(February 1, 2025) At just 17 years old, Medhansh Trivedi has achieved what even seasoned engineers might find daunting—designing and building a single-seater, human-carrying drone in just three months. Named MLDT 01, the drone can lift up to 80 kg and cruise at a speed of 60 kmph. This innovation is not just an impressive feat of engineering but also a glimpse into India’s potential to revolutionise aerial mobility.

A vision inspired by China’s drone revolution

Medhansh, a Class 12 student at the Scindia School in Gwalior, was fascinated by China’s advancements in drone technology. This curiosity soon turned into an ambition when he decided to create a prototype of his own.

Medhansh Trivedi

“I got the inspiration to make this drone after seeing the drones in China. My teacher Manoj Mishra has helped me a lot technically along with providing motivation to develop the drone,” Medhansh said in a statement issued from his school.

Costing just ₹3.5 lakh, MLDT 01 is a 45-horsepower drone that can remain airborne for six minutes. Though currently limited to flying at a height of 10 meters for safety reasons, its four motors, similar to those used in agricultural drones, give it the potential for more advanced applications. Medhansh is determined to upgrade it into a hybrid model in the future, expanding its uses to agriculture, goods transportation, and even human mobility.

Earning recognition from India’s top leaders

Medhansh’s innovation has caught the attention of some of the most influential figures in the country. Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Raju Kinjarapu was deeply impressed, and stated, “Interacting with Medhansh and hearing his vision left me inspired and confident about India’s bright future in technology and innovation. His aspiration to use drones for practical applications like transporting individuals and goods highlights the transformative potential of such creations in addressing real-world challenges.”

Medhansh Trivedi with Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Raju Kinjarapu

It is not just political leaders who have taken notice. Business magnate Anand Mahindra also acknowledged the young innovator’s achievement, saying: “It’s not so much about innovation, since the know-how of building such a machine is available on the net. It’s about the passion for engineering and the commitment to get the job done. The more the young people we have like this, the more innovative a nation we will become.”

Furthermore, none other than former ISRO Chief S. Somanath lauded Medhansh’s efforts, recognising the significance of such innovations in advancing India’s aerospace sector.

The Scindia School legacy: Nurturing innovators

Medhansh is a product of the Scindia School, a historic institution in Gwalior that has long been known for fostering leadership and innovation. Over the years, this school has produced several luminaries who have made significant contributions to India’s development across various sectors. The institution’s emphasis on research and practical learning played a crucial role in Medhansh’s journey.

Medhansh with Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia

Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, an alumnus and patron of the school, personally met with Medhansh to congratulate him. He encouraged the young innovator to view his creation as the beginning of something bigger.

“I met Medhansh Trivedi and congratulated him for his innovation. I have assured him of all possible help to ensure his bright future,” Scindia said.

The minister further advised Medhansh to prepare himself for studying in the world’s top institutions, promising his full support in shaping the young innovator’s future.

The road ahead: Air taxis and beyond

Medhansh’s ambition does not stop at this one drone. Looking ahead, he envisions a future where air taxis are a common mode of transport. “In future, I will make drones useful for common people which can be used to carry goods, transport a person to another place, and in agriculture,” he stated.

His ultimate goal? To establish an air taxi company and develop an affordable helicopter that can make aerial mobility accessible to the masses.

A knack for innovation from an early age

Medhansh’s journey toward becoming an innovator started long before MLDT 01 took flight. His teacher, Manoj Mishra, recalls how the young prodigy exhibited an inclination towards creativity and engineering from as early as Class 7.

“With the aim of doing something different, he used to take information about new inventions. I also make models myself. After seeing these models and after seeing the human carrying drone of China, he got inspired to make this drone,” Mishra explained.

Medhansh Trivedi

India and China: A race in drone technology

Medhansh’s innovation comes at a time when drone technology is rapidly evolving across the globe. China has been a dominant force in this sector, with companies like DJI leading the way in consumer and industrial drones. The country has leveraged drone technology for agriculture, logistics, and even aerial taxis in cities like Shenzhen.

