Radhika AJ creates dolls and handcraft using newspaper

How did you start creating African dolls?

When I was five years old, I fell and cracked my knee bone. Later I was diagnosed with a brittle bone disease, wherein my bones are fragile and prone to fractures. Since I became very weak, I had to stop schooling and shift to homeschooling. I started feeling isolated and deserted. I couldn't get the kind of education that my friends had. I locked myself up inside my house in fear of creating any more damage to my body. My mental health went downhill. Observing all this, my brother got me a computer and introduced me to origami and craftwork. He taught me how to look up videos on the Internet, and also bought me a few art supplies to practise. I began creating and selling paper wall hangings, and as I was progressing. I stumbled upon videos about African dolls. In the beginning, I didn't put much effort into it and was doing it as a hobby. I-placed a few dolls I made around the house and was appreciated by a lot of people. So I gave around 10 dolls to a book expo to see if people would buy them, and to my surprise, the dolls were sold out in the first two days! This boosted my enthusiasm.

When did you get your big break?

One of my neighbours I wanted to decorate her house with African dolls. But she wanted them to be in pairs. She also kindled this idea in me, which was to sell duo dolls. This idea attracted a lot more buyers. And when all this was happening, I started getting the support of mass media. Then I started getting orders from around the country. This eventually led me to start my own business, QueenBee.

How did the idea of creating decorations from newspapers come into being?

Primarily, the newspaper is something you get everywhere at a very low price. In the beginning, I was unaware of the products being used to make craftwork as shown in the videos. Once I started making art with newspapers as a hobby, it eventually became a part of my identity.

You mentioned that you weren't able to get the kind of schooling the rest of your friends did. How were you motivated?

Society has been conditioned to look down upon those who have less knowledge. And since I couldn't get proper schooling in the beginning, I feared society might go hard on me. But my mother and my aunts were very particular that I get proper education. I received a lot of advice to attain great heights in education. This stimulated a spark in me, and that is when I started motivating myself to push harder and study more.

Do you get any negative criticism for your work?

If there are people who support you a lot, then there are always a few people who are going to try to bring you down. People don't normally understand that I had a different childhood compared to most others. There are a few people who tell me to focus on more productive activities. Then there are a few people who jokingly ask me if what I do pays me money in five-digits. One thing I learnt is that in life, we should master the art of identifying and eliminating negative and destructive criticism. It will give us peace and help us move forward in our journey.

What are your plans for the future?

My goal is to make people buy my dolls just like how they buy Barbie, bobblehead dolls, etc. I want to make sustainable fashion the new trend in our society.

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Tanuj Samaddar an artist, designer and illustrator

When and how did your art journey begin?

I have been creating artwork since I was a kid, and my parents realised that I possessed this talent. Soon they admitted me to an art school, and my creative journey started. I participated in various competitions and exhibitions. My mom motivated me. Once she asked me to draw something I saw around me. I created a beautiful townscape, and she was amazed by it. She ignited a fire in me at that age, which is still burning.

You contribute to Scrollstack. Tell us about that.

With ScrollStack, it is possible for a storyteller or a writer in India to reach fans in London or even U.S. publishers. It is a platform for sharing your content and getting recognised for it. I am really happy to be a part of this. You see, there are various issues that contributors write about from culture and politics to education and gender. I usually write on art and culture, and I believe I am able to inspire young minds and aspiring artists through that.

You have been recognised by the World Literary Forum for Peace and Human Rights. How does that feel?

It is quite obvious to feel proud because this is an honour conferred to a few only. This was conferred on me because I have tried to create as much awareness as possible through my artwork by sharing them on various platforms. They are based on nature and various burning issues such as gender equality and youth activism.

You received Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2021 from our Prime Minister. How was that moment?

It was like a dream since it is India's highest civilian honour for people below 18. You can call it children's Bharat Ratna. My formative assessment was going on when I received an email from the Ministry of Women and Child Development that I was going to be given the award, so it was my best new year’s gift. I was excited and really happy. I also received an opportunity to interact with the Prime Minister, which was amazing. I was really humbled to have had this opportunity. He emphasised on personality development and self-discipline, appreciated our work, and gave us advice on being rooted and never giving up. He is an inspiration for all of us and I was really honoured to be a part of that virtual conference.

Tell us about your journey as a writer.

I write as a hobby. I do it when I have time. As I mentioned earlier, I write on topics related to art. I like to share whatever I know because I feel sharing increases your knowledge. I am still a beginner and have many more milestones to achieve.

Do you agree that internships help you improve your skills?

Internships give you an open platform to try and test your abilities and skills. It provides you with numerous opportunities to find where you stand, what you need to work upon, and the things you are good at. There are many things you can gain such as additional skills, education, mentorship, etc. Unfortunately, today, passing examinations with high scores and getting a degree alone do not help with a job. In my case, I got to know what my strengths and weaknesses are, and because of these internships. I was able to effectively practise what I do the best. With an internship, you will be able to gain real-life exposure and determine if you are in the right field. You can learn how to apply the knowledge you have acquired during an internship to your future workspaces

Who is your inspiration?

My inspiration is Raja Ravi Varma My other inspiration is my mom because she was the first one to ignite that fire in me, and has always supported me and been with me at every stage of my life.

If there is something you want to change in society, what it would be?

Placing social equity at a higher position than equality. It's easy to think that equality and equity mean the same thing. However, there are crucial differences between the two. Equality means that all segments of society have the same level of support and opportunity. Whereas equity refers to the fact that different people have varying needs of support and assistance. The goal of equity is to help achieve fairness in treatment and outcomes. There should be an equitable distribution of resources and opportunities, and equality in the case of race, caste, religion, etc.

