Global Indianstory Global Indian ExclusiveStorming the UFC: Puja ‘Cyclone’ Tomar’s historic win for India

Storming the UFC: Puja ‘Cyclone’ Tomar’s historic win for India

By: Amrita Priya

(June 21, 2024) Known as the ‘Cyclone’ for a reason, Puja Tomar has stormed her way to the top of the Indian martial arts circuit. This month, she made history as the first Indian to claim victory at the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in the United States. Hailing from Budhana village in Uttar Pradesh’s Muzaffarnagar, Puja broke barriers last year by becoming the first Indian woman to secure a contract with the UFC, the prestigious mixed martial arts promotion company based in Las Vegas, Nevada. A former national Wushu (Chinese martial arts) champion, she has showcased her skills in international Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) action-packed competitions like Matrix Fight Night and ONE Championship.

On June 8 this month, Puja secured a monumental victory by defeating Brazil’s Rayanne Amanda dos Santos, marking India’s first-ever win in the UFC. This achievement comes more than a decade after the UFC officially opened its doors to women fighters in 2013.

Overwhelmed with happiness, Puja burst into tears when her name was announced as the winner. “I want to thank my Lord Jesus Christ. It’s because of Him that I am here,” she said, her voice trembling with emotion and tears welling in her eyes. “I am very excited and want to declare that Indian fighters are not losers. We are going all the way up. We will not stop,” she said amidst cheers from the crowd in Louisville, Kentucky.

Persistence in the face of failures

Puja’s journey has not been without its setbacks. After enduring four consecutive losses in the ONE Championship, she competed at the Matrix Fight Night (MFN) in 2021, where she triumphed in four bouts. From there, her position in the Indian martial art circuit started to soar. For her recent championships, she trained at the Soma Fight Club in Bali, Indonesia.

“I have faced judgments about my body, with people saying it resembles a male physique. However, mindsets are gradually shifting as mixed martial arts gains recognition,” she remarked in an interview.

Starting young

Puja began her martial arts journey at the age of 12 after the loss of her father. Growing up with two sisters, she took inspiration from Jackie Chan movies and learned Karate initially to protect them.

However, the rules of Karate were restrictive, and she sought a more physically demanding sport. “I needed something rough and tough, so I chose martial arts,” she explained.

Puja Tomar

During her teenage years, Puja represented India in the World Wushu Championship before turning to Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) in 2013, following her victory at the MFN Strawweight Championship.

As far as the techniques of the fights are concerned, she prefers the Heel Hook for grappling and the SideKick for striking her opponents. She immersed herself so deeply in the game that her aggression had started becoming strongly evident, prompting her coaches to work on toning it down over time.

Going the extra mile

From a young age, Puja had always aspired to achieve something extraordinary. “My mother has been my strongest supporter, pushing me to strive for greatness, despite her initial tears seeing me injured when I took up Wushu as a child,” Puja shared.

She dedicated her recent UFC victory to her mother, acknowledging, “My mother fought against all odds to help me reach where I am today.”

Recognised as one of the top female fighters in the Indian circuit, Puja Tomar received a hero’s welcome upon returning to India and during her visit to her village, Budhana in Uttar Pradesh.

Puja Tomar

Reflecting on her recent triumph minutes after the win she remarked, “Walking into the championship arena with the Indian flag just before the tournament, filled me with immense pride and gave me goosebumps. Walking with the Indian flag felt like a bigger moment than the win itself.”

