Global Indianstory CelebrityLukanand Kshetrimayum : Young Manipuri filmmaker brings home Mr International first runner up title

Lukanand Kshetrimayum : Young Manipuri filmmaker brings home Mr International first runner up title

Compiled by: Amrita Priya

(November 10, 2022 ) At 20, Lukanand Kshetrimayum is not just the first runner up at the 14th Mr International 2022 pageant but also a filmmaker with 12 years of experience. With his winning performance at the global pageantry platform, he is being counted amongst the stars of Manipur – Mary Kom, Meerabhai Chanu and Ashalata Devi.

It was after a gap of three years that Mr International returned, owing to pandemic, with the last one held in Manila, Philippines in 2019.

Lukanand Kshetrimayum

For the young lad, each platform – be it films or pageant – is a podium of advocacy.

Minutes after winning the title at Cubao, Quizon City, Philippines, he told the media:

Through my films, I indulge in advocacy for sensitive issues relevant to society like mental health of children, and drug abuse. This competition provided me an opportunity to take advocacy to a global platform.

Coincidentally, it was in the Philippines that 28 years ago Sushmita Sen was crowned Miss Universe, becoming the first Indian to win the coveted pageant. The youngster from Manipur looks up to her as a role model who has since been an inspiration to a whole generation of people trying to make India proud in the world of pageantry.

“I feel very lucky that people of India are supporting me, it’s their love that I am progressing so much,” said Lukanand about the love and encouragement he got from the Indian diaspora in the Philippines. Though his parents couldn’t make it, his aunt flew from India to cheer for him on his big day.

Lukanand during the national costume round at the 14th Mr International pageant

Filmmaker at eight

Lukanand entered the world of film direction when he was just eight, becoming the youngest filmmaker in Manipur. He used to even write the script and lyrics, without getting exhausted with the entire process of filmmaking at that tender age.

The student of Maria Montessori Senior Secondary School, Imphal had participated and won in CBSE filmmaking competitions during his school days. It’s under the banner of ‘Marvels of North East India’ that CBSE runs these competitions to promote awareness about culture and traditions of the north eastern states, awarding winners of short films with cash prizes.

This served as an impetus for the young boy to begin a career in filmmaking quite early in life. Since films shot on mobile phones were also acceptable by CBSE, he shot his first few films on his mobile phone. This soon translated into a passion for filmmaking and governed the future course of direction for the Imphal boy. He ended up directing Manipuri teleplays like Ram Lakshman (2010), Thambel Parang (2010) and T.A.K (2011), along with Manipuri documentaries like Sangai (2013).

It was in 2014 that he shifted gears to feature films and made his directorial debut with Asengba Saktam in 2014. His last film Meitan Araba, which was released at the Manipur State Development Society in Imphal in 2019, bagged two Manipuri State Film Awards and seven Sahitya Seva Samiti Manipuri Film awards.

Being a jack of all trades, he even released some Manipuri songs – Emotionless (2014), Hanglanu (2021), and Laibak Pheida (2021). In between, he picked up modelling assignments and print shoots for apparel brands and also won some local pageants.

Lukanand welcomed at his school

For someone who began making films at a young age, he isn’t camera shy. And Mr International 2022 was a culmination of sorts for the young lad.

Living every moment

“I have enjoyed every moment backstage and on stage,” he said, talking about the time he spent in the Philippines with 34 other contestants from all over the globe. The rich experiences that the pageant provided embodied the essence of winning for the multifaceted youngster who loved Philippines’ hospitality. He looks forward to strengthening the ties between the two countries through cultural exchange initiatives.

It’s good progress for Indians to represent themselves on global platforms and leave a mark. India loves progress.

The youngster who feels that winning is just the tip of the iceberg. More than winning, what one does after that to serve the community is what matters.

Apart from Sushmita Sen, he idolises reigning Miss Universe Harnaaz Sandhu who is using her success at the global pageant for the benefit of others. “There should not be objectification of beauty. Looks should be skin deep and about giving voices to the issues bothering the community.”

It’s not about the individual – but society

“All 35 of us are winners. We are from different communities and religions, it’s just that one of us took the crown home,” said the model who looked at the final outcome as not any personal win rather an opportunity to do impactful work for the society.