India, meanwhile, is catching up. The government has introduced several policies to encourage the domestic drone industry, such as the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. Startups and young innovators like Medhansh are proving that India has the potential to emerge as a leader in this field. With the right support and investment, innovations like MLDT 01 could pave the way for a new era of aerial transportation.

A sky full of possibilities

Medhansh Trivedi’s journey from being an inspired student to an innovator has been nothing short of extraordinary. His human-carrying drone is a symbol of India’s growing potential in aerospace technology.

With recognition from industry leaders, encouragement from government officials, and the power of his own ambition, Medhansh is poised to take his innovations to new heights. If MLDT 01 is just the beginning, then the future of aerial transportation in India looks incredibly promising.

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Published on 01, Feb 2025

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A ‘stem’per of brilliance: These Indian-origin science whizzes win big at the US’ junior Nobel

(April 9, 2022) Proving President Joe Biden’s words, “Indian Americans are taking over the country,” right, several Indian-origin kids have been winning big at the Regeneron Science Talent Search every year. Also called the US’ Junior Nobel, several Indian-origin high school students have secured positions among the top 10 finalists at this STEM competition, which discovers the most innovative budding scientists. Inspired by compelling issues that cripple the pace of day-to-day life, these students have developed simple, unique, low-cost solutions for humankind. Established in 1942 to recognise the best and brightest young scientists for demonstrating exceptional scientific leadership potential, Regeneron Science Talent Search, a programme of the Society for Science, is USA's oldest and most prestigious pre-college science and mathematics competition. Global Indian takes a look at five Indian-origin students, who have the potential to become scientists and innovators. Neil Chowdhury, 18, Washington, US An 18-year-old from Washington, Neil Chowdhury’s success in the Regeneron Science Talent Search 2022 is inspiring. He finished fifth among the top 10 winners of the United States’ Junior Nobel in stem and received a cash award of $90,000 for his project, “Modeling the Effect of Histone Methylation on Chromosomal Organisation in Colon Cancer Cells,” an

rd of $90,000 for his project, “Modeling the Effect of Histone Methylation on Chromosomal Organisation in Colon Cancer Cells,” an innovative computational method of studying the role of histones implicated in colon cancer.

[caption id="attachment_14491" align="aligncenter" width="782"] Neil Chowdhury[/caption]

The project he submitted to the Regeneron Science Talent Search shows that histone proteins cause changes to the way a long string of DNA loops and coils fit inside the nucleus of a cell. Explaining his project, Neil had earlier said that being able to simulate biological systems and develop models of 3D genome, can help us to better understand the inner workings of the cells.

In his experiment, Neil tried to replicate the method of modulating the DNA’s physical formation using molecular simulations of DNA polymers and coded the simulation in Python, an open-source programming language. His experiment shows that a modification of histone proteins can help with colon cancer by causing changes in the folding of DNA strings. Neil is exploring DNA, the basic building blocks of life, and will use the money to help pay tuition at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is currently studying at the Phillips Exeter Academy (New Hampshire) and has applied for Primes, a research programme offered to high school students by MIT.

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Pravalika Gayatri Putalapattu, 17, Virginia, US

Just 17 and already going places. Indian-American student, Pravalika Gayatri Putalapattu won the seventh place at the 2022 Regeneron Science Talent Search. Pravalika, a resident of Virginia, received a cash award of $70,000 for her project on real-time monitoring of laparoscopic surgeries. A student at the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Pravalika designed a video-assisted programme that uses machine learning to detect errors, if any, in surgical steps that doctors take in the operating room so that a corrective measure can be taken immediately.

“My programme was inspired by my cousin in India, who died of a preventable brain surgery complication,” Pravalika had shared during the competition, adding, "I wanted to create a tool that alleviates surgeons’ stress and helps them perform better in the operating room.”

[caption id="attachment_14492" align="aligncenter" width="851"] Pravalika Gayatri Putalapattu[/caption]

Pravalika started working on Dynamic Operating Room Companion (also known as DORC) in July 2020 and her goal was to reduce the potential for mistakes in gallbladder surgeries. Using machine learning, DORC analyses live surgery videos and tracks the movements of surgical tools, such as the acceleration and velocity in use. DORC uses this info to flag potential errors.

