Global Indianstory Global Indian ExclusiveMeet Ridi Oswal, the singer-songwriter and anti-bullying activist

Meet Ridi Oswal, the singer-songwriter and anti-bullying activist

Written by: Mallik Thatipalli

(June 29, 2024) Meet 20-year-old Ridi Oswal, a dynamic young musician, a changemaker, and a student of engineering who defies the trope with her work across different fields and her unwavering commitment to her passions. She released her debut song, Top Guy, on her YouTube channel in 2021. The Indo-European pop fusion song reflects her multicultural upbringing and is an empowering anthem about standing up against injustice. She and her sister Vasundhara are also the co-founders of Stop the B! a movement dedicated to raising awareness and supporting victims of bullying. Stop the B! has been endorsed by celebrities like footballer Ronaldinho Gaucho and Ridi became the youngest panelist ever at the UNESCO World Anti-Bullying Forum.

Born and raised in Switzerland, the child of global entrepreneurs Pankaj and Radhika Oswal, Ridi was surrounded by a diverse array of cultural influences from an early age, thanks to her father’s ventures in different industries, including petrochemicals, mining, real estate, and fertilizers.

Even as a child, it was music that truly captured her heart. Starting her musical education at the tender age of four, Ridi found herself drawn to the rhythms and melodies that would eventually define her unique sound.

Indian Singer | Ridi Oswal | Global Indian

“I grew up in a world of music from all over the world, and music became my language from a very young age,” the young musician recalls, in an interview with Global Indian. Influenced by legends such as AR Rahman and Beyoncé, she began to blend Western pop with Indian melodies, creating a sound that resonated with a broad audience. By the age of eight, she was already experimenting with her music, constantly evolving and refining her style.

Being in the music industry since a tender age meant continuous learning, growth, and taking risks while staying true to herself. Her music draws inspiration from a wide range of artists, from classical Indian masters to modern pop icons, through their lyrics and melody.

Debut and Musical Philosophy

Ridi’s debut song, Top Guy released in 2021 on her YouTube channel RealRidi was a significant milestone. The song, an empowering anthem about standing up against injustice, is an Indo-European pop fusion reflecting her multicultural upbringing. “Top Guy felt like everything I had been working towards. It was the moment I started sharing my music with the world,” Ridi shares.

Her music is a reflection of her life’s journey and cultural heritage. Describing her genre as “Indo-European pop,” Ridi’s compositions are a blend of Indian classical music and the French beats she encountered in Switzerland. This fusion allows her to explore different musical textures and connect with people on a deeper level. “The biggest gift my music has given me is the ability to connect with people,” she says. Her songs aim to inspire listeners to stand up for their beliefs, a theme that is central to her musical philosophy.

Championing Anti-Bullying Through “Stop The B!”

Beyond her music, Ridi is also a passionate advocate against bullying. Her own experiences with bullying in her early teens led her and her sister Vasundhara to co-found Stop The B! a movement dedicated to raising awareness and providing support to those affected by bullying. “We wanted to create a space to spread awareness, support, and be the allies we didn’t have during our youth,” she explains.

Ridi Oswal

Stop The B! has gained significant recognition, becoming the world’s first youth-led anti-bullying campaign. It has been endorsed by prominent figures such as footballer Ronaldinho Gaúcho and organizations like the United Nations. A highlight for Ridi was being the youngest panelist ever at the UNESCO World Anti-Bullying Forum, where she advocated for teenage mental health on social media.

The campaign’s impact has been profound. “We have raised awareness about the prevalence and harm of bullying behaviors. But more importantly, we have empowered thousands of young people to know they are not alone and that there is help available,” Ridi says. Stop The B! provides resources and support for victims, encouraging them to stand up for themselves and each other.

Balancing Academics and Music

Currently pursuing a degree in chemical engineering in London, the youngster adeptly balances her academic pursuits with her musical career. The transition from Switzerland to London brought its own set of adjustments, but Ridi embraces the challenge, maintaining a dedicated focus on both her studies and her passion for music.

Despite living in different parts of the world, Ridi remains deeply connected to her Indian roots. “Absolutely, you can call me an Indian at heart,” she affirms. Music is a primary way she stays connected to her heritage, blending Indo-European pop to reflect the melodies of her childhood home in India and the beats she discovered in Switzerland.

