Global Indianstory Global Indian ExclusivePetal talk on sustainability: How Diana Awardee Sriya Donepudi’s Ankh recycled flowers

Petal talk on sustainability: How Diana Awardee Sriya Donepudi’s Ankh recycled flowers

Written by: Zara Xavier

(February 10, 2022) Flower recycling is fuelling innovation and creativity – Incense sticks, herbs and flower-infused teas, potpourri, and much more. For the sprightly UNICEF ambassador Sriya Donepudi, these ideas struck a chord when she set out to finish her 10th grade project two years ago – to recycle the flower waste in Hyderabad. It then flowered into a movement giving local women sustenance, and the world an ecological philosophy too.

Sriya, now a 12^th grade student at Oakridge School, founded Ankh which recycles used flowers into organic products in 2020. A love for flowers egged her on, and her eco project won the Diana Award 2020. The then 15-year-old also rehabilitated the lives of women from economically weak backgrounds by recycling floral waste into products. “I used as many flowers as we could collect from events,” smiles Sriya.

Sriya Donepudi

The enterprising gene

Born in Detroit, Sriya moved to Hyderabad 12 years ago. Her parents Venu and Swetha Donepudi, both automobile engineers, worked at General Motors and Ford in Detroit. “Their excellent work ethic inspired me to work hard as well,” says the teen who inculcated a desire to go beyond mere thought. It was what made her ideate on Ankh.

The Donepudi’s move to India was due to “her parents wanting to develop cars in India.” It saw the younger Sriya struggle as she learned to adapt. Seeing her parents, and her heritage helped her transition smoothly. Ankh began recycling floral waste from weddings, parties, and temples in and around Hyderabad – candles, distilled oils, incense sticks, potpourri were made by local women.

Looking back, her teachers, parents, and the CAS coordinator guided Sriya to success, thus catching the eye of the Diana Award panel. The Diana Awardee is thankful that her CAS mentor nominated her. In a short period, it became a huge success. Not only because of its ecological philosophy, but also because of its socially relevant structure – Ankh employed around 50 underprivileged women full-time, giving them the opportunity to make a living too.

Local women making products from flower waste

“There was this one girl who was only 19-years-old,” recalls Sriya in an interview with Global Indian, adding, “She stopped going to school after eighth grade, was married, and had a child. It amazed me how much she had to do at such a young age, yet she was still so hopeful and optimistic about the future.”

As an avid reader, Sriya’s love for ancient Egyptian mythology gave her the name Ankh – a symbol that represents eternal life, and its elements – Her Ankh in turn empowered women and helped the planet.

The pandemic was not easy

During Covid 19, sadly, Ankh has taken a backseat but Sriya hopes to restart soon. “Covid majorly affected Ankh. It was hard for women to work, and events had taken a hit, thus collecting floral waste was harder,” explains the Diana Awardee.

With growing climate concerns, the 17-year-old now wants to move forward with more sustainable products, and even help the Covid-stricken. “A dream of mine is to get into skincare, but I think that’s a bit too complex right now,” laughs the enterprising Diana awardee.

A meeting of minds

The award has given Sriya the opportunity to connect with like-minded and brilliant young people across the world, and also learn from them. “There was a girl from Trinidad and Tobago who works with autistic people, she was such an inspiration,” she recalls. Being in the midst of inspiring ideas and individuals, Sriya wants to be proactive on world problems. Now, the 12th grader (finishing her second year IBDP), contributes to the UN’s socially uplifting activities in school and does her bit as a UNICEF ambassador. Her aspiration is to study in the US, majoring in economics and global health.

Like other teens, the Diana Awardee loves a good read, or music, so much so that she even founded her school’s first-ever literature club. A movie aficionado, her passion is also watching and analysing films.

For Sriya, family is everything. “I’m close to my family. I learned everything from them – my parents and grandparents are truly my role models,” she says. Visits to her grandparents in Kotegiri is what she loves. “I can see what my mother’s life was like, growing up in Kotegiri, I love its simplicity and sustainability,” Sriya smiles.

While Ankh has been a life-changing journey, she stresses, “Purpose is what makes you human, that’s what I learned.” Advice to budding young social entrepreneurs? “Reflect, plan and reach for the stars. If you’re passionate, there’s nothing stopping you from getting what you want,” she signs off.

