(June 4, 2022) Remember when Psy’s foot-tapping number Gangnam Style opened up the doors to K-pop across the world? India, too, wasn’t far behind in lapping up the craze, which soon snowballed into the Korean wave. Now a decade later, a teenager from Odhisa has scripted history by becoming the first-ever K-pop star from India. Meet Shreya Lenka, the 18-year-old who has grabbed a spot in the Korean girl band Blackswan, and will soon brush shoulders with band members Youngheun, Fatou, Judy, and Leia. The Rourkela-born dancer and yoga practitioner beat thousands in auditions and trained for six months under DR Music to gain the top spot. Global Indian turns the spotlight on this Indian artist who is set to become a global icon.
Her journey with arts began in Rourkela when she started training in Odissi at an early age. However, financial constraints put a sudden halt to her plans after a year-and-a-half of grounding. But that didn’t deter her love for dance, instead, it pushed her to diversify into freestyle, hip-hop, and contemporary under the tutelage of renowned choreographer Madan Mohan Purthy.
Shreya Lenka is now a part of Blackswan
It was the boy band EXO that opened up the world of K-pop to Shreya, who instantly fell in love with Korean music, and soon found herself ‘fangirling’ for K-pop bands like BTS, Stray Kids, and The Boyz. This love for K-pop nudged her to apply for auditions online after one team member of Blackswan quit the band in 2020. Having chanced upon her golden ticket to the K-pop world, Shreya started preparing for the big opportunity. From practicing dance on her roof to starting a YouTube channel to learning Korean, the teenager did everything to get into the skin of a K-pop star. “I fell in love with K-pop when a friend showed Exo’s Growl to me. It was so unique that I started copying their moves. Then, I researched and came to know about PSY, Rania, BTS, Blackpink, and I dreamed of performing like them,” the Indian artist, who goes by the stage name Sriya, said in an interview.
But getting her first K-pop audition right was a mammoth task, especially with the world under lockdown. With no studios available to shoot her audition video, she knocked on the door of a yoga studio owner who agreed at the behest of Shreya’s aunt, who teaches yoga. “Qualifying in the first round of DR Music’s audition was an achievement as I was the only one from India to be selected from more than 4000 applicants around the world,” said the pop star who sent a dance and song video for the first round, and a dancer cover of Blackswan’s Tonight for the second round.
Shreya Lenka joins K-pop band Blackswan
While dance is her strength, the Indian artist had to work on her vocals. But she often found it hard to find a coach owing to her deep voice. That’s when her grandmom chipped in and found a Hindustani classical music teacher for her. She trained with him once a week and watched online tutorial videos to expand her vocal range. This fool proof preparation helped earn her a spot in Blackswan, something that she calls nothing short of a “dream.” “Being from a small town with fewer resources, facing difficulties is a part of my life, but I am determined to create a mark in the creative field,” she said.
(January 19, 2022) Come February, the world will witness two Indian child prodigies - young innovator Vinisha Umashankar and teen golfer Avani Prashanth gracing the stage in Dubai to receive the Global Child Prodigy Award 2022. If one is an activist to protect green cover, the other teen wonder is India’s number one amateur golfer. It’s their contribution to the world of innovation and sports that’s made them stand tall among the 100 child prodigies from across the globe. https://twitter.com/Vinisha27738476/status/1470675490134388739 With their passion, dynamism, and appetite to learn and adapt fast, the youth of today is bringing an incremental change in society, and putting India on the global map. While their work is attracting global attention, their efforts are being lauded and recognised too, helping catapult them into the league of future leaders. Be it social activist Devanshi Ranjan who has won the Diana Award 2021 for her work to uplift marginalised groups in highly sensitive rural areas in India or teenage brothers Vihaan and Nav Agarwal who received the Children’s Peace Prize 2021 for tackling pollution in their home city by recycling household waste - these youngsters are making the right noise with their work and the well-deserved recognition.