Ridi is particularly proud of her achievement as the youngest panelist to speak at the UNESCO World Anti-Bullying Forum, a testament to her commitment to making a difference. Looking ahead, she plans to continue pushing the boundaries of her music, exploring new themes, and deepening her connection with her audience.

Looking Ahead

As she continues to evolve as an artist and advocate, her future promises even more ground breaking music and meaningful contributions to the fight against bullying. Her latest song, Make It All Make Sense has been met with an outpouring of love from fans, and she is already working on new tracks that blend various sounds. Exciting collaborations are also on the horizon, promising new dimensions to her musical journey.

“I aim to keep pushing the limits of my music, delving into unfamiliar themes, and developing a deeper bond with the people who listen to it,” Ridi says. She also plans to expand Stop The B! to further its mission as a powerful anti-bullying platform. “I will take both paths—engineering and music—because why should women be expected to choose only one?”

Ridi Oswal’s story is one of resilience, creativity, and a relentless pursuit of her passions. Her journey serves as an inspiration to many, demonstrating that with determination and a deep connection to one’s roots, it is possible to make a lasting impact. As she continues to chart her path, her music and advocacy will undoubtedly inspire and uplift those who hear her voice.

QUICK TAKES:

Music idols: Don’t have one. I like to listen to all different artists and genres. That’s what inspires me the most.
The top song on your playlist right now is: Mocking Bird by Eminem. He’s such an awesome lyricist.
Indian music you like: Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s songs are my favorite Indian music style.
Follow Ridi Oswal on Instagram.

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Published on 29, Jun 2024

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Navami Jain: Indian American teen becomes Regeneron finalist for bioethanol breakthrough

(May 10, 2023) One balmy afternoon in 2019, when Charlotte-based Navami Jain was desperately searching for the venue for a college admissions interview scheduled to start in the next ten minutes, her phone kept ringing incessantly. In a panicked state, she picked up the call only to find that she was one of the 40 finalists selected for the Regeneron Science Talent Search that year. "I was so shocked that I stopped walking," she said. Then a 17-year-old senior at North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, Navami was recognised for her relentless effort to produce bioethanol from agricultural waste products. "The major controversy around ethanol production is that it is being produced from food-based crops like corn. I’m looking at ways to produce it from agricultural-based matter and different waste products such as wheat straw," Navami said in an interview. [caption id="attachment_29908" align="aligncenter" width="754"] Navami Jain[/caption] The Stanford University School of Medicine student was always passionate about science. But it was during middle school that she began her research while her trip to India during her summer break to meet her grandparents. With a little help from her grandfather, who is a retired biochemist, she began dipping her toes

hat she began her research while her trip to India during her summer break to meet her grandparents. With a little help from her grandfather, who is a retired biochemist, she began dipping her toes into converting agricultural waste products into fuel-grade ethanol. The idea came to her during her freshman year at Myers Park High School when she was interning in a biochemistry lab. Here she saw researchers trying to repurpose India's plentiful sugarcane waste into biofuel. This hooked her on the process of scientific discovery.

Two years later, this passion led her to the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics. "One of the major factors that drew me to NCSSM was the different research opportunities and the prospect of continuing what I had started that summer in India. You’re given the funding and the space to pursue any research project you’re interested in," she said in an interview.

During the next few years, she performed a series of assays looking at different ways to produce bioethanol, a type of biofuel that is considered greener than conventional fossil energy sources as it is biodegradable and non-toxic. In the last few years, bioethanol has gained considerable attention due to its potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and dependency on fossil fuels. Agricultural waste products, such as crop residues and lignocellulosic biomass, are abundant in India, and their conversion into bioethanol could provide an eco-friendly, cost-effective solution to the country's growing energy demands.

Her research focused on developing a novel method for converting agricultural waste products into bioethanol using a combination of enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation processes. This innovative approach not only optimized bioethanol production but also addressed the issue of waste management in India's agricultural sector. By converting waste products into valuable resources, Jain's work demonstrated the potential of a circular economy that benefits both the environment and the country's energy infrastructure.

