Global Indianstory EdTech startupsAyush Gundawar: US Presidential Scholar making online tutoring accessible for free

Ayush Gundawar: US Presidential Scholar making online tutoring accessible for free

Written by: Charu Thakur

(October 4, 2024) The first wave of Covid brought the entire world to a standstill, and changed the way everything functioned till then, including education. Moving from the vast spaciousness of classrooms to 17-inch laptop screens, students had a hard time fitting into virtual classrooms. Atlanta-based Ayush Gundawar was no different. Despite being someone who enjoyed learning, he felt deeply unmotivated. “Even my friends in high school dealt with the same emotions. That’s when I realised if students like us who had access to academic support were having a hard time, how were students from disadvantaged communities dealing with this sudden change, especially when they had no access to extra resources like math tutoring? It felt unfair. And I was motivated to find a solution,” the entrepreneur tells Global Indian.

That’s when the idea of LearnForsyth sprouted in Ayush’s mind, and he soon got his non-profit registered. Initially, Ayush was the only tutor who began taking classes for the underprivileged students in his neighbourhood and simultaneously worked on building the website. “It took me months to code. Meanwhile, I also visited the local libraries pitching them the idea, and in return, they gave me articles for LearnForsyth. I even advertised about the platform by putting up posters in local temples and churches,” says the teenager, who has impacted over 2000 students across the globe through a network of 200 volunteering tutors – who are a mix of high schoolers as well as professionals.

Ayush Gundawar was named US Presidential Scholar 2022

Raised by software engineer parents who moved to the US in the early 2000s, Ayush grew up in a family culture that was cultivated around academics. “It wasn’t just for better career opportunities but also to develop personality,” adds Ayush, who enjoyed learning computers from a young age. His parents’ careers acted as a catalyst in shaping his interest in computer science as young as ten years of age. “That’s when I first learnt to program and was instantly hooked.” This interest led him to make websites and applications as a teenager but it was in 2020 that he put his skills to the right cause when he started LearnForsyth, a non-profit that provides free peer-to-peer tutoring.

LearnForsyth’s tutoring session

Ayush Gundawar, who has helped LearnForsyth grow from strength to strength in the last few years, calls it an enriching experience that has shaped him as an individual. “I have learnt a lot in the process. Seeing kids who were facing difficulties performing in their school are now performing well after enrolling in LearnForsyth has been a validation of sorts. The fact that I have used my skills to help improve human life across the globe has been so fulfilling,” says the 20-year-old who is a researcher at Georgia Institute of Technology.

However, tiptoeing into the world of online education with a platform like LearnForsyth was equally challenging. Being just 16 at that time, the entrepreneur had to work a handful of jobs and internships to help get the seed funding for the platform, along with balancing his school with LearnForsyth. But moreover, growing his brigade of volunteers seemed like a mammoth task. “Initially, I was tutoring students for six-seven hours daily, but soon I started reaching out to high schoolers through newsletters and posters asking them to help to make a difference,” says the entrepreneur who reveals that LearnForsyth teaches all subjects, and even helps students prepare for SAT and special projects like writing college essays.

Despite the hiccups, LearnForsyth came with its share of learning for him. From plainly working on the backend to mastering the design of the website, Ayush made technical progress in the last two years. Moreover, it gave him a chance to hone the leadership skills that he plans to put to good use during a corporate setup in the future. “Managing around 200 volunteers has helped me understand how to work with people in a way that they feel motivated,” says the 2022 US Presidential Scholar. “The recognition has brought a big shift in me as an individual. I understood that there are so many like-minded people who are working to make the world a better place. Moreover, it has given me the opportunity to network with them.”

He plans on making LearnForsyth accessible to everyone across the globe in near future. “I want people to access free tutoring and use it to their full potential in realising their educational goals,” says the entrepreneur who plans on launching a startup in the tech space after a few years. Wedged between his passion for LearnForsyth and his studies, he likes to unwind by playing basketball with his friends and playing the guitar. Elaborating on the biggest lesson learnt in the last two years is the “accessibility” that online education has given to students across the world. “A student in Africa can access the same knowledge and education as someone in Asia. The accessibility is helping improve people’s lives,” says the entrepreneur.

