Global Indianstory Global Indian ExclusiveRohan D’Souza: The 25-year-old advocate against human trafficking

Rohan D’Souza: The 25-year-old advocate against human trafficking

Written by: Amrita Priya

(March 29, 2024) Whether giving a presentation at the 2024 Global Sustainability Network (GSN) conference in Dubai or speaking as the guest of honour at the Human Trafficking Symposium in Toronto, Rohan D’Souza has been diligently advancing the legacy of Eyes Open International. He also recently represented the non-profit at a collaborative project meeting in London.

The Chicago-based youngster was only four years old when he moved to the US with his parents, Harold D’Souza and Darcy D’Souza, along with his brother. Tragically, the family fell victim to human trafficking. Emerging from years of ordeal, his parents established Eyes Open International to aid others facing similar circumstances or at risk of falling prey to human traffickers in the future. Now, as the organisation’s youngest board member, Rohan is continuing their mission.

Indian youth | Rohan D'Souza | Global Indian

In addition to his work for the non-profit, he is a budding entrepreneur nurturing two startups. As a sports enthusiast, he has also worked as a professional tennis coach in the past.

Empathy, gratitude and advocacy from lived experiences

Growing up in such a family, Rohan witnessed the challenges his parents faced firsthand. “I wasn’t a direct victim of trafficking, but the lack of understanding about my family’s story affected me emotionally and psychologically,” Rohan shares with Global Indian. He officially joined Eyes Open International last year. “As its youngest board member, I serve on the finance and fundraising committee and act as an ambassador for the initiative, engaging in public speaking to advance the organisation’s mission,” the 25-year-old adds.

His lived experiences as the son of labour trafficking and debt bondage survivors provide him with first-hand knowledge and insight to champion this significant cause. “From my parents, I have learned the importance of gratitude, resilience, and empathy. These lessons have been fundamental in my life, teaching me to appreciate what I have, overcome challenges, and empathise with the struggles of others,” he remarks.

Also Read | Fight against Modern Slavery: How Harold D’Souza brought the derailed American Dream on track

Purpose-driven outlook

Eyes Open International is dedicated to preventing, educating, protecting, and empowering societies globally to combat human trafficking. Rohan’s commitment to this critical issue comes naturally. His experiences have shaped his belief that ‘meaningful and transformative changes often arise from turning personal struggles into a purpose’. “Although I officially joined Eyes Open International last year, I had a hand in naming the organisation when it was just an idea,” he shares.

After joining the organisation, he began with collaborative sessions in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 8 – eradicating modern slavery and ensuring decent work for all. Since then, he has evolved into an independent speaker, sharing the stage with eminent figures and speaking out with great conviction on behalf of young victims.

Indian youth | Rohan D'Souza | Global Indian

Rohan D’Souza during a Human Trafficking Symposium at Toronto, Canada

Always inclined towards making a difference, he has been involved in volunteering since childhood. At the age of 16, in 2015, he received the President’s Gold Pin for Service Award in recognition of his dedication to volunteering for over 1800 hours across various organisations in his community. These included local soup kitchens, the Interfaith Hospitality Network, the W&S Tennis Masters, bread running for food drives, and participation in events like the Flying Pig Marathon, among others.

Into the world of entrepreneurship

After earning a bachelor’s degree in Business Information Systems from the University of Cincinnati, Rohan worked as a technical specialist at Apple for nearly three years and held the same role at Tesla for one-and-a-half years. Driven by his aspiration to become an entrepreneur, he has founded two startups – Kumo, where he serves as the sole founder, and DVRSS, where he is a co-founder. “One of my startups focuses on ecommerce, while the other is dedicated to financial education,” he shares.

Lessons learned from sports

Tennis has always been Rohan’s passion and even worked as a professional tennis coach at Camargo Club, University of Cincinnati, in 2022. “My upbringing was filled with sports, spirituality, friendship, community, and family, which all positively shaped my personality,” he says. “Tennis has taught me independence, accountability, and the value of individual skills, which can lead to success both on the court and in life,” he adds.

