What is Forgotten 32, and how does it promote dental hygiene in rural India?

Forgotten 32 is an initiative founded by Aryan Kumar, an 18-year-old activist from Massachusetts. Through this program, Aryan aims to promote dental hygiene in India's rural villages. He collects dental supplies such as dental floss, toothbrushes, and toothpaste from local dentists in Central Massachusetts through emails and donations. Aryan then travels to poorer villages outside of New Delhi, where he educates underprivileged children about the importance of dental care in Hindi and explains how to use the supplies before distributing them to the kids.

What impact has Aryan Kumar's initiative, Forgotten 32, had on rural Indian residents?

Aryan's initiative, Forgotten 32, has made a meaningful impact on the lives of thousands of underprivileged children in rural India. By providing dental hygiene supplies and educating children about oral care, he addresses a pressing health issue and improves their overall well-being. The program has brought much-needed awareness to oral hygiene in areas where it was previously lacking, benefiting vulnerable individuals and communities.

How did Aryan Kumar start his journey to promote dental hygiene in India?

Aryan Kumar's journey began when he discovered the alarming lack of awareness about oral hygiene among people in India. Motivated by this revelation, he took the initiative to educate underprivileged children in the country about the importance of dental care. He reached out to dentists in Central Massachusetts through emails, asking for donations of dental supplies. With around 1,000 donations collected, he travelled to rural villages outside of New Delhi, spoke in Hindi, and taught children about dental hygiene before distributing the supplies to them.

What other initiatives has Aryan Kumar been involved in, besides Forgotten 32?

Besides Forgotten 32, Aryan Kumar is also the visionary behind "Enough is Enough," a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting social justice and combating police brutality and racism in Massachusetts. The organization boasts a membership of over 2000 individuals and has played a significant role in coordinating impactful Black Lives Matter protests across central Massachusetts. It has expanded its influence with over 30 chapters established throughout the United States, amplifying the fight for equality and justice in communities nationwide.

How has Aryan Kumar balanced his academic pursuits and his commitment to social initiatives like Forgotten 32?

Aryan Kumar believes that extracurricular activities are what distinguish him from his peers, even more than grades and test scores. Despite being a recipient of the US Presidential Scholar award, Aryan dedicates his time and efforts to initiatives like Forgotten 32 and "Enough is Enough." He is passionate about biology and will pursue his academic journey at Washington University in St. Louis. During the summer, he used his time to assist college students with their research projects to gain a deeper understanding of the field before finalizing his career path. Aryan aims to continue his involvement with Forgotten 32 while pursuing his academic ambitions.

Global Indianstory Global Indian ExclusiveAryan Kumar: US Presidential Scholar promoting dental hygiene in rural India

Aryan Kumar: US Presidential Scholar promoting dental hygiene in rural India

Compiled by: Charu Thakur

(July 28, 2023) Shrewsbury resident Aryan Kumar, an 18-year-old activist from Massachusetts and one of the 161 recipients of the US Presidential Scholar 2022 award, believes that a single email could be the catalyst for a transformative program benefiting thousands of rural Indian residents. Through his initiative, Forgotten 32, Aryan aims to promote dental hygiene in India’s rural villages. This impactful program not only addresses a pressing health issue but also showcases the potential of young Indian Americans in making a significant difference in the world.

Aryan’s journey started when he discovered the alarming lack of awareness about oral hygiene among people in India. Motivated by this revelation, he took it upon himself to educate underprivileged children in the country about the importance of dental care. To support his cause, Aryan collected essential supplies from local dentist offices and distributed them to those in need, making a meaningful impact on the lives of many vulnerable individuals.

Aryan Kumar

“I emailed a lot of dentists in Central Massachusetts to see if they would donate dental floss, toothbrushes and toothpaste to help,” he told MetroWest Daily News in an interview, adding, “We got around 1,000 donations, and I brought them to India and travelled a few hour outside of New Delhi to poorer villages and spoke in Hindi to teach children about these things and explained how to use them, before giving them to the kids.”

His relentless efforts as a senior at the Advanced Math and Science Academy yielded remarkable results, benefiting thousands of children through his partnership with the Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation, which facilitated the distribution of dental hygiene supplies to those in need. However, the pandemic put a screeching halt to the plan. Not one to be fazed by roadblocks, the activist has plans in place, “My ultimate goal is to set up full-time medical clinics in rural India.”

