Global Indianstory Global IndianHow India’s young environmentalists are batting for planet Earth

How India’s young environmentalists are batting for planet Earth

Written by: Team GI Youth

(May 14, 2022) The environmental change sweeping the world is occurring at a faster pace than previously thought, making it imperative that governments act now to reverse the damage being done to the planet. According to a study by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), over the last few decades, exploitation of our planet and the degradation of our environment has gone up at an alarming rate. With natural disasters striking us more often in the form of flash floods, earthquakes, blizzards, tsunamis, and cyclones, many environmentalists have positioned themselves as advocates of sustainability, determined to meet the climate crisis at humanity’s doorstep.

Global Indian takes a look at young Indians who have been working on protecting this planet. Through their sustainability efforts across fashion, water conservation, waste management, education, policymaking and sustainable energy, these young environmentalists inspire and impact thousands of people around the globe.

Soumya Ranjan Biswal, marine conservationalist

Mangroves might appear to be merely coastal forests, but these rich ecosystems support the planet and living beings in many ways. From providing breeding grounds for fish to carbon storage, and protection against flooding, mangroves does it all. Despite this, the mangrove forests are under threat. Odisha-based 24-year-old environmentalist Soumya Ranjan Biswal has been voluntarily growing intending to regenerate the mangrove forests along the 18-km-long beach stretch for the last few years. Locally called Rai, Harakancha, Sundari, Bani, Guan and Keruan, these plants are integral to the coastal habitat and livelihood of local fishermen.

Soumya Ranjan Biswal

The youngster is also working tirelessly to protect the threatened habitat of Olive Ridley turtles. From protecting eggs of the endangered species from predators to taking out cycle rallies to spread awareness among coastal inhabitants for safety of the sea turtles to cleaning the beaches for release of hatchlings, Soumya, fondly called Olly Boy, is doing it all. When the Odisha government agreed to have the Olive Ridley sea turtle as the mascot for the 2018 Hockey World Cup, that’s when the young environmentalist decided to hold their historic one month-long cycle expedition, paddling through coastal pockets of Rushikulya, Puri, Chilika, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak and Balasore to create awareness about protection of the turtles.

The annual nesting season of the #OliveRidley turtles at the Rushikulya rookery in Ganjam district has created a new record of over 5.5 lakh nests this year. We at OPSA very Fortune to Volunteer in this site for the Cleanup of this beach for the years along with team @dfobhmpr. pic.twitter.com/6zMY7FZ4Uq

— Odisha Paryavaran Sanrakshan Abhiyan Trust (@OdishaSeaTurtle) April 9, 2022

While the cause of Olive Ridleys is dear to Soumya, he has also been working to save sparrows, reviving dry water bodies in forests and keeping beaches plastic free. “As a coastal village boy, I’ve always been affected by ocean and beach pollution, high mortality rates of the Olive Ridley Sea Turtle and mangrove destruction which have resulted in the occurrence of consistent natural calamities. This made me feel more strongly about issues like environmental degradation, climate change and its impact on the marine ecosystem.” Soumya had said in an earlier interview. He was also a part of the We The Change campaign initiated by the United Nations in India.

Follow Soumya Ranjan Biswal on Twitter

Hina Saifi, clean air and renewable energy activist

Working with NGOs within her village in Meerut, Hina Saifi started to work on climate awareness after noting a lack of environmental awareness in her polluted village of Sisosla. From campaigning for solar-powered solutions to mobilising local communities to tackle air pollution through public campaigns, call for action and pamphlets, Hina has been associated with the 100% Uttar Pradesh Campaign and The Climate Agenda since 2018.

Manjil unhi ko milti h
Jinke iraade #bulandiya chhune ke hote h..!! pic.twitter.com/zVIUw9mzSt

— Hina Saifi (@HinaSai03267365) October 4, 2021

“I believe that if there’s public awareness, then we can improve the environment. It will happen if people are aware of climate-friendly behaviours and actions. This is why I want to work in the space of public awareness and mobilisation,” Hina advocated during a press interaction. After she launched Suraj Se Samriddhi, a campaign to raise awareness about the benefits of solar power, Hina was selected as the United Nation Young Environment Champion last year.

