Global Indianstory Global Indian ExclusiveShripriya Kalbhavi: Indian-American teen wins big at 3M Young Scientist Challenge for her invention

Shripriya Kalbhavi: Indian-American teen wins big at 3M Young Scientist Challenge for her invention

Compiled by: Team GI Youth

(October 28, 2023) The ninth grader at Lynbrook High School in San Jose was in for a surprise when she won second place at the 2023 3M Young Scientist Challenge. Shripriya Kalbhavi has been working on her invention – EasyBZ for a while now, but had no idea that it would win her a spot at America’s biggest middle school science competition. The Indian-American teen will receive a cash prize of $2000 for developing a cost-effective microneedle patch that allows for self-automated drug delivery without pills or needles.

“I am really passionate about making sure that everyone is comfortable with the medical treatment that they are receiving, and I really want people to have long-term solutions to their chronic conditions. With the EasyBZ microneedle patch, I have always hoped that people can receive painless treatment that accommodates their medical needs, whether it be children who have diabetes or adults who suffer from forms of dementia like Alzheimer’s,” she wrote in a blog. For someone who has always been keen to contribute to society, she found her answer in science and research.

Shripriya Kalbhavi | Global Indian

Growing up, Shripriya was scared of needles and hated getting injections. It not only made her uncomfortable but also induced a sense of fear in her. She realised that many people, especially children, like her who feared needles had no solution other than being told they had to face their fears. “For me, it was not very fun to have a huge needle being stuck into my arm. It was uncomfortable and frightening, and I don’t think that anyone should have to deal with something that makes them feel like their pain, fear, or struggles are less than worthy of care.” Moreover, seeing This didn’t sit right with her and she decided to come up with EasyBZ microneedle patch, “which actively delivers medication to patients painlessly and can deliver doses over a long period of time.”

“Microneedles reduce the pain factor, while the Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction, along with an oscillating hydrogel, helps manage doses and actively deliver medication,” added Shripriya who was keen to help people who require long-term injections. “Such as kids with diabetes, by making their insulin therapy more convenient or something that could also benefit those who cannot take medications on their own, such as dementia or Alzheimer’s patients. Hypodermic needles can be a real pain. I really wanted to redesign this problem and help many people in the process. In addition, I also wanted to take into consideration the pain and fear aspect of it.”

It was in November 2022 that Shripriya started playing around with the idea of a microneedle patch that autonomously delivers medication using a self-oscillating hydrogel back. She spent hours researching drug delivery methods, hydrogels, and microneedle technologies. “Understanding how things already work and their limitations sparked new ideas for my project. Research guided me in designing the most effective prototypes.” However, she was still unsure of the materials that she could use to make the prototype. That’s when her mentor Dr. PJ Flanigan stepped in and helped turn her idea into a possible solution. “The summer mentorship is what really has allowed me to take my project to the next level. With the advice and help of my mentor, Dr. PJ Flanigan, as well as all of the 3M materials that have helped me put together my prototypes, I have been able to level up my project in terms of design, efficiency, results, chemistry, and more. With the help of a 3M scientist, I feel like my project has an even greater potential to help so many people,” she added.

Follow Shripriya Kalbhavi on LinkedIn

Name*

Email*

Name*

Email*

0 Comments

Inline Feedbacks

View all comments

Published on 28, Oct 2023

Share with

ALSO READ

Across the metaverse: Chennai’s Sanchi Taleda one of 79 NFT artists to showcase her work at Times Square

