Global Indianstory Global Indian ExclusiveOyon Ganguly: Indian American teen’s attempt to conserve and reuse water

Oyon Ganguly: Indian American teen’s attempt to conserve and reuse water

Compiled by: Team GI Youth

(April 12, 2023) It was the viral ALS ice-bucket challenge – wherein participants dump buckets of cold water on each other’s heads – that made the then nine-year-old Oyon Ganguly come up with an idea of a water-recycling device as he was surprised by the terrible waste of water. 10-minute shower wastes 50 gallons of water – this piece of information was enough for this Indian American to come up with The Cleaner – a water recycling prototype that filters water to be re-used in the shower. The invention won this Massachusetts resident Invention Mighty Minds contest, a national-level contest run jointly by the National Inventors Hall of Fame (NIHF) which acts as America’s platform for budding young inventors.

“I asked my mom how much water is used in a single shower and I learned that around 50 gallons of water is used in a single use. Multiply that by five people taking 20-minute showers, that’s around 500 gallons,” he said in a YouTube video. This was enough for him to come up with a device that could recycle and reuse water that drains away during a shower. His invention was made inside a strawberry box that held three layers of cleaning material–gravel, sand, and charcoal.

Explaining how his invention works, the Global Indian said in an interview, “When someone takes a shower, the water goes down the drain and through the pipe before it reaches a filter with three layers: gravel, sand, and charcoal. The water, which is now clean and filtered, sits in a storage tank before it gets pumped back up to the bathtub. Because over time, the filter gets clogged, there will be a little door to make sure you get access to the filter.”

The grandson of Bengali novelist and Sahitya Akademi award-winner Sunil Gangopadhyay, Oyon took the help of his friend Mateo Rosado for the filtering process. Oyon reveals that his invention can save both water and money. “Even though the invention can be expensive, it saves the government from spending more money to get water and also reduced your water bill,” he explained in the video.

He credits his mother for making him participate in the Mighty Minds competition. “I went to Camp Invention in Watertown. We build things with recycled materials and my shower model was built mostly with recycled stuff. I spent an hour over two weekends putting together the presentation,” he said.

Oyon has worked on another invention idea – The Space Cleaner – a solar-powered robot with one arm that melts space junk and the other arm vacuums up the melted liquid. The idea for this came to him while watching Apollo 13 with his parents. The Indian American thought to himself, “What happens to everything that’s flying off the ship into space?”

He plans to be one of the three things when he grows up – an inventor, work at Lego, or for Mojang (the company that develops the video game Minecraft).

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Published on 12, Apr 2023

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Mission Kashmir: Teen kickboxer Tajamul Islam brings the winds of positivity to the valley

(February 19, 2022) If ever under attack, Tajamul Islam can defend herself confidently. The 14-year-old gold-winning kickboxer lands powerful punches, delivers deadly kicks, and knee strikes to take down adversaries. With nerves of steel, her long and short range striking techniques, replete with offensive and defensive movements, stun onlookers. The Kashmiri teen kickboxer’s combat skills are incredible. In short, Tajamul is a born fighter. People used to tell me that girls have to get married, their only place is in the kitchen and not in sports like kickboxing. I felt they were (being) stupid. - Tajamul Islam Kickboxing her way into winning tournament after tournament, Tajamul made India proud after winning the Under-14 World Kickboxing Championship in Cairo in 2021. This was the second time she'd won a gold. “I am now training hard to win gold at the Olympics. I am just 14 now, and will be participating in world championships for the next few years,” smiles Tajamul, speaking exclusively to Global Indian. Children from all over Kashmir have taken to kickboxing because of her. [caption id="attachment_11038" align="aligncenter" width="696"] Tajamul after her win in Egypt[/caption] The first Kashmiri girl kickboxer As the first Kashmiri girl to have represented India

over Kashmir have taken to kickboxing because of her.

