Global Indianstory Global Indian ExclusiveAdrit Rao: Indian-American teen using AI to revolutionise healthcare

Adrit Rao: Indian-American teen using AI to revolutionise healthcare

Compiled by: Team GI Youth

(March 31, 2024) “During the Covid-19 pandemic, a single smartphone app averted up to 900,000 covid cases in just Wales and England. This single app reached the smartphones of 21 million people and made an impact by performing automatic contact tracing and helping people feel safe during the pandemic. For every 1 percent increase in the number of this app’s download, there was a reduction in 2.3 percent reduction in Covid cases,” says Adrit Rao during TEDxGunnHighSchool, emphasising the revolution in how innovation can reach people instantly at scale around the world. Palo Alto-based Adrit might be young but he is on a mission to revolutionise healthcare through the use of AI.

Adrit Rao

At the age when most of his friends and classmates were playing with Lego, Adrit was toying with block programming. This was his introduction to computer science and coding when he was only eight. “I found it fun because it was very visual.” Soon he progressed to app development. At 13, the Global Indian began his research internship with Stanford University and soon became one of the youngest students honoured by Apple during its annual Swift Student Challenge for his ability to push the boundaries of technology and provide solutions for people worldwide.

It earned him the chance to meet Apple CEO Tim Cook, a meeting that left him “super excited.” “I was just actually around two to three weeks into my app development journey, Honestly, that experience motivated me to continue my journey,” he said in an interview.

Love for coding and app development

When the Covid-19 pandemic hit the world, Adrit had a lot of time on hand and was keen to explore coding on a deeper level that can help have an impact on people. He turned to YouTube and online resources for additional knowledge and began working on developing apps. “I was inspired by how technology was solving major problems around the world and that’s when I thought of apps on the App Store and how apps are accessible and reach so many people,” he said. He began with MoTV, which was designed as a platform for discovering movies and TV shows. Following its success, he moved on to his second creation, ShopQuik which could determine the wait time at local grocery stores during the pandemic. “I did that so that you could minimise exposure to infectious diseases.”

Later, he went on to develop Signer, an AI-powered app that translates sign language into speech with the help of an iPhone camera. He began by researching statistics on the number of deaf people around the world and the communication gap between deaf and non-deaf communities. “Around that time, Apple had just introduced hand pose tracking and classification at WWDC using their machine learning models. So, I could train my own AI algorithm on that new technology to enable the sign-to-speech conversion,” he added.

Using AI to create an impact

Ever since he joined Stanford for a research internship, he has been building AI-powered apps for healthcare. “I use AI to make the apps work,” he said, elaborating on the two sides of AI. “I have seen what it can do to help, especially in healthcare. Signer itself is proof of the positive impacts that AI has. Just like any powerful tool, it can be used for good and bad,” says Adrit, who is the founder of Aretech Inc, a nonprofit that teaches app development to young people. His commitment to

Currently, he has five apps on the App Store that aim to solve real-world problems and create an impact in society. For the past three years, he has devoted himself to creating inclusive applications that utilize AI for diagnosing vascular diseases. Adrit’s passion for integrating AI into healthcare shines through in his latest endeavour focusing on abdominal aneurysms. He delves into the deployment of cutting-edge models and algorithms for diagnosis and prognosis, underscoring the transformative potential these technologies hold for conventional diagnostic approaches.

Moreover, his remarkable creation, AutoABI, stands out as an iPhone application capable of identifying peripheral arterial disease through the analysis of arterial sounds. This groundbreaking technology is presently undergoing clinical trials and the patenting process. Currently working on its patent, he calls it a passion project. “It showed me how I was able to apply my app development and AI knowledge to actually build a medical solution, which was able to be put into clinics and tested and now has the ability to reach so many people,” he said in an interview.

The high school student, who loves playing basketball, started his journey after stumbling upon an article that opened up a Pandora’s box on the potential of AI to transform healthcare and now years later, he is glad to be working in the field and creating an impact in the world. He believes it’s important to find a problem that is closer to your heart so that one doesn’t leave any stone unturned in finding the solution. “The main goal in developing an app is solving a problem in an accessible manner so that your innovation reaches the people.”

