Global Indianstory Global Indian ExclusiveArjun Sharda: Texas teen blending learning and networking with TLEEM

Arjun Sharda: Texas teen blending learning and networking with TLEEM

Written by: Amrita Priya

(June 26, 2024) ‘We’re here to put a dent in the universe. Otherwise, why else even be here?’ This quote of Steve Jobs is one of the favourites of Texas teen Arjun Sharda. “The thought resonates deeply with me and has become my life mission,” he tells Global Indian. Last year, the 13-year-old founded TLEEM, which stands for Technology, Leadership, Engineering, Entrepreneurship and Math to help K12 students network and excel in these fields. Within months Arjun and his team have formed 15 chapters of TLEEM across seven countries.

Inspired by Steve Jobs’ salesmanship, the teenager has even authored a book titled ‘The Salesperson’s Direction to Clients’. Pushing his limits, the youngster has been establishing himself as a social entrepreneur, author, speaker, and programmer.

Arjun Sharda

Arjun is happy about the early milestones of TLEEM. For helping K12 students build a learning network at an early age, his venture has received a $500 USD donation from the Salice Family Foundation. “This contribution will support our future programs and general operating costs. We are incredibly thankful for this generous donation,” remarks the teenager who has spoken at events like DevOpsDays Austin and DevelopersWeek as one of the youngest speakers.

Turning passion into social entrepreneurship

With TLEEM, Arjun aims to empower students to develop skills that schools might not teach by creating a learning network. “We’re tomorrow. We’re the next leaders and CEOs. If someone has a burning passion for something, they should be able to follow it, regardless of age. And I think that networking plays a big role in being able to follow it,” he remarks.

From a young age, Arjun developed a keen interest in technology, leadership, entrepreneurship, engineering, and math. He started coding at the age of seven and has since developed expertise in Python, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, TypeScript, and Java, contributing to various open-source projects available on platforms like GitHub. Some of his significant projects include Searchor, TimeConv, and Passeo. “These are being used by businesses and individuals,” he shares, adding, “I also attended an engineering class and participated in a gifted program called PACE Math where seventh-grade students studied eighth-grade mathematics.”

Arjun Sharda

However, his school did not have a club that supported his multidisciplinary interests. Determined to pursue his passions, Arjun founded a school club and named it TLEEM. In this endeavour, he received support not only from his schoolmates but also from teachers and the assistant principal of his school.

Creating milestones

When Arjun and his friends started posting about TLEEM’S activities on online forums, they were delighted to receive interest from youngsters in other parts of the globe and within a short frame of time TLEEM grew into an organisation with 15 chapters across seven countries. “We have chapters in countries like Morocco, Indonesia, Croatia, Slovakia, India, and the USA,” Arjun says. TLEEM provides options for two types of chapters – school chapters and community chapters.

Arjun Sharda

Interspersing love for technology, marketing and writing

Apart from his deep interest in technology, it was curiosity that led Arjun to self-publish the book, ‘’The Salesperson’s Direction to Clients’ which is his personal analysis of the sales data of companies such as Apple and Google.

“While searching for a new phone online, I got curious about how big companies like Apple, Google, and Samsung sell their products. For example, how does Apple manage to sell iPhones for $1,000 and make a fortune, even though Google’s Pixel or Samsung smartphones might have better technical specifications for the same price or even cheaper?” he remarks.

Intrigued, he researched and found interesting information about Apple’s marketing strategies. For instance, a simple design and easy-to-use interface attract more customers, even if another phone brand has better technical specifications, as customers want comfort. “I wrote a short book about my findings and published it in April 2023, using Amazon KDP and Draft2Digital, LLC. I was just 11 at that time,” he says.

Arjun Sharda

Support from family

Happy about his accomplishments and TLEEM’s growth, Arjun thanks his mother for being a significant contributor, especially with the paperwork required to make TLEEM a registered 501(c)(3) organisation.

