Vihaan Talya Vikas: The 10-year-old Indian boy is named Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2023
Written by: Charu Thakur
(November 22, 2023) With a Canon EOS 7D strapped onto his shoulder, 10-year-old Vihaan Talya Vikas took off a few kilometers north to the Bengaluru airport in search of that perfect shot. Drawn to an ancient tamarind grove, he marched in deeper adjusting his telephoto lens. That’s when a wall on the other side grabbed his attention. For any other person, it would have been a normal sight – a spider on a wall, but for Vihaan, it spoke volumes. Seeing an ornamental tree trunk spider right next to an idol of Lord Krishna put him in a trance, as in that moment all he could perceive was an image of a spider entranced by the sound of Krishna’s flute. He sealed the moment in his DSLR as a photographic memory and it was this unique representation that made his photograph stand out and helped him win the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2023 in the under-10 category.
“I am very happy and excited to receive this award. I like doing photography because it helps us think creatively and connect with nature,” Vihaan said after winning the coveted prize. Organised by The Natural History Museum in London, the competition highlights the world’s most exceptional wildlife photography. This event is often dubbed the “Oscars of Photography” due to its renowned status.
The award-winning photo clicked by Vihaan Talya Vikas
This year that competition saw entries from 95 countries across the globe with a total of 50,000 images being submitted. Out of the lot, only the top 100 made it to the competition and 11 were chosen in different categories. Vihaan’s win is a testament to a photographer’s skill, vision, and ability to communicate the essence of the wild through their art. Commenting on Vihaan’s photograph, Dhritiman Mukherjee, Wildlife and Conservation Photographer and Competition Judge, said, “This image conveys so many interesting things to me. What I like most is the thought process behind it and the composition of the image. it talks about coexistence very nicely. The inclusion of a historic sculpture adds a different dimension to the concept. Then here we are, seeing a spider – a smaller and less attended life form. So for me, this one served the purpose of art, concept, conservation, and science very nicely.”
The photograph titled The Wall of Wonder will become a part of the WPY59 collection and will be featured in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibition held at the Natural History Museum. This exhibition is set to travel to approximately 25 locations across four continents, aiming to raise awareness about wildlife conservation, using powerful imagery to connect people with the natural world.
Vihaan Talya Vikas
A student of Kumarans School, Bangalore, Vihaan’s love for photography began at the age of seven when he often accompanied his dad for wildlife safaris. It was his father’s love for photography that rubbed onto him. What’s intriguing is his affinity for macro and telephoto lenses, showcasing his versatility and keen eye for intricate details. His photography captures not only the magnificence of wildlife but also the beauty of smaller creatures.
Vihaan, who is also interested in astronomy, is keen to showcase his love for science and the exploration of the natural world in all its forms. Using his camera, Vihaan combines a curious scientist’s mindset with an artistic soul. His accomplishment not only shows his unique talent but also inspires people of all ages. It reminds us of the strong link between humans and wildlife and emphasises the art that connects us to both.
(March 26, 2023) Arangetram, the debut stage performance of Bharatanatyam dancers is a common affair but it made headlines in Singapore when Soo Mei Fei gave her first stage performance. With her one-and-half hour eclectic presentation, she not only made her gurus proud but also enthralled audiences who were watching a Singaporean Chinese female dancer perform Bharatanatyam for the first time on stage. In two years of her much-talked Arangetram, the twenty-six-year-old danseuse has carved a niche in the performing arts circuit of Singapore, becoming a familiar face in major events and festivals. "I'm blessed to learn Bharatanatyam," she said in an interview. "It's such a beautiful art. It's not been an easy journey but it has been extremely fulfilling. I want to train more,” she added. [caption id="attachment_28765" align="aligncenter" width="593"] Soo Mei Fei | Photo Credit: Apsara Arts[/caption] It all started when… Soo Mei Fei was seventeen, she and her classmates at National Junior College of Singapore came across a poster that read, 'Indian dance, try-out'. Fascinated by the world of Bollywood, fourteen of them, mostly non-Indians, got interested thinking that the advertisement is about Bollywood dancing. However, much to their dismay, it turned out to be an Indian classical dance form, Bharatanatyam - something that they had neither heard of nor were able to pronounce correctly. All the youngsters dropped the idea of learning except Soo Mei Fei, who was intrigued by the dance form. She enrolled in the extra-curricular class,
[caption id="attachment_28765" align="aligncenter" width="593"] Soo Mei Fei | Photo Credit: Apsara Arts[/caption]
It all started when…
Soo Mei Fei was seventeen, she and her classmates at National Junior College of Singapore came across a poster that read, 'Indian dance, try-out'. Fascinated by the world of Bollywood, fourteen of them, mostly non-Indians, got interested thinking that the advertisement is about Bollywood dancing. However, much to their dismay, it turned out to be an Indian classical dance form, Bharatanatyam - something that they had neither heard of nor were able to pronounce correctly.
