Global Indianstory Global Indian ExclusiveVarin Sikka: The young innovator’s invention AirCat tackles carbon capture with self-sustaining tech

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

Compiled by: Darshana Ramdev

(October 30, 2024) Varin Sikka, a 16-year-old innovator, is advancing climate technology with his invention, AirCat, a Direct Air Capture (DAC) system designed to capture carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere. AirCat addresses the high energy costs traditionally associated with DAC systems and has been in development for over three years. Sikka’s invention could play a pivotal role in climate change mitigation by offering a new solution to the ongoing issue of carbon emissions.

Sikka’s journey with AirCat began in 2020 when intense wildfires near his home in California blanketed the sky in an ominous orange hue for weeks. “The wildfires brought the reality of climate change right to my doorstep,” Sikka said. “Seeing it first-hand drove home the urgency of this issue.” The fires had an immediate impact on his commitment to climate action, inspiring him to dedicate countless hours to developing a solution. He recognized that traditional DAC systems were often criticized for their high energy consumption, and he set out to create a more efficient alternative.

Varin Sikka

From Concept to Prototype

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

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

A Turning Point at COP28

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

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

Raising Awareness on Climate Solutions

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

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

A Future Beyond AirCat

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

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

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Published on 30, Oct 2024

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Penn Masala: From the White House to the Paris Olympics 2024, the boy band takes the world stage

President Joe Biden invited Penn Masala, the premier South Asian a cappella boy group to perform at the White House when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the United States last year. Mathematics student Raghunandan Raman, who serves as the current president of the band called it an “opportunity of a lifetime.” Penn Masala, the University of Pennsylvania’s boy-band composed mostly of Indian descent students, has gained wide recognition for blending Eastern and Western influences to bridge cultural divides through their music. This year, the acclaimed a cappella (without instrumental accompaniment) band performed at the inaugural India House at the Paris Olympics 2024. India House, a collaboration between the Reliance Foundation and the Indian Olympic Association, aimed to boost Indian athletes' performances, support national sports federations, and position India as a potential future host of the Olympic Games. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AV5sbxwgb8 Conceptualised by Nita Ambani and her team, the India House in Paris showcased the rich legacy of Indian music and celebrating India in a grand style. In addition to music, it featured craft installations, yoga sessions, and dance performances. Penn Masala artists who have performed across the United States, in India and other locations of the world were thrilled about performing

featured craft installations, yoga sessions, and dance performances. Penn Masala artists who have performed across the United States, in India and other locations of the world were thrilled about performing during the most coveted sporting event in Paris.

Penn Masala

The boy-band is an evolving group composed of students from the University of Pennsylvania. The group's membership changes regularly as veteran members graduate and new members join through auditions. While most of Penn Masala's members are of Indian descent, the group has also had non-Indian members. During significant performances, the former members also join.

Founded in 1996 by South Asian students of the University of Pennsylvania, the band is recognised as the world's first South Asian a cappella group. It was established with the aim of creating music that crosses traditional cultural boundaries and reflects the experience of growing up with both Eastern and Western influences.

“It was formed by a group of four guys, who saw that a cappella was a big thing across college campuses, but a lot of music that they grew up listening to wasn’t being expressed in this art form. They probably questioned “Why not us? Why can't South Asians also be a part of this?” shared alumni Saaketh Narayan talking about how Penn Masala got started. “Back then, it wasn't cool to be Indian or South Asian. It took guts to do what a lot of art groups and the founders of Penn Masala did,” he added.

[caption id="attachment_38670" align="aligncenter" width="719"] A Penn Masala performance in 2016[/caption]

Although the group members have always been in their 20s, in its 28-year-journey, Penn Masala has managed to appeal audiences of all age groups while performing at biggest venues across the US and beyond. Apart from releasing 12 full-length albums it has also performed for the Indian Filmfare Awards, and for heads-of-state, prominent businessmen, and international leaders including Barack Obama, Henry Kissinger, Ban Ki-moon, Mukesh Ambani, among others.

The group also had a cameo role in the Hollywood movie Pitch Perfect 2, released in 2015. The movie received the American Music Award for Best Soundtrack.