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Published on 31, Mar 2024

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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.

Follow Kush Maini on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and his website

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Spaceonova: Enabling space tech for therapeutic applications

(August 11, 2022) India's Space Activity Bill 2022 is all set to give private sector participation in space tech the launch pad for which they have been waiting. As space-related activity and research are ramped up around the world, India, which is home to over 100 spacetech startups, intends to be a major a global player. In November 2021, Hyderabad-based space tech firm Skyroot Aerospace successfully test fired Dhawan 1, India's first privately-built fully Cryogenic rocket engine. As Skyroot makes headway on its launch vehicle, Vikram-1, the company will give private innovation another boost, through its collaboration with Spaceonova. A space-research startup co-founded by Shivam Singh and Dr Shreya Santra, Spaceonova is currently developing a one-of-a-kind miniaturised lab in space that will be launched on Vikram-1. "We are looking at biophysical experiments in microgravity using technology called micro-electromechanical systems," Shivam says, in an interview with Global Indian.This year, Shivam will head to the US to complete his training as a Scientist-Astronaut Candidate by Project PoSSUM, the Aeronomy Research Program at the International Institute of Astronautical Sciences (IIAS). At the time of our conversation, Shivam had just moved to Hyderabad, where Spaceonova will be part of the Atal Incubation Centre at

>At the time of our conversation, Shivam had just moved to Hyderabad, where Spaceonova will be part of the Atal Incubation Centre at the CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology. The Incubation Centre falls under the umbrella of the Atal Incubation Mission, a non-profit company established in 2019. It is part of the larger Atal Innovation Mission, a flagship initiative by the government of India and NITI Aayog. "Here, we have access to the high-tech biological labs and other facilities we need," Shivam says.

Missing out on IIT to being a citizen space scientist

Born in Visakhapatnam, into a Navy family, Shivam's early years were spent moving around the country. He returned to hometown and finished his tenth grade at the Navy Children's School, showing a deep interest in both science and psychology. So, he ended up at the FIITJEE junior college with a 100 percent scholarship, where all roads led to IIT and the focus was concentrated solely on strategising for the rigorous entrance exam.

"I almost gave up on studying at that point," Shivam admits. "I spent two years thinking of everything except my coursework." He didn't get into the IIT of his choice and instead joined Delhi University for a BSc Honours in Electronics. "There was a certain mindset at the time - if you take BSc, you are a failure," he remarks. "But I decided to follow my passion for the subject and prepare for B.Tech. The course also had an entrepreneurial element, which interested me."

In college, Shivam, who was interning with i3 Indya Technologies, would conduct technical workshops at local colleges. As he did this, he realised the glaring gaps in the system and the fact that students aren't adequately prepared to meet industrial needs. "Even the IITs train you to work at Google and other MNCs but don't really delve into newer technologies," he says. At the same time, he and a friend were discussing the absence of telescopes in college and decided to start their own astronomy club, Vyoma. This was back in 2019. "We did some research and participated in an asteroid search, we managed to locate three confirmed asteroids," Shivam says. Hhey also interned with the Star Lab in Surat, which was working to build a 3D printed, high-powered rocket. "They were working on the recovery system and although I didn't have enough knowledge then, I joined the team as a Systems and Propulsions Engineer."

[caption id="attachment_20364" align="aligncenter" width="543"] Team Spaceonova[/caption]

How Spaceonova came to be

One year later, Vyoma, which began amid great opposition from their seniors in college, emerged as Spaceonova. At the time, their aim was to teach astronomy and the latest technology to students and faculty in their college and to underprivileged kids. The idea was to "create a space ecosystem where anyone can be a space technologist." So far, over 45,000 students across some 40 countries have been impacted by their work, which involves helping them to pursue careers in the space sciences.

In August 2021, their organisation became Spaceonova Private Limited, a space tech and research company, which received its government of India recognition in October that year. "We have two laterals," Shivam explains. "One is space research and tech, we're using microgravity research for therapeutic applications."

Microgravity is a condition in which the pull of gravity is so low that objects appear weightless. These 'G-forces' can never entirely be absent - however, one would have to go very far from the Earth's orbit to experience this state. "We are looking at simulators, high altitude balloons and parabolic flights to create microgravity conditions," Shivam explains. "We could, for instance, launch our lab in a balloon and allow it to free fall, mimicking microgravity for a few seconds. This will give us real-time data on how the lab performs."