(July 12, 2022) Sanchi Taleda was "beyond thrilled" and also, "a little confused," when she heard the news that her NFT was to be displayed in the Metaverse. Just like that, the 22-year-old artist found her name in lights, with her work, Quarter Past Midnight, splashed across a Times Square billboard on June 19, the opening night of NFT.NYC. She's one of 79 artists (and one of the youngest of the lot) from around the world to have their work showcased on the first night of the week-long event. [caption id="attachment_19157" align="aligncenter" width="604"] Quarter Past Midnight, by Sanchi Taleda. Photo credit: Instagram[/caption] A dose of (augmented) reality For one week, the young NFT artist was given access to cryptovoxels.com, one of the largest and most popular metaverse spaces. "It was very intimidating," she tells Global Indian. "I was one of the youngest artists among a group of people who had massive fan bases. I was wondering how I fit in there, to be honest, but it was an amazing experience." After the billboard display, her work was showcased at a virtual gallery, at an exhibition titled 'Figureglyphs', which dealt with artistic interpretations of the human body. "It was an augmented

ntimidating," she tells Global Indian. "I was one of the youngest artists among a group of people who had massive fan bases. I was wondering how I fit in there, to be honest, but it was an amazing experience." After the billboard display, her work was showcased at a virtual gallery, at an exhibition titled 'Figureglyphs', which dealt with artistic interpretations of the human body. "It was an augmented reality setup, where people could walk (physically) through Times Square and use their phones to enter virtual galleries in the Metaverse.”

Where it began

It all began with a Discord group, where "they had put out a search for artists," she recalls. The young NFT artist had just begun sharing her work on Opensea, when she stumbled upon a call for artists put out by SearchLight.Art. To her, the chances of being accepted seemed so remote that Sanchi, acting almost on a whim, sent out a piece of work she had already completed. "Here I was, trying to understand how NFTs work and suddenly, I'm part of a gallery in the Metaverse and being told my art would be on a billboard in Times Square."

Back in 2020, Sanchi, who will graduate soon from the Measi Academy of Architecture, was given an iPad to help her with college assignments. "Instead, I got into digital illustrations," she says. "It was just fun for me, a break from college." She began researching NFTs and wondered if she could enter the space herself. She pleaded with her brother to get her a crypto wallet - "He did, but only after I had done my research," she laughs.

Seeking magic in the mundane

"Where do I find inspiration? It happens when I go walking through the streets, that inspires me the most," Sanchi says. An experienced swimmer, Sanchi walks to the pool every day, soaking in the countless, poignant vignettes that make up everyday life on the bustling streets of an Indian city. "One day, for instance, I saw a man yawning to himself and scratching his head. It was such a busy road but he was lost in his own world. It made me wonder what his life is like, what he has been through."

[caption id="attachment_19160" align="aligncenter" width="521"] Photo credit: Instagram[/caption]

The ideas take seed, she says, when she's actually in the pool, swimming. "That's my time to take stock of what I have seen, to understand what has inspired me." Her art itself, however, is unplanned - she begins with an idea and let it take form. "I don't always know what it will turn out to be," Sanchi remarks. It's an advantage, she agrees, to being a digital artist working with a tool like ProCreate. Here, she has greater room for spontaneity, vastly different to conventional art where usually, everything is planned to the last detail before it makes it to the physical canvas. "I simply allow myself to draw and as I do, find different ways to build on it."

Unassuming and even a little reticent – Sanchi is not given to words, preferring to let her art speak for her. And it does. Her digital artwork, all done at home on her iPad, is reminiscent (although she doesn't intend it to be), of the Surrealists. She simply smiles at the reference - she's familiar with their work Sanchi does not borrow, her work as an artist is deeply introspective, taken from everyday scenes in the streets of Chennai, where she is based. "I want people to look at my work and go, 'but what is she thinking'? Everyone who looks at my art should interpret it differently." The NFT artist mentions digital creators like David Shrigley, who has a huge following on Instagram. Although their work is nothing alike, "he makes you think and that's what I want to do as an artist."