Aiming to leave a lasting impact

While pursuing a purpose dear to his entire family, drawing from life lessons learned as a sportsperson, and striving to establish himself as an entrepreneur, Rohan is determined to make his life meaningful. “I aim to leave a lasting impact that feels effortless and timeless, where the focus remains on the change itself rather than on me,” he signs off.

Follow Rohan D’Souza on LinkedIn
To know more about Eyes Open International and its initiatives, visit its website

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Belita mascarenhas

March 30, 2024 7:23 am

Congratulations Rohan ,do continue to inspire and motivate. God bless your noble endevours

Published on 29, Mar 2024

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Harshwardhan Zala: The inventor’s drone can destroy landmines without human risk

(September 28, 2022) A video on YouTube sparked a life-saving idea in Harshwardhan Zala - the one that came after the teenager saw a handful of soldiers trying to defuse a mine, and in the process, it exploded leaving many injured. He couldn't get the image out of his head and kept thinking about a possible solution that could help locate and deal with landmines without putting human life in danger. This gave way to a drone that can detect and detonate landmines, which the inventor and co-founder of Aerobotics7 built at the age of 15. “We’ve developed a technology called multi-spectral detection to identify metal and plastic landmines, unexploded ordnance, and improvised explosive devices. We can detect explosive devices, track their location and detonate them with our wireless detonator, averting any human risk,” the bespectacled teenager told Forbes India. [caption id="attachment_22372" align="aligncenter" width="900"] Harshwardhan Zala is the co-founder of Aerobotics7[/caption] Developed over three years, EAGLE A7 (Escort for Attacking on Ground & buried Landmines as Enemy) is a battery-operated quadcopter drone that was built using a 3D printer. With an accuracy rate of 91 percent, it can detect landmine explosives and send real-time data to a ground control station.

buried Landmines as Enemy) is a battery-operated quadcopter drone that was built using a 3D printer. With an accuracy rate of 91 percent, it can detect landmine explosives and send real-time data to a ground control station. So how exactly does it work? The drone detects landmines while hovering closer to the ground, and sends real-time signals to the nearest army base. It also drops a wireless detonator on the spot, which can be blasted by the military. "I am currently working with the Indian Army and CRPF to help clear all the landmines in the country. Once that is accomplished, I will share my technology with the rest of the world," India's drone whizz told The Better India.

Born to an accountant father and a homemaker mother, the Ahmedabad resident was always into electronics and technology, so much so that at age 10, he made a remote control that could control and operate home appliances wirelessly. Seeing his interest in gadgets, his parents encouraged his talent. At a tender age, he was busy looking for solutions to the problems of the world. "I would be reading books about the problems that the world was facing, and when I could, I would visit the cybercafé and watch YouTube videos about these problems. Finding a solution was like my mission then,” he told The Better India in an interview.

[caption id="attachment_22375" align="aligncenter" width="660"] Harshwardhan Zala working on the prototype[/caption]

Since he was too young to be allowed at a cyber cafe, he asked his granddad to accompany him and would spend seven-to-eight hours reading and learning. During one such visit to the cyber cafe, he came across a video that reflected how people die of explosions because of undetected landmines. This got him thinking about a solution, and made a prototype, however, his age played a spoiler as none of the companies took him seriously. "Some advised me to complete my education, while others were outright dismissive," the Global Indian added, and the rejection was a redirection for him as he soon started his company Aerobotics7 in 2016, with the help of seed money from his parents and his savings that he earned by guiding engineering students on their academic courses and projects.

The invention got the attention of the Gujarat government with whom he signed a Memorandum of Understanding worth ₹5 crores at the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2017. "In 2017, after the exhibition of my 5th prototype in Gujarat, the govt provided me with two and a half lakhs. The funds were still not enough for building the drone so, I imported parts from Taiwan and China and concentrated on the tech," he told The Tribal Box. It also opened up more avenues for the teenager who visited Silicon Valley and was invited to events like Maker Faire Bay Area. Harshwardhan, who took a break after his class 10 exams to focus on his startup, enrolled in the Copenhagen Business School to study Business Strategy and Innovation. In 2018, he demonstrated the drone to the Indian and Israeli Prime Ministers, and in 2020, "we did a successful demonstration and started working closely with Indian Army and CRPF. The device was tested by the Army and we recorded a great accuracy of 91 percent.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nplQiu6dZlo