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Joy Agarwal founder of Community Space One

He is the founder of Community Space One, an organisation working on sustainable development using space technology. A TEDX speaker, he's also the CEO of a project called CERES.

What does your organisation Community Space One do?

As the name suggests, it is a community of people working together to promote sustainable development using space technology. Sustainable development aims to save enough resources for the future. Our organisation works to find satellite data, process it and derive impactful results. For example, we participated in NASA'S EO Dashboard Hackathon where we worked towards making a time-lapse of the Mumbai Airport's pollution as the COMID-19 waves progressed. The analysis suggested that as there were fewer flights, the number of pollution factors had also dwindled. So, we could say that airports have a major role in pollution. My organisation has a few mentors who excel in their field and guide us. We also have technological enthusiasts who help in processing the data and giving a good output And finally, we have a unique team of change makers who drive the data and bring a change with social activities.

Why do you think awareness should be spread on sustainable development goals? Which sustainable development goals are you focussing on?

Sustainable development goals are the need of today's generation. I'm currently working on sustainable development goals number four and 15. They speak about quality education and life on land. In terms of reaching out to people, if the common person doesn't look at the things that create devastation in their lives, then we, the changemakers, make a move to bring it to their notice. It is today's youth who are the key to reaching out to people. They have the zeal to make a change since it is their future that is going to be impacted.

Share with us your experience of being a TEDX speaker.

When I was in Class VI, I was invited as a speaker. Since I was very young, I didn't have any clue about it. I was very fortunate to stand before all the experienced people. I was very proud to share my stage with Terence Lewis, a famous choreographer. It was a wonderful experience and a knowledgeable platform to learn.

Tell us about your project CERES and your role in it.

A study conducted 10 years ago said there was a relation between cosmic radiation and the growth of saplings. So we are working on this concept by sending a few saplings to high altitudes, about 30 to 40 km. and measuring their growth over time. We are also trying ways to replicate this on a large scale to gain the forest cover we lost. I'm the chief executive officer of this project. My role is to manage the research aspect of the project, focussing on space technology. I also look over the managing part of the project, i.e., cultivating strategic partnerships. Recently, we signed an MOU with the a government polytechnic for joint research and skill development.

What prompted you to get into space technology? I have wished to become an astronaut from a very young age. My parents gifted me a telescope, which I would say was the starting point for my interest in space technology. And participating in various competitions improved my knowledge and technical skills. But the main reason I clubbed the technical skills and my space interest was because of my mentor, a space system professor, who guided me

As a teen entrepreneur, how do you manage time?

I have always wished to have a system of homeschooling. Fortunately, this lockdown has given me ample time to concentrate on my studies as well as my external skills. This has made me manage time efficiently. I prioritise important work. I make sure I focus on my academics and external projects in a balanced manner.

What are your hobbies and future plans?

I read a lot of books and pen down my thoughts. In the future, I don't want to become a random engineer who works all day. I aspire to become a changemaker where I'm globally known. I would love to work in the United Nations as a proud citizen of India.

What is the one thing you would love to contribute to society?

I would like to work towards 100 % literacy and zero hunger. If we can combine these two policies, we can make Earth a better place to live in. I think this will improve the country's status too.

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Riddhi Javali initiative Project Repeat, a non-profit organization, aims to provide sustainable and eco-friendly options for menstrual hygiene to government school girls

What prompted you to come up with Project Repeat?

Poor menstrual hygiene leads to multiple health complications, particularly among school girls in rural areas. It is also one of the key factors behind adolescents dropping out of school. Once we identified the problem, we decided to work towards a solution, and this initiative is a step in that direction. We started Project Repeat in 2020.

Menstruation is generally not discussed openly. So how did you do it?

Menstrual hygiene doesn't really figure as a point of discussion, especially in villages. Moreover, menstrual hygiene carries stigma in our society. But it is not so in my family. Maybe that inspired and helped me start this organisation. Girls in rural areas are initially reluctant to talk about menstrual hygiene. But gradually I'm able to talk to them and create awareness about that. In fact, they are actively joining Project Repeat.

What do you think are the qualities of a good leader?

Creating an open line of communication with your team members. I hear them out and in some cases I take their opinion too. Good communication skills and effective team work make your work better.

What are your hobbies?

I have numerous hobbies that they consume all my free time. I love to cook, play badminton, tell stories, and sometimes I love to write poems and articles too. Usually, I love to focus on stuff other than studies. This allows me to manage both my studies and my organisation.

What are your future plans and aspirations?

My focus is simple-for periods to be spoken about openly by all instead of it being a taboo in our society. Project Repeat is now present only in Karnataka. My biggest goal is to spread awareness on menstrual hygiene throughout India.

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"A Teenage Soul through Ebb and Flow", is a collection of poems by Nehal Sanghai

You've just published "A Teenage Soul through Ebb and Flow, a collection of poems. What prompted it? What do you want your readers to take away from this?

Publishing a book was initially a wild imagination or a dream for me. I always wrote poetry because it served as an emotional outlet during any overwhelming situation. These poems allowed me to express my thoughts and emotions and reflect on experiences in that particular moment and were written with the idea that no on was ever going to actually read them. The fact that my friends or anyone I ever read a poem to connected with the incident / emotion I was trying to express was the first time I thought about sharing what I had written with the world.

My book represents the vulnerability and honesty with which one savours any beautiful or formative moment / emotion. It's a direct window into my soul but my hope for this book as a debut author is that whoever reads this book is able to find a piece of themselves in my words. Whether it's a stranger or a close friend, a 13-year-old or a 30-year-old, I hope they are able to find some aspect of their life in my poems because at the crux of our being, our souls  go through the same ebbs and flows at many different levels and fronts.

You have been writing poems since eight. How did that journey begin?

