Global Indianstory Global Indian ExclusiveWorld Photography Day spotlight: Young luminaries shaping the global photographic landscape

World Photography Day spotlight: Young luminaries shaping the global photographic landscape

Compiled by: Team GI Youth

(August 19, 2023) In the vast expanse of the world of photography, fresh perspectives are constantly emerging, reshaping narratives and challenging norms. As we mark World Photography Day, Global Indian takes a look at young photographers, who have not only demonstrated prodigious talent but have also made significant international impacts with their work. From poignant moments captured amidst global movements to the serene intricacies of wildlife and urban tales told through the gaze of confinement, these young talents invite us into their world, challenging us to see through their eyes. Dive into the journeys of Akshat Bagla, Aman Sharma, Dhanu Paran, and Pubarun Basu – photographers who have broken borders, not just with their camera’s reach but with the profound narratives they’ve chosen to depict.

Akshat Bagla: From Kolkata streets to global fashion’s elite

In a whirlwind career, Akshat Bagla evolved from a 17-year-old Artist-in-Residence with Kolkata’s Rotary Club to Director of Photography for Differio, a globally renowned gay menswear company. Akshat’s love affair with the camera began at 13, photographing meals and moments. “I thank my cousin, he’s the reason I’m here,” he confessed to The Daring.

A photo shot by Akshat Bagla in New York City. Source: www.akshatbagla.com

Growing up in a Kolkata business family, it was expected he’d take over the reins. Yet, a revelatory experience with his first photos shifted his trajectory. Despite initial parental hesitation, Akshat’s dedication to photography only grew, especially evident during the pandemic’s onset in Kolkata. He ventured out daily, rediscovering his city. “I explored more areas and talked to more people than I ever did in the sixteen years of living there before.” Despite initial parental hesitation, Akshat’s dedication to photography only grew, especially evident during the pandemic’s onset in Kolkata. He ventured out daily, rediscovering his city. “I explored more areas and talked to more people than I ever did in the sixteen years of living there before.”

The Rotary Club archive task at 17 kickstarted his official journey, followed by a fruitful tenure at the School of Visual Arts. From capturing the essence of the Black Lives Matter movement to vibrant Gay Pride shoots for Differio, Akshat’s expertise in re-branding is gaining recognition.

Staying authentically Indian, Akshat veers away from trending black and white photos. “As a visual artist, I rely on our traditional affinity to colours,” he stated. His Bengingi bread shoots and the Gay Pride campaign, though commercial, are considered art. As he documented faces during the BLM protests, his motive was clear: “I’m trying to tell their story at the end of the day.”

Follow Akshat Bagla on Instagram.

Meet Aman Sharma, Nikon’s youngest creator and a recognized climate activist

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A post shared by Aman Sharma 🐳🇮🇳 (@birds_of_india_)

At just 20, Aman Sharma is recognized as one of India’s youngest and most followed wildlife photographers, and is Nikon’s youngest creator. But it’s not just his art that’s gaining attention. Celebrities like Leonardo Di Caprio and Greta Thunberg admire Aman’s dedication to the environment.

His 2019 petition, urging the Indian government to declare a climate emergency, resonated internationally. Accumulating 350,000 signatures, it spurred similar campaigns worldwide. Collaborating with Change.org and 74 global petitions, Aman’s campaign garnered 1.2 million signatures. This massive movement catalyzed climate emergency declarations in the European Union, UK, Austria, New York, and more.

Currently an Environmental Studies student at the University of Pennsylvania, Aman’s passion roots from childhood visits to national parks. His early interest evolved into ‘Cuckoo Club’, an initiative educating children about urban wildlife. His Instagram page showcases India’s diverse avian life, connecting over 600k followers to the country’s natural heritage.