It's these laurels and accolades that has made these youngsters a name to reckon with, and helped them find their tribe. Bengaluru's Sia Godika was a regular teenager working for a social cause until she found herself in London brushing shoulders with the bigwigs while receiving the Diana Legacy Award 2021. The girl behind Sole Warriors initiative that collects used shoes, refurbishes them, and donates them to the needy, has found an army of supporters and mentors, thanks to the accolades bestowed on her.
“The recognition which ensues is extremely helpful as it allows me to build a network of volunteers, supporters, and mentors. During the Diana Legacy Award, I connected with many international do-gooders. I met a co-awardee from Liberia who was so impressed with my initiative that he is helping me expand Sole Warriors to his country,” Sia shares with Global Indian.
Amplifying the impact through guidance
The awards ceremonies often work as the perfect platform for young minds to meet mentors, exchange ideas, and find healthy support systems. This synergy helps amplify the impact multifold. STEM innovator Niharika Shukla, whose ASD device helps detect autism, agrees, “The support and mentorship I’ve received from companies through awards, scholarships, and programmes have enabled me to learn more about technology and increase my impact through creating innovations to solve problems.”
The 2021 Science Fair Grand Champion and Broadcom MASTERS Top 300, Niharika is finding solutions to global issues, and believes that the support paves a way for better prospects. “Even though I’m only 14-years-old, and in middle school, support and mentorship from companies encouraging youth innovators goes a long way in helping me pave a way for my future in STEM careers and studies in college in technology and innovation,” adds the 14-year-old researcher.
Sia, too, believes in the power of such opportunities as they open the floor for interaction and knowledge dissemination. “During the Diana Legacy Award ceremony, I had the opportunity to meet CEOs, entrepreneurs, volunteers, and influencers who have their social ventures. They taught us how to manage stress, set SMART goals for ourselves, deal with the mental challenges which come with working in a challenging sector at a young age,” adds Sia, the recipient of APJ Abdul Kalam Social Volunteer Award 2021. She informs that she will be a part of a two-year mentorship programme where awardees like her are helped by mentors in their initiatives.
Motivation is the key
For some youth, motivation is the driving force to keep up the good work, and Feeding India founder Ankit Kawatra is the perfect example of it. After being selected as the United National Young Leader for Sustainable Development Goals in 2016 for tackling the issue of food waste in India, he received the Queen Young Leaders Award in 2017 for his contribution to solving India’s hunger crisis. His exceptional work has helped serve over 15.3 crore meals as of September 2021, and he takes every award as a guiding light towards fulfilling his mission.
Sharing a picture with Queen Elizabeth II, he tweeted, “Throwback to the day I was honoured by Her Majesty the Queen of England at the Buckingham Palace for my work at @FeedingIndia. Thank you @queenscomtrust and my fellow @QueensLeaders for motivating me to always work harder!”
Vinisha, who designed solar ironing cart, found her moment in the sun after she received the Children's Climate Prize 2020 and was the finalist for The Earthshot Prize 2021. Calling the award a stepping stone,she says, "I was happy that environmental innovations like a solar ironing cart got due recognition. It can play a crucial role in reducing environmental damage and climate change. I hope my innovation motivates students to innovate on products that could help protect the environment for future generations. I am happy that the solar ironing cart is my little contribution towards an ambitious goal.”
Paving the future
But more than anything, these honours are helping young minds carve a bright future for themselves. For the Indian American 2021 Global Teen Leader Jeeva Senthilnathan, such recognition has helped her in building trust within the community. The Chicago-based teenager, who is hoping to create change through leadership and mental health awareness, calls it the perfect validation for her work.
“I want people to know that I am a trusted leader, and with these recognitions, I think that I know it will pave the way for me when I am older to gain other powerful political positions. We need more women in the office writing policies and leading the government. I hope to run for US Congress in the House of Representatives one day, and I want people to remember my name. These recognitions give me an opening into future college pursuits,” adds the winner of the Philanthropic Education Organization STAR Scholarship who ran for Parker Town Council.