High altitude balloon tests for the miniature lab are being planned for the end of 2022. "This is our milestone for the year. Once it's done, we move to space qualification testing and expose it to thermal radiation. Next year comes the orbital launch." They are also working to access parabolic flights through the US-based spaceflight services. A Falcon 20 aircraft is specially modified to simulate microgravity conditions.

Revolutionising therapeutic research

The possibilities of using microgravity are endless, especially in terms of therapeutic applications," Shivam says. "For instance, there are many recessive traits which are revealed in those conditions that are not revealed on earth. It can lead to faster R&D, more innovation and generation of IP and holds great potential in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and fluid physics." Pharma giant AstraZeneca has been studying nanoparticle formation in microgravity to revolutionise molecular-targeting strategies in drug delivery systems.

"In India, we still tend to think of space research in terms of satellites and launch vehicles," Shivam remarks. "But there are many companies already exploring therapeutic applications, software and space robotics." Spaceonova currently has a core team of four people, led by Dr Shreya Shanta and Shivam.

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Indian American golfer, Akshay Bhatia, is creating waves in the international circuit

(August 1, 2023) Imagine being one of the best amateur golfers in the United States of America, dreaming to become a professional player and winning several tournaments for the country in the coming years. However, when the opportunity came, you couldn't perform up to your potential. 21-year-old Akshay Bhatia was quite heartbroken when he couldn't cut in any of the six PGA Tour starts in September 2019. "I struggled mentally, I missed every cut," the golfer recalled, "I had a lot of people expecting me to play well and it didn’t happen.” But while several others would have lost hope, Akshay dug in further and worked very hard on honing his skill further. The golfer, who acknowledged that he faced challenges upon turning pro, took the pandemic as an opportunity to pause, re-evaluate, and gain valuable insights. “I got to sit back, talk to my coach, realise where I’m at in my life. After that, you know, I’ve just climbed the mountain slowly and slowly and slowly," he shared. And he might have just made a significant stride by winning his maiden PGA Tour title at the Barracuda Championship in California, defeating Patrick Rodgers. The win will earn the Indian

slowly and slowly and slowly," he shared. And he might have just made a significant stride by winning his maiden PGA Tour title at the Barracuda Championship in California, defeating Patrick Rodgers. The win will earn the Indian American golfer earned him full Tour status and a spot in the FedEx Cup playoffs.

Inspired to greatness

Born in Northridge, California to an Indian couple, Akshay's childhood was not unlike other immigrant kids in the USA. However, his life was shaped due to his sister's passion for the sport. As a young child, the golfer witnessed his elder sister, Rhea Bhatia, swinging a golf club for the first time. In the following years, Rhea's dedication to the sport paid off, as she achieved the title of 2015 4A Regional Champion during her high school days. Notably, she continued her golfing journey as a valued member of the women's team at Queen's University of Charlotte.

Soon the young golfer started playing the sport and found it quite immersing. Having a remarkable junior career, the Global Indian achieved the distinction of being the first high-schooler ever to participate in the U.S. Walker Cup team. Coached by George Gankas since he was 13, Bhatia kept on piling up amateur victories till he began getting noticed. In 2017, the golfer caught the nation's attention when he contributed to the victorious team in the 2017 Junior Presidents Cup. Remarkably, at the age of 15, Bhatia made his mark at the Boys Junior PGA Championship by setting multiple records. According to the JuniorPGA website, the golfer, "carded an all-time course and championship record 61, at the 42nd Boys Junior PGA Championship at the Country Club of St. Albans in Missouri."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orWxrz67Z44

In 2018, Akshay secured the runner-up position at the U.S. Junior Amateur tournament. The golfer showcased his talent at the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics, where he earned two silver medals - one in the boy's event and another in the mixed team event alongside Lucy Li. Moreover, his pivotal performance contributed to the triumph of the US team in the Junior Ryder Cup held in the same year.

