Skater girl: Meet Janaki Anand, the youngest Indian skateboarder
Written by: Team GI Youth
(October 24, 2024) On March 11, 2021, an Instagram page named @skatekochi uploaded a video of a six-year-old Indian skateboarder, Janaki Anand, during a practice session at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi. The video instantly went viral, not just because of Janaki’s exceptional talent on the skateboard, but also for her grit and courage. In the video, the young Indian skateboarder stumbles a couple of times but refuses to give up, persevering until she manages to get the trick right. In the end, she is surrounded by the Fly Squad, one of Kochi’s first skateboarding communities. Born in Dubai, where she first discovered skateboarding, the Global Indian moved back to Kerala with her family, who hope to draw attention and resources to what is now an Olympic sport and empower other young girls to follow their dreams.
Janaki Anand, the youngest Indian skateboarder
India’s young skateboarding star
Around the same time, Janaki’s mother, Jincy, opened an Instagram page in her daughter’s name – she garnered thousands of followers quickly and is India’s youngest skateboarder. Although the skateboarding scene in India is quite nascent, Janaki is mentioned alongside well-known names like Mohammed Khadir and Atita Verghese of the Bengaluru-based HolyStoked Collective, and Harshad Kamble of the Beastmode Crew, Mumbai.
The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi, where Janaki was practicing when she first entered the limelight, is among the top training centres for skateboarders in the country. With skateboarding being named an Olympic sport in 2020, more resources are coming into developing facilities for young, rising stars like Janaki. Her family eventually moved back home to Kerala, to give Janaki access to better resources and to empower other kids who want to be skateboarders too. With her growing Instagram presence and collaborations with the Indian skateboarder community, Janaki is already making an impact.
Her first love
Janaki first got on a skateboard when she was two years old, in Dubai, where her family was based at the time. Her father, Anand Thampi, was the first in the family to fall in love with the sport. Her older brother Rehan followed and would become Janaki’s role model. She would watch him intently, trying to copy what he did. “I learned like that and practiced,” Janaki said, in an interview. By the age of 3, the young Indian skateboarder was able to get around on a skateboard, and her family, who saw her talent, encouraged it.
As toddlers her age were still learning to walk and run, Janaki would attempt to balance on a skateboard inside her house, holding onto the edge of whatever furniture was nearby, or the wall. When she was four years old, her family took her to a skate park. “We used to get a lot of negative comments about what she was doing,” admits Janaki’s mother, Jincy. “She was skateboarding on the road in Dubai, or in parks nearby and people would criticise us.” Although people assumed Janaki was being pushed into a professional career at a very young age, that was not the case. Janaki learns on her own, without a professional coach.
“Skateboarding is not like other sports,” says Jincy. “We don’t have many professional Indian skateboarders, there are no facilities really for professional coaching or training. But we don’t think she needs anyone either. She can figure it out on her own. There is no limit to what one can do on a skateboard, she can do anything she wants if she sets her mind to it.”
Staying true to her mother’s words, Janaki is constantly pushing herself. Her brother was her first role model but she moved quickly on to YouTube, where she would professionals and advanced skateboarders. Her father guides her after that, helping her with the nuances of mastering the tricks.
Passion and dedication
Janaki’s day begins at 8.30 am, and she practices all morning, takes a break for lunch and then returns to her stakeboard. Her parents even made the difficult decision to take her out of regular school and switch to online learning instead, to give their daughter room to grow and develop her passion. “That was a tough choice because even though online classes became more common during the pandemic, children are expected to physically attend school,” says Jincy. Her parents stand by her firmly, defending her against criticism – “We look at her struggles as she tries to learn and her courage. That gives us strength too,” says Janaki’s mother. Moreover, the many scars and scratches she gathered on her limbs didn’t go down well in a traditional Indian society, where little girls are not expected to do such ‘boyish’ things.
