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Global Indianstory Global Indian ExclusiveMusic for Nature: Anuv Jain teams up with UN for its ‘Sound Right’ campaign
  • Global Indian Exclusive
  • Indian Musicians

Music for Nature: Anuv Jain teams up with UN for its ‘Sound Right’ campaign

By: Amrita Priya

(May 5, 2024) Ludhiana boy Anuv Jain recently shared one of his latest pictures from New York, standing proudly in front of a billboard showcasing him. “NATURE (music album) is out now on all streaming platforms. I’m thrilled to contribute to the global campaign, ‘Sounds Right’, by United Nations Live! Thank you for inviting me to be a part of this movement. A significant portion of the royalties from this track will support environmental conservation charities,” shared the singer, songwriter and composer. His track Baarishein, featuring the sounds of Indian rains is part of the UN Live album.

Indian Musicians | Anuv Jain | Global Indian

Anuv Jain

The Museum for the United Nations — UN Live, based in Copenhagen, launched its global music initiative, ‘Sounds Right,’ on April 18 this year, just ahead of Earth Day (April 22). The initiative aims to highlight the importance of nature, raise funds for conservation efforts, and inspire millions of music lovers to take action. The ‘Sound Right’ album Nature features a diverse cast of global artists including Anuv Jain, David Bowie x Brian Eno, Ellie Goulding, AURORA, UMI with V of BTS, MØ, London Grammar, Bomba Estéreo, Cosmo Sheldrake, Louis VI, Tom Walker, Aterciopelados, Blinky Bill, Navicula x Endah N Rhesa, and Los Amigos Invisibles.

Available on major streaming platforms, the album has timeless compositions with ocean waves, wind, rainstorms, and birdsongs as prominent features of the background music. 

Sounds Right

The website of the Museum for the United Nations-UN Live describes itself as an organization without borders that ignites global empathy, action, and transformation through the influence of popular culture and dialogue.

“By simply listening to music that features sounds of the natural world, fans will help to fund nature conservation and restoration projects in our most precious and precarious ecosystems,” stated a UN press release about the museum’s initiative. 

 

The United Nations further highlighted that the ‘Sounds Right’ initiative “comes at a critical time when wildlife populations have declined by an average 69% in the past 50 years and at least 1.2 million plant and animal species are estimated to be at threat of extinction.” The initiative “looks to flip our extractive relationship with the natural world on its head while recognizing nature’s contribution to the creative industries.”

For the nature-loving musician Anuv, being selected for such a prestigious project was one of the most exciting opportunities of his career. All the artists chosen for the album were selected on the basis of how they have intertwined nature with their music throughout their musical journeys.

Inspired by nature

“A lot of my music is inspired by what’s around me; the sky, the rain, the trees,” Anuv remarked in an interview. Some of his “best work highlights nature as a metaphor to describe beauty.” The independent artist is popular for his acoustic melodies and compositions like Baarishein, Gul, and Alag Aasmaan among others. He expressed excitement about being part of an initiative that would help him to contribute to something that has given him so much – not just music but life itself.

Life around music

Anuv’s earliest memories of making music dates back to his 10th-grade year when he began playing the guitar and also started songwriting.

“I used to write these really emotional English songs. Eventually, my guitar teacher suggested that I should try writing in Hindi and that’s when I made that switch. I’m so glad I got that suggestion because I realized I was pretty good at it,” he shared adding “The lyrics come from all my personal experiences and the stories that I’ve seen unfold in front of me. I take inspiration from my experiences and turn them into a song.”

Indian Musicians | Anuv Jain | Global Indian

Anuv Jain in one of his packed live performances

With time the artist polished his skills and ‘started becoming a better songwriter taking up more complicated themes and stories’. “I’ve been able to fit it into this economy of words, which is a song. I also feel like I’ve become better as a performing artist — I used to get really nervous initially, but now I am much more confident whenever I’m on stage and I enjoy it a lot more than I ever have before,” shared the singer-songwriter who has several single albums to his credit. He loves to perform at live shows to connect with people and has a large fan following on social media.