Follow Puja Tomar on Instagram

Name*

Email*

Name*

Email*

0 Comments

Inline Feedbacks

View all comments

Published on 21, Jun 2024

Share with

ALSO READ

Arundhati Banerjee: Reshaping norms through dance, pageantry and giving back in Australia

(December 13, 2023) Arundhati Banerjee, the trailblazing Miss Teen Diamond Australia 2019, and the Lifetime Miss Diamond Ambassador shattered norms and made history as the first Indian-origin teenager to claim the prestigious title. Beyond pageantry and modelling, she champions causes, excels as an Indian classical dancer, and advocates for women's rights and sustainability. Recognised as the 'Emerging Leader (2020)' by the South Australian Government, Arundhati has passionately fundraised to support individuals with Down syndrome. Rooted in her Indian heritage, the 20-year-old who is pursuing education at Griffith University in Australia, has made the Indian diaspora of the country proud by her accomplishments. As a fashion model, Arundhati has been on the cover pages of renowned magazines in Australia, the United States, India, and Africa. She has showcased her dancing talent at numerous national and international festivals across Australia such as the OzAsia Festival, International Indian Film Festival in Melbourne, International Folkloric Festival to name a few. [caption id="attachment_34610" align="aligncenter" width="637"] Arundhati Banerjee[/caption] Breaking barriers In 2019, Arundhati Banerjee became the first Indian teenager to win the Miss Teen Diamond Australia title. The Miss and Mr Diamond International & Australia goes beyond the conventional beauty pageant concept. It serves as a

676_n-683x1024.jpg" alt="Indian Model | Arundhati Banerjee | Global Indian" width="637" height="955" /> Arundhati Banerjee[/caption]

Breaking barriers

In 2019, Arundhati Banerjee became the first Indian teenager to win the Miss Teen Diamond Australia title. The Miss and Mr Diamond International & Australia goes beyond the conventional beauty pageant concept. It serves as a community hero initiative, aiming to establish a platform where individuals of all ages can fundraise and advocate for causes dear to them. Securing seven additional titles within the pageant, aside from claiming the overall title, Arundhati became the first Indian-origin teenager to achieve this prestigious honour, all while balancing her commitments as a high school student during that time.

“I went in with the purpose of just spreading love and gratitude and to gain some experience. I was very fortunate to win and I'm very happy that I'm able to say that I'm Miss teen Australia 2019,” she said in an interview. She was later selected as the Lifetime Miss Diamond Ambassador in 2021.

Arundhati achieved another significant milestone in 2021 by securing a place among the top 30 contestants in the prestigious Australian Super Model of the Year (ASOTY) competition. “I joined it for the message that it conveys – the message of sisterhood, diversity and inclusivity and speaking about the issues of those who are discriminated on basis of colour and creed,” she said adding, “After weeks and months of selection process I was lucky and fortunate enough to be selected as one of the 30 contestants and work as a network of sisters for rebuilding the society as women working together instead of pitted against each other. That’s what attracted me to associate myself with the pageant.”

[caption id="attachment_34611" align="aligncenter" width="615"] Arundhati Banerjee[/caption]

The emerging leader

In a remarkable achievement, Arundhati who is also a trained Indian classical dancer and performer, was honoured with the 'Emerging Leader (2020)' award by the South Australian Government on Australia Day for her contribution in the fields of art and humanitarian services. While the youngster cherishes all her accomplishments, it is the prestigious Emerging Leader award in Australia that she is proudest of. “Being a woman of colour, getting that award was really very special to me and initially I couldn’t believe that I have really got it,” she remarked adding, “I want to open more doors for others to rise in life with my titles”.

Modelling for giving back

In the course of her journey in pageantry, the Global Indian has successfully fundraised more than AUD $3850 for the charitable organisation, emotion 21, dedicated to aiding young adults and children with Down syndrome. She is also associated with CanTeen, Cancer Council, and Foodbank.

Arundhati serves as the brand ambassador for the boutique firm Bridal Fusion Mascia, aligning with her core values of inclusivity, diversity, and body positivity. Passionate about sustainability, she advocates for eco-friendly fashion and slow clothing through her partnership with South Australian brand NoRuYeLo, promoting a message of saying 'No to Rubbish, Yes to Love.' Additionally, she has been at the ramp for Lorna Jane at BU Fashion to support fundraising efforts for victims of domestic violence. Committed to giving back, she volunteered with the Rotary Club's Cold Plunge initiative, dedicated to raising funds for the homeless.