Harshwardhan says that over 110 million active landmines are buried under the ground, and it will take around $33 billion to clear all the landmines across the globe, according to a UN report. And he plans to help the world. "I always wanted to make our planet a better place to live in," he told BBC, and the 20-year-old is exactly doing that with Aerobotics7. In no time, it has established itself as one of India's most innovative and purpose-driver drone companies, and now has its eyes set on the American market to build the best technology and make the world a safe place. "We partnered with PeaceJam Foundation in the US and under the mentor-ship of the Noble Peace Prize winner Jody Williams, we have launched a campaign called World Without Landmines. The mission is to remove all landmines across the world by 2025 and reclaim and re-imagine the land for agriculture and other purposes which can also contribute to fighting against climate change," he told The Tribal Box.

Follow Harshwardhan Zala on Linkedin

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Young innovators: Solving voter ID, mental, elder care, research and eco issues

(April 7, 2022) When today's youth chance upon a problem, they are pretty proactive. So when the then 10-year-old Madhvi Chitoor saw the menace of styrofoam cups, she decided to tackle plastic pollution. That became a huge movement that even saw Potus, American President Joe Biden write to the young Indian changemaker about her stellar achievements. Of course, there is Time Kid of the Year Gitanjali Rao who sought to address lead pollution in the water. Others relentlessly work towards spreading awareness about mental health, or crusade against single plastic use. The youth of India or of Indian origin, across the world, have taken it upon themselves to carve a beautiful present and future, and save the planet, or give society progress that creates a better world. Global Indian turns the spotlight on such youngsters who are not leaving any stone unturned to bettering society. Chaitanya Prabhu, activist [caption id="attachment_13871" align="aligncenter" width="356"] Chaitanya Prabhu[/caption] Determined to help his friends, Mumbai-based lawyer-activist Chaitanya Prabhu started getting their voter ids done. "What started as a small action slowly took the shape of the Mark Your Presence campaign. Information about the initiative spread through word of mouth, and many people started approaching me

1" align="aligncenter" width="356"] Chaitanya Prabhu[/caption]

Determined to help his friends, Mumbai-based lawyer-activist Chaitanya Prabhu started getting their voter ids done. "What started as a small action slowly took the shape of the Mark Your Presence campaign. Information about the initiative spread through word of mouth, and many people started approaching me for getting their voter ids done too,” says Chaitanya. The campaign evolved as a result of huge demand from people and reaped such a massive impact on the democracy of the society that the 23-year-old advocate at the Bombay High Court was awarded the UN India Award and Diana Award 2021 for his humanitarian efforts.

For the then law student starting such a campaign in 2018, has been a milestone. Motivated by its success, he started his second campaign, the Youth Manifesto to educate the youth about the basics of the Constitution and how they cannot ignore their duty. His idea is also to make the voices of youth reach relevant ministries, BMC commissioner and CM of Maharashtra. "We as voters are given manifestoes but not asked about ours. My idea is to involve youth in creating a list of expectations and putting it forward," adds the young Indian changemaker. Chaitanya’s larger aim is to increase the number of voter registrations, educate voters, and soar up the voter turnout.

Follow Chaitanya on Twitter

Kavin Vendhan, founder, Smiley India

[caption id="attachment_13948" align="aligncenter" width="546"] Kavin Vendhan with his Diana Award 2021[/caption]

He was in Class 8 when Kavin Vendhan understood the importance of non-academic skills, when he first enrolled for a peer-education programme in his school. That opportunity opened up a new world for this Chennai boy who acknowledged a child's potential beyond marks, and took it upon himself to launch a movement for the students and by the students. This idea gave birth to Society for Motivation Innovative Leadership and Empowerment of Youth (Smiley) India, a non-profit initiative in 2019.

"We focus on the importance of non-academic education, social responsibility, and addressing mental health issues. The youth is the future of India. We work on the overall development of young minds by conducting workshops. We give them a platform to speak their minds and understand the possibilities within," adds the Diana awardee who works with 70 volunteers across Chennai.

