Global Indianstory Global Indian ExclusiveWord Wizards: Indian-American kids dominate the Spelling Bee hall of fame

Word Wizards: Indian-American kids dominate the Spelling Bee hall of fame

Written by: Team GI Youth

(June 13, 2023) Balu Natarajan made history in 1985 as the first Indian-American child to win the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Since then, the Indian-American community has displayed remarkable dominance in the competition. Despite constituting only around one percent of the United States population, Indian Americans have claimed 27 Spelling Bee championships, including the most recent victor, Dev Shah, since 1999.

Indian American Dev Shah became the latest winner of Scripps National Spelling Bee

What’s intriguing is that Pawan Dhingra, a sociology and American Studies professor at Amherst College, attributes the success of Indian Americans at the Scripps National Spelling Bee to their families’ unwavering dedication to investing the necessary time and resources in preparing their children. Dhingra, in The Conversation, noted that these children not only excel in spelling but also demonstrate outstanding abilities in subjects like geography, mathematics, and other academic competitions.

Global Indian proudly showcases the achievements of a few Scripps National Spelling Bee champions who have brought honor to our community.

Dev Shah

Join us in giving a big round of applause to Dev Shah, the newest spelling sensation who’s already taking the world by storm at just 14 years old. Nailing the word “psammophile”, which means an organism that thrives in sandy soils, the youngster walked away with a cool $50,000 cash prize from E.W. Scripps Co, the bee’s sponsor.

Hailing from Largo, Florida, Dev faced some tough competition, especially from fellow eighth-grader Charlotte Walsh, who came in second place. It all came down to the wire in the 14th round when Charlotte stumbled on “daviely,” a Scottish-rooted word for feeling listless. That’s when Dev saw his chance and seized it. A student at Morgan Fitzgerald Middle School aced the word “bathypitotmeter” in that same round. But according to the spelling bee rules, he needed to spell one more word correctly to be officially crowned the winner. And boy, did he deliver. Cue the confetti as Dev was crowned the ultimate champion. Way to go!

The champion also scored additional monetary prizes and some top-notch reference works from Encyclopedia Britannica and Merriam-Webster.

Harini Logan

Picture this, the competition dragged on for almost 20 grueling rounds until it finally reached a lightning round, where the top two contenders faced off in an epic spelling battle. They had a mere 90 seconds to correctly spell as many words as humanly possible. And guess what? Harini Logan totally rocked it, nailing a whopping 21 words.

Her competitor, Vikram Raju, another student of Indian descent in Grade 7 from Denver, could only manage to spell 15 words correctly, which sealed Harini’s epic victory. After clinching the title, Harini, during a chat with the media, spilled the beans on her dedication to the bee. “I’ve been working towards the bee for almost six to seven years. Since I was in first or second grade. Spelling is something that sticks with you for life. Once you get into this journey, there’s a dedication you develop along with a work ethic. There’s also an added skill of networking for the bee.”

Karthik Nemmani

The super chill eighth-grader from McKinney, his laid-back 17-year-old came into the Bee through this new program called RSVBee, where spellers who didn’t snag a regional bee win or didn’t have a sponsor still get a chance to compete with the best of them. Now, here’s where things get intense. Karthik found himself in a nerve-wracking showdown against another Indian-American whiz, Naysa Modi. It was a real nail-biter. But then, plot twist—Naysa tripped up on “Bewusstseinslage,” and that opened the door wide open for Karthik’s victory.

For his epic spelling skills, Karthik snagged a cool 40,000 USD prize and a snazzy trophy from the Scripps Bee, sponsored by the EW Scripps media group. But wait, there’s more! He also pocketed 2,500 bucks from Merriam-Webster, the dictionary publisher, and some other fabulous prizes.

Karthik had to nail two words correctly to secure the title, and he aced them with ease. As the confetti rained down on him, the teenager stepped back and flashed a big ol’ grin. His winning word was “koinonia,” which means Christian fellowship or communion. Talk about a sweet victory! When asked about it, Karthik coolly remarked, “It was just an adrenaline rush. I had confidence, but I didn’t think it would really happen.”

Nihar Saireddy Janga

Get ready to be blown away by the incredible story of Nihar Saireddy Janga, the spelling prodigy who snatched the Scripps National Spelling Bee title at the tender age of 11 back in 2016. This little dude from Austin, Texas made history!