Born in Santa Clara, California, Arjun lives with his parents in Austin, Texas. “My parents are from Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan and moved to the United States in 2008. I have an intelligent and loving brother, Arin, who will be turning four in a few days,” says the youngster, who is also a contributor to GREY Journal and the editor-in-chief of Generation Insider magazine.

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Published on 26, Jun 2024

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Making India proud: Meet the young prodigies who are finding solutions for global issues

(August 14, 2022) While people of the country were busy fighting over various problems, the youth have been working quietly behind the scenes, away from the noise, to find answers. In the last 75 years, India has witnessed many young minds who have played an instrumental role in finding the solutions to some of the biggest issues plaguing our society. From space technology to artificial intelligence, and environment to social issues, these innovators have earned global recognition in various fields. Global Indian puts the spotlight on five young prodigies, whose research and innovations are making a positive impact - not just in India, but across the world. Self-powered freezer to keep vaccines cool When he was 15 years old, Anurudh Ganesan invented VAXXWAGON, a portable refrigeration system to transport vaccines safely and effectively. The invention won him a slew of awards, including the LEGO Education Builder Award and the Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes. The VAXXWAGON runs on a "no ice, no electricity" system and is very cost-effective (less than $100). It can also keep the temperature consistent for several hours at a stretch. When he was an infant, his grandparents carried him ten miles in rural South India

rature consistent for several hours at a stretch.

When he was an infant, his grandparents carried him ten miles in rural South India to get him his routine polio vaccination. When they finally arrived, they found the vaccines were useless after having not been refrigerated for an extended period.

Always given to questions and innovation, he recalls asking his father when he was five years old, about inventing a vehicle that doesn't need gas. The innovator didn't stop there. He went on to research the subject, learning everything he could about self-generating power. In keeping with this, VAXXWAGON works with "wheel-powered refrigeration". As the wheel turns, mechanical energy is converted to thermal energy and can keep vaccines cold for up to 16 hours after being powered for only half that time.

Follow Anurudh Ganesan on LinkedIn

Teen's answer to aircraft accidents

Back in 2019, Pravin Nagendran, a student of Biotechnology at Bannari Amman Engineering College in Erode, began working on a plant-based, flame-resistant alternative to materials like glass fibre. To minimise damage caused by impact, aircraft and other vehicles are built using a composite material, like glass fibre, to add tensile strength. The flip side is that they are flammable.

Working out of his lab in college as soon as the lockdown was lifted, the innovator developed a prototype, made by extracting nanoparticles from the ash of the plant, he told Better India. This came after one year of research, during which he worked with members of the faculty to identify a suitable biomaterial. They tested the material at high temperatures and found it completely resistant to fire. It is also biodegradable.

The invention won him third place from over 65,000 entries at the Defence Research and Development Organisation's contest, Dare to Dream 2.0. He hopes to commercialise it after he graduates from college.

The girl who has a planet named after her in the Milky Way

Growing up in Bengaluru, the city of lakes, Sahithi Pingali had come across many infamous incidents of the Bellandur, Arthur, and Agara lakes bursting into flames from the heaps of garbage around them. Worried about the pollution in the water bodies, the innovator came up with an award-winning paper – ‘An Innovative Crowdsourcing Approach to Monitoring Freshwater Bodies', and presented it at Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF).

Her work was based on the insights she had gathered through a lake monitoring app and a monitoring kit that she had created to collect the crowdsourced data on the issue. The 16-year-old not only won the second prize at ISEF 2017 but also bagged additional three special prizes there. The talented innovator was pleasantly surprised when the Massachusetts Institute of Technology partnered with ISEF and decided to name a planet in the Milky Way after her as a reward, making entire India proud. Sahiti is now a master’s student of management science and engineering, at Stanford University and has worked in several environment-related initiatives since then.