Follow D Kavin Vendhan on Linkedin

Aditya Dubey, environmentalist

[caption id="attachment_13342" align="aligncenter" width="330"] Aditya Dubey[/caption]

The 18-year-old Aditya has been campaigning against single-use plastic by working with India's National Green Tribunal to introduce environmental compensation from some of the largest organisations in India, including Amazon, Walmart-Flipkart, and Pepsi. The teen changemaker, who started the Plant A Million Trees campaign in 2016, received the prestigious Diana Award in 2021 for his efforts.

"I live in New Delhi, one of the most polluted cities in the world. A few years ago, I was diagnosed with sinusitis, a respiratory infection caused by air pollution. When I started researching about it, I realised that if pollution levels don’t reduce soon, many could die or be severely ill," shares Aditya, who has planted over 1,80,000 trees under his Plant A Million Trees initiative. The youngster, in collaboration with the Energy and Resources Institute, is working on a direct air capture technology, called CarbonX, that absorbs carbon dioxide from ambient air. If scaled up, it can be an important weapon in humanity’s fight against climate change. "I feel that if we continue to turn a blind eye to climate change, then we all will suffer due to extreme weather conditions and a lack of clean water or air. For me, the propagation of this idea is more important than the awards," expresses the young Indian changemaker.

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Karthik Ramu, co-founder AmityConnect

[caption id="attachment_12886" align="aligncenter" width="356"] Karthik Ramu, co-founder, AmityConnect[/caption]

The North Carolina-born teen changemaker might be busy in his sophomore year, but his sights are set on growing his co-founded AmityConnect (founded in 2018-19). The startup helps collate data of the elderly across the US, and the rest of the world, thereby predicting their medical emergencies and general health.

Karthik Ramu solved the hugely ignored elder care problem in the US. The University of Virginia student saw his grandfather in Coimbatore fall seriously ill, he researched on elder care, got data, and he and his classmate Krishi Nayar launched AmityConnect. The mobile platform helps families monitor elders’ health by aggregating real-time health data from smart medical devices (smartwatches, etc). Honoured as a global teen leader by We Are Family Foundation (2021), Ramu is growing this and is in talks for more funding, to help families and nursing homes take care of the elderly.

“The biggest problem for our team was our grandparents – they had medical emergencies. I saw my grandfather suffer a heart attack. We felt distant and unaware, and were unable to offer the best care,” says the young Indian changemaker in an interview. His concern? “The elderly population is expected to double globally from 900 million to 2 billion in 2050 – it shook me,” he concludes.

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Snehadeep Kumar, president, The Aurora Academic Journal

[caption id="attachment_12393" align="aligncenter" width="361"] Snehadeep Kumar[/caption]

Seventeen-year-old Snehadeep Kumar was producing significant research and experimental scientific work when he was in high school. Even as a teenager, he was in correspondence with the big names in science, including Dr Tom Welton, president of the Royal Society of Chemistry, London and Nobel Prize winning physicist Gerard't Hooft. However, he was disappointed to find that publishing research was very difficult for two reasons - one, he was still a student and second, it was expensive. After being turned down by major publications like Scientific American, he decided to start The Aurora Academic Journal.

Dedicated entirely to students who do their own research in science and the humanities, the journal publishes work for free. There are two criteria - the author must be a student and second, produce quality research. "I want to provide a platform for kids who are brilliant and have original research, but who cannot afford to pay for a spot in a major journal," says the young Indian changemaker.