Nihar almost clinched the victory not just once, but twice during the championship rounds. How? Well, let us tell you. Another speller named Jairam Jagadeesh Hathwar also rocked the stage and ended up being declared the co-winner of the title. Talk about intense competition. But, here’s what makes Nihar super cool. Instead of just asking for definitions like a regular speller, he had a unique way of doing things.

No doubt, Nihar became an absolute favorite of the audience. Everyone was rooting for him, and it’s no surprise why. This young spelling sensation knew how to make his mark in the Bee in the most laid-back and memorable way possible. “I am just speechless. I can’t say anything. I am only a fifth grader,” Nihar said with the trophy in his hand, as he attributed his success to his mother. “My mom. It’s just my mom,” the Spelling Bee champion said.

Ananya Vinay

Ananya Vinay totally rocked the competition in 2017 and made history as the 13th Indian-American in a row to win the whole shebang. This 12-year-old superstar from Fresno, California, was on fire. She showed little emotion and wasted no time as she breezed through word after word. It was like she was on a mission, no messing around! But here’s the best part. Ananya had her own style when it came to asking questions. Picture this: she would just blurt out questions without much intonation, like “Part of speech?” or “Language of origin?” Straight to the point, no beating around the bush. That’s how she rolled, and it clearly worked like a charm.

Unflappable to the end, Ananya seized the opportunity when her steely opponent, Rohan Rajeev, flubbed a simple-looking but obscure Scandinavian-derived word, “marram,” which means beach grass. She calmly nailed two words in a row, ending with “marocain,” which means a type of dress fabric of ribbed crepe, to win the 90th Scripps National Spelling Bee. “I knew them all,” Ananya said, after winning the trophy, adding, “It’s like a dream come true. I’m so happy right now.”

Name*

Email*

Name*

Email*

0 Comments

Inline Feedbacks

View all comments

Published on 13, Jun 2023

Share with

ALSO READ

MechaCrop: Aryan Rajavanshi uses AI and Machine Learning to improve farmers’ lives

Aryan Rajvanshi, a 16-year-old coding enthusiast and a Grade 11 student at Anand Niketan International School in Ahmedabad, Gujarat is making life easy for farmers. (February 3, 2024) When he was on the way to Udaipur in June 2021, Aryan Rajvanshi heard of two farmers who committed suicide due to their inability to repay a meagre loan of Rs. 70000. He soon realised that this is a widespread challenge that affects many farmers in India who struggle with poverty and debt. It motivated him to look for tech-based solutions to help address the problem, and he found MechaCrop. “I decided to use my coding and development skills to create a solution that can improve the lives of farmers,” the Global Indian says. Farmer first His initiative MechaCrop, uses drones and artificial intelligence to help farmers diagnose and prevent crop diseases, monitor crop growth, yield, and quality, and provide timely and accurate information. The idea is to help reduce crop losses, increase yield and ensure and ensure higher income for millions of farmers, thus preventing suicides. “MechaCrop uses a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) model, a branch of Machine learning that I developed using Python. The model was trained with over 5,000+

age-35610 aligncenter" src="https://www.globalindian.com/youth//wp-content/uploads/2024/02/WhatsApp-Image-2023-10-28-at-22.26.13.jpeg" alt="Aryan Rajavanshi | Global Indian" width="553" height="415" />

“MechaCrop uses a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) model, a branch of Machine learning that I developed using Python. The model was trained with over 5,000+ images of apple rot, tomato blight, and corn rust diseases and tested the model in the field using a drone that captured images of crops and fed them to the model. The model identified diseased leaves with 96 percent accuracy,” he says.

Tech calling

Born in London, UK, Rajvanshi has lived across various countries in Europe and Asia with his parents and sister, Aisha. He discovered his passion for tech after spending a few weeks at a technology camp in Haifa, Israel, where he learned about the latest innovations in different fields, agriculture included. “I have mastered several programming languages, such as C, C++, and Java, and am currently honing my skills in Python,” he says. He also scored a perfect 5 on the Advanced Placement (AP) Computer Science A exam. On the academic front, he has been among the toppers at his school, apart from being a School Prefect and Model United Nations (MUN) winner.

Global call

Aryan’s project has received international acclaim and he was one of the only two project leaders from India selected to be part of the 07th Edition of 1M1B Activate Impact Summit 2023 UN Summit 2023, a global initiative that supports young innovators who are solving the world’s most pressing problems. As part of the program, an inspirational documentary based on Aryan’s project was showcased at the summit, where he received a standing ovation from the audience.

