Global Indianstory Global Indian ExclusiveManu Chopra: Providing dignified, digital work to 30,000 rural Indians through AI startup

Manu Chopra: Providing dignified, digital work to 30,000 rural Indians through AI startup

Compiled by: Team GI Youth

(March 2, 2024) “I grew up in one of the poorest corners of Delhi – Shakur Basti. I spent my afternoons dancing to Bollywood songs and coding in the community computer lab. Through a series of scholarships, I became the first person from my community to go to a college in the US. In one generation, I went from Shakur Basti to Stanford,” is how 27-year-old Manu Chopra addressed people in one of his speeches. The founder of Karya was one of the few people who was able to find a path out of poverty, but not everyone gets that chance. This very thought led him to start Karya, a not-for-profit enterprise, that brings dignified digital work to rural Indians, helping move them out of poverty.

Every year, big technology companies spend a lot of money gathering information to teach their AI programs. But many people in rural India don’t have the chance to be part of this work. Karya helps fix this problem by connecting these rural communities to opportunities in the tech industry. Explaining how this works, Manu elaborates, “Microsoft wants to make a language model in Marathi, one of the many regional languages of India. They reach out to Karya to collect thousands of hours of speech data in Marathi. Karya takes Microsoft’s big digital task and breaks it into micro tasks and we distribute these micro tasks to our workers in rural India via their smartphone.” Apart from the employment, the biggest differentiator for these rural Indians is the pay. “We pay our workers 20 times the Indian minimum wage.”

Manu Chopra, the founder of Karya

In just two years, the AI startup has already helped 30,000 rural Indians earn ₹65 million so far.

ALSO READ | Induced AI to Karya: AI startups to look forward to in 2024

A new life at Stanford

Growing up, Manu was always interested in technology, and during his time at Stanford, where he studied Computer Science, he co-founded CS+ Social Good, Stanford’s first student group focused on the intersection of technology and social impact. Upon his return to India in 2017, he joined Microsoft Research as a fellow to explore ways to tackle extreme poverty by giving the poor access to digital work. During this time, he travelled the length and breadth of the country.

“I expected it to be harrowing. Mainstream media (within India and especially, abroad) paints such a bleak picture of India, as if nothing good has ever happened or will ever happen in India. I expected to feel jaded at the lack of progress, to be disappointed at the lack of good work happening on the ground. Obviously, the opposite happened. Every single village I visited blew me away. The more I travelled within India, the more optimistic I became,” he wrote on his website.

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Uplifting rural Indians through Karya

At 21, he began working for an AI firm, and during one of his field visits to a data company, he saw over 30 men hunched over their laptops. Upon striking a conversation, he learnt that they were earning $0.40 per hour for the data that was worth 10 times that amount. “I thought, this cannot be the only way this work can happen,” said Manu, who was named in the TIME100 Most Influential People in AI. “The idea in my head was, what if we could bypass skilling? Can we give people a livelihood and money for skills they already have? What is the skill that rural India already has? Their language?” he said in an interview.

Manu Chopra with the rural Indians working for Karya

This led to the birth of Karya – which means work for dignity in Sanskrit – in 2021. He chose to use Indian languages to help rural India make more money. He teamed up with his manager at Microsoft Research, Vivek Sheshadri, who became the Chief Technology Officer.

ALSO READ | Uday Bhatia: Diana Awardee helping illuminate households in rural India

They not only pay them $5 per hour, which is 20 times more than the minimum wage but also help them earn royalties every time their data is sold, which provides them a source of passive income. Right now, Karya focuses on gathering information in Indian languages that haven’t been included much in the AI world. This data will be used to create AI systems in those languages that are not only accurate but also fair for everyone. Their work involves gathering written, spoken, and picture information in India’s regional languages.

Creating an impact

“I genuinely feel this is the quickest way to move millions of people out of poverty if done right,” he told TIME, adding, “Wealth is power. And we want to redistribute wealth to the communities who have been left behind.”

