Global Indianstory Global Indian ExclusiveCharanjot Singh: Meet the first Indian to qualify for the FC Pro 24 World Championship

Charanjot Singh: Meet the first Indian to qualify for the FC Pro 24 World Championship

Compiled by: Team GI Youth

(July 26, 2024) A 23-year-old from Chandigarh, who is a rising star in Indian esports, has scripted history by becoming the first Indian to qualify for the FC Pro 24 World Championship. In a thrilling play-in match, Charanjot Singh emerged victorious with a 5-4 scoreline against “JP Sleator,” securing his place among the top 32 players in the world. This achievement followed his impressive third-place finish in Gathering D, solidifying his spot in the main competition. The FC Pro World Championship 24 stands as the pinnacle of eFIFA competition, hosted in Berlin, Germany, with an impressive $1,000,000 prize pool. Charanjot’s historic qualification marks a monumental moment for Indian esports, yet his journey is far from over.

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His love for esports began with casual gaming at his friend’s place during weekends, while growing up in Chandigarh. “I did not have a console at that time. I used to play during my summer vacations or in weekends,” said the boy who loved Fortnite, Call of Duty among other games. But it was FIFA that he like the most owing to his love for football. He remembers watching 2010 FIFA World Cup as a seven year old, and was instantly hooked. However, things took a serious turn in 2019 when he participated in his first esports competition in Chandigarh. “That was the start of my competitive chapter in e-sports,” he said in an interview.

He cultivated his passion for FIFA through local tournaments, where his skill and dedication eventually propelled him to the forefront of Indian esports. “During the lockdown, I began playing professionally for the first time. In 2020, I signed my first eSports contract,” he added. Two years later, he represented Bengaluru FC at Indian Super League. But the big break came when he represented India at the 2022 Asian Games held in September 2023 in Hangzhou in China. It was in 2018 that esport was first introduced as a demonstration sport in 2018 in Jakarta and Palembang.

In a short span, Charanjot has become popular in the world of esports with even Korean players recognising him. “The pressure of being the favorite makes me perform better,” he had said.

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However, it hasn’t been an easy journey for Charanjot who had a hard time finding sponsors since it’s esports and not sports. Since mobile games are quite popular in India, those esports tournaments gather much viewership than FIFA. “That’s because FIFA is a console game. Getting consoles in India is a costly affair. For mobile games you can get any mobile and start playing games but for console games you need to spend ₹40,000-50,000 at least. Then you have to buy games every year. You get sponsors… but you have to really convince them,” said Charanjot, who is BA Final year.

Charanjot, who plays three-four hours every day, focuses on enjoying the game rather than feeling the pressure. “If your opponent is sitting near of next to you, it gets intimidating. But the best players are those who are able to deal with the pressure,” he added.

The young player is glad that e-sports has now found international recognition, and wants more parents to support their kids who aspire to pursue esports. “It is not just being a gamer. You can also consider the content side. If you can create good content then you can sign with the e-sports teams. There is a lot of money in e-sports for sure. But I will not advise you to stop studies and just play e-sports. It is easy and hard money together. If you are winning tournaments then you feel making money is easy. But once you start struggling, it becomes difficult.”

Charanjot Singh | Global Indian

But he does feel that presence of more tournaments such as ESL will have a positive impact as the popularity of FIFA and football has surged, especially with the recent rise of football in India. “However, the growth of the game is still in a learning stage, similar to the dormant stage, and the cost of the console is prohibitive. I believe that it is difficult for people to access FIFA in eSports due to the console’s cost, which is approximately ₹50,000.”

Charanjot will be seen playing it up at FC Pro 24 World Championship in July this year, and is keen to become the best FIFA gamer in the world. “I want to continue playing as long as my body allow me to do so … as one ages the reflexes get slower.” This prestigious event gathers top players worldwide for intense one-on-one virtual football competition. His participation not only highlights his talent on a global stage but also sets a benchmark for Indian esports, inspiring others to pursue international recognition.

