Global Indianstory Global Indian ExclusiveHow 15-year-old golfer Avani Prashanth, the maiden of swing, has her sights on Asian Games 2022

Global Indian Exclusive

How 15-year-old golfer Avani Prashanth, the maiden of swing, has her sights on Asian Games 2022

Written by: Ikyatha Yerasala

(December 23, 2021) Driven, zealous and supremely skilled, 15-year-old golfer Avani Prashanth is a teen wonder whose achievements have now made her the number 1 amateur player in the country. The Bengaluru-based ninth grader recently won the Global Prodigy Award 2021, which recognises the top 100 child prodigies around the globe from different verticals.

Thrilled to bits about her latest recognition, Avani tells Global Indian, “It feels great to win this award as so many children who are talented in diverse fields had applied for it. I will be heading to Dubai for the award ceremony in February 2022.”

Avani Prashanth with her winning trophy at All India Ladies Amateur Championship

Road to No. 1

Avani is now the best ranked Indian golfer on the World Amateur Golf Ranking at 136th position globally, and is the number one amateur golfer in India. The All India Ladies Amateur tournament which was held in November, which Avani won, propelled her to the number 1 spot in the country. “This is a prestigious tournament which is played over a period of seven days, and I had to play nine rounds of golf. I’m the only player to have won both the match play and the stroke play, and this rare double victory is all the more special as no one else has won it in the last decade,” beams the teenager who is eyeing the Asian Games for more silverware, and busy training under her British coach.

Avani topped off this major victory with another laurel by winning the IGU All-India Junior Golf Championship in Ahmedabad a week ago. The golfer is also a two-time winner on the Women’s Professional Golf Tour of India. Some of the other milestones in this fervent youngster’s journey are being the best-performing Indian female in the US Kids World Championship held at North Carolina and also at the European Championship held at Scotland.

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The beginning

The road to number one has been filled with arduous work and perseverance for Avani. Her tryst with golf happened when she was barely four. “My father, who used to play golf, wanted to take my granddad to learn the sport. On that particular day, I excitedly asked my father to take me along too, and he did and also gave me a junior club to play with. Although the coach was reluctant about teaching a four-year-old, he was amazed by my hand-eye coordination at such an early age. When he and my dad returned after three hours, they saw that I was still practising with the club. They were convinced that I was born to play golf,” reminisces Avani, who first trained in Gurgaon, post which she went to Nigeria and then finally moved to Bengaluru six years ago. “Bengaluru is where I honed my golf skills properly. I currently train at the Karnataka Golf Association and also at the Eagleton, The Golf Resort and Sir Laurence Brotheridge, my coach from the UK, trains me online.”

Balancing act

A ninth grader from Greenwood High School, Avani credits her school management for their constant support. “My principal Aloysius D’Mello and my teachers are really supportive and accommodative. They let me give my exams according to my schedule and don’t pressurise me even if I am unable to write the exams along with the other students. Recently, I wasn’t able to give my term 1 exams with the others as I was busy playing tournaments, so they created a separate question paper for me, and allowed me to take the exam later,” says a thankful Avani.

Avani Prashanth

Of course, having supportive parents who root for you consistently can make a youngster’s journey towards their goal all the more easier. “My parents Surekha and Prashanth have been very encouraging and supportive. My dad never thought twice about taking me on a tour to Scotland when I was just six, and spending money on the best equipment and coaches to train with. In fact, my dad is my best friend,” shares Avani. Her father works in the pharmaceutical industry and her mother, a home maker travels with Avani on her golfing exploits.

Despite not being able to indulge in typical teen activities like most other people her age, Avani maintains that she doesn’t miss out as she loves playing golf. “I also get to travel across the world for tournaments while playing my favourite sport, so I have the best of everything,” smiles the tiny golfer who idolises American golfer Nelly Korda who won the LPGA seven times.

Making golf more accessible

Golf in India is still a growing sport, and not accessible to everyone because of how expensive it is. While Avani was lucky to have the best training facilities, not every aspiring golfer has that privilege. In order to make the sport more accessible to youngsters, Avani says, “They should create more driving ranges as most of them are currently in private clubs, which you need to be a member of, to be able to undergo golf training. Increasing the number of driving ranges will expose more youngsters to golf and also make the sport more accessible to them.”