With Karya, Manu Chopra is not only fulfilling the important requirement for accurate data in the AI industry but also changing how much money data annotation workers make. In the last few years, big tech companies have shown keen interest in Karya for its data requirements. For instance, Microsoft utilised the startup to acquire regional speech data for its AI products. Additionally, due to biases in AI chatbots stemming from large language model inputs, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is collaborating with Karya to minimise gender-related biases in the data. Even Google is not far behind as it’s relying on Karya to amass speech data across 85 Indian districts.

Manu Chopra’s journey is proof that determination and innovation has the transformative power. Rising from poverty himself, he has broken the cycle and now aims to extend that opportunity to others. With a focus on providing dignified digital work to rural Indians, Manu seeks to empower individuals and communities, offering them the chance to participate meaningfully in the digital economy. Through his endeavours, he not only creates economic opportunities but also fosters a sense of pride and self-worth among those he seeks to uplift.

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Published on 02, Mar 2024

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Ishaan Leonard Rao: The young piano prodigy bridging cultures and genres

(June 27, 2023) Ishaan Leonard Rao was two years old when he hummed ragas with Pandit Ravi Shankar. He was much too young to remember the experience, but it’s an anecdote he has heard many times over the years from his parents. As it happens, quite a few of Ishaan’s early musical experiences predate his memories. The young piano prodigy is the son of two virtuosos - his father, Pandit Shubhendra Rao is a sitarist and a long-time disciple of Pandit Ravi Shankar. His mother, Saskia Rao-de Haas is trained in both the Western and Hindustani styles, and designed the Indian cello, which she uses in her Hindustani concerts. [caption id="attachment_31469" align="aligncenter" width="697"] Ishaan Leonard Rao. Photo (and featured image) by Bandeep Singh[/caption] The young piano prodigy is not really given to talking about his achievements, which already make up quite a long list. He has trained in the piano for 12 years, and in the sitar for seven. “I was five when I fell in love with the piano and decided to make it my instrument,” he tells Global Indian. This month, during his break from Berklee, Ishaan will begin his solo tour across India, performing five concerts across

in love with the piano and decided to make it my instrument,” he tells Global Indian. This month, during his break from Berklee, Ishaan will begin his solo tour across India, performing five concerts across Bengaluru, New Delhi and Mumbai. The tour will take him to some of India's most prestigious cultural venues, including the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre, the NCPA in Mumbai, the India International Centre in Delhi and the Bangalore International Centre.

"This programme will have a classical piano repertoire, with Hindustani and Carnatic-inspired music," Ishaan says. "And some jazz I picked up last year at Berklee, along with some South American influences. I have really tried to show who I am as a musician," he adds. His journey is only just beginning, but Ishaan is already crafting a style that is uniquely his own, inspired by his deep knowledge of Hindustani and Western classical music, as well as the many influences he encountered travelling with his parents as they performed around the world. In this concert, he will also combine elements of modal jazz, which has been studying at University, with ragas, as he explores John Coltrane (Naima), Dave Brubeck (Rondo A La Turk).

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A post shared by Ishaan Leonard Rao (@ishaanleonardrao)

A childhood steeped in music

Growing up in Delhi, music was always "a given for Ishaan Leonard Rao, which is not surprising, all things considered. “I didn't know anything else through my childhood," he remarks. Music isn't merely a part of Ishaan’s world, something he loves or is good at - it is life itself. He was listening to music even before he was born and doesn't even recall the first time he picked up an instrument. By the time he met Pandit Ravi Shankar, he had learned around 15 ragas, even though he was still a toddler. "My parents had taught me ragas by then, not necessarily in a regimented way but I had learned how to identify them.” When they sang him to sleep as a child, the lullaby would be based on a particular raga. It came naturally to him too.