Follow Hina Saifi on LinkedIn and Twitter

Berjis Driver, sustainable urban planner

An urban planner and associate member of the Institute of Town Planners India, Berjis Driver is working with the government to reduce disparities, improve accessibility and quality of life in cities. Berjis’ expertise in environmental planning was important in understanding the relationship between Mumbai’s infrastructure and its environment. As an architect, he has been contributing to statutory urban policy and guideline preparation in Mumbai and Amravati.

Berjis Driver

A UN Youth Environment Champion, the environmentalist advocates that the urban cities’ environment has been disconnected with the ecosystem. The norms on a per capita basis track back to the 60s and 70s and are not relevant to India today. He has been working to implement the basic benchmarks for green infrastructure, with rigorous control, in every city. “The promise of being able to reach out and scale up climate action, to learn the truth behind the origins and contexts of sustainability, help navigate it favourably, and to be able to safeguard the weakest in the face of climate change, is what continues to motivate me in this journey,” Berjis shared during an interview.

Follow Berjis Driver on Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter

Archana Soreng, grassroots climate storyteller

A member of Odisha’s Khadia Tribal Community, Archana Soreng is experienced in advocacy and research, and is working to document, preserve, and promote traditional knowledge and cultural practices of indigenous communities. Named by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to his new Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change, Archana amplifies and engages young people in transparent conversations about the climate emergency.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Archana Soreng (@archana.soreng)

A research officer at Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) Forest Rights and Governance Project in Vasundhara, Odisha, Archana opines that while the contribution in protection and restoration of nature and being the real guardians of the forest and warriors of the climate crisis of the indigenous people is immense, they’re vulnerable and on the verge of extinction as their rights over their forest and land are not recognised. The environmentalist notes, “Our ancestors have been protecting the forest and nature over the ages through their traditional knowledge and practices. Now it is on us to be the front runners in combating the climate crisis.”

Archana believes that the role the tribal communities have in climate activism and wants to protect the rights of indigenous people in the face of environmental destruction and land encroachment. “Time and again, it has been witnessed that investment in the land of Adivasi and Forest-dwelling communities have deprived them of their traditional lands, viable livelihoods and their socio-economic and cultural rights. Alienating them from their sustainable and their self-sufficient way of life, it puts them in a vicious cycle of poverty,” she opines.

Follow Archana Soreng on Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter

Neha Shivaji Naikwade, sustainable entrepreneurship

A mechanical engineer and co-founder of Parvaah, a youth cell working towards zero-waste initiatives, Neha Shivaji Naikwade, was among the 17 young climate leaders from across India who have done pioneering work in diverse sectors and fight against global warming, selected by the United Nations in 2020. She has worked extensively on policymaking and CSR initiatives through her corporate work and experience as a Policy in Action Fellow at Young Leaders for Active Citizenship (YLAC).

Neha Shivaji Naikwade

She currently works with the Climate Collective Foundation as a project manager where she helps develop and strengthen climate-oriented startups and early-stage climate-tech entrepreneurs. Through this programme, she will be supporting 50 exceptional early-stage young climate entrepreneurs in the field of circular economy, waste management, e-mobility, sustainable food technology, and sustainable tourism.

“I believe that in order to support mitigation, adaptation and resilience to our changing world, it is important to leverage innovation and technology to help understand and manage climate risk. Startups will play a key role in developing these new technologies and solutions.” Neha had said during an interview.