Janaki Anand learned how to skateboard just as babies learn how to walk. By falling all the time, getting hurt, picking herself up, and carrying on anyway. That was another trial by fire for the family, who couldn’t bear to see their daughter cry. “It’s the same as watching kids learn to walk – they fall, cry and do it again. We don’t stop them from doing that. If she dares to take it forward, then we will accept what goes with that,” says Jincy.
When she was four years old, just before the pandemic in 2020, Janaki’s family took her to a skate park in Dubai. That was also the day her mother created an Instagram account @skate_janzz, for the young Indian skateboarder. When the lockdown was put into place, Janaki didn’t let it stop her. She continued to practice indoors, learning to master different tricks.
They returned to India soon after and Janaki Anand went on a South India tour in 2021, covering all five states in 20 days, to bring attention to the sport. She met with skating communities like the Kovalam Skate Club and Cosmic Skaters. Fly Squad members Sreekumar Santosh, Efraim Anthony, and Arun Kumar also took the little girl under their wing, teaching her more advanced techniques.
Her parents have shown just as much courage in their way. “My husband and I were keen to introduce this sport, especially to little girls, as a way of empowering them,” Jincy told the Indian Express. “Simultaneously, we wanted to ensure the right resources for the sport by bringing it to the notice of the authorities. It would also ensure a wider platform for Janaki in her own country.”
(May 20, 2022) The coronavirus pandemic and the ensuing lockdown brought the world and the economy to its knees. Not for long though: various tech solutions soon sprung up to bridge the gap that had begun to make its presence the world over. If there were apps and web platforms to help people connect more easily and work remotely, there were services that bridged the last mile. But what of those that were not savvy enough to jump onto this new digital bandwagon? That’s where 17-year-old Gurugram-based Gavi Kothari stepped in with his startup Tech Help For All. The non-profit venture is aimed at helping both adults and children to get a lowdown on the new tech offerings and how to use them. [caption id="attachment_16916" align="aligncenter" width="558"] Gavi Kothari, founder, Tech Help For All[/caption] “At Tech Help For All, we follow a non-discriminatory policy and aim to make our content accessible to everybody. This is a website to help and educate people on how to use these apps, either for your work meetings or pure curiosity,” says Gavi in a conversation with Global Indian. He has stood first in the 2020 Math Olympiad, ranked 5th in Avishkar, an international robotics
ople on how to use these apps, either for your work meetings or pure curiosity,” says Gavi in a conversation with Global Indian. He has stood first in the 2020 Math Olympiad, ranked 5th in Avishkar, an international robotics competition, and also had his AI-based sustainable development project rank in the top 10 in a global contest.
Tryst with robotics
A high schooler at Amity International School, Gavi’s love for technology and robotics began quite early. “I’ve always been fascinated by new gadgets and tech,” says the teen, who looks up to his parents Rupesh and Anjani Kothari, who’ve paved the way through their hard work and determination. “My dad lost his job due to the pandemic. But he didn’t back down. He went ahead and set up a new business that is now successful and proved that hard work and determination can solve any problem,” beams the lad, who also has a younger brother.
About a year ago, Gavi decided to launch Tech Help for All, a non-profit startup to help educate people on the latest consumer tech offerings and bridge the digital divide that had sprung up due to the pandemic. “During the pandemic, we would all go online for every little task. It was around this time that I realised that there were a lot of people who didn’t know how to use these tech platforms; even NGOs,” says the teen entrepreneur, whose startup creates video tutorials to help people understand how to use every day apps such as Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, and Zoom among others.