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Published on 05, May 2024

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From Mirzapur to Tinseltown: Abhilasha FNU on a Hollywood sojourn

(Aug 18, 2023) In the year 2020, as the pandemic was about to disrupt the world, a 23-year-old youngster, Abhilasha FNU embarked on her maiden international flight - to Los Angeles, carrying dreams packed within her suitcase. She had secured admission at the prestigious New York Film Academy for a filmmaking course.  In just three years, Abhilasha has been able to stand on her own in the film and television world of America. As a script supervisor, her contributions to television projects like ‘At Home with Tori,’ and films like ‘Miracle Before Christmas,’ and ‘I Rise’ have been standouts in her short yet successful career in Hollywood. ‘I Rise’ (2022), has even clinched eight awards at the Christian Online Film Festival, adding a boost to her career. "My most successful script supervisor work is in Big Boys 2023, a LGBTQ based feature narrative which is doing wonders and winning at prestigious festivals worldwide," Abhilasha tells Global Indian.   The script supervisor has played a pivotal role in the Spotify-produced series ‘Gold Diggers Hotel,’ collaborating with the American songwriter, singer and record producer, Leon Bridges. She has also been associated with ‘Man in The Long Black Coat,’ a production featuring renowned

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d feature narrative which is doing wonders and winning at prestigious festivals worldwide," Abhilasha tells Global Indian.

Indian youth | Abhilasha FNU | Global Indian 

The script supervisor has played a pivotal role in the Spotify-produced series ‘Gold Diggers Hotel,’ collaborating with the American songwriter, singer and record producer, Leon Bridges. She has also been associated with ‘Man in The Long Black Coat,’ a production featuring renowned American actors like Mark Feuerstein, Neal McDonough, Dermot Mulroney, and Christopher Lloyd. 

"I volunteered for various film projects during my initial days as a student of filmmaking, before I started earning in the United States. Being on set, learning the craft, and wrapping up productions have always brought a sense of fulfilment," Abhilasha shared in an interview. 

From Mirzapur to the US  

Hailing from a traditional North Indian family, her relocation from India to the United States marked a big moment, making her the first woman in her family to undertake both an American journey and an unconventional career path of filmmaking. Her inherent knack for creation, expression, and storytelling had been evident from a tender age, and her family supported her daring choice to tread a unique trajectory. 

Challenges in the US  

However, her journey was marked by challenges. Mere weeks into her film school programme, the Covid-19 outbreak swept across the globe, forcing classes into the online mode. Like countless international students, Abhilasha grappled with dejection and uncertainty in a foreign land away from home. "We found ourselves in rented apartments, far from home, staring at laptop screens while trying to master a hands-on profession like filmmaking. Initially feeling like an unwelcome break, I soon realised that this setback couldn't deter me," she remarked. 

Indian youth | Abhilasha FNU | Global Indian

She turned the adversity into a situation of opportunity. The enforced slowdown enabled her to immerse herself in comprehensive reading and research on diverse facets of filmmaking—spanning screenwriting, continuity, filming, editing, and timing. 

Lucky breaks amidst the pandemic  

During the pandemic she got a chance to direct and write for productions of her college peers. She also took on the role of a Covid compliance officer for some college projects, a novel position within the film realm that required mastering intricate paperwork. As she excelled in this role, she caught the attention of her professors, which eventually led to her first feature film assignment. 

This breakthrough served as a gateway to a plethora of subsequent opportunities. Since then, Abhilasha has been part of productions like ‘At home with Tori,’ ‘Leon Bridges – Life from Gold-Diggers Hotel,’ ‘A Miracle before Christmas,’ and numerous other film and television projects, all within a brief three-year timeline of her cinematic journey. 