I don't really recall the exact moment when I started writing poetry, but it's the journey I would like to emphasize more on. It started with me reading poems in my school magazine when my attempt to writing in Class III was limited to rhyming 'cat, mat and bat. Gradually I developed admiration for poems in both English and Hindi. I became more of an avid reader than a writer of poems, and slowly after reading poems for about three to four years, I started writing again. I wrote in both Hindi and English, and two of my Hindi poems were published in a newspaper when I was in Class VII.

Over time with a stronger grip on the languages and enhanced ability to articulate my thoughts, I started writing again.

Also, shifting from Kolkata to Mumbai was a big transition in my life. That , and the lockdown were two milestones when I started writing very frequently.

How does writing poetry help you?

Poetry is a form of catharsis for me. It's an emotional outlet and is a way to capture a moment or a fleeting emotion I which cannot be captured through pictures and videos. It's quite funny how my brain works because during any overwhelming situation, instead of looking for a solution, my brain starts tying words into rhymes. This way, my 'emotional' side is able to rant all the thoughts out and then the 'rational' side comes into play and finds a solution. So by the time I finish a poem in 10-15 minutes, I've poured my thoughts out and also found a solution in the same poem.

With your involvement in community and volunteer work, and fund-raisers, it is clear you are socially responsive to issues. What prompted this, and has this changed you?

I've grown up in a family where I can proudly say that the values and ethics which have been inculcated are an integral part of me. I've always seen them give back to society in several different and unspoken ways. When I used to volunteer as a student-teacher, I realized that many times not only was I teaching the children, but they were teaching me various things. And this realization filled my heart because since then I have always followed the belief that no one knows everything but everyone knows something, and hence everyone has a unique way of value creation in society.

How do you manage time between your interests / concerns and academics?

It's never been difficult for me to actually manage time per say. We all have 24 hours and just knowing how to priorities and allocate it does the trick. My hobbies and creative pursuits are as important to me as academics, and I have always continued them parallel to my studies. The only difference is that sometimes I allocate more time to my academics and sometimes more to my hobbies and social life, and that's how I try to maintain a balance because both help me grow in different ways.

What are your aspirations?

I have been inclined towards finance, business, and economics since I've watched many people around me pursue these, and I believe I have a good aptitude for them. But I still look forward to exploring different subjects in the future. My dream would be to actually make a positive impact in whichever field I choose to pursue. I always try to create an environment of community, mutual upliftment, and positivity, and this is something I will continue doing regardless of where I go.

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Ayush Singh founder of Antern, a EdTech and Al Company

What drew you to data science?

It all began when I started exploring various fields of science. I was an average student in school, and wanted to do something different. I started exploring different activities such as skating, playing the guitar, etc., but I was not enjoying any of those. I stumbled upon the world of programming, and got very interested and excited. Once I started learning. I wanted to earn money from it, and hence set my goal to become a data scientist. I made my roadmap with the help of various people on YouTube, and eventually explored more about web development, Android development, data science, etc. One of the major reasons why this field attracted me was because I was interested in mathematics. I began focussing more on linear algebra, calculus, and discrete mathematics with the help of an online learning platform. Then I began working on machine learning and its statistical model. Very few students from my class (Grade IX) had opted for this field, so I took it up as a challenge to become an inspiration for many.

Tell us about your company Antern and how it works.

Antern is a start-up that we, a group of teens, have built. We create courses on job-ready skills such as machine learning and computer science for a very low fee. We prepare people to have confidence when they step into their job. We do this by teaching them the basics and practicals of the subject they have opted for. We also give them projects and assignments to work on and test their knowledge frequently.

How do you convince your audience to trust you since you're this young?

We are currently opening scholarships to bring in more clients. We devote time and effort to make them job-ready. We have started focussing on college students. We will boost their performance, and our brand will be promoted by word of mouth.

What are your thoughts on internships?

I'm a data science intern at Artifact, and I think it is one of the best internships I have ever done because it provides me great learning opportunities. I work under a person who has already done their Masters and has many years of experience working in MNCs. I don't ask my mentor what to do and what not to do, and I try to figure it out myself in the best way that I can, and in the end, I ask him to give me suggestions. If I am stuck, he guides me by asking me to try out different possibilities.

What kind of content do you create on YouTube?

Newera is an initiative wherein I provide in-depth content for free. I work on foundation skills by providing them with information and education on advanced topics.

How do you manage school and work? What are your hobbies?

Going to school is very important for holistic growth as it teaches you discipline and to make friends. When I go to school I learn a lot as well as refresh my knowledge. I am currently in Class IX and I have already completed my syllabus for Maths and Physics, and of course, my favourite subject. History, My hobbies are reading, including books written by entrepreneurs, listening to podcasts, and also, investing time on myself, and having fun as well.

What are your future plans?

My plan for Antem is to expand my audience and to help people more. I want to build a product that will make a difference in today's advancing tech world, using recent technology such as Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality. We will develop Artificial Intelligence products that we are working on as well. We are aiming at taking better business decisions using Artificial Intelligence, and giving those to business leaders. Personally, I want to get into a good institution such as MIT, Oxford, Harvard, or IIT.

What will be that one thing that you would like to change in our society?

I want to make parents understand that every child is unique and needn't be compared with any other. No child should be forced into taking up hobbies and activities they don't enjoy. Give them a chance to explore, and they will do wonders with their life.

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Vijay Prakash founder of the non-profit Global Environment Conservative Society

What prompted you to set up GECS?

GECS was founded in 2020 during the pandemic. The idea was to create awareness about the several current environmental threats. Apart from this, we have completed several projects that has strengthened our foundation. We are attempting to make changes that are crucial for the survival of humankind. We also collaborate with various organisations that share our ideology.