Ayush Gundawar’s journey with LearnForsyth has been nothing short of transformative, not just for him but for the thousands of students whose lives he’s impacted. What began as a one-man initiative to tutor underprivileged students in his neighborhood has now grown into a global platform, offering free tutoring across subjects and SAT prep, all driven by a network of 200 volunteers. Ayush’s ability to combine his love for technology with a genuine desire to make education accessible has proven to be a game-changer, especially in a time when students from disadvantaged backgrounds needed it the most. His work is a testament to how a single idea, fueled by passion and persistence, can create ripples of change across the world.

Follow Ayush Gundawar on Linkedin

Name*

Email*

Name*

Email*

0 Comments

Inline Feedbacks

View all comments

Published on 04, Oct 2024

Share with

ALSO READ

Tamil-British girl, Nila Varman bags BBC award for best student radio presenter and the Diana award 2022

(August 13, 2022) British Broadcasting Corporation, one of the world's oldest broadcasters and the name that enjoys a massive global reputation recognised Nila Varman as the best student radio presenter in the whole of the United Kingdom in 2021. The UK-born and raised youngster has also spent some years of her high school in Singapore. Growing up in two very diverse countries, Nila experienced the different cultural aspects of the world very early in her life. She channelised her sweet-sour experiences to establish a strong message for the world through her radio show - The Nila Extract. [caption id="attachment_20770" align="aligncenter" width="750"] Nila Varman, award-winning radio show host[/caption] Giving voice to marginalised communities The radio show has brought her critical acclaim, a loyal audience, and of course, two very prestigious awards among many others. “I started my show to help people from marginalised communities to have a platform where they can be heard,” Nila tells Global Indian, connecting from London. “As I can’t speak about every community, I invite advocates, activists, and celebrities from various indigenous ethnicities from all over the world on my radio show to talk about issues that are considered taboo,” she adds. “I felt it's important to normalise

h///" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Global Indian, connecting from London. “As I can’t speak about every community, I invite advocates, activists, and celebrities from various indigenous ethnicities from all over the world on my radio show to talk about issues that are considered taboo,” she adds.

“I felt it's important to normalise these things,” remarks the master’s student of King’s College, London.

Apart from the two prestigious awards, The Nila Extract fetched her the recognition of Spotify New Wave for being the top 10 podcasters in the UK on the streaming app. Frontline 50, a charity organisation in Britain recognised her radio show for the Frontline 50 awards as top ten shows in the country that are creating a social change.

Discrimination within and outside the diaspora

Radio shows and podcasts enjoy a universal appeal and Nila feels great about the fact that they offer opportunities to learn and educate about issues that need to be brought up in the open.

“I have experienced discrimination from people who do not look like me and even within the brown community and other south Asian people. There is so much discrimination and taboo within the Indian community as well,” feels Nila. Dismayed about how people ask about caste even now, Nila adds, “While growing up I thought I was alone but when I started speaking to so many people, I now know that it’s a universal issue.”

Instead of making The Nila Extract, a run-of-the-mill serious discussion forum, Nila often adds a light-hearted and funny take to matters and also highlights the relevant latest news in the sphere.

Keeping thousands of listeners hooked

Through her once-a-week award-winning radio show, Nila has been amplifying awareness about pressing social topics that get neglected in mainstream media and public discourses, enjoying an audience from ‘across the world.’

The 21-year-old has impressive associations lined up with BBC both as a co-host and guest. By the end of this year, she would be teaming up with BBC Radio Nottingham as a co-host for a short segment in a fortnightly programme. The trusted young guest speaker of the broadcasting company that is synonymous with perfection, informs “I am quite often invited to BBC to speak as a guest speaker on social issues, student affairs or current affairs.”

Her love for speaking comes from experiences as a tour guide

Nila’s family shifted to Singapore from Manchester when she was in the final years of high school. Radio was nowhere in her mind then but the love to interact with people saw her donning the hat of a tour guide at the Wildlife Reserves Singapore.