All the youngsters dropped the idea of learning except Soo Mei Fei, who was intrigued by the dance form. She enrolled in the extra-curricular class, and within a few days, she was completely captivated.
The urge to know all about the oldest dance form of Indiagot stronger by the day. The youngster found herself spending hours in major libraries in and aroundPunggol, where she lives, devouring all the information that she could gather on Bharatanatyam. Watching performances extensively on YouTube to ace the craft became a favourite past time.
Learning from Vijaya Nadesan, her teacher at the extra-curricular class who also taught in Apsara Arts, a leading dance academy in Singapore, Soo Mei Fei enrolled at the academy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxAQej97w_o&t=51s
However, she had to deal with her own set of challenges in the process. Often taking more time than her Indian counterparts to grasp what was being taught, Soo Mei Fei also struggled to understand the lyrics of the Carnatic songs on which Bharatanatyam is performed. It was Google Translate that came to her rescue. With teachers also making extra efforts to help her, the youngster slowly started getting a grasp.
The dance academy required her to learn for two hours, but Mei Fei would spend the entire day watching other pupils and teachers dance, getting completelyimmersed in the world Bharatanatyam, enhancing her skills along the way.
Over the course of time, whether it was hastas (hand gestures), sthankas (leg and foot movement) or abhinaya (expression of emotions), the Singaporean Chinese dancer aced all, attaining perfection with her sheer dedication.
Connecting with the Indian culture
In the last decade, Soo Mei Fei has not just learned Bharatanatyam but also understood about the culture of India.
Today it’s hard to miss the Singaporean Chinese dancer even in a crowd because of her attire – the colourful Indian saris that she often adorns. While learning how to tie and carry herself in a sari was difficult initially, she is now an expert in it.
[caption id="attachment_28764" align="aligncenter" width="832"] Soo Mei Fei | Photo Credit: Kaya, a publication of Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, Singapore[/caption]
Due to her facial features, which are different from her Indian counterparts, Soo Mei Fei hadto also put additional efforts to teach herself the make-up requirements that is pivotal to Bharatanatyam performances. “Most of my friends had their mums to help them get dressed but I had to learn lots of things on my own getting valuable tips from my friends and teachers along the way.”
The dancer devours Carnatic music. “It’s very rich. The lyrics and melody have a lot of meaning behind it. I understand the songs because I feel it,” she says. Since 2018 she has been also learning Odissi, another ancient Indian dance form.
The course of life
Indebted to her gurus for recognising the spark in her and working very hard to train her, Soo Mei Fei’s world revolves around Bharatanatyam. Other than the performances, her work as instructor at children's enrichment centres and dance academies in Singapore keeps her busy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5g8vwRKYJ6Q
“Artshould not have boundaries. It’s a great learning experience to know more about another culture that is different from us. In doing so, we discover that we are more similar to each other than what we thought,” she remarks.
(October 27, 2024) In the heart of Ontario, Canada, a remarkable journey began in a modest basement. This is where Tanmay Bakshi, a prodigy in artificial intelligence (AI), first fell in love with technology. His fascination sparked at the tender age of five when he started coding, a passion that took the shape of a mission to revolutionise healthcare and education through machine learning. "For the past 13 years, I have not only been in love with technology but I have been working towards applying it in domains where I believe that have an impact on human lives," he said at a talk. The 20-year-old Indo-Canadian's journey is not just a personal quest; it represents the aspirations of many in the Indian diaspora in Canada, where dreams of innovation and progress blend with a rich cultural heritage. [caption id="attachment_40041" align="aligncenter" width="540"] Tanmay Bakshi[/caption] From Basement to Brilliance From a young age, he was curious and this led him to start coding at the age of five. While most kids his age were playing with toys, he was fascinated by his father, Puneet Bakshi's work as a computer programmer. "It was so fascinating to me how computers could really do anything,"
ing at the age of five. While most kids his age were playing with toys, he was fascinated by his father, Puneet Bakshi's work as a computer programmer. "It was so fascinating to me how computers could really do anything," Tanmay recalled. His father recognised his budding interest and took the time to teach him programming basics. "I wanted to know what goes on behind the back end and see how you can control the computers and tell them what to do," he explained.