“It was an incredible experience to present my project at the 1M1B Activate Impact Summit at the UN, NYC, on 30th Nov 2023. I was honoured to have the presence and appreciation of the Ambassador of India to the UN Ruchira Kamboj, the Chief of NGO Branch Wookjin Chang, and the Director of Outreach Maher Nasser,” he recollects. A six-minute documentary on his journey and MechaCrop, was showcased at the UN NYC followed by an interaction with the esteemed participants which was inspiring and encouraging. “Declared as a "Purpose Rebel" leader, it reinforced my commitment to SDG Goal 2 of Zero Hunger,” he adds.

Scaling issues

He plans to scale his model by collaborating with local NGOs, government agencies, and private companies that work in the field of agriculture and rural development. He is hoping to reach out to as many farmers as possible and provide them with access to MechaCrop’s services.

“I also want to improve my model by adding more use cases, such as weather forecasting, soil quality assessment, and crop insurance. I have overcome many challenges along the way, such as lack of data, technical glitches, and logistical issues. The experience has provided immense learning in developing resilience, resourcefulness, and being adaptable in the face of difficulties. I have also sought help from mentors, experts, and peers who have guided me and supported me throughout my journey,” Aryan explains.

Learning lessons

He also shares that his journey has come with several lessons, the foremost being that passion is the key to success. “If you love what you do, you will find a way to do it well. Technology can be a powerful tool for social good. It can solve real-world problems and make a positive impact on people’s lives,” Aryan remarks. He also admits that purpose channelises one's effort and energy for the greater good.

“Having found the purpose to support farmers and sustainable farming in India, has given a direction early on to my work. Empathy is a crucial skill for finding real-world solutions.” In fact, Aryan worked closely with farmers for months as he built MechaCrop, to gain a firsthand understanding of the challenges they face. “Their long, tedious working day, their lack of resources, and their struggle for basics was an eye-opener,” he adds.

Future perfect

In his free time, he likes to unwind with Netflix or play video games on his PS4 console with his sister. “My favourite game is Elden Ring, which is a challenging and immersive adventure. I am also a certified advanced scuba diver, which allows me to explore the amazing world underwater. I have done more than 30 dives in different locations, and I always look forward to seeing new sights and creatures,” he smiles.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPd8CT127wc

Looking ahead, he plans to pursue higher education in the USA, where he wants to major in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. “I believe these fields have immense potential and applications in various domains. After completing my studies, I want to return to India and dedicate my career to helping the farmers who have inspired me to create MechaCrop. I believe that by saving even one life, I can make a difference in the world,” he signs off.

Follow Aryan Rajvanshi on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube

Reading Time: 6 mins

Inspired by her roots, designer Sheena Sood is celebrating diversity through her creations

(May 4, 2024) Even though India is not regarded as an international fashion hub, several Indians are responsible for the embroidery, embellishments, and fabrics you see from prestigious fashion houses like Versace, Hermès, Christian Louboutin, Gucci, Prada, Dior, and more. Carving a name for themselves, many new-age Indian fashion designers are climbing up the ladder in the cut-throat industry of haute couture. And one such name that has been making waves for quite a while now is New York-based fashion designer, Sheena Sood. The young designer is known for celebrating diversity and colours through her fashion house, abacaxi - which is the Portuguese word for ‘pineapple’, which was inspired by a joyful holiday memory on the beaches of Morro de São Paulo. Weaving inspirations from Indian culture, travel, and nature, Sheena's designs are an amalgamation of world cultures, sustainable production techniques, and striking patterns. "I think it runs in my blood, this obsession with colour, seeking it throughout my life," said the Global Indian, adding, "My sense of colour comes from traveling in India and the use of colour in our culture. I love Indian maximalism and all of that saturation. It's so different. And that's really what inspires me."

ing patterns. "I think it runs in my blood, this obsession with colour, seeking it throughout my life," said the Global Indian, adding, "My sense of colour comes from traveling in India and the use of colour in our culture. I love Indian maximalism and all of that saturation. It's so different. And that's really what inspires me."

Discovering the artist within

Born in Minneapolis to Indian parents, Sheena would often visit her hometown in India during holidays. While she wasn't too sure about her path as a young girl, her travels to India inspired her to take up a career in fashion. Observing the striking difference between the day-to-day fashion in USA and India gave her a unique sense of combining various colour palettes - and that's how her journey began.