Navami's award-winning research has significantly contributed to the bioethanol movement in India. Her innovative approach to producing bioethanol from agricultural waste products has opened up new possibilities for utilizing India's vast biomass resources sustainably. Moreover, her work has generated interest and investment in the field, thereby promoting the development of a bio-based economy in the country.

Navami's groundbreaking research on bioethanol production from agricultural waste products has had a far-reaching impact on India's energy landscape. Her work has not only showcased the potential of bioethanol as a sustainable energy source but has also paved the way for the development of a circular economy in the country. As India strives to achieve its renewable energy targets and reduce its carbon footprint, bioethanol – fueled by the innovative efforts of pioneers like Jain – is set to play a significant role in the country's transition to a greener, more sustainable future.

Follow Navami Jain on LinkedIn

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Indian teen ace shooter Esha Singh readies for world cup, all guns blazing

(February 8, 2022) Esha Singh was barely nine when she heard a blaring gunshot for the first time at a firing range in Hyderabad. It excited her. That reverberating sound led her to pick up a shotgun. Though heavy, it overwhelmed her, as she welcomed the adrenaline rush. A quick tour of the armoury, introduced to guns of all shapes and sizes, a rifle caught her eye, but that was too heavy. Esha settled for a lighter air pistol as she felt it suited her best. Eventually, it did. Now 17, Esha is a sharp shooter who shoots with utmost precision. One of India’s finest and promising shooters, she is now aiming for the bull’s eye at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup to be held in Cairo in February-end 2022. She also won the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2020. [caption id="attachment_10545" align="aligncenter" width="546"] Esha Singh with President Ram Nath Kovind[/caption] “My ultimate goal is to win an Olympic medal and to accomplish as many wins as I can to make my country proud,” smiles Esha Singh in an exclusive with Global Indian. Esha was among the select few whose name figured in the Indian squad for the prestigious championships. Active, sporty, now accurate!

try proud,” smiles Esha Singh in an exclusive with Global Indian. Esha was among the select few whose name figured in the Indian squad for the prestigious championships.

Active, sporty, now accurate!

Born and brought up in Hyderabad, Indian ace shooter Esha credits her businessman father Sachin Singh, a rally driver, for the initial push into sport. “Since my father is also a sportsperson, he often highlighted the importance of sporting activities, which give one a sense of discipline and dedication - much needed in life,” says Esha, who enjoyed badminton, tennis, skating and go-karting before shooting took centre stage. Schooled (1st-10th) at Bolton School, Esha is now in grade 11 at Reqelford High School. Her father comes from a line of ancestors in Rajasthan and her mother Srilatha Sachin Singh is an entrepreneur from Andhra Pradesh.

Indian ace shooter Esha Singh says, ‘Muzzle tov!’

“Shooting was a whole new world for me,” quips Esha, who became Telangana’s state champion in the 10m air pistol category (2015). That first time at the firing range changed her life forever. “I was not even aware that a sport like this existed until I heard the gunshot for the first time,” smiles the January 1, 2005 born Indian ace shooter.

As national champion in the 10m air pistol category (2018), she clinched gold medals at the second edition of Khelo India Youth Games in January 2019 (under-17 category) and Asian Airgun championships in Taoyuan, Taiwan in March-April 2019. She also won a silver medal at the ISSF Junior World Cup at Suhl, Germany in July 2019, a bronze in the 10 m Air Pistol mixed team event there, besides winning two gold medals at the Asian Junior Championships (in 10 m air pistol women and 10 m air pistol mixed team) held in Doha, Qatar in November 2019.

Passion aside, Esha’s determination is rock solid. “Once I set my mind on something, I pursue it dedicatedly, and do all it takes to achieve it,” declares the teenager, who also competes in the 25m standard pistol and 25m pistol events. The Indian ace shooter was also selected for the Indian core team for the Tokyo Olympics.

Focussing on her strengths

Having good focus is important, and the Indian ace shooter elaborates, “A shooter needs to go through intense mind-training - train the brain the right way. Shooting is a mind game. There is no such thing as a lucky day, it all depends on the mindset and thoughts on the day." The ace shooter is the proud owner of a 1.25 metre sports pistol and 2.10 metre air pistol, though her first was the Pardini Kids Air Pistol.