[caption id="attachment_11038" align="aligncenter" width="696"] Tajamul after her win in Egypt[/caption]

The first Kashmiri girl kickboxer

As the first Kashmiri girl to have represented India and won a gold in 2021, she competed with players from 90 countries. She played four bouts then — two against players from the host country, while her third and fourth were with opponents from France and Argentina, respectively. “My rival was quick in her moves, but I kept my cool, and that led me to victory,” informs the two-time gold medallist, who wore the national flag on her shoulders after winning the championship in Egypt. It was a proud moment for India. As many as 30 players from India participated in various age/weight categories in the mega event.

Born in Tarkpora, a remote village in North Kashmir’s Bandipora district in December 2008, Tajamul was just five when she took a shine to kickboxing. Her first introduction to the sport was when a kickboxing match was organised at school. Thereafter, she watched a few matches on TV, this propelled her interest. One day, while walking back home, she spotted a few youngsters practicing boxing at a local academy and that was the beginning of her kickboxing tryst. “I was instantly drawn to the sport. Like all other sports personalities, I too dreamt of appearing on TV one day. Eventually, I did,” giggles the cartoon-loving teen kickboxer.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSjdZpus2Vw[/embed]

Initially, her father Ghulam Mohammed Lone did not give in to his daughter’s kickboxing plea as she was just five. “I pleaded, and even asked my mother to convince him. Finally, he gave me the go-ahead,” recounts the recipient of the Young Achievers Award, 2021. The third of five siblings, her father is a businessman.

Staying on course, despite ridicule

Being a girl, and trying kickboxing was tough. A highly conservative society meant many played spoilsport. Yet Tajamul dedicatedly followed her heart into kickboxing at Ali Sports Academy in Bandipora, under Faisal Ali Dar, a Kashmiri martial arts coach. “People used to tell me that girls have to get married, their only place is in the kitchen and not in sports like kickboxing,” recounts the eighth grader from Army Goodwill School in Bandipora. “I felt they were (being) stupid,” quips the champ. A firm believer in the girls-can-do-better-than-boys mantra, she threw all negativity to the winds. Today, she has silenced her critics aptly.

[caption id="attachment_11039" align="aligncenter" width="453"] Tajamul with Major General Sanjiv Singh[/caption]

Grit and hard work saw the teen kickboxer bag her first gold at a state level kickboxing championship (sub-junior category) in Jammu (2015). The same year, she won another gold in the national kickboxing championship (sub-junior category) in New Delhi. In 2016, she won gold at the World Kickboxing championship in Italy. “I have worked hard to reach where I am today. I am flooded with requests from parents, including those who used to ridicule me, to train their daughters,” smiles the teenager, who is also the brand ambassador of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao -- a Government of India campaign.

Giving the valley hope

Growing up in the picturesque Kashmir valley, Tajamul’s entire focus is on kickboxing. The valley, which often witnesses violent protests, terror attacks, and border skirmishes, has not dampened her dreams. “If I ever come under attack, I can fight and take down at least five people,” laughs the champ. She credits her coaches Faisal Ali, a Padma Shri awardee and VS Rawat, a kickboxing coach of the Indian team, for training her, and aiding her victories.

When practice makes perfect

A stickler for routine, this teen kickboxer's practice begins at 5 am. Two hours later, its school, and then by evening, she is ready for another couple of hours of practice. She also finds time to coach and mentor budding kickboxers at the academy.

“Many girls ask me how I manage the tough routine. I just tell them to focus on the game, put in the hard work and set goals,” advises the teenager.

The kickboxing sensation from Kashmir is undoubtedly an inspiration for many girls in the valley. Having launched Haider Sports Academy along with her father in 2019, hundreds of children aspire to become Tajamul Islam. “They saw what I could achieve, now parents want their children to make a career in sports,” she says proudly.

She laments that Bandipora does not have an indoor stadium, saying, “Kashmir can produce great sportspersons as there is great talent here but the government has to provide facilities.” Tajamul was also congratulated by Lieutenant-Governor Manoj Sinha, J&K, on her win last year. Adding sports infrastructure will help Kashmiris be physically and mentally fit, thus overcoming the negativities plaguing the valley, including drug addiction, she believes.

