Global Indianstory Global Indian ExclusiveYoung scholar Isha Puri is working on the earlier detection of dyslexia among kids

Young scholar Isha Puri is working on the earlier detection of dyslexia among kids

Written by: Namrata Srivastava

(March 11, 2023) Despite many studies on the subject over the last few decades, dyslexia remains the world’s most common neurological learning disability. Affecting approximately one in 10 people worldwide, the disorder involves difficulty reading due to problems identifying speech sounds and learning how they relate to letters and words (decoding). Through her efforts, young scholar Isha Puri has developed an easier, simpler, and cheaper application for the detection and precise prediction of dyslexia. With a combination of various machine learning algorithms, the application can help in averting this neurological learning disability in kids.

Scholar | Isha Puri | Global Indian

“My goal is to build a free web-based application that will use a standard computer webcam to screen a child while reading and then use an accurate eye tracking algorithm to detect if the child has a higher risk of dyslexia,” the scholar, who was the finalist at MIT Think 2018, shared with Global Indian. Currently, a student of Applied Math/Computer Science at Harvard University, Isha is working on developing the project further and taking it to the market. “Currently, most screenings are either extremely expensive, costing around $1000-$2000, or require hefty scientific equipment, effectively rendering them inaccessible to a majority of the world. Because my application will be completely free and will not require any hefty scientific equipment, this solution will be accessible to millions of families around the world without regard to financial status,” the scholar shared.

Passionate about AI

Born to Indian immigrants who settled in the USA, Isha grew up in the lush green neighbourhood of Chappaqua in New York. Attending Horace Greeley High School, the scholar was introduced to the world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) through her parents as kids, who further encouraged her to explore the field on her own. Having developed a few applications as a young teenager, the youngster started working on software to detect dyslexia after a chance meeting with a few affected kids.

“My research interests have always been at the intersection of computer science and social good. Early detection is crucial to helping a child with dyslexia reach their full potential, and unfortunately, far too many children in today’s world go undiagnosed. My research aims to close this gap by providing a freely accessible application for the early diagnosis of dyslexia,” the scholar said.

No stranger to competition, Isha has won several awards for her research, including the Second Grand Prize Award in her category at the 2018 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, the 2018 MIT THINK Scholar award, the 2018 National Security Agency Mathematics Honors award, and the 2018 Regeneron WESEF Neuroscience first-place award.

Spreading her wings

Isha’s research, “A Scalable and Freely Accessible Machine Learning Based Application for the Early Detection of Dyslexia,” involves developing a way to screen children for the disorder using a standard computer webcam. Using a novel combination of two different machine learning algorithms to detect the corners of the eye and the center of the pupil, the eye tracker has a very high accuracy, with a maximum possible error of only a few pixels. These eye-tracking results are then analyzed to determine the duration and frequency of gaze fixations made while reading, as studies have shown that dyslexics exhibit significantly longer and more frequent fixations. Based on this metric, the application will be able to predict if a child has a higher risk of dyslexia.

Explaining her research, the scholar shared, “My research first builds an accurate eye-tracking algorithm that uses only a standard computer webcam. The application then uses this algorithm to track the eye movements of a subject’s pupils while reading. And because medical research has shown that dyslexic children have different eye movement patterns while reading than non-dyslexic children, it can classify a subject for dyslexia.”

A Cutler-Bell Prize winner (2019), the youngster is also the founder of CreAIte, which is an organisation aimed to inspire girls in artificial intelligence and computer science by teaching creative, hands-on workshops that emphasize artistic and humanistic applications of tech. We hold workshops across the country, in cities like Santa Clara, New York City, Chicago, and Oakland. “In an an age where the number of women in the fields of computer science and artificial intelligence is much less than the number of men, one of the most important things we can do is nurture a community among girls interested in the field. A community of women who will lift each other, inspire each other, and empower each other to be our best selves,” the scholar shared.