Empowering youngsters
Awards are often a way of celebrating youngsters and turning on the spotlight on their work. Luke Tester, a judge for the Diana Award said in a statement, “Recognising young change makers can empower them, and those around them, to continue the good work – to let them know that the world has noticed and wants to say thank you. They may not be doing the task for recognition, but that certainly doesn’t mean that they don’t deserve it.”
If the International Eco-Hero awards honour the work of young environmentalists, Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar recognises children with exceptional abilities and achievements and Jefferson Awards praise the local unsung heroes who are making the world a better place through volunteering. The recognition not just helps them spread their wings but also makes them confident leaders.
“International awards and recognition give a lot of exposure to the children which eventually supports them in building a better career. It also enables them to indulge in creative innovations. Not only this, these awards encourage youngsters to think and act as global citizens,” says Vibha Suri, a teacher at Bhai Parmanand Vidya Mandir School, Delhi.
As more and more Indian-origin youngsters are coming into their own as entrepreneurs, innovators, and activists, the recognition is helping them find the courage to continue their initiatives and keep creating a change in society.
(June 25, 2023) "People say I live in a slum but I love my life! I hope to be a supermodel to help my family eat," reads 15-year-old Maleesha Kharwa's Insta bio. The teenager from Mumbai's slum is already inching towards her dream as she featured on the cover of Cosmopolitan and is now the face of a luxury beauty brand Forest Essentials. This was all a dream for her who lived in a makeshift shanty made of sticks, but things took a turn for the better when American actor Robert Hoffman spotted her in 2020. Little did Maleesha know that the encounter was set to change the course of her life. [caption id="attachment_31384" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Maleesha Kharwa[/caption] It was in the spring of 2020 that Step Up 2: The Streets actor Robert landed in Mumbai for the shoot of a music video for which he was scouting for an authentic slum dweller. One of his friends told him about this beautiful girl living in a slum. That's how he met Maleesha, then a 12-year-old with a "million-dollar smile" living on the streets of Mumbai. "I couldn't believe she was in the middle of Mumbai living on the street yet
usic video for which he was scouting for an authentic slum dweller. One of his friends told him about this beautiful girl living in a slum. That's how he met Maleesha, then a 12-year-old with a "million-dollar smile" living on the streets of Mumbai. "I couldn't believe she was in the middle of Mumbai living on the street yet nobody had discovered her. I came to realise this was because the Indian culture regards dark skin as unattractive. But I knew for sure the international beauty industry would see her differently, especially in tandem with her unforgettable levity and charm in spite of all else," said Hoffman. What was meant to be a short trip ended up in a five-month long stay, owing to the lockdown and pandemic. Though the music shoot was stalled indefinitely, he knew he had found a gem in Mumbai.
In pursuit of stardom
When Robert approached Maleesha, she was living in a slum in Bandra with her family in a house made of sticks, which was often razed down by the municipality, and the family would rebuild it for the umpteenth time. When asked about her dreams, she revealed that she wants to be a model. Despite her situation, Maleesha dreamt big, and Universe somehow conspired to get her what she wished for. Then in sixth standard in a government-run school, Maleesha undertook odd jobs to make money. "Sometimes my family will go to TV and movie sets hoping to get picked as background actors. This is how I got interested in becoming a professional child model! There are many jobs like children's clothing catalogues which I could potentially get cast in!," she wrote on her GoFundMe page.
When Robert met her and realised her potential, he knew the next step was to speak to her father, of course, with the help of an interpreter, explaining to them the opportunity that had the potential to change her life forever. "We spoke at great lengths, so I could be sure they understood that modelling was neither a guarantee, nor something that could be counted on forever," he told Better India, adding that after days of consultation, the family decided to let Maleesha give it a try.
The dawn of a new life
This gave Robert enough confidence to start an Instagram page, sharing Maleesha's story. His goal was to help her connect with a supportive and reliable community of women who are trustworthy and professional. He wanted her to have a strong network of peers, influence, and accountability.