The recipient of US Presidential Scholars medal believes that more than grades, it’s the extracurriculars that distinguish him from his peers. “A high SAT score is impressive but a lot of people have that. I have a pretty high GPA, too, but I don’t think those are the separating factors. I think the separating factors for me were the extracurriculars I was a part of,” the activist added.

In addition to founding Forgotten 32, Aryan Kumar is also the visionary behind Enough is Enough, a non-profit dedicated to promoting social justice and combating police brutality and racism in Massachusetts. Boasting a membership of over 2000 individuals, the organisation played a pivotal role in coordinating impactful Black Lives Matter protests across central Massachusetts. Its significant influence has grown exponentially, with more than 30 chapters established throughout the United States, amplifying the fight for equality and justice in communities across the nation.

Aryan leading the Enough Is Enough initiative

With a passion for biology, Aryan Kumar is set to embark on his academic journey at Washington University in St. Louis this fall. Demonstrating his dedication to the field, he used his summer to assist college students in their research projects, seeking a deeper understanding and perspective before finalising his career path.

“I cold-emailed about 100 professors. I got three responses — one saying no, one saying they had retired, and one from Dr. Lynn Adler (from UMass Amherst). I spent a lot of time working with her and Ph.D. students on their projects, to see if I really wanted to do biology and if this was something I was cut out to do,” he told the daily.

Aryan has set a academic path for himself but at the same time he wants to continue to dedicate his time and efforts to the impactful initiative he founded, Forgotten 32, where he strives to make a difference in the lives of underprivileged children in rural India by promoting dental hygiene and providing essential support.

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All for Mother Earth: Environmental activist Ridhima Pandey is making all the right noises

(July 26, 2022) The Kedarnath flash flood of 2013 in her hometown of Uttarakhand was a wake-up call for environmental activist, Ridhima Pandey. Barely six back then, she watched the death and destruction unfold on television at her house in Haldwani in the hill state of Uttarakhand, about 330 km away from Kedarnath. The tragedy hit her hard as it did to many Indians. At that point, she decided to act, and do whatever she could to prevent climate catastrophes such as the Kedarnath tragedy. She spoke to her parents who explained to her in great detail how global warming was causing such tragedies. Gradually, she started doing a lot more research about global warming. "As I began studying the impact of climate change and child’s rights, I learned that even driving cars could affect the climate of such a large planet. I began collaborating and meeting with different people and started spreading awareness among young people about the grave situation,” says environmental activist Ridhima Pandey, in a chat with Global Indian. [caption id="attachment_19840" align="aligncenter" width="317"] Ridhima Pandey, environmental activist[/caption] A role model for children across the globe, Ridhima, who advocates for action against climate change, has often been likened

dth="317"] Ridhima Pandey, environmental activist[/caption]

A role model for children across the globe, Ridhima, who advocates for action against climate change, has often been likened to Greta Thunberg. As a nine-year-old environmental activist filed a suit against the Indian Government for not taking enough steps to combat climate change. "I believe that human activities contribute to the increased frequency of these tragedies. We have witnessed how the severity of these disasters is increasing every year. These tragedies can be controlled if we are more cognizant of our actions,” says the popular TEDx speaker, who has spoken at various international conferences including Notre Affaire à Tous in Paris and Xynteo Exchange in Norway.

Protecting the planet

Born in Haldwani, Nainital in October 2007, Ridhima is the daughter of Dinesh Chandra Pandey, a lawyer and wildlife conservationist, and Vinita Pandey, who works in the forest department.

“My mission is to get the community involved in protecting our environment. I have been creating awareness among the younger generation about climate change, their rights, and what they can do to protect it. I continuously file petitions and write letters to government officials about issues such as waste management, air pollution, and other issues concerning the environment,” informs the 14-year-old, a regular speaker at various workshops and seminars on the environment.

A member of the youth advisory council for COP 26, Ridhima has been listed on BBC’s 100 most empowering and influential women’s list in 2020. “It was a pleasant surprise and a huge opportunity to be given a chance to join the council and work with them. The first petition I filed at the national green tribunal was also based on the Paris Agreement. Most of my work, letters, and petitions were also related to similar topics. It was an altogether different experience dealing with the council,” informs the class 11 student of BMDAV Public school in Haridwar.

As for being mentioned on the BBC’s list, the teenager said she only learned about it through her friend in Amsterdam. “Initially, I thought that they needed my answers and bio for an interview. But as it turned out, I was part of this list and came to know only when my friend congratulated me. I was overjoyed,” smiles the environmental activist.