Hand-eye coordination is key. “One must train in these skills to be better at shooting. Physical fitness sharpens these skills. I workout five times a week and also undergo mind-training and meditation,” explains the shooter, who defeated Commonwealth Games and Youth Olympics gold-medalist Manu Bhaker and multi-medalist Heena Sidhu in the 62nd National Shooting Championships at Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala to become the youngest champion in the senior category, when she was just as 13.

Tough and long training days with no distractions are crucial for tournaments and championships. On an ordinary day, Esha trains five to six hours a day at the paper-practice range set up by her father at home. “My typical day starts at 5 am, and main training begins at 9 am. The range keeps me occupied till around 4 pm. I have the rest of the day to do normal things – schoolwork and studies,” informs the Indian ace shooter.

Getting ready for the world championship now, that regimen remains a constant every day.

An Indian ace shooter’s hardwork and perseverance

Unlike other sports, shooting is expensive, and Esha agrees, though adds, “Like any sport, it requires a huge commitment. Our generation is lucky to have private sponsors to help budding athletes,” smiles the shooter.

Esha loves the Gachibowli firing range in Hyderabad. “The government has been extremely helpful. The Khelo India project is a great scheme for young sportspersons,” adds Esha, who has visited several firing ranges abroad.

Away from the shooting range, Esha tries not to think about the sport. That is when her hobbies kick in. A nature buff, she loves greenery, bird-watches, sketches, and is a bookworm too. Busy in The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, her friends motivate her. “They see me as an influence to pursue what they are passionate about. They feel, and also make me feel proud of my accomplishments,” smiles the girl who is a crime-thriller and 90’s sitcom buff.

Will shooting be a full-time profession? “Yes. With the right dedication and support, shooting can indeed be a full-time profession. It does take a lot of time out of your life but eventually it will be worth it,” urges the fan of hip-hop, pop and rap.

Her role model in the sport is “Gagan Narang as I trained in his academy (Gun For Glory in Pune) in the beginning. I spent my days looking at his posters. His work motivated and inspired me,” the Indian ace shooter signs off.

Follow Esha Singh on Instagram

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From Bridgerton to L’Oréal: Simone Ashley’s journey beyond skin colour

(July 14, 2024) Last month, the Monte-Carlo Television Festival hosted a star-studded event in Monaco, which saw the who’s who of the television industry gracing the blue carpet. For 63 years, the Principality of Monaco has been hosting its own international television festival where major broadcast networks, digital platforms, and well-known artists come together in picturesque settings to promote their programs to the press and public and to compete for the prestigious Golden Nymph Awards. This year the ‘International Golden Nymph for Most Promising Talent’ was awarded to British Indian actress Simone Ashley - best known for her role as Kate Sharma, the female lead in season two of the highly successful Netflix series Bridgerton. [caption id="attachment_38614" align="aligncenter" width="690"] Simone Ashley receiving the Golden Nymph award for 'Most Promising Talent' by Prince Albert II of Monaco[/caption] Apart from her role as the spirited Kate Sharma in Bridgerton, Simone Ashley has been recognised for her performance as Olivia Hanan, on the Netflix dramedy Sex Education. For her success as an artist Simone was named in the 2022 Forbes 30 Under 30 list and the TIME 100 Next list. “I am deeply grateful for the opportunities that have helped me open doors throughout

nce Albert II of Monaco[/caption]

Apart from her role as the spirited Kate Sharma in Bridgerton, Simone Ashley has been recognised for her performance as Olivia Hanan, on the Netflix dramedy Sex Education. For her success as an artist Simone was named in the 2022 Forbes 30 Under 30 list and the TIME 100 Next list. “I am deeply grateful for the opportunities that have helped me open doors throughout my career and I would particularly like to thank Shonda Rhimes (television producer and screenwriter who helmed Bridgerton), and Netflix,” Simone said after receiving the award from Prince Albert II of Monaco.

Recently the Indian origin actor has also been appointed as the UK’s ambassador of the beauty brand L’Oréal.

Earning worldwide stardom

Simone Ashley (Simone Ashwini Pillai) skyrocketed to global fame nearly overnight, after featuring as the lead in season two of the immensely popular Netflix series Bridgerton - transitioning from being moderately successful to becoming an international star.