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Published on 10, Feb 2022

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Young innovator Bhavya Sri Suravajhala is helping tackle the teen mental health crisis

(August 30, 2024) As a high school student, Bhavya Sri Suravajhala was witness to the increasing pressures faced by her peers, leading to anxiety, stress, and other teen mental health issues. Unlike many her age who would only wish they could do something about it and leave it at that, Bhavya swung into action. The result was Adolescencesio — a platform that provides educational resources, mentorship, and mental health support to adolescents. “Adolescencesio was born out of a deep concern for the mental well-being of adolescents. It combines modern mental health practices with holistic and Ayurvedic approaches, ensuring a comprehensive support system for young individuals,” says Bhavya, founder and CEO of Adolescencesio, in a chat with Global Indian. The young innovator is a Grade XII student at Amrita Vidyalayam, Puthiyakavu, Kerala. [caption id="attachment_39034" align="aligncenter" width="395"] Bhavya Sri Suravajhala[/caption] Adolescencesio At Adolescencesio, Bhavya leads a dedicated team of over 20 members, who share her passion for supporting adolescent mental health. “Daily operations involve coordinating with the team, overseeing content creation, managing outreach programs, and ensuring the platform's growth and sustainability,” informs the 17 year old, who also organizing workshops, awareness programs, besides providing resources to those in need. She feels the mental health

who share her passion for supporting adolescent mental health. “Daily operations involve coordinating with the team, overseeing content creation, managing outreach programs, and ensuring the platform's growth and sustainability,” informs the 17 year old, who also organizing workshops, awareness programs, besides providing resources to those in need.

She feels the mental health crisis among youngsters in India is a pressing issue. “With the increasing academic pressure, social expectations, and the impact of social media, many adolescents struggle to cope with these challenges,” points out the youngster, who launched Adolescencesio in 2022, with a vision to create a safe, supportive, and inclusive platform.

The journey has not been without its challenges— ranging from technical difficulties to addressing the stigma surrounding teen mental health. “However, resilience, adaptability, and the continuous support from mentors have helped me navigate these hurdles,” says Bhavya, for whom managing Adolescencesio alongside her academic responsibilities has been a challenging yet rewarding experience.

She even received letters of appreciation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi twice, in 2023 and 2024. “It was a recognition of my efforts and contributions towards adolescent mental health, which further motivated me to continue my work with even greater zeal,” smiles the teenager.

Denmark born

Born in Denmark in 2007, Bhavya’s mother Renuka Suravajhala is an Assistant Professor/Research scientist at Amrita University while father Dr Prashanth Suravajhala is a Principal Scientist, Systems Genomics at Amrita School of Biotechnology, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham.

Bhavya had her primary education at Absalons skole, Roskilde (Denmark) after which the Suravajhala family moved back to India. Both Renuka and Dr Prashanth went to Denmark to do their PhDs (2004 to 2008) and subsequently postdoc that Dr Prashanth did until 2016. Bhavya has a sibling named Nirmala, who is 11.

Science researcher, COO & more

But Adolescencesio is just one part of Bhavya’s introduction. She is a science researcher, social volunteer, a passionate explorer and the Chief Operating Officer at TeenVisor, which provides a platform for teenagers to interact with industry experts and get timely guidance/mentorship.

As a science researcher, the teenager is currently working on a study that explores how the composition of tears is affected by emotions. “This research delves into the physiological and psychological connections in human behavior, a topic that fascinates me and aligns with my passion for psychology and behavioral sciences,” she informs.

In addition to her research, Bhavya is an active social volunteer, who organises workshops, awareness programmes and providing resources to those in need, through various initiatives.

As a passionate explorer, Bhavya is someone who is always eager to learn and discover new things, whether through travel, reading, or engaging in creative endeavours. “My curiosity drives me to explore different cultures, perspectives, and ideas, enriching my understanding of the world around me,” says Bhavya, who was honoured with the Little Shakespeare Award by the Biofootprints Foundation for excellence in literature, in 2021.

Atal Innovation Mission

With a vision to ‘Cultivate one Million children in India as Neoteric Innovators’, Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) established Atal Tinkering Laboratories (ATLs) in schools across India.

Bhavya was selected among the Top 100 in the ATL (Atal Tinkering Laboratories) Tinkerpreneur 2022 Program and later among the Top 21 in the Atal Catalyst Program, which was a testament to the innovative ideas she brought to the table.