"The unique combination of Hindustani and Western classical music has shaped me so that I can understand music quite intuitively. Indian music teaches you how to train your ear in relation to other notes, if you hear a 'sa', you know every other note in relation to that. Western music shapes your understanding of absolute pitch." Although he's comfortable with sheet music, the piano prodigy is happiest playing by ear.

That wasn't all. Ishaan would also accompany his parents across the world, and has been meeting people from different cultures and heritages for as long as he can remember. "Hindustani and Western classical music are the most familiar to me but I have never really confined myself to a genre," he says. From the time he was born till about the age of 15, Ishaan was on the road with his parents for a "good three to five months of the year." Having a South Indian father and a Dutch mother also lent itself to cultural exploration - "I grew up speaking Kannada with my father and Dutch with my mum. And then I was travelling a lot. I became used to different cultures, am cognizant of my cultural heritage and find it very easy to acclimatise and feel at at home in either part of the world." It lent itself also to his explorations as a musician.

[caption id="attachment_31452" align="aligncenter" width="363"] Pandit Ravi Shankar with Ishaan[/caption]

A love story with the piano

Ishaan began training in the piano at the age of six, and showed great talent for it. “I have had four teachers along the way - Justin McCarthy, Raj Bhimani, Svetlana Radashkevich and Dimitris Lambrianos,” he says. He has also has also taken master classes by Polish pianist Raphael Lustchevsky, French pianist Martine Dellenbach and Dutch pianist Marianne Boer. Ishaan dedicated himself to the piano, going to class once a week and spending a couple of hours a day practicing. By the time he entered his teens, he knew beyond doubt that he wanted to be a pianist, not just a musician. "I'm really focussed on my instrument and I'm still in that process of completely mastery. That's not something you ever really achieve, but you work as hard as you can to get there," he says. And while he doesn’t claim mastery, Ishaan went on to become the youngest Indian ever to finish the ABRSM Grade 8 exam and the youngest to receive the ARSM performance diploma at the age of 12.

The young piano prodigy gave his first concert at the age of nine, performing the first movement of a Mozart sonata and a piece by Chopin. It's a big achievement for someone so young, but he quickly says, "They weren't particularly complex pieces. As a child, you tend to progress quite quickly through technical difficulty. Bringing out the music from that is as much of a journey," he explains. "Being a classical pianist is about a lot more than technical mastery. He went on to perform in India, France and Australia before making his New York concert debut at the age of 14, as part of the Chhandayan All Night Concert at the Society for Ethical Cultures.

Bending genres, breaking rules

He names Chopin, Debussy and Bach as composers he admires deeply but Ishaan doesn't want to confine himself in any way. It's why he chose Berklee College over a conservatory like say, Juilliard. "I love the traditional piano repertoire but I don't want to be confined to it. I'm in the process of developing my own musical voice, I would say." At Berklee, he has trained in modal jazz, and is also in a Klezmer ensemble.

His parents always encouraged the exploration. "When I was growing up, I quite liked just following the path that was set for me. I didn't realise that I instinctively wanted to go outside the path and break those rules. But you have to know the rules to break them. Over the last year, even though my primary focus has been on my classical repertoire, I feel a lot more comfortable with my own expression through them, rather than playing them the way they are supposed to be played." This exploration also includes adapting the piano to ragas, although he does so differently from his mother, who designed the Indian cello to create an instrument better suited to playing Hindustani classical music.

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Ishaan Leonard Rao's musical journey is a testament to his exceptional talent, dedication, and diverse musical influences. From his early exposure to Hindustani and Western classical music to his explorations in jazz and fusion genres at Berklee College, Ishaan has developed a unique musical voice that reflects his deep understanding of different traditions. His commitment to his instrument, the piano, is evident in his achievements and performances at a remarkably young age. With a blend of technical mastery and artistic expression, the piano prodigy is poised to make significant contributions to the world of music and continue to carve his own path as a musician.

Follow Ishaan's work on his website and on Instagram.