At just seven years old, Tanmay launched a YouTube channel to share coding tutorials and web development tips. He set a goal to help 100,000 aspiring young coders and responded to thousands of questions from followers around the globe. By the age of nine, he had developed his first app, teaching multiplication, which was accepted into the Apple Store. His parents, immigrants from India, nurtured his interests by encouraging him to explore technology's possibilities. This environment fostered his growth, allowing him to dream big.
Tryst With AI
Despite his early successes, he began to feel disillusioned with programming, thinking, "I always felt that technology was very limited. I always felt that the moment you put something in, it would become obsolete." However, his life took a significant turn at age eleven when he stumbled upon a documentary on "question answering machine" IBM Watson while uploading a YouTube video. This was his first encounter with artificial intelligence, and it instantly reignited his passion for technology. "From there, I was just immediately hooked to IBM Watson and AI," he recalled.
Within a week, he had created his first Watson app, “Ask Tanmay,” which provided users with answers by weighing the best possible responses. Shortly thereafter, he encountered an IBM service called Document Conversion, which could convert documents from one form to another. Still in the alpha stage, in a stroke of serendipity, he discovered a bug in the software and reported it on a programming website and Twitter. His keen observation caught the attention of IBM developers, marking the beginning of a relationship with the tech giant.
However, it hasn't been an easy journey for the youngster who had to face skepticism around his age and abilities. However, he did not let this deter him. His connection with IBM provided him a platform to showcase his talent, allowing him to push boundaries and challenge perceptions. "I am essentially a kid in the basement trying to solve big problems by using machine learning technology," he had said.
Making Coding Accessible
In the midst of this journey, Tanmay Bakshi also took on the role of an educator. He recognized the importance of sharing knowledge and inspiring others. Through his YouTube channel, where he shares tutorials and insights, he reaches a vast audience, encouraging young people to explore the world of coding and AI. His efforts reflect the ethos of the Indian diaspora, where education and community support are deeply valued.
A Vision for the Future
His vision extends beyond personal success; he aims to make technology accessible to everyone. He believes that AI should not only be a tool for the privileged but a force for good that can uplift communities globally. As he continues to innovate, he remains focused on ensuring that technology serves humanity. His work in healthcare and education is driven by a commitment to equity, emphasising that everyone deserves access to the tools that can enhance their lives. "I am most passionate about changing the way we do things. Be it healthcare or education because I feel millions of people don't have access to the right healthcare and students across the globe are taught the same way as their peers. It doesn't work because how we as humans learn."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-lyzsqnK-c
The Indian community in Canada has played a significant role in shaping Tanmay's journey. With a strong emphasis on education and technology, the diaspora has produced many innovators and leaders who, like Tanmay, are passionate about using their skills to contribute to society. Tanmay embodies the spirit of this community, showcasing how cultural heritage can inspire a commitment to positive change.
His story reflects the potential of young people to challenge norms, break barriers, and create solutions for a better future. As he continues to work on transformative projects, Tanmay serves as an inspiration to many, proving that age is not a limitation but a stepping stone to greater achievements.
(August 11, 2023) Kahani, which translates to storytelling, has found its place in hospitals in Chicago and other parts of the US. A digital arts and literary magazine that's distributed to children's hospitals for kindergarten to middle-school-age patients is the brainchild of Sridevi Krothapalli who turned her passion for art into a project. Growing up, she was drawn to watercolours and would end up making art that comforted her. Over the years, her interest expanded into the realm of digital art and drawing, and in 2020, she turned his love into a student-led nonprofit Kahani. Three years into it, the 17-year-old made it to Teen Vogue's annual 21 Under 21 list of changemakers, influencers, activists, and artists who are making an impact. [caption id="attachment_32493" align="aligncenter" width="485"] Sridevi Krothapalli[/caption] "My mission with Kahani includes helping distribute art and literary magazines for kids in hospitals across the USA to inspire creativity," she said in an interview. The 17-year-old senior at Illinois Math and Science Academy (IMSA), who aspires to make a career in advocacy and healthcare, has always been keen to give back to the community and "help make an impact." The digital magazine with its vibrant artwork, engaging stories, and playful
Science Academy (IMSA), who aspires to make a career in advocacy and healthcare, has always been keen to give back to the community and "help make an impact."