Avani Prashanth is an amateur golfer.

As for her future plans, the go-getter has her eyes set on the Asian Games. “My goal for 2022 year is to break into the top 50-100 in the world and win a gold at the Asian Games in China, that will be held in September 2022,” she signs off.

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Let’s build sustainable rockets, says teen changemaker Anushka Sharad

(May 25, 2022) Sustainability in space exploration is one of modern man's biggest dilemmas, drawing bright young minds all in pursuit of a solution. Among them is eleventh-grader Anushka Sharad. A NASA citizen scientist who has helped search for asteroids, the teen changemaker shows a gravity far beyond her years. She aims to bring scientific knowledge to peers with less access and open their eyes to the vast possibilities the study of science affords. She is the founder of seekinspace.com, a NASA Citizen Scientist, science communicator and an amateur poet. "Theoretical astrophysics and computational astronomy are my areas of study," says Anushka, a serious teenager with an approach that is far beyond her years. Thousands of rockets and satellites launched over the last fifty years leading to a sizeable accumulation of junk outside the earth's orbit, sustainable space exploration is one of Anushka's focus areas. Her interest is timely: The subject of space debris has entered mainstream discourse and in 2021, China found itself under criticism from NASA for "failing to meet responsible standards regarding their space debris." The reproach came after remnants from China's Long March 5B rocket fell into the Indian Ocean only to be met with stubborn

r space debris." The reproach came after remnants from China's Long March 5B rocket fell into the Indian Ocean only to be met with stubborn silence from those responsible. Another focus area is asteroid mining - rich in elements and minerals, asteroids are untapped resources. "Can we harness methods like 3D printing and look at options like asteroid mining to curb our pollution of the earth," Anushka asks, in an interview with Global Indian.

STEM awareness and a personal space odyssey

Recently, Anushka began her role as a Global Ambassador with the Women Tech Network. The community, based in California, promotes gender diversity in technology and connects professionals with top companies and startups. It is a culmination, of sorts, of her attempts to spread awareness on the diverse potential of STEM subjects. For, not one to restrict herself to a single area of study, Anushka delivers lectures on AI and machine learning to other students, hoping to help them understand how they work. She also visits schools to spread awareness on the STEM fields.

"Most students don't know how many career options there are in science. It's not just about physics and math or engineering as a career. There are many choices - technology, chemistry and biology to name a few. But students don't explore these options," explains the teen changemaker. "I have done the exploration and understand how much can be done. I must tell the others too," she tells Global Indian.

In August 2021, Anushka began seekinspace.com, where she publishes her articles and blogs. She is also a researcher with The Nebula Space Organisation, a research platform for students by students. Also associated with The Aurora Academic Journal, another student run venture that works with young researchers from across the globe, Anushka has written over 70 articles on astronomy. "I showed up on YouTube as well," Anushka says. "It's mostly for the AI sessions I conduct along with informative videos and opportunities in STEM fields."

Back to the beginning

"I knew I was made for science and it was made for me," Anushka remarks quietly. When she was in middle school, she got her hands on an encyclopaedia of science that covered an extensive breadth of topics. As she pored through them, her young mind was captivated by the idea that "We humans are made of stardust. We are the same as the cosmos. I am a cosmic entity," she smiles.

Inspired by idea, she studied more and more - always on her own, she says, "I have had no real mentor to guide me or even to point me in the right direction”. The pandemic hit and the country went into lockdown, leaving Anushka with enough time on her hands to continue her studies. She started reading every article she could find, watching videos and documentaries and making lists of books to read. She ordered the books online, building her "treasury of books," as she puts it. Writing articles to help herself analyse the information, Anushka discovered a flair for writing that she uses in her research papers, to write poetry and also, in her first book.

"I was intrigued with Stephen Hawking's The Grand Design," Anushka says. "He makes an argument against God, saying that there is no God and everything is natural," says Anushka. "I am a spiritual human being so I thought that if I want to understand God, I must read something against him. To me, it's about the power of nature."