"My parents moved to the US from India, and I kind of grew up traveling a lot. We would go back to India to visit family every so often. Those trips ultimately led me to want to be a designer. I remember experiencing the stark difference in the way that people dress there versus where I grew up in the US -- the use of colour, the sense of design. It informed a lot about my life and also my work as a designer," said the youngster, who often incorporates embroidery, beading and sequin work into her designs.

[caption id="attachment_28606" align="aligncenter" width="567"] A dress from one of the latest collections of Sheena[/caption]

After completing her schooling, the youngster enrolled at Brown University where she studied visual arts, and later earned a degree in textile designing from the Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts in London. Soon after graduating, she developed print and embellishment designs for the American label Tracy Reese before briefly moving to India to live with her family. It was during that time that she discovered a whole new world of custom-made dresses in India. "I was fascinated by the custom garment-making process in India—how you could go to the market, buy the fabric and take it to the tailor. I was exposed to the rich, kaleidoscopic world of Indian textiles early on and that has had a huge influence on my work," said the designer, who soon shifted to Brooklyn and started working on her own brand.

Giving wings to her dreams

While she was now clear that she wanted to start her own fashion brand that would celebrate traditional hand-crafted textiles, there was much research to be done in the field to incorporate patterns and colours from cultures across the globe. "My love for adventure took me to places such as Brazil, Indonesia, Vietnam, Peru, and Mexico. I explored and studied what I am most passionate about– Indigenous textiles. That knowledge of specialised techniques and craft is integral to my design ethos," the designer writes on her website.

[caption id="attachment_28607" align="aligncenter" width="650"] Sheena along with female weavers during a recent handloom workshop in Tamil Nadu[/caption]

The designer started her company - abacaxi - with a capsule of silk garments that showcased vintage embroideries which she collected in Rajasthan. Speaking about why she chose to start her own label, the designer said, "While there are a lot of brands that produce garments in India, I wanted to work with artisanal textile, embroidery, and beading techniques. There are so many at risk of disappearing because they’re not done as widely anymore and I wanted to find a way to bring those intricate processes into everyday clothes, not just for an occasional piece for a wedding."

Climbing up the ladder

Eventually, the brand garnered much interest from fashion lovers, especially youth, and Sheena became a known name in the industry. However, even as she was climbing up the ladder, the pandemic shook the world - and halted her plans of making an international debut at the 2020 Paris Fashion Week. Although she, too, was stressed at the beginning of the pandemic, the designer soon found herself drawing a stingray print that would become the basis of her next collection.

“I asked myself why this was coming up for me at this time and remembered my first time snorkelling in Costa Rica. I had always had a fear of drowning, but the water was so warm and clear that I finally did it. It was one of those transformative moments. I had never seen anything like this underwater world. And the stingrays on the ocean floor struck me. They became a symbol of transformation, of overcoming fear," she said.

But as they say, 'all good things take time.' The designer was able to launch her first full collection later that year, which featured natural dyes, fibres, and unused saris. "From the beginning of Abacaxi, sustainability was always part of my process. We work with a regenerative cotton farm in India. Regenerative organic cotton, it's simply just the way that cotton was farmed in ancient times. It really restores the land but also yields a better crop at the same time," she said about her work process.

Currently working on a new collection, Sheena believes that there is plenty of space for diverse voices and aesthetics. "There still are very few recognised South Asian designers in the US, and I hope to keep breaking down those barriers so more perspectives can be seen. Even though things are changing, it isn’t very often I see someone who looks like me, doing what I do. I know firsthand how life-changing representation is for young people," she said.

Follow Sheena Sood on LinkedIn and Instagram
Follow abacaxi on Instagram

Reading Time: 5 mins

Arti: The e-rickshaw driver from Bahraich wins Amal Clooney Women’s Empowerment Award