What do you focus on?

As of now, we are researching on climate change and carbon emission. Our researchers are put up all over the world. Apart from basic research, our organisation is open to new ideas and projects related to current environmental threats. We also conduct webinars and events to develop new strategies.

What prompted you to research particularly on climate change? Which organisations have you partnered with?

Climate change is a topic that has fascinated me from my childhood. I have always wanted to discover solutions related to environmental issues in the world. This kindled my interest regarding climate change. Some leading global organisations gave us a helping hand in finding better solutions by supporting or partnering with us. These include MUN Impact, Youth International Conclave, Greener is Cleaner, INTSOC Foundation, etc. These organisations help us in making the project or any initiative successful.

How did your internship shape your skills?

Internships have played a prominent role in my life. I began my internship before starting my organisation. That is where my pursuit of social entrepreneurship or volunteering began. It helped me discover myself. I volunteered for organisations to pursue and enhance my skills. This gave me great exposure to improve skills needed for a social entrepreneur. Even after commencing my organisation, I continue to nourish my skills with internships that are meaningful to me.

What were the challenges you faced with your start-up?

Since I'm a high schooler, time management is generally between school and the organisation. Initially, I found it difficult to manage time. But luckily, online classes gave me the support to adjust to my studies. Another challenge was that since my team members were diverse, it was quite difficult to fix a convenient time for some webinars and events. These were the two primary challenges I faced and solved with my start-up.

As a budding activist and a young entrepreneur, what are your aspirations?

Being a social activist I can impact people in various ways where they get adequate knowledge to understand and fight against the cause. Like various environmentalists. I want to make Earth a better place for humans and other species living here. This was one of the reasons to choose entrepreneurship as my vocation. Some of the major aims include sustainability, climate change, and a few other hazardous issues such as carbon emissions This made me realise who I am and identify my concerns about environmental issues

What are your hobbies and interests?

I love to spend a lot of time in yoga. This is something that keeps me calm Apart from meditation. I like swimming and horse riding as well

What is the one thing you want to change in society?

I want an impact where there are no environmental issues and also change the view of people regarding pollutants that are dangerous to the environment. I hope I bring in a change that is reasonable and impactful for the upcoming generations. I wish people abide by the sustainability goals and follow the same.

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Gavi Kothari 16-years-old co-founder of Tech Help for All

What does Tech Help for All do, and what is its vision?

My friend and I set up Tech Help for All with an aim of removing technology illiteracy from the world. When we both looked at the impact of the pandemic and how people were struggling with basic technology and apps used on a day-to-day basis, we knew we had to do something about it. We started creating tutorial videos for basic apps and uploaded the videos on YouTube. Eventually, a few NGOS contacted us seeking our help to expand their reach using social media platforms and by creating websites. This made us think, and we came up with this idea of a start-up that would help NGOs and companies establish websites, social media pages, fundraisers, etc.

How did your start-up help the NGOs?

Due to the pandemic everything from education to jobs and businesses became digital. We asked the NGOs to bring together children without access to the latest technology and students from less privileged backgrounds, and worked towards educating them about the World Wide Web. A lot of people and organisations started recognising these NGOs for their initiative and started funding them.

What is your role as the Head of Technology in GlobalUplift?

GlobeUplift is a civic and social organisation that conducts several workshops on social media platforms. They approached us when they discovered we were helping out various NGOs. They needed help with creating a website, and eventually gave me a position in their non-profit. As the Head of Technology, I help them maintain their website and also create and edit videos.

Tell us about your journey as an entrepreneur and a tech enthusiast.

I was always interested in technology. Once my Board examinations were done, I came up with this idea to create a start-up, and with the whole pandemic situation. I used this opportunity to help those in need of education on technology. This is why all the tutorials are available for free. I contacted a lot of people and organisations initially, but didn't receive much work. Slowly but steadily, I started receiving more and more offers from a lot of NGOs and companies.

How do you manage school and your start-up?

When I completed Class XI got an opportunity to work on my start-up. But I had to put my passion on pause to focus on schooling when Class XI commenced. When I realised I was a tad ahead at school, I went back to entrepreneuring. Now that I have a team of people who volunteer at Tech Help for All, I am able to focus more on my schooling and examinations. I now work for my start-up and other volunteering activities for about six to seven hours every Sunday and focus on school for the rest of the week.

What do you think are the pros and cons of social media with respect to kids?

I don't think social media is completely bad for teenagers. If they have the right connections, then social media sites are going to be very beneficial for young people in the future.

What are your other interests? Who is your inspiration?

Apart from my studies and organization, I love making robots. I sing, and also help my brother with his dance lessons. I am very passionate about gymming. My sole inspiration has been my parents. They are very hardworking and have always been open to whatever I want to do and become.

What is the one thing you want to contribute to society?

What I want to do for society. I do with Tech Help for All. I want to help everyone have a basic knowledge about technology, and use it to bridge the generational gap between parents and teenagers. As we don't know when the pandemic is going to come to an end, I want to help less privileged children with adequate technology for them to continue their studies online.

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Aryan Khanna Editor-in-chief and COO of The Grow Project

What role do you play as the editor-in-chief and chief operating officer of The Grow Project?

The aim of The Grow Project is to help students grow mentally, physically, and financially. This is a student-nun media production organisation where articles, blogs, podcasts, and many more related to finance and self-discipline are created by and for teens. We focus on issues such as procrastination, self-discipline, stress, and also finance-related topics such as cryptocurrency. The organisation's growth has been so rapid that we have about 10 departments today. As a COO, I assign tasks at the start of every day, and some work varies. I mainly do the administrative work, and implement ideas based on the inputs from the team. I also replace the CEO when he is not available for important meetings. As the editor-in-chief, I review articles, blogs, and social media posts, and revert to the writers if there's a need.