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Gopal Krishna Goel, 17, Portland, US

This 17-year-old from Portland, Oregon secured the fourth position at the Regeneron Science Talent Search 2021. A homeschooled math genius, Gopal made it to the top 10 for his research on mathematical properties of random matrices, for which he received a $100,000 award. For his project, he made connections between two mathematical objects related to randomness and probability.

Speaking about his journey, Gopal shared during an earlier interview that homeschooling gave him the opportunity to explore the areas of study he loved at his own pace. His father piqued his interest in physics, and they started going through most of Halliday Resnick 2nd edition together. The young scientist believes that his work may be useful to the fields of nuclear physics, quantum field theory, and meteorology. He hopes that it will aid in the search for the true nature of quantum gravity, more commonly known as “the theory of everything.”

[caption id="attachment_14493" align="aligncenter" width="863"] Gopal Krishna Goel[/caption]

Gopal, who is currently pursuing his undergraduate in math, science, music, and philosophy at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is confident that the award-winning research will play a key role in the field of meteorology, nuclear physics, and quantum field theory. His research is on the connection between randomness and probability.

The math genius was also a coach for the USA Physics and Math Olympiads and volunteers in the memory care unit of an assisted living facility. He also holds a Taekwondo black belt and enjoys performing Indian classical music.

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Alay Shah, 17, Texas, US

Among the top 10 winners of the 2021 Regeneron Science Talent Search, 17-year-old Alay Shah from Texas finished seventh and earned a $70,000 award for developing a possible low-cost alternative to MRIs. Through his research titled, “identifying eye-movement patterns in neurological disorders to assess cognitive and motor function,” Alay developed a tool to test eye movement as a low-cost, non-invasive method of quantifying deep brain function. He wrote the software, built the hardware, and conducted clinical testing on dementia, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, and ADHD patients.

On knowing that injured footballers are immediately taken for an eye check-up to find concussions, Alay started working on the idea of using abnormal eye movements for accurate detection of several neurological disorders. During a session with the media, Alay, who is currently studying computer science and cognitive science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, had shared that he is a big believer in project-based learning. And that he took a look at the current eye-tracking standard, and used a combination of a set of intelligent algorithms to redefine the technique at its core.

[caption id="attachment_14494" align="aligncenter" width="822"] Alay Shah[/caption]

A resident of Plano, Alay has integrated into the device an infrared camera that uses his coded software. The device also uses deep learning algorithms to analyse and interpret the data on pupil movement. He has already tested the tool successfully on 200 patients.

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Indrani Das, 21, New Jersey, US

Currently pursuing a degree in chemical and physical biology at Harvard University, Indrani Das took home the top prize of $250,000 for her winning project focused on brain injury at the 2017 Regeneron Science Talent Search. By manipulating astrocytes, a type of supporting brain cell in an injury model, Indrani worked to promote neuron repair.

[caption id="attachment_14495" align="aligncenter" width="830"] Indrani Das[/caption]

A contributor to neuron death is astrogliosis, a condition that occurs when cells called astrocytes react to injury by growing, dividing, and reducing their uptake of glutamate, which in excess is toxic to neurons. In a laboratory model, Indrani showed that exosomes isolated from astrocytes transfected with microRNA-124a both improved astrocyte uptake of glutamate and increased neuron survival. Explaining her research, Das said that when Alzheimer’s, Parkinson's, stroke, or a traumatic injury affects the brain, the neurons, which are the main signal cells of the brain, are killed. Next, the supporting cells - astrocytes - that are supposed to nurture and protect the neurons, go awry and create a toxic chemical environment, poisoning the neurons.

Though Indrani comes from a family of bankers, she decided to take a very different path. Sharing how her family’s journey helped her win the award, Indrani had said that her parents worked full-time day jobs while securing additional degrees by night, and saved religiously for over a decade before her birth to give Indrani a quality education.