The story touched the hearts of many cheering her on, and soon earned her the moniker of Slum Princess, who now boasts of 332k followers on Instagram. While she found fame on social media, Robert had to figure out the legalities before letting her start her modelling career. "We began speaking to NGOs, the US consulate in Mumbai, entertainment figureheads, and unending voluntary consultants about how to craft Maleesha’s movement and the GoFundMe account for her ( which has amounted to $14,873 so far) in the most delicate way, considering her age and socioeconomic status," he told the website.
[caption id="attachment_31383" align="aligncenter" width="603"] Maleesha Kharwa with Robert Hoffman[/caption]
The same year, she featured on the cover of Peacock Magazine, thus inspiring millions that "those who dare to dream often find a way to make them come true." That was her big breakthrough, and soon more modelling projects starting lining up for the teenager. She even featured on the cover of Cosmopolitan's 26th anniversary issue in 2022. The money from the modelling assignments helped her rent a one-room flat in a tenement in Mumbai. "Earlier, we did not have proper electricity, we had to go far to fetch water but now we have a power connection, there is a ceiling fan, we have tap water," she told a daily, adding, "The municipality would often demolish our huts but now we have a safer roof over our heads. My father is proud of me."
[caption id="attachment_31382" align="aligncenter" width="512"] Maleesha Kharwa on the cover of Cosmopolitan[/caption]
However, Robert wants Maleesha to strike a healthy balance between modelling and leading a normal life, and has made it clear that her work hours would be limited. "Education would always come first, and that modelling stops if grades go down. Early on, it was decided that Maleesha would stay clear of pageants and mass-auditioning. In fact, Maleesha has yet to go to a single audition. Every job so far has come to her. The kid and her story are truly magic," he added.
Encouraging Indian women to embrace natural beauty
In a country that's obsessed with fair skin, the metrics are alarming as India Fairness Cream and Bleach Market Outlook report revealed that the market is anticipated to grow six percent CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) by 2027-28. However, Maleesha is on a mission to encourage women, especially youngsters to embrace natural beauty. "I see beauty in everything. Many people think that only light skin is beautiful … I just think it is silly. It is not how I see the world. Beautiful faces are nice but beauty is more important on the inside. I love my complexion and I feel perfect. I am very happy that I can share the message that there is no proper rule for girls and women to follow. They can do whatever they want to do. I am happy that I can inspire other girls and tell them that they are special," she added.
Maleesha's story is one of hope and faith. From scraping for food to finally getting a chance to follow her dreams, the teen has come a long way. "My journey is proof that nothing is impossible...you just need to keep trying."
(April 9, 2022) Proving President Joe Biden’s words, “Indian Americans are taking over the country,” right, several Indian-origin kids have been winning big at the Regeneron Science Talent Search every year. Also called the US’ Junior Nobel, several Indian-origin high school students have secured positions among the top 10 finalists at this STEM competition, which discovers the most innovative budding scientists. Inspired by compelling issues that cripple the pace of day-to-day life, these students have developed simple, unique, low-cost solutions for humankind. Established in 1942 to recognise the best and brightest young scientists for demonstrating exceptional scientific leadership potential, Regeneron Science Talent Search, a programme of the Society for Science, is USA's oldest and most prestigious pre-college science and mathematics competition. Global Indian takes a look at five Indian-origin students, who have the potential to become scientists and innovators. Neil Chowdhury, 18, Washington, US An 18-year-old from Washington, Neil Chowdhury’s success in the Regeneron Science Talent Search 2022 is inspiring. He finished fifth among the top 10 winners of the United States’ Junior Nobel in stem and received a cash award of $90,000 for his project, “Modeling the Effect of Histone Methylation on Chromosomal Organisation in Colon Cancer Cells,” an
rd of $90,000 for his project, “Modeling the Effect of Histone Methylation on Chromosomal Organisation in Colon Cancer Cells,” an innovative computational method of studying the role of histones implicated in colon cancer.