As she has always loved interactions, it was a beautiful experience for more than two years when she showed the zoo around to tourists. “It has helped me as a radio presenter,” she says with a smile. If she would have not forayed into the media space, she would have been a zoologist believes Nila because she “absolutely is in love with animals.”

As a part of getting into the role, she had undergone training and was tested on her knowledge of exotic animals. Feeding the animals, and holding workshops for children were also some tasks that she delved into apart from leading the guided tours. With rich experiences like this and some uneasy experiences of discrimination as a student for three years there, Nila returned to the UK for her higher studies while her parents still work there.

“As a south Indian I faced more discrimination in Singapore than in the UK,” she says. But at the same time, Nila is grateful to both the countries for offering good professional and travelling opportunities to her family.

Women and children's health

Nila is pursuing her master's in women and children’s health because she strongly feels that societal discrimination is a big cause of mortality rates in women. “Women of colour have higher mortality rates compared to white women as they are discriminated during treatments in western countries,” she remarks.

The young broadcaster thinks that societal discrimination against women affects their hospitalisation and sanitation needs in non-white countries as well. “They have to go through high-risk pregnancies and many other fatal health problems,” says the thoughtful youngster who is a regular contributor to the Brown Girl Magazine in the UK. She is on the board of Tending the Garden – a non-profit organisation that helps in the healing process of sexual assault survivors.

For the youngster with the gift of gab and extended family in Chennai, UK is home having been born and brought up there. She loves learning about the rich heritage of India and speaks Tamil fluently. So engrossed does The Nila Extract presenter gets in researching about and giving voice to pressing social issues that she often forgets to take a break.

Follow Nila Varman on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and her website
Listen to the The Nila Extract on Spotify, SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, Audible, and Pocket Casts

Reading Time: 5 mins

Mangka Mayanglambam puts Manipuri folk music on world map

(May 7, 2023) When Mangka Mayanglambam, the world-famous Manipuri folk singer, formally started learning music as a nine-year-old, her guru was her grandmother, Oja Langathel Thoinu. Despite the family ties, the budding singer was given no extra privileges as a student, learning in a strict, guru-shishya atmosphere, just like her fellow pupils. Now the face of Manipuri folk music, Mangka has represented India on multiple platforms globally. With the international ongoing collaborative project ZIRO Focus (2020-2023), supported by British Council and Art Council of Wales, the folk singer has collaborated with Eadyth, an artist from Wales, England. They have created an NFT song RaRaReHei. [caption id="attachment_24694" align="aligncenter" width="651"] Mangka Mayanglambam[/caption] International collaboration The collaboration is part of ‘India-Wales, Connections through Culture’, a celebration of the long-standing relationship between the two countries on the occasion of India’s 75th Independence Day. Apart from creating the NFT, Mangka travelled to Britain as part of the bilateral cultural exchange to perform in some of the cities there. “The first time I represented India internationally was back in 2014 — I was selected to be at one of the world's biggest radio festivals in Colombo. That is an experience I will forever cherish,” she

tional collaboration

The collaboration is part of ‘India-Wales, Connections through Culture’, a celebration of the long-standing relationship between the two countries on the occasion of India’s 75th Independence Day. Apart from creating the NFT, Mangka travelled to Britain as part of the bilateral cultural exchange to perform in some of the cities there.

“The first time I represented India internationally was back in 2014 — I was selected to be at one of the world's biggest radio festivals in Colombo. That is an experience I will forever cherish,” she said.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yx0xGwRMGcw

Since then, the folk artist has travelled across the world, performing at premiere music festivals. She was awarded the national young artist scholarship award by the ministry of culture in 2017, and the national child talent scholarship award by CCRT, New Delhi in 2009. The Election commission of India selected the Global Indian as the state icon of Manipur in 2017.

Music in her blood

Born into a family of musicians, Mangka’s environment was full of music from the time she was born. Her father, Mangangsana, who is her biggest inspiration, is a renowned folk musician, a national award winner and a versatile artiste. Mangka was deeply influenced by music from the time she was a little girl, thanks to her grandma, who was her first teacher, her father, who trained her later and the artistes who would come home to learn and practice.