[caption id="attachment_34618" align="aligncenter" width="630"] Arundhati Banerjee[/caption]

Creating a mark

Before securing the Miss Teen Diamond Australia title in 2019, Arundhati had triumphed as the winner of the Miss Glamour Genic-Supreme Talent competition in 2018.

Recognised as a dedicated dancer and 'Arttrepreneur,' she is also the founder of the dance academy, AIDA Bharatanatyaved in Adelaide, South Australia. Proficient in three classical Indian dance forms - Bharatanatyam, Kathak, and Odissi - Arundhati has tried to make these art forms popular. “I feel happy that through my dance I am able to showcase the beauty of my Indian roots and culture to a multicultural audience in Australia,” she remarked.

Her expertise in Indian classical dance was honed under the tutelage of esteemed gurus, including the renowned Padmashree Shobana Chandra Kumar, an award-winning actress, dancer, and choreographer, from whom she learned Bharatanatyam.

Since most of her gurus are based in India, Arundhati’s dance classes have mostly been on zoom or Skype. The youngster is grateful to her gurus’ patience in teaching her in online mode. However, since she had moved to Australia from India at the age of 11 owing to her father’s transfer, she had picked up the basics of dancing before migrating.

Spreading positivity

Arundhati looks at her achievements as a starting point for her greater goals. Her aim extends beyond personal success. The multi-talented youngster wants her efforts to positively impact the community and serve as inspiration, especially for young people, so that they get encouraged to aim higher.

“I want to instigate change, build something meaningful, and leave a lasting impact, creating a legacy for future generations to surpass,” she says.

[caption id="attachment_34613" align="aligncenter" width="557"] Arundhati Banerjee[/caption]

The fashion model believes in the inherent beauty of individuals regardless of their appearance – colour and body type. “Clothes fit you, you don't fit the clothes,” she said, advocating the idea that clothes should complement one's body rather than the other way around, especially when women are increasingly facing challenges finding clothes that suit them.

In love with her ‘Indian-ness’

“I was born in India and spent the first 11 years of my life there before I moved to Australia,” tells Arundhati who embraces her ‘Indian-ness’ with élan, and ‘loves everything about India’. “My love for theatre, music and other forms of art stems from my cultural roots.”

The Indian-origin youngster received recognition for her contributions to promoting art and multiculturalism, and was honoured with the Multicultural Award by the International Film & Entertainment Festival Australia at the New South Wales Parliament. Additionally, her impactful involvement in arts and fashion earned her the Highflyer Achiever - NRI Award at the Milestone Global Awards.

Follow Arundhati Banerjee on Instagram and Facebook

What’s your Global Indian story? Write to us at editor@globalindian.com

Reading Time: 5 mins

Soumya Ranjan Biswal: Protecting the Olive Ridley turtle, one egg at a time

(November 23, 2022) Every year since the time he was 10 years old, Soumya Ranjan Biswal has walked along the beach in Astaranga, weighted down by the big gunny bag slung across his shoulder, stopping to pick up empty bottles, plastic and all manner of trash that people have left behind. This is the young wildlife conservationist's way of doing his bit for each when thousands of Olive Ridley turtles wash up on shore. Earlier in 2022, Soumya, known fondly in climate crusade circles as "Olly Boy", was appointed among the first batch of the UN's YuWaah Advocates, who will serve as an inspiration for the Sustainable Development Goals. Global Indian takes a look at his journey. Improving Climate Resilence - For Marine 🐢 Breeding Ground! We at @OdishaSeaTurtle believe in Action than symbolic performance. Reviving a 2km radius polluted water body at Devi River Mouth. Join the mission! Together we can end the plastic pollution crisis👊🌊#OdishaCoast pic.twitter.com/VU6Y17WQGU — Soumya Ranjan Biswal 🇺🇳🇮🇳 (@SoumyaMarineWL) October 26, 2022 Breaking records In 2019, Soumya, along with Dilip Kumar Biswal, a junior from college, took a month to travel through coastal areas like Rushikulya, Puri, Chillika, Jagatsinghpur, Bhadrak, Kendrapara and Balasore. Earlier that