[caption id="attachment_14491" align="aligncenter" width="782"] Neil Chowdhury[/caption]
The project he submitted to the Regeneron Science Talent Search shows that histone proteins cause changes to the way a long string of DNA loops and coils fit inside the nucleus of a cell. Explaining his project, Neil had earlier said that being able to simulate biological systems and develop models of 3D genome, can help us to better understand the inner workings of the cells.
In his experiment, Neil tried to replicate the method of modulating the DNA’s physical formation using molecular simulations of DNA polymers and coded the simulation in Python, an open-source programming language. His experiment shows that a modification of histone proteins can help with colon cancer by causing changes in the folding of DNA strings. Neil is exploring DNA, the basic building blocks of life, and will use the money to help pay tuition at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is currently studying at the Phillips Exeter Academy (New Hampshire) and has applied for Primes, a research programme offered to high school students by MIT.
Just 17 and already going places. Indian-American student, Pravalika Gayatri Putalapattu won the seventh place at the 2022 Regeneron Science Talent Search. Pravalika, a resident of Virginia, received a cash award of $70,000 for her project on real-time monitoring of laparoscopic surgeries. A student at the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Pravalika designed a video-assisted programme that uses machine learning to detect errors, if any, in surgical steps that doctors take in the operating room so that a corrective measure can be taken immediately.
“My programme was inspired by my cousin in India, who died of a preventable brain surgery complication,” Pravalika had shared during the competition, adding, "I wanted to create a tool that alleviates surgeons’ stress and helps them perform better in the operating room.”
Pravalika started working on Dynamic Operating Room Companion (also known as DORC) in July 2020 and her goal was to reduce the potential for mistakes in gallbladder surgeries. Using machine learning, DORC analyses live surgery videos and tracks the movements of surgical tools, such as the acceleration and velocity in use. DORC uses this info to flag potential errors.
This 17-year-old from Portland, Oregon secured the fourth position at the Regeneron Science Talent Search 2021. A homeschooled math genius, Gopal made it to the top 10 for his research on mathematical properties of random matrices, for which he received a $100,000 award. For his project, he made connections between two mathematical objects related to randomness and probability.
Speaking about his journey, Gopal shared during an earlier interview that homeschooling gave him the opportunity to explore the areas of study he loved at his own pace. His father piqued his interest in physics, and they started going through most of Halliday Resnick 2nd edition together. The young scientist believes that his work may be useful to the fields of nuclear physics, quantum field theory, and meteorology. He hopes that it will aid in the search for the true nature of quantum gravity, more commonly known as “the theory of everything.”
Gopal, who is currently pursuing his undergraduate in math, science, music, and philosophy at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is confident that the award-winning research will play a key role in the field of meteorology, nuclear physics, and quantum field theory. His research is on the connection between randomness and probability.
The math genius was also a coach for the USA Physics and Math Olympiads and volunteers in the memory care unit of an assisted living facility. He also holds a Taekwondo black belt and enjoys performing Indian classical music.
Among the top 10 winners of the 2021 Regeneron Science Talent Search, 17-year-old Alay Shah from Texas finished seventh and earned a $70,000 award for developing a possible low-cost alternative to MRIs. Through his research titled, “identifying eye-movement patterns in neurological disorders to assess cognitive and motor function,” Alay developed a tool to test eye movement as a low-cost, non-invasive method of quantifying deep brain function. He wrote the software, built the hardware, and conducted clinical testing on dementia, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, and ADHD patients.
On knowing that injured footballers are immediately taken for an eye check-up to find concussions, Alay started working on the idea of using abnormal eye movements for accurate detection of several neurological disorders. During a session with the media, Alay, who is currently studying computer science and cognitive science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, had shared that he is a big believer in project-based learning. And that he took a look at the current eye-tracking standard, and used a combination of a set of intelligent algorithms to redefine the technique at its core.
A resident of Plano, Alay has integrated into the device an infrared camera that uses his coded software. The device also uses deep learning algorithms to analyse and interpret the data on pupil movement. He has already tested the tool successfully on 200 patients.