“I was not pushed into taking up music by my family, I chose it,” she said. “I urged my father to help me take my passion further by constantly trying to prove that I had potential,” she says, adding, “For this I participated in all the school and neighbourhood functions, without letting go of any chance to perform and impress my father.” Looking back, she is grateful to her father and grandma, for never having favoured or discriminated between her and their other students.

Manga completed her masters in sociology in 2020 and has been associated as a researcher with ‘Laihui Ensemble’, the centre for research on traditional and indigenous performing arts in Imphal. Her father has been the composer, and artistic director of the national and international programmes organised by the centre.

Setting new grounds

Since she was a kid, the folk artist has been singing the traditional songs that the family’s ancestors once sang. “I have grown up singing ‘Moirang Sai’ and ‘Pena Ishei’, which are ballads central to Manipuri folklore,” she revealed. The young artist also sings contemporary songs based on Manipur’s folk tunes that are composed and written by her father and other renowned lyricists.

The artist is a befitting example of Indian youth who are choosing folk music to express themselves and keeping their culture alive. The youth icon has always worked towards putting Manipuri folk music at the international map. “Folk music is a bridge between the past and the present and that’s why it’s so significant,” she said.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npdJ7adAk6Q

Mangka is the only female Pena (a Manipuri traditional fiddle instrument) player. She started learning how to play it from Padmashree Khangembam Mangi, when she was 13. “I also learned Hindustani Sangeet from Visharad Guru M. Jiten.” Another guru of hers, Langathel Thoinu helped her hone skills in Basok and Moirang Sai (a rare traditional female performing art), beginning her training before she hit her teens.

She learned Khongjom Parvah, a 130-year-old Manipuri ballad singing tradition from guru Khumantham Sundari. The ace performer has also learned Manipuri dance for years, earning the visharad (graduation degree) and has been a student of mime. All this extensive training makes her a riveting performer.

Preventing Manipuri folk art from getting extinct

Today the icon for the entire state of Manipur is an inspiration for children of the state who turn up to her for learning music. She has more than 300 students. Teaching is her way to preserve the folk art and counter the threat of it getting extinct by making the next generation equipped to take it further. “Being around children is something that I love a lot,” she says. It’s not just her music but the way she carries herself is something that adds to her huge fan base of youngsters who fondly call her the Princess of Manipuri Folk Music.

The young artist loves wearing traditional attire with the strong notion that in this time of modernisation, sticking to the roots is something that has added to her personality’s ‘unique brand quotient’. The singer has conducted many seminars, conferences and workshops. When she is abroad, she makes it a point to hold folk art sessions for children of Manipuri diaspora there.

She has also written a book of songs, ‘Langathel Thoinu’s Moirang Sai, Thoibi Loi Kaba.’ “It’s a gift for my guru ‘Langathel Thoinu’ and I would like to have an English translation for it,” she said. “I enjoy what I do and that is why it’s not hard for me to do so many things at the same time” she adds.

International collaborations and performances of Mangka Mayanglambam:

‘Asadoya Yunta – Singel’ – an international collaboration with Japanese artist Kazuki Oshiro with performances across Japan and India
‘Ingelehua – Two Cultures Entwined’ – a Manipuri and Hawaiin dance and music collaboration
Performance at Awa Kongchat a cultural exchange programme in Myanmar
‘Nura Pakhang’ - an international collaboration with Cla, the iconic Portuguese band
Performance at the Esplanade Festival, Singapore
'Shakuhachi meets Pena’ – a collaboration of Manipuri and Japanese traditional music

Follow Mangka Mayanglambam on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube

Reading Time: 5 mins

Chess brilliance: Young Indian players carving a legacy on International boards

(September 1, 2023) Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa's triumph, securing the silver medal at the 2023 FIDE World Cup, marks just the initial step for India. Not too long ago, Magnus Carlsen, the World's No. 1 chess player showered Indian chess players with praise, predicting that it's only a matter of time before India emerges as the 'foremost chess nation in the world.' Carlsen remarked, "I believe India is on the right track, and it's only a matter of time before it unmistakably leads the global chess arena." Although apart from Viswanathan Anand, who clinched the coveted crown five times, no other Indian has been challenged for the World Championship title, the rise of numerous young Indian chess players to the esteemed 'Grandmaster' status suggests a promising trajectory. This surge in talent hints at India's potential to capture numerous international trophies in the years to come. Global Indian takes a closer look at these young chess prodigies, who have impressively carved out their names on the international stage even at a tender age. Aditya Samant Meet the 17-year-old chess prodigy, Aditya, who recently achieved the prestigious title of Grandmaster (GM) at the young age of 17. Hailing from Pune, Maharashtra, Aditya's journey into

y achieved the prestigious title of Grandmaster (GM) at the young age of 17. Hailing from Pune, Maharashtra, Aditya's journey into the world of chess began when he was just 6 years old. His first taste of competitive play was at the National Under-7 Open 2013 tournament held in his hometown. Chess runs in Aditya's blood as his father, Sachin Samant, was also a passionate chess player during his college days. "My father used to give the positions to me and then we used to solve them together," the chess player said in an interview, adding, "Till I was around 2200, he was my trainer. Now I have started working on my own. Even he created opening files for me sometimes by looking at the database."

[caption id="attachment_32839" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Grandmaster Aditya Samant[/caption]

The young chess player's path to becoming a Grandmaster started to take shape at the 28th Abu Dhabi Masters in 2022. And in an impressive display of skill and determination, Aditya's FIDE Rating soared past 2500 points on the May 2023 FIDE Rating list, merely four months after his remarkable victory at the Abu Dhabi Masters. "I'm excited about enhancing my gameplay, diving into more matches, and giving it my all. At the moment, I'm planning to participate in maybe one or two tournaments before dedicating time to my upcoming board exams," Aditya said after the tournament.

Divya Deshmukh

During a press conference, the 17-year-old chess player was asked about her future chess plans. With a confident smile, Divya replied, "I don't really have any specific plans. My main focus is to continuously improve my game." That's the level of assurance radiating from this remarkable talent in Indian chess. Her journey with chess began at an early age, and her passion for the game shines brightly. By the time she turned 12, she had already secured an astounding 14 gold medals for India on the international stage.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QSiTABXeT4

Hailing from Maharashtra, this young chess prodigy clinched the title of National Women's Chess Champion in 2022. Adding to her impressive list of achievements, she recently emerged victorious at the Asian Continental Women's Chess Championship held in Kazakhstan. "I am very happy to win my maiden Asian women's gold medal," the chess player said after the tournament, adding, "In fact, this is my entry to the World Cup through one more route."

Nihal Sarin

At just 14 years old, he achieved an impressive Elo rating of 2600, securing his place as the third youngest player in history to accomplish this feat at that time. Nihal, hailing from Thrissur in Kerala, is the child of Sarin Abdulsalam, a dermatologist, and Shijin Ammanam Veetil Ummar, a psychiatrist. His remarkable abilities were evident from a young age, as he could identify the capitals and flags of 190 countries by the age of three. He also astounded many by memorising the scientific names of insects and plants during the same period.

[caption id="attachment_32840" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Grandmaster Nihal Sarin[/caption]

The story of how his journey in the world of chess began is quite fascinating. To keep his son engaged during school vacations, his father introduced Nihal to a chess set, while his grandfather A. A. Ummar taught him the game's rules. By the tender age of seven, this budding chess enthusiast had already clinched multiple titles, including the Kerala State Championship in the Under-07 category, two Under-09 titles, two Under-11 titles, and one Under-15 title. "I want to play the best players of the world. I don’t know if I would be able to defeat them, but playing is something I can surely do," said the chess player who won the Gold Medal as part of the Indian team in the FIDE Online Chess Olympiad 2020.