The solitary observer

Always an observer, Anushka likes to spend her time in nature, paying attention the plants and animals she finds there. "I also like mountaineering," she says, describing many childhood vacations in the hills. "I climb the mountains and think, what is nature trying to teach me? What is it telling me? When I return, I recall those experience and try to understand what they were trying to tell me," she says. Hers is a life of observation marked by solitude, even at her young age. "Solitude is where I find my solace," Anushka admits.

Perhaps it was the solitary nature of her work but Anushka knew it was important for her to gain confidence and speak in public. "I began reaching out to students on Instagram and LinkedIn," says the teen, who is active on social media platforms. "I love connecting with students, especially when they are curious," says the teen changemaker.

Anushka visits CBSE and ICSE schools, organising sessions for students in Pune, where she lives. In October, she hopes to conduct her first session for adults as well, in collaboration with another organisation. "It will be a night camp like the one I had for students," she says. The night camp was her own first experience with a telescope, set up at the campsite beside a lake.

Science communicator

When her blogs and articles became popular among her family and friends, Anushka thought she might like to dabble in it. "I brought my skills in science and language together to be a science writer," says the teen changemaker. "As I understood more about astronomy, astrophysics, neuralinks, AI and machine learning, I wanted to find a way to unite technology and space exploration. Humans can't really travel through space but robots can. And I want to use my skills to be part of something like this, to create something that is bigger than me."

The road ahead

Currently in the midst of preparing for her SATs and IELTs, Anushka hopes to study abroad. "There are so many opportunities available. We get to research at a very early age, which is a big advantage," says Anushka. "India doesn't lack expertise but a bachelor's degree in astrophysics is hard to find," she says. "I also thought, if people like Kalam and Gandhi can benefit from studying abroad, why can't I? I want to study elsewhere and come back here to make an impact." The teen changemaker intends to remain in research, pushing the frontiers of what is known and what can be done, like "building sustainable rockets that are in keeping with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals," she suggests. "No matter what I do, my sole purpose is simply to serve humanity."

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Young agriculturist Rahul Vijayan is leading a mission for a healthier tomorrow

(September 21, 2023) In an era marked by climate uncertainty, dwindling arable land, and a growing global population, the traditional methods of agriculture are facing unprecedented challenges. However, a beacon of hope shines through the innovative and sustainable practice of hydroponics, which is poised to revolutionise the way we grow food. And pioneering this movement is a young Indian American agriculturist, Rahul Vijayan, a junior at Shadowcreek High School in Pearland, Texas, who recently won the prestigious President's Environmental Youth Award (PEYA), 2023. At just 16, this Global Indian has established the nonprofit organisation, called ' Farm to Tray', to enhance access to fresh organic produce in Houston-area schools. "The problem I am seeking to fix is poor child nutrition in American public schools," the agriculturist expressed, adding, "Most students in the USA receive about one-third of the nutrition from unhealthy lunches and breakfasts served in schools. However, I feel that food quality is only the tip of the iceberg; a lack of proper nutrition is detrimental to everything. Students have yet to be taught proper nutritional habits from a young age." Talking about being recognised by the US President for his efforts, he said, "I'm truly honoured, especially being

erved in schools. However, I feel that food quality is only the tip of the iceberg; a lack of proper nutrition is detrimental to everything. Students have yet to be taught proper nutritional habits from a young age."

Talking about being recognised by the US President for his efforts, he said, "I'm truly honoured, especially being so invested in sustainability and nature and climate change. I always love finding peers who are in the same field as me. I'm even trying to connect with some students there to bring hydroponics to their school and bring some of their projects to mine."

Food for all

The youngster, who has always been fascinated by newer technology and developing alternative methods to help people, embarked on his hydroponic farming journey in 2021 when he interned at Moonflower Farms, a large 20,000-square-foot sustainable greenhouse situated at 3905 Fuqua in Houston. Around the same time, Federico Marques, the CEO and founder of Moonflower Farms, collaborated with Vijayan to introduce hydroponic farming into schools, starting with Shadow Creek High School earlier this year. Their joint efforts resulted in the development of two systems: one, a six-by-four-foot hydroponic farm, allows students to cultivate crops like tomatoes, lettuce, mint, basil, and peppers; the second is a grow kit designed as a small, hands-on laboratory to introduce hydroponics to younger students at the elementary school level.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJHeRqrsI9k

In 2022, Rahul received a $3,200 grant from Earthforce, which funded the creation of the inaugural hydroponic farm in the advanced placement environmental science curriculum at Shadow Creek High School. This hydroponic system has successfully completed six cycles of produce growth. Subsequently, in January, he organised a symposium that inspired teachers throughout Alvin ISD to explore the integration of hydroponic farming into their classrooms. "I realised how big the market is and how teachers actually value this new tool and way of teaching students in a new, fun way," the agriculturist said.

