HT TOP THIRTY UNDER THIRTY:
MIND OVER MATTER Hard work, perseverance and selfconfidence. All our stars swear by this secret sauce. Reminds one of late President Abdul Kalam who used to urge the youth to dream big and work hard for sureshot success. The 11 young achievers featured t
ON WINGS OF DREAMS POWERED BY GRIT,
DREAM GIRL 1. ASHANYA SINGH, 14, LUDHIANA
This Ludhiana girl shot to national limelight when she was declared the best NCC cadet in India.
Secret sauce
The dream big attitude. “I never lose heart even if am rejected as I think I am only being redirected to something better, a step closer to my goal.”
Inspiration
“My NCC seniors became my inspiration as they had also won several honours at the Republic Day camps.”
Challenges facing india
Drug abuse. and reservations.
Uplifting feature
India’s mind-boggling diversity.
The road ahead
“I want to serve my nation like Dr Abdul Kalam did by way of science.”
As an agent of change
“I will change myself into what I want the world to be.”
By the way
Ashanya loves singing and playing guitar. She is also a district-level football player.
HILL QUEEN 2. JABNA CHAUHAN, 23, MANDI
The youngest sarpanch of India at 22, it’s been quite an uphill journey for Jabna Chauhan of Tharjoon panchayat in the Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh. Born in an impoverished family, Jabna did odd jobs to finance her education. She was working as a news anchor for a local television channel when she decided to contest the panchayat polls. In less than a year and half, she’s made her panchayat free of intoxicants. It was also declared the cleanest panchayat of Mandi.
Secret sauce
Hard work and a burning desire to achieve.
Inspiration
Her 84-year-old father Shri Hariya.
Challenges before india
Dowry, early marriage and drugs.
Uplifting feature
“I was so thrilled when I visited Gujarat, for it’s one place where women can roam around freely without being hounded by anti-social elements.”
The road ahead
“I will make Tharjoon a model panchayat that people will envy.”
As an agent of change
“We must change ourselves to change others,” believes Jabna.
By the way
Jabna enjoys de-stressing with music.
DR DISCIPLINE 3. MIHIR, 15, CHANDIGARH
He was adjudged the Best NCC Cadet in Junior Division in the Republic Day Camp 2017. A student of St Kabir, Mihir is today an inspiration for many youngsters in the tricity.
Success mantra
Hard work, discipline and dedication.
Inspiration
Mihir says it was the medals of other successful cadets that kept him going.
Challenges before india
Indiscipline is the strongest challenge for the youth in India. “We also need a better education system.”
Uplifting feature
Rising awareness amongst the youth.
The road ahead
It’s a toss between becoming a computer engineer and an army officer.
As an agent of change
The best thing you can do, says Mihir, is to inspire others. An inspired youth can bring about a lot of change.
By the way
Mihir enjoys swimming, football and solving the Rubik’s cube.
STICK ARTIST 4. NAVJOT KAUR, 22
Part of the historic Indian team that qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympics after a gap of 32 years, and the team that clinched the 2014 Asian Games bronze, Navjot Kaur is an ace midfielder from Shahbad who took to the field at an early age.
Secret sauce
Hard work, dedication and a never-say-die attitude.
Inspiration
Jasjeet Kaur and Rani Rampal
Challenges facing india
Corruption; a society divided by caste, and lack of basic education for everyone.
Uplifting feature
Its rich and diverse culture
The road ahead
Navjot Kaur is eyeing the 2018 CWG and Asian Games.
As an agent of change
“By playing well and inspiring youngsters to pick up hockey.”
By the way
Navjot loves painting.
WELL ARMED! 5. DHARMVIR NAIN, 27
An accident while diving left him paralysed from waist down. Nain was about to get into depression when a chance meeting with a senior para-athlete had him turning to club and discus throw. Last year, he was part of the Indian contingent that took part in the Rio Paralympics.
Secret sauce
Hard work.
Inspiration
“Senior para-athlete Amit Saroha who motivated me.”
Challenges facing india
“Our country lacks housing for all. We also lag in the field of healthcare.”
Uplifting feature
“India with its stable economy will soon be an engine of growth for the world.”
The road ahead
Nain has set his sights on the world championship going to be held in July.
As an agent of change
“We should strive to leave a better nation for the future generations.”
By the way
He enjoys browsing through sports channels.
ART OF LIVING 6. MANJOT KAUR, 26
A visual artist of repute, she started making waves with video art while she was studying at the Govt College of Arts, Chandigarh. A gold medalist in MFA, her works are now on display at the Govt Museum in Chandigarh. She was also awarded by the Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi.
Secret sauce
“Life is too short. Use each and every second available.”
Inspiration
“I am greatly inspired by the bounteous nature and humanity.”
Challenges faced by india
“Unequal distribution of wealth and the increasing gap between the rich and the poor is a very big challenge facing India. I am also dismayed at the falling value of rupee.”
Uplifting feature
Our rich history and culture.
The road ahead
“Life is all about living in the present for me.”
As an agent of change
“My work talks about concepts that connect humanity and make us humane. I hope that will make people better human beings. ”
By the way
Manjot enjoys travelling , reading and watching movies.