Embracing the role of a script supervisor  

Abhilasha loves her job as a script supervisor in Hollywood. She explains, "I gravitated towards the role of a script supervisor due to its inherent blend of pure creativity, observatory skills, and supervision." Her affinity for reading screenplays, coupled with her unique ability to vividly comprehend their essence, helped her perform well. "Drawing on my high emotional intelligence, I can grasp the story's emotions and characters, capturing the nuances of each scene, even when I have read the script once" she added. 

Indian youth | Abhilasha FNU | Global Indian

As a script supervisor, her responsibilities include script analysis and on-set organization. She shoulders the crucial responsibility of ensuring the seamless alignment of unfolding events with the director's creative vision. This multi-dimensional role demands a perceptive awareness of the overall on-set atmosphere, functioning as an astute observer while offering insights and guidance to both the director and other departments involved.  

Her prior experiences as production manager, assistant director, and production designer, for college productions have given her invaluable insights on delivering her best as a script supervisor. 

Life before venturing to the US  

From an early age, Abhilasha's life was steeped in creativity and the arts. She is a trained dancer and singer and used to love writing and reciting poems during her childhood. As she grew older, her interests gradually gravitated towards the realm of filmmaking. She completed her bachelor's in arts, majoring in clinical psychology, and went on to achieve a master's in journalism and mass communication from Maharaja Sayajirao University, Baroda.

In a visual communication semester, she filmed her first short film on her android phone and simply loved the process and received appreciation from her professors and classmates for her storytelling vision and directorial skills. This motivated her to take up film studies and headed to Los Angeles, California. 

In her leisure time, Abhilasha loves painting and takes pride in being an NFT artist.

 

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Salima Tete: From winning chickens and goats to becoming AHF Athletes Ambassador

(March 31, 2023) The girl who started playing hockey with bamboo sticks in the village grounds, travelled over 20-kilometres on her bicycle for matches, and won goats and chickens in village tournaments, has come a long way. Today, Salima Tete is an international hockey player, who was recently appointed by the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) as its Athletes Ambassador from India.   The player has begun her two-year term along with three other players from Asia.  "I am honoured to be selected as one of the AHF ambassadors. As athletes from Asia, we face a lot of challenges in our careers. This position will allow me to bring our voices to the front,” Salima said during the AGM of AHF in Korea. “I hope to make a positive impact on the lives of athletes from the Asia region with this position,” she added.  [caption id="attachment_28928" align="aligncenter" width="660"] Salima Tete[/caption] Over the last several years, Salima has been an integral part of the Indian hockey team. She was named the ‘Rising Player of the Tournament’ at the Women’s Asia Cup tournament held in Muscat last year. From rural Jharkhand to international hockey turfs  The journey of the twenty-one-year-old hockey player from a

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. “I hope to make a positive impact on the lives of athletes from the Asia region with this position,” she added. 

[caption id="attachment_28928" align="aligncenter" width="660"]Indian athletes | Salima Tete | Global Indian Salima Tete[/caption]

Over the last several years, Salima has been an integral part of the Indian hockey team. She was named the ‘Rising Player of the Tournament’ at the Women’s Asia Cup tournament held in Muscat last year.

From rural Jharkhand to international hockey turfs 

The journey of the twenty-one-year-old hockey player from a nondescript village of Simdega district in Jharkhand is nothing short of an inspiration.  

Born to Sulakshan and Subani Tete, Salima and her five siblings grew up in extreme poverty amidst abundant love. It wasn’t just her family – the village was poverty-ridden, not a single home could afford a television set.  

Her farmer father ferried the aspirant hockey player for matches as far as 20 kilometres from their village on his bicycle. The awards at these local tournaments were chicken and goats - the only items that the local organisers could arrange to give away as prizes. It was on occasions like these that the Tete family would devour a non-vegetarian meal. On other days the meals were as simple as could be. 

Since there was no television or internet in their village, no one in the locality could watch Salima play her first major match. It was much later that her family started watching her play at national and international stadiums. By then, the midfielder was scaling her own mountains, and had made India proud on several occasions.  