Rakshitta Ravi

Achieving a remarkable 93 percent in her 10th board exams, Rakshitta Ravi's exceptional academic performance was closely followed by her attainment of the title Indian Woman Grandmaster (WGM) in 2019. However, the fact that her father, T.S. Ravi, is a former International Master (IM), made her achievement less of a surprise for those who knew her story. “My parents are aware of the rigors that come with the sport. They help me stay grounded and motivated. In fact, my coach, RB Ramesh sir has also been instrumental in helping me raise my game in the last few years,” Rakshitta said in a recent interview.

[caption id="attachment_32841" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Grandmaster Rakshitta Ravi[/caption]

Recipient of the National Child Award for Exceptional Achievements in 2016, presented by the former President of India, Pranab Mukherjee, this young achiever took her first steps on the chessboard at the tender age of two. Rakshitta's journey into competitive chess commenced when she was only four and a half years old. A significant breakthrough arrived in 2012, marked by her notable performance at the Asian Youth Chess Championships in Sri Lanka, where she secured a bronze medal. Swiftly following this triumph, merely a year later, Rakshitta claimed gold in the U-8 rapid blitz category at the World Youth Chess Championships in Dubai. "I have been working hard on becoming more consistent in the last one year and that has paid dividends. But, I do not want to compromise on my education as well, so I take time out to make sure I study," the chess player said.

Raunak Sadhwani

Raunak, the fourth youngest Grandmaster from India, achieved an Elo rating surpassing 2500 before even entering his teenage years. Just recently, he showcased his remarkable skills by maintaining an undefeated streak and securing the championship in the Masters group of the Serbia Open chess tournament held in Belgrade, where he competed among a formidable gathering of 233 participants. "Nothing in the world can beat the pleasure of winning strong tournaments. I am happy that I played some good chess and consider myself deserving of this title. I am happy that I can put our Indian flag on the top of this list of Serbia Masters. This is just the beginning, I will work harder and try to bring home more titles," the chess player said after winning the tournament.

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

Ranked as India's 13th player, this Grandmaster stands tall among the world's most accomplished chess prodigies in his age group. Crediting his parents for his success, the young player said, "As it is rightly said - behind every young child who believes in himself is a parent who believes first. So I want to thank my parents for their strong belief in my strength, and standing rock solid with me in my chess journey of highs and lows. I also want to thank Indian Oil Corporation, my coaches, and West Bridge Anand Chess Academy."

Reading Time: 6 mins

Arunima Sen: The innovator solving the world’s pressing problems

(September 5, 2024) "Kalpana Chawla's story inspired many people. She came from a small town but nothing could beat her determination to dream big and achieve it. At a time when her field was largely male-dominated, she broke stereotypes to convert her dreams into a reality. Little did she know that she would inspire millions of girls like me, who were forced to back off from their dreams or not." That's how innovator and technologist Arunima Sen begins her TedX Talk. The girl whose curiosity about science and technology led her to become an innovator and a designer, is now finding solutions to the world's most pressing problems. From developing a device that determines micronutrient levels in the human body using hair strands to building a prototype of an energy-efficient solar hybrid bus to a green building, the 23-year-old is keen to find answers. The STEM enthusiast, who aspires to work towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Goals, was named a 2020 Global Teen Leader of the We Are Family Foundation and is one of The Mars Generation’s 24 under 24 Innovators in STEAM and Space. An innate love for science Growing up in Bengaluru, Sen was always surrounded by

c="https://stage.globalindian.com/youth//wp-content/uploads/2022/10/arunima1.jpg" alt="Arunima Sen | Global Indian" width="613" height="633" />

An innate love for science

Growing up in Bengaluru, Sen was always surrounded by discussions on varied scientific research projects, thanks to her parents, who worked at the Indian Space Research Organisation. The environment helped ignite a scientific temper and fanned her curiosity. This early interest in science found her gravitating toward global problems, for which she decided to find solutions using STEM. As she tended to her autistic brother's special needs, she would often ponder over the various problems that humans face, and try to look for solutions. For this, she would spend hours reading on the internet about scientific advancements. As she did her research, she found that technology is at the root of everything, and when combined with engineering, it can positively impact society. "As youngsters, we are the future of this country and the world. We need to come up with solutions," she told a daily.

