Rohan Kalia: Indian-American teen wins President’s Scholarship for glaucoma detection device
Compiled by: Team GI Youth
(August 25, 2023) It was after one of Rohan Kalia’s family members was diagnosed with glaucoma that the Indian-American teenager began researching an affordable technology that could be used for early detection. A sophomore at Wheeler High School in Marietta, the 17-year-old found that glaucoma ranks as the second most prominent cause of irreversible blindness on a global scale. The startling fact prompted him to look for an affordable solution in the form of a device that can accurately diagnose the condition. This gave birth to EyePal, a portable device that can detect glaucoma with 95 percent accuracy. The invention won the teenager the 2023 IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) President’s Scholarship, which comes with a prize of $10,000.
Glaucoma is an eye disease involving the degradation of the optic nerve that carries visual information, leading to a gradual loss of vision. If not detected early, it can lead to some degree of permanent blindness. The condition is detected from images taken of the retinal fundus (the back surface of the eye’s interior) during a standard examination by an opthalmologist. During his research, Rohan found that a person’s socioeconomic condition impacts the diagnosis of glaucoma. “I learned that there’s a huge disparity in eye care treatment across the world,” Rohan said, adding, “Diagnosis and prevention of glaucoma is not accessible.”
Rohan Kalia
Moreover, he discovered that people in rural areas are worst affected as many individuals face difficulty in accessing glaucoma testing due to a shortage of eye doctors and testing centers, coupled with the expensive equipment, absence of health insurance, and high-test costs. Understanding the severity of the condition, Rohan knew he had to find a solution. Explaining the working of EyePal, he said, “The EyePal uses a quality camera, a Raspberry Pi minicomputer, machine-learning technology, and a mobile app. The camera takes photos of the fundus and sends them to a mobile device that can be examined by a specialist. EyePal showed 95 percent accuracy when tested on sets of fundus images.”
Apart from its accuracy, the device’s portability is yet another plus point as it can be employed in rural medical centres and health clinics as opposed to the standalone specialised equipment that can be used only in a doctor’s office or vision testing center. “The device costs less than $100,” Rohan said, adding, “It’s 50 times cheaper than the average price of ophthalmology equipment, in addition to being highly portable. What I did was create this new ensemble-based system of diagnosis.”
The invention won him the President’s Scholarship, which refers to as a “nice surprise.” Moreover, EyePal was presented at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in May in Dallas, Texas.
The inventor, who loves creating solutions and plans to work in the field of research, advices future engineers to keep going despite the obstacles. “In an engineering project, you’re going to face times you want to give up, but keep persevering. Pick a project topic that you really like,” the Global Indian says, adding, “When you’re really interested in the topic, it will give you the motivation to keep pushing through.”
(July 8, 2024) With the Olympics just around the corner, India's rising star in table tennis, Sreeja Akula does not feel the pressure. “This is my first Olympics, and I am as prepared as I can be. I will give it my best shot and not worry about the rest,” the upcoming Olympian tells Global Indian. The Arjuna Award winner is currently ranked 25th in the world and comes off a great year that saw her go from strength to strength. 2024 was a watershed year for the young player as she became the first Indian women table tennis player to win international tournaments courtesy of her victories at the WTT Feeder, Corpus Christi, Texas, and the WTT Feeder, Beirut II. The right-handed player who plays both singles and doubles has performed at the highest levels over the past years by consistently beating formidable players from Korea and China. The paddler’s story is one of perseverance and triumph, making her one of the most promising athletes on the Indian sports scene. [caption id="attachment_38518" align="aligncenter" width="519"] Sreeja Akula[/caption] Family matters Sreeja's initiation into table tennis began at the age of nine, when her parents enrolled her in a local coaching center.
obalindian.com/youth///wp-content/uploads/2024/07/sreeja-1024x1024.png" alt="Sreeja Akula | Table Tennis | 2024 Paris Olympics | Global Indian" width="519" height="519" /> Sreeja Akula[/caption]
Family matters
Sreeja's initiation into table tennis began at the age of nine, when her parents enrolled her in a local coaching center. Recognizing her potential, her coach encouraged her to participate in various state-level tournaments.
“My father used to play table tennis, as did my sister Ravali, so I sort of grew up watching them play and was obsessed with becoming a good player. Also, I was very weak as a child, so my parents encouraged me to play as it helped to build my stamina,” she states.
Having trained at St. Paul’s Academy, the YMCA, and then at the academy started by her coach, Somnath Ghosh, Sreeja’s childhood was spent mostly on courts in Hyderabad.