The actress had already created a mark among the fans of the Netflix series Sex Education, but her role as the lead in Season 2 of the immensely popular Netflix series Bridgerton made her career soar.

[caption id="attachment_38615" align="aligncenter" width="801"] Simone Ashley in Bridgerton[/caption]

The Indian origin actor had left home at 16 to pursue her dreams. In 2018, she made her feature film debut in Boogie Man, and a year later, she secured the role of Olivia Hanan in the Netflix series Sex Education. After auditioning for the romantic period drama in 2020, she was named the leading lady of Bridgerton in early 2021, and there has been no looking back ever since. “I think that it's a gift to an actor to be presented with such a great character journey,” she remarked about the role that changed the course of her career and life for the better.

The India connection and love for acting

Born to Indian Tamil parents Latha and Gunasekharan Pillai in Camberley, Surrey, Simone grew up in a family of academics. However, despite her family's academic background, she developed a passion for performing arts, a fact that initially concerned her parents. Nonetheless, her family supported her endeavour to pursue her creative interests in singing classical music and opera and playing the piano. They even moved to another town so that she could attend Redroofs Theatre School in Maidenhead. Later she enrolled herself in the Arts Educational School in London for training in acting.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3-9gjUfLtA

Using stardom to raise awareness

While growing up in the UK, Simone was made aware of her dark complexion early on. “I remember people saying certain things that make you really aware of the colour of your skin,” she remarked in an interview. Later, when she started looking for acting opportunities, it led to slower growth in her career compared to other aspiring actors. “But I never surrendered to it,” she said, highlighting how skin tone-based discrimination affected her career initially.

Always inclined towards giving back, as soon as Simone started getting successful, she began putting her stardom to good use by raising awareness about colourism in the industry. She believes actors are still ‘typecast’ and ‘overlooked because of the colour of their skin.'

[caption id="attachment_38616" align="aligncenter" width="715"] Simone Ashley[/caption]

That’s one of the reasons she is excited about her new role as the UK’s ambassador for L’Oréal. “I’m so honoured to be invited to join the L’Oréal Paris family and to stand shoulder to shoulder with some of the most inspiring and beautiful women in the world,” she said. “Being the face of a brand like L’Oréal means the world to me. I guess maybe I manifested it when I was a kid - I always dreamt of stuff like this. I feel very happy.”

Simone's journey of achieving her dreams of becoming an actor and then being chosen as the spokesperson for the world’s leading beauty brand serves as a powerful example of how talent shines irrespective of skin colour.

Follow Simone Ashley on Instagram

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Meet Tanishq Abraham, the teenage prodigy changing the biomedical world

(August 2, 2022) As you read this, the two-hundred-year-old Dutch publishing house, Elsevier, is busy printing copies of their latest book on artificial intelligence and deep learning in pathology, with a 30-page chapter written by a 19-year-old Indian-American scholar, Tanishq Abraham. And it is not his first contribution to the scientific world. This young scholar has been writing journals and authoring scientific papers since he was merely ten years old. He is also responsible for discovering a supernova, an exoplanet, and a solar storm while going through hundreds of images from NASA's Long-Range Observatory and Kepler projects - just when he was eight. [caption id="attachment_20251" align="aligncenter" width="551"] Tanishq Abraham[/caption] When most youngsters his age are still trying to figure out the course of their lives, Tanishq is a member of the Levenson Lab at UC Davis, where he is working on understanding the application of deep learning for digital pathology. In the running for the Global Student Prize 2022, the young scholar is the youngest ever member of Phi Beta Kappa, the oldest academic society in the United States of America. Global Indian takes a look at the marvellous journey of this child prodigy, who is revolutionalising the world of

g for digital pathology. In the running for the Global Student Prize 2022, the young scholar is the youngest ever member of Phi Beta Kappa, the oldest academic society in the United States of America. Global Indian takes a look at the marvellous journey of this child prodigy, who is revolutionalising the world of biomedical engineering.

Child Genius

With their roots in Kerala, Tanishq's parents, veterinary doctor Dr. Taji Abraham and techie Bijou Abraham, moved to the United States in search of better career opportunities. A few years into his birth, his mother knew that her son was a special kid as he could solve basic mathematics problems at the age of two, a feat not many can achieve. Two years later, he took the Mensa exam and scored a brilliant 99.9 percent.