Follow Sahithi Pingali on Twitter and LinkedIn

Finding solutions for a better tomorrow

As a young kid, Arunima Sen was often in awe of her parents who spent hours working on various projects for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). That's how she developed an interest in the subject and started working on innovative solutions for global problems. When she was in grade 10, she was selected for The Junior Academy programme conducted by The New York Academy of Sciences, and that set her on the course of finding many solutions.

From measuring micro-nutrients in a person's body using strands of hair, to developing a method to save energy in high-rise buildings, the 20-year-old innovator has found a solution to every problem in most developing countries. A climate activist, Arunima is the recipient of several international and national awards — including the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar, MPower Financing Women in STEM Grand Award, and the Distinguished Student Award from the New York Academy of Sciences — and has been named a 2020 Global Teen Leader of the We Are Family Foundation and one of the Mars Generation’s 24 under 24 Innovators in STEM and Space.

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."

Follow Arunima Sen on Twitter

A superhero for women

Shocked by the most gruesome ‘Nirbhaya’ incident of the country, Siddhartha Mandala, who was a 12-year-old kid then, had accompanied his mother for public demonstrations that followed. Deeply moved by the sordid event, the youngster spent the next four years creating a device to prevent molestation and rape. The gadget that he named ‘Electroshoe’ passes electricity to electrocute molesters.

The young innovator had not lost his patience in creating the device even when his prototype had failed 17 times and he had got electrocuted twice during the experiments. The footwear created by him can also send signals to the police, friends, and family using GPS. Influenced by his mother’s activism, Siddharth also started an NGO, Cognizance Welfare Initiative (CWI) to spread awareness about rape and its prevention. He is now a student fellow at the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Claremont, California. The youngster often visits dating sites, not to find a dating partner but to sell his device.

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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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Transcendental prodigy: 100 world records, three honorary doctorates and 200 awards – K Prisha is the youngest yoga guru of the visually impaired

(November 5, 2023) Teen prodigy K Prisha is often addressed as "Dr Prisha" in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, and rightly so. The youngster has been honoured with not just one but three honorary doctorates for her spectacular achievements in yoga and social service — from the University of Jerusalem Medical College & Hospitals, Vellore (2019), Indian Empire University, Chennai (2021), and World Tamil University of USA (2021). [caption id="attachment_19534" align="aligncenter" width="511"] K Prisha, yoga prodigy[/caption] In 2018 and again in 2019, Prisha brought home the gold in the international yoga championships held in Mayalsia and Thailand. She’s also the youngest yoga teacher for the blind and has been certified by the NCPCR, government of India and holds 100 world records for a plethora of skills – yoga, swimming, blind-folded cycling, skating, ambidextrous writing, solving the Rubik’s Cube, Aqua Yoga, and more. Global University, Missouri, USA, recognised Prisha as the youngest person to hold the maximum number of world records. This little bundle of talent has even written a book, Yoga Indrae Seivom Inbum Peruvom, in Tamil, highlighting the benefits of the 5,000-year-old ancient Indian therapy to prevent and cure three common diseases – diabetes, asthma, and blood pressure. [caption id="attachment_19535" align="aligncenter" width="718"] Prisha's room-full of awards[/caption] Such is

ognised Prisha as the youngest person to hold the maximum number of world records. This little bundle of talent has even written a book, Yoga Indrae Seivom Inbum Peruvom, in Tamil, highlighting the benefits of the 5,000-year-old ancient Indian therapy to prevent and cure three common diseases – diabetes, asthma, and blood pressure.

[caption id="attachment_19535" align="aligncenter" width="718"] Prisha's room-full of awards[/caption]

Such is her command of yoga therapy that people in Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry flock to her for treatment and workshops. "Yoga improves immunity, stamina, and focus." I have been doing it since I was one-year-old, "Prisha tells Global Indian. It has helped her "get superpowers," she says, claiming she can "bend a spoon if I want by looking at it (telekinesis)." She’s so attuned to her senses and surroundings that she can ride a bicycle or cook blindfolded.