[caption id="attachment_28929" align="aligncenter" width="552"]Indian athletes | Salima Tete | Global Indian Salima Tete with PM Modi[/caption]

In 2020, when Salima got the opportunity to play at the Tokyo Olympics, her village came into spotlight and better training facilities got introduced for the youth there. Her younger sister, Mahima, who had also been exposed to the sport thanks to her sister, began playing it too. Like Salima, Mahima is a national hockey player as well.  

“Before the Tokyo Olympics, no one knew about our village and after I came back, the focus on our native place increased a lot. We have people visiting us from different places. People recognising the village I come from is really heart-warming,” Salima said in an interview. “Even my family feel very good when people come to visit. The whole atmosphere has changed and it makes me very happy,” she added. 

The following year, in 2021 when Salima led the Indian women’s junior hockey team to a fourth-place finish at the Women’s Junior World Cup in Potchefstroom, South Africa she climbed the popularity charts further. 

Surging ahead as an ambassador 

After her appointment as AHF Athletes Ambassador, Salima remarked, "I sincerely thank the Asian Hockey Federation for showcasing their faith in me and also express my gratitude to Hockey India for their constant support in all my endeavours." 

[caption id="attachment_28949" align="aligncenter" width="801"]Indian athletes | Salima Tete | Global Indian Salima Tete during the AHF AGM[/caption]

In her two-year term (2023-25), Salima will be in a leadership role, facilitating the growth and international representation of athletes from Asia. She will also be working to promote awareness about athletes' welfare and rights. 

 “Playing for India has really changed my life a lot, it has given me everything I could have asked for. I just want to keep performing for the country and winning more matches,” Salima had said in an interview. India is all praise for athletes like her for bringing laurels to the country. 

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How young racers are putting Indian motorsports on the global map

(May 5, 2023) The news of Indian racer Jehan Daruvala joining the reigning Formula 2 champions MP Motorsport for the 2023 season sent ripples of anticipation among motorsports fans, as he became the second Indian racer to join Kush Maini for the 2023 FIA Formula 2 Championship season as he races for Campos Racing. The sport, which found its popularity in India in the 90s, has spurred the racing aspirations of many. Of course, the memory of Formula 1 great Michael Schumacher wheel to wheel with Jean Alesi in a tarmac crunch to the chequered flag at the 1995 Europe Grand Prix, is still among the most memorable moments for racing aficionados, etched in many minds. Finally, India too has taken to a sport that is not cricket. Many youngsters are training, learning, and being mentored to be the next Schumacher (or close), and it is a sign of the growing popularity of motorsports in India. Ten years after that 1995 scene, Coimbatore-born Narain Karthikeyan scripted history by becoming the first Indian to debut at Formula 1, inspiring the current generation to get behind the wheel of a mean machine that can go insanely fast around a corner. [caption id="attachment_29785"

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n id="attachment_29785" align="aligncenter" width="646"]Jehan Daruvala | Global Indian Jehan Daruvala[/caption]

The adrenaline rush, blind cuts, and need for speed keep every racer revving. However, the lack of sponsors and expensive gear often play spoilsport, thus nipping many dreams in the bud. Perhaps, this most expensive sport in the world is finding stable footing in India with a handful of young Indians revving up at the start line, and pushing the gas pedal on greater accomplishments.

The young blood

This April, 25-year-old Arjun Maini, and his team Haupt Racing got their first podium in the bronze category of the GT World Challenge Europe in Monza. Being his First Race of the Championship, getting a podium "meant a lot" to this young Indian racer.

The Bengaluru boy started with go-karts when he was eight, thanks to his racer dad Gautam Maini, who once participated in the national championships. It was in 2011 that the racer made headlines when he won the Sahara Force India's One from a Billion talent, and since then there has been no looking back for this lad.