The digital magazine with its vibrant artwork, engaging stories, and playful poems, aims to ignite creativity among children during their hospital stay.
"So, they can experience outside of the hospital that gives them the opportunity to engage with this art because that’s what it’s all about. Getting children to play their own role and honestly interpret it anywhere they are," she added. For this Indian American teen, who originally hails from Telangana, kindness, and love have served as guiding influences, encouraging her to speak from the heart and inspire positive transformation.
In these years, Kahani has been distributed in hospitals across the US including Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago, Advocate Children’s Hospital in Park Ridge, Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, and Children’s of Mississippi in Jackson. The staff and parents permit patients to access the magazine through tablets, digital devices, as well as in-house closed-circuit televisions, and websites. The influence of Kahani at Riley Hospital for Children was recently highlighted by an Indiana CBS affiliate station. A hospital spokesperson remarked that the magazine serves as a wonderful illustration of children receiving support from individuals who may be strangers to them. Such literary and artistic content helps create an opportunity for normalisation in the hospital.
Published twice a year, the magazine consists of 20 pages that encompass a diverse array of artistic expressions including poetry, short stories, paintings, and photography. Accompanying the artwork are descriptive captions, and within each edition, there are thought-provoking journaling prompts. "We try to make it as artistically compelling as possible — the most fun things that we can think of and mostly interesting things that you'd see in a nature book. But instead, it's made by students not so far away," she told Chicago Tribune.
Witnessing many individuals in her family and community facing illnesses that required them to visit nearby children's hospitals prompted her to develop a form of creative arts therapy and an initiative tailored to their benefit. Recognising the scarcity of resources crafted by students specifically for this hospital-bound population, she aimed to establish a student-driven endeavour — a collective effort where all the donated creations are the result of students' artistic endeavours.
The teenager, who is an active member of IMSA's arts and literary magazine, Heliotrope, produces Kahani with the help of half a dozen people that include her family, friends, and IMSA students. She serves as a designer, artist, and writer, and also oversees outreach and promotion.
Along with her passion for art, she is a physics pro who wants to make scientific discoveries that would make a difference in the world. Moreover, she was selected to attend the Stanford Program for Inspiring the Next Generation of Women in Physics. "By applying coding skills to physics-based projects in environmental engineering and tutoring other students in physics-oriented topics in my community, I realized my ambition to break the gender gap in the field of physics and mathematics," she told Teen Vogue.
When she is not studying algorithms or working on Kahani, Sridevi loves playing tennis or indulges in filmmaking. Moreover, she holds the position of Regional Board President for the nonprofit organization International Youth Tobacco Control in Illinois wherein she coordinates educational events, establishes connections with fellow tobacco control organisations in the state, and designs informative infographics and digital posters addressing tobacco usage for school districts across the region. "Everything that I do falls under the umbrella of what I'm interested in — the umbrella of public health crises that affect kids' well-being."