Solving global problems

As early as Class 10, she was selected for The Junior Academy conducted by The New York Academy of Sciences - a program meant for teenagers interested in science and finding solutions to different problems. Her first project was measuring the micronutrients in a person's body, for developing countries like South Africa, India, and South-East Asia, providing data on health problems is essential. Sen, who believes that micronutrients play an important role in health, worked on a prototype called Arduino Pro Mini that gives an exact measure of micronutrients in the body. "We wanted to make this method non-invasive, so what we do is collect strands of hair and dip them in a particular chemical solution. Once the solution absorbs the nutrients from the hair, it is analysed via spectrophotometry. To put it in layman's terms, we measure the wavelength that the nutrients emit using spectrophotometry. By observing these wavelengths, we get to know if there is a deficiency of micro-nutrients or not," she told edexlive.

[caption id="attachment_23347" align="aligncenter" width="422"] Arunima Sen with PM Narendra Modi while receiving Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar[/caption]

The Global Indian collaborated with like-minded students from Poland, Finland, and the USA to develop a cost-effective device. "It is small and has a spectral response range of 320-1000 mm, a range that works for all micronutrients that our project is working with. It is designed to be used either via Bluetooth with a compatible phone or a tablet or with an integrated touchscreen display to allow use in the most varied conditions,” Arunima said in an interview. Her research will help patients in India on a micro level.

Creating impact

Apart from it, she also worked on Homestead Greens - the high-rise buildings that can save energy and lower the emission of carbon - with students from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Norway, and Romania. While living in a locality that had frequent power cuts, she realised it wasn't a green building and produced a lot of carbon dioxide, thus adding to global warming. That's when she decided to work on a prototype of a building that was energy efficient as well as helped with harvesting rainwater - a design meant for commercial and non-commercial purposes. "One part of the building wall is covered with solar panels that help in trapping a lot of natural energy. We also have automatic lights that turn off or become dim when you leave the room. The building will also have a trellis of vines and climbers that run down the building. These plants will be watered by the rainwater harvesting system. This helps us save over a thousand litres of water," she added.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=38&v=XjVlvH5LV_E&feature=emb_title

The recipient of Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar, who is pursuing her bachelor's in Computer Science and Physics from Ashoka University, is also a Yale Young Global Scholar of Yale University and a member of the Junior academy of the New York Academy of Sciences.

Even during the pandemic, she didn't put brakes on her work. During an interaction with the press, Arunima said, "I am currently being mentored by professionals from Sidewalk Labs — an urban innovation company working to make cities more sustainable and affordable for all. Since the pandemic had brought many discussions and assignments to a halt, my friend and I are working to resume it soon."

Arunima's journey is a powerful demonstration of the impact that determination, curiosity, and the relentless pursuit of knowledge can have. Despite the challenges she faced, she has consistently pushed the boundaries of what is possible, using her passion for science and technology to address some of the world's most pressing issues. Her work is not just about innovation; it is about making a tangible difference in the lives of people and the environment. She is a true changemaker, proving that age is no barrier to making a global impact.

Follow Arunima Sen on Linkedin

Payal Jangid: Empowering girls and eradicating child marriage

(May 28, 2023) In the sleepy village of Hinsla, some 150-km from Jaipur, in Alwar district of Rajasthan, child marriage has been a long-standing tradition. Girls as young as eleven or twelve are married off by elders as they reach the "appropriate age" since most are considered a social and financial burden. However, in a world where deeply rooted traditions often overshadow progress and human rights, there are individuals who rise above the norms, challenge the status quo, and become catalysts for change. Payal Jangid is one such inspirational figure. Her relentless fight against the practice of child marriage in her village has made a significant impact, not only in her own life but also in the lives of countless others. This made her the first Indian to receive the Goalkeepers Global Goals Changemaker Award from Gates Foundation in 2019. [caption id="attachment_30492" align="aligncenter" width="710"] Payal Jangid receiving Changemaker Award for eradicating child marriage from her village[/caption] She was just twelve when she overheard her parents discussing suitors for her and her sister, who is two years older than her. That very moment her heart sank as she reminisced the times, she watched innumerable little girls in her village being married