Currently pursuing a degree in chemical and physical biology at Harvard University, Indrani Das took home the top prize of $250,000 for her winning project focused on brain injury at the 2017 Regeneron Science Talent Search. By manipulating astrocytes, a type of supporting brain cell in an injury model, Indrani worked to promote neuron repair.
A contributor to neuron death is astrogliosis, a condition that occurs when cells called astrocytes react to injury by growing, dividing, and reducing their uptake of glutamate, which in excess is toxic to neurons. In a laboratory model, Indrani showed that exosomes isolated from astrocytes transfected with microRNA-124a both improved astrocyte uptake of glutamate and increased neuron survival. Explaining her research, Das said that when Alzheimer’s, Parkinson's, stroke, or a traumatic injury affects the brain, the neurons, which are the main signal cells of the brain, are killed. Next, the supporting cells - astrocytes - that are supposed to nurture and protect the neurons, go awry and create a toxic chemical environment, poisoning the neurons.
Though Indrani comes from a family of bankers, she decided to take a very different path. Sharing how her family’s journey helped her win the award, Indrani had said that her parents worked full-time day jobs while securing additional degrees by night, and saved religiously for over a decade before her birth to give Indrani a quality education.
Grief had debilitated him and Rishab Rikhiram Sharma locked himself in his room, turning himself away from the love of his life - his sitar. Growing up, the instrument had always been his greatest source of comfort, his "happy place," the thing he turned to in good times and bad. When he lost his grandfather before the pandemic, his "third parent and best friend," there was no comfort to be found. Global Indian looks at how this young prodigy, the youngest and final disciple of Pandit Ravi Shankar, pulled himself out of his abyss, picked up his sitar once more and found a way to bring peace to other people through the music that had given him so much. At 24, Rishab, the founder of Sitar for Mental Health, has performed before a live audience of 60,000 and appeared on Indian reality TV shows and channels. [caption id="attachment_25588" align="aligncenter" width="660"] Rishab Rikhiram Sharma, founder of 'Sitar for Mental Health'[/caption] The Rikhiram legacy Born in Delhi into a renowned family of luthiers, the Rikhirams, Rishab laughs as he recalls never being allowed to touch the sitar. His grandfather, Rikhiram, after whom the family business was named, crafted instruments for India's top
Born in Delhi into a renowned family of luthiers, the Rikhirams, Rishab laughs as he recalls never being allowed to touch the sitar. His grandfather, Rikhiram, after whom the family business was named, crafted instruments for India's top musicians, including Pandit Ravi Shankar. "My parents didn't let me touch the sitar for the longest time. I come from a family of instrument makers, we have been doing it since 1920. When I was a child, I wanted to get my hands on the sitar but my parents said no, saying it is a sacred instrument. When someone tells you not to do something as a kid, you want to do it even more," he said in a recent interview.
Rishab was, however, allowed to play the guitar and got quite good at it, "playing songs and barre chords and everything." One day, a broken sitar was sent back to the house. His father, the national award-winning luthier Sanjay Sharma, fixed it up and left it on the wall to dry. Rishab looked at it quietly, gathering the courage after a couple of days to ask his father for permission to play it. Finally, his father consented. He held the sitar in his hand, it was a fretted instrument, like the guitar. "I figured out 'sa ri ga ma' within minutes and started playing Bollywood songs," he recalls. "I was 10 at the time."
Finding a guru
His father was impressed and agreed to teach his son, becoming his first guru. In 2011, his father allowed him to perform on stage for the first time. That debut performance caught the eye of sitar legend Pt Ravi Shankar, whose own instrument had been made by Sanjay Sharma. He rang Sharma the next day, saying, "Bring Rishab to Delhi when I am there."
[caption id="attachment_25594" align="aligncenter" width="704"] Rishab with his father, Sanjay Sharma[/caption]
When the maestro was in town, the family duly paid him a visit. "He surprised us by offering to make me his disciple," Rishab said in an interview. "That was the moment I fell in love with the sitar and decided to make it my life." He was around 12 at the time.