Breaking the norms of architecture – and art

[caption id="attachment_19163" align="aligncenter" width="494"] Photo credit: Instagram[/caption]

Now in her final year at Measi, Sanchi has created for herself a way to think in abstract terms, producing work that is very removed from the conventional approach. Her friends, she says, became used to her huddling in a corner and scribbling away - "They all know I'm a little different," she smiles. "I would spend my days scribbling my own drawings instead of actually listening in class." She shied away from "the usual rectangles, squares and boxy designs," preferring to work with shapes like triangles. "My professor would ask me, 'How do you even think this way'? It took some convincing but, in the end, he told me that he likes my designs the best." At home, however, there is no need for convincing - her father, she says, is her biggest fan. "He even comes up with names for my work."

Sanchi, who is even toying with the idea of being an architect in the Metaverse, where she can give her abstract thinking full rein, intends to do her master's degree in the UK. It's the only place "which offers courses that bridge art and architecture. I want to be at that intersection."

Follow Sanchi on Instagram, Twitter and check out her work on Opensea.io

Reading Time: 6 min

A ‘voter-gait’ to create true democracy: Lawyer-activist Chaitanya Prabhu raps for rights

(April 1, 2022) In 2018 while searching the internet for a new (coloured) voter id, Chaitanya Prabhu discovered that all the processes to register and upgrade were simple and swift. Yet, enquiring if his friends had their new and improved voter id, he was shocked to learn that many had not even registered to vote, and thus were unaware of the simple online process. It left him flabbergasted. Determined to help his friends get a voter id done, he started a movement. “What started as a small action slowly took the shape of the Mark Your Presence campaign. By word of mouth the information spread, and many people started approaching me for their voter ids,” says Chaitanya in a conversation with Global Indian. The campaign evolved as a result of what people wanted. The need came from the masses and his movement gained impetus. It became so impactful that the Mumbai-based 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 reaped great rewards. [caption id="attachment_13871" align="aligncenter" width="617"] Chaitanya Prabhu, lawyer-activist, founder of Mark Your Presence[/caption] Lighting

nt_13871" align="aligncenter" width="617"] Chaitanya Prabhu, lawyer-activist, founder of Mark Your Presence[/caption]

Lighting up young minds

His dedication didn’t escape the notice of the chief electoral officer, state election commission of Maharashtra and chief electoral officer of Delhi. They offered full support to Chaitanya’s non-profit and non-partisan organisation. Currently doing a master’s in public policy at St Xavier’s College, Chaitanya gained an insight into how policies are framed. The lawyer-activist addresses his two awards as “extreme light in the darkness.” Since he began, he has mobilised more than 26,000 youngsters to take their first steps towards being responsible citizens of a democracy. Today, Mark Your Presence has 430 volunteers, and 25 core team members.

[embed]https://twitter.com/chaitanyavotes/status/1409537501304217600?s=20&t=HTxDyXwfQFVfwJHAl_-FIA[/embed]

“Mark your Presence also offers a leadership fellowship, where we train young people (between 16 and 22) to take part in strengthening the Indian democratic system, and turn every institution into a voter-friendly campus. Selected after diligent screening, they become part of our forum - a certificate and letter of recommendation from the election commission of Maharashtra,” says Chaitanya.

An activist soul

The lawyer-activist has visited top schools and colleges in Mumbai and Delhi for seminars and speeches to empower the youth to become politically aware voters, and choose representatives well – echoing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). “I want to reduce the huge gap that lies between the young population and the people’s representatives so they make informed choices to make our country leap ahead with the right leadership,” says Chaitanya who is also a national level athlete.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOcjO7U7dZY

Winning mantra

An athlete, winning is ingrained in him, and so is perseverance. His sporty side played a large role in shaping this young activist. “I might be seen as a young person with full access to the election commission of Maharashtra but that has come after four years of slogging to prove my mettle,” smiles the young activist, adding, “Wading through bureaucracy hasn’t been easy.”

The founder of Mark Your Presence has represented Maharashtra in track and field events (400 meters) at nationals, and has won DSO national, open national and AISM national championships.