I can body scan for healing diseases and also make future predictions with the deep focus that I have attained from yoga and meditation - K Prisha

Teacher and healer who is sought by many

The youngster, who has an impressive collection of over 200 medals, awards, and certificates that she bagged in state-wide, national, and international competitions and events, teaches yoga every day to the visually-challenged. She has also been teaching the elderly in old age homes, and NCC cadets, apart from conducting numerous workshops for people from different walks of life. With her guidance, visually challenged students have found a drastic improvement in their eyesight. Schoolkids have also enhanced their focus, and the elderly and those who suffered from COVID-19 are able to lead healthier lives. One of her visually impaired students even went on to break a world record in yoga.

[caption id="attachment_19541" align="aligncenter" width="546"] Prisha with her visually impaired students[/caption]

It all started at home...

Yoga flows in the family. Since Prisha's mother, G Devi Priya, a lawyer by qualification and a yoga teacher by passion, was deeply seeped in it, the prodigy started showing interest in it when she was just one year old. She could do some asanas even before she could walk. The legacy starts with her grandmother, who is a professor of Yoga in Pondicherry. So far, Devi Priya has been her first and only guru, under whose guidance the teen has made extraordinary achievements.

Despite being a gold-medalist in law and MSc in naturopathy and yoga, Devi Priya has been completely focused on managing her multi-talented daughter’s schedules, travelling with her for workshops and competitions.

Her father, Karthik Rajendran, is a businessman and sports enthusiast who has inspired Prisha to excel in sports and martial arts like tennis and karate. At the age of seven, she participated in state and national level crossbow shooting and won gold medal in both. The multi-talented teen has a blue belt in karate and has won several competitions in it as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfkTKEO3Gz0

However, the love for yoga surpasses all. "I want to become a doctor of naturopathy and spread awareness of yoga throughout the world," says the teenager, who has been invited as a judge at the National Youth Festival conducted by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and as chief guest to an event at Nehru Yuva Kendra, a Government of India entity. The youngster’s list of achievements never seems to end. She has been invited to several television programmes covering her extraordinary talent, and has been leaving people awestruck with her ability to instantly choreograph any dance number while possessing a great ear for music.

Yoga for a good life

The standard nine student of Meena Shankar Vidyalaya School, Tirunelveli, looks at her passion to teach yoga as a vehicle of the common good, so that even the vulnerable, like the differently-abled, can benefit and lead a wholesome life. Her dream is impressive — to adopt a village and teach yoga to everyone there.

[caption id="attachment_19546" align="aligncenter" width="712"] Prisha participating in a yoga competition, a few years ago[/caption]

In 2022, the golden girl of yoga had went to two international trips. She went to Malaysia for a 16-day workshop organised by the Malaysian Association for the Blind where she also conducted a four-day camp on yoga awareness. She also travelled to Dubai to receive the Global Child Prodigy award, which was conferred to 99 other youngsters from across the globe. "Until now I have transformed lives of more than 10 million people through free yoga classes," tells Prisha who hopes to transform more lives in India and abroad in the days to come.

Follow K Prisha on Facebook

Reading Time: 5 mins

AI for auditory wellness: Surya Maddula’s quest to tackle noise pollution

(January 19, 2024) According to World Bank estimates, by 2050, nearly 2.5 billion people are projected to have hearing loss, and at least 700 million will require hearing rehabilitation. Also, over one billion young adults are at risk of permanent, avoidable hearing loss due to unsafe listening practices. This is an issue 16-year-old Bengaluru boy Surya Maddula wants to tackle. The youngster was intrigued by the cacophony surrounding him. The never-ending noise stirred his curiosity to find a solution, whether it was the clamour of traffic and ongoing construction work nearby, animals around, or the thunderous departure of planes. Fueled by the constant disturbances, he devoted himself to inventing a solution for the challenges posed by such man-made environmental challenges and was able to. He came up with the idea of ‘open-air active noise cancellation using artificial intelligence’. [caption id="attachment_35320" align="aligncenter" width="474"] Surya Maddula[/caption] When the teen was confident about the potential of the solution he developed after dedicated research, he filed a patent at The Patent Office, Government of India, and was granted the patent for an invention of ‘A noise cancellation system and a method to operate the same'. “Later, I applied at the India Book of Records,”

| Surya Maddula | Global Indian " width="474" height="350" /> Surya Maddula[/caption]