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Reading Time: 6 mins

The cool girl: Musician Kayan is taking the indie world by storm

(March 3, 2024) Growing up in Mumbai in a family deeply rooted in the arts, musician Ambika Nayak aka Kayan, frequented theaters for plays and concerts, immersing herself in the world of creativity. Her mother, a Hindustani classical vocalist, her grandmother, a classical dancer, and her aunt, a writer, all contributed to the artistic milieu. Trained in Carnatic music, kathak dance, and piano, she often accompanied her mother to concerts and art shows. It seemed almost fated that she would eventually embrace one of these art forms as her professional calling. The Mumbai-based 25-year-old musician is a multi-talented singer, producer-DJ, model, actor, and voiceover artist. From making YouTube covers in her bedroom to collaborating with producers around the world, Kayan has come a long way, commanding over 70,000 listeners on Spotify monthly. In fact, Kayan was one of two Indian artists among the 30 picked from various genres across the world in 2022. "It was a great feeling, because so many artists that I listen to, like Dua Lipa, have been a part of this programme,” shared the musician in an interview. A musical prodigy Influenced by her mother and grandmother, Kayan started training in classical dance and Carnatic music

because so many artists that I listen to, like Dua Lipa, have been a part of this programme,” shared the musician in an interview.

A musical prodigy

Influenced by her mother and grandmother, Kayan started training in classical dance and Carnatic music quite early. So intense were these training, that Kayan still remembers each day of her classes. "First, I started learning Bharatanatyam, and my mom suggested I take up Carnatic classical music as well. Initially, I didn’t like my singing classes, but in retrospect, I’m glad that kind of classical training happened. It has left an impact on all the other forms of music I’ve learnt," recalled the musician, adding, "My classical training really helps with my voice. I will never forget what my teachers taught me when I was learning classical. The training is super rigorous. I wouldn’t say there is a direct influence in terms of sound, but in the sense of discipline, it has had a big impact."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3MNGONaFfA

While she loved classical music, it wasn't the only type of music Kayan was interested in. The musician grew up listening to a lot of punk and pop music. "As I grew up, I got introduced to a lot, a whole new world of electronic music," she shared, adding, "Now, I listen to ranges from like really wild electronic music, like a lot of hard-based music, electro ghetto tech, house music too. All of these somehow have had their own impact on the way I write my music," she adds.

However, it wasn't until 2016 that she decided to step into the professional music scene. Her foray began with a performance at a party in Mumbai in 2017, which proved to be a turning point for her. And it was around this time that the musician chose to pick a stage name for her. Sharing how she chose the name 'Kayan', she said, "When I joined Instagram, which is now a really long time ago, my name Ambika Nayak was taken on the platform. So, I created an account with my last name backward. Eventually, I cut it to kayan.a And then I released my first song as kayan.a, and then we dropped the '.a' and now it’s Kayan, which makes a lot of sense."

ALSO READ | Vibha Janakiraman: The violinist who enchanted the White House

Climbing the ladder

A big moment in Kayan's career was when she played at the famous Nariyal Paani festival in Alibaug. With her band, she showcased her musical skills and really impressed the audience. This performance not only made her well-known in India but also helped her become known worldwide - motivating the youngster to join the True School of Music. "I ended up meeting like-minded people there," shared the musician, adding, "For the first time, I was in a space where I enjoyed studying and learning, was introduced to new music, and was going out for shows and meeting new people." Eventually, the Global Indian was deejaying and playing live in a band called Kimochi Youkai, with five other band members. By the end of 2021, the musician had gained recognition as one of the top-streamed independent female artists on Spotify.

[caption id="attachment_36322" align="aligncenter" width="550"] Kayan with singer-songwriter Jay Sean[/caption]

Kayan has released five singles as yet - Cool Kids, Please, Be Alright, DFWM, and the singer recently collaborated with Singapore-based rapper Yung Raja for another single No Shade. She is working on more international collaborations. "Yung Raja is a gem of a person, and No Shade was the perfect song to have him on," shared the musician, while talking about their collab, adding, "It was so much fun working with him; I’m proud of what we made together."