[caption id="attachment_13876" align="aligncenter" width="675"] Chaitanya with his grand-father[/caption]

Incidentally, Chaitanya’s grandfather, MH Prabhu, who passed away a couple of months ago at the age of 101, has been his biggest inspiration. “He was a freedom fighter. My passion to make people aware of democracy and be conscious about their rights comes from him. Having grown up in his presence, it was impossible to remain untouched by the values he stood for, that led him to fight for our Independence; playing a crucial role in the nation’s history. I learned about rights from him,” says the doting grandson.

The extra mile…

“After having helped thousands register, I have come to see that it’s not enough. It led me to start educating the youth about the basics of the Constitution and how they cannot ignore their duty,” Chaitanya explains. Though he is compelled to admit that there is much more to be done.

His Youth Manifesto movement stems from this believe - to ignite young minds and encourage collaboration among long-time youth advocates, environmentalists, activists and emerging leaders. “We want the voices of the young people to be heard by those who matter,” Chaitanya remarks. Rampant discussion on topics that matter, Chaitanya helps these ideas reach changemakers. The team has been working on the manifesto for the past six months and expects it to be ready by May. The movement gained further momentum when Navya Naveli Nanda, the entrepreneur granddaughter of Amitabh Bachchan, and Malhar Kamble, founder of Beach Please joined Chaitanya.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by chaitanya prabhu (@chaitanya_prabhu)

His idea is that the youth manifesto reaches relevant ministries, BMC commissioner and CM of Maharashtra. From working on the ground, reaching slums, high-rises, he feels everyone wants their aspirations addressed, "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," he adds.

His larger aim is to increase the number of voter registrations, educate voters, and soar up the voter turnout. “I intend to keep scaling the initiatives,” says the idealist who inadvertently created micro-targeted campaigns like “art for right,” “rap for rights,” “speak for rights” and “she votes.” “Convincing is a difficult job, it requires patience but I never give up on this path of fighting unawareness,” Chaitanya signs off.

Follow Chaitanya Prabhu on Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn

Reading Time: 5 mins

Tharaagai Aarathana: 9-year-old swims across the Palk Strait to raise awareness on ocean pollution

(April 13, 2024) "Are there any fishes in the water?" or "What's the depth of the water" were some of the questions that a curious 9-year-old scuba diver and eco-crusader Tharaagai Aarathana asked her father Aravind Tharunsri before starting to swim across the Palk Strait in the beautiful morning of April 3, 2024 at Talaimannar in Sri Lanka. Having waited out for 1.5 hours for the wind to calm down, she along with her dad and cousin Nishvik were ready to take the plunge in the calming water of the ocean. "I am comfortable with deep water, otherwise I get scared to jump into the water as you can touch the sea floor," smiles Tharaagai as she connects with Global Indian. Swim across the Palk Strait It's the first time that a father-daughter duo has swam across the Palk Strait together, clocking an impressive time of 11 hours and 30 minutes and securing a place in Assist World Records. However, their motivation transcends mere record-breaking; their swim is for a bigger purpose - to raise awareness about ocean pollution and environment conservation. Tharaagai was only three when she began accompanying her father to weekly beach cleanups and soon learnt about

hours and 30 minutes and securing a place in Assist World Records. However, their motivation transcends mere record-breaking; their swim is for a bigger purpose - to raise awareness about ocean pollution and environment conservation. Tharaagai was only three when she began accompanying her father to weekly beach cleanups and soon learnt about ocean pollution, leading her to take charge as an eco-crusader. Even during the 30-km long stretch between Talaimannar in Sri Lanka and Dhanuskodi in Tamil Nadu, the trio remained committed to their cause, gathering 6 kgs of plastic waste. "Every piece of plastic we spotted floating on the ocean's surface, we made sure to retrieve and stow away in the boat," recalls Tharaagai.

