Shahan Ali Mohsin becomes the first Indian to win FIA Formula 4 car racing Indian series
Compiled by: Team GI Youth
(December 23, 2023) When most kids of his age were glued to cartoons on television, Shahan Ali Mohsin would watch motorsport racing. But his visit to the Indian Grand Prix changed it all for the teenager. Looking at the fast-speed cars, he knew he wanted to be on the track driving one. And now a few years later, he has become the first Indian to win the FIA Formula 4 car racing championship. The 19-year-old, who represents the Hyderabad Black Birds team, picked up the trophy at Madras International Circuit in Sriperumbudur, a town panchayat some 35 km away from Chennai.
It’s nothing short of a dream come true for the teenager who has spent a considerable amount of his life on racetracks. It was in 2011 that he first visited Indian Grand Prix, and was determined to make a career in motorsports. Seeing his passion, his father Shahroo Mohsin, a shoe exporter based in Agra, did some research and soon enrolled Shahan at the Meco Motorsports Karting Academy in 2012. He adapted to it pretty soon. “In my first time driving a go-kart I was already pretty fast. Mr. Ebrahim (Akbar Ebrahim) coached me over the years, which helped me learn racecraft. In the first year itself, I was in the top five. And by the end of my first year in the national championship, I already had a podium. By the second year I was already in the top three, and I was leading the championship for a brief while as well,” he said in an interview.
The very next year, Shahan began competing in the Asian Rotax Championship. By the second season, he already managed a few podiums. At the age of 12, he won the Asian Championship’s Micro Max category and even had his first race in Europe at the Rotax Grand Festival. “In 2018, I returned to Europe to do the Central European Championship. I got one podium, a second place, there. I did the Rotax Grand Festival in 2017 as well, finishing fourth that year,” he added.
In 2018, Shahan faced a major setback while racing (Trofeo Andrea Margutti) in Italy when he felt a sudden pain in his ribcage. Upon his return to India, the MRI revealed a fracture in his left rib, which was caused by an injury in 2017 when he had a crash in the national championship. The injury kept him off the tracks for four months which Shahan describes as a difficult time. “I had to stay away from racing. I couldn’t do anything. There was no gym, no fitness, which was very boring for me. But in the first race after the injury, I was already on the pace. And the second race after that I won,” he revealed.
It was in 2019 when Shahan turned 15 that he switched from karting to single-seater with MRF F1600, making him the youngest single-seater driver in India. “The transition was difficult, but I adapted to it in one or two races. You’re moving from a kart of 80kg to a single-seater which is 500kg. It’s a big difference. And then you have aero, suspension, etc. Plus, in karting, you’ve got 30bhp, and in single-seaters you have 140-150bhp. It was a big difference in terms of engine and power. Then there was the gearbox. It took some time, but I adapted to it. There was a lot to learn,” he said in an interview.
Shahan credits his dad for the journey that he has been able to undertake in motorsports. The racer says that his dad always had a blueprint helping him navigate the course for the next few years. “He always had a plan, and he built me up from scratch. He moved me from the Indian national scene to Asia, then to Europe, and then to single-seaters,” added the teenager.
For the next three years, he kept clinching awards that have cemented his position in the world of motorsports. In 2019, he was awarded Best Driver of the Year and in 2021, he won the Indian National Car Racing Championship followed by becoming the first Indian to race in the Indian Racing League in 2022. And now, he has become the first Indian to win the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) Formula 4 car racing championship.
The F4 cars, sanctioned by the FIA, are imported from France and are equipped with turbocharged Renault engines, allowing them to attain speeds of up to 250 km/hr. The Indian F4 Championship comprises a field of 12 drivers, including three from India, as well as representatives from various countries such as Australia, the US, Tasmania, England, UAE, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, and a female driver from India.
“I have set a goal to make India proud by giving my best in the remaining races of the championship,” Shahan said.