Aman’s international achievements include speaking at the 75th UN General Assembly and the Nobel Peace Centre’s Oslo Pax. Back home, he stresses the urgency of climate awareness and action. India, though advancing in renewable energy, faces challenges with growing coal demands. Aman believes in young India’s potential to combat climate change. This World Environment Day, he inspires us all to pledge towards a greener future.

Follow Aman on Instagram.

Dhanu Paran: Capturing nature’s majesty from Anamalai to international acclaim

Dhanu Paran is making waves in the world of wildlife photography. In 2023, he clinched the Siena Drone Photo Awards’ Wildlife category with his shot of an elephant at rest in Tamil Nadu’s Anamalai Tiger Reserve.

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A post shared by Dhanu Paran (@dhanu.paran)

From Pollachi, India, Dhanu’s passion for the lens ignited when he was just 10. His prowess was evident when, still in his teenage years, he secured the Wildlife Photographer of the Year award for an evocative piece titled ‘Hornbill losing patience’.”For the past 13 years, I’ve been engrossed in wildlife photography and filmmaking, starting at age 10. My fascination comes from my intense urge to observe wildlife closely, capturing their most intricate details,” says Dhanu.

Dhanu’s commitment is evident in his extensive treks, specifically a 22 km journey to spot the great hornbills. On one occasion, he artfully captured a hornbill’s fleeting annoyance at a Nilgiri langur, highlighting the bird’s magnificent, outstretched wings. These majestic hornbills are recognized by their eye-catching hollow horns or casques atop large, curved beaks. Residing mainly in regions with expansive trees like the Anaimalai Hills, these hornbills are known to display aerial ‘casque-butting’ combats between males. However, these unique casques have made them a target, being highly prized by hunters.

Follow Dhanu on Instagram.

Pubaran Basu, the first Indian to win a Sony World Photography Award

In 2021, Pubarun Basu was distinguished as the Youth Photographer of the Year, spotlighting his deep-seated love for photography. His award-winning 2020 photo, “No Escape from Reality,” which captured a poignant moment during the lockdown, fetched him this title at the Sony World Photography Awards, making him the first Indian to receive such an honor. “My photo was selected among 3,30,000 entries from around 29 countries. It was a very humbling experience,” Pubarun told Global Indian.

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A post shared by Pubarun (@pubarun.basu)

Inspired by his photographer father from a young age, the Kolkata-born talent recalls, “I vividly remember my father handing me his camera… I somehow managed to take a picture by imitation.” His early ventures into photography matured into a signature style, with a fondness for capturing sunsets, portraits, and street photography.

His award-winning shot depicted the emotion of confinement during the lockdown. “One evening, sunlight seeping through the windows gave the illusion of a cage. I asked my mom to touch the curtain, representing being trapped in a moment,” describes Pubarun.

The accolade catapulted his career, leading to his photo being showcased internationally and winning the Indica cultural photography grant 2021. Aspiring to convey impactful narratives, he states, “I want my voice to be heard through my art.” Paying homage to his father’s influence, he adds, “I have learnt everything from him…

Follow Pubarun Basu on Instagram.

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Published on 19, Aug 2023

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Empowering change: Activist Sanya Sharma’s pursuit of a better world

(November 4, 2023) In 2019, as a part of a college project, Sanya Sharma came across several articles and studies about issues like forced marriages, honour killing, and female genital cutting. After several sleepless nights and researching extensively about these issues, the young activist decided to do something about it. "I wanted to raise awareness– I spoke to my father about starting a global youth-led organisation to do this. He said, 'Be the change you wish to see', she said in an interview, adding, "With his words, I founded 'Scarlet Udaan' and got on board eight other students from across the globe to work towards ending FGC." Established in July 2020, Sanya's international youth organisation strives to promote awareness about female genital mutilation (FGC). With team members from various parts of world - including India, the UK, Indonesia, the US, and Canada - the activist wishes to bring awareness on female genital mutilation and the impact it has on the lives of females belonging to different communities all around the world. "It is estimated by the World Health Organisation that 200 million females around the world have undergone FGM. In the organisation's name, 'Scarlet' stands for the strength of womanhood,

ent communities all around the world. "It is estimated by the World Health Organisation that 200 million females around the world have undergone FGM. In the organisation's name, 'Scarlet' stands for the strength of womanhood, and 'Udaan' is a Hindi word that means 'to soar' or 'to fly'. It symbolises freedom and the limitless possibilities that exist for an individual," said the 21-year-old activist, who recently won the prestigious Diana Award for her humanitarian efforts.