Enduring nearly 12 hours in the water is no easy feat, especially for a nine-year-old who was accompanied by her seven-year-old cousin Nishvik. "I have been swimming since I was three. All these years of water adaptation have helped me stay put for a very long time. With each challenge, I push outside my comfort zone and that's what I did with the Palk Strait swim too. At times, we have to face strong currents or daunting waves but we adapt to the challenges and face them," smiles the eco-crusader.

The 30-km swim

The journey began from Dhanuskodi after getting clearance from both the Indian and Sri Lankan governments. "We boarded a mother boat in the afternoon of April 2 to reach Talaimannar in four hours. The big boat provides essential amenities like beds, food, and restroom facilities. It also carries the support crew consisting of doctors, physiotherapists, and their assistants, two support swimmers, and a kayak," reveals Aravind, who is a scuba diving instructor. To ensure their safety, they were accompanied by a mother boat, a rescue boat, a backup boat, and a kayak.

Starting in the wee hours of April 3, Aravind, Tharaagai, and Nishvik, who were waiting for the weather to clear out, braced themselves for a long day ahead. "It's a non-stop journey without any breaks," explains Aravind, adding, "You can drink water or eat a banana or dates or nuts from the accompanying kayak." However, setting off before dawn had its perks as they had the opportunity to witness bioluminescence, (emission of light by living organisms), which captivated the two kids. "That's one of the things we love about night swimming," smiles the girl.

[caption id="attachment_37127" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Swimming across the Palk Strait[/caption]

Given their years of swimming experience, the duo didn't undergo any special preparation for the 30km swim. "We have been constantly swimming and gymming - for stretching to avoid any cramps during swimming along with some cardio," reveals Aravind for whom mental fortitude was equally important as he recognised the unpredictability of the ocean.

With decades of scuba diving experience under his belt, Aravind felt relatively prepared for the challenges. "Throughout the swim, I kept the kids motivated by engaging in small talk or plays so that they don't fell the fatigue. I kept them distracted so that they dwell on how far is the finishing line," he laughs. However, the final four hours proved to be the most challenging as they had to swim against the current. "If we stop swimming, the current would push us back. So, we kept moving forward despite the strong current," adds Tharaagai, who was welcomed by a cheering crowd at Dhanuskodi.

Swim for a cause

Aravind calls himself "a proud father" seeing his daughter create an impact as an eco-crusader. "Till now, she has collected 2000 kg of plastic waste from ocean and beaches," beams Aravind, adding, "More kids are getting inspired and joining us for future adventures to create awareness. The idea is that if my daughter can do it, everyone can do it." Aravind firmly believes that the future generation has the power to create change. "If we ask the government to stop manufacturing plastic bottles, it won't happen. But these young kids are witnessing the harmful effects of single-use plastic on the environment. In the future, one of them would ascend to positions of influence - be it Chief Minister, Prime Minister, or Forest Officer. That's when these efforts will truly matter," says Aravind.

An eco-crusader

The Chennai girl's love for water is a gift from her father who started adapting her to water when she was all of three days old. By the time, she was nine months old, she began floating and in the next two years, she was swimming like a pro. Her bond with water kept strengthening with each passing day, and at the age of five, she started training for scuba diving in shallow water.

[caption id="attachment_37128" align="aligncenter" width="562"] Aravind with daughter Tharaagai[/caption]

Growing up near the sea made her aware of the marine pollution and the plastic menace on the beaches. At a young age, she understood "how plastic and abandoned nets were adding to the pollution and affecting marine life." With some hand-holding by her father, she sat through awareness programs and training, absorbing every bit of information about endangered marine species, especially the Dugong (sea cow). "With 150 dugongs left in India, she decided to save them from plastic pollution. She is creating awareness among kids through presentations in various schools," says Aravind, who founded South India's first-ever scuba diving center Temple Adventures in Pondicherry in 2007.