She says her passion for environmental conservation has been the driving force so far. “I would continue to pursue my career in a similar field. While biodiversity has been my area of interest, I am also keen on simultaneously working on building more projects with kids from indigenous communities. This won’t just give them a platform to raise awareness on climate change and its impact but also help them raise their voices,” feels the environmental activist, who was invited as a youth ambassador at the Global Sustainability film awards held by Difficult Dialogues, an international forum that discusses pressing world issues.

A green panther

Residing in the hill state of Uttarakhand and her love for the environment often takes Ridhima to her great grandmother, who lives in the hills. “Apart from that, I usually love travelling to the hills for the tranquillity they behold and the peace of mind they give. While beauty is the biggest factor here, the lack of internet and mobile service works in your favour every time you feel like disconnecting from the world,” she says.

Being into environmental conservation, the activist says she is always keen to learn more about the mountains while she looks for stories about life there and what it means to the locals settled at the foot of those hills. “Talking to them and experiencing the raw mountains keeps me content and gives me a sense of purpose as I fight to protect them and their essence,” says Ridhima, who was also the youth representative and speaker at the Global Pneumonia Forum and has been part of Earth Day Network’s global initiative, My Future My Voice, which compiles messaging from 50 inspiring youth activists from 17 countries.

Inspiring young minds

Recently, Ridhima became a part of Cartoon Network’s Redrawing India initiative, which she refers to as an enormous campaign where she narrates her story.

“I hope that more and more kids get to listen to all the inspiring stories and come forward to pursue their passion and dreams. It’s never too early to work for something you truly believe in," says the environmental activist, who credits her parents for rallying behind her towards the cause of doing her bit for mother Earth. The activist has also called for a complete ban and minces no words when holding higher authorities accountable.

Besides the environment, what other things interest her? “I am fond of singing and dancing,” smiles the teenager, who likes to spend time with pets and play with stray animals. “When it comes to movies, I am a proud superhero fanatic,” informs Ridhima, who is part of the choir group at her school.

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Reading Time: 6 mins

Eshani Jha: Teen using biofiltration to improve access to drinking water

(June 27, 2024) At the age of 17, Eshani Jha created a low-cost, water filtration device to address the problem of clean water around the world. Four years later, the San Jose teen was named winner of the Stockholm Junior Water Prize for her innovation, which uses biochar as a filtering material to produce drinking water. Eshani received a blue crystal award, a handmade diploma and a cash prize of $15,000 awarded by the Stockholm International Water Institute. Her work is also in keeping with the UN's SDG, in particular, SDG 6, which aims to ensure available and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. For the San Jose teen, who is now at the University of Berkeley, the aim is to improve access to clean drinking water, sanitation facilities and hygiene practices, while addressing water scarcity, water pollution and water-related ecosystems. The clean water challenge "Water contamination is a key challenge of modern civilisation," the Global Indian said. "Nearly half the world's hospital beds are filled with patients suffering from water-related diseases. According to the UN's Environment Program, 80 percent of global wastewater goes untreated and contains a wide range of contaminants, from human waste to toxic industrial

m, 80 percent of global wastewater goes untreated and contains a wide range of contaminants, from human waste to toxic industrial discharge. Severe pathogenic pollution affects around one-third of the world's rivers. Correct water filters are inaccessible to those who need them dueto tradeoffs between cost and effectiveness," the young innovator remarked. Her invention, she says, can lower the cost of use to less than $1 per month for consumers, if it is mass-produced.

[caption id="attachment_31179" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Young innovator Eshani Jha[/caption]

The San Jose- teen is the winner of two of the top competitions for science and innovation - the Stockholm Junior Water Prize and the Regeneron Science Talent Search 2021. Eshani received recognition and a cash prize of US$150,000 for her innovative low-cost water filtration device called Biochar. Her invention not only removes heavy metals like lead but also addresses pesticides, microplastics, and pharmaceuticals in drinking water. Inspired by her Indian heritage and witnessing the plight of underprivileged communities during a trip, Eshani is determined to provide accessible solutions for water contamination issues. "I see a multitude of applications for this, and I also see great potential in targeting other contaminants too," Jha said. "My ambition is that this should be a one-stop filter."