(November 9, 2024) “I feel blessed to have come this far in my journey with the Korean language and music,” says Delhi’s Srija Paul, reflecting on the journey that has brought her to the global stage. Srija’s connection with the Korean language began as a quest to understand the lyrics of her favourite K-pop ballads. Over time, it grew into a deep, immersive passion that’s shaping her career path. In 2024, the 20-year-old achieved a major milestone by winning the grand prize in the “Born To Be A KPOP Star” contest, held in South Korea’s Gyeongsang-do province. This isn’t the first time Srija has made her mark on the international stage. Last year, she claimed the top prize in the Sejong Hakdang Outstanding Learners’ Invitational Training Program, an annual competition for Korean language learners in Seoul. With each achievement, she feels she is getting closer to her ultimate goal - to become a popular professional singer in Korea. [caption id="attachment_40258" align="aligncenter" width="790"] Srija in front of the Blue House, also known as Cheongwa Dae - the official residence of the President of South Korea[/caption] After majoring in English Literature at a college in Delhi and completing a basic Korean language
7" /> Srija in front of the Blue House, also known as Cheongwa Dae - the official residence of the President of South Korea[/caption]
After majoring in English Literature at a college in Delhi and completing a basic Korean language course at the Korean Cultural Centre India (KCCI) in New Delhi, she recently began an advanced practical Korean language course at the SNU Language Education Institute in Seoul. Alongside her studies, Srija works as a Korean language trainer on the language exchange platform Hilokal, where she and other trainers hold audio-based classes to help people improve their Korean. She’s also dedicated to building a musical career in South Korea.
Tryst with the Korean language
Srija’s fascination with the Korean language took root in 2017 when a friend introduced her to the world of K-pop. Intrigued by the unfamiliar sounds and rhythms, she found herself drawn to the unique artistry of the genre, especially the ballads. Her growing love for these songs, and the messages she sensed within the lyrics, motivated her to learn Korean. Initially, Srija’s goal was simple - to understand the music on a deeper level. But as she delved into the language, what started as a personal interest transformed into an unshakable passion.
In February 2023, Srija took a definitive step forward by enrolling in a formal Korean language course at the Sejong Hakdang branch of the Korean Cultural Centre India (KCCI) in New Delhi. There, she immersed herself in rigorous language studies, embracing the nuances of Korean grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. By the time the Sejong Hakdang Invitational contest came around later that year, Srija was ready to compete with other top learners worldwide.
[caption id="attachment_40259" align="aligncenter" width="732"] Srija Paul at the Sejong Hakdang Outstanding Learners’ Invitational speech competition in 2023[/caption]
Her performance in the competition was nothing short of stellar; she presented the speech titled ‘My Dreams and Challenges in Korean,’ which resonated strongly with both the audience and judges. In her speech, she shared her aspiration of becoming a singer in Korea and spoke candidly about the obstacles she had faced. This victory not only reaffirmed her dedication to the Korean language but also brought her one step closer to achieving her dream.
Winning ‘Born To Be A KPOP Star’ competition in 2024
This year’s 'Born To Be A KPOP Star' competition marked another significant milestone in Srija’s journey. The event, held in South Korea’s Gyeongsang-do province, featured contestants from around the world, both online and offline. She got emotional upon hearing her name announced as the grand prize winner. It was a surreal moment, a culmination of years of practice, discipline, and commitment to music. Srija attributes much of her success to her language skills, noting that singing in Korean has allowed her to connect with audiences on a deeper level. By conveying the nuances and emotions of Korean lyrics, she brings authenticity to her performances, which resonates with listeners.
[caption id="attachment_40257" align="aligncenter" width="745"] Srija received the first prize in the 'Born To Be a KPOP Star' competition as an online participant[/caption]
Platform for cultural exchange
For Srija Paul, the Sejong Hakdang program and the Korean Cultural Centre, India have provided crucial platforms not only to learn Korean but also to experience Korean culture in its entirety. The Sejong Hakdang Outstanding Learners’ Invitational Training Program, which brought her to Seoul last year, is a collaborative effort between the Sejong Hakdang Foundation and the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism in South Korea. Each year, the program invites top students from Sejong Hakdang branches worldwide to compete in Korean language skills, and the event is a central part of the annual Hangeul Day celebrations on October 9. In 2023, over 2,400 applicants from 67 countries participated in the program, and Srija emerged as the grand prize winner, joining the ranks of previous winners, including Anubhuti Kakati, another Indian student who won in 2021.
“When they announced my name as the winner during the speech contest, I was filled with happiness and a sense of achievement. In that moment, I felt that I had taken one step closer to my dream,” she remarked.