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Published on 09, Aug 2024

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Kaivalya Vohra: The youngest billionaire entrepreneur revolutionising quick-commerce

(November 28, 2024) At 21, Kaivalya Vohra has already achieved what most entrepreneurs spend a lifetime striving for. As the co-founder of Zepto, a revolutionary quick-commerce startup, Kaivalya is not only shaping how Indians shop for groceries but is also the youngest billionaire on the Hurun India Rich List. His journey, though remarkable, started with an everyday problem — and a moment of boredom during the first lockdown. “We were bored sitting at home during the first lockdown, and we noticed a common problem that everyone was facing — the grocery issue. People weren’t able to get basic essentials. We initially set out to solve the problem for the people in our neighbourhood and started with a basic app called KiranaKart. We realized that there is a need and a part of the market that is underserved. So, we started playing around a bit with the idea, and that’s how Zepto came into existence,” Kaivalya recalls. [caption id="attachment_40659" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Kaivalya Vohra[/caption] A Pandemic Spark In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kaivalya and his friend Aadit Palicha watched as supply chains buckled and families struggled to access essentials. Both were students at Stanford University, studying computer science, when

valya Vohra[/caption]

A Pandemic Spark

In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kaivalya and his friend Aadit Palicha watched as supply chains buckled and families struggled to access essentials. Both were students at Stanford University, studying computer science, when the pandemic shifted classes online, they decided to return to India and quit the university. While others were still adjusting to the new normal, the duo began exploring ways to address this pressing challenge.

Their initial venture, KiranaKart, aimed to deliver groceries in under 45 minutes—a simple yet transformative concept. It quickly became evident that urban India was ready for an even faster solution. Armed with this insight, Kaivalya and Aadit pivoted to launch Zepto, a platform that promised grocery deliveries in just 10 minutes.

[caption id="attachment_40660" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Aadit Palicha and Kaivalya Vohra[/caption]

Building a 10-Minute Empire

Launching a startup during a global crisis was no small feat. Skeptics questioned the viability of such an ambitious delivery timeline, but Kaivalya’s technical expertise and vision ensured that the operation was seamless. As Chief Technology Officer, he designed the platform’s backend infrastructure, focusing on optimising delivery routes and minimizing delays.

“The 10-minute promise wasn’t just a gimmick,” the Global Indian explained. “It was built on robust logistics and technology that allowed us to consistently deliver on time.”

Their determination paid off. Zepto’s user base grew exponentially, and investors took notice. The company raised millions in funding, becoming one of India’s fastest-growing startups. Today, Zepto operates in multiple cities, catering to the evolving demands of urban consumers while setting new standards for convenience. The company is currently valued at over $5 billion.

A Prodigy’s Early Days

Kaivalya’s journey to entrepreneurial success didn’t begin in the pandemic—it was years in the making. Born in Bengaluru in 2003, he spent his early years in Dubai, where his love for technology and problem-solving became evident. A standout student at Dubai College, he excelled in mathematics, computer science, and physics. Beyond academics, he displayed leadership as deputy head boy and captain of the under-19 basketball team.

It was at Dubai College that Kaivalya founded the Computer Society, introducing his peers to the endless possibilities of coding and technology. “He was always curious and driven,” a former teacher recalls. “Kaivalya had this incredible ability to take an idea and turn it into something tangible.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcqfLFx8Z4g

Taking the Leap

Kaivalya’s decision to leave Stanford and dive into entrepreneurship wasn’t taken lightly. Stanford, with its rich legacy of producing tech innovators, seemed like the perfect place for someone with his ambitions. Yet, he realised that the opportunity to address a pressing need in India couldn’t wait.

“It was a risk,” he admitted. “But we believed in the timing and the need for what we were building. The pandemic accelerated certain consumer behaviours, and we knew we had to act fast,” said Kaivalya, who was featured on Forbes' Influential 30 Under 30 Asia list.

Recognition and Impact

Zepto’s rapid rise has placed Kaivalya in the spotlight. In 2024, he became the youngest Indian billionaire, with a net worth of ₹3,600 crore. The recognition, however, hasn’t distracted him from his goals.