Digital activism

A student of Delhi Public School, Hyderabad, Sanya wasn't just a meticulous student, but she also volunteered for various causes and organisation growing up - including the National Service Scheme and Reap Benefit. After finishing her school education, the young activist got enrolled at Durham University in the United Kingdom to pursue a bachelor's of law. It was here that she first was introduced to the issue of female genital mutilation.

"In my first year at university, I was part of a project that worked on women’s issues," the activist said, "This was the first time I heard about FGC and it was baffling. I had no idea what it was. I started having conversations with friends and family members about this and they had no idea either. Everyone was like ‘What is FGC?’ This just proved to me how inaccessible that information was. FGC is a major global concern. It affects 200 million people. Academia, governments, and international organisations that address the issue do not provide enough nuance, they’re disconnected. They’re also gatekept. They use language that people do not understand, so crucial information gets lost in jargon."

And that’s where Scarlet Udaan stemmed from. While she knew she had to do something about the issue, the activist was still figuring out a way to spread the message. Speeches, meetings, and posters would have only gotten her so far, so she turned to the digital space to talk about the issue. "The digital space is accessible and really expands the possibilities of what creating change could look like. It lets us create a safe space for people having such conversations, ones that may be considered taboo, or that people do not know much about. Our team members are from eight different countries around the world. We were able to come together and work together for a common cause, which might not have been possible offline. We also have regional expertise. This creates very nuanced views of culture and tradition and the complexity of the issues we focus on. The online space has opened up a whole new realm of having access to other organizations and youth activists with similar goals," the activist said.

Miles to go before she sleeps...

Using various social media to promote our cause, including videos and podcasts, the Global Indian has been able to reach out to a broad audience. "We have different tools at our disposal to create change, which allows us to make the information accessible to more people. We have social media posts for a quick introduction to the office, a podcast for a deep dive, detailed Zoom sessions, and live streams for more targeted information. It lets us organise creative ways to make change and have an impact," she said.

The activist plans to take a few of the organisation's activities offline very soon. "As a young person, getting to work with so many other young people and survivors across the world is great. But we’re all also people on the frontlines, both online and offline. Having both brings a community together and we can push for change across the world. Especially during the pandemic, when other channels are closed off," she explained.

Currently pursuing a master's at the Duke University School of Law in the USA, Sanya is on her way to building an organisation that can be a platform for young advocates like her to voice and spread awareness about various issues across the globe. "This will not only allow for different regional and local perspectives to be expressed but create a safe space for people to have conversations about topics that are underreported," the activist expressed.

Follow Sanya Sharma on LinkedIn
Follow Scarlet Udaan on Instagram

When Indian kids say the ‘earnest’ things on Ted Talks, they inspire

(February 15, 2022) Ideas are everywhere. And the world is nurtured through them. The confidence and power to unleash those ideas into reality is something few possess. One of the best ways to spread the power of these ideas is through speeches and talks; TED talks is among the most recognised and celebrated platforms. From inspiring people to changing lives and perspectives, each talk coaxes one to step out of their comfort zone. A whole crop of young Global Indian children are unleashing the power of their ideas through these TED talks. Times Kid of the Year, Gitanjali Rao, innovator Neha Shukla, achiever Ishita Katyal and others, there is no dearth of confident young Indian-origin children taking to the stage to create awareness, and get the world to sit up and take notice. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1kV3NQ87FY[/embed] Young and raring to go Recently, five-year-old Indian American child Kiara Kaur became the world’s youngest TEDx Speaker on Unboxing Curiosity at a TEDx event in Maharashtra on November 2021. Before that, it was 10-year-old Ishita Katyal, who held the distinction of being the youngest Indian to deliver a TED talk. Her topic: Why you don’t have to wait till you grow up. [caption id="attachment_10868" align="aligncenter"