Break bones, and heal them too

Kickboxing apart, she wants to eventually become an orthopaedic surgeon. “I will continue kickboxing but also work towards becoming a doctor. I want to ensure that when I break my opponents' bones, I can heal them as well,” she giggles. A huge fan of boxers Mary Kom and Lovlina Borgohain, she loves reading, music, and travelling. “I want to represent India and win a gold in the Olympics,” says the kickboxing sensation, who strengthens her core with a balance of proteins, carbohydrates, and vitamins.

Follow Tajamul Islam on Instagram

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Electroshoe to the rescue: How innovator Siddharth Mandala’s device keeps women safe

(April 23, 2022) He was 12 when the infamous Nirbhaya rape case shook the nation in 2012. People took to the streets asking for justice, and his mom was one among them. Curious about the protests and confused about the word rape, Siddharth Mandala joined his mom for one of the protests. “A 40-year-old woman came up to me, and told me not to be like rapists. I didn’t even know what rape meant back then. This was a catalyst for me. I ended up surfing the internet, asking my friends and teachers to get a grasp on this concept called rape. Understanding the gravity of the issue, I decided to do everything in my capacity to prevent sexual assault,” Siddharth tells Global Indian. This awareness led to the birth of Electroshoe, a small badge that can be clipped onto any footwear, or worn as a ring or pendant and can be easily activated during any threatening situation by pressing. “It pulls out two sharp pointers, mimicking stun gun’s mechanism, and pierces through clothing, and even skin to electrocute the attacker,” explains Siddharth who took two years to build a working prototype; and another three years to create a market-friendly

gh clothing, and even skin to electrocute the attacker,” explains Siddharth who took two years to build a working prototype; and another three years to create a market-friendly product by interviewing over 500 women across India and California.

[caption id="attachment_15377" align="aligncenter" width="478"] Siddharth Mandala[/caption]

The Hyderabad born and raised reveals Electroshoe activates an alarm sound to alert nearby police stations and sends location to family members. “It can even sense angst in a conversation, and can raise alarm,” adds the entrepreneur. With a built-in solar plate, it recharges itself when exposed to sunlight. “The idea was that it should be something that women can carry with them easily all the time,” adds the 21-year-old.

An incident caused a shift

Born in 2000 to a businessman father and a criminal lawyer mother (now a homemaker), Siddharth loved to build things as a kid. And he found time to pursue his interest in his growing years. But the Nirbhaya rape case pushed him to put his innovative side to better use, and that’s how Electroshoe came into existence. But it was an uphill climb with many obstacles in the path. He taught himself programming and coding with the help of mentors from Linkedin and social media. While his prototype failed 17 times, he also faced electrocution twice. But Siddharth never gave up.

But things started to shift when he moved to the US to pursue further studies. “I grew up reading about startups in the Silicon Valley and wanted to be a part of that environment. But I realised it was more about finance and investment,” reveals Siddharth. Around the same time, he met Zach Latta, founder of the hack club, who told him that San Francisco was the place to be for his startup. “I dropped out of my college in California and lived homeless to fundraise for Electroshoe. My parents sold their house in India to send me to college in America. Hence, I didn’t tell them. I used to go to meetups and pitches for free food, where I tried to convince as many people as possible to help me out," reveals the young innovator who didn’t find much support from investors.

[caption id="attachment_15372" align="aligncenter" width="847"] Electroshoe[/caption]

An uphill task

But that didn't deter Siddharth who tried making “shoe attachments from greeting card sound chips that make a sound when you step on them” and tried to sell them in San Francisco. But he didn't know where he could meet women. “I tried standing outside Starbucks and selling them to women. That did not work. I realised that only two types of people will listen to me: My parents, friends, and people who are interested in me. So I went on dating apps. I’d go on dates and somewhere in the conversation would show the product and sell it to them. This is where we found the first 50 users,” reveals Siddharth who returned to India and worked on his product.

Siddharth, who is pursuing a degree in international relations and computer science from Claremont Mckenna College, spent six years turning a prototype into a product “that has gone through almost 30 iterations.” It is no secret that electric shock can often cause internal damage, even leading to cardiac arrest or trauma. However, Siddharth reveals, “We spent years creating the exact amount of voltage to ampere ratio that electrocutes lethally but not enough to kill a person." But he had to face a blow ahead of its launch owing to the Covid 19 pandemic. “We were very close to partnering with Telangana police but Covid first wave kicked in,” says the boy who has branched out his personal safety company to real estate and crypto.