Through workshops, boot camps, and continuous support from experienced mentors, she learned business planning, product development, and market strategies. “These programs provided me with invaluable mentorship and resources, allowing me to refine my vision for Adolescencesio.”

Her journey with AIM started with a simple idea — to create a safe, supportive, and inclusive platform for adolescents to talk about their mental health. “I wanted Adolescencesio to be a place where teenagers could share their thoughts anonymously, get support from peers and professionals, and access holistic mental health resources. The idea was clear, but making it happen was not. The breakthrough came when I learned about AIM,” she says.

AIM’s mission to foster innovation and entrepreneurship among young Indians resonated with Bhavya’s goals for Adolescencesio. The initiative was designed to nurture the entrepreneurial spirit in students.

One of the most impactful parts of the AIM experience was the mentorship. Industry experts guided Bhavya, helping to refine her vision and offering practical insights into the mental health sector.

Atal Catalyst Program

The next significant step was the Atal Catalyst program with the Indian School of Business (ISB). This program taught the teenager all the essential business skills such as making business projections, identifying target markets, and perfecting her pitch to investors.

“Under the mentorship and guidance of Vinay sir from ISB and my AIM mentors, Adolescencesio was selected among the top 21 business ideas.”

Next came The Big PItch 2.0. It gave Bhavya the opportunity to pitch Adolescencesio to investors live and Adolescencesio was selected among the top 10 ideas for sponsorship by the DLabs Incubator association at ISB. This recognition not only provided financial support but also validated the potential and impact of Adolescencesio.

COO at TeenVisor

Thanks to AIM, Bhavya connected with other young entrepreneurs who share similar passions and goals. One exciting outcome is her current role at TeenVisor as the Chief Operating Officer, where she works on innovative solutions for adolescents with other young entrepreneurs.

“Whatever I have achieved so far would not have been possible without the guidance and blessings of Amma, Satguru Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, all my gurus, mentors, teachers, my school, my school principal, my parents, and my friends. They have stood by me throughout my journey.”

More recently, Adolescencesio won the 2nd place at the International Stogofest in Dubai, marking a significant achievement on the global stage. “We were the only team from India to have won this prestigious award, marking a significant achievement on the international stage,” smiles Bhavya, beaming with pride.

As a Tinker Champ, Bhavya had the opportunity to mentor and guide other young innovators, sharing her experiences and insights to help them realize their potential. “This role has been incredibly fulfilling, as I am able to contribute to the growth and development of future leaders and change-makers.”

[caption id="attachment_39036" align="aligncenter" width="506"] The Young Innovator is also COO at Teen Visor[/caption]

Future Plans

Looking ahead, Bhavya aspires to further her studies in psychology or a related field in behavioral sciences and cognition. “My long-term goal is to expand Adolescencesio's reach and impact, while also contributing to the field of psychology through research and practical applications.”

She hopes to implement awareness programs in schools and collaborate with NGOs and government bodies to create a global community where every adolescent feels supported and empowered.

Follow the young innovator on LinkedIn.

Aman Sharma: From balcony birdwatcher to global eco-warrior

(July 11, 2024) It was a pair of red vented bulbuls that changed Aman Sharma's life, when they built their nest on his balcony. He happened to have a camera, and would take photos of the beautiful little birds. And the rest, as they say, is history. By this time, frequent family trips to national parks had already sparked a deep love for nature and the teenager was enchanted - he hadn't really imagined that his bustling city was home to birds beyond crows and sparrows. Aman would wake up at 6 am to spend time observing birds before school. His terrace was his private observatory, and he even set up his own garden, with over 500 plants, to attract birds to his 'urban jungle'. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Aman Sharma 🐳🇮🇳 (@birds_of_india_) Turning a Hobby into a Movement "When I asked my school teacher and my family, they had no idea there were so many species in the city itself," he says. So, he founded the 'Cuckoo Club', a series of nature walks and visits to nearby national parks, conducted by children for children. "Soon, we became India's largest birding community for

Turning a Hobby into a Movement

"When I asked my school teacher and my family, they had no idea there were so many species in the city itself," he says. So, he founded the 'Cuckoo Club', a series of nature walks and visits to nearby national parks, conducted by children for children. "Soon, we became India's largest birding community for youth by youth." He went on to become India's youngest wildlife photographer, as well as a vocal advocate against climate change on international platforms. "In our curriculum we are not taught beyond education. We are not taught about the wildlife that exists beyond our backyards. How many people know that Delhi is the second-most bird-populous city in the world, with more than 500 species of birds. Almost 18 years of being in school and I was never taught this," he says.