“For me, the journey isn’t about wealth or accolades,” he said. “It’s about solving real problems and creating something that genuinely impacts people’s lives.”

Kaivalya’s success has also inspired a new generation of entrepreneurs. His story is a testament to the power of resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to take bold risks.

Looking Ahead

As Zepto continues to grow, Kaivalya is already thinking about the future. He envisions expanding the platform’s capabilities and exploring ways to make the quick-commerce model even more sustainable. “We’re just getting started,” he says. “There’s so much potential to innovate in this space, and I’m excited to see where we can take it.”

Kaivalya Vohra’s journey—from a bored college student during lockdown to a trailblazing entrepreneur—shows that great ideas often come from unexpected places. His story is a reminder that with the right mix of curiosity, determination, and vision, even the simplest problems can lead to transformative solutions.

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How Sanskruti Dalavi’s efforts helped crops to grow, and water to flow in the drought-stricken village

(August 17, 2022) In the last 50 years, Maharashtra has witnessed a seven-fold increase in drought events, according to a study by the policy research institute, Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW). While some people in drought-prone areas have learned to live with it, others have fought ferociously to combat nature’s fury. One such young environmental leader is Sanskruti Dalavi, the teen from Diskal village of Satara district, Maharashtra. “People in my village had to travel 14 kilometers to fetch water, six months a year. If water came to us in tanks delivered by the government, people often got into ugly fights amongst themselves to get their share,” says the 19-year-old in a conversation with Global Indian. By coming up with water management solutions and bringing together warring villagers, the teenager has displayed leadership skills. She got successful in talking villagers to working together to dig Continuous Contour Trenches (CCT) leading to higher groundwater levels, water conservation and reduction in soil erosion. “Now people in my village have to walk just one month instead of six months in a year to fetch water from far away,” she informs chirpily. [caption id="attachment_20921" align="aligncenter" width="792"] Sanskruti Dalavi, environmental leader[/caption] From less

eople in my village have to walk just one month instead of six months in a year to fetch water from far away,” she informs chirpily.

[caption id="attachment_20921" align="aligncenter" width="792"] Sanskruti Dalavi, environmental leader[/caption]

From less to more

With Sanskruti and her friends’ initiatives, the villagers of Diskal dug a 3,000-meter CCT by themselves and a 6,000-meter CCT with help of equipment in 2019 to bring up the groundwater levels. In no time, the results were clearly visible.

In 2020, the requirement of fetching water 14 kilometers away from the village fell down from six months in a year to just a month. Borewells which were not effective even when drilled 600 feet deep started extracting water from 5 feet depth itself and that too in months of summer. As a result, agriculture was boosted, and crop produce improved both in quality and quantity.

It all started when…

“I had to travel three kilometers from my village to attend school, where children of 12 other nearby villages studied,” informs the 19-year-old. But it was at the age of 16 when she was a student of class 10 that things started to shift after she attended a one-day workshop by Paani Foundation. While most students went their usual way after attending the workshop, it left a deep impact on Sanskruti who gathered her like-minded friends and was ready to make a difference.

[caption id="attachment_20924" align="aligncenter" width="933"] Sanskruti in one of meetings with the villagers of Diskal[/caption]

“In our village, women and children were hardly made aware or made part of any yojana (programme).” Attending a workshop for the first time in life was so empowering for the young girl that she decided to bring women and children to the forefront. “If we involve a woman in any initiative, we do not get just two hands to help but many helping hands in the form of her husband and children,” she adds.

Addressing challenges with smart strategies

Despite previous efforts and initiatives to improve ground water level, not much had changed. However, Sanskruti was keen to put to good use the know-how of villagers who had worked on past initiatives. However, she had one more battle to win - the lack of unity amongst the villagers, due to political and religious differences. “If one group wanted to do some good, others did not cooperate thinking there might be some vested interest and vice versa,” says the changemaker.