[caption id="attachment_10868" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Gitanjali Rao[/caption]

It’s true. These young ones aren’t waiting for adulthood to make a difference. Their time to act (… or speak) is now, and they’re grabbing every opportunity to make a difference. Age is not a factor when it comes to initiating change too. Gitanjali Rao’s TED Talks, India Nayi Baat in 2019 witnessed the young leader expound these very ideas. “I don't think there should be an age barrier to solving problems. I hope that with the right focus and approach to continuous learning, we can all be superheroes, saving lives," she had told Shah Rukh Khan at the event.

In fact, several of these teens are quite enamoured by the entire platform and are adding to it through Indian TED Talks. Manasi Patil, a young author and STEM enthusiast avers, “TED talks display diverse perspectives of people all over the world. Bringing forward crucial messages and breaking stereotypes, I love the power every single TED talk has. Moreover, gaining insights into how people think and present themselves is an added bonus. TED talks are a cocktail of excitement, inspiration, changemaking ecosystem and simply a powerhouse for thinking beyond the box.”

Influencing minds, one talk at a time

[caption id="attachment_10869" align="aligncenter" width="641"] Neha Shukla[/caption]

Stressing on the importance of getting young people to innovate was Global Teen Leader Neha Shukla when she took the stage at TEDx Atlanta. “Our generation has just begun to embrace innovation. Gen Z already knows what challenges to care about; they just don’t know how to channelise their passion into tangible solutions,” she said during her Indian TED talk, adding, “Now more than ever we have the power to harness cutting edge science and technology to create positive change in our communities. With more people involved in the innovation process, the more problems we can solve, the faster we can do it.” Incidentally, Neha has impacted over 22,000 students and industry leaders through her talks and workshops. She was also honoured by NASDAQ.

An entire generation of thinkers and innovators are getting inspired. For instance, Yathaarth Murthy, a two-time Limca Book of Records holder for singing the highest number of anthems in the world, said that he loved watching TEDx videos as a young child. He wanted to be on the hallowed platform himself and his dream came true when he was invited to give his first TED talk at age 12 on being an anthemologist. His fourth talk was in 2020 when he spoke about pursuing one’s dreams.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IVIcvIMKhU[/embed]

For Tamil Nadu’s Young Nutrition Ambassador and YouTuber, TED turned out to be a dream platform. The 13-year-old motivational speaker had for long been a fan of the platform and drawn inspiration from it and its speakers. So, when she was invited to speak twice on TED, she considered it a huge milestone in her young life. “Being able to speak on TED has been very special for me,” says the teen, who also talks about the kind of hard work that goes into delivering what might seem like a simple talk. “On the face of it, it might just look like a simple 20-minute talk, but there’s so much planning and preparation involved. It took me six months to be able to shape my speech and prepare for my talk.”

Leading by example

[caption id="attachment_10556" align="aligncenter" width="350"] Manasi Patil[/caption]

The fact that platforms like TED also afford these young speakers’ visibility and leverage is an added bonus. Manasi, who herself has enjoyed watching several TED talks by Shashi Tharoor, Tim Urban, and Rohini Godbole, says, “I have always believed that once you are on the stage, in the spotlight, you have this undefined power to get people on board with your dreams, your vision. The TED platform is one of the most powerful ways out there to do this. It's fascinating how your voice, from one part of the world, can be heard throughout the world through a video that is never more than 18 minutes. I intend to reach many GenZers and ‘reinforce the GenZ potential’ in a much wider sense through my TED talks.”