[caption id="attachment_29786" align="aligncenter" width="668"]Arjun Maini | Global Indian Arjun Maini[/caption]

If Arjun is vrooming through unchartered territory with each of his races, his younger brother Kush Maini, too, is busy taking the legacy forward. He recently won his first-ever Formula 2 podium with a third-place finish in Melbourne. Sharing a photo, he tweeted, "P3 in today’s @Formula2 sprint race! Thank you @CamposRacing for the great car. Looking forward to the feature race."

P3 in today’s @Formula2 sprint race! Thank you @CamposRacing for the great car. Looking forward to the feature race 🇮🇳👊🏽 pic.twitter.com/1659pCfrBH

— Kush Maini (@kmainiofficial) April 1, 2023

Following the footsteps of his brother, the 22-year-old began his journey with the national karting championship before graduating to cars in 2015. In no time, he made waves in the European racing circuits by competing in the Italian Formula 4 championship, and British Formula 3 championship. However, it was the 2021 Formula 3 Asian Championship where his team Mumbai Falcons did the unthinkable by clinching third place at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. “The year 2021 Asian F3 Championship has not been the smoothest of rides, had a lot of engine issues throughout the campaign and some unlucky moments but all the credit goes to @mumbaifalcons who never stopped believing in my capability and we finished off the championship strong with a podium. A historic moment for Indian motorsports and it’s been a pleasure to be a part of it,” he wrote on his Instagram after the historic podium finish.

A Universe of opportunities

If the Maini brothers found inspiration through their father, 20-year-old Formula 4 racer Yash Aradhya’s love for motorsport stemmed from his need for speed. The recipient of the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar, Yash’s passion began at nine years of age, and despite no family background in motorsport, the teenager dived into the game out of sheer love. “I started with karting and here I am,” the Bengaluru-born teenager tells Global Indian.

Each year, new names crop up, and sponsors are at the heart of this expensive sport, and a deep bank balance too. “Motorsports is an expensive sport but I wouldn’t say the same anymore as opportunities are being given at the grassroots level. You have a chance of being picked up and taken forward as long as it’s backed by the performance that helps the sponsors and investors put their faith in you,” adds Yash, who has dreams of becoming a Formula 1 racer.

[caption id="attachment_8740" align="aligncenter" width="452"]Yash Aradhya Yash Aradhya at French Formula 4 2020.[/caption]

It’s been a decade since Indian racer Karun Chandok turned up the heat on the racing track in Formula 1, but new blood is now gearing up to test the waters by putting themselves on the biggest platform. It’s the plethora of opportunities that have made these youngsters confident in their skills and talent. “The new generation is quite lucky as there are so many opportunities for us in India, and the costs are low. We get the European standard of racing in India with European drivers coming in and giving us the best exposure and opportunity to prove ourselves and gain experience,” adds Aradhya.

Like Yash, Jehan Daruvala, too, was just nine when he found motorsports. Spanish Formula 1 driver Fernando Alonso kept Jehan glued to the Formula 1 track as a child. Now, a decade later, like his racing hero, he is all set to knock on the doors of Formula 1. At the cusp of achieving his childhood dream, the 24-year-old has come a long way. From excelling in karting championships across Europe in 2013 to transitioning to cars in 2015, he has proven his mettle time and again. So much so that he has found a fan in Arjuna Award-winner and racer Gaurav Gill. “Jehan is doing great at the world level in Formula racing,” says Gaurav Gill, who won the Asia Pacific Rally Championship thrice and Indian National Rally Championship six times.

The future is bright

It was in the early 2000s that Gill started competing at the national level, and in the past two decades, this 41-year-old racer has seen the Indian motorsport scene evolve. “Motorsport has evolved from being a hobby to a career sport, especially after my Arjuna Award. The younger generation can now look at it being a full-time job/sport,” says Gill.

Gill, who calls motorsports an ever-evolving sport, is excited about the future. “New technology, new drivers, and hopefully more corporate involvement are what we can expect in the future. We need to break away from cricket being sold as the only sport in India. We see so many Olympians now, and I hope to see lots more motorsport engagements soon,” says the racer who has started his school to groom aspiring racers to hone their skills.