[caption id="attachment_15376" align="aligncenter" width="631"] Siddharth Mandala working on Electroshoe[/caption]

Innovator-turned-activist

Apart from being an innovator and entrepreneur, Siddharth is also an activist who started a nonprofit Cognizance Welfare initiative with his friend Abhishek to spread awareness about rape. “Together we filled over 50 potholes in Hyderabad, we made underprivileged children build inexpensive GPS trackers to track their younger siblings and prevent human trafficking, we even helped a California-based non-profit adopt a village called Kanigiri in Andhra Pradesh and helped them build libraries and infrastructure,” beams Siddharth with pride, adding, “We even built an education class module and spent three months travelling to different cities educating young children about sexual assault and how to detect it very early.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMck9K6D15o

Siddharth, who has come a long way, advices youngsters to “get started and build something already. Even if it’s broken, miscalculated, and consumes most of your time, do not worry. These things usually take time, however, the key is to put something out and let the world see it and show you the path.”

An innovator at heart, he has designed a hardware wallet and a mobile app that can protect people, and their funds safe in the crypto space. "When I was in California, people in the NFT and crypto space were being kidnapped and beaten to share their private crypto keys. Once shared, even police can't trace down the funds. So the wallet acts like additional security feature," concludes Siddharth who loves working out in his free time.

Follow Siddharth Mandala on Linkedin

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How a small-town boy became the GATE 2022 topper without any formal coaching

(March 31, 2022) The last few days have seen GATE 2022 topper T Mani Sandeep Reddy receive a flurry of phone calls and congratulatory messages. Among them, he was pleasantly surprised to discover, was Telangana minister E Dayakara Rao. Meanwhile, the soft-spoken engineering student from NIT-Warangal is perplexed by the adulation. His achievement - topping the chemical engineering section, is tremendous. The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is one of the country's most competitive exams, deciding admissions to various IITs and to the prestigious Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru. "I am satisfied with my performance. Is it a great achievement? I don’t know. But I did not expect this kind of response. I feel people are blowing it out of proportion," smiles the 22-year-old, whose gentle demeanour and simplicity are hard to miss. [caption id="attachment_22309" align="aligncenter" width="536"] The GATE 2022 topper outside his alma mater, NIT-Warangal[/caption] Mission: Stay focussed In an exclusive chat with Global Indian from his hostel at NIT, Sandeep says that it was general preparation that helped him secure the first rank. Unlike scores of students across the country, he didn't head to the array of coaching centres. Instead, the GATE 2022 topper decided to

th Global Indian from his hostel at NIT, Sandeep says that it was general preparation that helped him secure the first rank. Unlike scores of students across the country, he didn't head to the array of coaching centres. Instead, the GATE 2022 topper decided to keep it simple, preparing on his own at home. “I started preparing for GATE about six months ago. The plan was simple – dedicate three to four hours every day to all the subjects with complete concentration," says the chemical engineering student. Staying focussed in his classes helped him cope with the syllabus.

Incidentally, most students opt for formal coaching ahead of the exams, but Sandeep chose to arm himself with his professors’ lessons, a few guides, and determination. This year’s GATE results were declared by the Indian Institute of Technology - Kharagpur on March 17. The exams decide admissions into the Masters programmes at various IITs and the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, as well as for recruitment by some public sector companies.

"I was expecting a rank below 50 and the paper was tough this year," he says when asked whether he’d had any inkling that he would secure the first rank. This year, over nine lakh students had applied for GATE 2022, of which a little over seven lakh appeared for the exams in early February. Sandeep emerged as the GATE topper 2022, securing the AIR Rank 1 in the chemical engineering stream.

Mr. T Mani Sandeep Reddy, final year BTech Chemical student secured AIR 1 in GATE 2022. pic.twitter.com/uGZBMab3VJ

— NIT WARANGAL (@warangal_nit) March 17, 2022

Ladder to success

This is Sandeep’s second attempt at GATE. He’d taken the exam in 2021 too when he ranked 229. "That (rank) was good enough and I wrote the exams just to gain some experience," he says. In hope of pushing his limits even more, he decided to retake the exam.