Follow Neha Naikwade on LinkedIn and Twitter

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Published on 14, May 2022

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A ‘Rebba’rence to the downtrodden: How Dhruv helps underprivileged and pandemic-stricken

(March 24, 2022) An eighth grader, Dhruv Rebba landed in India from the US to visit his father's village - NP Kunta in Andhra Pradesh. The experience was a life changer – as he started a non-profit at the age of 14. The teenager from Illinois was startled by the gap in the standard of living between the US and India, and couldn't wrap his head around it. “It astonished me that the difference in the quality of life between two parts of the world is so stark — in a week, I experienced polar realities on two completely different continents," Dhruv tells Global Indian in an interview. Universal Help, an organisation that helps improve people's quality of life, began with this earnest need to bridge the gap. That relentless work for the underprivileged, and contribution to stem helped him bag the 2022 4-H Youth In Action Award for Stem. The stem lover is also the youngest amateur radio operator in the US, who obtained his license at just nine. [caption id="attachment_13196" align="aligncenter" width="433"] Dhruv Rebba[/caption] When stem became his be all Born in Dallas in 2004 to immigrant parents, Dhruv's inclination towards stem began as early as age six.

obalindian.com/youth//wp-content/uploads/2022/03/dhruv2.jpg" alt="Stem Lover | Dhruv Rebba " width="433" height="541" /> Dhruv Rebba[/caption]

When stem became his be all

Born in Dallas in 2004 to immigrant parents, Dhruv's inclination towards stem began as early as age six. “I would play with electronic snap circuits (DIY kits) where anyone can put together a circuit while following a guide, and can build Led lights, fans, and various systems with ease,” says the Class 12th student. It was in fourth grade that he came across stem opportunities that 4-H, a youth development and mentoring organisation, had to offer. “I joined the 4-H robotics club where I was taught by older 4-H members, which led to my interest in stem,” adds the Normal Community High School student who initially felt lost but soon picked up pace.

“We began with NXT Robots, which are lego-based robots, and soon started making line followers. Moreover, we made the robot function through line, ultrasonic and touch sensors. This cemented my interest in the field of robotics,” says the 17-year-old who is currently a part of a 4-H based FRC team, MetalCow Robotics that builds 120-pound robots from scratch.

Dhruv also launched 4-H robotics clubs in elementary school to “create more opportunities for younger kids to get involved in stem.” “I teach third to fifth graders the basic fundamentals of robotics, coding and engineering,” reveals the Normal resident.

Radio ga ga

In third grade, Dhruv attended the Dayton Hamvention, an international ham radio convention, thanks to his dad who has been a ham radio operator for over 25 years. “I was inspired by the convention, and took an FCC exam to obtain an amateur radio license when I was nine years," says Dhruv who got a place in the Limca Book of Records for being the youngest person of Indian descent ever to earn a general class license.

This love for ham radio helped him bag a project Amateur Radio on the International Space Station that allowed 16 students from various countries to speak via ham radio to astronauts on board the orbiting station. “I was the driving force behind an ARISS contact on October 23, 2017 at Chiddix Jr High School wherein students got the opportunity to talk to Astronaut Joe Acaba on the ISS. From technical preparations to coordinating with Nasa to making the initial ISS contact, I helped at every step. As the lead control operator of the ARISS contact, I made the initial contact between our ground station and the ISS," says Dhruv, who helped conduct an eight minute live conversation through the radio.

It took a village to see the problems

That visit to his father’s village in Andhra Pradesh (2018) had a profound effect on him, and led to the launch of his non-profit Universal Help. “I walked through a dirt road riddled with potholes. To my left, I saw a deserted primary school with a collapsed foundation. To my right, I saw a medical clinic that was almost always empty and devoid of a doctor. I looked at homes on the street, many of which were small amid a periodic power outage. I thought back to life in the US, with no outages and schools that don't collapse. A regular middle-class home in the US is magnitudes larger than what I saw in this village. It made me think a lot,” says Dhruv.

[caption id="attachment_13204" align="aligncenter" width="545"] Universal Help distributed books to schools in Andhra Pradesh[/caption]

The organisation started working for the betterment of people. It has provided textbooks to schools, digitised schools in rural India with projectors, computers and UPS. “We’ve also provided emergency rescue materials during Cyclone Yaas in West Bengal. Currently, we are working on starting a solar panel pilot programme in rural Andhra Pradesh, although it’s in very early stages. Locally, we are working with the city of Bloomington to expand accessibility to recycling, and also with the Ecology Action Centre on a composting project," reveals Dhruv.