Being a disciple of Pandit Ravi Shankar is perhaps the greatest honour that a young musician can ask for but Rishab learned, quite quickly, that it wouldn't be easy. His guru was a strict teacher, pushing his students as much as he could to unleash their potential. "That strictness was only during the teaching," Rishab laughed. "The moment we left the music room, he would chat with me, about my favourite food, my girlfriends. I had a great time with him and there were moments when I got scolded, 'Are you stupid or what?' he would say."
With such tutelage to guide him, Rishab's career blossomed - in 2016, he was among the lineup at Howdy Modi in Texas, playing to an audience of 65,000 people, who sang in chorus as he played 'Sare Jahan Se Accha'. He has been mentored by Pandit Parimal Sadaphal, one of Pandit Ravi Shankar's seniormost disciples and by Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Ustad Rais Khan and Pandit Arun Bharatram.
Coping with grief
In 2020, his world came crashing down. Rishab's grandfather, the man who was always in the front row, clapping when his grandson played, passed away. All his life, the sitar had been Rishab's ultimate therapy, "If I was angry, I would practice for hours and let the emotions flow. When I lost my grandfather, I was grieving, I stopped playing." He stayed in his bedroom instead, barely eating or sleeping, struggling to cope.
Finally, Rishab's friends suggested therapy. He looked for help online but this was the pandemic, everybody was struggling and there were no therapists available. By this time, the family had moved to New York and Rishab was studying music production and economics at the City University in New York. Rishab went to a psychiatrist - at the time he didn't know the difference. The psychiatrist was patient with him and Rishab came away knowing that he couldn't give up on his music.
Sitar for Mental Health
Looking for an outlet, he went live on social media. Clubhouse, the invite-only voice-based social networking platform that was popular at the time. Rishab opened a hosting room and went live. Three people turned up. The next day, there were six. The number grew and eventually, Rishab had around 4,000 people listening in the audience. "It was a beautiful space because I wasn't just playing the sitar. I was talking about grief. Other people opened up too, they made music and recited poetry."
The Clubhouse event grew into Sitar for Mental Health, which Rishab continues to sustain. The event always begins with ten minutes of breathing exercises before the show itself, leading into the Jod and Alaap he learned from his gurus. "I am no therapist. I am just using my music to heal people in all ways possible," Rishab told NDTV.
These days, he plays a lot of bhajans, he says. He's also working on an EP called Sitar 'n Chill, making romantic sitar music, he chuckles. Another album, Navaras, explores the nine human emotions. A big hip-hop fan, he hopes to collaborate with Kanye West and Drake, given the chance and if he had his pick of Indian musicians, Nav and Diljit Dosanjh.
Follow Rishab Rikhiram Sharma on Instagram and Facebook
(September 7, 2023) In recent years, India has witnessed an incredible surge in young minds embarking on adventures abroad to pursue their dreams. Just in 2023, over 1.5 million Indian students are gearing up to spread their wings in foreign lands, marking an astonishing 68.79 percent surge from the year before. Yet, the prospect of studying far away from home, without a familiar support system, can seem like an Everest-sized challenge. But fear not! In the midst of the ever-expanding universe of influencers and content creators, a unique tribe has emerged – the education influencers. These remarkable individuals have become your go-to gurus, not only guiding you on college choices and career paths but also unlocking the mysteries of life as an international student, exploring foreign shores, managing your finances, and plotting your course towards a dream job. What sets these influencers apart is their knack for transforming the sea of online information into bite-sized, captivating wisdom. Whether you're seeking the perfect academic haven diving deep into your chosen field of study, grappling with student visa intricacies, or hunting down elusive scholarships, they're your one-stop-shop for academic enlightenment. But they're not just about textbooks and exams; they spill the beans
they spill the beans on living it up on foreign campuses, globe-trotting adventures, making that foreign coin, and eventually planting roots in a new land. Global Indian puts the spotlight on some of these influencers, who are making life easier for Indian students abroad.