As more and more Indian-origin youth foray into the world of motorsports, India is finally ready to get past the chequered flag once again in the international circuit. One race at a time.

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Sustainable Smiles: Harsh P’s biodegradable toothbrush wins the 2024 iF Design Award

(October 6, 2024) Every day, millions of people use toothbrushes and toothpaste packaged in plastic tubes as part of their daily oral care routine. While these products are essential for oral hygiene, their environmental impact is severe. According to the British Dental Journal, “The UK uses 300 million tubes of toothpaste every year. Spread end to end, that's about 75,000 kilometres of plastic, almost twice around the world.” Now, consider the global scale of this problem, with billions of dental hygiene products contributing to plastic pollution worldwide. An estimated 1.5 billion toothpaste tubes are consumed each year globally, and more than 23 billion plastic toothbrushes are discarded annually across the globe. To play his part in addressing this issue, Harsh P, an IIT-Guwahati student pursuing Master’s in Interaction Design came up with the innovative solution of biodegradable single-use, water-soluble toothbrushes that are infused with toothpaste. His design tackles the growing plastic waste crisis in dental care, and earned him the prestigious iF Design Student Award 2024. Harsh travelled to Milan in Italy this June to receive the award. “I wasn't expecting it. I just entered the competition, and my innovation emerged the winner in the student category,” the 24-year-old tells

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avelled to Milan in Italy this June to receive the award. “I wasn't expecting it. I just entered the competition, and my innovation emerged the winner in the student category,” the 24-year-old tells Global Indian.

[caption id="attachment_39759" align="aligncenter" width="637"]Indian youth | Harsh P | Global Indian Harsh receiving award from Uwe Cremering, CEO of iF Design Awards[/caption]

The iF Design Award

In 2024, the iF Design Award, presented by the non-profit iF Design Foundation, received nearly 11,000 submissions from 72 countries across both student and professional categories. The foundation aims to highlight design's significant global influence through this initiative.

Harsh competed in the product design category of the awards which spanned across various fields, including packaging design, communication design, interior architecture, and service design, among others. The entries were judged by a jury of members from around the globe.

To win the award, participants had to go through a two-stage selection process where their designs were evaluated by renowned design experts. “When I received the award in Milan, I felt very humbled by this honour, as I was sharing the stage with many famous designers,” says Harsh, who received the award from Uwe Cremering, CEO of the iF Design Awards initiative. 

Although the award does not come with any monetary benefits, receiving this global recognition is a significant achievement for professionals and students. Harsh says his parents, peers and professors are proud of this accomplishment.

[caption id="attachment_39773" align="aligncenter" width="769"]Zero Brush | Biodegradable Toothbrush | Harsh P | Global Indian Finger-based and tongue-based oral care biodegradable products designed by Harsh[/caption]

The innovative solution - Zero Brush

“I saw how plastic is affecting our environment, oceans and earth, so I thought let's change small things that can have huge impacts,” tells Harsh about his biodegradable toothbrush which he has named Zero Brush.

Zero Brush addresses the global problem of discarded toothbrushes and toothpaste tubes through two innovative designs - finger-based and tongue-based brushes, ideal for accessibility.

These single-use, water-soluble brushes are infused with toothpaste and made from semolina, corn, agar, and mint extracts. Unlike conventional brushes that contribute to plastic pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, Zero Brush biodegrades naturally. “It’s unique UNO bristles and projections gently clean teeth and massage gums, while being vegan, sugar-free, and affordable,” tells Harsha. “I want everyone to join the fight against plastic and unleash a wave of sustainable smiles.”

[caption id="attachment_39760" align="aligncenter" width="574"]Indian youth | Harsh P | Global Indian Harsh P at Milan[/caption]

In the world of designs

After completing his bachelor’s degree in electrical, electronics, and communications engineering from the Government SKSJT Institute in his hometown, Bengaluru, Harsh joined IIT Guwahati for his masters.