Help during the pandemic

Within two years of launching the nonprofit, the pandemic struck, and Universal Help rose to the occasion. “We distributed two months of groceries to poor Purohit families of Kopparu village in Guntur (AP) and 10 grocery kits to the Purohits of Bolarum, Hyderabad during the second wave of lockdown. We also distributed groceries and other essential goods for a month to a mental health clinic in Shantiniketan, Hyderabad. Together, Universal Help and GSSO distributed food to 380 families in rural villages in India during the first two waves of Covid-19,” adds Dhruv whose non-profit works with volunteers, and is funded by individual donations.

Dhruv's contribution to the world of stem and social work helped him bag the 2022 4-H Youth In Action Award for Stem. “It feels good that your work is being recognised,” says the boy who plans to study computer science in college, and wants to start a technology company soon. He loves curling with a book or watching tv in his free time.

His parents, who work at State Farm Insurance, are his biggest cheerleaders. “They’re open to things that I want to do, and try to connect me to people who might be able to help me achieve my goals,” says Dhruv who calls “taking the first step” his biggest challenge so far. “Originally, I had no idea how to start a non-profit. However, with the support of friends, mentors, and family, I was able to overcome many of obstacles,” he adds, advising youngsters to “not be afraid to start. However intimidating it is, once you push the pedal it gets easier and less intimidating.”

Follow Dhruv Rebba on Linkedin

Reading Time: 6 min

Meet Shomik Verma, the rising star researcher leading the way in clean energy

(June 1, 2023) In a world plagued by the urgent threat of climate change, the need for sustainable and clean energy solutions has reached a critical juncture. However, as the world grapples with the challenges of dwindling resources and escalating environmental concerns, a young Indian American researcher, Shomik Verma is leading the charge towards a greener future. Recently bestowed with the prestigious Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowship, Shomik has emerged as a beacon of hope, dedicating his expertise and unwavering commitment to developing groundbreaking advancements in clean energy. A Ph.D. student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the researcher is fascinated by the future of energy and has worked in a variety of fields including electric vehicles, solar cells, fuel cells, hydrogen production, thermal energy storage, and thermophotovoltaics. "At MIT, my current endeavours revolve around several compelling projects. Firstly, I am engaged in modelling the optimal implementation of a thermal energy grid storage system, aiming to bolster the reliability of renewable energy sources, shares the researcher, as he connects with Global Indian, adding, "I am dedicated to the design of a cutting-edge power plant that harnesses the potential of hydrogen combustion and thermophotovoltaic power generation. Also, I am focused on

cher, as he connects with Global Indian, adding, "I am dedicated to the design of a cutting-edge power plant that harnesses the potential of hydrogen combustion and thermophotovoltaic power generation. Also, I am focused on fine-tuning the performance of thermophotovoltaic cells through meticulous first-principles calculations."

A child prodigy

Born to immigrant parents from Bihar, who had come to America in search for better opportunities, the young researcher experienced the rich essence of Indian culture during his childhood. "I grew up in Sugar Land, Texas, and was surrounded by the sights, smells, and sounds of Indian culture. Whether it was spending my weekends watching Bollywood movies or indulging in delicious meals at my favourite restaurants in Hillcroft, I always felt a deep connection to my Indian roots. What also helped was that there were several Indian Americans in Texas, and many of my friends were from the community. So, I never felt out of place. Education was highly valued at my place, and on many weekends, you would find me competing in math competitions alongside fellow Asian Americans," shares Shomik, who is also a very skilled tabla player.

While he was a meticulous student right from the beginning, it was during his high school years that the young researcher began to catch interesting patterns that paved his career path. During the math competitions he attended, Shomik noticed a recurring trend: these events were frequently sponsored by oil and gas companies. This discovery pushed Shomik to undertake an important project seeking sustainable storage for storing carbon dioxide.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcP7k-MBhbw

"I found myself caught between two worlds — one driven by the fossil fuel industry that supported my way of life, and the other marked by the looming danger of global warming that I studied about in school. To bridge these contrasting realities, I undertook a project during high school, collaborating with the multinational corporation Schlumberger on carbon capture and storage. My goal was to identify suitable locations for storing carbon dioxide. However, instead of finding the clarity I sought, I discovered that the stored carbon was often utilised for enhanced oil recovery, which only added further complexity to the situation," shares the researcher, who did not stop working on the issue despite several hurdles.