Sudipti Hajela: Perfect passage to dressage gold at Asian Games 2023

(October 22, 2023) If there is anything that motivates Sudipti Hajela to perform, it’s the sight of the tricolour. So, when she was saddled up and ready to prove her mettle at the Asian Games 2023 — she had one good look at the Indian flag, fluttering high in the arena. It boosted her confidence and led her gallop to glory. “Something magical happens once I see our flag. It helps me keep my focus and motivates me into giving my best. Playing for India is the biggest motivation,” smiles Sudipti Hajela, part of the four-member Indian Dressage team that won the historic gold medal for India, speaking to Global Indian. The accomplished equestrienne, who trained hard for the Asian Games for last two years, says she woke up everyday with only one goal in mind — to put up a good show for India and clinch gold. “The four of us are very experienced riders and we have been training ourselves for a long time now. We were quite certain of a podium finish. I'm really grateful that we could all share this great historic win together,” says the 21-year-old, who is the youngest among the four. She accumulated

says the 21-year-old, who is the youngest among the four. She accumulated 66.706 points. Her entire family was present at the venue to cheer for her.

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Rigorous training for Asian Games

India’s participation in Equestrian sport began in 1982, with the Asian Games in New Delhi. Sudipti has been training overseas for the last 10 years including London, Portugal and Thailand as well. “For the last two years, I have been training in Fontainebleau, a town in France and an hour away from Paris,” informs the equestrienne. One of the biggest advantages of training in Europe is that equestrians can compete every single weekend at a National or International level, which is essential for improving their skills.

Sudipti was coached by Camillee Judet Cheret, who has competed in the Olympics for France. As a sport, it’s a thriving industry In Europe, where there is interdependence and facilitation between the horse, trainer, infrastructure and environment.

Living alone, she says, is challenging. “Right from the time I wake up, plan my horse riding sessions, fitness while attending house hold chores, managing everything on my own gets difficult,” she says but is quick to add that it even taught her a lot.

A life of discipline

Sudipti had completely dedicated herself to her training. “I was always away and always training. I missed all the festivals and other events as I could not come home due to my training. Years have passed like that. But all these sacrifices yielded results.” At the crack of dawn, the first thing Sudipti tunes into is “Hanuman Chalisa.” “I listen to it really loud and it fills me with positive energy. It’s a must for me everyday,” she says.

[caption id="attachment_33716" align="aligncenter" width="647"] Sudipti with Chinski[/caption]

Sudipti then sits down to do an in-depth analysis of her everyday performance and the ways to improve further. Post that, it’s time for some workouts with her trainer and then she is at stables.

Born in Indore in May, 2002, Sudipti started her equestrian journey early at age six year. Back then, it used to be a summer hobby. “I used to pester my father to take me to Indore’s famous Chhappan Dukaan where I would ride horses,” she recalls, of her initial days of horse riding. Her father Mukesh Hajela is a businessman.

First ride to victory

She won her first national medal in 2013, when she was 10. Indian cricket great Sourav Ganguly presented her with the bronze medal. There was no looking back since as she started taking her training even more seriously.

“Ever since, I have been training abroad, has the best coaches and great exposure,” says Sudipti who completed her schooling from Daly College, Indore. She says she was lucky to have gotten into Daly college, which supported her in every aspect, which helped her reach the level where she is today.

Sudipti credits her horse Chinski for the victory. “We bond so well and that is the key in our partnership. I have been riding Chinski for last two years now,” informs Sudipti who bought the 16-year-old for the sole purpose of competing in the Asian games.

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Chinski’s story

It’s one of the best horses I have had,” she says of her horse. “My horse is everything to me. I love him with all my heart,” she says. After all, selective and specific breeding of quality horses is a niche aspect of the sport

She not only takes the best care of the stallion but feeds her and even gives him regular treats. “He loves carrots, apples and bananas. Both of us understand each other well,” says Sudipti, whose first ever CDI (Concours de Dressage) event was in Portugal a few years ago. This International Dressage event is recognised by the world governing body of equestrian sports.