His passion for protecting the environment has rubbed off on his daughter as the two are now working as a team of eco-crusaders. "Every week, we clean up the beaches and the ocean beds. I then segregate the plastic and send the one that can be upcycled to the recycling plant. While the other is taken care of by the government who dispose of it properly," reveals Aravind.

Tharaagai, who is being home-schooled, wants to be a scuba diver when she grows up. But the nine-year-old is currently enjoying her work as an eco-crusader and wants more kids to join hands. "I alone cannot clean marine plastic, everyone has to participate," she signs off.

Follow Aravind Tharunsri on Linkedin

Rajiv Sharma: Recycling temple flower waste to make biodegradable air fresheners

(April 27, 2024) It was in 2022 that Rajiv Sharma, a Jamshedpur resident, found himself in a hospital after a few serious bouts of vomiting, nausea, and headaches. Upon investigation, he found the reason behind his sudden illness - the recently introduced air fresheners at his home. Not many know but air fresheners have adverse health effects including migraine headaches, asthma attacks, breathing difficulties, earache, and mucosal symptoms. The news left him shocked but equally motivated him to come up with a solution that was eco-friendly and had no side effects on his health. That's when he began crafting air fresheners using temple flower waste and wood. [caption id="attachment_37411" align="aligncenter" width="568"] Rajiv Sharma[/caption] "There are many poisonous chemicals in air fresheners. All you need to do is read the ingredient list behind any air freshener. It’s not safe for children (mentioned in the packaging) and animals to inhale. I wanted to make a freshener which was safe for the environment as well as humans and animals," he said in an interview. With the help of his college professors at the National Institute of Design, Andhra Pradesh, he perfected the product, and 20 prototypes later, he founded ALVE air fresheners. So

in an interview. With the help of his college professors at the National Institute of Design, Andhra Pradesh, he perfected the product, and 20 prototypes later, he founded ALVE air fresheners. So far, has recycled 1,500 kg of temple flower waste.

Rajiv calls the use of natural ingredients, its sustainable design allowing for composting after use, and integration of smart technology as the USP of the product. In just a few months, they have sold over 850 air fresheners.

How it’s done

Explaining the process, he initially began with crafting natural fragrances from flower waste which he collected from a nearby temple. He gathered jasmine and roses, air-dried the petals, crushed them into powder with a mixer, and later blended them with coconut husk waste. He kept the mixture for air drying for a few days for the fragrance to be prepared. Rajiv then housed this essence in a glass bottle and fashioned an outer casing from wood, culminating in his homemade, environmentally-conscious fragrance.

It was his mom who was his soundboard when he was using all permutations and combinations to create the air freshener initially. But when his professors learnt about his innovation, they were more than happy to lend their support and guidance. "They said that this needs to be given to a bigger audience and is the need of the hour. They helped me perfect it with the help of machines in the college," he added.

Available in 15 distinct fragrances that are tailored for homes, offices, and cars, they also come with smart technology. Armed with smart sensors, the air fresheners autonomously activate and deactivate upon detecting an individual's presence. Moreover, it seamlessly integrates with Google Assistant for added convenience.

Reducing floral waste

In this short span, Rajiv has partnered with 30 temples in Jamshedpur for floral waste and collects over 3 kg of floral waste each day from every temple. "We use nature’s intelligence in retaining the fragrances. Chemical fresheners use LPG to retain the fragrance. We use natural ingredients for that with no chemicals. We do not use any heat, water vapour or chemicals to diffuse our fragrances. We use our own Air Diffusion Technology with sensors to diffuse aroma evenly in the surroundings," he added.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ALVE GREEN SOLUTIONS (@alveindia)

Rajiv has plans to expand ALVE and make it a part of every household. "I want to create products that not only meet human needs but also leave a positive imprint on our planet. Our vision at ALVE is to inspire a world where fresh, clean air is not a luxury but a sustainable standard," he added.