👊🌊#OdishaCoast pic.twitter.com/VU6Y17WQGU

— Soumya Ranjan Biswal 🇺🇳🇮🇳 (@SoumyaMarineWL) October 26, 2022

Breaking records

In 2019, Soumya, along with Dilip Kumar Biswal, a junior from college, took a month to travel through coastal areas like Rushikulya, Puri, Chillika, Jagatsinghpur, Bhadrak, Kendrapara and Balasore. Earlier that year, he even went on a 1200-km cycle trip to spread awareness about the Olive Ridley sea turtle. It was an extended follow-up to the 800-km ride he took in 2018, which landed both Soumya and Dilip a spot in the Limca Book of Records for the 'Longest Cycle Ride for Turtles'.

Along the way, Soumya and Dilip stopped at government-run schools to spread awareness among the children and their families, as well as among the local fishing community. Their trip was partly sponsored by the Forest Department and the two conservationists also sold toy turtles, made from coconut fibre by the women in Astaranga, to fund their way.

The arrival of the Olive Ridley turtles in Odisha is a matter of worldwide recognition and interest, as about half the world's population comes to the coast to lay their eggs. This is part of the mass nesting process, known by the Spanish term 'arribada'. Soumya and his friends even return at night, keeping an eye out for predators like dogs and jackals, which come for the eggs. Working in tandem with officials, Soumya collects at-risk eggs and shifts them to hatcheries to incubate and hatch in safety.

[caption id="attachment_24560" align="aligncenter" width="395"] Soumya Ranjan Biswas with an Olive Ridley sea turtle[/caption]

"The sea turtles return to the same spot after navigating thousands of miles of ocean, to lay eggs in this part of Eastern India," Soumya told EdEx Live. The turtles arrive in batches and pick their spots on the beach, digging holes with their flippers. Each turtle lays around 70 to 190 eggs before returning to the water. "If the turtles keep coming back to the same spot every year to nest, then they are doing well. But if they don't, something is wrong."

Mangrove restoration

In Astaranga village, where he's from, Soumya is working to restore the Bhitarkanika Mangroves, a 650km stretch in the Brahmani and Baitarani river deltas. Some 62 mangrove species are found in Bhitarknanika, which is home to a number of species including the saltwater crocodile, king cobra, over 200 bird species and of course, the Olive Ridley turtles, which arrive at the Gahirmatha Beach.

[caption id="attachment_24559" align="aligncenter" width="575"] Soumya at the Mangrove Nursery. Photo: Twitter[/caption]

Although the mangroves were designated as a 'Ramsar Wetland of International Importance and are a vital part of the coastal ecosystem as well as to the livelihoods of local fishermen, they have dwindled over the years. The mangroves, he hopes, will grow to provide a habitat for various animal and bird species.

India has a mangrove cover of nearly 5,000 square kilometres, according to the India State of Forest Report 2019. Although the mangrove cover in Gujarat has increased, the number of mangroves in Odisha has seen a steady decline over the years, caused by more land diverted for agriculture and prawn farming, encroachment and a growing population. Soumya works with a team of 10 villagers as dozens of saplings are planted, in black grow bags, in Astaranga beach. He has also helped set up a first-of-its-kind mangrove nursery.

Cleaning up the coasts

The intrepid duo has widened their scope of work, from the Olive Ridley sea turtles and the mangroves to helping save sparrows, reviving water bodies and keeping the beaches clean, whether or not the Olive Ridley is coming home to next.

