(Aug 9, 2023) It was a proud moment for Steven Harris Ramdev as he secured a medallion of excellence at the WorldSkills Competition 2022 in Aarau, Switzerland. Competing alongside 24 nations in the graphic design technology category, Steven showcased his prowess and emerged as one of the top four achievers. “The exhilaration of holding the Indian flag on that esteemed international platform was truly surreal. It was a dream come true,” Steven tells Global Indian.
The 22-year recent graduate from the National Institute of Fashion Technology, Bengaluru, has moved to Abu Dhabi for his first job. “I’ve been appointed as a vocational trainer at ACTVET (Abu Dhabi Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training),” he shares.
In this role, Steven is all set to mentor and refine the skills of the aspiring WorldSkills 2024 participants hailing from the country in the domain of graphic design technology – the very category that earned him a medal in 2022. “I am deeply grateful to the government of United Arab Emirates for providing me with this incredible opportunity and entrusting me with the role of training the next set of contestants,” remarks the youngster.
Steven Harris Ramdev during the WorldSkills Competition at Switzerland
The proud moment…
Ever since Steven discovered the image of Shweta Ratanpura, the first Indian woman to win a medal in graphics design technology at WorldSkills, he was inspired to achieve a similar feat. “I stumbled upon the image of hers holding the Indian flag in my college, finding it magnanimous, and feeling a deep curiosity to learn the story behind it.”
Intrigued, he delved into all the available information about the competition. Prior to that he had been unaware that graphic artists could also bring honour to their country, by participating like athletes in an international competition of such a large scale. “World Skills is the Olympics of vocational skills. It should be made more popular,” Steven says, emphasising that even after 50 years of its existence, the competition continues to need more publicity.
Steven Harris Ramdev at the WorldSkills stage in Switzerland
Impressive milestones
Always in a quest to outshine himself the youngster has won 155 prizes altogether in school and college, both in art competitions and other extracurricular activities. Although winning at World Skills is the highest achievement so far, his art has fetched him some extraordinary recognitions.
Amidst the pandemic, he felt immense pride in the recognition he received for his artwork from none other than the prime minister of India, Narendra Modi. During the lockdown, he sketched two portraits of the PM in appreciation of his leadership and sent them to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) without expecting any acknowledgement. To his surprise, he received a letter from the PM himself, thanking him for the thoughtful gesture. The PMO also released a press statement appreciating his artwork, which resulted in numerous interviews on prominent media outlets, including radio, print, and TV channels.
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As an artist, Steven experienced another exhilarating moment when he emerged as the winner of an art contest hosted by TrueFan celebrity shout out app. His outstanding portraits of Hritik Roshan and Tiger Shroff secured him the top position in the competition. The icing on the cake was receiving video messages from the stars themselves, commending Steven for his remarkable talent.
Also, one of the most cherished moments in the youngster’s life was being felicitated by then chief minister of Karnataka, Basavaraj Bommai and minister for higher education Ashwath Narayan for winning the various IndiaSkills competitions and getting selected as the final candidate to represent India at the WorldSkills. The recognitions that he has received for his accomplishments at various other platforms have made them unforgettable and special occasions for him.
Joy of art
Steven was captivated by vibrant posters, books, illustrations, and all things visually appealing from as far back he can recall. Anything that caught his eye was promptly recorded in his art book. “Translating the allure of what I found captivating into sketches brought me immense delight,” he shares. His mother recognised his deep interest and natural skill in the arts, providing motivation along the way. She diligently documented every piece of art he crafted, nurturing his creative journey.
“I’ve consistently been someone who competes with myself. Upon completing each artwork, my immediate thought is always, ‘What’s next? How can I surpass this and create something even more remarkable?'” he reveals.
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Steven is indebted to his Guru, Sheshadri Mokshagundam who has been his teacher since he was a student of grade 4. “I look up to him not just a teacher who taught me art but as a guru of life” he says talking about the retired engineer who is the grandson of Late Sir Visvesvaraya Mokshagundam – the acclaimed civil engineer whose birthday is celebrated each year as Engineer’s Day in India, Sri Lanka and Tanzania.
Steven is also grateful to his Pune-based mentor Satish Narayanan, founder director of Design Skills Academy and expert in graphic design technology for training him for the WorldSkills competition. He holds his alma maters NIFT Chennai, and NIFT Bengaluru in high regard.
“Everyone should be aware of WorldSkills, as this could lead to a greater number of Indian representatives. It’s a prestigious opportunity that should not be overlooked. While winning can be challenging, even when you don’t you will still be gaining valuable experiences,” he signs off.
Congratulations… Proud of you