[caption id="attachment_40260" align="aligncenter" width="750"] Srija Paul while receiving the second prize at the Sejong Hakdang Outstanding Learners’ Invitational speech competition[/caption]
The preliminary rounds took place at the Korean Cultural Centre in New Delhi, where the contestants were given a choice between two topics: ‘Korea as I and Koreans See It’ and ‘The Korean City I Want to Visit and an Introduction to My City.’ “I chose the first and was placed second. In the interview round with a panel of professors from reputable Korean universities, just 10 finalists had made it,” she shared.
The first visit to Korea
Srija’s experience in the Sejong Hakdang program was more than just a competition. It was a chance to immerse herself in Korean culture and connect with other language learners from around the world. In addition to the speech contest, the finalists engaged in a variety of activities during their 6-day, 7-night stay. These included visits to Gyeongbokgung Palace and Yongin Folk Village, a traditional game performance at Namsadang, and a tour of the Blue House. They also experienced aspects of modern Korean culture, such as K-pop dance.
The program’s focus on cross-cultural exchange and learning has had a lasting impact on Srija, reinforcing her desire to contribute to Korean-Indian cultural relations through her music.
[caption id="attachment_40261" align="aligncenter" width="622"] Srija visited the Gyeongbok Palace in traditional attire (Hanbok)[/caption]
“I was happy and teary-eyed when I landed in Korea; my dream had finally come true. I was mesmerized by the country’s beauty. Additionally, everything was so organized there and the roads wide and clean. My favourite activities were wearing Hanbok and visiting the aquarium at Lotte World,” shared the youngster who travelled back this year to pursue Korean language course at SNU Language Education Institute in Seoul, few months back.
Korean culture in India
The influence of Korean culture in India has grown rapidly over the past few years, with the KCCI playing a vital role in nurturing this interest. The KCCI offers a variety of classes in New Delhi, from Korean language courses to Taekwondo and Samulnori (traditional Korean percussion music). In addition to these courses, the KCCI extends its reach by partnering with 32 schools across India, offering Korean language classes and cultural programs to students.
A dream of musical fusion
Srija Paul dreams of sharing a stage with her idols, such as Paul Kim and Jung Seung-hwan, and creating music that speaks to both Indian and Korean audiences. For Srija, singing in Korean is more than a performance - it’s a form of expression that bridges two cultures and resonates with listeners on an emotional level.
“I want to create music that brings Korea and India closer to connect people on a deeper level, and I want to keep learning and spreading knowledge of the Korean language and culture to others,” she tells talking about her ultimate goal. To start, she has been working on collaborative projects with Korean singers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dUxx3T0xsg
Srija’s journey from a K-pop enthusiast in Delhi to an award-winning Korean-speaking singer-in-the-making exemplifies the power of passion and perseverance. As she moves forward, the youngster remains committed to her goal - one that transcends borders, celebrating the connections that music and culture create across continents.
For her, the Korean language has been more than just words and phrases - it has been the key that opened a door to her greatest dream.
(September 28, 2024) A newspaper article about Shuchi Scheme - a menstrual hygiene project by the Karnataka government that distributes free sanitary pads for school girls - coming to a halt owing to Covid-19 shifted something in the then 14-year-old Riddhi Javali. Being a teenager herself, the Bengaluru resident understood the problems that girls in villages would be facing due to this unforeseen circumstance. "Despite coming from a privileged background, kids like me were having an issue procuring the essential items. So with the Shuchi scheme coming to an abrupt stop, it was hard for me to even fathom the kind of problems the adolescent girls in villages would be facing, as discussing periods is still considered a taboo," says changemaker Riddhi, who then decided to start Project Repeat - an effort to provide young girls in rural areas with safe and sustainable menstrual hygiene products like reusable cloth pads. What began as an idea to help the adolescent school girls in nearby villages of Bengaluru has now transformed into a movement that is spread across the state of Karnataka, and has so far impacted 400 government school girls in rural areas. "It has been quite a journey for me,"
aka, and has so far impacted 400 government school girls in rural areas. "It has been quite a journey for me," the DPS Bangalore South student tells Global Indian, adding, "Knowing that my efforts are helping the girls, gives me immense satisfaction and reaffirms that I am on the right path."