When the teen was confident about the potential of the solution he developed after dedicated research, he filed a patent at The Patent Office, Government of India, and was granted the patent for an invention of ‘A noise cancellation system and a method to operate the same'.

“Later, I applied at the India Book of Records,” Surya shares with Global Indian. He is glad to have earned their appreciation certificate and medal for getting a patent for his AI-powered solution to combat noise pollution at 15 years and 10 months.

Apart from working on this burning issue, Surya has other achievements to his credit. He is engaged in an apprenticeship with a Professor from Columbia University and is also associated with The Knowledge Society (TKS), a teenage accelerator programme. He has also contributed to and received value from entrepreneurial skills development programmes conducted by Google, Y Combinator, and BITS Pilani - Dubai Campus, to name a few.

Addressing noise pollution

“I realise that Noise Pollution is a big problem that is putting millions of people at risk, and as a responsible citizen of my country, it is important to me to address this problem to change the lives of people in India for the better,” he says. Surya has leveraged the power of AI to find a solution. “One of many abilities of my solution is using AI to understand foreground and background noise and classify them to eliminate unwanted background noise.”

With validation received as a Patent Certificate from The Patent Office, Government of India, the youngster is now working on the hardware.

“My hardware design is about using strategically placed sensors/sound level meters that send sound data to the Home Device, which processes noise using Cloud Computing. It puts out a sound wave with the amplitude inversed so that the sound waves cancel each other out as proved by destructive interference,” he says. “It will also help in emergency noise detection and intelligent noise sensory capabilities.”

[caption id="attachment_35316" align="aligncenter" width="635"] Surya Maddula at the Shell Changemakers of Tomorrow conference in Bengaluru[/caption]

Apprenticeship with Columbia University professor

Though noise pollution is his primary interest, the 12th-grade student is curious about many other applications of AI. Although Surya is still in school, he is working closely with Columbia University Professor Alejandro Zarate, and under the professor’s guidance, he is learning about Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) and applying it for data extraction and customization of documents. “Document processing is a big business problem, and extracting the relevant data is key for organisational success.”

Talking about the opportunity to learn from a Columbia University professor while still in school, he remarks, “I reached out to him on LinkedIn because I had been following him on the platform, and he inspired me so much that I wanted to learn under his guidance. Through the tips and guidance given by my Directors at The Knowledge Society, I learned efficient networking, helping me get opportunities I never thought I’d get,” he adds.

He is working on a project under Professor Zarate’s guidance on Large Language Models (LLMs). “The opportunity to work under the professor has improved my professional skills, and has led me to understand how LLMs work is of utmost significance,” he says. “The Zoom calls, the brainstorming sessions, the WhatsApp chats, the guidance I get, and the entire scenario of working with such an experienced professional is so exciting. There is something to learn from every call with him and every message I get from him. I feel privileged and humbled that I was able to get this opportunity,” he remarks.

Association with The Knowledge Society

Surya is also associated with The Knowledge Society (TKS) - a group of highly ambitious youngsters who want to, ‘quite literally put a ding in the universe.’ “TKS alumni go to some of the best universities in the world. They have raised millions of dollars, launched successful companies, partnered with dozens of multi-billion-dollar companies, and spoken at events and conferences, creating an impact.” Surya believes in ‘getting value and adding value,’ which is why he loves being part of TKS. The organisation has changed his perspective towards giving back and boosted his confidence with some great speaking opportunities.