Thus far creAIte has impacted over 500 students from traditionally underrepresented groups in tech across the USA. “Over time, I have realised that creAIte was not just a “girls coding” organisation. We weren’t even just an “AI and art” organisation. We were a community of firebirds — rising from our stories, taking control of our destinies, and supporting each other as we do it,” the young scholar explained, adding that she wishes to expand CreAIte’s operations beyond the USA in the coming years.

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Published on 11, Mar 2023

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Aryan Verma: Helping teens build an entrepreneurship mindset

(April 13, 2023) Aryan Verma arrives at our virtual meeting dressed to the nines, in formal attire. "I'm an investment banker," he says, when I ask him about it. At 20, Aryan, who is a student at The University of Sydney Business School, juggles two internships alongside. "It's pretty full on," Aryan admits but since he also hopes to follow in the footsteps of Warren Buffet, Ray Dalio, Bill Ackman and Chase Coleman who began their own firms at the age of 26, he’s got a lot to do. He's already the founder of Young Entrepreneurs Connect, which has chapters across Australia and the US and the Managing Director (Australia) at Beyond the Bounds, an organisation that addresses mental health concerns among GenZ. He also works with the Newland Global Group, which works to leverage bilateral relations between India and Australia. Growing up in Sydney Aryan’s dad moved to Australia in 1996 and when he married in 2001, his wife joined him there as well. Aryan was born two years later, in December 2002. "I had a pretty traditional upbringing," he says, during his interview with Global Indian. His parents wanted him to do medicine, and his own academic record

relations between India and Australia.

Growing up in Sydney

Aryan’s dad moved to Australia in 1996 and when he married in 2001, his wife joined him there as well. Aryan was born two years later, in December 2002. "I had a pretty traditional upbringing," he says, during his interview with Global Indian. His parents wanted him to do medicine, and his own academic record was in line with that. He studied at Sydney Boys' High School, part of the prestigious AAGPS network, the equivalent of the 'Great Nine' or 'Clarendon Schools' in England. Growing up between two cultures and continents, Aryan Verma had the unique opportunity to learn from diverse perspectives and experiences, which has undoubtedly shaped his entrepreneurial spirit and success today. He was offered a partial scholarship to Harvard University, which he turned down because the tuition fee was still out of reach.

When he was around 14, Aryan discovered an interest in finance and investment banking, and began teaching himself real estate valuations. He would even send out his estimates of listed unit blocks to see how close he was to the offer price. "It's not really a field you can enter so young, though, so I switched to startups and entrepreneurship." By the time he turned 16, he was "ahead of the curve," he says. "I had observed that an entrepreneurial mindset is beneficial for every industry, no matter what your career is and I wanted to spread that message."

[caption id="attachment_29221" align="aligncenter" width="426"] Aryan Verma, founder, Young Entrepreneurs Connect[/caption]

Young Entrepreneurs Connect

That year, he started Young Entrepreneurs Connect and held the organisation's first event just before Covid-19 hit - YEC collaborates with universities to help them build their entrepreneurship programmes. It did well almost immediately, with about 60 people attending their first event, and speakers from companies like Deloitte, Mercedes and a handful of nonprofits. "We wanted to give high-schoolers clarity about career options and that there is always room for them to be entrepreneurs." For a sixteen-year-old, this is no joke. It meant patience, lots of cold emailing and aggressive social media campaigning. At the end of the event, they recruited more students to the organisation.

The pandemic hit soon after and YEC hopped onto the Zoom bandwagon. It allowed them to expand to the US fairly quickly. "Our community events were a lot stronger in the US, we started working with societies, clubs and external events." I ask him about his process - "a blanket search for major universities and their entrepreneurial efforts for students," he replies. The cold emails worked, as Aryan suspected they would, because "we were free labour, basically." Today, the US chapter accounts for more than 50 percent of their 4000-strong community and includes collaborations with several universities.

What YEC does

YEC Talks are the organisation's flagship events, and are held both virtually and in-person through the year. Experts from various industries are invited to discuss trends, career trajectories and entrepreneurship efforts, creating a bridge between students planning their careers and professionals who are the top of their fields. They try to keep the panels diverse, including company founders, executives, investors, academic and politicians.