BOWLED OVER 7. ABHISHEK SHARMA, 16, AMRITSAR
This 16-year-old allrounder from Amritsar achieved a rare feat when he became the first cricketer to bag two prestigious Board of Cricket Control in India awards. Also, he led the India U-19 team to Youth Asia Cup glory in Sri Lanka.
Secret sauce
Constant hard work and a burning desire to do well.
Inspiration
Sachin Tendulkar
Challenges facing india
Corruption, unemployment and crime against women.
Uplifting feature
The fact that India is turning into a sporting nation.
The road ahead
Abhishek wants to play for the Indian team, and has his eyes set on the 2018 U-19 World Cup.
As an agent of change
Abhishek says he will be a guiding light for his generation by doing well for the India U-19 team
By the way
Abhishek loves playing FIFA games on PS3 besides shopping at H&M.
RISING STAR 8. BANNET DOSANJH, 22, DOSANJH KALAN
This young man from a village near Jalandhar became the latest singing sensation of India when he won the Rising Star reality show this year.
Inspiration
My village, which has produced many luminaries in the field of entertainment, politics and sports, has always inspired me. So has the actor and singer Diljit Dosanjh.
Secret sauce.
Hard work and circumstances. “Right from my childhood, I tried to excel at studies, sports and co-curricular activities because I never wanted my father, who wasn’t well off, to regret the decision to educate me. Thanks to this, I learnt to work hard and excel very early in life.”
Challenges facing india
“We feel that rules are made only to be broken. We also lack discipline and don’t want to work hard. We look for short cuts, thus breeding corruption.”
Uplifting feature
“It is very uplifting to see how Indians are always ready to help each other. I also love our unity in diversity.”
The road ahead
“I want to be a successful playback singer and vindicate the trust people have reposed in me. I want to promote Punjabi folk music and sing songs that can be enjoyed as a family. ”
As an agent of change
“I will do my best to be a role model for youngsters by achieving greater heights in music . My success will be the success of the common man.”
By the way
An MPhil student at Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) Amritsar, Bannet is researching the topic, “How reality shows promote youngsters.”
SET FOR CIVILS 9. ANMOL SINGH, CHANDIGARH
This dashing youngster was adjudged “All India Best Cadet” at the Republic Day Camp of NCC from January 1 to 31, 2017. Impressed by his brains, brawn, and perhaps the winning smile, he was also selected for the youth exchange programme delegation to Kazakhstan.
Secret sauce
“The biggest challenge was my mind. Sometimes your thoughts can paralyse you. No matter what people say, have a strong belief in yourself.”
Inspiration
Anmol is inspired by the sacrifices made by countless people for India. Their sacrifices will never go in vain.
Challenges facing india
Corruption is a big let-down for our nation. We also have a very poor literacy rate. Poor infrastructure is another area of opportunity.
Uplifting feature
Unity in diversity. “We have around 280 languages and a large cultural diversity, yet we are one nation.”
The road ahead
Anmol wants to become an Indian Foreign Services officer.
As an agent of change
“I will help others, and repair broken souls. I am confident if all of us do this, the world will become a better place.”
By the way
Anmol loves gymming, running and dancing.
THE ACTIVIST 10. GURMEHAR KAUR, 20, JALANDHAR
Gurmehar Kaur became the face of the fight against RSS-affiliate Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) after she took to social media to protest against the alleged violence by ABVP members at Ramjas College. Kaur was sucked into the row after one of her older social media posts on her father, Capt Mandeep Singh, a martyr, surfaced on the social media.
Secret sauce
“Perseverance and belief in oneself is is very important to succeed no matter what you’re doing.”
Inspiration
“My biggest inspiration is my mother . I have seen her take on the world while raising me and my sister Bani. She is the epitome of a powerful woman. She taught me how to be tough while having a loving and forgiving heart.”
Challenges before india
“The unhindered communal violence is a major threat to our secular fabric . Also, the conversation around horrific acts like rapes has become casual, making it seem that such acts are acceptable. Women’s safety has just become an agenda with no action to follow it up. Student violence is also being normalised.”
Uplifting feature
“The most uplifting thing about India is the sense of oneness, our unity that keeps thriving no matter how much someone might try to break it.”
The road ahead
“I plan to be a writer and continue being an activist for causes that I believe in. “
As an agent of change
“I believe the pen will always be mightier than the sword. So I will carry on writing.”
By the way
Gurmehar loves to write and read books. A national-level tennis player, she also enjoys a game on the courts.
BORN TO SAIL 11. PRIYA PAUDYAL, 21, CHANDIGARH
This youngster won widespread admiration when she was adjudged the best naval NCC cadet in the Republic Day Camp 2017. She was also the gold medalist at the Nau Sainik camp held at Karwar in Karnataka.
Secret sauce
Determination, hard work, courage and self-confidence.
Inspiration
Priya says she is inspired by everyone around her – her college-mates, friends, parents, and staff of her unit.
Challenges facing india
Unemployment, poverty and hunger.
Uplifting feature
“We must celebrate our diversity.”
The road ahead
“I want to be a naval officer.”
An agent of change
“I will do my best to be a role model for the youth in my country by excelling in my chosen field .”
By the way
Priya enjoys reading . She also likes taking lessons in martial arts .