Talking about her team, Sudipti says they are close friends as well. The four of us have really come together as a team. I could not have imagined having any better team mates than these three,” says Sudipti, who completed her schooling from Daly College, Indore.

[caption id="attachment_33717" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Sudipti Hajela and Chinski at the Asian Games 2023[/caption]

So what’s next ?

“I think the next goal for me is very clear, not to stop because post Asian games, sky is the limit,” smiles the equestrienne who has already begun preparing for the Paris Olympics 2024.

“Every athlete in the world have set their sights on Paris Olympics. I am excited for what’s coming in the near future. My training continues,” says the determined youngster, who is looking forward to make her presence felt at other national and international events as well.

Family support

Sudipti says her family has been the biggest support throughout. “My family and friends have supported me through thick and thin. In fact, two of my best friends even stayed with me abroad and were a constant support.”

Follow Sudipti on Instagram.

Electroshoe to the rescue: How innovator Siddharth Mandala’s device keeps women safe

(April 23, 2022) He was 12 when the infamous Nirbhaya rape case shook the nation in 2012. People took to the streets asking for justice, and his mom was one among them. Curious about the protests and confused about the word rape, Siddharth Mandala joined his mom for one of the protests. “A 40-year-old woman came up to me, and told me not to be like rapists. I didn’t even know what rape meant back then. This was a catalyst for me. I ended up surfing the internet, asking my friends and teachers to get a grasp on this concept called rape. Understanding the gravity of the issue, I decided to do everything in my capacity to prevent sexual assault,” Siddharth tells Global Indian. This awareness led to the birth of Electroshoe, a small badge that can be clipped onto any footwear, or worn as a ring or pendant and can be easily activated during any threatening situation by pressing. “It pulls out two sharp pointers, mimicking stun gun’s mechanism, and pierces through clothing, and even skin to electrocute the attacker,” explains Siddharth who took two years to build a working prototype; and another three years to create a market-friendly

gh clothing, and even skin to electrocute the attacker,” explains Siddharth who took two years to build a working prototype; and another three years to create a market-friendly product by interviewing over 500 women across India and California.

[caption id="attachment_15377" align="aligncenter" width="478"] Siddharth Mandala[/caption]

The Hyderabad born and raised reveals Electroshoe activates an alarm sound to alert nearby police stations and sends location to family members. “It can even sense angst in a conversation, and can raise alarm,” adds the entrepreneur. With a built-in solar plate, it recharges itself when exposed to sunlight. “The idea was that it should be something that women can carry with them easily all the time,” adds the 21-year-old.

An incident caused a shift

Born in 2000 to a businessman father and a criminal lawyer mother (now a homemaker), Siddharth loved to build things as a kid. And he found time to pursue his interest in his growing years. But the Nirbhaya rape case pushed him to put his innovative side to better use, and that’s how Electroshoe came into existence. But it was an uphill climb with many obstacles in the path. He taught himself programming and coding with the help of mentors from Linkedin and social media. While his prototype failed 17 times, he also faced electrocution twice. But Siddharth never gave up.

But things started to shift when he moved to the US to pursue further studies. “I grew up reading about startups in the Silicon Valley and wanted to be a part of that environment. But I realised it was more about finance and investment,” reveals Siddharth. Around the same time, he met Zach Latta, founder of the hack club, who told him that San Francisco was the place to be for his startup. “I dropped out of my college in California and lived homeless to fundraise for Electroshoe. My parents sold their house in India to send me to college in America. Hence, I didn’t tell them. I used to go to meetups and pitches for free food, where I tried to convince as many people as possible to help me out," reveals the young innovator who didn’t find much support from investors.