There are also the YEC podcasts, which are also available on YouTube and lunchtime school clubs, called 'interschools'. The later helps to create engaging spaces for students, giving them supplementary learning and allowing students to pick their own leaders and members. The YEC syllabus, which Aryan says is being developed still, currently includes topics from business knowledge to startup skills, career insights and advice on how to make investments. These clubs also compete against one another in business and startup competitions. In the YEC Hustler's List, the organisation showcases young, talented entrepreneurs in Australia.

Non-profit and volunteer-led

YEC runs on a non-profit model, with all their services provided for free. How does this work, and why choose this model? Volunteers join the organisation to work on real, impactful projects that provide them the opportunity to build relationships and real-world skills - it's prepping, really, for their careers. Extracurricular activities play an important role in securing internships and graduate jobs. "When I was 16 and 17, I wouldn't attend any event that was charged, even if it was cheap. Kids don't have a lot of money and don't want to spend on events." Student-led and student-run remains their philosophy.

Beyond The Bounds

Then, in 2022, Aryan discovered Beyond the Bounds, an organisation founded by Indian student Vidhi Yadav, who had just moved to Australia to study. Yadav was looking to expand her western market when Aryan reached out for a collaboration. With his knowledge of the local landscape, Aryan now works to expand BTB's campus presence. "University students tend to associate with clubs that are on campus,” he explains.

Aryan Verma joined Beyond the Bounds in 2022 to lead its Australian expansion. Beyond the Bounds is an international youth mental health organisation with a 12,000+ community across Asia. Originally founded in India by Vidhi Yadav, it is now present in Indonesia, Malaysia and parts of Africa. Being BTB's first Western market, the two young leaders are refining their strategy to use as a template for expansion to the US and Europe down the line.

A life of discipline

All this doesn’t leave Aryan with much free time on his hands. He understands that his ambitious career goals mean lots of hard work. Aryan hopes to join a bulge-bracket investment bank after graduating university, like Goldman Sachs or JP Morgan and eventually, build his own private equity firm. “A lot of this has been about building my work ethic as well,” he explains. His signature productivity tool is to 'count his hours', keeping track of how much time he works and is productive. All this is in a bid to continue improving focus, attention span and overall work ethic. "If it isn't measured, it isn't managed". He currently works 90+ hours every week, across YEC, BTB, university and his 2 internships. “Work-life balance isn’t really my thing,” he admits. “Your twenties are when you have the most energy and I’m not planning to have much of a work-life balance in the next few years.”

"I have given myself a goal and I'm working towards it," he says. "I want to finish up with non-profit work and move on to other things - over the last few years, I have been trying to build my work ethic." He admits that his goals don't leave him with much of work-life balance - and he's okay with that, for now. "Your twenties are when you have the most energy. And I'm not planning on having a work-life balance for the next few years, at least. And I also minimize socialising and parties and stuff, I have never really been in a nightclub! I aspire to be world class - right now, I can only work towards it and hope for the best. I’m a firm believer of hustling in your 20s, building in your 30s and scaling in your 40s."

Follow Aryan on LinkedIn.

Anahat Singh: Squash sensation making India proud on global stage

(September 8, 2023) It was the sound of the ball hitting the wall that made Anahat Singh fall in love with squash. As a youngster, she accompanied her elder sister Amira, who was one of the country’s top-rated under-19 players, for her squash matches. At the age of eight, her passion for squash grew so much that like her sister, she picked up the squash racquet. At the age of 14, she became the youngest athlete to represent India at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, and this August, she clinched a gold in the U-17 category of the Asian Junior Squash Individual Championships. [caption id="attachment_32947" align="aligncenter" width="726"] Anahat Singh[/caption] But squash wasn't her first love. At six years of age, she first saw PV Sindhu play at the India Open in Delhi, and soon became fascinated with the sport. So much so that she started to pursue squash and even won a handful of youth-level tournaments in Delhi. With supportive parents, who themselves played hockey in their youth, Anahat and Amira were always encouraged to follow their passion. But soon she bartered her badminton racquet for a squash racquet. "Anahat loved badminton but as parents, we used to travel with Amira