[caption id="attachment_25201" align="aligncenter" width="413"] Riddhi Javali is the founder of Project Repeat[/caption]
A newspaper clipping that changed it all
A newspaper article stating around 19.29 lakh government school girls were awaiting sanitary pads after the Shuchi scheme was stalled, made Riddhi jump into action. The closure of schools due to Covid-19 deprived lakhs of young girls of sanitary napkins and Riddhi was keen to find a solution. Understanding that the disposable sanitary pads provided by the government harm the environment, she knew that sustainable menstrual products were the answer. She had three options - biodegradable pads, menstrual cups, or cloth pads - to choose from to begin the journey. She zeroed in on cloth pads as they are cost-efficient, eco-friendly, and could be washed and reused for up to five years.
"Initially, the plan was to employ rural women who could make cloth pads by procuring waste cloth from cloth factories. However, the proposal was busted when I was told that a medical grade cloth was needed for the process," reveals the 19-year-old who had to think on her feet, and immediately started looking for NGOs who make cloth pad kids. That's when she came across Giocare. "I ordered the first batch of 50 cloth pad kits from my pocket money and got in touch with Srinavasa V sir, the Block Resource Coordinator for Dept of School Education and Literacy Government of Karnataka. He took me to a government school in Harrohalli village on the outskirts of Bengaluru, my first visit," adds Riddhi, who distributed cloth pads to the girls and educated them on menstruation.
[caption id="attachment_25202" align="aligncenter" width="739"] Riddhi interacting with girls at Karnataka Public School in Harohalli[/caption]
In a country where menstruation is still a taboo topic and around 23 percent of girls drop out of school upon reaching puberty, getting the girls to open up was a task for Riddhi. "They were extremely shy. But with each school interaction, things started to get better and more streamlined. However, what struck me the most was their problems. Some told me that their school washrooms would get blocked girls would try to flush their pads, and that the government wouldn’t repair them for months," says Riddhi, adding, "Others informed me that garbage collectors won't pick up pads, and later the piles of pads were either burned or buried."
A challenging project
The first few trips were an eye-opener for the teenager, who was keen to help. But funding was a challenge that kept prolonging the task at hand. "After spending my pocket money initially, I realised that this wasn't a long-term solution. That's when I started an online fundraiser, while it was family and friends who started contributing at first. But later, we did a tie-up with Ladies Cosmo Circle Bengaluru who funded us for one school," says the changemaker, who believes that people are all for spreading awareness but still think twice before contributing money. "That's the reason I continue with my campaigns so that the funds keep pouring in," she adds, stating that she now has a team of volunteers who help spread awareness by constantly contributing to the website as well as their Instagram page.
[caption id="attachment_25203" align="aligncenter" width="500"] A girl student with cloth pad kit at Government High School, Attihalli[/caption]
While Riddhi now has an army of volunteers who help her with Project Repeat, when she started, it was a one-man or in her case, one-woman show. "For two years, I was the only one who was visiting the schools, giving presentations, raising funds, and even updating the website. But soon the word spread, and like-minded people came forward to lend their support and skills," adds the changemaker. However, it was an uphill task for Riddhi, who had to not only push herself out of her comfort zone but also had to fight the age bias. Recalling an incident, the changemaker says, "I remember once I had finished giving a presentation in one of the schools when one of the teachers told the students that it was my mom who was behind Project Repeat and doing everything. I had to correct her and say that I was the one spearheading this, while my parents were there for moral support."
[caption id="attachment_25204" align="aligncenter" width="783"] Riddhi Javali giving a presentation about menstrual hygiene at Government School Attihalli[/caption]
Plans of expansion
However, these challenges have only made her more determined to work towards period poverty. After having impacted 9-10 government schools in Karnataka, she has now begun creating awareness about menstruation in her school as well. "We have started with Class 7 and Class 8 where boys and girls educate both boys and girls," says the Class 11 student, who has plans of expanding Project Repeat to parts of Tamil Nadu. "Since my mother is from the state, I am comfortable with the language, and can reach out to school girls in rural areas." However, her ultimate aim is for Project Repeat to reach every corner of India, and get more girls and young women out of period poverty. "As little girls, we are so ashamed of periods that not many speak about them openly. So it is important to change this mindset at a young age, as these are the formative years," adds the teen changemaker.