Rahul collaborated with the Children's Environmental Literacy Foundation to supervise hydroponic farming practices in 49 schools spanning Texas, California, New York, and Connecticut. "I'm trying to expand it to more classes and curriculums to utilise this form of handheld teaching and project-based learning," the youngster said.

Apart from this, the 16-year-ols is also working on expanding the farming area in Houston. Interestingly, the oncology department at Houston Methodist Hospital in the Texas Medical Center has embraced Rahul's hydroponic farming techniques to establish a therapeutic garden for cancer patients. "Seeing these plants grow right next to them in their bedsite and eating fresh produce really helps boost morale and recovery," the agriculturist said.

The road ahead

Rahul's project combines technology and community responsibility. His efforts involve practical assessments to determine the optimal garden size, and his use of hydroponic technology eliminates the need for genetically modified organisms (GMOs) or pesticides, all while conserving space and water. Not only has the agriculturist introduced this technology to his community, but he also encourages others to embrace it. "I will continue to work on this project for a long time to come," he said, "My goal, although it's rather ambitious, is to have every American public school utilise hydroponic infrastructure to curb this problem of nationwide poor nutrition in schools."

[caption id="attachment_33192" align="aligncenter" width="633"] Rahul Vijayan has put together a first-of-its-kind hydroponic symposium[/caption]

The agriculturist is currently collaborating with the City of Pearland, Kroger grocery stores, and even NASA to share the benefits of his project with a broader audience. Moreover, he plans to establish new gardens in other schools, with a comprehensive seven-step plan for hydroponic implementation across school districts and states. His garden and teachings serve as an inspiration for others to incorporate fresh, organic produce into school lunches while instilling the principles of sustainable agriculture in the student curriculum.

"Eventually, I want my school's student body to run the programme within the environmental club. The produce generated by this cultivation would be used in the school cafeteria system. I plan to expand to eight already interested schools by March next year in my district alone. Although in parallel, I am working with schools and teachers from Ghana, India, and other US states," said the agriculturist.

Follow Farm to Tray on LinkedIn and their website

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‘App’solute vision: Diana Awardee Freya Thakral’s recycling & mental health smart solutions

(February 16, 2022) Frantically scribbling away ideas for a startup in 2019, Freya Thakral stumbled upon the huge plastic waste menace. The then 13-year-old created an app that recycles plastic, and even helps ragpickers live dignified life. The same year, India generated over 34 lakh tons of plastic waste, and the teenager knew it was time to take matters into her hand. Freya’s Recycler App, a free door-to-door waste collection service won her the Diana Award 2020. “I had no idea that my work was creating such a huge difference. The award was a validation of sorts, and has made me more comfortable about the path that I have taken,” she tells Global Indian. Incredibly, this isn’t the only app that made Freya a global name. The 15-year-old won the British Citizen Youth Award 2021 for empowering girls to express themselves through her wellbeing app Curiousify. An initiative that began during the pandemic, it helps women deal with mental health issues. [caption id="attachment_10922" align="aligncenter" width="493"] Freya Thakral at Young Founders Summit[/caption] When adventure gave her ideas Born in 2006 to a teacher-father and a homemaker-mother in the UK, Freya moved to Nepal with family at six owing to her dad’s

03ac1684-c02f-47a3-9d54-e084185d53901.jpg" alt="Diana Awardee | Freya Thakral " width="493" height="657" /> Freya Thakral at Young Founders Summit[/caption]

When adventure gave her ideas

Born in 2006 to a teacher-father and a homemaker-mother in the UK, Freya moved to Nepal with family at six owing to her dad’s sense of adventure. “After a year-and-a-half in Nepal, we moved to Delhi which was my home for almost five years,” says the 15-year-old who enrolled in the British School then. Fitting in was a task as neither was she “academically inclined” nor did she have “any particular hobbies.” However, things shifted for the teenager when she decided to participate in the Young Founders Summit, a global start-up competition and accelerator programme. There, Freya came up with the recycling app.