You also founded an organisation named Raahat. What is it about?

Raahat is the Hindi word for comfort. The basic idea of Raahat is to make people comfortable. It is a non-profit organisation that aims to solve global issues by raising funds. Raahat is a collaboration of Grow Projects and a website called Five Rights. The funds raised are transferred to the largest and the most trusted fundraisers in India for COVID-19. When the pandemic stabilises, we are planning to switch the funds to a different cause on an international scale.

What motivated you to bea public speaker?

 Until 2020, I was an academics-oriented person and wasn't into any extra-curricular activities. When my school time was reduced during the pandemic, I realised I had to get out of the monotonous scholastic cycle. I wanted to be more passionate and less restricted. This motivated me to become a public speaker. I wanted to make a change in people's lives and mindsets. I wanted to make them believe they can follow their dreams and passions.

What is your learning as a public speaker?

I observed that many people do not realise the talent they have, and so don't work on that talent. The same goes with public speaking. Public speaking doesn't depend upon grades or levels because it is an endless process of growth. I was once assigned to a public speaking club. I didn't know how anything worked there, so I worked hard to improve my speaking skills. And when I did, the entire club applauded me. That's what gave me the motivation, and led me to where I am today.

Do you think internships help people improve their skills?

Internships are learning experiences. I worked as an intern in Stentorians. It allowed people to voice their opinions and also write on various topics. It taught me how to produce an article regardless of whether it is a research or non-research topic. I also worked as a voice-over artist, which taught me a lot about voice modulation, and helped me with public speaking.

What are your other interests and hobbies?

I play quite a number of sports. I have loved swimming since I was six. Here, too. I worked hard to improve my skills, and even won a district-level competition. I love writing. I have been enjoying lawn tennis for the last four to five years.

Who's your inspiration?

 Many The first would be Harry B and Jocko Willink, who’ve achieved a lot. They inspire many young people. Then there are those you want to work with and are easily approachable. Riyad Maroof Hassan and Arnay Agarwal are two young authors I want to work with. The others include Roman, my dedicated. hardworking COO: Abhaas, our media team HOD; and Ronit, the most positive person I know.

What are your future plans? What is the one thing you would like to change in society?

I would like to change the narrow mindedness of people their prejudice against those from other races, the LGBTQIA+ community, and those with mental health concerns. I would also like to change the mindset of people who don't try again after failure.

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Vedant Harlalka 15-years old programmer and robotics-enthusiast is skilled in using Arduino to innovate

What is Arduino?

Arduino is a micro-controller or a small programmable circuit board. You can program it to control sensors and motors, and make any machine you want. It's a tool to convert your ideas into reality. Let's say, you want to know how close your car is to the wall in the parking lot Take an Arduino with an ultrasonic sensor, code it in C++, add a buzzer to it, and the machine is ready to alert you about the distance. You can make countless inventions, basic and complex, with Arduino.

Tell us about your recent invention.

Whenever I went to a grocery store, the public hand-sanitiser dispensers had to be touched. This could be a source of spreading the virus. So, along with two seniors, I designed an automatic hand-sanitiser dispenser using Arduino, sensors, etc. and coded in C++.

You have recycled DVDs to make 3D printers.

The printer is my first long-term project along with a classmate. Now DVDS are being replaced by pen drives. So there is a lot of DVD drive waste, and these are available at very low prices. On the other hand, a 3D printer costs several thousand rupees, and we managed to make one for much less. Instead of using traditional motors, we used DVD drives. But it was quite a complex project. There were many moments when we wanted to give up on it. In the end, everything just came out well.

Your idea of circular cities was recognised by The University of Western Australia.

When I was in Class IV or V, I was intrigued by the way YouTubers spoke confidently in front of the camera, delivering a tech review on something that was useful for me. So I kept watching these videos and wanted to try something like that. I think I was in Class VI when I started a YouTube channel where I started posting tech reviews of things such as headphones, speakers, smart watches, etc. By then I had leamt the entire process: scripting, shooting, post-production, editing, and publishing Just after the hand-sanitiser project. I received a notification from my school that the University of Western Australia was conducting a video competition in which students from Class VIII to XII from across the globe could participate. Participants were asked to make videos on building circular cities, which generate zero waste. It was not easy competing against so many people. My classmate and I made a video on a waste management plant Plastic, one of the most polluting wastes, is made up of hydrocarbons. The Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) we use in our cars is hydrocarbons too. But these are different forms of hydrocarbons. We sat for hours brainstorming on ways we could use convert plastic waste into useful fuels such as CNG. And we came up with a good plan. Our entire skill set came into play while making the video. We were grateful when the university sent us a mail acknowledging our idea.

Tell us about the awards you have received. Do you think awards make people successful?

The most recent one was The Rising Star award for a video I made for a young scientist competition. Just before COVID started, there was a three-round entrepreneurship competition. For the final round of the competition, I went to Vishwakarma Institute of Technology Pune, where I interacted with the Top Thirty Minds of India. I have also won prizes at Model United Nations and school competitions. I believe that the work you do makes you successful if you keep on doing good work such as giving back, to your community, that's what makes you successful. If that happens, then accolades will pour in.

Who is your inspiration? My inspiration from childhood has been APJ Abdul Kalam, because he has had one of the biggest roles in developing science and technology in India. The ways in which he interacted with and encouraged students is truly inspiring.

What are your hobbies?

I am into long-distance cycling, so almost every moming I go on rides of 40-50 km. It is quite beneficial in many ways. You get to interact with so many new people from many industries. It is a hobby but it also exercise. Also, I have never seen Arduino and programming as work. It's more of a passion, stress-buster, and hobby for me. Unless you are passionate about what you do, there's no way you can actually work on it in a good way.