The homecoming India tours

Apart from several domestic, Canada and UK tours, US-based Penn Masala has travelled to India multiple times. In 2006, the group celebrated its 10th anniversary with a tour of India. Their most recent tour to India was in May 2023 when they performed seven shows across Goa, Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, Hyderabad and Bangalore. “It provided us with unique experiences. The love and adulation of fans was of next level. They made poems and art for us,” said one of the performers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8FGKCFYdlA

Balancing worlds

The loving audience sometimes tends to forget that the Penn Masala artists are at the university to study and that singing is just an additional activity for them. For all of them music is a great break from their academic rigour and professional aspirations – ‘an outlet to step away from the stress, hang out with an awesome group of guys, and jam’.

The current members Raghunandan Raman, Gaurish Gaur, Riju Datta, Venugopal Chillal, Ajay Kilambi, Prateek Adurty, Rohit Rajagopalan and Aryaman Meswani are all studying different subjects at the University of Pennsylvania but has music in common.

The current Penn Masala president Raghunandan was born in Bangor, India. His family moved to the United States when he was young. “I’ve been part of two worlds,” he remarked, “One American growing up in New Jersey and the other at home with my parents and family steeped in Indian culture, including music. Penn Masala combines both the Western and the Indian side of me, and I feel fortunate to be a part of this group and experience that.”

Like him, Penn Masala has had members who were born in India but raised in the US, as well as those who were completely born and brought up in the US. Regardless of their place of birth, Raghunandan's words resonate with all of them.

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Arushi Nath, the teen who won the Canada-Wide Science Fair twice in a row

(December 19, 2023) At the 2023 Canada-Wide Science Fair awards gala in Edmonton, nearly 900 attendees celebrated the achievements of Canadian students. Among them, fourteen-year-old Arushi Nath, the founder of MonitorMyPlanet, became the first back-to-back best project award winner since 1989-1990, claiming the prize in 2022 and then again 2023. Her project on planetary defense, focusing on detecting unknown asteroids using open data, mathematics, and Python – her algorithm did actually manage to locate three unknown asteroids. Arushi already has a long list of achievements to her name - she came in second at the European Union Contest for Young Scientists in 2023, the winner of the 2023 Young Astronomer Award from the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. In 2020, at the age of 11, she won the NASA SpaceAppsGlobal Challenge and in 2017, was the Canada SpaceApps Winner when she was eight years old! A young genius Arushi’s scientific journey began young – she has been learning on her own for years. Growing up in Toronto, she would spend her time looking up at the night sky when she was four or five years old. Soon, the family got their first telescope, and Arushi would “observe planets, stars clusters

ushi would “observe planets, stars clusters and sketch the observations,” she said. Academically, she had long since surpassed her school work, and wanted to spend her time pursuing her interests. One of these was sparked during her weekly family trips to the Ontario Science Centre, where she learned about the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC). "They were hosting a monthly meeting inside the Ontario Science Centre, and I was really curious, so I listened to one," Arushi said. The meetings at RASC, where astronomers and scientists presented their projects, further fueled her interest.

As she matured, Arushi's interests diversified. "I also have other interests, for example, I have been learning to code in Python for the last four or five years. So, I definitely wanted to have lots of coding involved," she says. She also loves Math, which she learns on her own, saying, "I'm always one or two steps ahead of my school because the subject amazes me so much." All these interests would eventually come together in the project that helped her win the Canada Wide Science Fair.

The hackathon veteran

As far as Arushi was concerned, doing projects was the best way to learn. She also wanted to bring her scientific acumen together with the things she cared about. So, in 2018, when she and her friends attended the School Strike for Climate started by Swedish Climate activist Greta Thunberg, Arushi wanted to do more “than raise slogans or wait for others to act,” she said. This led to her designing ‘Schools and NASA Aiding Climate Action by Kids’, which comes with the catchy abbreviation, ‘S.N.A.C.K.’. The project uses satellite imagery to calculate tree densities of schools in Toronto, than ranks and maps them. She also designed a pollution sensor to measure levels in parks and schools across the city, using Arduino, the open source electronics platform that lets users create interactive models. "I wanted school children to come up with local solutions to global challenges," she says.

Her efforts resulted in her being named the NASA SpaceApps Global Nominee - she had already won the Space Apps Challenge in 2014 and again in 2018. In fact, by the age of 10, she had been at a jaw-dropping 29 hackathons. This was a special win, though, she says, of S.N.A.C.K, as it was her first solo attempt. " I had to do all the work myself, from thinking of the idea, making it, coding and presenting it to the judges in 40 hours."