The youngster, who started modelling in 2016, not just makes films but also organises workshops and free scholarship programmes in film making to empower the youth to have a career in the industry.

Proud of his country

Lukanand returned to a rousing welcome from the people of Imphal.

The youngster who is not just in love with his state but his entire country, said to the media minutes after his win:

Indians are warm people. Despite differences, we learn from diversity of each other. I am very proud of where I come from.

The Manipur boy believes in fighting negativity and looks at setbacks as a step to bounce higher. He hopes for more youngsters to embrace pageantry with a larger purpose of impacting the society in a positive way.

Connoisseur of regional cinema

“We need to inspire ourselves. We are looking at perfection around, but perfection comes from within you,” says the youngster who finds Bollywood a good industry and commercially viable too but at the same time stresses on the need of promoting the regional industries that are unheard of like the Manipuri film industry. “People are working hard equally whether it is Bollywood or regional cinema, so such industries should also be encouraged.”

Now that he is back, the youngster is looking forward to growing, learning and experimenting more in filmmaking and also eating spicier food after months of being on a strict diet.

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Published on 10, Nov 2022

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India’s Q-Commerce boom: Stanford dropouts’ startup, Zepto reaches valuation of $900 million

(May 12, 2022) In April 2021, Aadit Palicha and Kaivalya Vohra, both 19-year-old Stanford dropouts, founded Zepto, a 10-minute grocery delivery startup. Nine months later, it's a hair's breadth away from being a unicorn, reaching a valuation of $900 million in May 2022. The Q-Commerce company bagged $200 million in a Series D funding round led by Y Combinator, with Kaiser Permanente joining in to back the company as well. All the existing investors - Nexus Venture Partners, Glade Brook Capital and Lachy Groom have increased their investments. Less than a year since it began operations, Zepto delivers 3,500 products in 11 cities in under 10 minutes. The company is looking at major expansion plans - to a dozen more cities in India. According to a company statement, Zepto will use the fresh capital to expand to more cities in India. Aggressive hiring is also on the cards, with the firm planning to bring 1000 employees on board in the next few months, across all functions. Funding has flowed in during their first year of operations. Last year, Zepto raised $100 million from Y Combinator's Continuity Fund, sending its valuation to $570 millions. it raised $60 million in the seed

million in the seed funding round.

"We posted 800 percent Q-o-Q revenue growth, while burn has come down 5X on a per-order basis," Aadit Palicha, co-founder and CEO, Zepto, told CNBC TV18. The team, he said, has also "maintained a phenomenal 88-Point NPS (Net Promoter Score) and 60 percent Month-1 Buyer Retention at scale. This unbelievable execution over the past few months has made it clear to investors that Zepto will be one of the winners in Indian Q-Commerce."

Zepto isn't Palicha and Vohra's first entry into the startup fray. The company was earlier known as KiranaKart and marked the teens' debut as entrepreneurs. When the company didn't take off in what was a fledgling Q Commerce market at the time, both teens enrolled in Stanford University to study computer science. They dropped out, however, to pursue their entrepreneurial ambitions.

It was the 10-minute delivery that sent their NPS shooting up. "Simply put, customers love a rapid delivery experience," Vohra had said, in a statement. Ever since, their NPS has remained strong at around 85. It has put them in competition with giants like Swiggy, Dunzo, BigBasket and Grofers, all of which have stakes in the quick-commerce market. The Zepto app has over 100,000 downloads on the Play Store.

The $200 million raised from the Series D funding will go in part towards setting up more micro warehouses and dark stores. It is also the culmination of a period of rapid growth - 200 percent every month. The company is also looking into services that will bring coffee, tea and other products from local cafes - it's a niche segment, one that doesn't quite fit in with the food delivery sector.

Right place, right time

If KiranaKart, their debut venture, didn't attain the same resounding success, it was perhaps for arriving before its time. The pandemic transformed the quick commerce landscape. Demand for home delivery of groceries and essentials multiplied during the lockdown. Palicha and Vohra, also confined to their homes, decided the time was right for Zepto. They were right. The idea found instant merit among investors and the company raised $60 million in a round led by Nexus, Lacy Groom, Y Combinator and Glade Brook in November 2021. There's no better time to be in quick commerce in India.