at and Amira were always encouraged to follow their passion. But soon she bartered her badminton racquet for a squash racquet. "Anahat loved badminton but as parents, we used to travel with Amira for tournaments and Anahat did not want to be left alone in the house. That played a big part in her switching to squash from badminton," Anahat's mother Tani Vadehra told PTI. Her sister soon started coaching Anahat, and later under the guidance of former national-level squash players Amjad Khan and Ashraf Hussein, Anahat was ready to take on the world of squash.

In no time, Anahat claimed the title of India's top-ranked player in the under-11 category. Progressing to the under-13 category, she not only secured the No. 1 position in India but also ascended to the pinnacle in both the Asian and European rankings. In 2019, she rose to prominence by securing the gold medal in the under-11 girls' category at the British Open squash tournament, marking a historic achievement for India. Later the same year, she clinched a bronze medal at the Asian junior championships.

Throughout 2020, Anahat Singh, a student at the British School in Delhi's Chanakyapuri, collected silver medals at both the British and Malaysian Junior Open tournaments. However, the global outbreak of COVID-19 disrupted her progress. Anahat's return to the squash court was triumphant as she claimed the junior (under-15) squash title at the 2021 US Open in Philadelphia, making her the inaugural Indian female champion across any age division at the US Open. The following year, 2022, proved to be even more remarkable. Adding to her impressive collection, Anahat secured titles at the German and Dutch Open tournaments. Additionally, she clinched the under-15 gold medal at the Asian junior squash championships held in Thailand in June. Currently training under French coach Stephane Galifi, 15-year-old Anahat won the gold medal in the U-17 category of the Asian Junior Squash Individual Championships.

✨ Let your day end on a wonderful note with this amazing update folks ✨

➡️ 15 yrs young Anahat Singh is U-17 Asian Squash Champion.
➡️ Anahat becomes 1st ever Indian female Squash player to win this title (U17 category).
➡️Last year, Anahat had won U-15 Asian title. pic.twitter.com/q5s4HzluVD

— India_AllSports (@India_AllSports) August 20, 2023

Anahat Singh's journey in the world of squash has been nothing short of extraordinary. With her unwavering determination, remarkable skills, and a trail of victories that have shattered records and crossed borders, she has truly left an indelible mark on the sport. From her historic wins on prestigious stages to her constant pursuit of excellence, Anahat has become a source of inspiration for aspiring athletes and a pride for her nation. As she continues to redefine the limits of achievement in squash, there is no doubt that her legacy will continue to shine brightly and motivate generations to come.

Follow Anahat Singh on X

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Indian teen racing champ Atharva has eyes on F1

(March 9, 2023) Atharva Desai was eight-years-old when he watched his first Formula 1 race on TV, at his Virginia home. He was enchanted. He ran and pressed his face up against the screen. With his sights set firmly on an F1 seat and hopefully, a world championship, the youngster participated in the regional Formula 3 championships in 2022. [caption id="attachment_11211" align="aligncenter" width="875"] Atharva Desai at the Anglesey Circuit in Wales[/caption] A Brit Indian with a need for speed Atharva entered racing before he hit his teens. It's a cutthroat world that required emotional stability far beyond his years, just as much as talent and skill, he tells Global Indian. “Attitude and confidence are important. You never know who is watching you. While talent is the first thing scouts look for, the second round involves testing a person’s confidence and approach to life. They want someone who can endorse them, who will bring their team a good name.” Soon after he watched that first race on TV, his obliging parents took the excited eight-year-old to a go-karting track called the Allsports Grand Prix in Northern Virginia. He failed to meet the height requirements but was back the following year, determined

e. They want someone who can endorse them, who will bring their team a good name.”