Achieving Global Recognition

Now twenty years old and a student at the University of Pennsylvania, the Global Indian is a three-time TEDx speaker and Nikon's youngest ambassador. In 2019, his petition calling for a climate emergency gathered 1.2 million signatures across 70 different countries. That's not all. The EU, Austria, UK and the state of New York actually declared climate emergencies, and Aman gained appreciation from Leonado Di Caprio and Greta Thunberg. That year, he also received an invitation to speak at the Climate and Peace Summit, Oslo Pax. Aman also the first Indian photographer to be featured in Times Square, New York.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Aman Sharma 🐳🇮🇳 (@birds_of_india_)

Connecting Generations Through Nature

Aman's Instagram page Birds of India, has over half a million followers and he looks every bit the teen that he is as he goes on shoots with his mum by his side. His parents helped him find his love for nature at a young age. "They used to take us to national parks and forests as kid for our family holidays," he said, in an interview. And he realised, that although we share our land with thousands of other species, there is still a big gap between human lives and nature. "I started taking school kids out to urban wildlife spaces, and national parks, by co-founding the Cuckoo Club," Aman says. "I wanted to spread the idea that bird watching can be done by young children as well."

As he entered his teens, Aman began sacrificing the "parties and weekend outings with friends" to travel instead. He would head to the hills of Uttarakahand and the deserts of Rajasthan, to document India's immense variety of avian life. "I wanted to bring attention to India's wildlife and national heritage. That is when this turned into a passion more than a hobby."

A Journey Supported by Family and Education

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Aman Sharma 🐳🇮🇳 (@birds_of_india_)

In those early days, the young wildlife photographer wouldn't always carry a high-end DSLR with all its trappings. He chose his Samsung phone instead, which was portable and allowed for more spontaneous shots. In fact, in 2020, during a Hampta Pass trek in Manali, he took a photo. He took it down later, thinking it wasn't good enough. A couple of months later, during another road trip, he received an email from Samsung India, asking to feature his photograph. Although this was in the middle of the pandemic, offers began pouring in and Aman soon established himself as a wildlife photographer.

When he went to summer school at Ashoka Universities, a professor there told him about Environmental Studies. Aman immediately caught on to the idea, and was accepted into the University of Pennsylvania, after which he hopes to work in the climate and conservation space.

Follow Aman Sharma on Instagram

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Chhavi Kohli: Journey from fencing rings to mind’s wellspring

(April 2, 2024) At 15, Chhavi Kohli was honoured with the National Child Award by the President of India. Now, at 23, this fencing athlete wears multiple hats. The sportsperson has represented India at many international tournaments. She has been a part of the Indian national fencing team and was the youngest fencer to participate at the age of 14 at the National Games in 2015. She is also a two-time Commonwealth Games medallist. Apart from being a sportsperson, Chhavi is a professional painter, and mental health practitioner. She completed her MSc in Performance Psychology at The University of Edinburgh in 2023, and is working on her goal to become a licensed psychologist in the UK. [caption id="attachment_36978" align="aligncenter" width="453"] Chhavi Kohli[/caption] “Currently, I work as a psychologist for Indian nationals in the UK offering services through my initiative Spark Matters. I deal with clinical and non-clinical cases of couples, students, families, athletes, and young professionals,” Chhavi tells Global Indian. “My journey in sports has taught me to keep growing and never lose hope,” added the athlete who has also given motivational talks on well-being as a TEDx Speaker. Pressures of sports, mental health and emerging a winner Born and raised

ugh my initiative Spark Matters. I deal with clinical and non-clinical cases of couples, students, families, athletes, and young professionals,” Chhavi tells Global Indian. “My journey in sports has taught me to keep growing and never lose hope,” added the athlete who has also given motivational talks on well-being as a TEDx Speaker.

Pressures of sports, mental health and emerging a winner

Born and raised in Patiala, Chhavi had always been inclined towards sports as a child. She tried her hand at multiple sports before taking up fencing at the age of nine. Reminiscing about her school days, she mentions, “Lalit Gandhi was my coach at school and he had a major impact on my performances while I played for India.”