Consulting firm RedSeer estimates that the Indian Q-Commerce market will grow up to 15 times, with a valuation of $5 billion by 2025. It currently stands at $300 million. Unlike e-commerce, which involves the online purchase or sale of a good or service that can take a few days to deliver, quick commerce aims to deliver within 10-30 minutes or ordering. Also called 'on-demand delivery', it tends to focus on the micro to smaller quantities of goods - over the counter medicines, for instance.

How does it work?

Last month, Anand Mahindra, Chairman of the Mahindra Group, made it clear that he is not impressed with 10-minute delivery services. It's not the first time the matter has been debated on Twitter - in March 2022, Zomato rolled out a 10-minute express food delivery plan. It had Twitterati fuming and CEO Deepinder Goyal hurried to the platform to tweet his clarifications. While food delivery and groceries aren't comparable, the stance seemed to be inclined towards worrying for the road safety of the delivery executives.

However, when Mahindra rehashed the old debate, Aditya Palicha arrived to defend the 10-minute delivery move. Ten-minute delivery is about short distances, not high speeds, he tweeted to Mahindra. "The average distance of a Zepto deliver is 1.8 km. To travel 1.8 im in 10 minutes, one has to drive at <15kmph."

Hi Mr. Mahindra,

10-min delivery is about short distances, not fast speeds :)

The avg distance of a Zepto delivery is 1.8 km. To travel 1.8 km in 10 minutes, one has to drive at <15 kmph.

That’s why Zepto has 3.1x lower accidents on avg compared to a regular biker on the road.

— Aadit Palicha (@aadit_palicha) April 17, 2022

The quick delivery is facilitated by the fact that the sellers are moving away from traditional warehouses located on the outskirts to micro-warehouses that are all over the city. The catch? Stocks are limited and usually restricted to around 2000 high-demand items.

Follow Kaivalya V on Linkedin and Instagram
Follow Aadit Palicha on Linkedin and Instagram
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Lights, Camera, Combat: Akila Narayanan’s unconventional path from being a Tamil actress to U.S. Army paralegal

(January 14, 2024) In 2019, Akila's cinematic debut in director Arul's spine-chilling thriller 'Kadampari' marked her entrance into the world of Tamil cinema. Although she had found success, Akila wanted more than the glamours of stardom. After the film’s release and other projects like pageantries and stage shows in India, Akila returned to the US, where she had been raised, and enrolled in the US Army Combat Training. “Soldier, paralegal, educator, singer, model, actress - these are the various jobs that I have held to date which may seem excessive; however, I believe each one of these roles is my passion and has moulded me into an individual I am proud to be today,” shares the multifaceted youngster as she connects with Global Indian. [caption id="attachment_35242" align="aligncenter" width="466"] Akila Narayanan[/caption] Apart from being a U.S. Army paralegal, and an AIT Honour graduate, Akila has earned honours like the FETNA Women Achievement Award 2022, Visionary Celebrity Award for Young Talent 2018, Queen of Madras 2017, Miss Worldwide India 2017, Miss Tamil Nadu 2016, and Miss Teen India USA 1RU 2016. With an interest in both Indian and Western classical vocals, pop, rock, jazz, and R&B, Akila has performed in award shows,

has earned honours like the FETNA Women Achievement Award 2022, Visionary Celebrity Award for Young Talent 2018, Queen of Madras 2017, Miss Worldwide India 2017, Miss Tamil Nadu 2016, and Miss Teen India USA 1RU 2016.

With an interest in both Indian and Western classical vocals, pop, rock, jazz, and R&B, Akila has performed in award shows, fashion shows, corporate events, beauty pageants, and concerts throughout South India.

A Bharatnatyam dancer with training for 13 years under the tutelage of guru Sridevi Tirumalai, Akila has also done photoshoots in both the US and India for brands like Pothys, VBJ Jewellers, Lemuria, amongst others before becoming a full-time civil paralegal and a part-time paralegal at the US Armed Forces. Her choices of occupation seem quite unusual and at the same time make her career graph look unique.