Soon after he watched that first race on TV, his obliging parents took the excited eight-year-old to a go-karting track called the Allsports Grand Prix in Northern Virginia. He failed to meet the height requirements but was back the following year, determined to practice on his own. He was noticed by the track owner, Francois, who remarked to Atharva’s father that the boy “drives like a young Sir Jackie Stewart” and began teaching him the fundamentals of racing.

“I was 10 when I entered my first junior league,” says the Indian teen racing champ. A rookie, going up against opponents far more experienced than himself, he went on to win the championship, levelling up, and emerging victorious the next year too. “There was the last level left to compete at but my teacher stopped me. He thought I would beat everyone. My adult opponents wouldn’t have been happy about that,” he smiles.

After finishing second at the ROTAX National Race, Atharva was invited to test Formula 4 cars. And he impressed all. “I got blazing times. It got me noticed,” says the Indian teen racing champ who, in search of a good school to study engineering, chose Oxford Brookes College in the UK due to its motorsports curriculum.

At the Young Racing Driver Academy in Virginia, he met Jamie Horner, director, an established name, Horner’s brother, Christian, the British team principal for team Redbull Formula 1. “I became a developing driver to improve my skills, and hopefully race for them in the future,” says the 19-year-old. At the academy in Anglesey, drivers were put on simulators, chosen based on skills and timing. Atharva found out soon enough that F4 cars in the UK are quite different from those in the US. “The American cars are digital, less rigid. They’re not meant for aggressive racing. In the UK, they’re built for aggressive drivers – which is what I am,” says the Indian teen racing champ who re-honed his skills, leaving his mentors impressed.

How Nikki Lauda inspired him

Committed and driven, Atharva is up before 6 am, starting with an hour at the gym. Back home, he cooks breakfast, and heads to class. Unwavering discipline, born of mental fortitude, he explains, “I don’t get angry often. Motorsports, especially, the earlier phases are competitive and full of aggression. You’re getting attacked both on and off the track. So, you learn. If someone provokes me, I think, my goal is to be in F1. My goal is not to meddle with the guy.”

Even his choice of idols is unusual – Nikki Lauda, the legendary Austrian Formula One and three-time F1 World Drivers’ Champion, the only driver in history to be champion for both Ferrari and McLaren. In 1976, Lauda’s Ferrari swerved off the track and burst into flames. “He was pulled out of the car with half his face on fire. He didn’t give up, with dedication and mental strength, he made it through. Nothing could stand in his way,” says the Indian teen racing champ.

All about motorsport

Doing engineering in motorsport technology at Oxford, Atharva is uncommonly mature. “I was raised with Indian values. I understand that a little competition can go a long way,” he adds.

This year, he hopes to join a Formula 3 team in the US. “I have built good relationships there, and they are willing to give me an F3 seat,” says the racer whose connection with Arden Motorsports will continue alongside. “Next year, I start negotiating with Formula 2 teams. I also have to work at getting sponsors to back me,” says the Indian teen racing champ.

The chequered flag beckons

Much of his success, the Indian teen racing champ attributes to his unwavering resolve. “Attitude, confidence and general likeability all count for a lot. Being a race driver requires huge mental fortitude,” says the boy whose daily regimen involves mental training, “I do reaction time testing and I juggle - for balance and skill.”

Racing is an expensive sport, and staying on the track is thanks to the unflinching support by his parents. “I'm motivated by the fact they trust me and know I'm working hard,” says Atharva. He practices on iRacing, a simulation software. “There are actual drivers and scouts on it, so I practice and register for races,” says the teen, who loves to skateboard or decipher the Rubic's Cubes. Music is also a pet passion, “When I have time to spare, I make electronic music on my laptop,” he adds. The Indian teen racing champ’s 3,420 followers on Instagram are fondly called A4Rians, and he regularly updates them on race day highs.

As Youth Ambassador for Quench 66 by AquaKraft Pvt. Ltd, an initiative by the government of Maharashtra, he is also moving forward the mission to provide 50 million litres of drinking water across 500 schools in the state.

Follow Atharva on Instagram or visit his website, https://www.atharva4racing.com/

Indian teen Swara Patel speaks on gender equality & reproductive health, period!