Driven by challenges

As the researcher finished his high school, a tragedy struck the family. Shomik lost his uncle to black lung disease, which occurs dues to continued exposure to coal dust. As he recovered from the blow, Shomik decided it was time to devote his life to clean energy. The researcher joined Duke University’s Pratt School of Engineering to pursue his graduation in mechanical engineering. During his time at Duke, Shomik won the prestigious Marshall Scholarship for his research on solar thermal hydrogen production and hydrogen fuel cell optimisation for vehicle applications. In fact, Shomik helped lead the Duke Electric Vehicles team to two Guinness World Records for fuel efficiency, for both battery electric and fuel cell vehicles.

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

Recalling his time there, the young researcher shares, "During my time at Duke University, I have been fortunate to fully immerse myself in the world of science through numerous hands-on experiences. From residing at the Smart Home and actively participating in the installation of solar panels to constructing high-efficiency vehicles, I have personally witnessed the positive impact that novel energy technologies can have on both the environment and human well-being. These tangible, real-world applications serve as a constant source of inspiration, propelling me towards a research career dedicated to creating innovative solutions for the challenges we face in the realm of energy." Shomik, who was the president of the Duke Energy Club, was also elected to Tau Beta Pi and serves as co-president of Pi Tau Sigma.

The road ahead...

From Duke, the researcher moved to the UK, where he attended the University of Cambridge and Imperial College of London to pursue an MPhil in material science. "As a Marshall Scholar in the UK, I focused on enhancing the efficiency of solar cells. My research revolved around utilising computational chemistry and machine learning to design innovative photon conversion materials," he shares.

Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology under the guidance of Professor Asegun Henry, the young researcher wishes to work on and develop renewable and clean energy sources for the world. "At present, I am actively engaged in researching energy storage techniques aimed at enhancing the dependability of variable renewable energy sources, particularly solar power. My ultimate aspiration after completing my Ph.D. is to utilise the knowledge and skills I have acquired to drive the decarbonisation of industries. I wish to facilitate the widespread availability of affordable, clean, and dependable energy for all," says the researcher, as he signs off.

Follow Shomik Verma on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube and his website

Reading Time: 6 mins

Shining bright: Meet the young guns of Indian sports

(July 3, 2022) For decades, India has produced some legendary sportspersons like Milka Singh, PT Usha, MS Dhoni, Abhinav Bindra and P V Sindhu – the names that inspire the current and future generation of Indian sports stars. It’s these sportspersons who have now taken it upon themselves to prove their mettle and take the legacy forward. Global Indian takes a look at some of the prodigious talents that the country has produced in the recent years. Jyothi Yarraji, Athlete Only in her early 20s, Jyothi Yarraji is currently the fastest women’s 100m hurdler in India. Born in 1999 in Visakhapatnam, Jyothi grew up with limited resources. Her father, Suryanarayana, works as a private security guard while her mother, Kumari, is a domestic help who works part-time as a cleaner in a city hospital. Combined, they earn less than ₹18,000 per month. [caption id="attachment_18807" align="aligncenter" width="1240"] Jyothi Yarraji, athlete[/caption] Jyothi, however, was destined for greater things. The path was set during her school days when her physical education saw the potential in her, owing to her good height to become a hurdler. Since then, there has been no looking back for the girl who came into the spotlight after winning a

0" height="700" /> Jyothi Yarraji, athlete[/caption]

Jyothi, however, was destined for greater things. The path was set during her school days when her physical education saw the potential in her, owing to her good height to become a hurdler. Since then, there has been no looking back for the girl who came into the spotlight after winning a gold medal at an Andhra Pradesh inter-district meet in 2015. This was the beginning of a career which saw her win various medals in junior and senior national meets.