Follow Soumya on Twitter and Instagram

Swing Queen Renuka Singh Thakur named ICC Emerging Women’s Cricketer of the Year

(February 26, 2023) When prime minister Narendra Modi was congratulating the Indian women’s cricket team after they won the Asia Cup 2022, he had special words of praise for the Himachal girl Renuka Singh Thakur. “Renuka’s face might ooze the peacefulness of Shimla, and the innocent smile of the mountains but her tough bowling on the field defeats the confidence of even the seasoned batters,” he said in his speech. Popularly known as the Swing Queen of Indian cricket, Renuka was also commended by the PM for being an inspiration for girls in the remotest corners of India. [embed]https://twitter.com/ICC/status/1618209611051569154?s=20[/embed] Renuka was named the Emerging Women’s Cricketer of the Year 2022 by ICC. The decision came after ICC conducted a poll for the specialist panel of media representatives, the ICC Voting Academy, and cricket lovers around the world. India’s newest cricket star, who is known for her extraordinary swings while bowling, left behind Australia’s Darcie Brown, England's Alice Capsey and her Indian colleague Yastika Bhatia garnering maximum votes. ICC announced the names of the winners last month. Global voting categories were based on overall performances and achievements of the nominated cricket stars throughout the calendar year. From village grounds to international cricket

3376527 BCX0"> defeats the confidence of even the seasoned batters,” he said in his speech. Popularly known as the Swing Queen of Indian cricket, Renuka was also commended by the PM for being an inspiration for girls in the remotest corners of India.

[embed]https://twitter.com/ICC/status/1618209611051569154?s=20[/embed]

Renuka was named the Emerging Women’s Cricketer of the Year 2022 by ICC. The decision came after ICC conducted a poll for the specialist panel of media representatives, the ICC Voting Academy, and cricket lovers around the world.

India’s newest cricket star, who is known for her extraordinary swings while bowling, left behind Australia’s Darcie Brown, England's Alice Capsey and her Indian colleague Yastika Bhatia garnering maximum votes. ICC announced the names of the winners last month. Global voting categories were based on overall performances and achievements of the nominated cricket stars throughout the calendar year.

From village grounds to international cricket

Hailing from Parsa village in Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh, Renuka was raised by her mother. She had lost her father at the tender age of three. He wanted both his children to take up sports and it was to fulfil her father’s dream that the youngster took up cricket, finding it the most interesting game.

While Renuka’s mother was busy working as a class IV employee in the Himachal Pradesh’s irrigation and public health department, Renuka would play cricket with her elder brother Vinod (who is named after cricketer Vinod Kambli) and his friends at the village grounds. Sometimes Renuka would even travel with them to other villages to play her favourite game.

[caption id="attachment_27895" align="aligncenter" width="483"] Renuka Singh Thakur[/caption]

In 2009, Renuka enrolled herself in Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association’s Women’s Residential Academy in Dharamshala, following the advice of her uncle who is a physical education teacher in a government college. Later, she was selected for the Australia tour of the national women’s cricket team, followed by tours in Bangladesh and Thailand. She performed exceptionally in all the tournaments.

Turning heads

In 2019-20, the cricket star won hearts by taking a total of 23 wickets in different tournaments, establishing herself as leading wicket-taker of the Indian women’s cricket team. The following year, she won the BCCI Senior Women’s One Day Trophy for taking nine wickets against Australia.

“All I do is step on the field with confidence and bank on the energy of the fielders to throw the balls in most challenging manner, enjoying the process all along,” she said. Renuka also remarked, in the conversation with Jemima Rodrigues and Deepti Sharma, “I love the spectators during the match. When I am on field, looking at them fills me up with confidence.”

Renuka was selected to represent India in the International T20 Cricket Series in 2021. The Global Indian went on to represent India in Women’s Cricket World Cup in 2022 and played a pivotal role in helping her team lift the trophy, leaving behind 15 teams from across the world. Renuka also became the first Indian pacer to take five wickets in T20 World Cup.

Mesmerised by her power-packed performances, cricket lovers and experts voted her as the Emerging Women’s Cricketer of the Year title from amongst an impressive list of high performing international cricketers nominated by the ICC.

With the coveted title that Renuka has earned right at the beginning of 2023, and her recent selection for ₹ 1.5 crore by Royal Challengers Bangalore, the year has already started on a promising note for the Swing Queen.