“Since I stayed in the UK and Nepal, I had seen the way waste was disposed. If England has a set system of disposing, open dumping of solid waste was a common practice in Nepal. In Delhi too, plastic was mixed with other waste, making it difficult to recycle. I realised no one was encouraged to recycle. That’s when the idea of a Recycler App struck me,” smiles the innovator who then involved ragpickers to help them in their vulnerability.

From “rags” to sustainable riches

It was after speaking to marginalised ragpickers in her locality, many of them children, Freya realised the need to build a more sustainable method of recycling. Driven by a passion to transform the lives of ragpickers, she decided to build the app to connect users with ragpickers.

The summit helped her find her first investor. With funds pouring in, she set up a warehouse in Ghaziabad and paid money to ragpickers. “A judge liked my idea, and even got me in touch with an investor who helped me understand the business side,” says the Class 10 student who had to learn coding online to develop the app with a little help from her father.

Launched in June 2019 on iOS, the app was initially available in South Delhi. “Anyone who wanted to avail the services could simply slot a date and time, and the ragpicker would collect plastic at the doorstep, which was sent to a recycling plant,” explains the young activist who at first started with only three collectors, and soon the number grew to 10.

[caption id="attachment_10924" align="aligncenter" width="620"] Freya Thakral with the middleman[/caption]

However, convincing ragpickers to work wasn’t easy. “Being so young, not many believe in your vision. So, it took time building trust. We worked with a middleman who had access to the app, and would send ragpickers to homes as not everyone had a touchscreen phone,” explains the Diana Awardee. Her motto was to improve the lives of ragpickers, and employ them. “Instead of roaming the streets, they could reach people who required their services. We would also pay a large part of the money we received from recycling to them,” adds the Brighton School Bangkok student who had 500 active users on the app that she calls the “Uber of recycling.”

Awards & glory thanks to a vision

Freya won the Diana Award 2020 for her app, and it completely “surprised” her.

“I had no idea that my work was getting noticed. While I couldn’t receive the award in person due to the pandemic, it was great connecting with those doing noteworthy work,” smiles the Diana Awardee.

Recycler’s operations are on hold since the pandemic began in 2020. “Collectors weren’t allowed into people’s houses. Since many came from squatter settlements, people were uncomfortable having them near during Covid-19. I, too, moved to the UK, thus it was hard to manage,” reveals Freya who wasn’t sure of “putting the burden of the business on someone else” in her absence. A handful of old users still use the app, and avail services.

Helping those struggling in the pandemic

As lockdown put a spade on everything, Freya was busy creating the app Curiousify which focusses on wellbeing and the mental health of young women. After experiencing emotional difficulties, she needed a constructive outlet to express herself. “I realised many young women going through issues were exposed to negative and incorrect information, thus exacerbating the situation. So, I decided to bring a sense of community with Curiousify,” reveals the girl who offers a curated collection of bite-sized articles and videos that are positive and helpful. The mental health campaigner won the British Citizen Youth Award 2021 for empowering girls to express themselves.

[caption id="attachment_10926" align="aligncenter" width="516"] Freya Thakral at the British Citizen Youth Award 2021[/caption]

Freya is now bettering the app by adding new features like a language convertor to make it accessible to a larger audience. Looking forward to working for something bigger than her, the Diana Awardee avers, “Joining the United Nations is definitely on my list.”

She credits the awards for opening her mind to possibilities. “The current generation needs to get out of their comfort zone,” she implores.