A champion of sustainability

Rajiv's innovative approach to air fresheners not only enhances the olfactory experience but also champions environmental sustainability. By repurposing temple waste into fragrant solutions, he not only provides an effective product but also contributes to waste reduction efforts. With each unit sold, Sharma's impact extends beyond mere freshness, reaching into the realms of eco-consciousness and community engagement.

His dedication to merging technology with eco-friendly practices not only benefits individuals by improving air quality but also serves as a model for how small-scale innovations can make significant contributions to both public health and environmental conservation. Rajiv Sharma's endeavor exemplifies the transformative power of innovation in fostering a healthier, more sustainable future for all.

Follow ALVE Green Solution on Instagram
You can buy the product here

Planting forests, creating shoes from plastic, making glass into sand – these young Indian activists are conservationists with a plan

(December 28, 2021) Three years ago, a young Swedish girl made the world stop in its tracks by emphasising the extent of environmental damage in the world. Her fervent plea was to ask if this is the world we were leaving behind for our children. At a UN climate conference in New York, Indian youth, Greta Thunberg delivered her most famous speech where she berated world leaders, “You all come to us young people for hope. How dare you? You have stolen my dreams and my childhood with your empty words.” Even as Thunberg continues to propagate change with her climate activism, a host of children the world over continues to work and innovate to provide solutions to help mitigate climate change. Of these, are several Indian-origin activists. From nine-year-old Prasiddhi Singh who’s planting fruit forests to increase green cover, Bengaluru-based Sahithi Pingali, who developed an app to help clean lakes, Karan Jerath who worked to address one of the largest marine oil spills, to US-based Nihal Tammana whose recyclemybattery.com helps recycle toxic batteries, and Udit Singhal, who’s working to create a zero-waste ecosystem through his company Glass2Sand. [caption id="attachment_8949" align="aligncenter" width="569"] Karan Jerath[/caption] The future is young Indian According

;335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">

[caption id="attachment_8949" align="aligncenter" width="569"] Karan Jerath[/caption]

The future is young Indian

According to findings from the Future of Work international research report, over 85 percent of young people in India are interested in a green job. About 84 percent of those surveyed also believe that their generation can create solutions to some of society’s biggest challenges. Quite a tall order for young minds.

“Young people, at the end of the day, want to be agents of change in an effort to prevent and adapt to the climate crisis, and the biodiversity crisis. For what it’s worth, I believe it is our responsibility to help them achieve this, if we possibly can,” observed Prince Charles, in a meeting with international business leaders at St James’ Palace in London earlier this year.

As the focus has begun to gradually shift towards creating sustainable job opportunities for the future, these young minds are waiting for no one. They’re marching right on in their quest to create sustainable futures through their innovations and campaigns.

[caption id="attachment_8950" align="aligncenter" width="754"] Vinisha Umashankar[/caption]

Take for instance Vinisha Umashankar, the 14-year-old innovator from Tamil Nadu who was invited to speak at the COP25 in Glasgow by Prince William to speak on clean technology and innovation. Incidentally, the high school student from the small temple town of Tiruvannamalai, designed a solar-powered iron cart called the Iron-Max. The cart is an alternative to the charcoal burning ironing carts that dot Indian streets and the invention also earned her the Earthshot Prize (or Eco Oscars) that was launched by Prince William.

Talking about her invention, Vinisha said in a tweet, “The big ‘problem’ I am trying to solve is to eliminate the practise of burning charcoal to heat an iron box for pressing clothes by vendors. My innovation, the solar ironing cart will save trees, reduce air pollution, protect the environment and help stop the climate change.”

Similarly, Delhi-based teen Udit Singhal is working to help create a zero-waste ecosystem through his startup Glass2Sand, which has so far processed over 8,000 bottles into over 4,815 kg of high-grade silica sand. The 18-year-old was named by the UN in the 2020 cohort of young leaders for sustainable development goals. In a statement, Singhal said, “As a Young Leader for the SDGs, I will be an active agent of change. I hope to be able to encourage communities to embrace a better civic sense to create sustainable living spaces -- like when mountain-high landfills are detonated.”