“I thought that if we children get involved in doing something for our drought-prone village, people will come forward to lend a helping hand as they will not find any hidden agenda in it.” This strategy worked.

[caption id="attachment_20922" align="aligncenter" width="934"] Continuous Contour Trenches (CCT) being created by villagers of Diskal[/caption]

Sanskruti and her team of 25 school girls organised door-to-door campaigns in Diskal, making them come together for a common cause. It was the first time that the villagers attended the gram sabhas (meetings) in thousands and that too in quick succession.

The young brigade also conducted special meetings for women making them aware of their significance in this whole initiative. Moreover, they celebrated community events, clubbing it with a CCT digging drive – thus bringing people together to celebrate and in turn, asking them to lend a helping hand.

The making of the young leader

Neither did Sanskruti possess any technical know-how, nor age or experience, all that she had was the burning desire to change the plight of her village which is 55 kms away from Satara, the nearest city. “Someone will have to come forward,” she says modestly about the mammoth task she accomplished that also included solutions like rain water harvesting system and drip irrigation. All the water management resources that the villagers created worked to their satisfaction following a rainfall. There is hardly anyone in the village now who does not know the youngster.

Sanskruti got selected as Ashoka Young Changemaker 2021 along with 18 others from different parts of the country, and was invited to Bengaluru for a two-day workshop. It was her first trip outside Maharashtra and the very first flight journey.

[caption id="attachment_20925" align="aligncenter" width="1017"] Sanskruti with Ashoka Young Changemakers of 2021[/caption]

“I was deeply impressed by other changemakers’ achievements in the workshop and developed great connections for doing more for my village,” says the teen who has also received the Diana Award 2022.

Working with a life-long mission

The Yashwantrao Chavan Institute of Science student is currently pursuing her bachelors at College of Social Work Nirmala Niketan in Mumbai. Shifting to Mumbai made her start a new initiative Pehchaan Vahi Soch Nayi (PVSN) in her native village to help instil leadership qualities among the kids.

“Kids staying in cities have various opportunities of growth but the same is not available to village children so

I have been encouraging the kids of my village to work for a good cause and grow in the process.” A total of 15 schools from various districts of Maharashtra are a part of PVSN. Her 40-member girls’ team, who coordinate all the programmes, are called PVSN Thinkers.

Though her village is a seven-hour journey from Mumbai, Sanskruti is at the thick of all initiatives being taken by her Thinkers team. The daughter of a farmer father plans to return to her village and work for its greater good after completing her studies. “For now, my aim is to create more and more ‘thinkers’ so that they not only help in village development but also develop their own leadership skills in the process as girls have rare opportunities of growth,” says the changemaker whose mother is an Anganwadi worker.

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Tiya Madhavan: A passion for painting to create awareness

(February 22, 2024) Ever since she can recall, Tiya Madhavan has been sketching and painting. Now 18, she has received accolades for her original pieces, exhibited at various local and national galleries, started an art charity initiative, conducted art classes for senior citizens, and hopes to make the world a better place through creating works of art that inspire change. [caption id="attachment_36033" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Tiya at Carnegie Hall for the National Scholastic Art Competition Ceremony, 2022[/caption] The multi-talented Tiya is also an accomplished student, designer, ballet dancer, pianist [she won first place for a solo piano performance for the Illinois Music Association] and used to paint as a child, along with her older sister Sana. She says, "We were very hands-on, creating crafts together and painting. This is the one consistent hobby that has stuck with me." Art for a cause To hone her skills, her parents enrolled her for arts classes, but Tiya didn't attend them for long. She tells Global Indian, "I felt I was being restricted to a medium and a material; I had to paint what the teachers told me to. But I wanted to paint what I chose as subjects; deeper content and themes that

ed her for arts classes, but Tiya didn't attend them for long. She tells Global Indian, "I felt I was being restricted to a medium and a material; I had to paint what the teachers told me to. But I wanted to paint what I chose as subjects; deeper content and themes that conveyed an emotion. I stopped attending them as I could paint much better at my workstation at home."