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Rupal Jain: Playing a role in advancing semiconductor technology for AI and IoT

(June 12, 2024) “As a kid, it was all about curiosity for me,” Rupal Jain says. This curiosity led her on a journey from Bhilai to Singapore and then to the US, where she made her mark in the semiconductor and microchip manufacturing industry as a young engineer, innovator, and author. In her short career, Rupal has worked with American IT corporations, AMD and Micron, published three books and earned five patents for her innovative product ideas. Her accomplishments have earned her early recognition within her industry. Recently, she received the Asia Leadership Award at an event in Mumbai. “Technology should enhance the quality of life for people and demonstrate practical and humanitarian impact," she believes. [caption id="attachment_38204" align="aligncenter" width="467"] Rupal Jain[/caption] Talking about semiconductors (basic materials needed to make microchips and integrated circuits) around which her career and achievements revolve, Rupal tells Global Indian, “Semiconductors play a critical role in artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) applications. Advanced processing microchips are the backbone of AI systems, enabling complex computations and data analysis at unprecedented speeds. These microchips are vital for AI-driven technologies used in various fields, from simple gadgets like smart home devices to sophisticated applications in

">Global Indian, “Semiconductors play a critical role in artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) applications. Advanced processing microchips are the backbone of AI systems, enabling complex computations and data analysis at unprecedented speeds. These microchips are vital for AI-driven technologies used in various fields, from simple gadgets like smart home devices to sophisticated applications in aviation and military systems.”

Using technology to address real world challenges

Rupal believes that her patents for innovative products across interdisciplinary fields such as microchip manufacturing, AI, and IoT are significant as they contribute to advancements in electronics, agriculture, and medical devices.

“All my patents collectively contribute to improving both the technological landscape and the quality of life,” says the innovator, who is actively seeking partnerships with organisations to take these innovations forward. “While these processes are typically time-consuming, I am hopeful that I will be able to bring these technologies into real services soon,” she adds.

One of her standout patents focuses on an intelligent sleep system designed to alleviate conditions such as fibromyalgia, chronic neck pain, spine issues, and back pain. Her solution integrates sensors and adaptive materials to provide personalised support and comfort, significantly improving the quality of life for individuals suffering from these chronic conditions.

Another patent involves an AI-IoT design to prevent defects in semiconductor manufacturing. "This innovation is particularly relevant given the governments' worldwide focus on semiconductor missions, whether in India, the USA, or the UK,” Rupal highlights.

[caption id="attachment_38206" align="aligncenter" width="861"] Rupal Jain at Asian Leadership Awards ceremony at Mumbai[/caption]

Whether it was working independently or in collaborative teams for her five patents, the engineer and author worked on the guiding principle of using technology to address real-world challenges.

Sharing knowledge as a mentor

After graduating from Bhilai Institute of Technology and Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, Rupal’s career as an engineer led her to work at organisations like AMD and Micron in both Singapore and the USA. She has worked on projects encompassing the regions of the USA, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, China, and India.

Based in Greater New York, Rupal shares her knowledge as a member of many professional organisations in her field, such as the International Society for Service Innovation Professionals (ISSIP), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Educational Society (IEEE EDSOC), and Sigma Xi, an international scientific research honour society of science and engineering. “I have always been enthusiastic about roles that allow me to contribute to the growth and dissemination of knowledge in my area of interest to inspire and support young innovators globally,” she says.

As an Ambassador for ISSIP and a Lead in IEEE Young Professionals Education Society, as well as in other roles with Sigma Xi and the IEEE Technical Committee on immersive learning, her responsibilities involve promoting service innovation and strengthening collaboration among professionals from various industries and academic disciplines. “I work to bridge the gap between technology and its practical applications, ensuring that innovations positively impact businesses and society. This includes organising conferences, workshops, and seminars to disseminate the latest research and technological developments,” she tells.

[caption id="attachment_38207" align="aligncenter" width="566"] Hybrid IEEE event conducted by Rupal Jain for UICT Nakawa, Uganda[/caption]

Recently Rupal had the opportunity to be a guest mentor and speaker at a hybrid IEEE event at UICT Nakawa in Uganda. “This event, initiated under the IEEE YP and IEEE Mentoring-Meet program, was an enjoyable experience where I interacted with a large group of professionals about strategies in goal setting in the semiconductor industry. There was a lot of interest and many questions regarding advancing Uganda's growth in the microchip industry,” she shares.

Rupal has also had engaging experiences as speaker and mentor at other events, such as the Nile University and the IEEE Meet in Nigeria, where she addressed topics related to microchip excellence, quality management using AI-IoT, and more.