Marking her international debut at the Cyprus International athletics meet in Limassol in 2022, Jyothi Yarraji finally pocketed the women’s 100m hurdles national record with a timing of 13.23 seconds, shattering the previous mark of 13.38 set by Anuradha Biswal in 2002.

Follow Jyothi Yarraji on Instagram

Vedaant Madhavan, Swimmer

Son of Indian actor R Madhavan, Vedaant has been creating waves in the world of swimming in India and abroad. A promising name in the sport, he has made India proud on various occasions, including the recent Danish Open 2022 where he clinched a gold.

[caption id="attachment_18801" align="aligncenter" width="690"] Vedaant Madhavan, swimmer[/caption]

The 16-year-old swimming champion discovered his talent for the sport while competing at swimming events for his school. It was at the Goregaon Sports Club in Mumbai that he began his professional training. He later shifted to the Glenmark Aquatic Foundation, a CSR (corporate social responsibility) programme which aims to promote Indian competitive swimmers to the global level, in 2017.

With many accolades to his credit including a 1500m freestyle bronze at the Khelo India Youth Games 2020, he is the touted as the next big thing in swimming.

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Parth Salunkhe, Archery

Aiming for the bull’s eye is what Parth Salunke is great at. An archer by profession, this 19-year-old is a powerhouse of talent who has been making headlines with his skill and prowess.

[caption id="attachment_18794" align="aligncenter" width="2048"] Parth Salunkhe, archer[/caption]

Trained by his father, Sushant, a former national-level silver medalist in kickboxing, Parth upped his game at every opportunity. But things changed for Parth after he was scouted during the Khelo India trials in Aurangabad. He soon shifted base to Sports Authority of India centre in Sonipat in 2018, and as they say the rest is history. The young archer won gold during the junior World Championships in 2021 and had also represented the senior team at the World Championships in Yankton, USA.

A frequent member of the national team, he is creating a stir in the world of archery at such a young age.

Follow Parth Salunkhe on Facebook

Jeremy Lalrinnunga, Weightlifting

In 2018, Jeremy Lalrinnunga almost scripted history when he won India its very first gold medal at the Youth Olympic Games in Argentina. The 19-year-old from Mizoram has put together with outstanding totals, lifting the heaviest weight in the men’s 67kg category, and even took a Youth World Record with 134kg in snatch and 163 in clean and jerk, combining 297 in total.

[caption id="attachment_18783" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Jeremy Lalrinnunga, weightlifter[/caption]

Despite being backed by many to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics, his chances took a hit. However, he now has his eyes set on the forthcoming IWF Junior, Youth, and Senior World Championships followed by the 2022 Commonwealth Games and Asian Games.

Follow Jeremy Lalrinnunga on Instagram and Twitter

Aadil Bedi, Golf

Golf is slowly finding its moment in the sun, and golfer Aadil Bedi is steadily gaining massive popularity, thanks to his impressive resume. A popular name in the national golf circuit, he has proved his mettle over the years with his skills and talent.

[caption id="attachment_18777" align="aligncenter" width="770"] Aadil Bedi, golfer[/caption]

He was just four when he picked up a golf stick. In later years, he started training professionally wherein he clocked 10000 hours of practice in 13 years, won 170 medals and trophies in 286 national and international tournaments. Though the pandemic played a spoiler in the last two years, he is now all set to play multiple tours such as Korn Ferry Tour with the aim to make it through the Q-School.

Follow Aadil Bedil on Twitter and Instagram

Reading Time: 6 mins

Manu Chopra: Providing dignified, digital work to 30,000 rural Indians through AI startup