From acting, singing, and pageantry to law

Growing up in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, Akila’s childhood was immersed in the arts and academia.

After high school, she moved to India for a few years to pursue her dreams of singing, modelling, and acting in the entertainment industry. She completed her BA in music specializing in Western classical and musical theatre voice at the KM Music Conservatory run by AR Rahman. The institution is affiliated with the Middlesex University in the UK. She has also earned a certification from Berklee College of Music.

Talking about what nudged her to the field of law after all that she says, “I had started teaching music at a school during my time in India. Teaching made me realise the deep divide in education systems between the rich and poor and created a desire in me to become an international public interest attorney to help bridge the gap.”

[caption id="attachment_35243" align="aligncenter" width="490"] Akila Narayanan[/caption]

The youngster is currently pursuing her master's in international educational development from Columbia University at present and plans to enrol in a law school after her master's is over in May 2024.

She has done a paralegal certification from Boston University which has enabled her to work as a paralegal professional.

Beyond the glitz and glamour

The actor-turned-soldier recently went through six months of rigorous training for the U.S. Army after being selected as a part-time paralegal specialist there. “I was pushed to the edge physically and mentally. I learned combat skills, rifle marksmanship, land navigation, how to survive in the field, how to throw grenades, and more,” she mentions.

She provides paralegal support to unit commanders and the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate in a wide range of legal matters which include criminal, international, civil, contract, and fiscal law.

Talking about the selection process in the US Army she mentions, “It is difficult. There is this test called the ASVAB that you need to get a certain score on to be selected for the paralegal specialist job. There are also physical fitness requirements that you must pass during training to graduate and become a soldier.”

Her fitness test involved deadlifting at least 120 pounds, running two miles within 22 minutes, doing push-ups, doing a plank, a power throw, and an event called sprint-drag-carry. Along with the fitness test soldiers must complete ruck marches.

“Ruck march means walking 5-12 miles with 35-50 pounds on your back. We also had to qualify for the M4 rifle. There are 40 targets and to qualify, soldiers must hit at least 23 of them,” she says.

[caption id="attachment_35244" align="aligncenter" width="473"] Akila Narayanan[/caption]

The six months of training tested her limits and reshaped her perspective. “I did things I never thought I could do,” she says.

The love for law

The paralegal certification, the opportunity with the US armed forces, and her civil job have already laid a sound foundation for a full-fledged career in law for Akila.

“As a paralegal specialist in the Army, I gained extensive experience in legal research, drafting legal documents, and assisting with investigations and trials. I have been responsible for managing case files, preparing witnesses for testimony, and assisting attorneys with trial preparation,” she shared adding, “I have developed a strong sense of professionalism, teamwork, and leadership.”

Her responsibilities as a real estate paralegal span a wide spectrum, from managing high-volume transactions and ordering title searches to writing title commitments, preparing contracts, and closing documents, and coordinating closings with clients and lenders. She has assisted attorneys in all aspects of real estate transactions.

Purposeful ventures

Akila is in the US Army Reserve. Being part of the army reserve means she can be deployed to any country at any time within her eight-year contract. “I always have to be ready to be deployed anywhere to serve my country,” she says.

After her Army training, she came back home and went back to her civilian job as a real estate paralegal as being in the reserve is like a part-time job. “I have ‘drill’ weekends once every month and annual training two weeks every year. During drill weekends I do my paralegal specialist job and other army-related training such as going to the shooting range, doing field exercises, practicing first aid on casualties, and more,” she shares.

Musician at heart

Akila has always maintained her deep connection to music and has even managed an online music school, the Nightingale School of Music. She had begun singing at the age of four, after being introduced to Carnatic music. Whenever there were choirs and musicals in her school, she always was a part of those.

[caption id="attachment_35245" align="aligncenter" width="520"] Akila Narayanan[/caption]

She loves educating children about the world of music. “No external achievement of mine can hold a flame to the joy that I get looking at children with constant smiles and enthusiasm for music,” she remarks.

Films are not ruled out

Although she plans to focus on law, she has not ruled out the idea of acting in Tamil films again. “I just want to focus on my studies right now, but my love for acting still calls to me,” she says.