(April 13, 2023) Aryan Verma arrives at our virtual meeting dressed to the nines, in formal attire. "I'm an investment banker," he says, when I ask him about it. At 20, Aryan, who is a student at The University of Sydney Business School, juggles two internships alongside. "It's pretty full on," Aryan admits but since he also hopes to follow in the footsteps of Warren Buffet, Ray Dalio, Bill Ackman and Chase Coleman who began their own firms at the age of 26, he’s got a lot to do. He's already the founder of Young Entrepreneurs Connect, which has chapters across Australia and the US and the Managing Director (Australia) at Beyond the Bounds, an organisation that addresses mental health concerns among GenZ. He also works with the Newland Global Group, which works to leverage bilateral relations between India and Australia. Growing up in Sydney Aryan’s dad moved to Australia in 1996 and when he married in 2001, his wife joined him there as well. Aryan was born two years later, in December 2002. "I had a pretty traditional upbringing," he says, during his interview with Global Indian. His parents wanted him to do medicine, and his own academic record
Aryan’s dad moved to Australia in 1996 and when he married in 2001, his wife joined him there as well. Aryan was born two years later, in December 2002. "I had a pretty traditional upbringing," he says, during his interview with Global Indian. His parents wanted him to do medicine, and his own academic record was in line with that. He studied at Sydney Boys' High School, part of the prestigious AAGPS network, the equivalent of the 'Great Nine' or 'Clarendon Schools' in England. Growing up between two cultures and continents, Aryan Verma had the unique opportunity to learn from diverse perspectives and experiences, which has undoubtedly shaped his entrepreneurial spirit and success today. He was offered a partial scholarship to Harvard University, which he turned down because the tuition fee was still out of reach.
When he was around 14, Aryan discovered an interest in finance and investment banking, and began teaching himself real estate valuations. He would even send out his estimates of listed unit blocks to see how close he was to the offer price. "It's not really a field you can enter so young, though, so I switched to startups and entrepreneurship." By the time he turned 16, he was "ahead of the curve," he says. "I had observed that an entrepreneurial mindset is beneficial for every industry, no matter what your career is and I wanted to spread that message."
[caption id="attachment_29221" align="aligncenter" width="426"] Aryan Verma, founder, Young Entrepreneurs Connect[/caption]
Young Entrepreneurs Connect
That year, he started Young Entrepreneurs Connect and held the organisation's first event just before Covid-19 hit - YEC collaborates with universities to help them build their entrepreneurship programmes. It did well almost immediately, with about 60 people attending their first event, and speakers from companies like Deloitte, Mercedes and a handful of nonprofits. "We wanted to give high-schoolers clarity about career options and that there is always room for them to be entrepreneurs." For a sixteen-year-old, this is no joke. It meant patience, lots of cold emailing and aggressive social media campaigning. At the end of the event, they recruited more students to the organisation.
The pandemic hit soon after and YEC hopped onto the Zoom bandwagon. It allowed them to expand to the US fairly quickly. "Our community events were a lot stronger in the US, we started working with societies, clubs and external events." I ask him about his process - "a blanket search for major universities and their entrepreneurial efforts for students," he replies. The cold emails worked, as Aryan suspected they would, because "we were free labour, basically." Today, the US chapter accounts for more than 50 percent of their 4000-strong community and includes collaborations with several universities.
What YEC does
YEC Talks are the organisation's flagship events, and are held both virtually and in-person through the year. Experts from various industries are invited to discuss trends, career trajectories and entrepreneurship efforts, creating a bridge between students planning their careers and professionals who are the top of their fields. They try to keep the panels diverse, including company founders, executives, investors, academic and politicians.
There are also the YEC podcasts, which are also available on YouTube and lunchtime school clubs, called 'interschools'. The later helps to create engaging spaces for students, giving them supplementary learning and allowing students to pick their own leaders and members. The YEC syllabus, which Aryan says is being developed still, currently includes topics from business knowledge to startup skills, career insights and advice on how to make investments. These clubs also compete against one another in business and startup competitions. In the YEC Hustler's List, the organisation showcases young, talented entrepreneurs in Australia.
Non-profit and volunteer-led
YEC runs on a non-profit model, with all their services provided for free. How does this work, and why choose this model? Volunteers join the organisation to work on real, impactful projects that provide them the opportunity to build relationships and real-world skills - it's prepping, really, for their careers. Extracurricular activities play an important role in securing internships and graduate jobs. "When I was 16 and 17, I wouldn't attend any event that was charged, even if it was cheap. Kids don't have a lot of money and don't want to spend on events." Student-led and student-run remains their philosophy.
Beyond The Bounds
Then, in 2022, Aryan discovered Beyond the Bounds, an organisation founded by Indian student Vidhi Yadav, who had just moved to Australia to study. Yadav was looking to expand her western market when Aryan reached out for a collaboration. With his knowledge of the local landscape, Aryan now works to expand BTB's campus presence. "University students tend to associate with clubs that are on campus,” he explains.