When she took up fencing, her parents enrolled her under coach Mohit Ashwini. For nearly a year, the fencing coach did not allow her inside the training hall meant for professional players as he wanted to test Chhavi’s consistency, and interest levels. After the young fencer had proved her seriousness for the game by attending the coaching sessions regularly, he started making her train at the training hall.

Under his guidance, Chhavi made India proud by winning the Commonwealth Championship medal twice. She also went on to win the Thailand Minime series Under-16 series twice in a row in 2016, and 2017. The young fencer was honoured with the President's Excellency Award in 2016 by former President of India, late Pranab Mukherjee for her good performances at the international games.

[caption id="attachment_36968" align="aligncenter" width="535"] Chhavi Kohli[/caption]

Despite achieving a lot at a young age, in 2018, Chhavi had to give up fencing briefly due to burnout and anxiety induced by performance pressure. “I experienced burnout due to the overwhelming pressure of academics. Since I was in 12th grade and had no breaks for rejuvenation or recovery from my sport over a decade as my coach did not believe in the idea of taking a break,” she remarks.

It was a time when her passion for fencing had turned into pressure for her. “I constantly indulged in thoughts of what others would think about me and my performances,” she shares.

Chhavi had to take a sabbatical of a-year-and-a-half. By the end of it, she bounced back with the support of her parents and after undergoing therapy to look at her passion for sports with a different lens. The athlete went on to win multiple competitions after her return to fencing, and since then has become an advocate of mental health.

Journey of rising above self-doubt

The experience of getting counselled was therapeutic and helpful for the athlete, making her look at her passion with a different lens. “The attitude of running after medals and the pressure that accompanied that mindset got altered in playing the game for the love of it,” she remarks. Not only this, Chhavi passed her 12th board exams with flying colours earning 96.75 percent marks.

Owing to her personal positive experiences of taking therapy Chhavi developed an interest in counselling, and started using social media to spread awareness on this vital issue and has eventually turned a counsellor.

Despite being a sportsperson she never neglected academics and pursued bachelors of arts in psychology, certificate course, diploma and advanced diploma in guidance and counselling from Panjab University, Chandigarh, and pursued MSc in performance psychology at the University of Edinburgh.

The sportsperson has won the BUCS championship and won the Scottish student sport champion award for 2022-23 in the UK.

Inner spark matters

As a mental health and well-being enthusiast, Chhavi has started her counselling service - Spark Matters - dedicated to supporting individuals and communities in their journeys towards improved well-being.

The mental health advocate has curated a wealth of resources, including articles, self-care tips, and evidence-based practices for people to achieve greater balance and resilience in life. “As someone who has experienced the benefits of therapy firsthand, I believe that seeking help for our mental health should be just as normalised as seeking help for our physical health,” Chhavi remarks.

[caption id="attachment_36967" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Chhavi Kohli[/caption]

As a mental health and wellbeing practitioner, Chhavi believes that therapy is not just for people who wish to solve problems; it is also for improving as a person and working on one’s state of mind. “Well-being is extremely important. We are running after things without realising that it's costing our health,” she remarks adding. “Just like we take care of our physical health by exercising and eating well, we should be taking good care of our minds by seeking assistance from a professional if needed.”

Giving back and gaining recognition in the UK

Last year Chhavi was conferred the UK Achievers Award by British Council (India) and the Department for Trade (UK). “The award was for my pro bono work in mental health for underprivileged athletes,” says Chhavi, who keeps on counselling such athletes in an attempt to give back to the society.

The athlete, artist and mental health practitioner expresses gratitude towards the National Indian Students and Alumni (UK) for helping her gain recognition for promoting mental health and well-being as an athlete. “It was an honour to share the stage with other phenomenal achievers Parineeti Chopra, Raghav Chadha, Purva Aggarwal and Adrija Biswas,” she shares. “Representing my University, The University of Edinburgh at the award event was also a big matter of pride.”

[caption id="attachment_36973" align="aligncenter" width="865"] Chhavi Kohli while receiving the Achievers Award in the UK[/caption]

Life in Scotland and future goals

Chhavi currently lives in Scotland. With specialisation in performance enhancement, mental health, and wellbeing, she is dedicated towards promoting holistic wellness and performance psychology through her consultancy service - Spark Matters.

For the moment, fencing has taken a backseat for Chhavi. “I do not have the finances to support my fencing in the UK. Indian Fencing is not particularly flexible in accommodating the needs of fencers who are also pursuing other careers,” tells the athlete. “I am working to become a licensed psychologist in the UK and hopefully resume fencing,” she signs off.