Talking about his decision to pursue design at the master’s level, he shares, "During my engineering studies, I had a great mentor who ran a research and innovation lab at my college. That experience exposed me to various fields, including design, which sparked my deep interest in it."

In addition to the biodegradable toothbrush that earned him the prestigious international award, Harsh has also developed other innovative products, such as a road profiler and a smart switch, among others.

“My future plan after completing my masters is to make better designs that reach and benefit the people of India and ultimately be beneficial to the whole world,” he says.

[caption id="attachment_39802" align="aligncenter" width="557"]Harsh P | Indian Youth | Biodegradable Toothbrush | Global Indian Harsh P[/caption]

Relishing the trip to Europe

When Harsh travelled to Milan to receive the award, it was his first trip abroad. “The Milan experience was amazing. I explored new places and immersed myself in a different culture during my week-long stay,” says the young designer, who travelled solo.

His trip to Milan coincided with a three-week student exchange program in France. “I was selected by the French embassy in India for the French+Science course,” he tells. On his way from Italy to France, Harsh spent two days in Switzerland, as it was en route, exploring the region's beautiful landscapes.

The iF Design Award and the experience of travelling to multiple locations in Europe not only broadened the youngster’s horizons but also deepened his appreciation for international collaboration in design and education.

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Connecting generations: Anika Kumar’s fight against elderly isolation

(October 22, 2024) At 15, Anika Kumar's world shifted when she volunteered at an assisted living facility in San Jose, California. There, she met Abigail, an 87-year-old woman who lived in quiet isolation, her voice unheard despite numerous requests for basic assistance. Abigail's story wasn't just about the loss of dignity in her daily struggles — it represented the widespread issue of social isolation among seniors, an issue often ignored. Abigail's resignation to her situation deeply impacted Anika Kumar. This wasn't just a personal challenge; it was a growing public health crisis. Abigail's helplessness showed how widespread ageism and social isolation can be for elderly people. That single encounter laid the foundation for Forget Me Not, a nonprofit designed to combat loneliness among older adults through weekly phone calls with teenage volunteers. These calls, simple yet impactful, aim to build meaningful connections and forge lasting intergenerational bonds. Forget Me Not: Bridging the Generational Gap Founded in 2015, Forget Me Not operates with a clear goal: to provide companionship to isolated older adults, many of whom are referred through partner organisations such as Meals on Wheels. The organisation pairs seniors with high school volunteers, training them to make weekly phone calls.

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teers, training them to make weekly phone calls. Anika was only 15 when she started the nonprofit while volunteering at an assisted living facility. She added that the conversations between the elderly and student volunteers are "meaningful, rewarding, refreshing and touching. The elderly talk about their interests, hobbies, families, bygone days, childhood, favourite books and movies."

[caption id="attachment_39966" align="aligncenter" width="500"]Anika Kumar | Global Indian Anika Kumar[/caption]

Calling herself a perpetuator of ageism like many Gen Z, Anika too wasn't keen on interacting with senior citizens until a high school community service requirement that forced her to start volunteering at one changed her perspective. "I realised how ignorant I had been in my thinking. At that nursing home, I met a World War II veteran, a former professor at my university, a college football player and the first teen female Bay Area radio host. I met some of the most genuine kind wise and dynamic people I had ever met and the stories they told me. It opened me up to a whole world of truly meaningful interaction that I hope to continue for the rest of my life," she told Global Indian.

With the elderly population growing and social isolation on the rise, Forget Me Not addresses a critical need. These weekly calls became even more crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic, when in-person visits were restricted, leaving many seniors more isolated than ever before.

Based in San Jose, Forget Me Not is more than just a phone call program — it's the product of careful research and strategic planning. She didn’t build her intergenerational nonprofit overnight. Inspired by her firsthand experience with elderly isolation, she "delved deep into ageism-related issues, studying the mental health impacts of depression and loneliness on seniors." To refine her vision, she spoke with geriatricians and elder care experts, making sure that Forget Me Not could effectively tackle the rising public health crisis of social isolation.