[caption id="attachment_35317" align="aligncenter" width="720"] Surya Maddula at the Shell Changemakers of Tomorrow conference in Bengaluru[/caption]

“I started with TKS as part of their ‘Innovate’ program in September 2022. Since then, I’ve worked on many projects while learning about new technologies.” As part of TKS activities, he has also had an opportunity to develop an entrepreneurial bent of mind by working on problem statements and pitching solutions to problems to senior business executives of multi-billion-dollar companies who are partners of TKS.

Apart from that, he has learned from case studies to prepare for real-life entrepreneurial situations and develop skills like networking, building relations, adapting to technologies, and thinking like a business leader or future entrepreneur. “It’s a life-changing programme,” remarks Surya.

“The more effort and work you are willing to put in, the greater the outcome. That's exactly how it was for me. You can’t even compare pre-TKS and post-TKS Surya,” he remarks.

A business leader in the making

Surya aspires to have a career focusing on making life better for people around him and is enrolled in Google’s Student Entrepreneur Program. It’s a self-paced instructor-led program with coursework and lectures to prepare future entrepreneurs.

[caption id="attachment_35327" align="aligncenter" width="732"] Surya Maddula pitching at BITS Pilani Dubai's YEB[/caption]

He also traveled to Dubai for the Young Entrepreneurs’ Boot Camp (YEB) held at the BITS Pilani Dubai Campus. It was his first international flight alone after passing the selection process that comprised a written application with several questions.

“My experience there was fantastic,” he says about the trip. “I was able to explore the city, understand it, and navigate the differences between Bengaluru and Dubai. I spent an entire day with one of my friends from TKS, and we explored the city together on the metro, the tram, and on foot from Al Karama to Atlantis. The city is magical. There’s a lot a person can learn from being in a foreign country.” Surya is grateful to everyone who made this trip happen, especially Dr. Ramachandran from the BITS Pilani - Dubai Campus.

While exploring different career options, after finishing university, he is determined to work around computer science and AI, irrespective of what he chooses to become.

Finding support in family, hobbies, and a good lifestyle

The youngster finds immense support in his family, and just by looking at his parents, he learns life lessons every day. “My dad is the best life coach, and my mom’s perspective on things is on par with how good her food is,” he says. Being always ready to face anything while keeping the environment at home peaceful, working hard, and not letting one part of one’s life affect the other are the qualities of his parents that he would like to learn.

[caption id="attachment_35318" align="aligncenter" width="722"] Surya Maddula at Shell Changemakers of Tomorrow conference in Bengaluru with Yuri Sebregts, CTO, Shell[/caption]

The teenager loves swimming, sketching, and basketball and considers sleep integral to well-being. “Sleep is so underrated. I can feel myself getting recharged when I get a good night’s sleep,” he says.

He is an avid currency collector and has currency from across the globe - from Venezuela to the UAE to Uzbekistan to Hong Kong to Singapore. “I haven’t visited all these countries but got them by trading with other collectors,” he signs off.

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Reading Time: 5 mins

Anshita Mehrotra: Revolutionising hair care with Fix My Curls

(January 28, 2024) When she was just 19, Anshita Mehrotra, a student, was on a winter break at her Varanasi home. Having curly hair, she did a casual Google search on curly hair products that gave her empty results, and anything available was ridiculously expensive. She realised, in an epiphany, that curly hair is rarely represented in pop culture, media, or even on beauty racks on stores. The wide gap in the haircare market for curly hair was evident and Anshita decided she would provide a solution. Childhood Nostalgia As a kid, Mehrotra was very interested in pop culture, writing, reading and storytelling. She studied at Pathways World School Aravali, and she admits that this experience shaped her into who she is today. “I loved fiction books, diving deep into stories that were far off from my actual life, it was my way of relaxing. I initially thought I would grow up to write, and I did write a collection of poetry in college which I self-published later, titled ‘Love Comes Full Circle’ at 19,” she reminisces. At home on a college winter break she realised that she had no products for textured curls, or wavy Indian hair. “I realised

red curls, or wavy Indian hair. “I realised no one in our country saw curly or wavy hair as worthy of being taken care of, so I felt very strongly about it and began researching formulations. I took the semester off, and realised I wanted to make Fix My Curls much bigger than what I had initially thought,” she says.