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Pallavi Sharda: On a trans-continental voyage of cinema and culture

(November 1, 2023) “India is a theatre of culture,” remarked Pallavi Sharda, who defied the odds to become the first Australian actress with Indian roots to successfully make her mark in Bollywood. The actress, who calls herself a ‘Roving Gypsy’ travels between Mumbai, Australia, the United States and the UK carving an impressive portfolio of Bollywood and Hollywood projects. The Indo-Australian actress is considered the first leading Indian-origin actress to make her mark on both the large and small screens in Australia. An alumna of the University of Melbourne, the actress had won the title of Miss India Australia as soon she was out of school. In 2015, she was named the ‘Queen of Moomba’ alongside late Australian cricketer Shane Warne during Melbourne's largest community festival, Moomba being organised in the city since 1954. [caption id="attachment_33825" align="aligncenter" width="746"] Pallavi Sharda[/caption] In 2019, Pallavi was named on the list of the forty most influential Asian Australians at the inaugural Asian-Australian Leadership Summit. Two years later in 2021, she received the prestigious Global Arts Award from Advance - the leading global network of Australians living overseas. “For me it has always felt a bit like I’m negotiating this ongoing tension between my Indian heart and my

it. Two years later in 2021, she received the prestigious Global Arts Award from Advance - the leading global network of Australians living overseas. “For me it has always felt a bit like I’m negotiating this ongoing tension between my Indian heart and my Australian brain. My struggle will always be finding the sweet spot, or that place where the two are in harmony,” she had remarked.

In the actor’s shoes

“Studying in Melbourne at a school with a strong performing arts focus. I always knew I wanted to be an actress and a dancer. So I harboured this secret dream for most of my childhood and young adult life,” she said in an interview.

With dedication, the actress went on to become one of the first South Asian women to establish a career across four continents and was lucky enough to make a film appearances in the Oscar-nominated Lion in 2016.

Her introduction to the world of Australian television came with her role in the ABC drama series ‘Pulse’, for which she received the prestigious Rising Star Award from the Casting Guild of Australia. Subsequently, she was signed for prominent roles in various projects, including the British period drama ‘Beecham House’, directed by Gurinder Chadha, the ABC Australia series ‘Les Norton’ alongside David Wenham and Rebel Wilson, the Warner Bros film ‘Tom and Jerry’, and the Netflix drama series ‘The One’, The 2022 American romantic comedy film ‘Wedding Season’ directed by Tom Dey has been one of her recent projects.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oJN543mDv8

Pallavi’s parents discovered her love for dancing when she was very young and enrolled her into Indian classical dance classes when she was barely three. Today she is adept in Bharatanatyam and contemporary Indian dance apart from other dance forms.

“My dad used to love Bollywood movies and music, and our home life was filled with the sounds of Bollywood and classical Indian folk music. A lot of people don't realise that there's so much Indian music and dance that’s not Bollywood. I had this pan-Indian performing arts induction in the house. It was magnetic for me,” she said.

Growing up in an environment where her grandmother was a Hindi professor, her Hindi became good despite being born and brought up in Australia. The passion for various dance forms and ability to communicate in Hind led her to pursue acting opportunities in India. Although it took some time, she eventually secured substantial roles.

Pallavi’s parents are IIT alumni with PhDs in science and engineering. They had migrated to Australia in the 1980s before Pallavi was born. The actresses’ early years were spent in Melbourne’s suburbs. She did her schooling from Lowther Hall in Essendon, and started pursuing her LLB and BA (Media & Communications) along with a Diploma in Modern Languages (French) at the University of Melbourne when she was just 16 years old, and graduated with an honours.

Breaking into Bollywood

She commenced her acting career in Bollywood with a cameo appearance in Karan Johar's ‘My Name Is Khan’. Her subsequent role was in the comedy-drama film, ‘Dus Tola’, alongside the acclaimed actor Manoj Vajpayee.

One of her major Bollywood films has been Besharam in which she starred opposite Ranbir Kapoor. Talking about the film she mentioned “This film had the biggest release in the country with over 4,000 screens, the cast flew around the world, and I performed in Times Square in New York to promote it.” Pallavi has also acted in ‘Hawaizaada’ and ‘Begum Jaan’.

[caption id="attachment_33826" align="aligncenter" width="763"] Pallavi Sharda with Ranbir Kapoor in the Hindi film, Besharam[/caption]

Giving back

Pallavi passionately champions the cause of India-Australia relations and the reinforcement of intercultural ties between the two nations. The Global Indian is a frequent speaker on a range of topics including Asia’s literacy, fostering multicultural understanding, women's rights, and promoting genuine representation in the arts.