Sporting stars are not born in isolation. The young sporting star saw immense sacrifices made by her family. With both parents (mother Sai Sudha and father Praveen Kumar) in insurance, one of them constantly accompanied her as she played in tournaments across the country, traveling by trains and buses, always supporting her along the way.
She recalls, “My father had to shift from a government job to the private sector just so that he could afford the expenses of travel and tournaments. My mother learned to ride a two-wheeler so that she could pick us up and drop us off at the academy. My grandparents took over running the household, as either of my parents used to constantly be on the move along with me. I am here because of my entire family.”
It was all this grit and hard work that helped Sreeja Akula make her mark very early on in her career. Just two years after she started playing (in 2009), she won her first medal (bronze) at the national championships and never really looked back.
Sreeja Akula's rise through the ranks of Indian table tennis has been nothing short of meteoric. She made her mark on the national scene with her performances in the National Table Tennis Championships. In 2017, she won the Junior National Championship, showcasing her talent and signaling her arrival on the big stage.
Her transition from the junior to the senior level was seamless. Sreeja's consistent performances earned her a place on the Indian national team.
2022 was a breakout year, where she clinched the gold (mixed doubles) at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Sreeja also claimed the Senior National Championship in 2022 in women’s singles, successfully defending the title she first won in 2021.
Incidentally, the sportswoman is good at her studies too and spent time traveling hooked on her studies. She laughs, “Academics and sports are my twin loves. I used to travel to tournaments with my text books. I scored a 9.5 GPA in my tenth grade, thanks to my teachers at Rosary Convent, and 96% in my 12th grade.”
Balancing act
Since her childhood, Sreeja spent her time on the court. Did she ever miss out on the regular growing-up activities of going to the movies and hanging out at a mall with friends? “I really don’t believe in having regrets. I always enjoyed playing table tennis, and there was no pressure on me from anyone. Of course, sport requires some sacrifices, but then so does anything if you want to excel,” she explains.
Women players from Hyderabad have really made it big in recent years, from Sania Mirza and Saina Nehwal to PV Sindhu and Nikhat Zareen, as Sreeja joins the big league. Is the sporting environment more conducive for women now? “I’ve been really lucky to have the unstinted support of my family at every stage. Also, I’m an employee of RBI and have support from the Deccan Sports Foundation. Things are definitely looking up for women as we see more and more women athletes make their mark. Also I’ve never really been discriminated against due to my gender.”
Along with her physical fitness, the table tennis star has been working on her mental fitness too, practicing yoga and meditation for ten years. Focusing on the troika of technical skills, physical fitness, and mental toughness, she is today a formidable player on the court.
The Olympic journey
As Sreeja Akula sets her sights on the Paris Olympics in 2024, her journey so far provides a strong foundation for her aspirations. Part of the historic India women’s team to have qualified for the first time for the Olympics, Sreeja is well on her way to achieving her dream of winning a medal on the biggest sports stage.
One of the critical factors in Sreeja’s favor is her experience and exposure to international competitions. Competing against the best players in the world has honed her skills and given her the confidence to face tough challenges. Her ability to adapt to different playing styles and conditions is a significant advantage as she prepares for the Olympics.
"Everyone keeps asking me about the Olympic medal, but I approach every game as if it were an Olympic match. Each victory matters. I take this competition seriously, but it's no different from any other game I play. The Olympics are wonderful, but winning or losing isn't everything. I aim to remain consistent in my outlook, regardless of the outcomes," she explains.
Sreeja Akula’s journey is an inspiring story of passion, perseverance, and hard work. With her skills, experience, and determination, she surely has the potential to bring home an Olympic medal and make India proud. The road to Paris in 2024 is challenging, but a billion Indians are in her corner.
Quick takes
Favorite athletes: Saina Nehwal and Sachin Tendulkar.
When not training: Love reading.
Next target: To be ranked in the top 20 in the world.
Advice to young players: Keep improving and don’t succumb to pressure and expectations. Also, remember that there are no short cuts to success, only hard work and dedication.