(January 13, 2022) We don’t talk about stigmas and taboos. Swara Patel does, and with immense conviction - Be it reproductive health, menstruation or sexual health. Founder and president of The Period Society, the undergraduate pre-medical student has made overcoming stigmas, and busting myths her raison de etre. And the outspoken straight talker does it impressively. The winner of the Diana Award 2021 for her resolve to further the cause of reproductive health and healthcare, she is also the Global Teen Youth Leader 2021. The Indian teen was just 16 when she started her society, and today, she has added the Talk Project to encourage open discussions on sexual and reproductive health. Right now busy in tomes of medical textbooks, Swara hopes to emulate her healthcare professional parents even as she breaks cultural barriers. Since The Period Society began in 2018, “It has served over a million periods, met monthly menstrual hygiene needs of over 30,000 menstruators for the next three years, and reached out to over 25,000 people through interactive sessions,” Swara Patel tells Global Indian. It has 20 youth-led chapters and four global initiatives today. From home to heart, what mattered most The Mumbai girl who moved to

d chapters and four global initiatives today.

From home to heart, what mattered most

The Mumbai girl who moved to the US in the fall of 2018 is a freshman at the Macaulay Honors College at Hunter College.

Indian teen studied at Bombay Scottish School (Mahim) where she made incredible friends and had amazing teachers who challenged her, and instilled a deep sense of respect for hard work and discipline. And being in a family of healthcare professionals had added an insightful edge to her musings. “My parents are the most open and supportive people I know, though they might take some convincing. My mother is a role model as a healthcare professional who was always busier than dad, and never gave into the societal guilt of being a bad mother. It was primarily dad who parented me and showed me that women can truly have it all. My father is an extremely compassionate physician and seeing him go out of the way for his patients, especially pro bono has set a standard. I am an outspoken person, and feel comfortable thinking independently,” smiles Swara.

Her grandfather Dr Shanti Patel, a freedom fighter and leader for labour rights for ship workers, was “an extremely important influence growing up.”

Migrating from India to the US, the Indian teen studied at Herricks High School, (New York) at 16, where she faced a huge cultural change. Overwhelmed, the kindness of her new surrounds made her realise, “It’s okay to take your time, and feel anxious when making such shifts. I also realised that while there might be cultural differences, your work ethic and ambition can shine through.” Today, Swara’s philosophy has been strengthened by her mentor-teachers and professors.

“As a student of the humanities and biological sciences on a pre-med track, I am deeply invested in furthering reproductive rights and bridging healthcare accessibility gaps in low-income communities by combining my skills of leadership, knowledge of global health inequities, and passion for change making,” says the Diana awardee.

The Period Society is a huge step to help break stigmas. It conducts menstrual hygiene education sessions across India, distributes eco-friendly reusable menstrual hygiene products, and dispels cultural taboos, many of which Swara herself experienced in Mumbai.

The change was palpable

The Indian teen's “modern progressive” upbringing apart, Swara had to first tackle her parents’ menstrual taboo influences. “Changemaking begins at home - it was difficult to convince my parents that this was a cause that could be spoken openly about. I was exposed to period poverty as a volunteer in a paediatric oncology ward when the mother of a patient confided that she was struggling to live with dignity as the cost of treatment left her family unable to purchase ‘luxuries’ like period products. I remember bitterly arguing with my mother every Ganesh Chaturthi about being forced to stay home while my parents visited relatives as I was on my periods. Or my father asking me to speak about ‘girl things’ to mom. It took persistence, perseverance, and grit to change the attitudes within my house before I stepped out to change ideas within my world. By repeatedly reminding my father (a physician) that menstrual blood was not ‘dirty blood,’ and that he couldn’t choose to shy away from speaking about female reproductive health when he did rotations in the OB-GYN department, I eased him into speaking about periods,” smiles the daughter who managed (over two years) to change her father’s view so much so that he would drive her to the sessions, and even distribute kits.