She has emerged as a versatile leader in the discussions surrounding Australian Arts and Culture and has curated events like Melbourne's White Night In 2019. Pallavi has been serving on the advisory board of E-Kutir, a socially oriented enterprise based in Odisha. The actress is a dedicated advocate for sustainable development, and lays emphasis on advocating for the elimination of fast fashion.

She has also taken on the role of an ambassador for 'OZ FEST,' Australia's largest cultural festival in India.

[caption id="attachment_33827" align="aligncenter" width="510"] Pallavi Sharda[/caption]

Bringing change through Bodhini Studios

The performing artist established Bodhini Studios as a response to her personal journey of realizing her childhood dream of acting on screen while facing the unique challenges of being an Indian-origin Australian.

It’s like a coalition of individuals from around the world who share common goals, uniting to reveal the often-overlooked and underrepresented narratives and viewpoints woven into everyday tales of people. The initiative works as a dynamic and thought-provoking platform for storytelling, dismantling barriers and amplifying the voices and presence of the intricacies found in diverse identities.

“The studio tries to rejuvenate stories that were once pushed to the fringes or reduced to stereotypes. It’s like a sanctuary for artists, providing a space to bring stories, identities, and emotions that have often been considered 'othered' into the mainstream,” the studio’s website mentions. “The primary aim is to foster intercultural understanding and empathy while celebrating our shared humanity.”

Follow Pallavi Sharda on Instagram and Facebook

Reading Time: 5 mins

Basketball player Ishan Sharma is shooting his way to stardom

(October 26, 2023) When he was just about four years old, his father bought him a ball. While he first played soccer with it for the first couple of days, the kid soon started playing basketball with his friends with the same ball. It was here that Ishan Sharma, an Indian Canadian basketball player, started his journey. And today, the 6'5" player has a reputation as a dangerous perimeter shooter. "I think my biggest strength is my ability to shoot the ball in catch-and-shoot situations, off-the-dribble situations, live-ball situations and also creating my shot when defenders overplay me," the player said in a recent interview, adding, "I have a high IQ for the game, play with a lot of skill and feel which allows me to use ball screens as well and make decisions off being a primary ball handler or secondary ball handler and just making the right read every time I touch the ball. So those are my strengths." After winning several games for his team at the Fort Erie International Academy, and leading the Canadian team in FIBA tournaments, the star player is set to join the University of Virginia's basketball team for 2024. "Everybody is really

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After winning several games for his team at the Fort Erie International Academy, and leading the Canadian team in FIBA tournaments, the star player is set to join the University of Virginia's basketball team for 2024. "Everybody is really humble here and that really stood out to me," said Ishan, talking about his selection, "I really see myself fitting in well, both on and off the court, and improving my game."

Starting young

Ishan's parents moved from India to Milton, Ontario in search of better opportunities. Growing up Ishan watched several matches - of various sports - with his father and brother, who is also a Canadian Elite Basketball League player. But the one sport that allured him the most was basketball. "I grew up watching a lot of Klay Thompson, Tyler Herro, Devin Booker, those kinds of 2-guards, and they’re really skilled. They really can shoot the ball and I kind of like watching them model my game after them, see what I can add, and all that kind of stuff," the player said, adding, "I started playing basketball when I was around four or five years old. I played rec basketball for the first time when I was in third grade. I played for like the local team in Milton called Halton Basketball and from there I just worked really hard playing for them for a long time. Worked hard, but then COVID happened and I found my way to UPLAY and so through UPLAY, I got some exposure and I met some people who have helped me get to where I am today."

[caption id="attachment_33743" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Ishan with his team[/caption]

While at school, the player started representing his country in the FIBA competitions. Talking about his biggest takeaways, Global Indian said, "Being able to represent that country is the utmost honour. It's truly a privilege to represent where you're from in your home country, but one of my biggest takeaways is that basketball has become a global game. It's not just the US, it's not just Canada, but everywhere in the world. You know, Africa, Europe, these places have really tough, physical, skilled guys who can do everything. So you know, we have to always stay locked in because it's not just North America now, it's a global game. So it just opened my eyes to the world of basketball that's obviously grown."