Working along similar lines is 23-year-old Ashay Bhave, who launched Thaely, a sustainable line of vegan sneakers to tackle the growing menace of plastic waste. Bhave’s company produces sneakers that are made from plastic trash and so far, he has managed to upcycle over 50,000 bags and 35,000 bottles into sneakers that not just look chic but are also environment friendly.

Saving the planet with sustainability

These young minds are also mindful of the fact that rapid urbanisation has led to the reclaiming of precious eco-rich areas of land leading to mass extinctions that the Earth is now witnessing. Taking a step to change this is Mumbai- based conservation photographer Aishwarya Sridhar, who is the first Indian to win the prestigious Wildlife Photographer Award. “I believe in harnessing the power of visuals to bring about change,” says this 24-year-old, who took up conservation photography at age 11. “I hope my images and videos inspire people to become guardians of our planet,” she tells Global Indian Youth.

[caption id="attachment_8951" align="aligncenter" width="857"] Aishwarya Sridhar[/caption]

“I grew up in Panvel and have seen the stark difference in the Panvel of my childhood and the Panvel of today. From being lush with greenery and wildlife, today it is a concrete jungle that I don’t recognise. I grew up watching flamingoes and painted storks in my backyard. Today, however, the only surviving wetland in the area is a 250-acre space in Uran. Most wetlands and mangroves in Navi Mumbai have been reclaimed for SEZs and other real estate projects,” says the youngster, who has been actively campaigning to bring about a real change. In fact, her images also led the Bombay high court to declare that the Panje wetland area should be an ecologically-protected zone. Earlier this year, Aishwarya also did an undercover operation where she shot images of fireworks being set off in the Panje area. The images went viral and led to the Maharashtra CM intervening and ensuring prosecution of the miscreants.

Being the change

The idea, feel most youngsters, is to not just protect our planet, but to protect ourselves from the effects of climate change and the resultant mass extinction. Nine-year-old Prasiddhi Singh too found herself struck by the devastating effects of cyclone Vardah in 2016 which led to thousands of trees being uprooted and an overnight depletion of green cover in Tamil Nadu. The Chennai-based school goer swore to do her bit for the environment and is now on a mission to plant 1 lakh trees by 2022.

[caption id="attachment_8952" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Prasiddhi Singh[/caption]

“So far, I have created 19 fruit forests and planted 23,000 trees. I formed an unconditional bond with nature. I believe I can create a significant contribution in bringing about change,” says the TEDx speaker and green activist who raised funds for her campaigns through online webinars and sessions on how to become an impact creator. Even the prize money this Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar awardee got was donated to an NGO.

As more and more Indian-origin children ideate on environment friendly solutions, small inroads have finally been made into areas where most governments are still dragging their feet. From policy changes to awareness drives and innovations to change the future, these kids certainly seem to have a finger on the way forward.

The work the Indian youth do

Karan Jerath: Following the 2010 Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, Indian-origin student Karan Jerath was determined to find a solution. He went on to invent a subsea wellhead capping device to contain the oil spill. He won the Young Scietist Award at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in 2015 and was the youngest honoree on the 2-16 Forbes 30 Under 30 Energy list.
Sahithi Pingali: At 16, this Bengaluru girl bagged the Grand NASA Prize and even had a planet in the Milky Way named after her for her insightful study on the pollution of lakes in her city. Pingali participated in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair and used her self-programmed app and a self-made lake monitoring kit to crowdsource data on environmental issues.
Nihal Tammana: The New Jersey-based seventh grader has been tirelessly working to rid the world of battery pollutants through his startup Recycle My Battery. The company recycles all types of used batteries and Tammana has been awarded the NJ Governor’s Award and the Jefferson Award for his work.

Reading Time: 8 mins