As Tiya grew up, her interest in societal imperfections increased. She reveals, "I wanted to bring out social deformities through my art. Social justice, activism, feminism – I was drawn to all these subjects."

Tiya has always been committed to doing more with her art for the larger good. To support health workers through fund raising during the pandemic, Tiya, along with help from her father, set up a website artelligance.org. People could upload pictures they wanted to convert into paintings and Tiya would do the needful. She says, "I got several orders to paint family members, friends, pets … and I raised 1000 USD in profits, which was used to pay for meals for 375 health workers in India.”

However, academic pressure led to the shutting down of the website. However, she has plans of opening a new one where she would sell the prints of her work. “I have gotten several offers for my paintings but I have a strong connection with them so I plan to sell prints, not the originals.”

[caption id="attachment_36041" align="aligncenter" width="583"] The Optimist by Tiya Madhavan[/caption]

Painting for awareness

Speaking of her artworks, Tiya’s paintings are the kind that make you think. A young woman wearing a robe and carrying an umbrella patterned with white clouds, a blue sky and a rainbow; while behind her, the flood streets and buildings are painted in shades of black and grey is a significant one. Titled The Optimist, the piece represents the hope and optimism to look for in the face of darkness and uncertainty. The painting won the 2020 US Congressional Art Competition in the Sixth Congressional District in Illinois and was displayed at the US Congressional Office in Washington DC from July 2020 to July 2021.

Another called The Survivor has the face of a woman emerging from blackish water, trying to stay afloat. A self-portrait of a young Tiya with her sister titled Admiration, and other self-portraits like a piece called Living in Color where a paint brush is adding a strip of colour to her face which is in black and white make a lasting impression.

But the most striking and perhaps the one most representative of the time she painted it is that of an African-American woman, with a mask covering her mouth called The Mask of 2020. The mask is in the shape of two hands, with fingers inter-twined. It represents Covid and the Black Lives Matter movement. Tiya reveals that it was her interpretation of everything that was going wrong in the world at that time. “The Covid-19 pandemic was on; the Black Lives Matter movement was at its peak and I wanted to express my views on it through my art.”

She won the gold medal at the National Scholastic Art and Writing Awards; as well as the American Visions Award, 2022, which is awarded to less than one percent of artists, for The Mask of 2020. The painting was displayed at the Downing Museum in Kentucky and the Belin-Blank Center at the University of Iowa.

[caption id="attachment_36038" align="aligncenter" width="622"] The Mask 2020 by Tiya Madhavan[/caption]

Recalling the ceremony that she attended in New York for the National Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, she says, "We flew to New York to attend the ceremony at the Carnegie Hall. It was really nice because I got to meet some amazing artists and to see my piece up on the stage was a very nice experience."

Besides winning several awards, her paintings have been displayed at the Barrington White House, the Hinsdale Community House, and a local library in Barrington, a suburb of Chicago where Tiya grew up.

Tiya likes to work with all mediums – colour pencils to acrylic and oils. “Colour pencils help me make realistic details as hyper-realistic as I imagine. I spend time on social media and when I find something that inspires me or a problem that impacts me, it becomes part of my artwork. I want my themes to provoke emotions, because I am passionate about social justice.”

A colourful future

Currently, a freshman student, studying bio-medical engineering at the University of Michigan, Tiya hopes to take up a minor in arts to stay connected with her passion. She is also part of the design team for an art magazine at the University. “I am going to take a few art classes at Uni, start a new website which will be a gallery for people to buy prints of my work. I am hoping my career path allows me to use my art in STEM fields."

[caption id="attachment_36040" align="aligncenter" width="532"] Tiya at an exhibition for the US Congressional Art Competition in the 6th Congressional District IL, 2020[/caption]

Tiya is also a singer and was a member of her high school’s a cappella group and she loves to dance. “I plan to join a Bollywood dance team since I learnt ballet for a long time,” she adds.

From writing a book for children on the basics of drawing and painting when she was ten to having her artworks displayed in Government buildings before she was 18, speaks volumes for Tiya and her passion for art. One hopes to see more of this talented artist in the future.