The journey to the Stockholm Junior Water Prize

Jha's research is titled 'Thiol Functionalized and Manganese Dioxide Doped Biochar for the Removal of Toxic Organic and Inorganic Contaminants from Water" It was chosen for its applicability, the choice of a commonly-available material (biochar) and its potential for scaleability, the Stockholm International Water Instititute said later.

The young innovator began her work when she was a student at Lymbrook High School in San Jose, and was first recognized by the California Stockholm Water and Environment Association. Her research was chosen by a panel of engineering professors and board members of the CWEA, after which she went on to represent her state at a competition hosted by the Water Environment Federation. After being declared the winner there too, she went on to the SIWI international platform, competing against 44 finalists from 32 countries.

Eshani Jha's remarkable journey from a high school student to an internationally recognized innovator serves as an inspiration to young minds around the world. Her determination to address the global water crisis has led to the creation of a low-cost water filtration device that holds the potential greatly increase access to clean water.

Receiving the Stockholm Junior Water Prize and the Regeneron Science Talent Search 2021 accolades further solidifies Eshani's place as a pioneering force in the field of science and innovation. The recognition and cash prizes she has received not only validate her groundbreaking work but also provide her with the resources to continue her research and bring her vision to life.

Re-purposing bio waste

Eshani's invention, Biochar, not only filters out heavy metals but also tackles contaminants like pesticides, microplastics, and pharmaceuticals, ensuring cleaner and safer drinking water. Her commitment to addressing water pollution and scarcity aligns perfectly with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 6, underscoring the relevance and impact of her work on a global scale.

With a clear vision of expanding the application of her filtration device to target other contaminants, the young innovator is determined to provide accessible solutions for water contamination. As Eshani Jha continues her journey at the University of Berkeley, her innovative spirit and dedication will undoubtedly shape the future of water filtration technologies. Through her groundbreaking research, she has opened doors to a world where clean drinking water is not a luxury but a fundamental right for all.

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Palakh Khanna: This Delhi teen’s Break.The.Ice creates a safe space for youth to discuss taboo topics

(January 3, 2021) How many of us are comfortable discussing mental health and menstruation? Essentials like sanitary napkins are still wrapped in newspapers and seeking therapy is still frowned upon. How then, is one to step up and seek help when one needs it? These questions bothered 18-year-old Palakh Khanna, who went on to found Break.The.Ice to create a safe platform for youth to open up on taboo topics. More recently, the organisation became a part of the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (UN SDSN Youth). Palakh herself has been featured in the entrepreneurs of India list, the emerging icons, and entrepreneurs today lists. The graduate of Mother’s International School (Delhi), Palakh, was also nominated for a Social Volunteer Award. The Delhi-based teen believes that awareness at a community level is of utmost importance for a nation to develop and progress. And that cannot be achieved till the stigma surrounding various issues is overcome. “The initiative is aimed at enlightening entire communities to enable them to take calculated and informed actions and decisions through open communication,” says Palakh in an exclusive with Global Indian. Launched three months ago, Break.The.Ice has over 40 members from across the globe working to

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Launched three months ago, Break.The.Ice has over 40 members from across the globe working to raise awareness about various issues, and has so far reached over 16,000 people globally.

How talking helps

Born and brought up in Delhi to a businessman (family-owned) father and a corporate employee mother, Palakh was encouraged to speak her mind, and have an open channel of communication at home. “There is no topic that we can’t freely discuss in the family,” says Palakh, who wears many hats – environmentalist, poet and international MUN ambassador. In fact, the teenager has been environmentally-conscious since she was seven and would meticulously work towards eliminating litter.

“As I grew older, I realised that the environment was not the only issue that needed to be addressed. A chance conversation with our house help made me realise that topics like menstruation were a huge no-no for several people in India. The help was uncomfortable discussing something as basic and common as menstruation and her awareness was also sadly dismal,” she adds. Khanna realised that topics such as these were still taboo.

As she set about doing research, speaking to people and researching content on the topic, Khanna figured that the root cause of most issues was a lack of communication. “I’d always wanted to do something to change the world. Encouraging open dialogue and busting the stigma surrounding so-called taboo topics seemed like a great place to start,” reveals Khanna, who then discussed her idea with her parents. “I was waiting for my college admissions and wasn’t sure if I should be starting up at that point. My mother encouraged me to take the plunge and my father gave me a pep talk about the risks involved, and how to face any challenges that might come my way on this journey,” says the budding entrepreneur.