Aryan Verma joined Beyond the Bounds in 2022 to lead its Australian expansion. Beyond the Bounds is an international youth mental health organisation with a 12,000+ community across Asia. Originally founded in India by Vidhi Yadav, it is now present in Indonesia, Malaysia and parts of Africa. Being BTB's first Western market, the two young leaders are refining their strategy to use as a template for expansion to the US and Europe down the line.
A life of discipline
All this doesn’t leave Aryan with much free time on his hands. He understands that his ambitious career goals mean lots of hard work. Aryan hopes to join a bulge-bracket investment bank after graduating university, like Goldman Sachs or JP Morgan and eventually, build his own private equity firm. “A lot of this has been about building my work ethic as well,” he explains. His signature productivity tool is to 'count his hours', keeping track of how much time he works and is productive. All this is in a bid to continue improving focus, attention span and overall work ethic. "If it isn't measured, it isn't managed". He currently works 90+ hours every week, across YEC, BTB, university and his 2 internships. “Work-life balance isn’t really my thing,” he admits. “Your twenties are when you have the most energy and I’m not planning to have much of a work-life balance in the next few years.”
"I have given myself a goal and I'm working towards it," he says. "I want to finish up with non-profit work and move on to other things - over the last few years, I have been trying to build my work ethic." He admits that his goals don't leave him with much of work-life balance - and he's okay with that, for now. "Your twenties are when you have the most energy. And I'm not planning on having a work-life balance for the next few years, at least. And I also minimize socialising and parties and stuff, I have never really been in a nightclub! I aspire to be world class - right now, I can only work towards it and hope for the best. I’m a firm believer of hustling in your 20s, building in your 30s and scaling in your 40s."
(July 12, 2023) It was in her third attempt that twenty-five-year-old Manju Bangalore won Miss Oregon USA 2023 title becoming the first South Asian woman to do so. The persistent and multifaceted youngster called the win, ‘the cherry on top’ because it gave her ‘a bit more platform’ to do the kind of work that she has been doing. Manju is a role model for young Brown girls in the US, not just as a pageant winner but as an aspiring astronaut, actor, model, activist, author and a non-profit founder who started Operation Period and Painting with Parkinson’s. The postgraduate student at the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences in the US, will be proudly representing her state, Oregon in the upcoming 72nd Miss USA pageant, slated to take place in October in Nevada. Whether it is the world of pageantry, academics, extracurricular activities or her career, Manju has displayed consistent excellence, occasionally pushing her own boundaries. Her motivations are not solely driven by the desire to enhance her resume but stems from an innate inner drive to fulfil her purpose – personal growth and to make a positive impact on the community. [caption id="attachment_31812" align="aligncenter" width="689"] Manju Bangalore being crowned
Whether it is the world of pageantry, academics, extracurricular activities or her career, Manju has displayed consistent excellence, occasionally pushing her own boundaries. Her motivations are not solely driven by the desire to enhance her resume but stems from an innate inner drive to fulfil her purpose – personal growth and to make a positive impact on the community.
[caption id="attachment_31812" align="aligncenter" width="689"] Manju Bangalore being crowned as Miss Oregon USA[/caption]
Bagging five NASA and one White House internship
Before joining the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences, Manju graduated from the University of Oregon with a major in physics and minor in maths. An ambitious young woman who wanted a head start in her career, she was looking everywhere for internships. She ended up bagging not one or two but five NASA internships and one White house internship on science policy.
“Over the course of my five NASA internships, four of which were in the astronaut office, I contributed to propulsion research and helped design and build the cockpit displays of the Orion spacecraft,” she said. Talking about her White House experience she remarked, “One of my favourite memories was staffing a Hidden Figures screening for First Lady Michelle Obama.”
Finding inspiration in Kalpana Chawla
From the tender age of four, Manju aspired to become an astronaut. This dream had been sparked during a visit to the air and space museum in her locality. It was there that she had stumbled upon the remarkable story of Kalpana Chawla - the pioneering Indian woman who ventured into space. “Just seeing someone who looks like me doing this incredible thing made me feel like I could do it,” she remarked. Her strong work ethic and the trait of dedication and hard work comes from her parents, Phani and Geetha Bangalore, who migrated from South India and own and operate a seed-testing lab in Oregon
[caption id="attachment_31813" align="aligncenter" width="436"] Manju Bangalore at the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences[/caption]
While she was pursuing her undergraduate studies at theUniversity of Oregon, she applied for hundreds of internships and ‘got rejected by ninety-nine percent of them’. Quite by chance she had come across NASA’s portal during her search and had discovered that there was an entire portal of NASA focused on internship. Like other applications she went ahead with applying there too without any high hopes. But to her immense joy, she was selected by NASA Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama.