(June 14, 2024) Last month in London, a rather unusual scene unfolded at the Buckingham Palace. An 18-year-old Indian girl Arti, who hails from a village in Uttar Pradesh, made a spectacular entry into the gates of the palace in a pink e-rickshaw - something she drives back home in Bahraich. This wasn't a just publicity stunt. It was a choice that was not just a sustainable mode of transport but also a symbol of an idea and a movement. Clad in a yellow chikankari kurta, she made her way inside the palace to meet King Charles III after receiving the Amal Clooney Women's Empowerment Award, named after the world-renowned human rights barrister. [caption id="attachment_38238" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Arti at The Buckingham Palace[/caption] She received the honour for inspiring young girls through her work with the government's Pink Rickshaw initiative, which offers safe transport for women and aims to drive social change. "I take pride in being able to inspire other girls who face similar challenges. The newfound independence allowed me to see the world in a different light. Now, I am able to fulfill not only my dreams but also those of my daughter," said Arti, who is a participant

challenges. The newfound independence allowed me to see the world in a different light. Now, I am able to fulfill not only my dreams but also those of my daughter," said Arti, who is a participant in the Aga Khan Foundation's (AKF) Project Lehar.

In late May this year, she made her maiden visit to London to receive the award at The Prince's Trust Awards in London. Founded by His Majesty King Charles III, The King's Trust International (formerly Prince's Trust International) empowers young people in 20 countries through employment, education, and enterprise programs.

[caption id="attachment_38239" align="aligncenter" width="549"] Arti with King Charles III[/caption]

"It has been an unbelievably amazing experience, meeting the King who was so nice and sent his namaste to my family back home too. He also listened carefully as I spoke about how much I love driving my e-rickshaw, which does not run on polluting diesel or petrol but the one that I charge at home every night, she added. Her journey epitomises bravery, perseverance, and an unyielding resolve to triumph despite all odds.

Fighting against the odds

Born into a family of daily wage labourers struggling to make ends meet, Arti was married off by age 13 and forced to leave school. The marriage quickly dissolved, leading her to return home with her infant daughter. Facing limited earning opportunities as a single mother in her village, Arti started engaging in domestic tasks at home. Her outlook changed when she discovered Project Lehar - a collaboration between AKF and The King's Trust International - which inspired her to envision a brighter future for herself and her daughter. Fueled by determination, she set out to turn that vision into reality.

Project Lehar provides vocational training, entrepreneurship opportunities, and life skills courses tailored for girls and young women from economically disadvantaged backgrounds in Uttar Pradesh and neighbouring Bihar. Additionally, it offers support for girls who have discontinued their education to help them complete their studies.

[caption id="attachment_38240" align="aligncenter" width="692"] Arti with her daughter[/caption]

For Arti, Project Lehar provided the insight and confidence to consider self-employment as a viable option. "The programme helped me develop my skills, especially those that impact my life, such as problem-solving ability, communication skills, managing stress and emotions, and understanding entrepreneurship," she said, adding, "Through the learning I had over that period, I became capable of making important decisions for my life."

Changing the course of her life

It was in the July of 2023 that Project Lehar introduced Arti to the Indian government's pink e-rickshaw scheme, which serves a dual purpose: to enhance employment opportunities for marginalised women, particularly widows and single mothers like Arti, and to improve women's access to safe transportation, thereby enhancing their mobility and independence.

In Arti's community, driving has long been seen as a job for men. Girls and women have fewer chances and less freedom compared to boys and men. She was one of the first women in her area to join as a trainee driver. After passing her driving test, she began driving regularly. Now, she spends six hours a day behind the wheel, earning ₹15,000 per month (about $180) to support herself and her daughter. "I know my daughter will be proud of me one day," said Arti.

Getting recognition in the UK

During her recent visit to London, she enjoyed every moment and celebrated her win, and even bought some cake and a pair of shoes for her daughter.

[caption id="attachment_38241" align="aligncenter" width="731"] Arti receives the award in London[/caption]

Seeing her journey, Amal Clooney, the British activist-barrister after whom the award is named said, "This year's winner, Arti, is an inspirational example of someone whose trailblazing work in a typically male arena makes women in her community safer. Arti is determined to create a world where her daughter will not face the obstacles that she has faced, and she is already making a difference through her example."

Arti's journey as an e-rickshaw driver in her village in Uttar Pradesh is not just about earning a livelihood but proof of her resilience, courage, and breaking gender barriers. Her determination to make the streets safer for women by offering reliable and secure transportation is an inspiration to many. Her story reminds us that change begins with individuals like her, who refuse to be bound by societal norms and instead, forge their own path, creating a brighter and safer future for generations to come.