Bridging the gap
Tech Help for All has now helped several NGOs in the areas of web development, fundraising, creating LinkedIn pages, and tutoring students apart from the video tutorials. “The idea is to help people navigate the maze of modern-day apps and softwares that have now become a part of our daily lives,” says Gavi, whose company has so far hosted 100 interns and has a team of 15 apart from 15 youth ambassadors.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FciQ0UFBBc
Incidentally, the teen found his calling in tech rather early on and would often spend after school hours interacting with his Robotics teacher to further his passion towards the subject. He has participated in several competitions such as IRC and IIT Delhi’s Robo contest. Apart from these, Gavi is also currently working on an AI-enabled waste management project to work towards a cleaner tomorrow. “Dumping of waste in landfills has been a persistent problem. Though several of us now segregate garbage into wet and dry waste, it all ultimately lands up in the landfills affecting the environment,” Gavi tells, adding, “Through this project, we aim to convert waste into various industrial products at home. We’ve devised a system to segregate and convert waste into manure, biogas, electricity, metals, and 3D printed dustbins with minimal human interaction and easy operation. An app that we’ve developed also helps the user track his/her impact towards the environment.”
The teen entrepreneur, who is also interested in trekking, community work, singing and cooking, also ensures he’s constantly upgrading his knowledge and skill sets through certificate courses in AI and ML. He is also looking to pursue a career in robotics engineering.
(January 31, 2024) Amid the hustle and bustle of Kolkata emerges a story of resilience, compassion, and a relentless pursuit of making a difference. Meet Amey Agarwal, a youngster who has not only won over a 15-year battle with nephrotic syndrome but has also transformed his personal struggle into an inspiration for others. Amey's commitment to raising awareness and providing assistance for those affected by nephrotic syndrome gave birth to Nephrophile - a nonprofit - which has till now helped 300 families and even earned him a Diana Award. Amey's journey with nephrotic syndrome, a condition causing the kidneys to leak large amounts of protein into the urine, began at a tender age. For 15 years, he battled the challenges that the condition brought with it but instead of succumbing to the adversity, he emerged stronger, driven by a deep-seated belief that every child, irrespective of their economic circumstances, deserves a chance to become an adult. [caption id="attachment_35533" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Amey Agarwal[/caption] Helping people affected by Nephrotic syndrome In his pursuit of making a meaningful impact, the 17-year-old founded Nephrohelp, a charitable community dedicated to supporting children suffering from nephrotic syndrome. His vision goes beyond mere sympathy; it is a
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In his pursuit of making a meaningful impact, the 17-year-old founded Nephrohelp, a charitable community dedicated to supporting children suffering from nephrotic syndrome. His vision goes beyond mere sympathy; it is a mission to bring about positive changes in the lives of vulnerable families grappling with the harsh realities of this condition. The heart of Nephrohelp lies in its commitment to facilitating kidney transplants and providing essential support for those in need.
Through the relentless efforts of Amey and his team, the organisation has successfully raised funds and sponsorships, enabling life-changing kidney transplants for two children. "We are more than obliged and happy to help Warisha Khan (14 yrs) and Gaurav Mukherjee (13 yrs) by taking initiative in providing them all the medical necessities under the mentorship and guidance of Dr Rajiv Sinha, Professor & HOD of Pediatric Nephrology Division and thank him for extending his support for this noble cause," the student of St. Xavier's Collegiate School said in a statement.
The powerful impact
Beyond transplantation support, Nephrohelp has touched the lives of over 300 families by providing essential medicines and necessities. During COVID-19 pandemic, his compassion extended further as his organisation donated masks to hospitals, ensuring the safety of frontline workers. The impact of Nephrohelp is not confined to immediate assistance as his team organised awareness campaigns and health check-up camps, spreading knowledge about nephrotic syndrome and offering preventive healthcare to communities.
His dedication and selfless service to bring about transformative change has helped him earn Diana Award 2023 - which speaks volumes about his dedication, resilience, and the positive ripple effect his work has on communities. It is his commitment to education and awareness that have played an important role in his journey as a young changemaker. Recognising the need to inform and empower, Amey co-authored a book Nephrohelp’s Guide to Nephrotic Syndrome, published in both Hindi and Bengali, to raise awareness on nephrotic syndrome. Of them, he donated over 2500 books in rural areas to not only provide valuable insights into the condition but also serve as a guide for others who may be navigating similar challenges.