(December 22, 2022) Shrivalli Rashmikaa Bhamidipaty, who was crowned the national hardcourt tennis champion (women’s singles) 2021, was 11 when she first held a tennis racket in her hand. Calling herself an “accidental” tennis player, Shrivalli was introduced to the game at the Lal Bahadur stadium in Hyderabad. “I was just 11 years old and frankly, I only noticed the clothes of the kids who were playing at the stadium,” laughs the 20-year-old tennis star during an interview with Global Indian. “I told my father that I wanted to play because I also wanted to wear those clothes,” she adds. [caption id="attachment_25691" align="aligncenter" width="675"] Shrivalli Rashmikaa Bhamidipaty, tennis player[/caption] However, Shrivalli has come a long way since then. The right-handed tennis star, recently recorded twin victories as she entered the singles quarterfinals and doubles semi-finals of the Balaji Amines Solapur Open Women’s ITF $25K Tennis Tournament held in Solapur. The player is currently doing her degree at St. Francis College for Women, Hyderabad, has also won numerous titles, including ITF Women’s (doubles) $15000 – 2022 held in Gurugram. She was also a semi-finalist at the ITF Women’s (singles) $15000 – 2022, Ahmedabad. Making of a champion Born to two sports
egree at St. Francis College for Women, Hyderabad, has also won numerous titles, including ITF Women’s (doubles) $15000 – 2022 held in Gurugram. She was also a semi-finalist at the ITF Women’s (singles) $15000 – 2022, Ahmedabad.
Making of a champion
Born to two sports players – her father being a cricketer and mother a national-level basketball player – Shrivalli was always encouraged to play sports. “I was a very active child, mostly because my parents were into outdoor activities. My father, especially, is a sports freak. He encouraged me to pick up an extra-curricular activity in school,” shares the tennis star, who is also a trained Carnatic singer.
While she took part in various sports, including swimming and roller skating, tennis was her ‘one true love’. And once she started training, it did not take the coaches at the LB stadium much time to realise that Shrivalli was a gifted player.
“For the first year, I went to the stadium to just have fun. I was the most talkative kid in the stadium, who loved picking up balls more than hitting them,” she laughs, adding, “But one day when my father had come to pick me up, one of the coaches asked him if I would like to take up the sport professionally. After coming home, my father posed the same question. In fact, I remember he warned me that it would be a tough journey. I was about 12 years old and didn’t really understand what was so tough about playing tennis. So, I just said yes,” the tennis player recalls.
Even as she worked hard to win every tournament, she did not forget to enjoy her childhood. Although she was a good student, she was also a trouble-maker in class. “I was a notorious student. A few friends and I would bunk classes together. We would never leave the school premises, but we just would not attend the classes some times. Since I was very talkative, the teachers would sometimes even kick me out of the class. But I was a good student, my grades were really good. And I’d win gold in almost every tournament, so my teachers and principal were happy with me,” smiles the tennis champ.
When the going gets tough
During her initial years, the tennis player won several medals, including the national title 2014-15, and under-18 petit camp open doubles in Mauritius in 2016. However, like every player she had to face some tough losses as well. While she recognised her potential as a player, Shrivalli learnt a lot from the matches she couldn’t win.
[caption id="attachment_25692" align="aligncenter" width="649"] Shrivalli with her parents[/caption]
“I knew right from the beginning that I was able to do something extraordinary, something not everyone could do. As a junior, I wasn’t much of a performing kid. So, I would constantly put pressure on myself to perform well. And when I didn’t, the losses hit me very hard. Also, the other tennis players my age were performing really well, and I would inadvertently compare myself with them. In almost every tournament, even before the draw was out, I would freak out,” shares the young player.
For two years, Shrivalli constantly struggled with self-doubt which affected her game. Explaining how important it is to be mentally strong to win the games, the tennis player adds, “I did go to a psychologist subsequently and that helped me a lot. I started concentrating on my game more than the outcomes. So, as I moved towards my under-18s, my game improved a lot.” Her parents, Shrivalli says, were very supportive through her journey, and never once put pressure on her.
Olympic dreams
One of her biggest victories was defeating Rutuja Bhosale at the ITF $25K Pune R1 – 2021. That instilled a great deal of confidence in her. “I think all players feel nervous before a match. I do too. But I am confident now that I can play against, and defeat, any player,” remarks Shrivalli, who is very inspired by Novak Djokovic.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXWeyVQPQls
Shrivalli dreams of representing India at the Olympics and works at her aspirations without compromise. Her day begins at 4.15 am and training continues for between five and six hours a day. And along the way, she hopes to win as many cups as she can for her country. “I will be participating in several upcoming national and international tournament. But a dream come true will be representing India at the Olympics and winning gold for the country,” says the tennis star, who loves cooking or baking in her free time.