r parents discussing suitors for her and her sister, who is two years older than her. That very moment her heart sank as she reminisced the times, she watched innumerable little girls in her village being married off to strangers at such a tender age, and the idea made her uneasy and claustrophobic. "Watching them, I knew that this was wrong—children shouldn't be put through this," she told Reader's Digest. Despite the cards dealt to her, she was determined to change her destiny, even if it meant standing up against the old-age traditions and elders. She blatantly refused marrying at a young age, and even protested against her sister's marriage proposal. However, she was met with strong dissent. "Marrying off children young was considered auspicious (in my village)," she added.

But not the one to bow, she kept standing firm until she found courage from an unexpected source in 2012. That's the year that destiny intervened when the Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA), an organisation dedicated to the welfare of children, selected Hinsla as a pilot village for their child-friendly village initiative. This initiative aimed to transform the village into a safe and nurturing environment for children, emphasising their right to education, healthcare, and protection against exploitation. It was BBA founder, Nobel Peace Prize winner Kailash Satyarthi and his wife, Sumedha Kailash's interaction with the community on child's right to education and healthcare that turned out to be an inspiration for Priya. This turning point in Payal's life not only provided her with an opportunity for personal growth but also fuelled her passion to fight for the rights of children.

Inspired by the work of the Bachpan Bachao Andolan, Payal became an active advocate for children's rights, particularly the eradication of child marriage, especially after the Satyarthis helped put a stop to her marriage and convinced her parents if the dangers of child marriage. It was the change in the attitude of her parents that encouraged her to tirelessly worked to raise awareness about the detrimental effects of early marriage on young girls, their health, education, and overall well-being. Through various campaigns, she engaged with community members, parents, and local authorities, educating them about the importance of allowing girls to pursue their dreams, rather than burdening them with the responsibilities of marriage at a tender age.

It was in 2013 that she was elected as the sarpanch of Bal Panchayat - a platform where children to freely talk about their issues to a leader who could in turn help come up with solutions after coordinating with village panchayats. "With 11 members of the Children’s Parliament, we started raising our voice against the ban on child labour and child marriage around the village. As most of the girls were pushed into child labour, farming and household work, nobody was sending their daughters to school to complete their studies," she told New Indian Express.

The Global Indian organised protests and educated the community on the oppressive practices of domestic abuse, child labour, ghoonghat pratha. However, she was met with fierce opposition as many people turned her away for "spoiling their kids with radical ideas". But she didn't give up.

Payal's efforts did not go unnoticed. Not only in 2019, when she was just 17 years old, she was honoured with the prestigious 'Goalkeepers Global Goals Changemaker Award' by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation but no instances of child marriage have been reported in her village since then. This recognition served as a testament to her relentless dedication and inspired others to join her cause. Through her courage and determination, Payal Jangid had become a beacon of hope for girls not only in her village but across the globe.

Her efforts have contributed tremendously to making the children of Alwar commit to attending school and completing school. The 20-year-old, who aspires to be a teacher, is also the brand ambassador of Alwar’s ‘Beti Bachao and Beti Padhao’ programme.

[caption id="attachment_30496" align="aligncenter" width="366"] Payal Jangid met Barack Obama in 2015 during his visit to India[/caption]

Her remarkable journey is a testament to the power of one individual's determination to create a better world. Payal's fight against child marriage has not only transformed her own life but has also sparked a wave of change in her community. The impact of her work goes beyond merely preventing early marriages; it has instilled hope and empowered countless young girls to dream big and pursue their aspirations.

Her story serves as a reminder that no matter how deeply rooted traditions may be, change is possible. It takes courageous individuals like her to challenge societal norms, inspire others, and pave the way for a brighter future. Through her activism, Payal Jangid has proven that age is not a barrier to making a difference and that even the smallest of actions can have far-reaching consequences. "Many resign themselves, to the way things are, far too easily. Everyone must challenge injustice and not run away or hide from problems. With strength and cooperation, even the toughest minds can be changed," she added.

Reading Time: 5 min