ALSO READ | Indian American musician SANJ blends classical Carnatic with R&B

The musician creates catchy performances and brings a stylish and attractive look to her work as a model and visual artist. She has collaborated with some of India's top talents, like the former Elle superstylist Divya Gursahani, who designed one of the most unique looks for Kayan's live set at the Weekender. "I do love fashion a lot, it’s ultimately a way in which I express myself, and it makes me feel really good,” Kayan expressed, adding, "Divya came along, and she has absolutely been a gem. We worked so much together — one cool thing about working in music is being able to do music videos and photoshoots, which allowed me to experiment so much with fashion, it’s such a big part of it. Divya has really helped me understand, see, and experience that. Even for my live performances, at the NH7 Weekender, for example, there was a lot of thought and effort that went into the outfit. There was a whole narrative there, it was custom-made for me. Even now, for the upcoming live tour, we’re looking at custom outfits and designs. To me, all of this helps tell a story.”

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A post shared by Ambika Nayak (@kayan.a)

Talking about her future projects, the musician shared, "I have a couple of unreleased songs, collaborations with some of my favourite artists, and another one with my friend OAFF. Right now, I enjoy being independent, it’s far easier to release music; I have a solid team with great marketing resources, and in the future, I am open to working with a label I can align myself with."

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Akarshana Sathish: Inspiring the nation, one library at a time

(September 30, 2023) As you read this, a 12-year-old Akarshana Sathish is setting up her eighth library at a Bharosa Centre in Siddipet, Telangana. The youngster, who aspires to be a space scientist when she grows up, was recognised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his 'Mann Ki Baat', in which he emphasised the significance of education in the development of both the nation and society, expressing his admiration for Akarshana's dedicated efforts. "Akarshana Satish studying in seventh class has done wonders (sic). You may be surprised to know that at just 11 years of age, she is running not one or two, but seven libraries for children," the PM said in his address to the nation, adding, "Around six thousand books are now available in the seven libraries that this daughter has opened so far at different places for needy children." [caption id="attachment_33344" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Akarshana Sathish[/caption] As she connects with Global Indian over a call, an elated Akarshana shares, "I am so honoured that the Prime Minister noticed my work, and recognised me. It was a proud moment for me and my family. Now, as the entire nation knows about my work, I feel a lot of responsibility

Akarshana Sathish[/caption]

As she connects with Global Indian over a call, an elated Akarshana shares, "I am so honoured that the Prime Minister noticed my work, and recognised me. It was a proud moment for me and my family. Now, as the entire nation knows about my work, I feel a lot of responsibility on my shoulders. However, I am determined to keep helping the people around me and giving back to society as much as I can."

Cultivating a unique vision

A student of Hyderabad Public School, Akarshana has been an avid reader since she was a young kid. A cycling enthusiast, who is gearing up to represent Telangana at a National level, Akarshana says it was the chance visit to a hospital in Hyderabad that gave her the idea of starting a library at the MNJ Cancer Hospital in Hyderabad. "During the first wave of the pandemic, my father and a few of his friends decided to help the patients at MNJ Cancer Hospital by distributing food to them. My parents would visit the hospital for that weekly. One day my father asked me if I would like to accompany them, and I agreed," shares Akarshana.

[caption id="attachment_33345" align="aligncenter" width="646"] Akarshana with Hyderabad Addl DGP V.C. Sajjanar[/caption]

At the hospital, the youngster met several kids her age and a few even younger than her, who were undergoing chemotherapy as part of their treatment. Soon she befriended several patients and would go to spend time with them. "There was one girl who I had a bond with. She told me that there was nothing to do at the hospital, and asked if I could bring her some colouring books. So, the next time I went to the hospital, I took a few I had at home," recalls Akarshana.

But that wasn't enough. "There were other kids who asked me for colouring books in the hospital. So, I told my parents about it and they suggested I ask people in our colony to help. I asked my neighbours, friends, family, and others if they could donate any books, and in no time we had many fiction, non-fiction, general knowledge and colouring books piling up at our home," Akarshana shares, adding, "The initial idea was to give the books to the kids in the hospital. But, then I thought, if we set up a library, not only the patients who are in the hospital now, but those who will come later will also benefit from it."