Goals ahead

With a good height and strong catch-and-shoot ability, the basketball player feels that his greatest strength is the off-the-dribble situation - which can help the University of Virginia win several matches in the forthcoming season. But, there are also several fields that the player is looking to work on going forward. "First of all, I'm trying to get stronger physically. And also work on my finishing package around the rim, finishing over taller defenders, finishing through contact and I feel like those two things will help me at the next level," the player said.

A Rubik's cube enthusiast, who also loves to play pool when he isn't at a tournament, is very proud of his Indian heritage. "I take a huge pride in that because basketball's not that big in India, yet, so I can represent my country in a sport that's not very popular and maybe kids growing up that look up to me who are Indian or Canadian Indian, they can look up to me and see that these things are possible. I can work hard. I can be in a similar situation and I can do whatever I want. I don't have to let my background, my race, my heritage, or my country affect the things that I want to do. So I take a lot of pride in that," said the player after winning a match recently.

[caption id="attachment_33744" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Ishan with his family[/caption]

As he starts a new journey in his life, Ishan is looking to inspire the next generation through his game. "I would just want to be remembered as someone who used their platform to inspire upcoming players, especially young kids who are of Indian descent or South Asian descent who maybe look at me and see something that they want to do and see that it's possible. So just inspiring those kids who really want to do something with basketball or with sports in general," the player expressed.

Follow Ishan Sharma on Instagram

Rupal Jain: Playing a role in advancing semiconductor technology for AI and IoT

(June 12, 2024) “As a kid, it was all about curiosity for me,” Rupal Jain says. This curiosity led her on a journey from Bhilai to Singapore and then to the US, where she made her mark in the semiconductor and microchip manufacturing industry as a young engineer, innovator, and author. In her short career, Rupal has worked with American IT corporations, AMD and Micron, published three books and earned five patents for her innovative product ideas. Her accomplishments have earned her early recognition within her industry. Recently, she received the Asia Leadership Award at an event in Mumbai. “Technology should enhance the quality of life for people and demonstrate practical and humanitarian impact," she believes. [caption id="attachment_38204" align="aligncenter" width="467"] Rupal Jain[/caption] Talking about semiconductors (basic materials needed to make microchips and integrated circuits) around which her career and achievements revolve, Rupal tells Global Indian, “Semiconductors play a critical role in artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) applications. Advanced processing microchips are the backbone of AI systems, enabling complex computations and data analysis at unprecedented speeds. These microchips are vital for AI-driven technologies used in various fields, from simple gadgets like smart home devices to sophisticated applications in

">Global Indian, “Semiconductors play a critical role in artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) applications. Advanced processing microchips are the backbone of AI systems, enabling complex computations and data analysis at unprecedented speeds. These microchips are vital for AI-driven technologies used in various fields, from simple gadgets like smart home devices to sophisticated applications in aviation and military systems.”

Using technology to address real world challenges

Rupal believes that her patents for innovative products across interdisciplinary fields such as microchip manufacturing, AI, and IoT are significant as they contribute to advancements in electronics, agriculture, and medical devices.

“All my patents collectively contribute to improving both the technological landscape and the quality of life,” says the innovator, who is actively seeking partnerships with organisations to take these innovations forward. “While these processes are typically time-consuming, I am hopeful that I will be able to bring these technologies into real services soon,” she adds.

One of her standout patents focuses on an intelligent sleep system designed to alleviate conditions such as fibromyalgia, chronic neck pain, spine issues, and back pain. Her solution integrates sensors and adaptive materials to provide personalised support and comfort, significantly improving the quality of life for individuals suffering from these chronic conditions.

Another patent involves an AI-IoT design to prevent defects in semiconductor manufacturing. "This innovation is particularly relevant given the governments' worldwide focus on semiconductor missions, whether in India, the USA, or the UK,” Rupal highlights.

[caption id="attachment_38206" align="aligncenter" width="861"] Rupal Jain at Asian Leadership Awards ceremony at Mumbai[/caption]

Whether it was working independently or in collaborative teams for her five patents, the engineer and author worked on the guiding principle of using technology to address real-world challenges.