A ‘doodh’ entrepreneur: How Shraddha Dhawan grew her farm revenue 24 times

(March 20, 2022) Trailblazing into the male domain, milking buffaloes, and riding a bike to deliver milk, Shraddha Dhawan, a native of Nighoj village, near Pune, has established herself as a unique entrepreneur. The 23-year-old village entrepreneur had entered the family dairy business seven years ago as a teenager studying in class 11 when she saw her polio-afflicted father struggle to deliver milk. From a couple of buffaloes, the village entrepreneur’s relentless efforts burgeoned the small family business into a farm with over 80 buffaloes and a turnover that grew 24 times. All set for future The soon-to-be-married entrepreneur is now venturing into the bio-fertiliser business, CS Agro Organics, with plans to reach international markets. Juggling responsibilities with elan is her forte. When children of her age were busy with studies and play, she was working to make the family business grow. “I am confident that my new venture will reach the pinnacle,” she tells Global Indian. Inspiring others, garnering support When she initially started delivering milk door-to-door, Shraddha felt a bit awkward. But she soon began enjoying her work. Seeing her efforts, her parents, Satyavan and Janaki, and younger brother supported her and began helping her. Now, with the

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Inspiring others, garnering support

When she initially started delivering milk door-to-door, Shraddha felt a bit awkward. But she soon began enjoying her work. Seeing her efforts, her parents, Satyavan and Janaki, and younger brother supported her and began helping her. Now, with the business having grown by leaps and bounds, Shraddha has employed a team of people. “With the increasing number of buffaloes, it was difficult to manage on our own and we started employing people to take care of day-to-day activities,” says the village entrepreneur, whose turnover has gone from Rs 25,000 to Rs 6 lakh per month in a span of seven years.

[caption id="attachment_12930" align="aligncenter" width="442"] Village entrepreneur Shraddha Dhawan[/caption]

Inspired by Shraddha, other girls in her village started driving a bike, but her entrepreneurial choice remains unique. “I was blessed. Instead of people looking down upon me for doing something that was outside a ladies’ purview, fellow villagers appreciated me for my work, calling me my father’s son. I am grateful to my father for believing in me and allowing me to do things which were not stereotypical and my mother for her constant support,” says the eldest of three siblings. While her brother, who is now in his teens, is ready to step into her shoes, her sister had not been very inclined towards dairy farming since the beginning.

The physics student is pursuing her M.Sc from a college which is 20 km away from her village. She loves trekking and finds solace in going to nearby places to recoup. The village entrepreneur is proud of her origins and says that her village has some fine trekking routes nearby. Her fiancé, Chaitanya, who is pursuing a Ph.D and researching the world of bacteria, is all set to join her new venture as a business partner. While Chaitanya will bring his in-depth knowledge to the table, Shraddha will put her entrepreneurial skills to the best use with their new venture.

Epitomising the Indian woman

With plans to create an impact with her bio-fertiliser venture, Shraddha is happy to start something afresh. “As far as my dairy business goes, I did not think about myself, the aim was to put my family of five in a comfortable position financially. I always looked at it as ours, not mine alone. The new venture is something that I would call my own. I am hoping to get good investors who would help me realise my dream of making rural farmers prosper in their lives,” says the village entrepreneur.

After her wedding, she would be relocating to Jategaon where her fiancé lives. With the experience of rising from almost nothing, she is all set to make Jategaon as popular as Nighoj through her work.