[caption id="attachment_36977" align="aligncenter" width="555"] Chhavi Kohli with one of her paintings[/caption]

Follow Chhavi Kohli on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, Facebook
To know more about her work visit Spark Matter's website

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Aamir Ali’s Project Pixel: Where gaming meets giving back

(November 10, 2024) Driven by a mission to make gaming more than just a pastime, Aamir Ali shaped the student-led online game development initiative, Project Pixel, into a platform that combines the thrill of gameplay with a deeper purpose, turning each download and play session into a force for social good. The immersive 2D games operate on a '100 percent donation policy,' ensuring that every penny earned goes directly to charity. The recent computer science graduate from The University of Sheffield has transformed a shared vision with a friend into a groundbreaking initiative redefining the role of video games in society. The seeds of Project Pixel were sown one and a half years ago when Aamir and Najaaz Nabhan, a student from Sri Lanka, envisioned creating a positive impact through gaming. Their student-led venture at the University of Sheffield engages over 25 students across different fields such as computer science, engineering, and humanities. For Aamir, now a data science professional at the UK-based multinational Gymshark since July, Project Pixel has been an opportunity to prove that gaming can transcend entertainment and serve as a tool for giving back. [caption id="attachment_40296" align="aligncenter" width="712"] Project Pixel team members[/caption] “We would love to

ience professional at the UK-based multinational Gymshark since July, Project Pixel has been an opportunity to prove that gaming can transcend entertainment and serve as a tool for giving back.

[caption id="attachment_40296" align="aligncenter" width="712"] Project Pixel team members[/caption]

“We would love to inspire students at other universities and turn this into a global movement. Everyone at Project Pixel has shown that it doesn’t matter what degree you’re studying or whether you know anything about game development - you have a chance if you have the passion and willingness to learn,” Aamir shared in an interview.

A new kind of gaming initiative

Gaming is a rapidly expanding sector with a vast audience, and Aamir recognised its untapped potential for charitable efforts. Traditional gaming-related charity initiatives often rely on sponsorships and donations from players. Project Pixel, however, takes a different approach by developing original games whose proceeds go directly to charitable causes, making every player’s engagement impactful.

[caption id="attachment_40295" align="aligncenter" width="591"] A 2D game created by Project Pixel[/caption]

Learning by doing

Project Pixel is also a hands-on learning experience for students engaged in it. The team welcomes members from all academic backgrounds, even those without previous experience in game development. By providing students with a space to explore areas such as programming, sound production, graphic design, and story development, Project Pixel serves as a bridge between academic knowledge and industry practice. Each member brings a unique set of skills, from arts students working on character design to science students handling technical programming. This multidisciplinary collaboration enriches the games and allows participants to gain experience in various facets of game production.

"As the project started to develop we quickly found that lots of students from all over the University of Sheffield, who are studying on all kinds of degree programmes, are passionate about gaming and want to work in the industry, but they are not sure how or where to start, " Aamir shared. "Project Pixel has given us all the opportunity to learn about game development together and take our first steps in the industry, whilst also doing something good for society."

Their university’s support for the initiative has been instrumental. Through the Faculty of Engineering’s co-curricular activities fund, the team secured funds to buy a publishing license for Google Play, allowing them to bring their creations to a wider audience. For Aamir, leading Project Pixel has meant guiding a team through the challenges of real-world game development while creating a culture of inclusivity and shared purpose.

[caption id="attachment_40294" align="aligncenter" width="689"] One of Project Pixel's team sessions[/caption]

Storytelling with heart

The Project Pixel team has released four games, each with its own story-driven themes. Project Pixel’s first game, Color Dash, takes players into a world drained of color by an evil sorcerer. The player embarks on a quest to bring color back by gathering vibrant orbs, a journey symbolizing hope and resilience. This message reflects Project Pixel’s own commitment to spreading positivity in the gaming world, proving that even virtual landscapes can carry powerful themes.

Their second game, Flight Frenzy, follows the daring adventures of a pilot navigating a challenging world filled with obstacles like skyscrapers, birds, and turbulent weather. Players must collect resources like fuel and ammunition to keep flying, making quick decisions that test their reflexes and resource management.