(March 2, 2024) "I grew up in one of the poorest corners of Delhi - Shakur Basti. I spent my afternoons dancing to Bollywood songs and coding in the community computer lab. Through a series of scholarships, I became the first person from my community to go to a college in the US. In one generation, I went from Shakur Basti to Stanford," is how 27-year-old Manu Chopra addressed people in one of his speeches. The founder of Karya was one of the few people who was able to find a path out of poverty, but not everyone gets that chance. This very thought led him to start Karya, a not-for-profit enterprise, that brings dignified digital work to rural Indians, helping move them out of poverty. Every year, big technology companies spend a lot of money gathering information to teach their AI programs. But many people in rural India don't have the chance to be part of this work. Karya helps fix this problem by connecting these rural communities to opportunities in the tech industry. Explaining how this works, Manu elaborates, "Microsoft wants to make a language model in Marathi, one of the many regional languages of India. They reach

language model in Marathi, one of the many regional languages of India. They reach out to Karya to collect thousands of hours of speech data in Marathi. Karya takes Microsoft's big digital task and breaks it into micro tasks and we distribute these micro tasks to our workers in rural India via their smartphone." Apart from the employment, the biggest differentiator for these rural Indians is the pay. "We pay our workers 20 times the Indian minimum wage."

[caption id="attachment_36316" align="aligncenter" width="532"] Manu Chopra, the founder of Karya[/caption]

In just two years, the AI startup has already helped 30,000 rural Indians earn ₹65 million so far.

ALSO READ | Induced AI to Karya: AI startups to look forward to in 2024

A new life at Stanford

Growing up, Manu was always interested in technology, and during his time at Stanford, where he studied Computer Science, he co-founded CS+ Social Good, Stanford's first student group focused on the intersection of technology and social impact. Upon his return to India in 2017, he joined Microsoft Research as a fellow to explore ways to tackle extreme poverty by giving the poor access to digital work. During this time, he travelled the length and breadth of the country.

"I expected it to be harrowing. Mainstream media (within India and especially, abroad) paints such a bleak picture of India, as if nothing good has ever happened or will ever happen in India. I expected to feel jaded at the lack of progress, to be disappointed at the lack of good work happening on the ground. Obviously, the opposite happened. Every single village I visited blew me away. The more I travelled within India, the more optimistic I became," he wrote on his website.

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Uplifting rural Indians through Karya

At 21, he began working for an AI firm, and during one of his field visits to a data company, he saw over 30 men hunched over their laptops. Upon striking a conversation, he learnt that they were earning $0.40 per hour for the data that was worth 10 times that amount. "I thought, this cannot be the only way this work can happen," said Manu, who was named in the TIME100 Most Influential People in AI. "The idea in my head was, what if we could bypass skilling? Can we give people a livelihood and money for skills they already have? What is the skill that rural India already has? Their language?" he said in an interview.

[caption id="attachment_36313" align="aligncenter" width="766"] Manu Chopra with the rural Indians working for Karya[/caption]

This led to the birth of Karya - which means work for dignity in Sanskrit - in 2021. He chose to use Indian languages to help rural India make more money. He teamed up with his manager at Microsoft Research, Vivek Sheshadri, who became the Chief Technology Officer.

ALSO READ | Uday Bhatia: Diana Awardee helping illuminate households in rural India

They not only pay them $5 per hour, which is 20 times more than the minimum wage but also help them earn royalties every time their data is sold, which provides them a source of passive income. Right now, Karya focuses on gathering information in Indian languages that haven't been included much in the AI world. This data will be used to create AI systems in those languages that are not only accurate but also fair for everyone. Their work involves gathering written, spoken, and picture information in India's regional languages.

Creating an impact

"I genuinely feel this is the quickest way to move millions of people out of poverty if done right," he told TIME, adding, "Wealth is power. And we want to redistribute wealth to the communities who have been left behind."

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

With Karya, Manu Chopra is not only fulfilling the important requirement for accurate data in the AI industry but also changing how much money data annotation workers make. In the last few years, big tech companies have shown keen interest in Karya for its data requirements. For instance, Microsoft utilised the startup to acquire regional speech data for its AI products. Additionally, due to biases in AI chatbots stemming from large language model inputs, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is collaborating with Karya to minimise gender-related biases in the data. Even Google is not far behind as it's relying on Karya to amass speech data across 85 Indian districts.

Manu Chopra's journey is proof that determination and innovation has the transformative power. Rising from poverty himself, he has broken the cycle and now aims to extend that opportunity to others. With a focus on providing dignified digital work to rural Indians, Manu seeks to empower individuals and communities, offering them the chance to participate meaningfully in the digital economy. Through his endeavours, he not only creates economic opportunities but also fosters a sense of pride and self-worth among those he seeks to uplift.