[caption id="attachment_33346" align="aligncenter" width="639"] PM Narendra Modi's letter to Akarshana[/caption]

And thus, Akarshana set up her first library at the MNJ Cancer Hospital in 2021, with a collection of about 1,036 books. Following that, the youngster established libraries at the Sanath Nagar Police Station, featuring 825 books, the Gayathri Nagar Association in Borabanda, which housed 250 books, and the Juvenile and Observation Home for Girls in Hyderabad, boasting 625 books.

Spreading her wings

Last year, while on a social media platform, Akarshana noticed that the Coimbatore city police had decided to open a street library. The idea was quite fascinating for this youngster. Recalling the incident, "I already had some collection of books. So, when I saw that the Coimbatore city police were interested in starting a library, I immediately emailed them to offer my help. They agreed and with the help of my family living in that city, I was able to donate about 200 books to the Coimbatore City Police Street libraries."

[caption id="attachment_33347" align="aligncenter" width="645"] Akarshana has established a total of seven libraries so far[/caption]

Her fame soon reached the capital of Tamil Nadu and the then DGP of the city, Dr C. Sylendra Babu, approached the girl to set up a library in Chennai. "I again contacted my friends and family, who are living in Chennai. We already had a few books here in Hyderabad. So, with all the help, we were able to establish our biggest library at the Chennai Boys Club in the Nolambur Police Station, with about 2000 books. Interestingly, even after the library was opened we kept getting calls from people who wanted to donate books. Since we had already come back to Hyderabad, my father asked them to go to the library directly and hand over the books," shares Akarshana, adding, "When I visited one of our libraries a few months after we had opened it, I found that almost 75 percent of the books were borrowed by the kids and several shelves were empty. That really motivated me."

[caption id="attachment_33348" align="aligncenter" width="622"] Akarshana with her family[/caption]

Subsequently, Akarshana managed to open one more library in Hyderabad, at Govt High School in the Old Sanath Nagar area. While many would have found it difficult to collect books for establishing such libraries, Akarshana's troubles are quite the opposite. "We just received about 100 more books for a single donor," shares Akarshana's father, J Sathish Kumar laughing, "Right from when people got to know about Akarshana's initiatives, we have been receiving several books. We have collected over 6000 books till now and it doesn't seem to stop. But, I am very proud of my daughter and it makes me very happy that her efforts are bringing joy to so many kids."

Reading Time: 6 mins

Poorna Malavath: Indian mountaineer conquering the summits of seven continents

(June 30, 2023) "I climbed Everest because I wanted to prove girls could do anything." This is what Poorana Malavath said after scaling Mt Everest at the age of 13. She scripted history by becoming the youngest Indian and youngest girl in the world to scale the world's highest peak. But that was just the beginning for this 23-year-old tribal girl who went onto complete the Seven Summit Challenge in 2022, by summiting all seven peaks in all seven continents. [caption id="attachment_31512" align="aligncenter" width="508"] Poorna Malavath[/caption] How the tribal girl fell in love with mountaineering It was in Palaka, a village in Nizamabad district of Telangana, that Poorna was born to parents who were farmhands. Being a tribal girl, Poorna did not have access to resources needed for mountaineering nor did she have the inclination to become a mountaineer, because it was something she couldn't even fathom in her wildest dreams. In her community, educating girls was a rare phenomenon, and even if some did attend school, they were pulled out as soon as they hit puberty as it was time to get them married. But her father Devidas Malavath wanted to educate his daughter and give her wings to

a rare phenomenon, and even if some did attend school, they were pulled out as soon as they hit puberty as it was time to get them married. But her father Devidas Malavath wanted to educate his daughter and give her wings to fly, so he encouraged her to join Telangana Social Welfare Residential Educational Institutions Society (TSWREIS) when she was ten. "Stepping out of my village gave me opportunities I didn't even dream of. In my new school, I felt like a newborn butterfly emerging from her cocoon," she said in an interview.