Riddhi calls her software engineer parents the wind beneath her wings, always letting her "explore and discover things." "From pushing me to do better to being present at every school visit despite their busy schedules, they have been huge pillars of support for me," says a grateful Riddhi who loves unwinding by cooking, reading books, playing badminton, and learning Carnatic music.
[caption id="attachment_25205" align="aligncenter" width="536"] Riddhi Javali giving Project Repeat cloth pad kit to a government school girl[/caption]
Riddhi, who began following her passion at the age of 14, advises young people to take the first step. "If you have a slight inkling about what you want to do, take that first step. At times, that's the hardest part but once you do it, things start to fall in place," the changemaker signs off, adding, "Always believe in yourself."
(November 11, 2022) It was a usual day for the then 13-year-old Ishika Binu and her younger sister, when both of them stepped out with their caretaker to attend their daily Bharatnatyam class. While they were on their way a vehicle rammed into their car, throwing it completely off-balance. "It was a horrible accident," recounts now 17-year-old student, as she connects with Global Indian, from Washington. "When the car collided, I was shouting my sister's name. She was very still and I feared that she was dead. She was shifted to the Harborview Hospital in Seattle, while I remained at Evergreen due to my concussion. She stayed in the Intensive Care Unit for several days with multiple spinal fractures, a sternum fracture, and internal spleen bleeding." [caption id="attachment_24083" align="aligncenter" width="522"] Ishika Binu[/caption] While the accident left a lifelong scar on Ishika's memory, it did force her to realise the importance of road safety measures. Her recovery period gave Ishika the time to do a lot of research about road accidents across the world. The high school student found that millions of people lose their lives - either on spot or waiting for medical assistance - after meeting with an accident.
importance of road safety measures. Her recovery period gave Ishika the time to do a lot of research about road accidents across the world. The high school student found that millions of people lose their lives - either on spot or waiting for medical assistance - after meeting with an accident. "We were lucky to be fully under my father's insurance. However, several people cannot afford their medical bills, and that pains me," shares the teenager.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4CSSnbrkw0
Inspired by the tragedy that struck her family, Ishika decided to focus on safe driving for her Girl Scouts project. Earlier this year, the Washington-based student won the National Gold Scholarship Award for her Safe Drive project - which is the highest award in Girl Scouts. She is also the founder of an NGO, Arts4Assistance, which supports families who have any unexpected medical needs.
A passionate youngster
Born in Washington to two young computer engineers from Kerala, Ishika was always attracted to performing arts - especially Indian classical dance forms. "I am heavily invested in performing arts and dancing. I have been taking formal classes since I was just four years old, and have performed on various platforms as well." Proud of her Indian roots, Ishika shares that her family celebrates Onam every year in a grand fashion.
[caption id="attachment_24084" align="aligncenter" width="589"] Binu sisters, during a Bharatanatyam performance[/caption]
For someone who finds silver linings even in the most tragic situations, she reminisces that it was the paramedic, who helped her and her sister, that played a catalyst in changing the way she thinks. "He told me that he had to be calm, to be able to help people. If he panicked, the people who are already scared might lose all hope. I was very inspired by that and today I completely base all my thought processes around that. Even when I was in the hospital, I was aware of the various issues the patients and their families were facing. Those small things motivated me to start the safe driving Girl Scouts project," shares the student.
After years of rehab and therapy, both Ishika and her younger sister, Rithika, are not only fine now, but have also performed Bharatanatyam at various events. To be able to use her art form to help others, Ishika started the NGO, Arts4Assistance. "We loved performing on the stage, and it is a big part of our lives. I plan to become a doctor when I grow up but don't want to stop doing things that make me happy due to work pressure. And I figured, many young people still like to pursue their hobbies despite having a tight work schedule. And what better than to use those performances to help other people. With that thought I started Arts4Assistance, a platform where artists can submit art pieces and performances to help raise funds for families who have any kind of unexpected medical needs," says the student.
Giving back to the society
Around the same time that Ishika was working on her Girl Scouts project, another unfortunate incident shook her. Her grandfather, who lived in Kerala, suffered a heart attack and wasn’t able to make 911 call to get an ambulance like in the US. "Having been in an accident, I knew what important role ambulances play in the patient getting timely treatment. My father made me more aware of the healthcare situation in India."