Quite by chance, Akila had got a role in the Tamil horror movie ‘Kadampari’. “It happened by chance. I was participating in a lot of pageants in India when I moved there which made my social media presence higher. The director of the film found me through social media,” she says. “I had never really acted before but I’ve always loved watching horror movies so acting a possessed character, kind of came naturally.”

Being a master at time management

The multifaceted youngster is a master of time management and sometimes ‘compromises on doing fun things’ that most people in their 20s get to do like going out on weekends or traveling.

“I have always done so many things at the same time. In undergrad, I was doing my BA in music and teaching music at the International Village School while working in the Indian entertainment industry as a singer, model, and actress. Now during graduate school, I am doing my MA in International educational policy while working my 9-5 civilian job and my weekend army job.,” she says adding, “I think it’s all about time management.”

Her job keeps her occupied from nine in the morning to five in the evening. After that, she attends her classes until 9 pm. “So, by the time I get home, it is too late to do assignments, homework, and readings. Hence my weekends are filled with doing assignments,” she shares.

Finding support in the family

Akila’s family is her biggest support. “My parents gave me the best gift they could give their child: the freedom to follow their dreams. My parents have always gone above and beyond to help me with my career and I am doing everything I can to make them proud,” says the youngster who was born in Coimbatore and moved to the US when she was two.

[caption id="attachment_35247" align="aligncenter" width="423"] Akila Narayanan with her sister[/caption]

She considers her younger sister who is a pre-med student to be her best friend. “We love shopping for clothes, doing funny dances, and going to bookstores together,” she mentions.

Future plan – to be of use to others

Akila holds a deep inclination towards serving her community. She also nurtures the desire to start an NGO that advocates for and provides quality education to marginalised students in India. “Having a law degree will help me run this NGO,” she believes.

“I find great joy and pride in serving the nation and being a role model to young Indian American girls who aspire to join the military,” she signs off.

Follow Akila Narayanan on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn

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Kiara Nirghin: Indian-origin South African fighting drought through innovation

(July 5, 2023) At the age of 13, Indian-origin South African Kiara Nirghin found herself confined to a hospital bed for over a year due to droughts as she was diagnosed with Bilharzia, a parasite-induced disease and a few months later with bacterial meningitis, inflammation of the membranes surrounding brain and spinal cord. It was also the onset of one of the worst droughts in South Africa, and unable to attend school, Kiara spent hours writhing in pain. "I remember lying in the hospital bed and thinking to myself if this is the immense pain that my mind can endure, just imagine the possibilities if this powerful machine is used for something more productive," she said on her TEDxPretoria talk. Those months in the hospital were spent not only on self-reflection but also understanding the power of knowledge and putting it to use to find solution for bigger world problems. This powerful through process and months of experimentation led to the solution to the problem of drought by developing a cost-effective "super-absorbent polymer" that helps soil retain water. The invention won the Stanford graduate the 2016 Google Science Fair, and also got her a place on Times 30 Most Influential

Most Influential Teens list.

[caption id="attachment_31612" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Kiara Nirghin[/caption]

Growing up in the town of Alberton with her three other siblings, Kiara was always interested in science, especially chemistry. As young as seven, she would experiment with vinegar and baking soda solutions in plastic cups in her kitchen. "My natural curiosity and questioning nature have sparked my everlasting love of science," she said in an interview.

She was keen to look for potential solution to problems, and one such issue that she couldn't turn a blind eye to was drought. South Africa was experiencing a severe drought, and it was agricultural areas that were massively hit, leading to a decrease in agricultural production and a rise in food prices, affecting both farmers and consumers. Seeing the worrisome situation, Kiara took it upon herself to find a plausible solution. Despite much effort, she did come across many stumbling blocks initially until she saw her older sister change her baby daughter's diapers. "I was surprised how much liquid a low-cost diaper could absorb. These are what called superabsorbent polymers which are essentially powders which can retain large amount of water relative to their weight. And if applied to the soil of a plant, when rain does fall, create a reservoir of water and through a period of droughts would allow the plants to sustain its life," she added.