Exploring technology as an author

With a knack for multitasking, Rupal is also a prolific author whose works aim to empower professionals in her field with practical knowledge and innovative insights. Rupal’s book ‘Mastering Project Management: PMP and Agile for Leaders’, published by BEP, USA, addresses aspiring and current project managers. It imparts transferable skills applicable across industries such as semiconductor, engineering, IT, and construction in a global context, covering critical topics like Agile, CSM, and leadership development.

Her second book, ‘Advancements in AI and IoT for Chip Manufacturing and Defect Prevention’, published by River Publishers, Denmark, addresses the dynamic landscape of semiconductor fabrication and chip manufacturing. It explores the significance of defect prevention and the transformative potential of AI and IoT technologies in optimising manufacturing processes. “It's tailored for semiconductor professionals, interdisciplinary researchers in chip development, and electrical, electronics, and AI-ML professionals seeking knowledge and industry practices for IC (chip) manufacturing fabrication processes,” she explains.

[caption id="attachment_38208" align="aligncenter" width="485"] Rupal Jain[/caption]

Her third book, ‘Semiconductor Essentials: A Leader's Express Reference to Electronics Concepts’, serves as a comprehensive reference. “It condenses essential topics and equations crucial for device concepts, semiconductor development, and design into accessible formats,” she mentions. “This book is particularly useful for quick access to support research and innovation across various fields such as electronics, applied physics, photonics, and material science.”

Looking ahead

The engineer, innovator and writer aspires to further drive innovation and excellence within the microchip manufacturing and electronics industry. She aims to lead initiatives that push technological boundaries while cultivating a collaborative and inclusive work environment. Her goal is to mentor the next generation of leaders, ensuring a sustainable and forward-thinking future for the field. “The microchip and semiconductor industry has a great impact on society as it powers the technology that underpins modern life,” she remarks.

[caption id="attachment_38210" align="aligncenter" width="456"] Rupal Jain[/caption]

She is consistently attuned to these aspects, motivating herself to make contributions in the ever-changing technological landscape. Reading books on technology, leadership, and personal development is one of her favourite pastimes. Rupal also loves exploring new places, spending time with family and friends, and staying active.

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Reading Time: 5 mins

‘Dhing Express’ Hima Das: The sprinter who is compared with a super-fast train

(October 5, 2022) Sprinter Hima Das created history by becoming the first Indian to win a gold medal at a track event at the  IAAF World U20 Championships in 2018 in Finland. Owing to her fantastic sports performances back-to-back, the Assam-born athlete was appointed as the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) under Assam’s state integrated sport policy in 2021. Proud to wear this uniform and fortunate enough to serve my state and my country on two fields. Hima posted on social media, donning her police uniform with pride. The Bannerghatta Biological Park named a tigress cub 'Hima' to honour the sprinter. The youngster also holds the national record for clocking 400 meters in 50.79 seconds at the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia. She is only the second athlete to have done her state proud by bringing home a gold at an international sporting event, after 1940-born Bhogeswar Baruah, who had won gold at the 1966 Asian Games. “I don't show tension and nervousness but I know how fast my heart beats before a race,” Hima had admitted in an interview with Olympics.com. [caption id="attachment_22672" align="aligncenter" width="713"] Hima Das with Sachin Tendulkar[/caption] Journey of the Dhing Express Born in 2000, Hima is nicknamed Dhing Express, after

r Baruah, who had won gold at the 1966 Asian Games.

“I don't show tension and nervousness but I know how fast my heart beats before a race,” Hima had admitted in an interview with Olympics.com.

[caption id="attachment_22672" align="aligncenter" width="713"] Hima Das with Sachin Tendulkar[/caption]

Journey of the Dhing Express

Born in 2000, Hima is nicknamed Dhing Express, after the town near which she was born in Assam. As a child, she aspired to become a football player and loved playing the sport with the boys of her school in the village. However, the physical education teacher of the school identified her talent as a sprinter and motivated her to take it further. Although Hima’s only experience was of running through her village’s muddy rice fields, she followed his advice and as they say, the rest is history!

Born in Kandhulimari village near Dhing, to a farmer couple named Ronjit and Jonali Das, Hima is the youngest of five siblings. She attended Dhing Public High School and later, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya. After passing her senior secondary exam in 2019, Hima went on to pursue bachelor of arts in Cotton University, Assam.