Safe ways

That’s how Mehrotra started working on her product, Fix My Curls, whose main USP is specially-crafted formula meant for curly and wavy hair, which is also free from silicone, sulphates, paraben, waxes, mineral oil and drying alcohols, as they can worsen the dry, frizzy tendencies of textured hair. “We choose softer, balanced formulations that use butters, oils, and naturally occurring cleansing agents that are not as harsh as those in the mass market to care for our curly headed customers. With upto eight rounds of formulating per product, we take anywhere from 6-8 months to launch each product, to make sure we get it just right. We also pride ourselves on choosing ingredients from France, and Germany as well as locally sourcing from India when it makes sense,” says Mehrotra.

Growing together

Women all over the world are turning their problems into multi-million dollar businesses. “They are the ones who go back home and manage the house and get back up to go manage their empire. I especially admire women venture capitalists that are pushing the notion that women led ideas and businesses deserve funding now more than ever. My biggest inspiration would be my mother, Shaily Mehrotra, she runs Fixderma and has taught me some invaluable lessons on making sure product is king,” says Mehrotra.

Now, curly hair products are flooding the market, which Mehrotra sees as a positive sign. “I love it, in fact we encourage more and more brands to enter this space because it helps us further educate and grow the market,” she says. And while it’s not an easy journey, it’s worth it, she remarks. “Our once-niche segment is now thriving and gives our customers so many options and communities to feel like they belong. At the end of the day that is our goal, to give them a space where they feel good about their natural hair, curly, wavy, or coily,” she adds.

Building communities

She plans to make Fix My Curls a community-driven brand and says that she loves her customers and trusts their instinct on the product and what they should make as they move forward. “They drive the brand and have supported us immensely, so we look to make the product experience the best for them as we move forward. We also plan to begin our offline retail journey with salons and are present in Shoppers Stop branches across India currently. We also aim to make sure quick commerce is PAN India for us through BlinkIt and Swiggy Instamart so our customers never have to wait for the product,” she says. The brand has also begun their journey into the US market with the help of CurlsMonthly, a monthly subscription service that gives curly hair products from all over the globe to their customers to try before they buy. “We still have to properly set up distribution in the US but Amazon has been a great help in getting us there because they've made it incredibly easy to onboard and sell the product. We have also always made sure we are compliant, and our formulations are approved by FDA standards to be sold in the US. We aim to work much harder this year to reach that market the best we can,” she explains.

Learning lessons

Anshita Mehrotra usually takes challenges one day at a time and says that she has learnt the valuable lesson of worrying only about what is right in front of you, rather than worrying for the future as that is not here yet. Basic operational and supply chain challenges are most common in the personal care industry, and take time and consistency to move through, Mehrotra has learned, in her journey with Fix My Curls. “I have learnt many lessons, but there have been some that have stuck. Your gut will make some of the best business decisions for you, but knowing to listen to it is when it can be hard. Say no more often than yes. Don't work with everyone, it's not worth your time,” she says.

[caption id="attachment_35495" align="aligncenter" width="554"] Anshita Mehrotra, founder, Fix My Curls[/caption]

In her free time, Anshita Mehrotra loves trying new coffee shops, Pilates classes, tennis lessons with a coach, reading fiction fantasy books, and cooking. “I also love going on the hunt for authentic Japanese and Korean eatery spots in Delhi NCR with my friends,” she says. The 24 year old is taking giant strides in the cosmetic industry by catering to a niche that has been seldom explored and this reflects her business acumen that belies her age.

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