[caption id="attachment_31613" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Kiara Nirghin[/caption]

Upon research, she found that such solutions were already applied to the agricultural industry, however, they were non-bio degradable, chemical-based and expensive. "We had a possible solution that was not solving the problem. So, I decided to emulate a commercial SAP but make it biodegradable and make it low-cost, ultimately looking at my solution to the problem," said United Nations Young Champions of the Earth who came up with a superabsorbent polymer made from waste products like orange peels and avocado skin. Her invention increases the chance for plants to sustain growth by 84 percent during a drought and can increase food security by 73 percent in disaster-struck areas.

In 2021, she partnered with an international agricultural firm, to bring her product to market that's set to revolutionise water conservation and sustain crops through periods of drought, thus increasing food security across the globe. "I like to think of the issues of the world as problems that have not yet been partnered with a solution," she added.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_U7PfFpHSo

A champion of girls in STEM, Kiara believes in crucial representation in fostering a positive environment in STEM. "I always get asked why girls should get involved in science and technology? And I always answer the question by saying, ‘Why should they not?’ Suppose we’re trying to find a solution to curing cancer, and you bar women from science fields. In that case, you’re already decreasing the ability to find that solution by 50 percent because fewer people are thinking about it," she told Mission.

The 23-year-old took up Computer Science in Stanford University "to understand how we can leverage artificial intelligence technology and bio computation to solve large-scale problems." This led her to co-found Chima in 2022 to power scalable generative AI for the world's most important institutions. Over the years, Kiara has moved towards inventions and work that provide solutions. "For me, it started on that hospital bed when I realised I have a machine in my brain just as powerful as my favourite scientist and if they can use it to do amazing things, so can I."

Follow Kiara Nirghin on LinkedIn

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2023 recap: Indians shine in the global sporting arena

(December 31, 2023) 2023 was a big year for Indian and Indian-origin sportspeople, from the historic triumph of the dressage team at the Asian Games, to Praggnanandhaa winning the silver medal at the Chess World Cup, each athlete's journey has been marked by with extraordinary dedication, relentless quest for perfection, and deep desire to make their country proud. Their remarkable feats not only brought glory to the nation but also ignited inspiration among aspiring youth, imparting invaluable lessons in sportsmanship. Global Indian turns the spotlight on the young sports stars of 2023. R Pragganandhaa Chess grandmaster Praggnanandhaa's silver medal at the World Cup confirms India's increasing dominance in chess. The 2023 tournament stands out as a pivotal event that notably highlighted the expanding prowess of Indian chess on a global scale. His advancement to the 2024 Candidates tournament sets the stage for a showdown where the victor will challenge China's Ding Liren in the upcoming World Championship. Remarkably, at just 18 years of age, Praggnanandhaa holds the distinction of being the youngest-ever finalist in the history of the Chess World Cup. [caption id="attachment_34948" align="aligncenter" width="512"] Praggnandhaa[/caption] “I started playing playing tournaments when I was very young but there is lots more to

948" align="aligncenter" width="512"] Praggnandhaa[/caption]

“I started playing playing tournaments when I was very young but there is lots more to achieve,” he had remarked in an interview with Global Indian.

Anush Agarwalla

Equestrian

Anush is exactly where he should be now — on top of the world. From weekend joyrides on horseback when he was barely three to becoming a passionate and accomplished equestrian years later — Anush Agarwalla has galloped his way to glory. This year, he became the winner of India’s first-ever bronze medal in individual Dressage at the Asian Games 2023. “There is no better feeling than having a good ride. With Etro (his horse), I really felt like we were flying in the arena,” smiled Anush, speaking exclusively to Global Indian. After his historic win. He scored 73.030 to finish third and claim his second medal at the Asian Games.

[caption id="attachment_33359" align="aligncenter" width="518"] Anush Agarwalla.[/caption]

“My next goal is to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics. I missed out on the Tokyo Olympics by just one spot so I hope to make it this time,” says Anush, who flew back to Germany immediately to begin training for his next milestone.

Divyakriti Singh

Equestrian

Divyakriti was among the four-member contingent that won India the historic gold at the Asian Games 2023, held at Hangzhou, China recently.“We definitely dreamt of a podium finish but to win the gold medal is surreal, it’s extraordinary and it should be like that,” smiles Divyakriti, in an exclusive with Global Indian.