Teenagers Making a Difference

In a time where teens are often criticised for being glued to their phones or disconnected from reality, Anika and her peers turned technology into a tool for good. By using something as simple as a phone call, they built connections and shattered stereotypes of both the elderly and the youth. Teen volunteers undergo training to help them navigate conversations and handle emotional challenges. The result is an exchange that goes beyond small talk — it's about building trust, understanding, and a sense of purpose on both sides.

For the seniors, these calls are a lifeline, providing an outlet to share their lives and experiences, while the teenagers gain a new perspective on aging and life’s challenges. "Forget Me Not is a perfect example of how one person’s idea can create ripples of change, connecting communities and providing a solution to an often overlooked issue."

The Importance of Cultural Connections

Anika’s journey is also deeply rooted in her Indian heritage. As a young Indian American in San Jose, Anika Kumar is part of a thriving Indian community in the Bay Area, where many Indian Americans have made significant contributions across sectors. The Indian diaspora in the Bay Area is known for its entrepreneurial spirit and its active role in technology, education, and social causes.

Anika Kumar | Global Indian

San Jose, and the wider Bay Area, are home to a large and vibrant Indian community. Like many in the diaspora, Anika Kumar grew up balancing her cultural identity with her desire to give back to her local community. The intergenerational bonds she has fostered through Forget Me Not reflect this duality —honouring the wisdom of elders while empowering the youth to step up and take on leadership roles.

A Growing Movement

Today, Forget Me Not has grown from a local initiative in Santa Clara County to a nationwide program, with plans for further expansion. The organisation continues to partner with schools and senior care organisations across the country, aiming to combat social isolation on a larger scale. Anika's vision is clear: to create a world where older adults are valued, and where young people are given the opportunity to connect with them in meaningful ways.

The pandemic brought unforeseen challenges, but it also highlighted the importance of Forget Me Not’s mission. With so many seniors cut off from physical interactions, the program’s phone calls became a crucial support system. As the world moves forward, Forget Me Not remains committed to expanding its reach, ensuring that no senior is left feeling invisible or forgotten.

Indian Diaspora: An Integral Force in the Bay Area

Anika Kumar’s story is part of a larger narrative of Indian Americans making a difference in the Bay Area. The Indian diaspora in San Francisco and San Jose has long been a key player in the region's success. From entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley to leaders in education and social justice, Indian Americans have carved out spaces of influence, and they continue to give back to both their local communities and their homeland.

For young changemakers like Anika, who is an undergraduate research assistant at Brooks Lab, being part of the diaspora means blending cultural heritage with a passion for making a difference. Forget Me Not is not just about bridging generational gaps—it’s about fostering a deeper sense of community, one that transcends age, ethnicity, and borders.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4L6D9XT_hA

Looking Ahead: Expanding the Reach

With the overwhelming success of Forget Me Not, Anika has ambitious plans for the future. She envisions the organization expanding its reach to even more states and communities. The goal is simple: no senior should ever feel alone, and no teenager should miss the chance to learn from someone with decades of life experience.

Forget Me Not is proof of what can happen when empathy meets action. Anika's journey, from a high school volunteer to a nonprofit leader, is a validation that one person can indeed make a difference. And for the seniors who receive those weekly calls, the impact is clear—connection, companionship, and a renewed sense of purpose.

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About Global Indian

Global Indian – a Hero’s Journey is an online publication which showcases the journeys of Indians who went abroad and have had an impact on India. 

These journeys are meant to inspire and motivate the youth to aspire to go beyond where they were born in a spirit of adventure and discovery and return home with news ideas, capital or network that has an impact in some way for India.

We are looking for role models, mentors and counselors who can help Indian youth who aspire to become Global Indians.

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