Let’s talk openly

Break.The.Ice launched three months ago as an online platform to provide the youth with a safe space to discuss various topics. “Our members are between 13 and 25 (ages), and we encourage them to join by filling out a form that determines their passions. There is also a stringent interview process in place to select members. Once on board, we connect every two weeks to discuss the way forward, updates and the topic to focus on each month. Currently, we have members from over five countries,” says the teenager CEO of Break.The.Ice.

Members are divided into teams that handle various verticals - content creation, writing, research, and ambassadors. The teams work on generating content based on topics and release videos and blog posts on Break.The.Ice’s social media channels. They now plan to rope in experts and delve into topics like bullying, women’s empowerment, racism, casteism etc.

Completely bootstrapped at the moment, Palakh is working on expanding the team’s reach and says that the fact that it recently became a member of the UN SDSN Youth is a big win. “We will soon begin hosting events in collaboration with UN SDSN,” says Palakh, who in five years wants to collaborate with UN bodies to create a safe global space to talk.

The girl with an entrepreneurial spirit

The teen is also a published poet with a poem appearing in an anthology called Head Full of Dreams. “Poetry is my way of expressing myself,” she says.

Free expression also finds its way into her life through dancing as Palakh is a classically trained dancer. As Global Lead Ambassador for climate change at an international organisation, she works on sustainability. An avid foodie, she finds ultimate solace in diverse cuisines too!

Looking to the future, Palakh hopes to host UN-related events through her startup, and might even go down the entrepreneurial route.

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Wizards of maths: NRI prodigies Raghav & Madhav’s fab formula – brilliance, philanthropy & extracurriculars

(April 22, 2022) Number whizzes, Dubai-based brothers Raghav and Madhav have turned numerals into more than just that, with their social endeavours. For them, it’s evident that charity begins with numbers! The brothers with roots in Chennai are not only maths wizards but dedicated philanthropists who have raised close to 40,000 dirhams as part of their philanthropic initiatives for Al Jalila Foundation (an initiative of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai) and Smile Train, Dubai (world's largest charity for children with cleft). They have other charity initiatives too. At just 12 (Raghav) and nine (Madhav), the genius prodigies also have a cartload of awards and accolades. “Not using the abilities that we have is useless. We have learned that we should use our talent for a noble cause,” says the older sibling Raghav in an interview with Global Indian. [caption id="attachment_15387" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Raghav and Madhav, maths wizards[/caption] Since 10, and seven, Raghav and Madhav have been helping special needs students, the have-nots, and the pandemic saw them raise funds to help those affected. "Since we couldn't really meet face-to-face, we met people online to showcase our mental math abilities firsthand and raise funds," says Madhav.

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Since 10, and seven, Raghav and Madhav have been helping special needs students, the have-nots, and the pandemic saw them raise funds to help those affected. "Since we couldn't really meet face-to-face, we met people online to showcase our mental math abilities firsthand and raise funds," says Madhav.

A big brother who showed the path

Raghav, who was felicitated by Dr Abdulkareem Sultan Al Olama, CEO, Al Jalila Foundation for his humanitarian efforts, has been conferred the coveted Hamdam Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for distinguished student 2020-2021. The then consulate-general of India to Dubai awarded him the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas Award, 2020. A math wizard and Diana awardee, there is a depth to his talent and abilities. He represented the UAE national team in the IMSO Olympiad (Indonesia), and is among the top 5 in the Junior Mental Calculation World Championship held in Germany. Dubai Cares has awarded Raghav, the Young-Philanthropist Award in 2019.

[caption id="attachment_15395" align="aligncenter" width="620"] Raghav Krishna Seshadri Sumanth[/caption]

Yet, of paramount importance is his dedication towards developing his mathematical acumen. Raghav took up an algebra honours course meant for seniors at the North-Western University at the Centre for Talent Development, US. Unsurprisingly, he passed with a whopping 92 percent, though still in grade six. The consecutive two-time gold medallist in the math Olympiad, UAE brushes off these brilliant accolades, as his interest lies in using his talent to help others.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gl6pVsFJTVw

Both Raghav and Madhav enrolled in UCMAS (a worldwide skill development programme promoting the universal concept of a mental arithmetic system) at age five. The course laid a solid foundation for their extraordinary mathematics skills. “There is one competition - Flash in UCMAS, wherein numbers flash on screen, and you’re supposed to add them quickly. In that style of competition, I am the flash champion in UAE,” smiles an excited 12-year-old Raghav.