[caption id="attachment_24085" align="aligncenter" width="596"] MLA D.K. Murali flagging off the ambulance service in the Kallara village[/caption]
The youngster, with help from the Girl Scouts of Western Washington, worked remotely to implement ambulance services in the Kerala village, which was flagged off on April 2, 2022. "I realised that just spreading awareness on the prevention of road accidents is not enough. We must find a way to provide emergency medical services. I identified places that lacked proper medical transportation services in Kerala and contacted the Kallara panchayat to help improve their medical infrastructure. I raised funds for the ambulance service with the help of volunteers, and other art shows and performances in Washington," shares the young student, who is currently working on a similar project in Africa.
(February 17, 2023) Sejal Akerkar had attended poetry camps in middle school and continued to write but hadn’t really thought about doing it as a profession. That changed when she found inspiration in the Canadian-Indian poet, artist and performer, Rupi Kaur. Rupi’s first collection of poetry was published in 2014 and became a New York Times bestseller. “When I started reading Rupi’s poetry, I was inspired to write because she was so similar to me – a young, Indian-American student. I found great comfort in reading her poems and started to write.” By the time Sejal turned 15, she had written over 100 poems. [caption id="attachment_27571" align="aligncenter" width="572"] Sejal Akerkar[/caption] Following in the footsteps of her role model, she self-published her first poetry book, Walking down the sensory strip. The Sammamish High School student introduced her second poetry book, Optic opening to the world soon after. While the first book made it to the top 35 in the women’s category on Amazon, her second book did even better, finding a place in top 5 in the category of Asian poetry. The India experiences Like her parents, Sejal was born and raised in the USA. However, the seventeen-year-old spent three years
Following in the footsteps of her role model, she self-published her first poetry book, Walking down the sensory strip. The Sammamish High School student introduced her second poetry book, Optic opening to the world soon after. While the first book made it to the top 35 in the women’s category on Amazon, her second book did even better, finding a place in top 5 in the category of Asian poetry.
The India experiences
Like her parents, Sejal was born and raised in the USA. However, the seventeen-year-old spent three years of her life in Gurugram, India, where her father was posted. That’s when she came across the non-profit Udayan Care, which gave her a fresh perspective on life.
After returning to the US, the teenager published two poetry collections and on instinct, decided to donate the royalties that her books fetched. “When my books were published, I knew that I didn’t need the money earned from royalties and giving away the money to Udayan Care seemed the best thing to do,” says the youngster as she connects with Global Indian.
Udyaan Care, Sejal says, "has multiple houses and homes across India where they foster orphaned and abandoned children and give them higher education. It helps them succeed in the world instead of getting into the orphanage system.”
When Sejal and her family was in India, her mom became associated with one of the houses in Gurugram, teaching English to the girls there. “She would take me and my younger sister along to hang out with them and over time we built lasting connections,” she recalls. “We use to hear their stories of how they lost their parents, or were abandoned by them. We built deep connections and started celebrating festivals and birthdays together. We would see them all the time.”
When the family went back to the United States, they wanted to stay connected to the cause. “While my mom joined Udayan Care USA as the president, I became a volunteer. We planned lots of fundraisers and activities,” Sejal says.
Teaching poetry
These days, the teenager also teaches poetry writing in an elementary school. “It’s my after-school activity," she tells, adding, she loves being a mentor to kids between seven to 10 years of age. “I even created the entire curriculum of the poetry class,” she says.
By applying a different approach to teaching, the young teacher enjoys great bonhomie with her little pupils. “I teach differently because I think that usually poetry is taught in a very structured manner which tends to get boring for students. I don’t teach them how it is supposed to be. I give them creative prompts,” she says.
Sejal helps her pupils imagine with visuals, drawings, videos and more, and makes them write whatever comes to their mind. This keeps them interested. “It’s like giving them a little seed and let them water it, allow sunlight to come and help them grow their poetry without structuring them or restraining them from anything.”
As for her own poetry, Sejal writes on a wide array of topics – ‘life as a teenager and how it feels to go into adulthood, about my immigrant grandparents, how they came here and what they gave up to get here’, she tells. “I also write about the destruction of nature by humans, my relationships with my loved ones, social media, technology, my friends, myself,” smiles the teenager who loves dancing and golf.