The dragonfly drone

As far as Arushi was concerned, doing projects was the best way to learn. During the Covid-19, she began work on her first major endeavour – building a drone – quite a feat for the young scientist, who was only 10 years old at the time. The idea for the directional dragonfly drone was born during the COVID-19 lockdown. Disturbed by the news of locusts devastating crops in Asia and Africa, Arushi saw an opportunity to make a difference. "These locusts often travel in large swarms, are very fast, and can change direction unpredictably," the Global Indian explained, underlining the urgency of the problem.

Arushi's solution was to use drones for locust control. "I thought of using drones, as they can fly, follow the locusts, and monitor their behavior," she explains. She also wanted to biomimic nature, choosing the dragonfly because it is by far the most efficient hunter, with a 95 percent success rate in catching prey (in comparison, the success rate of lions is 25 percent and sharks have a 50 percent chance of success). Developing a drone is no mean feat, and Arushi used her Lego base to create the foundation and then attached motors and sensors to it, in a meticulous trial and error process. "I programmed it to identify all red objects as locusts," she said, describing the functionality of her creation.

The planetary defense system

By this time, Arushi was also involved with the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. She started out attending meetings and listening to others speak but before long, she was presenting her own findings as well. She was also learning how to code in Python, “I started on my own and did many tutorials on Coder Dojo and Kids Code Jeunesse,” she says. And she wanted a way to put all these passions together.

Her idea was planetary defense against unknown asteroids. She had learned about robotic telescopes through the RASC and utilised images from these devices – “I took images from robotic telescopes in Canada, Spain, the US, and Australia to get full sky coverage," Arushi explains. She had to sift through these to pinpoint the unknown asteroids, using the Gaia Star Catalogue for information on star positions, and the NASA Horizon dataset, for predictions on the locations of known asteroids. Then, using her coding and math skills, she developed an algorithm to filter out known entities - “I created custom masks to remove all these objects, leaving me with the unknown objects," she explains.

She couldn’t always go it alone, though, often turning to online forums for help. "When I got some errors, I would try for days, even weeks, on my own to find the answer, but if not, I would reach out to specific forums," she says. She also reached out to experts, including Christina Thomas, the lead investigator on NASA’s DART mission. “"I sent her a message, told her about my current project, and asked if I could have a Zoom meeting to talk to her about her project and how it could relate to mine," Arushi smiles. Thomas responded and the two did get on that Zoom meeting. "I actually asked her for pointers on my project and what I could do," she adds.

Finding acclaim

“The whole thing took about ten months to complete,” Arushi says, “From getting the idea, reaching to people to see if they approved of it and then starting to code." Her goals changed along the way, so much so that her first goal and the end result were very different.” Finally, her findings were sent to the Minor Planet Center database. Then came waiting for a response. “A couple of weeks later, I got an email and three of the asteroids had my name next to them,” Arushi smiles. She submitted her project to the Toronto Science Fair and won gold, qualifying for the prestigious Canada-Wide Science Fair, where she also went on to win. “I was watching the results with my family and wasn’t expecting my name to pop up again but it did,” she says.

Now, Arushi is continuing work on her planetary defense project. Now that the DART Mission has successfully entered the Didymos (asteroid) system, she wants to measure the changes of the system during this impact. "I began studying the Didymos binary system for a copule of months before the DART impact," she says, "To fully understand how it has been affected."

Follow Arushi Nath on LinkedI

Connecting generations: Anika Kumar’s fight against elderly isolation

(October 22, 2024) At 15, Anika Kumar's world shifted when she volunteered at an assisted living facility in San Jose, California. There, she met Abigail, an 87-year-old woman who lived in quiet isolation, her voice unheard despite numerous requests for basic assistance. Abigail's story wasn't just about the loss of dignity in her daily struggles — it represented the widespread issue of social isolation among seniors, an issue often ignored. Abigail's resignation to her situation deeply impacted Anika Kumar. This wasn't just a personal challenge; it was a growing public health crisis. Abigail's helplessness showed how widespread ageism and social isolation can be for elderly people. That single encounter laid the foundation for Forget Me Not, a nonprofit designed to combat loneliness among older adults through weekly phone calls with teenage volunteers. These calls, simple yet impactful, aim to build meaningful connections and forge lasting intergenerational bonds. Forget Me Not: Bridging the Generational Gap Founded in 2015, Forget Me Not operates with a clear goal: to provide companionship to isolated older adults, many of whom are referred through partner organisations such as Meals on Wheels. The organisation pairs seniors with high school volunteers, training them to make weekly phone calls.

teers, training them to make weekly phone calls. Anika was only 15 when she started the nonprofit while volunteering at an assisted living facility. She added that the conversations between the elderly and student volunteers are "meaningful, rewarding, refreshing and touching. The elderly talk about their interests, hobbies, families, bygone days, childhood, favourite books and movies."