[caption id="attachment_15372" align="aligncenter" width="847"] Electroshoe[/caption]

An uphill task

But that didn't deter Siddharth who tried making “shoe attachments from greeting card sound chips that make a sound when you step on them” and tried to sell them in San Francisco. But he didn't know where he could meet women. “I tried standing outside Starbucks and selling them to women. That did not work. I realised that only two types of people will listen to me: My parents, friends, and people who are interested in me. So I went on dating apps. I’d go on dates and somewhere in the conversation would show the product and sell it to them. This is where we found the first 50 users,” reveals Siddharth who returned to India and worked on his product.

Siddharth, who is pursuing a degree in international relations and computer science from Claremont Mckenna College, spent six years turning a prototype into a product “that has gone through almost 30 iterations.” It is no secret that electric shock can often cause internal damage, even leading to cardiac arrest or trauma. However, Siddharth reveals, “We spent years creating the exact amount of voltage to ampere ratio that electrocutes lethally but not enough to kill a person." But he had to face a blow ahead of its launch owing to the Covid 19 pandemic. “We were very close to partnering with Telangana police but Covid first wave kicked in,” says the boy who has branched out his personal safety company to real estate and crypto.

[caption id="attachment_15376" align="aligncenter" width="631"] Siddharth Mandala working on Electroshoe[/caption]

Innovator-turned-activist

Apart from being an innovator and entrepreneur, Siddharth is also an activist who started a nonprofit Cognizance Welfare initiative with his friend Abhishek to spread awareness about rape. “Together we filled over 50 potholes in Hyderabad, we made underprivileged children build inexpensive GPS trackers to track their younger siblings and prevent human trafficking, we even helped a California-based non-profit adopt a village called Kanigiri in Andhra Pradesh and helped them build libraries and infrastructure,” beams Siddharth with pride, adding, “We even built an education class module and spent three months travelling to different cities educating young children about sexual assault and how to detect it very early.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMck9K6D15o

Siddharth, who has come a long way, advices youngsters to “get started and build something already. Even if it’s broken, miscalculated, and consumes most of your time, do not worry. These things usually take time, however, the key is to put something out and let the world see it and show you the path.”

An innovator at heart, he has designed a hardware wallet and a mobile app that can protect people, and their funds safe in the crypto space. "When I was in California, people in the NFT and crypto space were being kidnapped and beaten to share their private crypto keys. Once shared, even police can't trace down the funds. So the wallet acts like additional security feature," concludes Siddharth who loves working out in his free time.

Follow Siddharth Mandala on Linkedin

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Dancers Nidhi and Neha Ramanathan: Sharing the magic of Indian classical art forms

(October 24, 2023) In a world where words often fall short, dance emerges as a universal language of expression. Nidhi and Neha Ramanathan, two sisters based in UAE, have harnessed this enchanting art form to convey their profound love for Indian classical dance. Despite residing far from their homeland, these siblings have managed to maintain an unbreakable connection with their cultural roots. The dancers started their journey at a young age, and have not merely excelled as choreographers but have also added their distinctive flair to classical dance forms. With each performance they deliver, they leave an indelible mark on the global stage, captivating audiences from all corners of the world. [caption id="attachment_33732" align="aligncenter" width="635"] Nidhi and Neha Ramanathan[/caption] "Sometime back a friend of ours told us that a couple of her University friends showed her our video, telling her that they are our followers on Instagram. Even today, when people recognise us it feels quite surreal. We don't consider ourselves famous," laughs Nidhi, as the sisters connect with Global Indian over a call, adding, "For now, we are working to hit 100K subscribers on our YouTube channel. Also, we would to do performances in Dubai and Chennai, and start

don't consider ourselves famous," laughs Nidhi, as the sisters connect with Global Indian over a call, adding, "For now, we are working to hit 100K subscribers on our YouTube channel. Also, we would to do performances in Dubai and Chennai, and start conducting workshops for people, who would like to learn Indian classical dance."