Top 5 Indian TED talks to watch

Motivational: Sparsh Shah on How a 13-year-old changed Impossible to I’m Possible
Life: Ishita Katyal on Experiences of a 12-year-old author
Invention: Deepika Kurup on A Young Scientist’s Quest for Clean Water
Positive Thinking: Manoj Dora on Never Give Up
Innovation: Anwesha Das on The role and Opportunities of child innovators

Reading Time: 8 mins

Sejal Akerkar: The Seattle poetess who donates her books’ royalties to the needy

(February 17, 2023) Sejal Akerkar had attended poetry camps in middle school and continued to write but hadn’t really thought about doing it as a profession. That changed when she found inspiration in the Canadian-Indian poet, artist and performer, Rupi Kaur. Rupi’s first collection of poetry was published in 2014 and became a New York Times bestseller. “When I started reading Rupi’s poetry, I was inspired to write because she was so similar to me – a young, Indian-American student. I found great comfort in reading her poems and started to write.” By the time Sejal turned 15, she had written over 100 poems. [caption id="attachment_27571" align="aligncenter" width="572"] Sejal Akerkar[/caption] Following in the footsteps of her role model, she self-published her first poetry book, Walking down the sensory strip. The Sammamish High School student introduced her second poetry book, Optic opening to the world soon after. While the first book made it to the top 35 in the women’s category on Amazon, her second book did even better, finding a place in top 5 in the category of Asian poetry. The India experiences Like her parents, Sejal was born and raised in the USA. However, the seventeen-year-old spent three years

ght="863" /> Sejal Akerkar[/caption]

Following in the footsteps of her role model, she self-published her first poetry book, Walking down the sensory strip. The Sammamish High School student introduced her second poetry book, Optic opening to the world soon after. While the first book made it to the top 35 in the women’s category on Amazon, her second book did even better, finding a place in top 5 in the category of Asian poetry.

The India experiences

Like her parents, Sejal was born and raised in the USA. However, the seventeen-year-old spent three years of her life in Gurugram, India, where her father was posted. That’s when she came across the non-profit Udayan Care, which gave her a fresh perspective on life.

After returning to the US, the teenager published two poetry collections and on instinct, decided to donate the royalties that her books fetched. “When my books were published, I knew that I didn’t need the money earned from royalties and giving away the money to Udayan Care seemed the best thing to do,” says the youngster as she connects with Global Indian.

Udyaan Care, Sejal says, "has multiple houses and homes across India where they foster orphaned and abandoned children and give them higher education. It helps them succeed in the world instead of getting into the orphanage system.”

[embed]https://twitter.com/udayancare/status/1591042430824230912?s=20[/embed]

When Sejal and her family was in India, her mom became associated with one of the houses in Gurugram, teaching English to the girls there. “She would take me and my younger sister along to hang out with them and over time we built lasting connections,” she recalls. “We use to hear their stories of how they lost their parents, or were abandoned by them. We built deep connections and started celebrating festivals and birthdays together. We would see them all the time.”

When the family went back to the United States, they wanted to stay connected to the cause. “While my mom joined Udayan Care USA as the president, I became a volunteer. We planned lots of fundraisers and activities,” Sejal says.

Teaching poetry

These days, the teenager also teaches poetry writing in an elementary school. “It’s my after-school activity," she tells, adding, she loves being a mentor to kids between seven to 10 years of age. “I even created the entire curriculum of the poetry class,” she says.

By applying a different approach to teaching, the young teacher enjoys great bonhomie with her little pupils. “I teach differently because I think that usually poetry is taught in a very structured manner which tends to get boring for students. I don’t teach them how it is supposed to be. I give them creative prompts,” she says.