[caption id="attachment_39966" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Anika Kumar[/caption]

Calling herself a perpetuator of ageism like many Gen Z, Anika too wasn't keen on interacting with senior citizens until a high school community service requirement that forced her to start volunteering at one changed her perspective. "I realised how ignorant I had been in my thinking. At that nursing home, I met a World War II veteran, a former professor at my university, a college football player and the first teen female Bay Area radio host. I met some of the most genuine kind wise and dynamic people I had ever met and the stories they told me. It opened me up to a whole world of truly meaningful interaction that I hope to continue for the rest of my life," she told Global Indian.

With the elderly population growing and social isolation on the rise, Forget Me Not addresses a critical need. These weekly calls became even more crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic, when in-person visits were restricted, leaving many seniors more isolated than ever before.

Based in San Jose, Forget Me Not is more than just a phone call program — it's the product of careful research and strategic planning. She didn’t build her intergenerational nonprofit overnight. Inspired by her firsthand experience with elderly isolation, she "delved deep into ageism-related issues, studying the mental health impacts of depression and loneliness on seniors." To refine her vision, she spoke with geriatricians and elder care experts, making sure that Forget Me Not could effectively tackle the rising public health crisis of social isolation.

Teenagers Making a Difference

In a time where teens are often criticised for being glued to their phones or disconnected from reality, Anika and her peers turned technology into a tool for good. By using something as simple as a phone call, they built connections and shattered stereotypes of both the elderly and the youth. Teen volunteers undergo training to help them navigate conversations and handle emotional challenges. The result is an exchange that goes beyond small talk — it's about building trust, understanding, and a sense of purpose on both sides.

For the seniors, these calls are a lifeline, providing an outlet to share their lives and experiences, while the teenagers gain a new perspective on aging and life’s challenges. "Forget Me Not is a perfect example of how one person’s idea can create ripples of change, connecting communities and providing a solution to an often overlooked issue."

The Importance of Cultural Connections

Anika’s journey is also deeply rooted in her Indian heritage. As a young Indian American in San Jose, Anika Kumar is part of a thriving Indian community in the Bay Area, where many Indian Americans have made significant contributions across sectors. The Indian diaspora in the Bay Area is known for its entrepreneurial spirit and its active role in technology, education, and social causes.

San Jose, and the wider Bay Area, are home to a large and vibrant Indian community. Like many in the diaspora, Anika Kumar grew up balancing her cultural identity with her desire to give back to her local community. The intergenerational bonds she has fostered through Forget Me Not reflect this duality —honouring the wisdom of elders while empowering the youth to step up and take on leadership roles.

A Growing Movement

Today, Forget Me Not has grown from a local initiative in Santa Clara County to a nationwide program, with plans for further expansion. The organisation continues to partner with schools and senior care organisations across the country, aiming to combat social isolation on a larger scale. Anika's vision is clear: to create a world where older adults are valued, and where young people are given the opportunity to connect with them in meaningful ways.

The pandemic brought unforeseen challenges, but it also highlighted the importance of Forget Me Not’s mission. With so many seniors cut off from physical interactions, the program’s phone calls became a crucial support system. As the world moves forward, Forget Me Not remains committed to expanding its reach, ensuring that no senior is left feeling invisible or forgotten.

Indian Diaspora: An Integral Force in the Bay Area

Anika Kumar’s story is part of a larger narrative of Indian Americans making a difference in the Bay Area. The Indian diaspora in San Francisco and San Jose has long been a key player in the region's success. From entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley to leaders in education and social justice, Indian Americans have carved out spaces of influence, and they continue to give back to both their local communities and their homeland.

For young changemakers like Anika, who is an undergraduate research assistant at Brooks Lab, being part of the diaspora means blending cultural heritage with a passion for making a difference. Forget Me Not is not just about bridging generational gaps—it’s about fostering a deeper sense of community, one that transcends age, ethnicity, and borders.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4L6D9XT_hA

Looking Ahead: Expanding the Reach

With the overwhelming success of Forget Me Not, Anika has ambitious plans for the future. She envisions the organization expanding its reach to even more states and communities. The goal is simple: no senior should ever feel alone, and no teenager should miss the chance to learn from someone with decades of life experience.