What are your future plans? Is there something you would like to change in society?

I aim to pursue either Computer Science and Engineering or Mechatronics. One thing I would like to change about society is the mentality that a child is too young to pursue their passion, and that only school should be their haunt. It is outdated, and young people should be encouraged to blend into professional environments.

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Mihir Mutyampeta founder and President of MPower for Youth

What is the ideology and vision of MPower for Youth?

As the name suggests, MPower for Youth focusses on youth empowerment. I define youth empowerment as preparing young individuals for the future, by maximising their ability and potential. In the past, we raised funds to support less privileged people, mainly orphans, by providing technological resources for better education. We are also working on providing monetary assistance and resources to children to embrace computer science as a subject. We have also collaborated with a small start-up to provide free resources for anyone to start learning computer science. Summing up, we aim for people to find their passion and be skilled masters.

What inspired you to start such an initiative?

It all started when I saw young kids working with their parents at construction sites. I wondered why child labour still existed. I finally arrived at the conclusion that firstly, their families cannot afford education, and secondly, students are not exposed to various paths in their future. Taking this into consideration, I thought of making kids aware of the various paths in their life instead of following the age-old tradition. This would help them contribute to society. This was the basic idea behind MPower for Youth.

What is your work as a research scholar and student advisor at Lumiere Education?

Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a selective international research program where high-schoolers and college-goers gain experience. After an interview, the selected students are matched with a mentor who will allow them to work on a specified research program. I was interested in computer science, and was connected with a mentor from the University of Pennsylvania (The Wharton School), in the U.S. I researched machine learning, which is a specific part of computer science. While I learnt a lot about machine learning and upped my research skills. I also improved my patience and perseverance, because it took a lot of time for me to get tuned to it.

Please share your experience of being an ambassador for a MUN program.

Model United Nations, commonly known as MUN, is held among children who act as delegates, chairs, and co-chairs. The organisation that held my MUN conference, conducted one every month. As an ambassador, my work is to influence people to join the MUN as a delegate of a conference. I recruited people from my school to join the MUN program, which created an impact on youth empowerment, and subsequently made me proud of myself.

Tell us about some of your projects and accolades.

My first project was the one I did for the Lumiere Program, which culminated in the research paper I wrote. Since then, I have improved my machine learning skills. Currently, I'm working on a personal research project named EduML In this project. I am analysing the current literacy rate across districts in India. With this, I'm looking for economical ways to improve literacy rates in India. Coming to my awards, I received the third place in the ambassador award for MUN. I bagged the first place in a debate. Besides this, I'm also a swimmer, with the first place in 50-mt backstroke at a Cambridge school meet in Hyderabad.

As a teen entrepreneur, how do you manage time?

Time management, in general, depends upon the person. According to me, setting priorities is important. I make sure I focus the majority of my time on academics as I'm in Class XII right now. With this, I can make sure that my academic performance doesn't decline. I also make sure that my initiative works without any friction and that the content produced is sensible.

What is the one difference you want to create as a social entrepreneur? Do you think children must pursue entrepreneurship?

As a teen entrepreneur, my goal is to enable the current generation of youth to accomplish whatever they set their mind to. I would also help them figure out the right path for their future. I would like them to break their personal and social barriers to speak out for themselves. This is what constitutes the idea of youth empowerment. Entrepreneurship must definitely be pursued by students.

What are your hobbies and interests? Who inspires you?

I'm good at gardening and love to spend time in our garden. I also love to watch movies in various languages. I also cook food and like savouring Indian flavours. My inspiration comes from my work. It also comes from observing my community and people whose potential is not being realised completely. My role model APJ Abdul Kalam essentially came from an economically weak background and went on to achieve great things. I aspire to do at least a small portion of what he achieved. I think being able to contribute to the country is the biggest privilege one can experience.

What is one thing you would like to say to society?

Take the time to explore your interests. If you mess up, take that as a learning of life because life teaches you something productive.

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Anvi and Anya both own and run organization that sells tie-dyed clothes

Why did you want to start Anvya?

We are Anvi and Anya. We are 14 years old, and we are the owners of Anvya. It is a social enterprise where we sell tie-dyed t-shirts and use the money towards a social cause. We focus on the education of the girl child and COVID relief.

Tell us about your inspiration.

We grew up in an environment where our parents were involved in so many community services. So naturally we were inspired by them. We wanted to do the same, and all by ourselves. We wanted to prove that even children, whose skills are still developing, can do their part.

Why do you want to focus on girl child education? Do you think everybody should use their creativity to do something like this?

We both believe education is extremely important, and in India, many children, especially girls, are deprived of the right to education. We didn't want them to be deprived of this because of financial issues. We are doing our part, and we think everybody can do that because when that happens there would be a balance and better life on earth.

Tell us about your journey.

When we got bored at home during the lockdown, we tried tie-dye for the first time. We had learnt it at school. The first attempt was an unsuccessful one. After continuous attempts, we perfected it, and we knew we wanted it to be a business. The business idea later evolved into a charitable one. Of course, we couldn't have started it all by ourselves, so we pitched this idea to our parents. They absolutely loved it and supported us all the way. Last September, we launched Anvya and we have an Instagram page.

We have sold 150 to 200 t-shirts, and have received enough money to fund the education of many girls. We had extra money after this, so we moved it towards government's COVID relief funds because we have seen people suffer from COVID in our neighbourhood. Through this venture we learnt how small actions make big impacts in our society.

How do you think a new website will help people know more about Anvya and help encourage a social cause?

Building a website will help us to reach out to more people. We will be doubling our audience, and hence, helping more people. It will also help us build a community and help others more.