Sejal helps her pupils imagine with visuals, drawings, videos and more, and makes them write whatever comes to their mind. This keeps them interested. “It’s like giving them a little seed and let them water it, allow sunlight to come and help them grow their poetry without structuring them or restraining them from anything.”

As for her own poetry, Sejal writes on a wide array of topics – ‘life as a teenager and how it feels to go into adulthood, about my immigrant grandparents, how they came here and what they gave up to get here’, she tells. “I also write about the destruction of nature by humans, my relationships with my loved ones, social media, technology, my friends, myself,” smiles the teenager who loves dancing and golf.

While her first two books have done well, she is in no hurry to come up with the third one, and rather prefers to evolve a bit as a poet. With all her focus on the ongoing college application process, the teenager looks forward to take up biology. “That's complete opposite of what people would expect from me,” she chuckles adding, “I think combining creative and scientific things are very useful to the world today and I want to focus on a lot of multidisciplinary studies in my life.”

Follow Sejal Akerkar on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn

Reading Time: 5 mins

8-year-old Indian scuba diver Tharaagai Aarathana’s deep dive into marine conservation

(February 22, 2022) "Pristine water, a school of colourful fishes swimming in synchronicity, a jellyfish floating away to the surface, and a dugong resting in water," are some of eight-year-old Indian scuba diver and eco-crusader Tharaagai Aarathana’s earliest memories of snorkelling. She was just three when she first witnessed the beauty of underwater life, but over the years began to understand the grim reality of marine pollution. "Who's responsible for the reduced marine life? It's us! Plastic waste is causing havoc for underwater life, and we should do everything possible to protect it," Tharaagai tells Global Indian in an exclusive interview. Sharing a special bond with the ocean, the eco-warrior, who can dive up to 2 metres, has till now fished out 600kg of plastic waste to help protect marine life. Moreover, she set a record in Assist World Records in January 2022 for swimming a 19km stretch from Covelong to Neelankari to bring attention to the cause of conserving aquatic life. [caption id="attachment_11145" align="aligncenter" width="641"] Tharaagai Aarathana is an Indian scuba diver.[/caption] Bonding with water Before she even began crawling, Tharaagai was smitten by water. "She was just three days old when I started adapting her to water. Every

tTeams-image.jpg" alt="Indian scuba diver | Tharaagai Aarathana" width="641" height="427" /> Tharaagai Aarathana is an Indian scuba diver.[/caption]

Bonding with water

Before she even began crawling, Tharaagai was smitten by water. "She was just three days old when I started adapting her to water. Every day for 10 minutes in the morning and evening, I would make her sit in the water," says her father Aravind Tharunsri, who is a scuba diving instructor. Tharaagai's love for water was a gift to her from her dad, something she has held onto dearly in the last eight years. "I was nine months old when I started floating in the water, and by the time I turned two-and-a-half, I had begun swimming. Over the years, I have formed a strong bond with water," says the girl who began training for scuba diving in shallow waters when she was five. From learning in a small tub to practicing in the swimming pool, Thaaragai made sure to follow her dad's instructions to the tee. "We played games like collecting coins from the bottom of the tub as a part of the practice session," adds the Class 2 student.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2iE87eSk_I

An eco-crusader in the making

A water baby, Tharaagai loves being in the ocean, and this proximity to the sea has made her aware of marine pollution. "I was three when I started accompanying my father to weekly beach cleanups. Though I didn't understand much back then, I did see a lot of plastic waste on the beaches," says the Chennai resident, who is now an eco-crusader. Thanks to her dad, she learned about ocean pollution while seeing him impart training to the Tamil Nadu Marine Police and fisheries department along with the Wildlife Institute of India a few years ago. "Since I'd be accompanying my dad to the training, I learned how plastic and abandoned nets were adding to the pollution and affecting marine life," explains Tharaagai who has been raising awareness on protecting endangered marine species, especially the Dugong (sea cow).