Passionate dancers

Born in India, and growing up in Dubai, the sisters were always passionate about dancing. However, it was their mother's unwavering support and encouragement that ignited their passion and steered them in the right direction. "As kids, we loved to dance. Our mom saw how much we enjoyed it and signed us up for Bharatanatyam classes. Ever since then, our love for Indian classical dance has only grown. We've had chances to perform in Dubai, India, and on our YouTube and Instagram pages. What keeps us going is the happiness we feel when we dance and share it with people all around the world. Dance is special because it brings people together, no matter where they're from, and that's something we really love about it," shares Neha.

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The sisters received formal training from distinguished dancers, Sri Sasi Kottakkal in Dubai and Smt. Lavanya Sankar in India. After having performed on various stages, the dancers created their YouTube channel in June 2017 and started making and uploading videos on Bollywood songs, semi-classical dance, and fusion dance. Talking about the creative process, Nidhi says, "A lot goes behind the scenes. First and foremost, identifying the right music for our dance is a thoughtful process, often tied to specific themes, festivals, or finding the perfect track that syncs with our choreography. Our friends and family shower us with suggestions and ideas. We then discuss where we toss out spontaneous dance moves and fuse our creative concepts. We also delve into the mesmerising performances of various artists, drawing inspiration from a wide spectrum of dance movements."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfKuzsc3nqM

But it's not all play for these dancers. "With so many talented artists and dance content online, it's tough to make our choreography stand out. Also, finding time to connect with our audience regularly can be a struggle due to our other commitments. But, when we see new creative stuff every day, it reminds us that creativity is always around, and that keeps us motivated," shared Nidhi, adding, "There are many artists who inspire us, including Smt. Rama, Smt. Dakshina Vaidyanathan, Sri Parshwanath Upadhye, and Smt. Priyadarshini Govind."

Spreading their wings

The dancers, who also manage their academics along with their dance career, have found that dancing has not only been their passion but also a source of relaxation. "Whenever we are stressed with any academic work, or have an examination, we love to take out some time and practice. That really helps us unwind and re-focus on the task at hand," shares Neha.

But it's not just that. The dancers share that their art has also impacted their self-growth. Crediting their parents for their success, Neha adds, "Our parents have always been incredibly supportive, motivating us to become better dancers and standing by us through it all. Our gurus have imparted not just the art of dance and the pursuit of perfection but also instilled in us a deep respect for this art form. We owe them a great deal for molding us into the dancers we've become. Additionally, the drive to keep improving with each dance session comes from within, spurring us to refine different aspects of our practice and technique."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFRx6VTR8CM

Motivated to inspire many young dancers in India and abroad, Nidhi shares that the duo feels everyone should keep their artistic side alive - no matter how busy they are. "We urge anyone passionate about Indian classical dance forms to follow their enthusiasm. It's not just a path for exploring creativity, but also a means of preserving our rich Indian culture and heritage," she says.

Follow Nidhi and Neha Ramanathan on YouTube and Instagram

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A tale of grit and determination: Nayana Kokare’s dedication to excellence as India’s ace runner

(August 3, 2023) In the quiet village of Chalagere in Mundgod Taluk, in Karnataka, a young girl would run around, rather actually sprint, to do her chores, field activities, shopping, and school. And that is where this remarkable tale of courage and determination unfolds, as today that girl - Nayana Kokare - is a national level runner, who has represented India in the Asian U-20 Championships, in South Korea in June 2023 and won a 4x100m relay bronze and secured a fourth position in Asia in 200m. The girl, who would run barefoot in her village, was discovered by a non-profit organization Bridges Of Sports (BOS) during an event. Once this exceptional runner was identified, she received the essential resources and opportunities to participate and excel at the highest echelons of competition. Currently considered to be India's fastest runner, Nayana sits with Global Indian to talk about her journey and aspirations. A born fighter Born in 2004 to a farming family, the runner was the youngest kid with two older brothers and two sisters. Her father is a farmer and her mother goes to work in the fields. Nayana's early life was a constant hustle. Traveling several kilometres to attend

lindian.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Global Indian to talk about her journey and aspirations.