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A post shared by Poorna Malavath (@poorna_malavath)

It was at TSWREIS that she was selected for a mountain climbing workshop, something that was set to change her life forever. Seeing her athletic prowess, thanks to her years of playing kabbadi and volleyball, her teachers and mentor Dr RS Praveen Kumar, the retired IPS officer who was keen to give TSWREIS schools a makeover, saw her potential. He encouraged her to climb the Bhongir rock in Telangana. Fear took over her for the very first time as she saw herself making the climb uphill, but once she made it to the top, she had also conquered her fear. It was exhilarating, and that very moment she knew she had found her calling, and started training with Shekhar Babu, a professional mountaineer.

Youngest girl in the world to scale Mt Everest

Three years into her training, she scaled the Mount Everest at the age of 13, thus becoming the youngest Indian and youngest girl in the world to scale the summit. "The snow-clad Himalayan ranges were breathtaking. I could see all the camps as well!,” she told The Hindu. Though achieving the feat was thrilling for the then teenager, she had to face many difficulties. "The winds were pretty harsh and it was also bitingly cold. Moreover, during the expedition, we had to eat packaged food which was not easy to digest. I was as frequently throwing up whenever I was given food in those sealed bags as the smell was unbearable for me," she told a daily. But what disturbed her the most was seeing dead bodies of the climbers on her way to the summit. It was the second time in her life that she felt fear, understanding the fragility of life. But everything was worth it as she raised Indian flag on the world's highest peak. "The satisfaction of all the hard work I had done along with quietness and peace filled me."

However, scripting history wasn't easy as she underwent eight months of training, wherein she was sent to the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute in Darjeeling. It was here that she climbed Mount Renock which is 17,000 feet. She then trained in Ladakh where she was accustomed to sub-zero temperature of -35 degree Celsius. Seeing her endurance levels, she was sent on the Everest expedition.

Seven summit challenge

After climbing Mt Everest, she was keen to complete the Seven Summit Challenge. This led her to climbing Mt Elbrus in Russia which stands at an elevation of 5,642 m and later Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania which is 5,895 m in height. In 2019, she climbed Mt Vinson in Antarctica. And by June 2022, she had scaled all seven peaks in all the seven continents with Mt Denali (the highest mountain in North America) being the last peak that she summited. "It was a very different experience for me because every mountain has its own difficulties. The journey to Mt. Denali was more difficult than Mt. Everest. I have to train for two-three months. I had to work very hard. I had to work on my diet and exercise regularly. Climbing Mt Denali was very tough but my passion took me on the top," she said.

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

Poorna's incredible achievement of .conquering all seven peaks across seven continents stands as a testament to her unwavering determination and indomitable willpower. Her journey exemplifies the belief that nothing is impossible when you set your mind to it. Her story serves as a reminder that with perseverance and a strong will, we can overcome any obstacle and reach the summit of our aspirations. "Taking the first step is the best way to overcome your fear and march towards your goal."

Follow Poorna Malavath on Instagram

Reading Time: 4 min

2023’s pageant powerhouses from the Indian diaspora: Combining pageantry, talent and social upliftment

(December 17, 2023) Indian-origin young women have been captivating audiences and making waves in the international pageant circuit, showcasing their exceptional talents, charm, and cultural heritage on a global platform. Combining their Indian roots with the influences of their adopted countries, these remarkable champions in pageantry have brought forward unique fusion of tradition and diversity. Their achievements not only highlight their beauty and grace but also their intelligence, resilience, and dedication to making a positive impact. Celebrating their victories Global Indian puts into spotlight four young women who got successful in the world of international pageantry in 2023, making the diaspora proud. Manvin Khera Miss Globe 2023 In a spectacular event held at Albania last month, 22-year-old Manvin Khera, a Malaysian model of Indian descent, secured the prestigious title of The Miss Globe 2023, at the world's oldest major international beauty contest held annually since 1925. Manvin’s victory stands as a remarkable milestone, as she is the first Malaysian to win the title in the renowned pageant, surpassing fifty contestants from across the globe. Hailing from Kuala Lumpur, Manvin has a successful career in modelling. Last year she earned the title of Ratu Wanita Malaya 2022 at the inaugural edition

ble milestone, as she is the first Malaysian to win the title in the renowned pageant, surpassing fifty contestants from across the globe. Hailing from Kuala Lumpur, Manvin has a successful career in modelling. Last year she earned the title of Ratu Wanita Malaya 2022 at the inaugural edition of the national pageant of Malaysia.