Looking past his failures

After failing in the September 2019 golfing season, he kept working on his game. And just four months before turning 20, Akshay achieved a historical feat. The golfer lifted his maiden Korn Ferry Tour (KFT) title at the $750,000 Bahamas Great Exuma Classic. He became only the third Indian-origin golfer to do so after Daniel Chopra and Arjun Atwal. At the age of 19 years, 11 months, and 19 days, the golfer achieved the distinction of being the third-youngest professional golfer to secure a victory on the development circuit, joining the ranks of notable players such as Jason Day and Sungjae Im.

[caption id="attachment_32300" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Akshay after winning The Bahamas Great Exuma Classic[/caption]

And now, the golfer is now one step closer to his dream of being on the PGA Tour. After winning his first PGA Tour title, Akshay got emotional while interacting with the media. "I can’t even talk," he said, adding, "I’m just excited. I love playing golf, I love playing on the PGA Tour, and it’s just a dream come true to have it.” Recognising the challenges he faced along the journey, the golfer acknowledged that it had been "a really tough road." However, he said that he always knew that he was “going to get here, it was just a matter of time. For it to happen this year with Special Temporary Membership and now to get to play all these events and to get it done today was, I can’t even describe it.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVtp2d8UlXI

The young golfer is looking forward to playing several international tournaments in the upcoming season and winning many as well. "Good golf takes care of itself and if I play good golf, the rankings will go up. I don’t look at it too much. My goal is to get into the US Open," he shared.

Follow Akshay Bhatia on Instagram

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Swing Queen Renuka Singh Thakur named ICC Emerging Women’s Cricketer of the Year

(February 26, 2023) When prime minister Narendra Modi was congratulating the Indian women’s cricket team after they won the Asia Cup 2022, he had special words of praise for the Himachal girl Renuka Singh Thakur. “Renuka’s face might ooze the peacefulness of Shimla, and the innocent smile of the mountains but her tough bowling on the field defeats the confidence of even the seasoned batters,” he said in his speech. Popularly known as the Swing Queen of Indian cricket, Renuka was also commended by the PM for being an inspiration for girls in the remotest corners of India. [embed]https://twitter.com/ICC/status/1618209611051569154?s=20[/embed] Renuka was named the Emerging Women’s Cricketer of the Year 2022 by ICC. The decision came after ICC conducted a poll for the specialist panel of media representatives, the ICC Voting Academy, and cricket lovers around the world. India’s newest cricket star, who is known for her extraordinary swings while bowling, left behind Australia’s Darcie Brown, England's Alice Capsey and her Indian colleague Yastika Bhatia garnering maximum votes. ICC announced the names of the winners last month. Global voting categories were based on overall performances and achievements of the nominated cricket stars throughout the calendar year. From village grounds to international cricket

3376527 BCX0"> defeats the confidence of even the seasoned batters,” he said in his speech. Popularly known as the Swing Queen of Indian cricket, Renuka was also commended by the PM for being an inspiration for girls in the remotest corners of India.

[embed]https://twitter.com/ICC/status/1618209611051569154?s=20[/embed]

Renuka was named the Emerging Women’s Cricketer of the Year 2022 by ICC. The decision came after ICC conducted a poll for the specialist panel of media representatives, the ICC Voting Academy, and cricket lovers around the world.

India’s newest cricket star, who is known for her extraordinary swings while bowling, left behind Australia’s Darcie Brown, England's Alice Capsey and her Indian colleague Yastika Bhatia garnering maximum votes. ICC announced the names of the winners last month. Global voting categories were based on overall performances and achievements of the nominated cricket stars throughout the calendar year.

From village grounds to international cricket

Hailing from Parsa village in Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh, Renuka was raised by her mother. She had lost her father at the tender age of three. He wanted both his children to take up sports and it was to fulfil her father’s dream that the youngster took up cricket, finding it the most interesting game.

While Renuka’s mother was busy working as a class IV employee in the Himachal Pradesh’s irrigation and public health department, Renuka would play cricket with her elder brother Vinod (who is named after cricketer Vinod Kambli) and his friends at the village grounds. Sometimes Renuka would even travel with them to other villages to play her favourite game.