Realising that it would be difficult for any school to match their son's genius, the couple decided to home-school Tanishq. At five, the child prodigy cracked Stanford University’s math course, offered under their Education Programme for Gifted Youth, in just six months. Owing to the need that he had to socialise with other people, Tanishq was enrolled at the local community college, while he prepared rigorously for his high school exams at home.

[caption id="attachment_20253" align="aligncenter" width="550"] Tiara and Tanishq Abraham[/caption]

At nine, Tanishq became the youngest person to speak at NASA’s Ames conferences in 2012, after he discovered a supernova, an exoplanet, and a solar storm while going through hundreds of images from NASA's Long-Range Observatory and Kepler projects. Just a few months before his 11th birthday, the scholar earned his high school degree, making him the youngest to do so in the US. Interestingly, Tanishq's younger sister, Tiara, is no different than him too. The 16-year-old musical prodigy recently received the Young Arts award in Classical Voice 2022.

Changing the course of biomedical engineering

A 10-year-old armed with a high school degree, Tanishq's next stop was American River College, where he graduated junior college with three associate degrees. Motivated to pursue a career in medicine, the scholar joined the University of California to pursue a degree in biomedical engineering. “I decided to go into biomedical engineering because it’s interdisciplinary and at the forefront of medical research. It’s a field with the potential for positive impact on society," Tanishq said during an interview with the UC Davis Magazine.

[caption id="attachment_20249" align="aligncenter" width="632"] Tanishq during his graduation ceremony at the University of California[/caption]

However, the journey was tougher than he imagined. While the curriculum was a cakewalk for the child genius, he had to deal with bullying at the hands of his peers and unsupportive faculty. So much so that many professors refused to take him seriously and even barred him from taking up their courses. However, his love for learning kept him going, and he was able to earn his undergraduate degree summa cum laude.

At 15, Tanishq decided to join the University of California's Ph.D. programme in biomedical engineering, which he is still pursuing. Under the able supervision of Dr Richard Levenson, the scholar is researching the application of deep learning (especially generative networks) to novel microscopy techniques for digital pathology. "Through deep learning, we should soon be able to enhance images from microscopes to make them easier for pathologists to interpret. Radiology and pathology are already suited for the integration of AI technology as these areas of medicine involve sets of digitised images," he informed UC Davis Magazine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kq3FopGY6Fc&t=68s

A STEM educator on Twitter, Tanishq has been inspiring young minds to follow their passion through TEDx Talk. Recently, the scholar also wrote a 30-page chapter titled, Applications of Artificial Intelligence for Image Enhancement in Pathology, as a first author. The book, which focuses on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Pathology, is a multi-author book.

But it’s the funding that’s keeping him at a hand’s distance from his goal. Urging the society and governments to fund research facilities, the scholar told UC Davis Magazine, “It’s amazing that science accomplishes as much as it does when research receives so little funding in comparison to other budget priorities, such as the military. We need to fund the NSF and the NIH, cash from them trickles down to many labs, including those at UC Davis. And you never know when science will make a huge discovery that changes lives and helps many people."

Follow Tanishq Abraham on Twitter, Instagram and his website

Reading Time: 6 mins

Nikita Tiwari and Harsh Agrawal: Leading the smart farming revolution with ‘Shool’ soil sensor

(May 9, 2024) In 2017, two engineering students, Nikita Tiwari and Harsh Agrawal, united for a college project. Together, they were gearing up for a big leap in Indian agri deep tech and smart-farming as they worked together to design Shool. Simply put, it's a smart sensor designed to the way farmers work, with its capacity to analyse soil health almost instantly. In 2019, they co-founded NEERX, a smart-farming app that helps farmers understand soil quality for targetted use of water, pesticides and fertilisers, using real-time data to deliver information within a matter of seconds. Now, with just their smartphones, farmers in remote, rural hinterlands can access data-driven insights into pest infestation, water and fertilizer retention and overall productivity. It's a crucial development, not just because it represents a deeper integration of technology and agriculture - it also sidesteps the traditionally time-consuming process that involves sending samples out to a lab, leads to a more sustainable approach to soil use, and can scale up profit and crop-yield per acre through a method that tech-driven and affordable to use. This year, the co-founders also made it to the Forbes 30 Under 30 India list. How it began Now 26 years old,