What setbacks did you overcome to continue this journey?

Anvi: When we started, I was afraid of what others might think of this idea. But then Anya just made me feel comfortable about this. The more I asked her if it would work, the more she would give me a positive vibe.

Anya: We had some setbacks such as the one time when we wanted to give up, because it became very hard for us to balance school and Anvya. At that time we knew we had each other and pushed through it.

What are your personal future plans?

Anvi: I want to do something with computer science or architecture.

Anya: I want to become either a lawyer or an architect.

Picture Credit : Google

Who is the founder of Seekh app?

What does Seekh do?

Seekh is a student-led non-profit organization that connects less privileged students from any part of India with teachers for free tuition. Students register on the Seekh app with details such as their age, languages they know, now, subjects they want to learn, etc. Teachers and students can see details and connect with each other. They connect with the help of a phone number, and set up calls through video-calling platforms. Due to the pandemic, a lot of less privileged students have lost out on education. On the other hand, there are a lot of people who want to teach for free. I wanted to connect these two ends, and that is essentially what seekh does. With 100+ downloads, 90+ students and 50+ teachers covering more than 15 regions in India, the app is becoming popular. And all these couldn't have been done without the effort of the team.

The word 'technology has become a household term. What is your opinion about that?

Technology has its pros and cons. One of the things that technology has enabled is democratising knowledge. For example, if I have to gather information about absolutely anything today, I can do that with just the click of a button. Technology has helped us connect in a way where we can actually communicate and take things forward. For example, during the Spanish flu, without advanced technology small businesses died. In contrast, despite the current pandemic, we are able to communicate with each other, institutions have started functioning online, and our economy is improving. All of these wouldn't have been possible if it wasn't for the technological advancements in today's world. But on the other hand, due to technology, the personal connection with friends and family is going down. Technology has also enabled dangers such as cyber threats. Internet scams, etc.

Do you believe internships will help you in the future?

I think internships are very helpful because they give us a real-world exposure. But we shouldn't become an intern just to get a certificate or because it will look fancy on a resume. We should do it to learn something.

Do you think machine learning can and will bring in more changes in the future?

I got introduced sometime ago to the concept of machine learning, wherein an Al system can learn from data and predict outputs from them. I feel machine learning is making a difference in today's world. It has started transforming so many fields such as healthcare and transportation. I feel there are going to be many more applications of machine learning in the future.

Should schools introduce coding and programming as extra-curricular learning?

Steve Jobs once said. "Learn how to program a computer because it teaches you how to think." What programming does is it helps you develop a strong foundation in logic so that you can apply it anywhere.

What are your hobbies and interests?

I like music. I hang out with friends, play games and the list goes on. I play cricket with my brother.

Who do you look up to the most?

My biggest inspirations are my parents. They've instilled the right values in me and a sense of what I should be focussing on and not focussing on. And obviously, my teachers. If I had any questions, I would approach them, and they were so kind and responded to that. Even my friends for their honest criticism when something was not right. Apart from that, I feel Elon Musk is an inspiration for me today. How he can manage his time with all his businesses is something I am trying to learn. He has a vision to help humanity as a whole. If there is even the smallest way in which I contribute to humanity through Seekh, this initiative will be a success.

What are your future plans?

Machine learning is something that excites me. Using my machine learning algorithms to help humanity in some way - this is a one-sentence summary of what I would love to do. One of the things I want to build is Artificial General Intelligence. An Artificial Intelligence system is only as smart as the data it gets. A self-driving car does not treat or diagnose cancer, right? So we don't have a general-purpose Al. But humans on the other hand do so many activities that involve different types of intelligence. So if we can build an Al that can do any basic task. I think that would be the next step forward in machine learning and how we can take humanity forward.

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Prachi Kothari One of the Youngest Writers in India

Tell us about your journey of becoming an author and poet.

It all started when I found it difficult to write a poem for an assignment. Slowly, I got comfortable and even started to love writing poems. I have now written over 400 poems, I have published three books till now: ‘The Blooming of Flowers’, ‘Rainbow in the Sky’, and ‘Life of Lovely Lucida’.

Tell us about your latest book.

My latest book ‘Life of Lovely Lucida' is my take on how life must be led. It revolves around Lucida's childhood and how she turns into an eminent personality. The book is a fusion of poetry and prose. I am also working on my fourth book, which is based on saving nature for a better future. Through my environmental poetry, I aim to make the world a better place to live in.

How was the experience of publishing?

Publishing books require two, main aspects: consistency and motivation. Additional skills such as creativity and thinking out-of-the-box are also essential. The poems are written for creating awareness and bringing mindset change among people.

How do you manage your time among writing, school work, and your childhood?

Passion may drive a person to get any work done. I spend my nights pondering about my poems. After practice and writing numerous poems, it comes easily to me now.

What aspects do you think create a difference in the world?

I believe nature is our parent and we should treat it respectfully. Through my podcast The Extraordinary World on Earth I aim to spread environmental awareness. I have also written several articles on saving the Earth, and they have been published in various newspapers, magazines and on websites. My mission is to create a better world.

Of all the awards you have received, which are your favourites?

I was a winner at Cam Google 2020, where I got a chance to interact with the captain of the Indian cricket team, Virat Kohli The second great honour I received was when I was invited as a guest speaker at the Global Children's Literature Association 2021 conference, where I got an opportunity to share my poems with others. I also won the Maharashtra State-level Poetry Competition

What do you blog about?

In my blog I express my thoughts on diverse subjects such as fun, happiness, nature, etc.

What are your hobbies and interests?

Apart from writing, I also love dancing and coding. My most recent coding project was a personal diary.

What would you like to convey to other budding authors? What are your plans for the future?