"I had a solid conceptual understanding of my subjects," says Sandeep, adding, "Paying attention in class helped me a great deal." His professors, who guided him throughout, were very happy with his performance. When the GATE 2022 results were declared, he was congratulated by NIT director NV Ramana Rao, chemical engineering HOD Dr Srinath and professor Shireesh Sonewane.

Humble beginnings

Born in a tiny hamlet in Vedurupaka village in Andhra Pradhesh’s East Godavari district, Sandeep attended a local school for four years before his family moved to Hyderabad. There, he studied at Johnson Grammar School, Nacharam. "I was always interested in physics and chemistry applications. Luckily, I got a good score in JEE (mains) and got into NIT Warangal," says Sandeep, whose father, T Rama Gopala Reddy is an electrical engineer. His mother Iswarya Bhagya Laxmi is a homemaker while Sandeep's younger brother Varun Kumar Reddy is in class 12.

[caption id="attachment_22306" align="aligncenter" width="762"] Sandeep with his family[/caption]

The youngster considers his father as his idol. "He comes from a family of farmers and has faced innumerable challenges. My father used to work in the fields and still make the time to study. He completed his degree and then engineering through his efforts and determination. He knows the value of education," smiles Sandeep, who says that coming from a humble background is what has helped him as well. Needless to say, his parents were thrilled with the news.

Sandeep wants to work in a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) to gain experience. Then, he will decide whether he wants to continue with it or switch to a private company. The final-year engineering student has already received an offer from GAIL through campus placements. With his recent achievement, more offers are likely to come his way.

From badminton to numismatics

[caption id="attachment_22305" align="aligncenter" width="726"] Sandeep is passionate about numismatics and has over 700 old coins[/caption]

Believing in striking a balance, Sandeep is not just about academics all the way. "I like to unwind over a game of badminton and also play online games. But my major hobby is numismatics," he informs. Collecting old coins from India and abroad has been a hobby since he was in school. "I like the old Indian coins, especially the commemorative ones. I have about 700 coins in my collection," says the young lad, who is also part of his college’s chemical engineering association.

Follow on T Mani Sandeep Reddy on Linkedin

Reading Time: 6 min

Induced AI to Karya: AI startups to look forward to in 2024

(January 3, 2024) In the fast-changing world of tech and new ideas, young Indian entrepreneurs are making waves with their cool AI startups. These startups are getting attention for using artificial intelligence to do good things. These smart young minds are using AI to solve big problems our society faces and make things better. Now, in 2024, these startups are showing a new era of clever ideas. They're not just proving how talented young Indians are in tech, but also showing they want to use AI to help our communities and the whole world. These startups are like guiding lights, giving us hope and making us excited about a future where AI does good things for everyone. Karya "Karya brings dignified, digital work to economically disadvantaged Indians, giving them a pathway out of poverty. We empower individuals and communities with fair economic opportunities through completing high-quality data annotation services for AI/ML clients. We envision an ecosystem of ethical data usage; a world where data can both financially and technologically empower individuals," reads Manu Chopra's LinkedIn profile. [caption id="attachment_34979" align="aligncenter" width="456"] Manu Chopra with members of Karya[/caption] Launched in 2021 by Manu Chopra, a Stanford graduate who himself grew in a

/youth//wp-content/uploads/2024/01/karya1.jpg" alt="Karya | Global Indian" width="456" height="331" /> Manu Chopra with members of Karya[/caption]

Launched in 2021 by Manu Chopra, a Stanford graduate who himself grew in a basti (slum) in Delhi, saw poverty first hand. While studying computer engineering at Stanford, the idea of tech-for-good inspired him and he was keen to explore ways to tackle poverty by giving the poor access to dignified, digital work. With almost everyone having access to a mobile phone, he decided to use Indian languages to unlock economic value for rural India. "The idea in my head was, what if we could bypass skilling? Can we give people a livelihood and money for skills they already have? What is the skill that rural India already has? Their language," Manu said in an interview.