(March 6, 2024) After passing out of engineering college in 2018, Sandy Khanda could have either followed the conventional path of securing a job or pursue a startup venture, a common choice among many young enthusiasts, but he chose to start an NGO. Headquartered in Delhi NCR, his NGO, Green Pencil Foundation has quickly gained momentum, extending its reach in eleven states of India with a strong volunteer base of over 2,000 young volunteers. Together, Sandy and his team have touched the lives of over 20,000 individuals through initiatives that emphasise women's empowerment, menstrual hygiene management, education for underprivileged children, and action for climate change. Recognizing the global nature of many societal challenges, Sandy has also expanded Green Pencil's operations to Indonesia and Iran. “In Indonesia, our outreach extends to various areas in Jakarta and the Papua province, which has the lowest literacy rates in the country,” he tells Global Indian. “With a presence in over 50 schools and underprivileged communities, we are committed to making a difference in remote locations, employing an inclusive approach that transcends borders and religions. Our initiatives also extend to certain regions in Iran” the social entrepreneur adds. [caption id="attachment_36371" align="aligncenter" width="437"] Sandy Khanda[/caption] Life’s
tions, employing an inclusive approach that transcends borders and religions. Our initiatives also extend to certain regions in Iran” the social entrepreneur adds.
Sandy was born and raised in a small village in Haryana, and witnessed firsthand the disparities and challenges faced by rural communities. When he moved to Delhi for education, his transition to urban life only heightened his awareness of societal issues such as gender inequality, poor climatic conditions, air pollution, struggles of marginalised populations and plight of kids growing up in slums of Delhi NCR.
Fuelled by a desire to instigate change, Sandy began his journey through grassroots activism, utilizing platforms like writing, teaching slum children, and organising protests to address pressing social issues, while pursuing engineering.
However, his commitment to societal betterment became even stronger following a life-altering experience - a near-fatal accident that left him in a six-month coma. Emerging from this ordeal with renewed purpose and gratitude, Sandy resolved to dedicate his life to serving others. Thus, the Green Pencil Foundation was born, with a mission to empower communities, break down barriers, and drive positive change across India and beyond.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5v3d7TG8SI0
Green for environmental advocacy, Pencil for education
The name of the foundation, Green Pencil, reflects its dual focus on environmental advocacy and education. ‘Green’ stands for addressing the pressing climate change crisis. The foundation advocates improved public policies for reducing carbon footprints, with an emphasis on a human-centric approach.
‘Pencil’ centres around education, particularly the foundation's efforts to uplift underprivileged children and women. Through educational workshops covering topics such as menstrual hygiene management, mental health, and academic classes, the Green Pencil Foundation empowers individuals for a brighter future. "The primary sources of funding for our initiatives come from individual supporters and corporate social responsibility, enabling us to sustain and grow our efforts in making a meaningful difference," Sandy says.
Apart from being engaged in his NGO, Sandy hasremotely served as the national coordinator and community outreach manager at Atlas, a Brussels based political movement uniting people worldwide to create a freer, better and more equitable planet.
Sandy’s responsibilities encompassed coordinating community engagement to promote Atlas' endeavours across India. “I was actively engaged in designing and executing comprehensive campaigns to advance Atlas' principles within the Indian context. This entailed strategic planning, seamless coordination, and effective communication to amplify the organisation’s movements.” His involvement with Atlas provided him with a global perspective on societal issues, a perspective that has influenced the expansion of Green Foundation initiatives beyond India.
The youth-led NGO’s impact spans across major metropolitan cities of India including Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Chennai, Manipur, Chandigarh, Panchkula, Amritsar, Jaipur, Kolkata, and Bangalore.
The foundation is spearheading several meaningful projects. Through the 'Periods of Pride' initiative, it has conducted a thorough survey in government schools across India, uncovering critical challenges in menstrual hygiene management. The findings reveal prevalent issues including menstrual taboos, inadequate educational awareness, and limited knowledge about menstrual hygiene products, garnering wide attention.
Another project like ‘Slum to School’ aims to educate and enable soft skills development in slum kids to make them independent. “This project is running in more than 25 Indian cities in 11 Indian states to benefit over 3,000 slum kids,” shares Sandy.
The Foundation is working in coordination with Greenpeace India, the Indian branch of the global environmental group Greenpeace, a non-profit NGO, with a presence in 55 countries in a project called ‘Power the Pedal’. “This groundbreaking project focuses on providing bicycle training to hundreds of women, aiming to promote sustainable mobility and empower themselves in the process,” tells Sandy.