Patel has personally conducted menstrual hygiene education sessions in red-light districts, at municipal schools, with urban slum communities, and in collaboration with NGOs since she started. In fact, Patel wants other like-minded youth to begin a chapter or a global initiative or even remotely join the team to help too.

The youth leader and progressive med student

Passionate about setting wrongs right, Swara also addressed the taboos surrounding sexual health with the Talk Project in 2018. “It was started to drive conversations surrounding sexual health and amplify access to reproductive health resources via youth led advocacy programmes,” says the Indian teen whose passion for public health, STEM, gender equality, and social justice is aimed at an intersectional social-centered trajectory. She is also deeply involved in Model United Nations, and has won accolades and chaired conferences by Harvard and UPenn in the US, China and India.

For a mere student to juggle diverse ideologies and social endeavours is what spurs Swara on. “I intend to use my skills, coursework, and genuine passion to translate my interests into measurable social impact to make a tangible difference in the lives of real people,” she adds.

Her volunteer work earlier with the Impact Foundation at the Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai opened her mind, as she helped children in paediatric oncology engage in arts and crafts or even with their homework!

The pre-med student has been exposed to healthcare across two very different countries and feels her understanding of health transcends borders. “I love biology and learning about clinical applications of biological concepts and at the same time I aspire to become an advocate for my patients and play a role in eliminating these disparities,” says the double major in the biological sciences as well as women’s, gender, and sexuality studies.

In fact, she chose Hunter for its close proximity to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre, Rockefeller Laboratories and Weill Cornell – which she hopes will be great resources as she furthers her medical studies.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-mhoynuU1M

The outspoken straight talker now wants to be a physician who goes beyond treatment plans and advocates for the elimination of real-world disparities. Busy in college, Swara has the mindfulness to explore and understand medicine to realistically understand how to be a compassionate and effective physician.

In her free time, apart from juggling pre-med classes, she learns Bharatanatyam, loves to dive into a good book, and often takes a breather from the work she has set out to do to catch up with friends and just be an ordinary girl.

As the medical student is on her way to becoming the kind of physician she dreams of, Swara also sees herself integrating medicine with public health to care for marginalised communities and influence health policy.

Follow Swara Patel on Linkedin and The Period Society on Instagram

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The purpose driven: Meet 5 changemakers driving social change

(February 24, 2023) "You are never too small to make a difference." These words by Swedish environmentalist Greta Thunberg hold true for hundreds of changemakers who are up in arms to create a purposeful change, and young Indians are not far behind. From period poverty to water crisis, they are holding the torch for almost every problem, and showing them the out gate through their incredible ideas and consistent efforts. Global Indian takes a look at five such changemakers who are making a difference at a young age. Amika George "Girls Too Poor to Buy Sanitary Products Missing School" - this headline on the BBC website in 2017 was the starting point of a revolution that was set to change the course of the education system in the UK. Behind this tectonic shift was a then 17-year-old Amika George, who stumbled upon the fact that period poverty was a startling reality in not just India or Kenya, but the UK too. One in ten girls in the UK was unable to afford sanitary products. Many girls were forced to miss school every month for the lack of access to menstrual products - this shocking truth led the activist to set

ls were forced to miss school every month for the lack of access to menstrual products - this shocking truth led the activist to set up Free Periods, to campaign against period poverty.

[caption id="attachment_23569" align="aligncenter" width="726"] Amika George is the founder of Free Periods.[/caption]

It was on Instagram that the movement took off in April 2017 and soon turned into a peaceful protest outside Downing Street with a turnout of 2000 people including big names like Suki Waterhouse and Adwoa Aboah. "I was shocked and decided to start a campaign to lobby the government, urging them to give free menstrual products to children from the lowest income families. I found support quickly and globally. So many people outreached to offer support, with many telling me that this was something they were going through and needed to be addressed." she told Pink Parcel.