[caption id="attachment_34949" align="aligncenter" width="511"] Divyakriti Singh[/caption]

The historic win was the end result of hard training for years, perseverance, sacrifices and above all, the indomitable will to shine for India. “All the sacrifices we made are a small price to pay for the things we get to do,” said the 23-year-old, who is on cloud nine post the team’s win. She scored 68.176 in Asian Games.

Sahith Theegala

Golfer

“It doesn’t feel real. It’s probably not going to set in for a while. But man, that was a lot of good golf, and that was some of the most fun I’ve ever had in my life.” 2023 has been a strong year for Californian golfer Sahith Theegala, who captured his first PGA Tour victory in September at the Fortinet Championship. He finished 21-under 267 at Silverado Resort’s North Course in in Napa, California, as friends and family cheered him on from the stands.

[caption id="attachment_34950" align="aligncenter" width="503"] Sahith Theegala[/caption]

“Just the support I have is mind blowing. I got to bed at night these last few days and I’m like, I can’t believe how many people are cheering for me and rooting for me,” Sahith told Golf Week USA. “I can definitely hear my dad,” he smiled.

Neeraj Chopra

Javelin Thrower

Rewards and accolades never seem to stop raining down on Neeraj Chopra. He has made India proud with a gold in World Athletics Championships 2023 at Budapest, Hungary. A master at scripting history, the 25-year-old athlete is the first Indian to win a gold in the World Athletics Championships since it started in 1983 – exactly 40 years ago. It’s a historic win for India.

[caption id="attachment_32764" align="aligncenter" width="591"] Neeraj Chopra[/caption]

Apart from winning the World Championships and Asia Games Gold medals, he made it to the nomination list for the World Athlete of the Year 2023.

Rani Rampal

Hockey player

Ace hockey player Rani Rampal who earned the moniker the ‘Queen of Hockey,’ has recently been appointed as U-17 coach to mentor rising stars of the game. “Hockey gave me an identity, people listen to me, talk to me because of hockey. So, I just want to work for it in any capacity. You can can play, mentor young kids, you can teach,” she said accepting the role. This is the second milestone that the 28-year-old achieved in her career in 2023.

[caption id="attachment_29085" align="aligncenter" width="618"] Rani Rampal[/caption]

She had reached a significant milestone earlier this year when Modern Coach Factory (MCF) Stadium in Raebareli got renamed to ‘Rani’s Girls Hockey Turf’. From being a girl who had to plead to enter a hockey academy to becoming the first female player to have a stadium in her name, Rani’s journey is extraordinary.

Shahan Ali Mohsin

Racer

Shahan has become the first Indian to win the FIA Formula 4 car racing championship. The 19-year-old, who represents the Hyderabad Black Birds team, picked up the trophy at Madras International Circuit in Sriperumbudur, a town panchayat some 35 km away from Chennai.

[caption id="attachment_34951" align="aligncenter" width="533"] Shahan Ali Mohsin[/caption]

It’s nothing short of a dream come true for the teenager who has spent a considerable amount of his life on racetracks. When most kids of his age were glued to cartoons on television, Shahan Ali Mohsin would watch motorsport racing. Looking at the fast-speed cars, he knew he wanted to be on the track driving one. It was in 2011 that he first visited Indian Grand Prix, and was determined to make a career in motorsports, and now a few years later has made the entire country proud.

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Brothers on a mission: How Vishal and Ishan Vijay are tackling child poverty across borders

(November 12, 2024) In 2012, a then 12-year-old Vishal Vijay returned to Oakville, Ontario, from what was supposed to be a simple family trip to India. But what he and his younger brother, Ishan Vijay, saw during their visit to Faridabad changed their lives forever. The two brothers, used to the comforts of suburban Canada, came face-to-face with children living in extreme poverty. For Vishal, it was impossible to shake off the image of kids his age begging on the streets. "This girl was begging on the side of the street. How is it that she is in this situation and that I'm not? I thought that's really unfair, and I need to do something about this," he recalled. [caption id="attachment_40317" align="aligncenter" width="480"] Vishal Vijay[/caption] Planting the Seeds of Change Upon returning home to Oakville, Vishal and Ishan Vijay didn't just talk about what they had seen; they acted. Together, they formed Children in Action, a small group of friends who raised funds to support education and essential needs for disadvantaged kids. Their first fundraiser — a bake sale — raised just under $400. "We were over-the-moon ecstatic, and we knew that we had to keep going, and that there