[caption id="attachment_27895" align="aligncenter" width="483"] Renuka Singh Thakur[/caption]

In 2009, Renuka enrolled herself in Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association’s Women’s Residential Academy in Dharamshala, following the advice of her uncle who is a physical education teacher in a government college. Later, she was selected for the Australia tour of the national women’s cricket team, followed by tours in Bangladesh and Thailand. She performed exceptionally in all the tournaments.

Turning heads

In 2019-20, the cricket star won hearts by taking a total of 23 wickets in different tournaments, establishing herself as leading wicket-taker of the Indian women’s cricket team. The following year, she won the BCCI Senior Women’s One Day Trophy for taking nine wickets against Australia.

“All I do is step on the field with confidence and bank on the energy of the fielders to throw the balls in most challenging manner, enjoying the process all along,” she said. Renuka also remarked, in the conversation with Jemima Rodrigues and Deepti Sharma, “I love the spectators during the match. When I am on field, looking at them fills me up with confidence.”

Renuka was selected to represent India in the International T20 Cricket Series in 2021. The Global Indian went on to represent India in Women’s Cricket World Cup in 2022 and played a pivotal role in helping her team lift the trophy, leaving behind 15 teams from across the world. Renuka also became the first Indian pacer to take five wickets in T20 World Cup.

Mesmerised by her power-packed performances, cricket lovers and experts voted her as the Emerging Women’s Cricketer of the Year title from amongst an impressive list of high performing international cricketers nominated by the ICC.

With the coveted title that Renuka has earned right at the beginning of 2023, and her recent selection for ₹ 1.5 crore by Royal Challengers Bangalore, the year has already started on a promising note for the Swing Queen.

Follow Renuka Singh Thakur on Instagram

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Neeraj Chopra: First Indian to win gold at World Athletics Championships

(Aug 29, 2023) Rewards and accolades never seem to stop raining down on Neeraj Chopra. He has made India proud once again 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. Neeraj Chopra was conferred a Padma Shri in January 2022, and Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award in 2021. He also received Arjuna award back in 2018. The Indian Army offered him a direct appointment as a Junior Commissioned Officer Subedar (JCO) in the Rajputana Rifles in 2016 when he was just 18. Indian Army does not appoint fresh recruits to such a position but looking at his South Asian Games performance that year and also looking at his future potential, they made this coveted appointment. [caption id="attachment_32764" align="aligncenter" width="659"] Neeraj Chopra[/caption] Neeraj has several eclectic firsts to his credit. He is the first Asian track and field athlete to win a gold in Olympics 2020, and also the first track and field athlete from India to win at the IAAF World U20 Championships

/Neeraj-Chopra.jpg" alt="Indian Athletes | Neeraj Chopra | Global Indian" width="659" height="433" /> Neeraj Chopra[/caption]

Neeraj has several eclectic firsts to his credit. He is the first Asian track and field athlete to win a gold in Olympics 2020, and also the first track and field athlete from India to win at the IAAF World U20 Championships in 2016. His world under-20 record throw of 86.48 m made him the first Indian athlete to achieve a world record.

Neeraj is one of the only two Indians to have won an individual Olympic gold medal (Abhinav Bindra is the other). The talented athlete had set ablaze the Olympic scene as the youngest-ever Indian Olympic gold medallist in an individual event and the only one to have won gold in his Olympic debut. He represented India in 2018 Commonwealth Games and Asian Games and claimed gold in both. Global Indian turns the spotlight on the journey of the super athlete.

“When the desire for success does not let you sleep, when there is nothing better than hard work, when you do not get tired after working continuously, understand that you are going to create a new history of success.” - Neeraj Chopra

[caption id="attachment_32773" align="aligncenter" width="685"] Neeraj after winning gold[/caption]

Struggles with childhood obesity

Looking at him now, it’s hard to believe that the track and field athlete and reigning Olympic champion in Javelin throw struggled with childhood obesity. This Khandra village boy of Haryana was often teased by children. Addressing his son’s ordeals of getting bullied for weight, Neeraj’s farmer father enrolled him in a gymnasium at Madlauda, a Haryana province.

Neeraj, later enrolled in a gym in Panipat and made physical activity an integral part of his life as he did not want to be an object of fun for the village boys anymore. While playing at Shivaji stadium at Panipat, Neeraj came across javelin throwers and began participating in the game The rest is history!