[caption id="attachment_36372" align="aligncenter" width="701"]Green Pencil Foundation and Greenpeace India's 'Power to Pedal' project provides bicycle training to women[/caption]
Green Pencil’s Initiative, ‘One Home One Tree’ is aimed to influence people and encourage plantation drives to fight air pollution in metro cities.
The project, ‘Festivals vibes with needy tribes’ encourages people to celebrate festivals with needy people around them so that they feel special. “It gives the message of equality in the society,” the social entrepreneur remarks.
The project, ‘Pollution Se Azaadi’ advocates for a shift towards public transport and active mobility as effective means to reduce carbon footprints.
Having tasted reasonable success in his efforts to make a difference in India, Sandy Khanda now aspires to extend his impact beyond borders by expanding Green Pencil Foundation's programmes to various regions of South Asia. "We are working towards expanding Green Pencil Foundation’s footprint in South Asian and African regions with an aim to impact more lives," he signs off.
(November 16, 2022) Wearing a pink dress, a tikka glittering on her forehead, surrounded by Bharatnatyam dancers and backed by Australian rock band Icehouse, 13-year-old Janaki Easwar won a million hearts at the closing ceremony of the T20 World Cup at the Melbourne Stadium. As cricket-crazy Indians mourned the team's loss to England in the semi-finals, India made its presence felt, through the Indian-Australian teen sensation with the strikingly deep voice. Titled "We Can Get Together," Janaki's multicultural performance was a nod to India's growing soft power. "I believe the way I represented my culture on national television also helped as the performance at the World Cup final is going to be a great representation of multicultural Australia," the Global Indian told the Indian Express before her performance. View this post on Instagram A post shared by JANAKI EASWAR (@janaki_easwar) Finding stardom The performance at Melbourne Stadium isn't Janaki's first brush with the spotlight. Back in 2021, at the age of 12, Janaki Easwar, paying tribute to Kerala as she wore a kasava mundu, floored the four celebrity judges on The Voice, with her cover of Billie Eilish's Lovely. "My mum loves to try fusion attire on me,"
The performance at Melbourne Stadium isn't Janaki's first brush with the spotlight. Back in 2021, at the age of 12, Janaki Easwar, paying tribute to Kerala as she wore a kasava mundu, floored the four celebrity judges on The Voice, with her cover of Billie Eilish's Lovely. "My mum loves to try fusion attire on me," she told The Week. "My mum came up with the idea of blending (a) kasavu shawl with a black top and a skirt made from set-mundu," she told The Week.
The song brought in over five million views on YouTube. The judges, who gave her a four-chair turn, asked her to sing 'something Indian', too. Janaki obliged quite sportingly with a piece of Carnatic music. The Indian singer is the youngest contestant in the show's history and made it to the top 20.
Born in 2009, Janaki has been performing on stage since she was eight years old. The Melbourne-based teen started early, with violin lessons when she was five. Her parents noticed that she had talent when they heard her singing around the house, and, in order to help her connect with her Indian roots, sent her for Carnatic music lessons. She is deeply tied now to her native culture and is fluent in Malayalam, which her parents made sure she learned as a child. Both her parents are from Kozhikode and moved to Australia some 15 years ago. Her father, Shobha Sekhar, is also a trained Carnatic musician, and his daughter's first teacher.
At the age of eight, she discovered an interest in western music and began training under David Jaanz, at the Jaanz International Music Academy one year later. She continues to learn Carnatic music as well, at the Kalakruthi School of Music in Melbourne.
In April 2020, when Australia began a four-month lockdown, Janaki tried her hand at more serious songwriting. At the time, she was also releasing covers of popular songs, like Enaadi Mayavi, which garnered quite a bit of attention among Indian audiences back home. For the next year and a half, she wrote songs, composed with her guitar and recorded demos, using her phone and her home studio. It resulted in her debut single, Clown, which she released in July 2021, followed by Bittersweet.
It's fairly easy to forget that Janaki Easwar is only 13 years old, as she strives to make it in a competitive and often cut-throat industry. Her voice and demeanor carry a gravity that is far beyond her years. When she's at home, though, Janaki makes time to simply be a kid. Like other teens, she hangs out with her friends and spends time trying on makeup. She's also interested in fashion and in dance, which she learns as a form of exercise.