The AI startup has already helped 30,000 rural Indians earn ₹65 million so far.

Follow Manu Chopra on LinkedIn

Delv.AI

2023 saw 16-year-old Pranjali Awasthi make headlines as her venture Delv.AI, that offers services linked to data extraction for research, raised $45000 (₹3.7 crore) at a valuation of ₹100 crore. For someone who has been learning coding from the age of seven from her dad, things shifted when she moved to Florida a few years ago. She began interning with the Florida Internal University lab that was working on machine learning, and her daily tasks included searching, data extraction and generating literature reviews.

[caption id="attachment_34981" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Pranjali Awasthi, the founder of Delv.ai[/caption]

2020 came with a massive opportunity when OpenAI released its ChatGPT-3 beta version. "I knew we could use it to make extracting and summarizing research data easier," she said. The very next year, she was accepted into an accelerator program, and in 2022, she launched the beta version of Delv.AI on Product Hunt, a platform that allows people to share software for free. "As more content gets uploaded online, it's getting harder for people to find the right information, especially when that information is very specific. Delv.AI helps researchers leverage AI to find exactly the information they're looking for," she wrote on her blog on the website.

Follow Pranjali Awasthi on LinkedIn

Induced AI

Aryan Sharma and Ayush Pathak became overnight entrepreneurial stars as the teenager's AI startup is backed by none other than Open AI co-founder Sam Altman. In 2023, they raised $2.3 million in funding for their startup - Induced AI, which empowers businesses to imput their workflows in plain English, instantly transforming these instructions into pseudo-code for handling repetitive tasks, typically managed by back offices.

[caption id="attachment_34982" align="aligncenter" width="577"] Aryan Sharma and Ayush Pathak, the founders of Induced AI[/caption]

It all began with cold emailing and a few trips to San Francisco to meet some of the Bay Area's tech and VC titans. That's when they met Sam Altman, and a few meetings and emails later, he decided to backup these two Indian teenagers. Induced AI enhances business workflows efficiently. "It's not meant to book a flight ticket or write an email. It's designed for specific processes and tasks, like generating leads at 9 am every day, or collating insurance claims," Aryan said.

Follow Aryan Sharma on LinkedIn

Kroop AI

Deepfake menace created quite a havoc in 2023, and now Kroop AI has come up with a potential solution as the startup aims to help detect manipulated videos online. Dr Jyoti Joshi, the co-founder of Kroop AI which was launched in 2021, says, "The problem is very niche and in the Asia Pacific region, there are no companies (dealing with it). The threat is new and so is the whole set-up around its detection."

[caption id="attachment_34983" align="aligncenter" width="564"] The co-founders of Kroop AI[/caption]

Kroop AI has an API as well as a website where one can upload a piece of media, a file or a folder to scan the potential manipulation. The website offers a simple probability assessment for video manipulation, whereas the tool provides a comprehensive analysis, specifying the percentage of manipulation and detailing the aspects of the video that have been altered. Users are charged an average of $1 per minute for the video analysis service.

Follow Dr Jyoti Joshi on LinkedIn

Tanvee Vallem: A rising cue sports star in the United States

(November 30, 2024) At just 11 years old, Tanvee Vallem—born in Hyderabad and raised in Bethesda, Maryland—is a rising pool player who has already competed in several prestigious cue sports competitions across the United States. Most recently, she stood fourth in the 14U Girls Championship Season 4 of the Junior American Series, where she faced off against eight of the nation’s top young players. For a girl who started playing pool only a couple of years ago, her achievements are nothing short of remarkable. Cue sports, often referred to as billiards, involve precision and strategy. Among the various formats, nine-ball pool stands out for its complexity and fast-paced gameplay, requiring both skill and tactical thinking. For Tanvee, this sport represents a perfect blend of challenge and joy, pushing her to excel at every level. “I found my interest in playing cue sports, especially nine-ball for its strategy and the overall fun and challenge which comes along with it,” remarked the youngster in an interview. [caption id="attachment_40706" align="aligncenter" width="696"] Tanvee Vallem[/caption] Tryst with billiards Tanvee’s journey started in the summer of 2022 when her father, Veeresh Vallem, installed a pool table at home as a pastime. What began as casual games

allem.webp" alt="Indian Sportsperson | Tanvee Vallem | Global Indian" width="696" height="523" /> Tanvee Vallem[/caption]

Tryst with billiards

Tanvee’s journey started in the summer of 2022 when her father, Veeresh Vallem, installed a pool table at home as a pastime. What began as casual games between father and daughter soon turned into an obsession for Tanvee. "I played hundreds of games with my dad but couldn’t beat him. That’s when I asked him to teach me proper techniques," she recalls.