Amey's advocacy extends beyond the immediate impact of Nephrohelp as his efforts have made nephrotic syndrome visible on a broader scale, challenging societal perceptions and fostering understanding about the struggles faced by those with this condition. In a world where compassion often takes a backseat, he has become a force that transcends boundaries, making a profound difference in the lives of many. He is now committed to provide treatment to over 200 children each year, which reflects his dedication to accessible healthcare.
His vision for a world where every child has the opportunity to grow into adulthood fuels the organisation's initiatives and inspires others to join the cause. In a society that often overlooks the struggles of those with chronic conditions, Amey proves that one person's belief in making a difference can indeed change the world.
(January 7, 2023) At 18000 feet above sea level, Illinois-based Saanvi Sita Mylavarapu stopped feeling her feet. With no insulated boots to keep her warm, she felt "like a thousand needles were poking at the same time." Having arrived at the Mt Everest base a day before, Saanvi was excited for her trek to Kala Patthar, known for its incredible views of Mount Everest. But it was unlike any of the treks she had ever been on. The mountaineers who were happily sitting by the fire the night before were airlifted in helicopters the next day. "The uncertainty due to altitude" hit her hard during the trek, but it was her mental strength that kept her going. Despite reaching a stage when she stopped feeling her feet, she kept walking. "I kept thinking about getting to the top and kept reminding myself why I was doing this," says the teenager for whom the ascent was the first step towards her goal of climbing all seven summits someday. [caption id="attachment_26243" align="aligncenter" width="1080"] Saanvi Sita Mylavarapu on her way to Kala Patthar[/caption] She was only six when she began going on hikes, and in the last nine years, she has hiked over
ta Mylavarapu | Global Indian" width="1080" height="810" /> Saanvi Sita Mylavarapu on her way to Kala Patthar[/caption]
She was only six when she began going on hikes, and in the last nine years, she has hiked over 25 national parks in the US and most recently made it to the top of Mt Whitney through Mountaineer's route. But her passion for hiking comes with a purpose. The Independence High School student is on a mission to inspire teenagers to be close to nature. "The best things in life are free - sunlight, water, air, soil. I want people to spend more time in nature. We don't need to save the planet. We just need to stop spoiling it," Saanvi tells Global Indian.
A childhood hobby turns into a passion
The Chicago-born girl was five when she first saw her dad's sparkling eyes after he returned from a hike. As a young girl, it got her excited to see that a hike made her dad this happy, and soon the family ended up taking a road trip together to Tennessee Kentucky to visit Mammoth Cave National Park. "Being in nature changed the way I view the world. My mom, who has chronic issues, has been my inspiration as I saw her going through transformative change, thanks to being in nature," she adds. Soon, it became a regular affair, and every holiday season, the Mylavarapus would take off to a new national park. While most of her friends would go to beaches and resorts, she was the only one going on hikes. "For us, it was a great family bonding time."
[caption id="attachment_26242" align="aligncenter" width="1080"] Saanvi Sita Mylavarapu[/caption]
What began as a passion for nature soon took the form of a purpose when in elementary school, Saanvi was introduced to climate change. However, the first thing that came to her mind as a 10-year-old was, "but my lifestyle is sustainable." And she kept wondering why? "Some research helped me understand that as a nature lover, I had a lower carbon footprint and it's also helping heal my mind, body, and soul. That's when I realised that everyone can make a connection with nature." This led her to start an Instagram page which she uses to inspire more youngsters to take their heads out of the screens and revel in the beauty of nature.
Choosing nature over technology
Her first brush with nature began at an age when she was yet to be swarmed into the world of digital media. And it was this that helped her find her rhythm in a chaotic world. "Since I'd be hiking and backpacking for weeks in areas where there was no mobile connectivity, I realised how little things we need to be happy. I don't use electronics much. In fact, walking in nature is more entertaining to me than social media."