[caption id="attachment_11150" align="aligncenter" width="758"] Tharaagai Aarathana collecting plastic waste from a beach[/caption]

"During the awareness programs and training, she would absorb all the information. She learned that there are less than 150 dugongs left in India, and decided to save them from plastic pollution. She is creating awareness among kids through presentations in various schools," beams her proud father, who himself has been working closely to protect marine life for many years now. 44-year-old Aravind started South India's first-ever scuba diving center Temple Adventures in Pondicherry in 2007. "Back then, there were only 2-3 scuba diving centres in the country. A chance encounter with two Australian friends in 2004 changed my life forever when they introduced me to scuba diving as a profession. There has been no looking back since then," adds Aravind.

Like father, like daughter

His passion for protecting the environment has rubbed off on his daughter as the two are now working as a team of eco-crusaders. "She has collected over 200 kgs of plastic waste from the ocean bed and 400 kgs from beaches, while I have collected over 15,000 kgs of plastic waste till now. Every week, we clean up the beaches as well as the ocean beds. I then segregate the plastic and send the one that can be upcycled to the recycle plant. While the other is taken care of by the government who dispose of it properly," reveals Aravind.

[caption id="attachment_11148" align="aligncenter" width="677"] Tharaagai Aarathana collecting plastic from ocean bed[/caption]

Tharagaai learned the grim reality of marine pollution when she saw her father bring heaps of plastic waste from the ocean bed to the shore. "Every year scuba divers rescue innumerable marine species that become entangled in the abandoned nets. It breaks my heart to see marine life affected by the waste," says the Indian scuba diver. Too young to rescue the fishes now, she is keen to follow suit when she grows up. "Many fishes get tangled in the ghost nets and often die. Turtles, on the other hand, unintentionally consume plastic as it resembles jellyfish. The pollution is threatening the marine ecosystem but we try our best to protect it by cleaning the ocean beds and beaches," adds Aravind, who wants to educate the next generation to feel a greater sense of responsibility towards the environment.

Following in her father’s footsteps, Tharaagai is helping bring attention to conserving marine life. On National Girl Child Day (January 24) this year, she set a record in Assist World Records for swimming a 19-km stretch from Covelong to Neelankari, under the theme Save the Ocean. "She completed it in six hours and fourteen minutes, despite drastic weather changes. It started raining, and the temperature dropped and it got cold. I tried to talk her out of it, but she continued and finished the stretch," says Aravind who was swimming alongside his daughter to motivate her.

[caption id="attachment_11151" align="aligncenter" width="431"] Tharaagai with her parents[/caption]

Tharaagai, who wants to be a scuba diver like her father when she grows up, loves cycling and exercising. Being home-schooled, she enjoys the freedom to travel with her dad to different locations in India and work as an eco-crusader. "Caring for the planet Earth," is the biggest lesson that she has learned in her journey. The eight-year-old, who fishes out plastic waste from the ocean to conserve marine life, is asking people to not use plastic. "Marine life will be safe if you don't use plastic," advises the young Indian scuba diver.

Follow Aravind Tharunsri on Linkedin

Reading Time: 6 min

Embracing the Open Waters: Anshuman Jhingran becomes world’s youngest North Channel swimmer

(Aug 23, 2023) "Water is my battlefield," writes Anshuman Jhingran in one of his social media posts. At 18 years 125 days, the Navi Mumbai swimmer became the youngest to cross the North Channel – a strait between Northern Ireland and Scotland that connects the Irish Sea with the Atlantic Ocean. He became the 114th swimmer and the youngest to do so since 1947.  The youngster is on a mission to become the world's youngest swimmer to complete the Oceans Seven, considered the Grand Slam of open water swimming, comprising seven of the world's toughest open water crossings. [caption id="attachment_32679" align="aligncenter" width="499"] Anshuman Jhingran[/caption] North Channel was Anshuman's first swim as part of the Oceans Seven challenge. He swam for 35 kilometres in 11 hours, 28 minutes and 52 seconds finding a place in the Guinness Book of Word Records. "I set this world record on 17th July 2023 and have been super proud of it. Being able to enter my name in the Guinness Book of World Records feels like a dream come true," the overjoyed swimmer remarks. Turning adversity into opportunity Anshuman has been swimming since he was five years old. As a competitive short distance swimmer, he

Word Records. "I set this world record on 17th July 2023 and have been super proud of it. Being able to enter my name in the Guinness Book of World Records feels like a dream come true," the overjoyed swimmer remarks.