>How it began

Now 26 years old, Nikita Tiwari was a BTech student in Electronics and Communications from NIT-Raipur when the idea for Shool first struck her. Harsh was an engineering student too, and was at NIRMA University, Ahmedabad. Their paths crossed during a summer school programme in IIM Ahmedabad in 2017. "We learned that information about soil health is not available to farmers, due to which many face crop failure. That is when NEERX was incorporated and we began research on a low-cost, handheld device which will help measure soil health parameters," Tiwari said. They presented the idea to ISRO scientists, who helped the duo understand what sensors they needed to measure these soil health parameters. Ensuring accuracy also meant an immense amount of on-ground work. Agrawal and Tiwari carried out intensive field campaigns across 15,000 data points and according to its creators, Shool has a proven accuracy of "more than 97%."

[caption id="attachment_33305" align="aligncenter" width="532"] Nikita Tiwari and Harsh Agrawal, co-founders, NEERX, are at the forefront of India's smart-farming revolution[/caption]

The development of Shool led to the young Global Indians founding NEERX in 2019. The company doesn't just make the high-tech sensor, it partners with organisations across the country to spread awareness among farmers and improve Shool's reach. And soil health is a concern that has only grown more pressing with time. In July 2023, the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences in Delhi said that India's soil loss is around 15.35 tonnes per ha annually. This results in a loss of some 9 million tonnes of nutrients and crop productivity. Rain-fed crops also suffer an annual production loss of 13.4 million tonnes due to water erosion, as waterlogging causes salinisation and soil damage. In India, everything is a gamble, from the usage of fertiliser and pesticide, to water. Waiting two-three weeks for analysed samples to return from the lab is simply not feasible, making smart-farming solutions critical to sustainable agriculture in India.

How Shool works

One Shool device can analyse up to 2.5 acres. And in case you were wondering how farmers in remote rural areas have enough connectivity for their smartphones - Shool can be used without any internet, Tiwari explains. The sensors are planted in fields determined by crop type, land topology and reason. The data is sent to the smartphone app within seconds. "It’s not necessary that farmers have smartphones. A basic phone works fine as the data can be delivered over text messages as well," Agrawal explained. "With the sensor, farmers can know how much to irrigate and this helps in improving the quantity and quality of produce." SHOOL can be paired with a Bluetooth device, like a smartphone. It needs to be inserted completely into the soil, after which the mobile app can connect with the device.

Meeting a critical need

"Low power consumption and proven accuracy of the device makes it ideal for monitoring and automation," Tiwari explains. With validation coming in from ISRO and the Indian Agriculture Research Institute, there was no looking back for NEERX and its young co-founders. The startup is being incubated at the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India and won the NASSCOM Design4India 2019 award under the Digital Ergonomic Product category. NEERX has also branched out into building Shool Stations, solar powered stations that collect daily and hourly soil data along with weather data including air temperature, humidity, wind direction and speed.

[caption id="attachment_33306" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Shool, the smart soil sensor. Picture credit: www.neerx.in[/caption]

"Through these stations, farmers will get an analysed advisory and insights on waterlogging, deficiency, appropriate fertiliser quantity among others through the mobile app," Tiwari explains. "Our target is to install Shool Stations in each district of Gujarat and we are working with farmers for the same."

Far-reaching impact

Shool is currently in use in over ten states in India and five countries around the world. It has helped save 10,00,000 litres of water per acre each year and has helped result in a 25 percent reduction in CO2-eq. It has also enabled an additional profit of Rs 50,000 per acre per year. Affordability is a key aspect and the sensor is priced at Rs 15,000 to Rs 50,000 for business-to-government and business-to-business customers. However, Agrawal adds, "sensors are also available on a subscription basis for farmers, wherein they can rent it for their harvesting season. That would cost them Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 a month."

Follow Nikita Tiwari and Harsh Agrawal on LinkedIn and visit the NEERX website for more information on their smart-farming innovations.