Hiral Sejpal
Meet Hiral, an international educator who embodies an insatiable passion for learning and an unwavering commitment to lifelong education. Her story begins on the historic campus of Oxford University, where she developed a profound love for knowledge, a legacy passed down from her father, a Sanskrit professor. Her educational journey led her to India, where she uncovered the critical intersection of marginalised communities and education. Fuelled by her deep-seated passion for science and an unyielding dedication to ensuring equitable access for all, this influencer embarked on a journey into the world of cancer research, eventually finding her way to the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Canada.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=za3rveLnxXI
During her time at UBC, she seamlessly blended her scientific expertise with a focus on education, specialising in equity, diversity, accessibility, and leadership. Throughout her educational odyssey, she eagerly volunteered at the First Nations House of Learning and provided English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction to newcomers in Canada. Hiral is fully committed to enhancing student services, nurturing teacher development, fostering student engagement, and facilitating cross-cultural dialogues. But here's the kicker: this influencer isn't just about exploring the myriad career paths you might consider; she's here to guide you on the journey to securing admission to your dream institution.
Sheenam Gautam
Ever dreamed of studying and living in the vibrant landscapes of Germany? Well, it's high time to turn those dreams into reality, and Sheenam, a trailblazing Indian education influencer, is here to make it happen. Drawing from her inspiring journey, Sheenam is on a mission to help you achieve your ambitions. Her content is a treasure trove of insights, offering you a comprehensive guide to life, study, and even securing permanent residency in Germany.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hf5irXPW33Y
But that's not all. Sheenam's material goes beyond the textbooks and classrooms. Unlike several other influencers, Hiral dives into the nitty-gritty of budget-friendly travel, unveils the best drugstore cosmetics in Germany, dishes out insider tips on where to dine, where to call home, and so much more. Currently pursuing an Oncology major at Julius Maximilian's University of Würzburg in Germany, Sheenam's passion lies in unraveling the mysteries of the tumor microenvironment, exploring immuno-based therapies, and bridging the gap between science and the world. Beyond her scientific pursuits, she's an entrepreneur at heart, having recently co-founded two ed-tech startups, driven by her excitement for the startup ecosystem. She's not just a dreamer; she's a doer, and she's here to guide you on your path to success in Germany.
Gursahib Singh
Gursahib is your go-to guru for mastering the art of pursuing a degree and securing employment in the Canadian landscape. As a proud graduate of Confederation College in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada, this influencer's passion lies in guiding students and providing invaluable assistance. Gursahib is your trusted source for all things related to residing in Canada, drawing from his own rich tapestry of life experiences.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peNQT3NDq5k
In his free time, Singh dedicates himself to creating two to three engaging Instagram videos each week, where he imparts wisdom on a diverse range of topics. Whether it's navigating the aisles of Canadian grocery stores, landing that coveted part-time job, or managing your clothing budget in the Great White North, Gursahib has got you covered with reliable advice and practical insights.
Bani Singh
Contemplating a study abroad adventure? The concern of managing your finances while in a foreign land may be looming large. Fear not, because Bani, a rising Indian education influencer on Instagram, has all the answers you need and more, conveniently packaged in her engaging Instagram reels. Bani isn't just your financial guru; she's your one-stop destination for a wealth of information on universities and suitable programs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmTLFId-iNM
But that's not all – this influencer wears many hats. She's also a seasoned career coach and the co-founder of Now&Me, a compassionate platform where people can openly share their emotions without fear of judgment. Drawing from her own experiences, this influencer is an alumna of the prestigious Schulich School of Business, Canada's top-notch business school. In addition to Schulich, she earned admission to esteemed institutions like the University of Waterloo and the University of Texas. With Bani as your guide, your study abroad dreams are about to become a reality.
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Maleesha Kharwa on the cover of Cosmopolitan[/caption]
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Pravalika Gayatri Putalapattu[/caption]
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Rishab with his father, Sanjay Sharma[/caption]