Turning adversity into opportunity

Anshuman has been swimming since he was five years old. As a competitive short distance swimmer, he had made rapid progress, participating at various meets across the country, and in state and national level championships winning laurels. However, open water swimming was a completely different ball game.

He had not given a thought to diving in its tough terrain until he broke his left forearm and wrist that prevented him from participating in championships for some time, even after he recuperated due to championship norms.

Being a swimming enthusiast, he was restless. Looking at this his coach Gokul Kamath suggested that he try open water swimming. "It was very new for me, but I knew my coach would support me at every step. So, I decided to give it a go," Anshuman remarks.

[caption id="attachment_32674" align="aligncenter" width="554"] Anshuman Jhingran[/caption]

It was not easy

Regarded as one of the most challenging among the Ocean Seven swims, the North Channel presented an intimidating test of physical endurance and mastery due to its cold waters. There were many dangerous boneless animals in the waters like the lion's mane jellyfish that swam freely. Also, the tides and currents made the swim tough till the very end.

But Anshuman was prepared. He had dedicated nearly a year to training, including two-hour sessions of immersing in ice baths to adapt to the conditions of open waters. Given that the North Channel's temperature can drop to as low as 10 degrees Celsius, and lacking suitable training grounds in Mumbai, he had resorted to ice baths to get acclimatised.

Also, he successfully completed a swim across the Palk Strait channel from Sri Lanka to India as part of his preparation. He stayed in the UK for a month before the big swim just to get acquainted with the climate. 

"Open water swimming is an invitation to embrace the untamed beauty of nature," he says, adding, "Leave behind the sterile pool tiles and immerse yourself in the vastness of lakes, rivers, and oceans. It's a chance to feel the rhythm of the waves, taste the salt in the air, and discover hidden coves that only the adventurous dare to explore."

[caption id="attachment_32680" align="aligncenter" width="445"] Anshuman Jhingran[/caption]

Endurance - the winning mantra

Anshuman has won many competitions in the past like the 2018 National-level medal in the 100m Butterfly swim. In 2019, he made his mark at the SNAG (Singapore National Age Group Swimming Championships). His talent also led to his selection for the Khelo India Youth Games in 2020.

The class 12 commerce student at Karmaveer Bhaurao Patil College has trained at Fr Agnel Sport Centre, since years. Working closely with his coaches, Gokul Kamath and Rutuja Udeshi, both recipients of the prestigious Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Award, Anshuman had been dedicating at least 6 hours to training for his open water swimming challenge. Sometimes the practice hours even extended to even 12 hours on more intense training days.

At the later stage of the preparation, getting guidance from MBE Sally Minty-Gravett, a renowned coach and marathon swimmer also helped.

[caption id="attachment_32681" align="aligncenter" width="625"] Anshuman Jhingran practicing the Wim Hof breathing method while ice bathing[/caption]

Future ahead

The youngster’s eyes are firmly set on the next goal - to swim across another open water crossing of the Oceans Seven. “Only 22 people in the world have ever completed all seven swims, and I am determined to add my name to that illustrious list,” he shares. He is aiming for at least two swims by the end of this year.

“I did not choose swimming because I had to, but I did because I loved it. If the situation permits, I would love to take this as a full-time career,” says the young champion who finds support in the steadfast belief held by his parents, Sandeep and Kiran Jhingran in all that he does.

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