Private coaching from world-renowned experts, both in India and the UK, Raghav even trained himself in advanced mental math abilities. "We would like to do more charity for causes like teaching visually impaired about astronomy," says Raghav.

The little boy genius

Madhav is an ardent fan of his older brother, and loves emulating him. The UAE national level first ranker in the Ignited Mind Labs Mental Math competition in 2021, he is also a national level gold medallist in the Mathematics Olympiad conducted by IOF in 2021-2022 (UAE).

[caption id="attachment_15396" align="aligncenter" width="617"] Madhav Krishna Seshadri Sumanth[/caption]

With three awards in the UCMAS National Abacus Mental Arithmetic Competition 2019 (in visual calculation, flash mental calculation, and listening mental calculation in the junior 4 category), Madhav’s prowess follows closely behind Raghav’s. An international champion at the UCMAS International Abacus competition (Cambodia, 2020), Madhav also learned to spread his wings. The avid cricketer started training at the International Cricket Council Academy in Dubai at five. He won the ICC Academy ADIB Warriors U-7’s coveted One to Watch Award 2019. An exceptional talent as a stylish left-handed batsman, Madhav is determined to take the sport further.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BMeqi409VQ

Fundraising through mathematics

The brilliant brothers, Raghav and Madhav set up the YallaGive campaign to raise funds for Al Jalila Foundation’s Ta’alouf (harmony in Arabic) programme which empowers children of determination (special needs kids) by equipping parents and teachers to develop necessary skills to hone potential. The pandemic saw them raise funds (online) by posting videos, and setting up virtual meetings asking mental math questions to potential donors – the better they performed, the greater the donors contributed. Raising 30,000 dirhams for children with Down Syndrome and autism, they facilitated scientific training for 73 teachers across 23 schools in the UAE in 2020.

Chain of Initiatives

Raghav and Madhav's math acumen is spectacular, and that has given them an impetus to use it to help others. Sponsoring the education of an orphan girl child in India, Raghav is also the Youth Ambassador of Water Alliance, and often conducts webinars to propagate handwashing techniques, and water conservation. As youth ambassadors of Smile Train, they bore medical expenses of children suffering from cleft in the MENA region.

Strong roots

“Learning something and developing talent is good. But using that talent for a noble cause is even better, so we figured out that we should do something good with the skills we have,” says Raghav thoughtfully.

[caption id="attachment_15390" align="aligncenter" width="645"] Raghav and Madhav[/caption]

Their father Sumanth Seshadri is head of compliance at Gulf Islamic investments. Their philanthropic urgings were nurtured by a charitable upbringing through generations with their grandfather helming a charitable trust in India as well. While Sumanth encourages and motivates his sons on charity, or specialised courses, and often brainstorms on ideas, their mother, Vedavalli, a Bharatanatyam dancer, guides them in studies, and life.

Shining bright

Not ones to rest on their laurels, Raghav is now keen on taking up astronomy, and wants to become an astronaut or space scientist. “I would also like to be an astronaut because I always like to follow in the footsteps of my brother,” Madhav smiles.

Child prodigies, medals, and 99-100 percent marks is a norm. However, all maths and no play is not what the brothers are about. They hold a brown belt (Kyu 3) in karate, and are set for a black belt test soon. They paint. Are religiously inclined - with the first prize (thrice consecutively) in the Bhagavad Gita chanting. Oh, and the Carnatic music students love reading. “I read many books regularly. Until now, I’ve read almost 100 to 200 books, I’ve won the voracious reader award in school too,” pipes the brilliant Raghav.

[caption id="attachment_15391" align="aligncenter" width="422"] Raghav and Madhav with parents[/caption]

Their interests and lives are a lesson in time management. “With careful planning, we manage time. We schedule plans early, and are persistent on what and when to do things. We put extra effort in whatever we do, with our whole mind in it,” enthuses Raghav as Madhav nods in affirmation. They study in Delhi Private School, Sharjah in class 8 and New Delhi Private School, Sharjah in class 5 respectively. For siblings of such stellar acumen and talent, their parents are their inspiration, even as world looks on in awe at their brilliant and well-rounded achievements.