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How the Robin Hood Army is feeding India’s hungry

(May 20, 2023) When he was living in Lisbon, Portugal, Neel Ghose, co-founder of the Robin Hood Army, came across an organisation named Re-Food. They took surplus food from restaurants and distributed it among the homeless every night. Ghose was struck by the simplicity of the idea - it brought compassion to capitalism, minimised food wastage and addressed the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger. Global Indian looks at how Ghose and a team of co-founders, including Aarushi Batra, began the Robin Hood Army, which now operates in four countries including Inda and Pakistan, has served over 68 million means to date. According to UN data, nearly 8.9 percent of the world's population, or 690 million people are hungry (as measured by the prevalence of under-nourishment). The World Food Programme records show that 135 million people suffer from acute hunger due to man-made conflicts, climate change and economic downturns. In essence, a quarter of a billion people are at the potential brink of starvation. The startup model Ghose was so taken by the idea, as well as the success of its execution, he wondered why he couldn't try the same thing in India. "I arranged for a few

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The startup model

Ghose was so taken by the idea, as well as the success of its execution, he wondered why he couldn't try the same thing in India. "I arranged for a few meetings with the founders and decided to replicate it in India. Once I returned, a few friends and I served 150 people in south Delhi on our first night of distribution," said Ghose, who went on to do his masters in business administration from Harvard University.

In August 2014, the Robin Hood Army (RHA) began with a Facebook, inviting everybody they knew. The response was instant and requests came pouring in. "I will never forget that night," Ghose said, at a TedXGateway event. That first night in August, Ghose and a few friends stopped under a flyover in Hauz Khas. They saw a family of six huddled together, sharing a leftover pizza. Further down the road, an old couple, the woman was blind, foraged through a trash can for something to eat. "I have been brought up in India, we have all seen poverty," Ghose said. "But what was overwhelming was that these are our neighbours. We have no idea of the sheer scale of hunger and neglect a few minutes from where we live."

Logistics is key

Hunger, Ghose believes, is not a problem that can be solved by the UN or the governments. "Logistics," he proclaims, "Can and will provide the solution." The Robin Hood Army is not an NGO, nor is it a largescale civic movement. "Ours is a simple model. We function like a startup and our job is to match demand with supply through simple logistics solutions." Young professionals, who work during the day, volunteer their time to a hyperlocal model.

Food is collected from restaurants, weddings and parties and distributed to homeless people in the area. "We distribute it among the homeless, who don't know their next meal is coming from, or if it will come at all," says co-founder Aarushi Batra, in a TedX talk. Responses came pouring in from across the country, with people volunteering their time. The press showed its support and the Facebook page went viral. "Restaurants were so generous," said Ghose, "That many gave freshly-cooked food instead of leftovers." Three years after they began, the RHA had established its presence in 58 cities, with 13,000 Robins and nearly 50 lakh meals served. In 2019, the Delhi Capitals got in touch, asking them to distribute the leftover meals from Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi. Not long after, the team invited around 15 kids who had been served food from the RHA to watch a match.

[caption id="attachment_22580" align="aligncenter" width="622"] Neel Ghose. Photo: Harvard Business School[/caption]

Pandemic... and scaling up

When the pandemic hit, the team had to come up with a new strategy overnight. Again, working with their decentralised model, volunteers came up with their own safety protocols. They were on call as busloads of migrant workers exited the big cities and started the 'senior patrol'. "During the daily phases of the pandemic, we had people writing to us and saying their parents were stuck at home without access to essentials," said Batra.

The team circulated a basic Google Form and circulated it everywhere. Volunteers addressed thousands of requests - those who weren't living with parents or other senior citizens would go out to pick up medicines, fresh produce and whatever else was needed, which they distributed.

The Robin Hood Army learned to apply their model to tackle a number of other problems. In 2016, when Maharashtra reeled under severe drought, the RHA volunteers mobilised schools, colleges and offices in their neighbourhoods. They began sending 75,000 litres of water to rural areas, on a special train, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. As the organisation grew stronger locally, they decided it was time to expand and first on the list was Pakistan, which faces very similar problems.

[caption id="attachment_22581" align="aligncenter" width="591"] With co-founder Aarushi Batra[/caption]

Serving up compassion

"It's not merely about handing out food," Ghose said. "I would like to believe that we have a baseline of compassion in what we do." A team of lawyers who visited a girl's orphanage in South Delhi, would spend time with the kids, talking to them about the importance of school and of knowing politics. "Eight of those girls decided to pursue law as a career," he explained.

Follow Robin Hood Army on Instagram