Learning ancient art from modern platform

There is archaeological evidence that javelins were already in use by the last phase of the lower Paleolithic age that dates back to about 300,000 years ago. Indian Mythology talks about extensive use of this great weapon. This powerful weapon is known to be the favourite of Kartikeya (son of Shiva and Parvati and elder brother of Ganesh), known as the Hindu God of war. History is also replete with use of javelin as a powerful weapon in warfare spanning centuries. Interestingly javelin started trending in India only after Neeraj Chopra created history with it in the Olympics.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4wUBsLkgW0

As part of its promotional campaigns YouTube has been flashing Neeraj Chopra’s tryst with Javelin stressing on the fact that it was the platform that helped the village athlete in picking up tips and tricks of the game. Neeraj has affirmed that he attempted to copy the style of Czech javelin champion Jan Zelezny while watching the YouTube videos of his performances.

Parent’s and Panipat’s role in preparing the Olympian

He mentioned in an interview:

“In the village that I grew up; no one did athletics. For a lot of my life, I didn’t even know what a javelin was.”

Having discovered the game by chance, Chopra had started visiting Panipat Sports Authority of India (SAI) centre where his talent was recognised by the local coach. He helped him hone his skills and win some local competitions as well. Motivated by winning a bronze in a district championship, Neeraj persuaded his parents to allow him to shift to Panipat from the village to pursue the techniques of the game. That move was quite unconventional for the place that he hailed from and considering the fact that Neeraj was just 13 at that time.

[caption id="attachment_26049" align="aligncenter" width="765"] Neeraj Chopra with his parents on their first flight[/caption]

However, adding wings to the young athlete’s dreams was the best decision of his parents. Life unfolded beautifully, later. For starter, the youngster participated in National Junior Athletics Championships in Lucknow after rigorous training in Panipat and won gold there.

“My village still does not have a playground. Whenever I stay there, I need to practice on the road,” he informed. His flight from such humble backgrounds to reaching the sky in international sporting events is inspiring for millions of Indians and similar to living in a dream for his parents who hardly have exposure to the world outside their province.

Sharing one of the most fulfilling moments of his life, Neeraj Chopra tweeted:

"A small dream of mine came true today as I was able to take my parents on their first flight.”

International beginnings and army induction

Neeraj’s first international competition was in 2013 in Ukraine. He went on to win his first international medal in 2014 at the Youth Olympics Qualification games in Bangkok. By 2016 he started training under the Australian Coach, late Gary Calvert. Neeraj’s performances started improving in international games thereafter.

[caption id="attachment_26051" align="aligncenter" width="622"] Neeraj Chopra with late Bipin Rawat, former Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army[/caption]

Impressed with his performance at the South Asian Games and looking at his future potential, the Indian Army offered him a direct appointment as a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) in the Rajputana Rifles in 2016. He was inducted as Naib Subedar, a rank that is usually not granted immediately to athletes recruited as non-commissioned officers (NCO).

Continuing with high voltage performances

June 14, 2022 marked the high voltage return of Neeraj Chopra in the javelin turf after 311 days of the historic Olympics gold achievement. He finished a close second (winning silver) at Paavo Nurmi Games in Turku, Finland, competing with world and Olympic champions like Oliver Helander, Johannes Vetter, Anderson Peters, and Julian Weber.

What was glorious about his second-placed finish is that the athlete had participated in a competition after close to a year since his Olympics win. Also, Neeraj unleashed 89.30m while the first-placed Oliver Helander of Finland with his personal best was not too far at 89.93m. Cherry on top was that Neeraj marked a new national record to his name with the 89.30 m throw which turned out to be his personal best. However, Neeraj was prowling for more. Just five days after this achievement his tiger moves crowned India with gold at the Kuortane Games in Finland.

Talking about the sudden interest of youngsters in the game, he mentioned:

“I see so much potential for Indians with the javelin. To succeed you need strength and speed, and Indian kids have that. I think, more and more, they'll see what we’re achieving and will become inspired to pick up a javelin themselves.” - Neeraj Chopra

There is certainly more to come from the Olympian in the coming days. India is looking forward to celebrate all his victories!

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