Follow Raghav and Madhav on Instagram

Reading Time: 7 mins

Kush Maini: India’s next racer prodigy navigating the lanes to Formula 1

(May 13, 2023) The roaring engines of India's racing scene have been revving up in recent years, with an influx of young, passionate individuals setting their sights on becoming professional racers. From the hum of the local karting tracks to the adrenaline rush of Formula racing, India's motorsport landscape is witnessing a surge in homegrown talent. At the forefront of this high-octane revolution is Kush Maini, a prodigious racer who is rapidly carving his name on the international stage. As he accelerates towards his Formula 1 aspiration, the 22-year-old youngster serves as the perfect inspiration for aspiring racers across the nation, showcasing the immense potential that lies within India's motorsport arena. It’s a realm not unfamiliar to the racer, who is carving his path strategically, one race at a time. "I always knew what I was capable of – I wanted to prove to myself and everyone else, and start positively. To get my first podium early on, I think we can start building on it as a team. It’s a good feeling. It’s a great start to the year in one of the toughest championships in the world," the Global Indian racer said during an interview after he produced

ely. To get my first podium early on, I think we can start building on it as a team. It’s a good feeling. It’s a great start to the year in one of the toughest championships in the world," the Global Indian racer said during an interview after he produced an impressive drive on his Formula 2 debut to finish fourth in the feature race recently.

A passionate beginning

Since he was just a toddler, Kush was fascinated by racing cars. What helped further his dreams was that his elder brother, Arjun, shared the same passion. Sons of industrialist Gautam Maini, the two brothers started frequenting the karting tracks while they were still in primary school. "My first win in karts was when I was 10, in the Indian National Championship," the racer shared, adding, "Looking back, I was up against a field of drivers who were older than me, including Jehan (Daruvala). But it turned out to be a great race for me to clinch a victory. Before that year, I hadn't tasted victory, and this was the final race where I managed to cross the finish line first. This triumph indeed boosted my confidence."

When he was just 12-years-old, the young racer decided to leave his family and shift to his karting mechanic’s home in Italy, so that he could focus solely on becoming the racer he dreamt of. "I grew up in Bangalore, India, and went to school there, but I moved to the UK quite early on for karting. Then I’ve also lived in Italy (and) in Switzerland, so I’ve been about," the racer said during an interview, adding, "The last couple of years I am put up in the UK and that’s where I conduct all my training. I think it’s just an easier base than India even though I’d love to live at home. It’s just too far away."

While he was driving minor leagues in the UK, the racer made his international debut in the year 2016 at the Italian F4 Championship. "It all started with a single-seater, competing for BVM Racing in the Italian F4 Championship," he shared. And, the beginning of this racers' campaign was impressive, accumulating points in the year's initial six races. Following a challenging phase in the middle of the season, the Indian racer achieved his maiden podium finish in car racing, clinching third place in the concluding race at Vallelunga. He concluded the season ranked 16th overall and secured the fifth spot in the rookies' championship.

Life on the tracks

In 2017, the racer joined forces with Jenzer Motorsport, competing once more in Italian F4 alongside teammates Giorgio Carrara, Federico Malvestiti, Giacomo Bianchi, and Job van Uitert. His second year proved quite fruitful, marked by podium finishes at Imola and Monza, in addition to numerous top-five results that contributed to his eighth-place finish in the overall standings. What makes him so successful - the youngster credits his disciplined schedule for it all. "I think the discipline it teaches you. I think it just improves you as a person. There’s a lot more structure in your life. In the last few years when I got serious about racing, I think my life structure has changed. I’m focused on the training so I think it’s the qualities that it teaches you," he expressed.

The following year saw the racer ascend to the British Formula 3 Championship with Lanan Racing. In 2019, he transitioned to the Formula Renault Eurocup, teaming up with M2 Competition. He made an immediate impact, securing a podium finish in his debut race at Monza. However, he couldn't replicate such notable results throughout the rest of the season. Nevertheless, his consistent accumulation of points led to a sixth-place finish in the standings with 102 points, making him the second-highest-placed rookie. Speaking about his racing style to a media outlet, the racer has said, "I would say aggressive. Of course, it just depends on the situation. If it’s a track with a lot of high-speed corners, you want to go easy on the steering. Whereas if you take a race situation, you know if you’re starting second or third, you’ve got to be smart."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNb9_YZqEtc

The youngster recently claimed his first-ever Formula 2 podium with a third-place finish at Albert Park in Melbourne. And now the racer, who is currently on a winning spree, has his eyes on the highest ground – Formula 1. "I think it is achievable. Formula 1 needs an Indian. I want to give my absolute best in F2. If I am good enough and it is meant to happen, then it will. I’m not rushed," he said.

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