A born fighter

Born in 2004 to a farming family, the runner was the youngest kid with two older brothers and two sisters. Her father is a farmer and her mother goes to work in the fields. Nayana's early life was a constant hustle. Traveling several kilometres to attend school and participating fervently in school sports, her passion for running bloomed at a young age. “I did my primary schooling in my village itself and as our village does not have a high school, we had to travel 12 km to go to school. I used to participate in the school sports day when I was in 6th and 7th grade, and I absolutely loved running,” says the runner.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFCBv0rM8Hc

Her professional journey really began when she was 16 and there were selection trials in Mundgod organised by an NGO, Bridges of Sports. “I got the opportunity to participate and fortunately, I was selected. The coaches there provided me with a deeper understanding of sports and competition, which ignited a profound love for athletics within me.”

However, it was not all a bed of roses. Once the runner was selected into the program, there were immediate obstacles as her parents were not comfortable with their daughter training in shorts and track attire in the community ground. They were not sure how sports can help her or their family live a better life. “As an organisation, it took us almost the whole of 2019 to work with her and her family to provide them a roadmap of how her life could benefit from sports and her success in athletics. Their family’s average annual income was around 400-550 USD largely dependent on good monsoons. This was one of the main reasons for children from her village and community dropping out of education and supporting their families to earn additional income. We are working with a few international partners to enable and support her training for the Asian Games 2026,” says Nitish Chiniwar, Founder and CEO, of Bridges of Sports Foundation.

The results are now paying off. She is now recognised as the fastest runner in India, something she is rightfully happy and proud of. “I will do my best, work harder to become faster. Also, I will motivate more athletes to come to sports and train,” the runner plans. Her training involves different sessions for speed, endurance, gym, and cycling, along with sprinting lessons from her coaches as well as psychology sessions. Her diet is more specific to her sport which includes eggs, chicken, milk, and muesli, quantity wise of food. “I miss a lot of foods like Maggi, chicken rolls, and ice cream. Sometimes I miss them more, but once I win a medal it is all worth it,” she smiles.

From fields to podiums

During the pandemic, she faced significant difficulties in maintaining her training regimen. With restrictions in place and limited access to sports facilities, she had to find alternative solutions. “Our hostel rooms, the hostel veranda, and even the gym room became our training spaces. Despite the limitations, we were determined to continue our daily training. In these trying times, our coaches stood by us and provided unwavering support. They stayed with us, ensuring that we received the guidance and assistance we needed. They understood the challenges we faced and went above and beyond to help us adapt to the new circumstances," says the runner.

Though the circumstances were not ideal, the team made the most of what they had. “We transformed our living spaces into makeshift training areas and pushed ourselves to maintain our fitness and skills. The dedication and support of our coaches played a crucial role in keeping us motivated and focused on our goals. Through perseverance and teamwork, we overcame the obstacles posed by the pandemic and remained committed to our athletic development," she recalls.

And that is also how the runner rationalises challenges like missing classes and missing festivals at home outweigh winning which makes her happier and the sacrifices worth it. Looking ahead, she says that she would like to represent India in more international competitions, win more medals, participate in the Olympics, and make the country proud.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21JtuKVccec

"I aspire to inspire and motivate more young children to pursue sports and strive for success. By setting an example through my dedication and achievements, I hope to ignite a spark in their hearts, encouraging them to dream big and work hard towards their own accomplishments. With a strong sense of purpose and determination, I am eager to continue my training, give my best performance, and make a positive impact in the world of sports,” the runner avers. In her spare time, she indulges in drawing, watching videos on YouTube, and ‘roaming around’, in her own words. Until then it is time to celebrate this young prodigy and raise a toast to her success today and in the future.

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