Forget Me Not is proof of what can happen when empathy meets action. Anika's journey, from a high school volunteer to a nonprofit leader, is a validation that one person can indeed make a difference. And for the seniors who receive those weekly calls, the impact is clear—connection, companionship, and a renewed sense of purpose.

Follow Anika Kumar on LinkedIn

Being CarryMinati – how Ajey Nagar became one of YouTube’s biggest sensations

(March 26, 2024) Some people love him, some hate him, others love to hate him. Whatever category you might be in, Ajey Nagar makes sure you just can't ignore him. Best known by his stage name, Nagar, who will turn 25 this year, is India's most followed YouTube personality in 2024, with a whopping 41.6 million subscribers on his channel, CarryMinati and another 12.1 million on his livestream gaming page, CarryisLive. This month alone, CarryMinati ranked 36 in YouTube Entertainment and 84 worldwide. In 2019, he was named one of the Next Generation Leaders by TIME Magazine, and at the age of 20, was one of the youngest on the list. CarryMinati is slapstick, very loud, and often downright silly, with his over-the-top takes on "cringe-worthy" videos he finds on Facebook and TikTok. Behind the camera, though, Nagar is an astute and savvy creator. Born and raised in Faridabad, Nagar always steps out of the house in a black hoodie, even in peak summertime, to avoid being recognised by his legion of fans. "I can't go to malls or restaurants," he told TIME. [caption id="attachment_36840" align="aligncenter" width="382"] Ajey Nagar, aka CarryMinati[/caption] In 2019, CarryMinati found worldwide fame when he dissed

ign="aligncenter" width="382"] Ajey Nagar, aka CarryMinati[/caption]

In 2019, CarryMinati found worldwide fame when he dissed Swedish YouTuber Felix Kjellberg (PewDiePie), another controversial star of content. At the time, PewDiePie was locked in a subscriber race with T-Series and released a video that mocked an Indian man speaking broken English. CarryMinati came to the rescue on January 1, 2019, with a Hindi rap video called ByePewDiePie, where he says, "one day, India will rule the world." These days, the Global Indian produces videos only in Hindi, targetting a large chunk of India's 462 million YouTube users (India has the world's largest YouTube audience, with the US a far second at 239 million).

The CarryMinati method

Ajay Nagar began making video content when he was eight years old. And the more he did it, the surer he was that it would be his life. When he completed 10th grade, his mother hoped he would prepare to study medicine, "but I knew I couldn't do it," Nagar told the Hindustan Times. "I said, 'Buy me a PC', and chose arts," he added. It was a big move for Nagar, who comes from an established, and highly educated family. His mother is a doctor, his father a lawyer and his grandfather (late Shri Gajraj Bahadur Nagar) was a Cabinet Minister in the Haryana government.

When he started out, he ran many different channels, but around 2016, focussed his attention on one of them, where he felt he had found a niche. Back then, he was just a school kid playing video games and trying to make his friends laugh by mimicking and roasting celebrities - at the time, it was Bobby Deol. Deol went by CarryDeol and would inspire Nagar's own online name, CarryMinati.

However, the process has remained the same, even though his team has grown. The first, and most time-consuming step, Nagar says, is to find the content. And it could take more than three or four days at times. "Then comes the scripting part, it is the most fun part. I lock myself up in my room for two days and focus on the script." Then comes the shooting and editing, which takes another four days. Viewers send him ideas too, his inbox is always full with links to cringe videos. In 2018, after his team "worked day and night, to get him an opportunity," CarryMinati interviewed Tom Cruise and the team of Mission Impossible 6, and that video has received 33 million views to date.

"My expectations were nothing. I only wanted 50k subscribers, a room to play my games in and to make enough money to be able to buy new games and create content," he said. His channel grew beyond his wildest dreams, though, and time and time again, Nagar, who has also matured over the years, has re-evaluated and re-strategised his offerings. He's always the over-the-top goofy kid, though but these days, he does have to be careful of what he says, given his massive reach.