[caption id="attachment_40297" align="aligncenter" width="438"] One of Project Pixel's presentations[/caption]

Turtle Odyssey is about different stages of a turtle's life and how it sails through various obstacles. While the fourth game, Chef’s Last Stand is level-based, where players place chefs of different strengths strategically to fend off waves of mice. It is about achieving success by defeating all waves without losing health. Each game is crafted not only for enjoyment but also to inspire players, reinforcing the project’s mission to make gaming a platform for change.

Industry support and guidance

The journey of building Project Pixel has not been without its challenges, and Aamir and his team benefited from guidance along the way. They have collaborated with Sumo Digital, a video game developer based in Sheffield, to gain insights into effective game design and development. "Meetings with Sumo’s Director of Education Partnerships, Jake Habgood, offered valuable industry perspectives," shared Aamir highlighting how his team refined their approach and ensured that each game meets professional standards.

For Aamir, this project’s practical experience has enriched his own professional journey. Since joining the multinational company, Gymshark as a data science professional in July, he has applied the lessons learned from Project Pixel, from teamwork and collaboration to project management skills that he carries forward in his role.

[caption id="attachment_40293" align="aligncenter" width="675"] Aamir (second from left) with the Gymshark team[/caption]

Looking ahead...

Project Pixel’s ambitions reach beyond the University of Sheffield. Aamir and Najaaz have always hoped that their initiative can inspire similar projects at other universities worldwide, creating a network of young developers who use gaming as a tool for social good. The project has already made a significant impact within the UK, standing out as one of the largest student-led gaming initiatives dedicated solely to charity. By demonstrating what is possible when young people unite their passions for a common purpose, Project Pixel hopes to create a new wave of gaming for good.

Follow Aamir Ali on LinkedIn
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Kirtikumar Anandrao Ramchandani: The ethical hacker representing India in international championships

(March 20, 2024) For someone who has been interested in cybersecurity since a young age, representing India at international championships in new-age Information Technology platforms was a surreal experience. The past few months have been very fruitful for Ahmedabad's Kirtikumar Anandrao Ramchandani. At the High Technology Championship held in Veliky Novgorod, Russia, in September 2023, he secured a silver medal in Neural Networks. The same year in November, he clinched a bronze at The Professional Championship held in St. Petersburg, Russia, for IT Software Solution. The year 2024 also began on a high note as he emerged as a finalist at the Sports/Competitive Programming competition held in Kazan, Russia, in February. From a young age, Kirtikumar has excelled in cybersecurity. At just 15 years old in 2018, he received the title of 'youngest cyber security researcher' from World Records India for securing over 100 websites by identifying and reporting vulnerabilities in their web applications. That same year, his name was inscribed in the India Book of Achievers. [caption id="attachment_36726" align="aligncenter" width="657"] Kirtikumar Anandrao Ramchandani[/caption] The 21-year-old wears multiple hats as an ethical hacker, cybersecurity expert, and programming enthusiast, winning several awards. He has also dabbled in professional eSports, and had

uploads/2024/03/GI-6loQW4AACJVU-1024x683.jpeg" alt="Kirtikumar Anandrao Ramchandani is an ethical hacker who represents India in new-age Information Technology international competitions." width="657" height="439" /> Kirtikumar Anandrao Ramchandani[/caption]

The 21-year-old wears multiple hats as an ethical hacker, cybersecurity expert, and programming enthusiast, winning several awards. He has also dabbled in professional eSports, and had achieved a Top 32 rank at the World Cyber Games held in Seoul, South Korea, in 2019.

As an ethical hacker and Penetration Tester (PenTester), Kirtikumar has earned recognition and monetary rewards from major tech giants like Apple, Microsoft, and Oracle for identifying vulnerabilities in their web applications.

Kirtikumar's interest extends to astrological predictions as well. “Anyone can check my predictions in the Astro World channel where I predicted actual dates or details about market crashes, earthquakes, election results, sporting tournaments’ results, and war which ultimately came true,” he tells Global Indian.

In the world of cybersecurity since the age of eight

At the age of eight, Kirtikumar's enthusiasm for computers became apparent as he immersed himself in activities like programming and gaming. One day, while playing Subway Surfers, he became intrigued by his cousin's method of obtaining unlimited coins in the game. This curiosity prompted him to indulge in extensive research, which led him to discover how to hack the game. By the time he turned 13, Kirtikumar had gained a thorough understanding of hacking tools such as remote access trojans (RATs). Fuelled by his curiosity in the subject, Kirtikumar kept on polishing his skills in the world of ethical hacking.