Her competitive debut came later that year at the SVB Junior Open in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Although she didn’t win, Tanvee gained invaluable experience. "Losing wasn’t discouraging; it was a chance to learn and grow," she reflected. That experience set the stage for her to compete against some of the best junior players in the world.

[caption id="attachment_40704" align="aligncenter" width="752"] Tanvee Vallem[/caption]

Competing against the best

For someone so young, Tanvee’s list of achievements is impressive. In 2024, she represented India in the WPA Junior World Pool Championship in Hamilton, New Zealand, competing against skilled players such as Savannah Easton from the USA and Ming-Ling Wang from Chinese Taipei. Despite not securing the top spot, Tanvee viewed the experience positively: "I had very few chances but couldn’t capitalize. Time to hit the practice table and come back stronger!"

She has also competed in other high-profile events, including the Predator World Junior 9-ball Championship in Puerto Rico in 2022, where she made history as the youngest participant. That same year, she competed in the WPA World 10-ball Junior Championship in Austria. In the U.S., Tanvee has consistently excelled in state-level championships, earning runner-up and third-place titles across multiple junior categories.

[caption id="attachment_40705" align="aligncenter" width="549"] Tanvee with one of her competitors[/caption]

The joy of the game

What sets Tanvee apart is her genuine love for cue sports. She trains under coach Roy Pastor from the Billiards Education Foundation (BEF), which has been instrumental in her development. "Coach Roy’s guidance was a blessing; he made the complex seem achievable," she said.

Tanvee admires the strategic nature of pool, likening it to chess. Her ability to focus on skill development rather than age or competition shows her mature outlook. "This sport gives me joy, and I don't have to push myself—it’s about learning and playing," she shared.

[caption id="attachment_40710" align="aligncenter" width="623"] Tanvee Vallem[/caption]

A multifaceted talent

Tanvee’s interests aren’t confined to cue sports. She is a red belt in Taekwondo and continues to learn Kuchipudi, an Indian classical dance form. Her passion for pencil art, which includes shading and perspective techniques, further highlights her creative abilities.

An academic achiever as well, Tanvee is a student at Westbrook Elementary School in Maryland, where she was selected for the National "No Place for Hate" program which engages students and staff in dialogue and active learning on the topics of bias, bullying, inclusion and allyship. A Taylor Swift fan, Tanvee eagerly awaits the singer’s concerts, blending her disciplined pursuits with the joys of childhood.

[caption id="attachment_40707" align="aligncenter" width="573"] Tanvee with her Taekwondo instructor[/caption]

Overcoming challenges

Tanvee’s journey hasn’t been without obstacles. Cue sports come with significant financial commitments, including equipment and travel costs. "The struggles along the way are meant to shape you for your purpose," her father often reminds her.

Sponsorships have played a crucial role in easing these challenges. Companies like DFE Billiards and S&T Billiards provided essential equipment, while the Junior Billiard Scholarship Fund helped cover travel expenses. Support from her family and community has also been a cornerstone of her success.

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Future aspirations

As she continues to train and compete, Tanvee’s focus remains on improving her game and inspiring others to take up cue sports. Her story reflects a harmonious blend of ambition and humility, driven by a desire to represent her heritage and make her family proud.

From standing out at the Junior American Series to making the Indian diaspora proud on international stages, Tanvee Vallem’s journey is a true example of what can be achieved with hard work and determination. At just 11 years old, she has already accomplished what many only dream of—and this is just the beginning.

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A post shared by Tanvee Vallem (@tanvee_vallem)

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