While her first two books have done well, she is in no hurry to come up with the third one, and rather prefers to evolve a bit as a poet. With all her focus on the ongoing college application process, the teenager looks forward to take up biology. “That's complete opposite of what people would expect from me,” she chuckles adding, “I think combining creative and scientific things are very useful to the world today and I want to focus on a lot of multidisciplinary studies in my life.”
(November 28, 2022) Laiba Abdul Basit remembers the very first book she ever read. "It was 101 Stories for Girls," she tells me. A prolific reader by the time she began school, the now eleven-year-old Laiba Abdul Basit entered the Guinness World Records in 2022, as the youngest female author to publish a book series in English, having brought out her second book at the age of 10 years and 164 days. The author of the Order of the Galaxy trilogy, Laiba broke the record held by Saudi Arabian author Ritaj Hussain Alhazmi, who was 12 years old when she published her series. Laiba is a girl of few words, pausing to write in her book from time to time as she speaks with Global Indian. She appears stoic even about her Guinness achievement, admitting later, "I don't know if I like being famous, really. I'm scared of cameras." The family was away on a trip in Calicut when they received the news. - "We went back home, to my father's ancestral home in Kerala and everyone was so happy. It was a very joyous night." Media attention was plentiful, thanks in part to Laiba's grandfather, who worked as a journalist
when they received the news. - "We went back home, to my father's ancestral home in Kerala and everyone was so happy. It was a very joyous night." Media attention was plentiful, thanks in part to Laiba's grandfather, who worked as a journalist in Qatar and talked about his granddaughter online.
[caption id="attachment_24767" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Laiba Abdul Basit, Guinness World Record holder[/caption]
A born wordsmith
Born in Kerala, Laiba grew up in Doha, Qatar, where her father, Abdul Basit, works in the oil sector and her mother, Thasneem Mohammed, runs a business. "I started writing through reading," she says. "My mother taught me the alphabet and how to read before I joined school." She's still a prolific reader, listing Enid Blyton, JK Rowling and Roald Dahl as her favourite authors. Her grandfathers, KM Abdur Raheem and Mohammed Parakkadavu were cultural and social activists in the Gulf Cooperation Council.
By the time she was in the first grade, she began writing herself, scribbling short stories, ideas and phrases in a notebook, and even on pieces of paper that she stuck to the walls of her house. "I was in first or second grade when I decided to write my own stories," Laiba says. "I showed my teacher some of the short stories and she told my parents about it. After that, my parents started taking an interest."
Penning her success
When the first lockdown was imposed in 2020, Laiba switched to typing instead and finished her first book, 'The War for the Stolen Boy'. It took her about a year and a half to write. The series tells the story of four siblings who go out on intergalactic adventures. "I was inspired by writers like Morgan Rice and JK Rowling to do my own thing," Laiba remarks. "I had also developed an interest in astronomy at that time. Since I didn't know much about space, I thought I would go with fantasy.
When The War for the Stolen Boy was complete, Laiba and her father approached a university press in Doha. Unfortunately, the publishing process had slowed down due to the pandemic. "I found out about Kindle direct publishing and three hours later, the book was ready." The second book was taken up by Dr Sabrina Lei, Director of the Rome-based Tawasul Europe Centre for Research and Dialogue. "It took me about six months to write. I remember finishing it at 4 am and rushing to wake my father to tell him. He thought he was having a dream," she laughs. The third book in the series, The Book of Legends, was published by Lipi Publications.
Looking ahead
[caption id="attachment_24769" align="aligncenter" width="744"] Laiba was recognized by the Indian Embassy in Doha[/caption]
The Guinness World Record holder is already working on her fourth book, an epistolic novel about two friends who live sixteen hours from each other. The story is told entirely through their letters and she is looking for international publishers. All this is made possible by her parents, who have been extremely supportive of their daughter. "They deal with all the documentation and everything required for publishing. They help me edit my novel as well," Laiba says.
In her free time, she enjoys roller skating, these days inside the apartment as FIFA fever grips Doha. What does she want to be when she grows up? "Math is my favourite subject," she says, thoughtfully in response. "I want to keep writing but I would also like to try something new." Breaking into a grin and finally giving me a glimpse of the child within, she adds, "I want to be a leader when I grow up. I want to be President."