Ensuring equal access to education for all children, irrespective of their sex was the foundation of the Free Periods movement which later turned into a legal campaign against the UK government "Period poverty is a situation many girls and women find themselves in when they cannot afford costly period products. Globally, period poverty intersects with other forms of disadvantage, including poverty and geography. It costs young girls their education. It impacts their ability to fulfill their potential and affects their ability to secure decent jobs and lift their families out of poverty. Period poverty is an issue of gender inequality," she wrote for UN Women. The activism carried on for almost three years, which translated into a big win in January 2020 when the British government decided to provide schools with free sanitary products.

Garvita Gulhati

The drought crisis in 2015 left 330 million Indians affected - a number that made the then 15-year-old Garvita Gulhati frantically look for answers. Keen to find a way to conserve water, she started Why Waste? - a youth-led initiative to educate people on preserving water and changing their mind set on water wastage. In the last seven years, it has impacted over six million people and has saved over 10 million litres of water. A feat that has helped the now 21-year-old changemaker to make it to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list and has won her the Diana Award.

"At Why Waste? our main goal is to let each individual understand the importance of water resources and join hands with us in protecting and conserving this natural resource," reads the official website.

Shreya and Sahana Mantha

The last wish from their dying grandmother, who was then battling pancreatic cancer, played a catalyst for Charlotte residents Sherya Mantha and Sahana Mantha in starting Foundation for Girls (FFG) in 2014 - a nonprofit to help underprivileged girls and women. The journey into social service began early for the Mantha sisters who were raised by their mom to help those in need.

[caption id="attachment_23775" align="aligncenter" width="688"] Shreya and Sahana Mantha co-founded Foundation for Girls[/caption]

While FFG has impacted over 2500 homeless mothers and their girls through coaching, workshops, and care packs, it began with Shreya tutoring sex trafficking survivors and school dropouts when she was in Class 8. "The most important thing our mom taught us was 'treat them as just regular girls your age, and barriers will break down,' and that has how it has always been. So, our foundational principles of inclusivity and equity have much to do with how we live and lead," Shreya told Global Indian.

Arjun Deshpande

One balmy afternoon at a medical shop in Thane, the then 16-year-old Arjun Deshpande witnessed an unpleasant scene. An old man, deep in debt, profusely pleaded with a shopkeeper to pay a hefty medicine bill later. The shopkeeper refused. “His wife had cancer and his son, who was an auto driver, was the sole breadwinner. They had spent a lot on treatment, and were finding it hard to manage money for medicines daily. He was helpless, and felt guilty. I saw how a common man was burdened with paying bills for necessities like medicines. This made me determined to bring about a new era in the world of pharma,” says Arjun who started Generic Aadhaar in 2019 to help provide medicines to the aam junta at low cost. Arjun is on a mission to eliminate middle-chain costs and provide medicines from manufacturer to end customers directly through a pharmacy-aggregator business model.

[caption id="attachment_13569" align="aligncenter" width="635"] Arjun Deshpande is the founder of Generic Aadhaar[/caption]

In four years, Generic Aadhaar has a presence in all states, and has opened over 1,800 stores across India. Such has been the vision and mission of the startup that even Ratan Tata invested in it. “We share the same mission and want to serve people. When he saw the same vision and determination to work for the people, he spontaneously supported Generic Aadhaar,” Arjun told Global Indian.

Sia Godika

The hard, cracked and worn-out feet of construction workers’ children in Sia Godika’s locality stirred this Bengaluru girl into action. "It broke my heart to see them running barefoot on the streets. I rushed home to find some pairs of shoes that I could give them. Seeing my shoe rack, it dawned upon me that I had so many pairs stacked up which I wasn’t even wearing anymore". Upon research, she found 1.5 billion people worldwide don’t have shoes to wear, and around 350 million pairs of shoes are discarded each year. This led the Diana Award winner to start Sole Warriors initiative.

[caption id="attachment_27793" align="aligncenter" width="467"] Sia Godika[/caption]

It was in the fall of 2019 that Sole Warriors took a life of its own after Sia decided to help the needy by collecting used shoes, refurbishing and donating them. In just two years, the 16-year-old’s initiative has created a global movement - donating 21,000 pairs of shoes to the disadvantaged.

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