Later, her application to work at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy was accepted too. At the White House, she met astronaut Sunita Williams who guided her to land four more internships at NASA's Johnson Space Center, in the astronaut office. “I learnt quite a lot working on the cockpit displays of the spacecraft that will go back to the moon and then to Mars one day,” she shared.
Fuelled by these experiences, Manju enrolled herself into the International Institute of Astronautical Sciences’ postgraduate programme. “The school hasn’t selected us by any means to go to space, but they are putting us through the training that’s necessary to one day go to space,” shared the happy youngster.
Operation Period and Painting with Parkinson’s
When Manju was 17, she started Operation Period to address menstrual disparities that she saw around her. The seed for starting this venture germinated in her mind when she encountered a woman in a medical store who was desperately in need of menstrual products but could not purchase them due to lack of money. Not only did Manju generously pay for her needs but came out of the store with the determination to do something about women like the one she met in the store.
Through Operation Period, the youngster has made a significant impact, distributing over 300,000 menstrual products worldwide and organizing events to raise awareness about menstrual health education.
She also runs a second non-profit, Painting with Parkinson’s, to help bring meaning through art to people like her father, who suffers from the disease. The non-profit provides free painting kits and organises free painting classes to people affected by PD. “I believe that art has the power to heal, and everyone is an artist and should let that light shine,” she remarked.
From science and service to the world of pageantry
The multifaceted youngster has been participating in pageants since she was in her teens. The Oregon resident had made a couple of unsuccessful attempts in the Oregon Teen USA competition, but she remained determined. In 2017 she had managed to get successful in the local pageant, Miss Benton County USA. When she entered her twenties and could no longer participate in the Oregon teen pageant, she set herself on the Oregon Miss USA competition. It took her three attempts to finally win the crown. Overjoyed with the fruit of her persistence she shared, “The months that have followed after winning have been the best months of my life.”
[caption id="attachment_31814" align="aligncenter" width="444"] Manju Bangalore at an event[/caption]
Multiple experiences on the pageant stage have given the Global Indian a unique perspective on what it takes to be a winner. “A beauty pageant obviously has a component of outward appearance, but also in those seemingly beauty-oriented competitions, they are still looking at how poised you are, how confident on stage you are,” she said adding, “I was by no means the tiniest person on stage; I am curvier, and none of that was held against me.” In fact, Manju thinks it helped her. “It showed that I am confident in my body and who I am. It has helped me develop a thick skin, to face and filter out the detractors.”
The Indian-origin American embraces and beholds her looks, her identity and her culture with utmost pride.
Wearing many hats
Manju has a knack for acting since her school days. Her stint in modelling and the world of pageantry led her to some good acting projects. She has guest starred on two television shows - Black is King, Depot and Animal Kingdom and is hopeful for more work on this front in future. Working inBlack is King was particularly special because she got an opportunity to work with Beyoncé, the American singer and songwriter. Recently Manju turned an author with her debut children's book, You can be all the things you want to be.
[caption id="attachment_31815" align="aligncenter" width="457"] Manju Bangalore with her debut book[/caption]
Born to immigrant parents, growing up Manju realised that the world is not an equal place. Instead of being bogged down by racism that she and her family faced, the youngster grew up with the sense of responsibility towards people who are looked down upon for being different. Manju is also a supporter of black and transgender rights and goes out of her way to support these causes. She looks at the Miss Oregon USA 2023 title to be a good platform to work on these issues.
Soo Mei Fei | Photo Credit: Apsara Arts[/caption]
Soo Mei Fei | Photo Credit: Kaya, a publication of Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, Singapore[/caption]
Aryan Verma, founder, Young Entrepreneurs Connect[/caption]
Manju Bangalore being crowned as Miss Oregon USA[/caption]
Manju Bangalore at t
Manju Bangalore[/caption]
Manju Bangalore at an event[/caption]
Manju Bangalore with her debut book[/caption]