raised funds to support education and essential needs for disadvantaged kids. Their first fundraiser — a bake sale — raised just under $400. "We were over-the-moon ecstatic, and we knew that we had to keep going, and that there were more kids that needed our help," Vishal said. What started as a small youth group soon evolved into Every Child Now (ECN), a youth-run nonprofit focused on alleviating child poverty and empowering young people.

Building Hope, One Step at a Time

Since its founding, Every Child Now has grown beyond anything the brothers imagined. They've raised over $100,000 and launched projects that have touched thousands of lives. Their efforts include building a schoolhouse in Rajasthan, providing clean water in Sierra Leone, and distributing school supplies to disadvantaged children. "We focus on providing children and their families with their five basic needs: education, food, clean drinking water, shelter, and health care," Vishal explained in an interview. The brothers' impact stretches from the streets of India to communities across Canada.

"We need to realize that we are a part of a global community." - @EveryChild_Now's Vishal & Ishan Vijay #WEareCanada https://t.co/9x72VkudHW pic.twitter.com/luZBjzUmof

— WE (@WEMovement) April 19, 2017

While their work started with a focus on India, the Vijays soon realised poverty wasn’t confined to one place. “This affects kids all around the world. We quickly realized this was not something that was isolated to the communities that we have visited,” Vishal said. Domestically, they’ve helped indigenous communities and children in need by providing school supplies and running educational workshops. Through partnerships and persistent fundraising, the nonprofit has supported projects in Canada, India, Nepal, and West Africa, helping provide essential resources, from clean water and education to health care and shelter. Their efforts led them to receive Junior Citizen Awards in 2015 from the then Lt Governor of Ontario, Elizabeth Dowdeswell.

Indians living in Canada, like the Vijay brothers, are contributing immensely to their communities. Canada’s Indian diaspora is known for its resilience, cultural contributions, and commitment to social welfare. For Vishal and Ishan Vijay, this connection to their heritage has fueled their work both locally and abroad.

[caption id="attachment_40318" align="aligncenter" width="788"] Vishal Vijay teaching students[/caption]

Adapting to New Challenges

The COVID-19 pandemic brought new obstacles. With schools closed, the educational gap widened. The brothers knew they had to adapt. "When the pandemic first hit, we were really noticing this divide that was starting to occur in education, where many children didn't have access to the resources and support that they needed at home," the Global Indian said. They responded by launching Social Educating, a program connecting kids in grades 4 to 8 with university students who tutor them online for free. This initiative helped bridge the gap for many Canadian students struggling with remote learning.

The brothers believe that engaging youth is key to sustainable change. Vishal has spoken at youth conferences across North America, emphasizing that young people have the power to make a difference now, not just in the future. "Young people aren't just our future; they’re our present, too," he often says.

Every Child Now is guided by three pillars: inspire, advocate, and impact. “When it comes to sustainable development and activism, collaboration is incredibly important. There is a shared sense of passion and belief in the mission,” Vishal said. He understands that tackling child poverty and promoting youth empowerment isn’t easy, but he and Ishan remain determined.

Vishal who graduated from Western University’s Ivey Business School has been blending his passion for social impact with strategic thinking. His goal is to bring purpose-driven missions into whatever he does.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TiEN56ljX0

A Lasting Impact

What started as a small, heartfelt effort by two brothers to help kids they saw in Faridabad has blossomed into a movement. They know there’s still more work to be done, but they’re not backing down. “We discovered that a lot of young Canadians are really interested in social impact. I think of us as the Purpose Generation,” Vishal said.

For Vishal and Ishan, the journey from a dusty street in India to building a nonprofit that inspires youth worldwide proves one simple thing: change can begin with a single act, as long as you’re brave enough to take that first step.

Follow Ishan Vijay on LinkedIn