Sharing knowledge as a mentor

After graduating from Bhilai Institute of Technology and Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, Rupal’s career as an engineer led her to work at organisations like AMD and Micron in both Singapore and the USA. She has worked on projects encompassing the regions of the USA, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, China, and India.

Based in Greater New York, Rupal shares her knowledge as a member of many professional organisations in her field, such as the International Society for Service Innovation Professionals (ISSIP), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Educational Society (IEEE EDSOC), and Sigma Xi, an international scientific research honour society of science and engineering. “I have always been enthusiastic about roles that allow me to contribute to the growth and dissemination of knowledge in my area of interest to inspire and support young innovators globally,” she says.

As an Ambassador for ISSIP and a Lead in IEEE Young Professionals Education Society, as well as in other roles with Sigma Xi and the IEEE Technical Committee on immersive learning, her responsibilities involve promoting service innovation and strengthening collaboration among professionals from various industries and academic disciplines. “I work to bridge the gap between technology and its practical applications, ensuring that innovations positively impact businesses and society. This includes organising conferences, workshops, and seminars to disseminate the latest research and technological developments,” she tells.

[caption id="attachment_38207" align="aligncenter" width="566"] Hybrid IEEE event conducted by Rupal Jain for UICT Nakawa, Uganda[/caption]

Recently Rupal had the opportunity to be a guest mentor and speaker at a hybrid IEEE event at UICT Nakawa in Uganda. “This event, initiated under the IEEE YP and IEEE Mentoring-Meet program, was an enjoyable experience where I interacted with a large group of professionals about strategies in goal setting in the semiconductor industry. There was a lot of interest and many questions regarding advancing Uganda's growth in the microchip industry,” she shares.

Rupal has also had engaging experiences as speaker and mentor at other events, such as the Nile University and the IEEE Meet in Nigeria, where she addressed topics related to microchip excellence, quality management using AI-IoT, and more.

Exploring technology as an author

With a knack for multitasking, Rupal is also a prolific author whose works aim to empower professionals in her field with practical knowledge and innovative insights. Rupal’s book ‘Mastering Project Management: PMP and Agile for Leaders’, published by BEP, USA, addresses aspiring and current project managers. It imparts transferable skills applicable across industries such as semiconductor, engineering, IT, and construction in a global context, covering critical topics like Agile, CSM, and leadership development.

Her second book, ‘Advancements in AI and IoT for Chip Manufacturing and Defect Prevention’, published by River Publishers, Denmark, addresses the dynamic landscape of semiconductor fabrication and chip manufacturing. It explores the significance of defect prevention and the transformative potential of AI and IoT technologies in optimising manufacturing processes. “It's tailored for semiconductor professionals, interdisciplinary researchers in chip development, and electrical, electronics, and AI-ML professionals seeking knowledge and industry practices for IC (chip) manufacturing fabrication processes,” she explains.

[caption id="attachment_38208" align="aligncenter" width="485"] Rupal Jain[/caption]

Her third book, ‘Semiconductor Essentials: A Leader's Express Reference to Electronics Concepts’, serves as a comprehensive reference. “It condenses essential topics and equations crucial for device concepts, semiconductor development, and design into accessible formats,” she mentions. “This book is particularly useful for quick access to support research and innovation across various fields such as electronics, applied physics, photonics, and material science.”

Looking ahead

The engineer, innovator and writer aspires to further drive innovation and excellence within the microchip manufacturing and electronics industry. She aims to lead initiatives that push technological boundaries while cultivating a collaborative and inclusive work environment. Her goal is to mentor the next generation of leaders, ensuring a sustainable and forward-thinking future for the field. “The microchip and semiconductor industry has a great impact on society as it powers the technology that underpins modern life,” she remarks.

[caption id="attachment_38210" align="aligncenter" width="456"] Rupal Jain[/caption]

She is consistently attuned to these aspects, motivating herself to make contributions in the ever-changing technological landscape. Reading books on technology, leadership, and personal development is one of her favourite pastimes. Rupal also loves exploring new places, spending time with family and friends, and staying active.

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