Indian-origin Laiba Basit sets Guinness record as the youngest female author to publish book series

(November 28, 2022) Laiba Abdul Basit remembers the very first book she ever read. "It was 101 Stories for Girls," she tells me. A prolific reader by the time she began school, the now eleven-year-old Laiba Abdul Basit entered the Guinness World Records in 2022, as the youngest female author to publish a book series in English, having brought out her second book at the age of 10 years and 164 days. The author of the Order of the Galaxy trilogy, Laiba broke the record held by Saudi Arabian author Ritaj Hussain Alhazmi, who was 12 years old when she published her series. Laiba is a girl of few words, pausing to write in her book from time to time as she speaks with Global Indian. She appears stoic even about her Guinness achievement, admitting later, "I don't know if I like being famous, really. I'm scared of cameras." The family was away on a trip in Calicut when they received the news. - "We went back home, to my father's ancestral home in Kerala and everyone was so happy. It was a very joyous night." Media attention was plentiful, thanks in part to Laiba's grandfather, who worked as a journalist

when they received the news. - "We went back home, to my father's ancestral home in Kerala and everyone was so happy. It was a very joyous night." Media attention was plentiful, thanks in part to Laiba's grandfather, who worked as a journalist in Qatar and talked about his granddaughter online.

[caption id="attachment_24767" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Laiba Abdul Basit, Guinness World Record holder[/caption]

A born wordsmith

Born in Kerala, Laiba grew up in Doha, Qatar, where her father, Abdul Basit, works in the oil sector and her mother, Thasneem Mohammed, runs a business. "I started writing through reading," she says. "My mother taught me the alphabet and how to read before I joined school." She's still a prolific reader, listing Enid Blyton, JK Rowling and Roald Dahl as her favourite authors. Her grandfathers, KM Abdur Raheem and Mohammed Parakkadavu were cultural and social activists in the Gulf Cooperation Council.

By the time she was in the first grade, she began writing herself, scribbling short stories, ideas and phrases in a notebook, and even on pieces of paper that she stuck to the walls of her house. "I was in first or second grade when I decided to write my own stories," Laiba says. "I showed my teacher some of the short stories and she told my parents about it. After that, my parents started taking an interest."

Penning her success

When the first lockdown was imposed in 2020, Laiba switched to typing instead and finished her first book, 'The War for the Stolen Boy'. It took her about a year and a half to write. The series tells the story of four siblings who go out on intergalactic adventures. "I was inspired by writers like Morgan Rice and JK Rowling to do my own thing," Laiba remarks. "I had also developed an interest in astronomy at that time. Since I didn't know much about space, I thought I would go with fantasy.

When The War for the Stolen Boy was complete, Laiba and her father approached a university press in Doha. Unfortunately, the publishing process had slowed down due to the pandemic. "I found out about Kindle direct publishing and three hours later, the book was ready." The second book was taken up by Dr Sabrina Lei, Director of the Rome-based Tawasul Europe Centre for Research and Dialogue. "It took me about six months to write. I remember finishing it at 4 am and rushing to wake my father to tell him. He thought he was having a dream," she laughs. The third book in the series, The Book of Legends, was published by Lipi Publications.

Looking ahead

[caption id="attachment_24769" align="aligncenter" width="744"] Laiba was recognized by the Indian Embassy in Doha[/caption]

The Guinness World Record holder is already working on her fourth book, an epistolic novel about two friends who live sixteen hours from each other. The story is told entirely through their letters and she is looking for international publishers. All this is made possible by her parents, who have been extremely supportive of their daughter. "They deal with all the documentation and everything required for publishing. They help me edit my novel as well," Laiba says.

In her free time, she enjoys roller skating, these days inside the apartment as FIFA fever grips Doha. What does she want to be when she grows up? "Math is my favourite subject," she says, thoughtfully in response. "I want to keep writing but I would also like to try something new." Breaking into a grin and finally giving me a glimpse of the child within, she adds, "I want to be a leader when I grow up. I want to be President."