Follow Manu Chopra on LinkedIn

Riding her way to glory: Activist Jivya Lamba is a ray of hope for young girls

(January 17, 2024) Every year, India witnesses millions of girls dropping out of school due to a lack of transport facilities to educational institutions. The lack of security for these young girls has pushed several parents to keep them locked up in their houses. While several non-profit organisations and politicians have been working to rectify the situation by spreading awareness, a young 16-year-old activist decided to do something more concrete. [caption id="attachment_35282" align="aligncenter" width="558"] Jivya Lamba[/caption] Jivya Lamba, a class XII student from Haryana, was so disturbed after she visited a local village, that she spent several days thereafter searching for a solution to this grievous, yet unaddressed issue. "During the pandemic, I was a volunteer to distribute food, and sanitary products to people in the nearby village. During one such visit, I met with a few girls, who during the interaction told me that many of them had to leave the school after attaining puberty. When I asked for the reason, they said that their school was quite far away, and since the road to the institute wasn't safe their parents thought it better to keep them at home," the activist said. After a few sleepless nights of researching

d that their school was quite far away, and since the road to the institute wasn't safe their parents thought it better to keep them at home," the activist said.

After a few sleepless nights of researching the issue, Jivya stumbled upon the idea of installing GPS trackers on the bicycles of these girls, which can be used by their parents to know where they are at any time - a campaign she named WeCycle. It was quite a simple but effective idea, which helped reduce high school dropout rates among girls and increased their participation in studies - winning Jivya, the prestigious Diana Award, 2023.

Donning many hats

Academically brilliant, Jivya has been vocal about various causes since she was quite young. She has even represented her school internationally in various debate competitions. "Since the age of 11, debating has been a defining journey for me. Winning medals at the World Scholars Cup Global Round and Yale's Tournament of Champions showcased my dedication and passion for debating. Beyond competitions, debating expanded my perspective. During the pandemic, I invested time in enhancing my skills and earned more medals in the 2022 World Scholars Cup. This journey was more than just a competition; it represents my continuous growth and the profound impact of words," the activist expressed.

[caption id="attachment_35283" align="aligncenter" width="550"] Jivya handing out her book to girls at a rural school[/caption]

However, it was when the pandemic hit the nation, that the youngster started actively volunteering at the grassroots level. The Global Indian, along with a few friends, collected steam vaporisers, PPE kits, face masks, home testing kits, and sanitary products for free distribution in the village and other deprived areas. They also volunteered to distribute home-cooked meals to not just the needy, but also to COVID-19-positive patients and their family members. "The pandemic highlighted how desperately we needed to reach out to others and offer help. However, it became evident that even though many people recognised this need, the drive to take the initiative was lacking. So, I thought about taking a step and started working with underprivileged communities," shared the activist, who is also a trained singer.

A true changemaker

It was during one such distribution errand that the activist came across the issue of girl safety. However, that was just the tip of the iceberg. Many girls, who had attained puberty, were unaware of menstrual health and various related syndromes. "Through my interaction with these girls in rural areas, it became quite clear that they had very little understanding of the changes caused by the onset of puberty and lack guidance on how to tackle it." shared the activist, adding, "They are reserved and uncomfortable speaking about menstruation, adding to lack of confidence. Some had symptoms similar to PCOS but lacked awareness or community support."

[caption id="attachment_35285" align="aligncenter" width="552"] The young activist talking to parents at school[/caption]

The activist then invested her time in creating an educational handbook, forming support groups, and actively engaging with families and community leaders to promote awareness about menstrual health. "The idea is to not just spread awareness, but also open a dialogue about these issues. My handbook is developed in the regional language, to make sure that everyone who reads it understands the concepts," shared the activist, adding, "WeCycle is a step forward in the direction of free mobility for our young female students, athletes, and future-generation mothers. I am committed to making lives easy for these girls and my heart goes out to them.”

Follow Jivya Lamba on LinkedIn and her website

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