[caption id="attachment_22670" align="aligncenter" width="751"] Sprinter on track[/caption]

Eventful achievements in the 18th year of life

2018 was an eventful year for the Global Indian. She won the 400 m final at the IAAF World U-20 Championships held at Tampere, Finland, clocking 51.46 seconds.

Indian track-and-field legend and former Olympian, PT Usha, gave the young athlete a rave review on social media:

Hima was inundated with congratulations from well-wishers across the country, including the president, Prime Minister, sport ministers and Bollywood personalities.

At the 2018 Asian Games, she qualified for the 400 m final, after clocking 51.00 in heat 1. She set a new Indian national record, even though it was the silver that came her way. The same year, the sprinter went on to improve the national record to 50.79 seconds in the 400 m final. 

[caption id="attachment_22696" align="alignnone" width="883"] Hima Das with Sourav Ganguly and Abhishek Bachchan[/caption]

Later, in August 2018, along with M. R. Poovamma, Sarita Gayakwad and V. K. Vismaya, the Dhing Express won women's 4 × 400 metres mix relay clocking 3:28.72 which was held for the first time at the Asian Games. This was the year of Hima’s international debut and not many sport lovers were aware of her. They soon learned, when multiple medals, with some historic ones, made her a household name. Hima was given the Arjuna Award by the President of India that year.

Roaring success with five golds in second year of her debut

Hima continued her superb performances the following year too. In July 2019, she won the 200m gold in Poznan Grand Prix in Poland at 23.65 seconds. She went on to win 200m gold at the Kutno Athletics Meet in Poland with a time of 23.97 seconds just after five days of the first win. Within a week of her second win, she bagged her third gold at the Kladno Athletics meet in Czech Republic, clocking 23.43 seconds. That same month, she added a fourth to her kitty, this time at the Tabor Athletics Meet in Czech Republic with 23.25 seconds. A fifth gold followed at the 400-metre event in Nove Mesto, Czech Republic with 52.09 seconds. In an astonishing 18-day period, between July 2 and July 20 2019, Hima won five golds and became a queen in the hearts of India's athletics fans.

So enormous was her success that the entire world took notice of the sprinting glory. “At this age, she has exhibited great courage and confidence. I didn’t see any sign of nervousness during the events,” remarked the ace sprinter, PT Usha on social media.

The athlete was being slotted for the World Championships to be held at Doha in October 2019 but unfortunately her participation had to be ruled out due to a back injury which kept her out of action for months.

Confidence and hope unaffected by injury

Though she has returned from the injury lay-off, she is returning one step at a time. She has been running 100m and 200m. “I have not cut (off) from running 400 meters. It (recuperating after injury) is a long process,” she said in an interview.

The right side of her back still gives quite a trouble. She has won 100m gold in the National Inter-State Championships with her personal best time of 10.43s.” "My L4 and L5 (two lowest vertebrae in the lumbar spine) were broken and was in a different position. Whenever I run it affects me. I did my physiotherapy and ran 30m, 40m, 50m, 100m and then 200m gradually. Till 300m, I am fine,” she told her eager fans.

The challenge...

The last 100 m of a 400-meter race is the most crucial as the sprinters have to pick a lot of speed, then. This is where Hima has been facing problems. Talking about the condition at a training stint in Poland, she said, “when I did that once I had to be taken to the hospital.” The committed athlete faced the same problem at National Inter-State Championships in Patiala in 2021 and got forced to pull out of the 100 m and 4 X 100 due to the pain. She even had to skip the Tokyo Olympics.

The sprinter was eagerly looking forward to come back with a bang at Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022 but coming to the previous form required some more recuperation. She failed to qualify for the finals of the women's 200m in August 2022.

National Games 2022

The 36th National Games of India is being held in Gujarat from September 29 to October 12, 2022. India’s prestigious multi-event sporting competition has returned after a gap of seven years in Gujarat. It was last held in 2015 in Kerala. The nation wanted the ‘Dhing Express’ to come roaring back to action. However, she could not clinch the gold.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=970H49AxWfo

She hasn’t lost hope and is looking forward to future events. Hima, is among an elite team of sports stars who have put India on the world map for athletics. She enjoys such a reputation that she will always be India’s ‘star sprinter’.

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