[caption id="attachment_36724" align="aligncenter" width="713"] Kirtikumar at the International High Technologies Championship 2023 at Veliky Novgorod, Russia[/caption]

Creating milestones

In 2018, at the age of 15, he won the Penetration Tester of the Year award at the United Kingdom based Cyber Security Awards ceremony with several well-known personalities in the field of cyber security as the judges. Kirtikumar also got recognised by the World Book of Records, and earned an entry into the Book of Achievers that year.

The following year Kirti became the youngest to win the Tech Savvy Award which led his interest in the field of science and technology even more, making him passionate in his endeavour to find solutions to vulnerabilities in web applications. “In 2022, I was the top security researcher on the Google Play Security Reward program,” he mentions.

Hacking for good

As Kirtikumar honed his ethical hacking skills further, he noticed that tech giants were publicly recognising cybersecurity enthusiasts for safeguarding their infrastructure by uncovering vulnerabilities in their web applications.

"Inspired by that I decided to leverage my hacking skills for the greater good, securing the internet for users by identifying vulnerabilities in the web applications of major tech companies,” he says. “When I shared the security threats with the respective companies, I was rewarded financially. Some organisations even sent me gift packs with exclusive merchandise printed with their logo and the words ‘security researcher’, as a token of appreciation,” he explains.

[caption id="attachment_36729" align="aligncenter" width="731"] Kirtikumar with Tennessee based cyber security evangelist, Dameon Welch[/caption]

Advancing from web security to browser security and Kernel security

After spending a few years in the field of web security, Kirtikumar yearned to learn something more exciting. “I decided to shift my focus to browser security taking inspiration from international security researchers, Abdulrahman Al-Qabandi and Eric Lawrence.”

After spending a couple of years mastering browser security skills, he again yearned to learn something new, and shifted his focus to Kernel security (errors of which lead to fatal issues on the PC). “I got interested in this subject by following Germany based senior security consultant, Patrick Walker,” says Kirtikumar.

With his dedication to learn advanced skills, expertise and accomplishments at such a young age, Kirtikumar has earned connections with international experts, and opportunities to participate in global forums on cybersecurity. Talking about Kernel Security, he remarks, “It is the most challenging realm of exploration for me because I love to try something tough which can push my boundaries to think out of the box.”

Also Read: Watch out for the cyber criminals: 22-year-old cyber expert Vaibhav Jha upskills natives and foreigners

Endeavours in eSports

Kirtikumar has been into competitive eSports but decided to leave it in 2020. In 2019, he participated in the regional finals of the World Cyber Games in Seoul, South Korea, securing the seventh-place finish in the Asia Pacific Region, cementing his position among the top 32 players. He also competed in the Clash Royale League (CRL 2019) and ranked among the top players worldwide in weekly Grand Challenge finishers.

[caption id="attachment_36727" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Kirtikumar Anandrao Ramchandani at The Professional Championship held in St. Petersburg, Russia[/caption]

“I left competitive gaming in 2020 after winning my last Paytm First Games. It wasn't helping me think outside the box; I was simply addicted to the game,” he explains. “Fortunately, I realised this at the right moment and began to dedicate more time to browser and kernel security research. I am pleased to have qualified for national rounds and to represent India internationally in these fields,” he remarks.

Academic brilliance

A former student of St. Stephen and Navkar Public School in Ahmedabad, Kirtikumar excelled in science and maths, earning a top 100 ranking in the International Math Olympiads (IMO) and National Science Olympiads (NSO) during his time in school. He also achieved a spot in the top 400 in the National Cyber Olympiads (NCO), as a school student.

Currently, the cybersecurity enthusiast is pursuing Chartered Accountancy and Company Secretaryship while working as an independent security researcher. “I aim to explore the intersection of finance and technology, merging my passion for both to create innovative solutions beneficial for traders,” he says.

[caption id="attachment_36728" align="aligncenter" width="527"] Kirtikumar Anandrao Ramchandani at The Professional Championship held in St. Petersburg, Russia[/caption]

When the multitasker finds some time out of his hectic worlds of CA, CS, security research and international competitions, he loves to draw, write, cook, follow cricket, and solve LR/RC/CR on GMAT forums. Ever since he was a teen, he has been giving talks to aspiring security researchers and loves participating in such sessions to share his knowledge.

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