Saanvi, who is a National Park Trust Student Ambassador, never misses a chance to help kids understand how they can contribute to nature. "The new generation is engulfed in technology, and I want to encourage them to go out. Instead of breathing recycled indoor air, go out and breathe fresh air. Spend more time in nature, and help the planet at the same time."
Making it to the top
This love for hiking later translated into a passion for mountain climbing, and she did start on the right food with Kala Patthar and Mt Whitney. "I think that high to be on the top of the world is true. It is unimaginable happiness," she beams, adding, "In the end, everything seems worth it, even the pain. Because you want to do this all over again." But it isn't a cakewalk as Saanvi has been hiking for years and does rock climbing three-four times a week. "I am in the cross-country team of my school. But more than physical, one also needs to focus on mental strength." So, what keeps her motivated to keep marching forward even during strenuous climbs? "My favourite food," she laughs, adding, "I keep thinking of these two fast-food places in the US that I go to for a taco and a burrito. That's how I keep myself motivated."
It's been nine years since Saanvi has been hiking, and she calls her parents the wind beneath her wings. While her dad Naveen, who is a bank manager, got her interested in hiking, she calls her mom an inspiration. "Even on days that I felt like giving up, they kept pushing me and helped me get past my mental blocks." Still, in Class 11, Saanvi is yet to find her future road map but wants to be either a doctor or a marine biologist. However, at some point in life, she sees herself just hiking. For someone who loves hiking, is learning Kuchipudi, and is a trained violinist and a Carnatic singer, Saanvi likes to strike a balance. "I focus on what I'm passionate about."
Ask her for a piece of advice, and the teenager says, "Simple changes can go a long way, and help reduce carbon footprint and climate change drastically. Earth is a couple of billion years old, and our life span as a human is 70-80 years. So, in these years, explore the earth as much as you can."
(May 8, 2022) Young India is making its mark. From teen entrepreneurs running unicorns to prodigies in science and the arts, India’s youth are shining. Take, for instance, 22-year-old cyber expert Vaibhav Jha, who was lauded for being one of the youngest cyber security trainer in May 2021. By that time, he had already worked as external cyber security researcher with the Ministry of Electronics and IT providing inputs for framing DPR for cyber security labs in India. An expert at 19 On April 28, 2022, CERT-in, a government-appointed nodal agency, issued a new cybersecurity directive. As cyber threats loom, for individuals and nations alike, 'hack the world before it hacks you', maintains Vaibhav which incidentally happens to be the title of the book that he has written. The young ethical hacker has been keenly spreading awareness on security online through various initiatives. Over 25,000 school and college students have learned the ropes of the cyber world through Vaibhav's training sessions under Niti Aayog's Atal Innovation Mission. His research paper on car hacking and cloud security fetched him the budding researcher award at an international conference at Amity Dubai. Vaibhav was only 19 when he trained Indian Audit and Account
learned the ropes of the cyber world through Vaibhav's training sessions under Niti Aayog's Atal Innovation Mission. His research paper on car hacking and cloud security fetched him the budding researcher award at an international conference at Amity Dubai.
Vaibhav was only 19 when he trained Indian Audit and Account Service (IAAS) officers, and also conducted a joint training session for cops, bureaucrats and delegates from over thirty countries on safeguarding critical security infrastructure and enjoyed a short stint as a cyber security researcher for Gurugram Police as well.
Climbing the ladder
Vaibhav was in his first year of college at Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies when he discovered cybersecurity and ethical hacking. A student of computer science engineering at the time, he knew instantly that this would be his chosen domain. He did extensive research by himself, which bore fruit in his second year of college when it led to Vaibhav being asked to chair a cybersecurity conference attended by Dr Gulshan Rai, the erstwhile Cyber Security Chief at the Prime Minister's Office. It was a magnificent turning point, Vaibhav remarks, saying it ignited his desire to delve even deeper.