Writing is a hobby that adds colour to my imagination and gives me the liberty to express my thoughts to this world. It instills confidence in me and enhances creativity. I envision myself as a scientific researcher and a renowned author too.

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Which are the stories of some young achievers?

Greta Thunberg

With just a placard in hand, on August 20, 2018, a 15-year-old Swede skipped school to protest outside her country's Parliament demanding proactive measures to tackle climate crisis. In a matter of days, the number of protesters swelled, as students, teachers, and parents joined her. Presently, she marked Fridays for climate protest, and suggested students everywhere take up the "Fridays for Future" campaign by staging walkouts at their own schools. And that is how environmental activist Greta Thunberg made the entire world hear her out. An 18-year-old today, she has ensured that "Fridays For Future" has not just continued where it began but been embraced elsewhere too. In the last three years, she has been the global voice seeking climate change action, and inspired children and adults alike to speak up for the environmental issue. While urging individuals to do what's kind to the planet she has never shied away from pulling up global leaders for not doing enough for tackling climate change. Clearly, she leads by example. In 2019, to attend the U.N. Climate Summit in the U.S., she sailed for two weeks to reach her destination rather than take the easier option of flying, notorious for its excessive carbon impact. The youngest TIME person of the year (2019), with three consecutive nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize, Greta's Twitter profile says she has Aspergers, a neurological disorder.

As an environmental activist, concerns on the perils of climate change is not the only thing she's had to contend with. She's faced a lot of criticism and hate for questioning global leaders and their lack of will in tackling the environmental issue. The leaders include Russia's President Vladimir Putin, Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro, and former U.S. President and climate change-denier Donald Trump. But gritty Greta is not the one to give up. Armed with awareness, intelligence, statistics, and wit, she has given back as good as she has got without losing her focus on what she has set out to do. With that, she is showing us again and again that she's more than just a concerned teenager asking irresponsible adults "How Dare You?"

Marley Dias

In an interview in 2017, Marley Dias said, "Frustration is fuel that can lead to the development of an innovative and useful idea". And that line sums up her initiative. As a 10-year-old in 2015, the avid reader discovered something strange. At home, she was used to seeing black girls and others of diverse origins featured in the books she read. However, at school, the children in the books were white, and invariably boys. A black girl herself residing in the U.S., this lack of diversity bothered her, and she decided it won't do. And, #1000BlackGirlBooks was born. She decided to gather (largely through donations) 1,000 books featuring black female protagonists, and send them to different places such as libraries and schools around the world. Word got around soon after all, we live in the age of social media and books started 3 reaching her, and how! Over the last six years, she has collected more than 13,000 books and has sent them to several people and places all over the world. According to her website, "Marley was recognized by TIME, as one of the 25 most influential teens in 2018". She has also been a speaker at several prestigious places and events, including the White House and at the United Nation's Girl Up programme.

Sixteen years old now, she has published her own book too. With "Marley Dias Gets It Done: And So Can You!", the teenager hopes to inspire readers through her story. As she said in the same interview, "Kids know that changing the world should not be something that feels imaginary, but something that you have the power to do today and always." Well, she certainly is inspiring, isn't she?

Abigail Lupi

Seven-year-old Abigail Lupi was thrilled that she was going to see her great-grandmother for her 100th birthday. The New Jersey-based child learned a few song-and-dance routines and performed them at the assisted-living centre where her great-grandmother lived. As delighted as she was that she could perform that day, the child also did not fail to notice something - several other elderly people living at the home did not have many visitors themselves but were highly enthusiastic and appreciative of the performance they had just watched. It was clear that people at such homes were happier with visitors, company, and some moments of fun and entertainment. This made the Abigail think. She soon founded CareGirlz, a volunteer group comprising girls aged six to 13. They would perform song-and-dance routines at nursing homes, assisted-living centres, and even children's hospitals in the U.S. State. The children have performed "over 20 shows with a repertoire of 90 different pop and broadway songs", according to their website. Abigail has been part of 23 of those shows. For CareGirlz and for her talent in singing and dance, she has won several awards.

While it is not clear if CareGirlz and Abigail continue to perform today, what is certain is they have touched many lives with their compassion and sensitivity. "We have been able to bring smiles to over 1000 people!" says CareGirlz website. Just out of teens, Abigail today uses the pronouns they/them for describing self. As a person who has touched so many lives, the use of this pronoun is certain to inspire several others to be inclusive and also embrace their own identity.

Dara McAnulty

His first book "Diary of a Young Naturalist' was published last year, and with that Dara McAnulty, who was 15 years old then, became the youngest ever winner of the RSPB Medal (awarded annually by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds). He received the Wainwright Prize for UK nature writing in 2020 after being the youngest author to be shortlisted for the award. He is also the youngest author to be long-listed for the 2020 Baillie Gifford Prize for non-fiction.

The 16-year-old naturalist from Northern Ireland was diagnosed as having autism when he was five. In his website he writes that as a person with autism, he struggled with noise and socialising, among others. When they moved from a noisy place to another that offered plenty of spaces "alive with wildlife", his life changed. The transition neither happened overnight nor was it easy, but it did happen. He found himself relaxing more. After creating his own blog, joining Twitter and interacting with many like-minded people there, he did not feel "so isolated".

The book tells his story from his 14th birthday to 15th, about how it was a difficult time because that's when the move happened. But it also narrates how he managed to do it. In essence, the book is not just an inspiration to young lovers of nature and wildlife, but is also a spark of hope and encouragement for those with autism that they "can achieve things". His next book "Wild Child" is out. And, is unlikely to be his last, since he said in an interview, "I foresee many books, whether published or not, in the future. At least I hope so!" And that's what we hope too.

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