Follow Renuka Singh Thakur on Instagram

Reading Time: 5 mins

Titas Sadhu: Taking India to a historic win in Women’s cricket at Asian Games 2023

(October 1, 2023) Clad in Indian jerseys, the women in blue entered the cricket pitch at Hangzhou with the promise of winning the game against Sri Lanka. And staying true to their vow, the Indian Women's cricket team won a historic gold medal in cricket at the Asian Games 2023. While the team did everything to clinch the gold, it was Titas Sadhu who orchestrated a dream start by picking up three wickets in four overs and giving only six runs. The 18-year-old became a star for India at the Asian Games 2023 with her pace and swing bowling, helping India clinch its very first gold medal in cricket. "It was always a dream to play for the country but I had never expected that it would come true so soon," she told ESPN in an interview. It was in the semi-finals against Bangladesh that Titas made her international debut. Can't take my eyes off the GOLD!🥇 Proud to play my part in our team's journey to this triumph! 🇮🇳✨#asiangames2023 pic.twitter.com/okBfHnXWqm — Titas Sadhu (@titas_sadhu) September 27, 2023 Born in the Chinsurah district of West Bengal in 2004, Titas was always interested in sports, thanks to her father, who was

XWqm">pic.twitter.com/okBfHnXWqm

— Titas Sadhu (@titas_sadhu) September 27, 2023

Born in the Chinsurah district of West Bengal in 2004, Titas was always interested in sports, thanks to her father, who was an athlete. But cricket wasn't her first love, instead, she had her eyes on swimming. So much so that she enrolled in Chinsurah Rajendra Smriti Sangha Academy on the outskirts of Kolkata to hone her skills in the sport. However, over the years, she developed an interest in cricket and started playing the sport at the age of 13. "It wasn't for my love of cricket that I joined it. Instead, I started playing it as a fun activity since I would often watch the academy matches and also help them. But when I started performing well, my interest in the sport started growing, and that's how cricket happened to me," she added. It was her father who was the wind beneath her wings, always encouraging and motivating her. "It's very important to have someone at a young age who pushes you, despite knowing your limits. I'm so glad that my dad kept pushing me to do better. He is like a friend to me."

However, she had to wait for her chance to break into the West Bengal cricket team. While she failed to clear the trials in the first go, Class 10th board exams forced her to miss out on the 2018-19 season. "Though it was heartbreaking I realised that I wanted to be a part of the U19 team. That's when I started getting more invested in the game."

It was after Covid-19 that Titas joined the senior Bengal squad in the 2020-21 season. She was only 16 when Bengal women’s coach Shib Shankar Paul saw her at one of the training sessions and realised her potential. He soon picked her up for three practice sessions. However, in the first few matches, Titas was unable to prove herself on the pitch and had to be dropped.

However, she was determined to bounce back and kept performing well in the inter-district matches and the Cricket Association of Bengal-affiliated tournaments. In 2022, she played in the Women's T20 tournament and ended up taking seven wickets in five matches, thus cementing her position in the senior squad. Talking about the Women's Premiere League, she said, "You get to play with the players from other countries, and you find that their perspective on cricket and life is very different from ours. And it also gives us the nudge to incorporate those perspectives in our game."

But it's with the Asian Games 2023 finals against Sri Lanka that Titas proved her mettle as a cricketer. "It was special as we don't get to clinch a gold at the Asian Games every time, and representing India as an athlete was a proud moment. I literally had goosebumps standing on the podium receiving the medal," she said.