When he collated his knowledge, he had the material for his debut book. "My book teaches beginners on how to avoid the trap of cyber-crime," Vaibhav tells Global Indian.
By the time he was in his second year, Vaibhav had also taken his first steps as an entrepreneur. With support from the institution, he co-founded a cyber security firm with a batchmate. After he graduated, the computer engineer switched to the corporate world, associating himself with Coforge (earlier NIIT Technologies).
Driving dialogue
Led by the desire to promote cyber security as an integral fabric of our digitally-inclined society, he has organised two cyberspace conferences (CIACON) in 2018 and again in 2020. Officials from the US' Department of Homeland Security and the Indian government participated as speakers. "The conferences are for security enthusiasts," Vaibhav explains. "The idea has been to bring together cyber experts, policy makers, think tanks and cyber wizards on a single platform to discuss issues and challenges in the sub domains of cyber security."
It meant big steps for Vaibhav too, a journey that involved becoming comfortable with himself and his abilities. "I used to be nervous at the start but I have worked on my confidence levels. Now, delivering lectures, conducting training and interacting with people is my passion," he says.
That apart, spending time with family and friends, swimming, body building, reading books and doing his research keep Vaibhav occupied. He also has his own YouTube channel, Scorpion VJ, through which he engages people on a variety of topics that range from tech and travelling to lifestyle.
“Cybersecurity and cyber-forensics are fields that needs passion and the mindset of always being open to learning, otherwise you will not be able to counter attack the cyberattacks,” he says, to young cyber security aspirants everywhere.
'Hacks' for being cyber smart
Keep all your devices, apps and browsers up to date
Think before you click
Be vigilant while reading mails or opening attachments from unknown sources
Verify identity before sharing personal information online
Keep all your passwords unique and don’t reveal it to anyone
Report if anything seems suspicious in the cyber world
(July 30, 2023) Over one-third of children and adolescents with disabilities have little or no accessibility to sports and physical education, according to a UNICEF study, although the majority have them access to medical, transportation and cultural services. In 2021, a report by the American College of Sports Medicine showed that physical activity among children with disabilities is four-times lower than their non-disabled counterparts. It is a gap that Indian-origin teen Rakshith Srinivasan hopes to fill by creating an enabling ecosystem through research and innovation, to increase access and make people aware of the role sports medicine can play in bettering the lives of children with disabilities. His non-profit, Unlimited Potential (UP), has achieved many milestones in a short span of time, and has raised $100,000 from community donors. [caption id="attachment_32239" align="aligncenter" width="560"] Rakshith Srinivasan[/caption] The change maker envisions an inclusive world where children facing physical challenges have the necessary tools to overcome them and can actively participate in school sports. His focus is also on adults who can lead a more fulfilling life with sports despite their disabilities. “We believe that accelerating research and improving affordability will ultimately lead to fulfilling our vision of a world without wheelchairs by
The change maker envisions an inclusive world where children facing physical challenges have the necessary tools to overcome them and can actively participate in school sports. His focus is also on adults who can lead a more fulfilling life with sports despite their disabilities. “We believe that accelerating research and improving affordability will ultimately lead to fulfilling our vision of a world without wheelchairs by 2050," remarks Rakshith.
The multifaceted teen has also published a book titled ‘Overcoming Obstacles’ and has secured first place in Washington State Science and Engineering Fair 2023.
Passionate about making a difference
UP operates as a network of passionate high school students who are actively involved in sports and have a strong interest in science and research. These student volunteers collaborate with doctors and medical researchers from institutions like Seattle Children’s Orthopaedic Research Lab, Fred Hutch Cancer Center, Special Olympics of Washington, and the University of Washington’s Institute of Sports Medicine.
Through these partnerships, the volunteers gain insights into the research, understand its impact, and spread awareness about the gained information, raising funds in the process.