[caption id="attachment_34705" align="aligncenter" width="472"] Manvin Khera[/caption]

This multi-talented youngster who excels as a model, singer, and beauty pageant winner, has established a strong international presence in modelling. Her appearances at Thailand Fashion Week, the Bali International Fashion Week, and the Rizman Ruzaini Cruise 2023 show during Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week highlight her global prominence. Manvin aspires to be a lawyer.

Manju Bangalore

Miss Oregon USA 2023

Manju Bangalore, a twenty-five-year-old, clinched the Miss Oregon USA 2023 title, becoming the first South Asian woman to achieve this distinction. For the versatile young woman, the win expanded the horizons of the meaningful work that she has been doing. Beyond her success in pageantry, Manju serves as a role model for young brown girls across the US with her astronaut training, acting, modelling, activism, writing, and non-profit. Manju’s Operation Period and Painting with Parkinson’s are two initiatives that showcase her commitment to making a positive impact in the society.

[caption id="attachment_34704" align="aligncenter" width="465"] Manju Bangalore[/caption]

The youngster is pursuing her postgraduate studies at the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences in the US after completing her undergraduate studies at the University of Oregon, majoring in physics with a minor in mathematics. She has worked on five NASA internships, in addition to a White House internship focusing on science policy. Apart from modelling she has acted in television shows like ‘Black is King’, ‘Depot,’ and ‘Animal Kingdom.’ Beyond her professional endeavours, Manju is an advocate for black and transgender rights. Recently she launched her debut children’s book aptly titled ‘You Can Be All the Things You Want to Be.’

UmaSofia Srivastava

Miss Teen USA 2023

The 16-year-old teen from Parsippany, New Jersey, of Indian and Mexican descent, clinched the Miss Teen USA title at the Reno, Nevada pageant held in September of this year. Among 51 accomplished young women representing every state and the District of Columbia, UmaSofia emerged as the winner. Her journey to this victory began earlier in March when she secured the Miss New Jersey Teen USA title. She has previously been a runner-up in the pageant at the age of 14.

[caption id="attachment_33667" align="aligncenter" width="473"] UmaSofia Srivastava[/caption]

Currently a junior at the Academy of St. Elizabeth in Parsippany-Troy Hills, UmaSofia is a devoted humanitarian with a strong belief in ethnic diversity, cultural inclusivity, and societal equality. She co-founded a diversity and inclusion campaign at her school, and runs a popular blog 'That’s Fan Behaviour,' which delves into topics ranging from feminism to her experiences as a woman of colour, conducting interviews with influential change makers, and exploring various other issues affecting society. The youngster is also a published author who came up with her debut book ‘The White Jaguar.’

Aruna Sukhdeo

Miss India Worldwide 2023

Born to an Indian-Guyanese labourer, Aruna Sukhdeo etched her name in history by claiming victory in the Miss India Worldwide 2023 competition, becoming the second individual of Indian origin from Guyana to accomplish this feat in the pageant's 33-year legacy. Since its inception in 1990, the Miss India Worldwide pageant has attracted young women from the global Indian diaspora. Aruna also clinched the Miss Beautiful Hair title during the competition. Describing music as her 'escape’. The aspiring economist and singer captivated the judges with her singing prowess throughout the event.

[caption id="attachment_34700" align="aligncenter" width="490"] Aruna Sukhdeo[/caption]

Currently the youngster is in her fourth year of studies in business economics at the University of Guyana (UG), Turkeyen Campus. She looks at the win as an opportunity to work on an issue which is closest to her heart – mental health, a condition that has been affecting the younger generations like never before.

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