Check out Laiba's series, Order of the Galaxy here

Tamil-British girl, Nila Varman bags BBC award for best student radio presenter and the Diana award 2022

(August 13, 2022) British Broadcasting Corporation, one of the world's oldest broadcasters and the name that enjoys a massive global reputation recognised Nila Varman as the best student radio presenter in the whole of the United Kingdom in 2021. The UK-born and raised youngster has also spent some years of her high school in Singapore. Growing up in two very diverse countries, Nila experienced the different cultural aspects of the world very early in her life. She channelised her sweet-sour experiences to establish a strong message for the world through her radio show - The Nila Extract. [caption id="attachment_20770" align="aligncenter" width="750"] Nila Varman, award-winning radio show host[/caption] Giving voice to marginalised communities The radio show has brought her critical acclaim, a loyal audience, and of course, two very prestigious awards among many others. “I started my show to help people from marginalised communities to have a platform where they can be heard,” Nila tells Global Indian, connecting from London. “As I can’t speak about every community, I invite advocates, activists, and celebrities from various indigenous ethnicities from all over the world on my radio show to talk about issues that are considered taboo,” she adds. “I felt it's important to normalise

target="_blank" rel="noopener">Global Indian, connecting from London. “As I can’t speak about every community, I invite advocates, activists, and celebrities from various indigenous ethnicities from all over the world on my radio show to talk about issues that are considered taboo,” she adds.

“I felt it's important to normalise these things,” remarks the master’s student of King’s College, London.

Apart from the two prestigious awards, The Nila Extract fetched her the recognition of Spotify New Wave for being the top 10 podcasters in the UK on the streaming app. Frontline 50, a charity organisation in Britain recognised her radio show for the Frontline 50 awards as top ten shows in the country that are creating a social change.

Discrimination within and outside the diaspora

Radio shows and podcasts enjoy a universal appeal and Nila feels great about the fact that they offer opportunities to learn and educate about issues that need to be brought up in the open.

“I have experienced discrimination from people who do not look like me and even within the brown community and other south Asian people. There is so much discrimination and taboo within the Indian community as well,” feels Nila. Dismayed about how people ask about caste even now, Nila adds, “While growing up I thought I was alone but when I started speaking to so many people, I now know that it’s a universal issue.”

Instead of making The Nila Extract, a run-of-the-mill serious discussion forum, Nila often adds a light-hearted and funny take to matters and also highlights the relevant latest news in the sphere.

Keeping thousands of listeners hooked

Through her once-a-week award-winning radio show, Nila has been amplifying awareness about pressing social topics that get neglected in mainstream media and public discourses, enjoying an audience from ‘across the world.’

The 21-year-old has impressive associations lined up with BBC both as a co-host and guest. By the end of this year, she would be teaming up with BBC Radio Nottingham as a co-host for a short segment in a fortnightly programme. The trusted young guest speaker of the broadcasting company that is synonymous with perfection, informs “I am quite often invited to BBC to speak as a guest speaker on social issues, student affairs or current affairs.”

Her love for speaking comes from experiences as a tour guide

Nila’s family shifted to Singapore from Manchester when she was in the final years of high school. Radio was nowhere in her mind then but the love to interact with people saw her donning the hat of a tour guide at the Wildlife Reserves Singapore.

As she has always loved interactions, it was a beautiful experience for more than two years when she showed the zoo around to tourists. “It has helped me as a radio presenter,” she says with a smile. If she would have not forayed into the media space, she would have been a zoologist believes Nila because she “absolutely is in love with animals.”

As a part of getting into the role, she had undergone training and was tested on her knowledge of exotic animals. Feeding the animals, and holding workshops for children were also some tasks that she delved into apart from leading the guided tours. With rich experiences like this and some uneasy experiences of discrimination as a student for three years there, Nila returned to the UK for her higher studies while her parents still work there.

“As a south Indian I faced more discrimination in Singapore than in the UK,” she says. But at the same time, Nila is grateful to both the countries for offering good professional and travelling opportunities to her family.

Women and children's health

Nila is pursuing her master's in women and children’s health because she strongly feels that societal discrimination is a big cause of mortality rates in women. “Women of colour have higher mortality rates compared to white women as they are discriminated during treatments in western countries,” she remarks.

The young broadcaster thinks that societal discrimination against women affects their hospitalisation and sanitation needs in non-white countries as well. “They have to go through high-risk pregnancies and many other fatal health problems,” says the thoughtful youngster who is a regular contributor to the Brown Girl Magazine in the UK. She is on the board of Tending the Garden – a non-profit organisation that helps in the healing process of sexual assault survivors.

For the youngster with the gift of gab and extended family in Chennai, UK is home having been born and brought up there. She loves learning about the rich heritage of India and speaks Tamil fluently. So engrossed does The Nila Extract presenter gets in researching about and giving voice to pressing social issues that she often forgets to take a break.

Follow Nila Varman on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and her website
Listen to the The Nila Extract on Spotify, SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, Audible, and Pocket Casts

Reading Time: 5 mins