Being Ajey Nagar

In front of the camera, CarryMinati is brash and unapologetic. Behind the scenes, Ajey Nagar struggles with the weight of his fame, and of catering to expectations. "I struggle with that, as I do with getting out of the house. I have the fear that once I am outdoors, I will be judged, or that even if I eat, I will ahve 10 people staring at me." He has also admitted that he struggles to walk up to strangers, even at a party, and make conversation, and is happy when they come up to him. That said, relating to people is a crucial part of what he does, because that's the source of his content. It's also essential to him having some normality in his life. "Honestly, there has been a time when I sat down and started feeling bad about myself thinking, 'Oh, poor me, I've missed out on so many things'. The love of my friends, late night rides on scooties and eating junk food at the nearby 24x7. But take a look at my life, it's not bad at all," he said in an interview.

There's also the struggle of expectations and insecurities. "When I'm working on my videos there are moments when I scrutinize my jokes, especially if I like them because I'm worried about whether the audience will find them funny or not," Nagar says. And it's a valid concern, because with his outspoken ways and his incredible reach, controversy follows him around. Just the other day, he found himself in hot water for his supposed mocking of cricketer Virat Kohli for not having an IPL trophy in his collection. RCB supporters were furious and the YouTuber went on to issue a quick clarification, saying it was merely a promotional skit where he was doing a parody of RCB fans. However, in a profession like this one, learning to deal with criticism comes with the job description. “I take criticism seriously, but only if it has value to it. Otherwise, I just really don’t have the time,” says Carry, adding, “The amount of criticism I receive, I criticise myself 10 times more for the same thing," he told Hindustan Times.

Tips for aspiring creators

Learn by observation, CarryMinati advises. "Don't observe it like an audience, rather do it as if it's your job. Observe the little things, then you will understand how someone does that stuff, then your mind will open up." When you're watching a video, he says, try and think about what went into making it - from the thought process to the methods of shooting. And, he adds, it's very slow going. Nobody is going to make a million subscribers in 100 days. "The main thing," he says, "is to keep doing it." Evolving and changing with the times is also crucial. Change and uncertainty are the only constants, and Nagar is always prepared for eventualities. "Evolve the content, figure out what works and figure new things in life. And be yourself because nobody can be you."

Follow CarryMinati on Instagram and YouTube.

Bhangra to Ballet: How Delhi boy Kamal Singh made it to UK’s theatre troupe

(January 3, 2023) At the opening night of Brecon Festival Ballet this Christmas, an Indian took centrestage as the main lead in Nutcracker - the world's most popular ballet - to perform to packed houses in Wales. Amid the thunderous applause, he couldn't help but reminisce the time he first saw a ballet in a Bollywood film. And now six years later, the dream of performing ballet has come true for Delhi-born Kamal Singh. He had never heard of ballet ever until he watched a Bollywood film on his small television at his home in Vikaspuri on a balmy afternoon in 2016. A sweet twist of fate put him in the company of the Imperial Fernando Ballet School that changed the trajectory of his life and made him take those steps toward his dream. Then a 17-year-old, whose father is an e-rickshaw driver in Delhi, he was bewitched by the ballet dancers and wanted to try it for himself. Five years later, he became the first Indian to be selected to study at the English National Ballet School in the UK. [caption id="attachment_26066" align="aligncenter" width="574"] Kamal Singh is an Indian ballerino[/caption] The 23-year-old, who made it to the 2021 Forbes 30 Under

wp-content/uploads/2023/01/kamal2.jpg" alt="Ballet | Kamal Singh | Global Indian" width="574" height="718" /> Kamal Singh is an Indian ballerino[/caption]

The 23-year-old, who made it to the 2021 Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list, fought not just social stigma but economic hurdles to make his dream come true. "Coming from a humble background, where I couldn't afford fees for ballet school to now performing in the UK, I am living my dream. Taking a leap of faith, knowing that I can back it up with hard work is what changed the game for me," Kamal tells Global Indian from London.

How Bollywood gave him wings to fly

Growing up, the family survived on his father's meager income that came from working two jobs - being an e-rickshaw driver in Delhi and making charpais (benches), Kamal believed for the longest time that he wasn't allowed to dream. "While growing up, I was obsessed with fitness and would spend hours running and training in local parks. I even learnt Gatka (Sikh martial art) for six years, and was a part of local jatha (group), where I participated in competitions," says Kamal.

[caption id="attachment_26068" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Kamal Singh is English National Ballet School graduate.[/caption]

Financial crunches were the norm at home but his parents never pressurised him into chipping in through odd jobs. At the same time, his life was confined to the alleys of Vikaspuri. "I didn't dream big till I was 17." For someone who loved watching dance reality shows, and was often the first one to break into a dance at weddings, his love for dancing remained personal. Until a Bollywood film changed the course of his life forever.