(November 16, 2024) In the hushed halls of the Bavarian Open in 2022, fourteen-year-old Shreyas Royal was about to make history. Across nine games, he played with the skill of a seasoned grandmaster, carefully outsmarting his opponents and securing seven points. This wasn’t just any win—he became the youngest player in the United Kingdom to reach a grandmaster-level performance. For Britain, a country with a deep chess tradition and competitive scene, seeing such young talent was rare. By the end of the tournament, Shreyas Royal’s name wasn’t just another entry; it was the headline, marking the arrival of a fresh new talent. [caption id="attachment_40404" align="aligncenter" width="657"] Shreyas Royal[/caption] Bengaluru to London: A Journey Begins Yet Shreyas' journey to the chessboard was far from ordinary. Born in Bengaluru in 2009, he moved to the United Kingdom with his family at the age of three when his father, Jitendra Singh, accepted a job as an IT project manager. They settled in South-East London, in the lively, multicultural neighbourhood of Woolwich. Shreyas was still a toddler, curious about the world around him, and showed an impressive memory. It was here, thousands of miles from India - the birthplace of chess- that his father
vely, multicultural neighbourhood of Woolwich. Shreyas was still a toddler, curious about the world around him, and showed an impressive memory.
It was here, thousands of miles from India - the birthplace of chess- that his father introduced him to the game as a way to channel his young son's sharp mind. "It took me some time, but I was curious," Shreyas recalls, describing those first tentative steps. It wasn't until he started winning matches against other children at school that something inside him clicked. "And that got me hooked."
[caption id="attachment_40405" align="aligncenter" width="428"] A young Shreyas[/caption]
Discovering Chess
By six, his parents had signed him up at a local chess club in East Ham, where he trained under the guidance of a private coach. From then, chess became more than a hobby — it was the beginning of his journey into competitive arenas across Europe. His first taste of international success came in Greece, where he clinched silver at the European Schools Chess Championship. His skill and tenacity set him apart early on, winning him multiple awards, and soon, the young player from Woolwich was recognised as one of the country’s brightest prospects. Chris Ward, a British chess grandmaster, went as far as to say Shreyas was "the best prospect the country has ever seen."
The Biggest Challenge
But for all his success, life in the UK presented its own set of challenges. In 2018, the family faced the prospect of returning to India as his father's work visa neared expiration. The requirement? An income of £120,000 a year — far beyond his father’s reach. For a brief period, it seemed that Shreyas's chess journey might be cut short. However, the English Chess Federation, along with supporters in the political community, appealed to then-Home Secretary Sajid Javid, citing Shreyas's potential as an exceptional talent. Javid himself acknowledged, "The UK is a country that fosters world-class talent, and Shreyas is one of the most gifted chess players in his generation."
This was a turning point. The visa extension not only allowed Shreyas Royal to continue his journey but freed his family from an uncertain future, giving him the stability he needed to continue on his chess journey.
The Mind of a Chess Prodigy: Strategy and Preparation
From that point, Shreyas intensified his focus, opting for homeschooling to accommodate his training and tournament schedules. His strategy preparation became more methodical, studying opponents' strengths, weaknesses, and past games. "I check to see what openings he has struggled against in the past and also look at some of his statistics, how well he has fared against weaker opponents,” Shreyas explained. "Aiming for any type of an advantage with white and equality with black out of the opening are also very vital goals." The discipline, patience, and hours of practice were part of the foundation that helped him succeed at the Bavarian Open and beyond.
Shreyas's story is closely tied to the Indian community in the UK—a group that has maintained its cultural roots while contributing to many areas of British society. This community has played an important role in enriching the UK’s cultural and professional landscape. Shreyas represents this blend of Indian heritage and British identity, bringing pride to both. As the child of Indian immigrants, he comes from a tradition that values hard work, education, and resilience—qualities that clearly influence his approach to chess and life.
A Love for the Game Beyond Titles
Shreyas is now focused on achieving new goals. He dreams of becoming one of the world’s top 10 players and hopes to win the world championship by the time he's 21. However, his passion for chess isn’t just about the titles. "For me, it's not so much about the money," he said. "It's about having fun playing chess. I just enjoy it," said the Global Indian. This genuine love for the game keeps him coming back to the chessboard every single day.
Looking ahead, Shreyas understands there’s still a lot to learn. “It is a very fascinating game in which I feel I have a lot more to learn,” he says, reflecting his humility despite his achievements. For now, the young grandmaster-in-the-making stays focused on training and competing, fueled by the same curiosity that first drew him to the game.
Shrivalli with her parents[/caption]
Sandy Khanda[/caption]
Janaki Easwar[/caption]
A young Shreyas[/caption]