Follow Titas Sadhu on X

Miss India Worldwide 2024 Dhruvi Patel: Combining a passion for pageantry and philanthropy with pride in her Indian heritage

(September 27, 2024) Dhruvi Patel, a student from the USA, was named Miss India Worldwide 2024. This was the 31st edition of Miss India Worldwide, the longest-running Indian pageant held outside of India. It is considered one of the top ethnic pageants, and is dedicated to providing a platform for young women to showcase their talent, culture, and values on an international stage. "Winning Miss India Worldwide is such an incredible honour. It's more than a crown – it represents my heritage, my values, and the opportunity to inspire others on a global scale," Dhruvi said expressing her excitement after receiving the prestigious crown at the pageant held at Edison, New Jersey. Lisa Abdoelhak from Suriname was named the first runner-up, while Malvika Sharma from the Netherlands was declared the second runner-up at the competition. Dhruvi is pursuing a degree in Computer Information Systems at Quinnipiac University. In 2023, the youngster earned the title of Miss India New England. She combines her love for pageantry with a passion for philanthropy, co-running the nonprofit 3DCharities along with her siblings. Talent, culture and values “To all my sister queens, sharing this pageant journey with you all has been a true blessing. Your

er love for pageantry with a passion for philanthropy, co-running the nonprofit 3DCharities along with her siblings.

Talent, culture and values

“To all my sister queens, sharing this pageant journey with you all has been a true blessing. Your friendship, support, and shared experiences have made this adventure unforgettable. Each one of you have brought a unique sparkle to this journey, and I am grateful for the memories we’ve created together. Here’s to the bond we’ve formed and the special moments we’ve shared as sister queens,” Dhruvi remarked highlighting the pageant's journey that culminated into her winning the title.

With a passion for both pageantry and philanthropy, the Indian-American youngster aspires to become a Bollywood actor and serve as a UNICEF ambassador, following in the footsteps of some of the Indian actors she admires.

Giving back through 3DCharities

While managing her nonprofit, Dhruvi Patel dedicates her time to volunteering at senior centers, participating in food drives, and supporting various fundraising efforts. Her nonprofit regularly donates to organizations like UNICEF, Feeding America, and the American Red Cross. “Doing a good deed, whether large or small, will always come back to you in a positive way,” she believes.

3DCharities is a home-based nonprofit funded by Dhruvi and her siblings, Dhriti and Darsh. Eleven years ago, they founded it with the monetary gifts they received during birthdays, Diwali, Christmas, and other occasions as children. The charity's name was created by combining the first letters of their names.

“God has blessed us with privileges, and as we strive to be transformational leaders, we want to use our blessings to do good and bring smiles to others. Charity starts at home but shouldn’t end there. We promise to elevate this mission to new heights,” is the driving force behind the siblings' initiative.

[caption id="attachment_39493" align="aligncenter" width="653"] Dhruvi with her siblings Darsh and Dhriti, the cofounders of 3DCharities[/caption]

They launched 3DCharities with the goal of serving and touching as many lives as possible, donating essentials like food, water, clothing, and school supplies to temples, churches, medical research institutions, and other causes. Their efforts extend beyond the U.S., reaching India as well. Recently, they partnered with a local organization to feed over 300 children in Vadodara.

The charity also provides menstrual hygiene products and blankets to the homeless and underprivileged, and they regularly distribute food and clothing to orphanages. In 2023 3DCharities impacted the lives of 4,800 people. "We have donated $15,000 of our monetary gifts from many holidays and other occasions to charities in the past decade. We have also fundraised over $7000 for Jump rope for heart, American Red Cross, St. Jude’s, disaster relief charities during the pandemic and many other causes and charities," the siblings shared.

A proud member of the diaspora

The young Indian American pageant winner hailing from Gujarat was invited to be a part of the India Independence Day parade held at NYC few weeks back. She was also present at the address of PM Modi in New York during his U.S visit this month. Calling it an incredible experience, she shared with a news channel, “As you can see, there is so much energy in this stadium. It is absolutely incredible. It’s so contagious. Everyone has so much passion for Bharat. It is absolutely insane. It just feels so surreal being surrounded by so many Indian people who are so passionate about their own country. Even though they’re living in America, they’re still so passionate. It truly is amazing.”

Dhruvi Patel's enthusiasm and pride in her heritage comes from the strong connection she maintains with her Indian roots, despite living abroad.

Follow Dhruvi Patel on Instagram
Discover more fascinating Stories

Reading Time: 5 mins