At 17, he watched Remo D'Souza's dance film ABCD: Anybody Can Dance, and the ballet piece stirred something inside this then-teenager, who couldn't stop thinking about this dance form. Being a Sikh, Singh always broke into bhangra at every party or wedding, but the fluid elegance of ballet drew him in and he spent the next few days watching ballet videos online. "I had never seen something like this before. I vividly remember, at that moment I told myself that I have to do something. As if some energy was pulling me. Ballet chose me to be a dancer. Moving from bhangra to ballet, it was a turning point for me," he adds. This newfound passion led him to Imperial Fernando Ballet Company in Delhi. Founded by Mario Fernando Aguilera, a ballet dancer from Argentina, who starred as a choreographer in ABCD, the center seemed to be the perfect place to start.

[caption id="attachment_26069" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Kamal Singh is the first Indian to make it to English Ballet School[/caption]

However, the dance school's fees were beyond Kamal's means as his dad was already working two jobs to support his family: ballet tuition was a luxury they simply couldn't afford. Aguilera, seeing the boy’s agility and flexibility (at the trial class), developed over years of running and stretching in his local park, knew that he had discovered an exceptional talent and wasn't ready to let go of a prodigy like him. He offered him a full scholarship. The rigorous training sessions were no cakewalk and Kamal had to give his 100 percent to make the cut. "I would train for 6-7 hours daily, as I had so much to learn. Most kids begin training at the age of four-five, while I was kickstarting my journey at 17. So, I had to cram all the knowledge into a short span of time. I had to prove myself and make sure that I was deserving to be at the ballet school."

From Russia, with love

Over the next three years, he completely immersed himself in the training, and his efforts paid off when he was accepted for a summer program at the historic Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet in St Petersburg in 2019, where he was cast as a soloist in a production called Gayaneh. For someone, who loved the Russian style of ballet, going to Russia was nothing short of a dream come true. "I was the first Indian ever to make it to Vaganova Academy, and those two months were life-changing. It was my first time outside of India, and I had to prove to myself and my teachers that I am worthy of it. Though those months were quite challenging, they also gave me the confidence that I can do well in ballet."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Imi6rlZczIE

This confidence nudged him to apply for a Professional Trainee programme at London's English National Ballet School. His watershed moment arrived when he was accepted to the prestigious ballet school, making him the first Indian ever to achieve the feat. Being one among a pool of 10 talents selected from around the world, Kamal had a moment of pride. But the course's hefty price tag did play a spoiler.

Crowdfunding came to his rescue

A year-long course at the ballet school costs £8000, and he had to turn to crowdfunding to pay for his fees and other expenses. Fortunately, he found support from actor Kunal Kapoor, who is also the co-founder of Ketto, the crowdfunding platform. The actor used his star power and social media to spread the word on behalf of the young dancer. This prompted Hrithik Roshan to pledge £3000 to the fund. Within a few weeks, his fund reached £18000.

[caption id="attachment_26067" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Kamal Singh during one of his performances[/caption]

"I couldn't believe that this was happening to me. It felt like angels were around me, and blessing me. Though studying in London was a dream, I had the initial jitters about how I will manage on my own. However, I found London people to be warm and friendly. And when I explored South Hall, it felt like I was right in India," laughs the ballerino.

Kamal is happy that his journey is an inspiration for many. "I just followed my instinct, and it has brought me here. I feel humbled if people are getting inspired by my story." But his journey wouldn't have been the same, had it not for his mentor Fernando Aguilera. "Finding a good teacher who believes in you more than you believe in yourself is so important." However, he also affirms that hard work and self-confidence can "beat any odds". "We often compare ourselves to others, without realising that we all have a different journey. And it's crucial to accept yourself."

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The ballerino, who is currently touring in the UK on his Global Talent Visa, wants to perform across the globe. But his ultimate dream, when he has enough expertise and funds, is to make ballets on Indian epics. "I want to explore and express Indian culture through ballet." The last six years have moved Kamal from the streets of Delhi to the opera houses in the UK, and he believes ballet helped him blossom. "Old Kamal was small-minded. My thinking was limited to Vikaspuri, but now I feel I can do anything. Every day I am learning and evolving, and this has made me realise, anything can happen if we put our best foot forward," he signs off.

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