With a team of ten dedicated full-time volunteers and over 600 part-time volunteers spanning United States, Rakshith’s non-profit has achieved a remarkable feat. Since its inception in 2021, UP's campaigns have been instrumental in raising $100,000 for research through generous contributions from community donors whom the volunteers approached within their respective school districts.
[caption id="attachment_32256" align="aligncenter" width="539"] Rakshit Srinivasan at Seattle Children's Hospital[/caption]
The raised amount is enabling the funding of eight research programs in crucial areas such as prosthetics, bionics, muscular dystrophy, skeletal dysplasia, limb deformities, bone cancer, athlete mental health, and human-centred design.
Bringing community together
Team Unlimited Potential has not only garnered support from more than 500 donors but has also formed a dedicated advisory board comprising like-minded leaders with experience in the field of sports medicine.
The experts provide valuable mentorship to the volunteers. The advisory team assists in research selection, engages in donor discussions, plans fundraising campaigns, and facilitates connections with researchers and doctors.
It started when…
Rakhshith has always been interested in medicine, biology and sports. Three years ago, he suffered a grade 2 ankle sprain. “It was the varsity basketball season, and the sprain took me out of the playoffs. I really missed the time I was away from the team. I was frustrated for being away from sports – which is something what I love to do,” he said adding, “It was an eye-opening experience for me. It led me to think about how a lot of children might be missing sports due to their permanent disabilities.
Recognising that sports is one of the biggest unifiers and hobbies of everyone around the world, the youngster devoted his recuperation time in learning about sports medicine. He did extensive research on what's being done in the field to help the people who cannot play sports due to their disabilities or deformities and made up his mind to do his own bit.
Empathy for social change
Rakshith’s dedication not just comes from personal experience of being confined but also from empathy that he developed during a volunteering activity. As a ninth-grade student, he had volunteered to tutor the displaced children of refugees from Afghanistan and Ukraine - an initiative of the non-profit, World Relief . Getting involved in the initiative changed his whole perspective of how he looked at life.
[caption id="attachment_32243" align="aligncenter" width="539"] Rakshith with Kids[/caption]
“The kids in the refugee base here were in an awkward situation, where they were attending school in a very different education system without even knowing the language properly,” he said.
“Apart from tutoring, just being with them, showing support and talking to them during their hard times gave me a sort of empathy towards others and helped me introspect how I’m fortunate enough but there are lots of people who are not, and I should use what I have been given to help others,” he remarked.
Overcoming obstacles
“While fund raising, we hear more ‘No’s’ than ‘Yeses’ says the youngster, but we keep going.’ Wearing many hats, the teen is not just passionate about sports medicine research and creating STEM awareness but is also an author and basketball enthusiast. His debut book ‘Overcoming Obstacles,’ delves into the cutting-edge research taking place in the field of sports science and research. “All proceeds from book sales would be directed towards the fundraising campaigns conducted by Unlimited Potential,” he says.
Aspiring to be an orthopaedic doctor, the teen has published scientific research papers about muscle soreness and lateral ligament ankle injuries in basketball. He has worked for several medical internships and plays varsity basketball at district level.
In March this year, he was thrilled to win the first prize in the 66th Washington State Science and Engineering Fair. “I was judged 1st amongst highly amazingly talented Washingtonians who participated in the state science fair. My research was about leveraging BC Amino acids compounds to increase energy in muscles lower micro-raptures thus preventing injuries in elite athletes,” he shared.
As part of LEAP (Leadership through Education, Activities, and Personal Development), a student leadership group of the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA), he is involved with WIAA events, meetings and community projects, and gets opportunity to be the voice of Washington’s more than 225,000 student-participants.
Born in India Rakshith is thankful for his parents' support in all his endeavours and is very close to his grandparents who live in India. “I feel that everyone has potential inside them, and I want to unlock that potential through my initiatives,” he says.