United Colours of Success As an agent of change Challenges facing india
Handpicked from a diverse array of professions and landscapes, our young achievers spoke in one voice when describing the highs and lows of India. What they value the most about India is its diversity, the heady mix of religions, cultures, and languages. And what they find most disturbing is corruption and intolerance. HINDUSTAN TIMES listens in to 11 stars of HT Top30 Under30.
THE GOLD DIGGER BAJRANG PUNIA, 23, JHAJJAR
At 23, Punia has emerged as one of the finest wrestler in the country. He won the gold medal in the Asian Championship held in New Delhi recently. Earlier, he had won back-to-back silver medals in the 2014 Commonwealth Games held in Glasgow, Scotland, and later in Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea.
Secret sauce
Hard work coupled with passion and sincerity.
Inspiration
“Yogeshwar Dutt. He is not only imy senior, but also my mentor. who has guided me all the way. It is thanks to him that I have done so well.”
Challenges facing india
“Education, healthcare and employment are the three big challenges we face. We must tackle these post haste if we want the welfare of the future generations.”
Uplifting feature
“We have such a rich and diverse culture, yet we are one. We need to preserve this uniqueness.”
The road ahead
“I will do my best to win gold in the World Champions later this year.”
As an agent of change
‘We as sportspersons are brand ambassadors of our country. By winning at the international arena we can motivate youngsters to channel their energies better.”
by the way
Punia enjoys listening to Haryanvi folk songs when he is not practising.
QUITE AN ACT APARSHAKTI KHURANA, 29, CHANDIGARH
You saw him in the blockbuster ‘Dangal’, the narrator and cousin with an earthy wit who bore the brunt of all the deadly tackles taught by his pehalwan uncle. A wellknown radio jockey and sports anchor, Chandigarh lad Aparshakti Khurana is all set to make waves as an actor as well.
Secret sauce
Work is worship for him. “I never say no to work. My family taught me no work is big or small.”
Inspiration
“My father, who even at this age wakes up thinking this is day one of his life and he has to give his all to the task at hand, every single day. My brother because the kind of focus and passion he has for his craft is unmatchable.”
Challenges facing india
Illiteracy, gender inequality and corruption.
Uplifting feature
“The diversification of efforts in all directions. From economic development through FDI to the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and International Yoga Day, we are covering a lot of ground.”
The road ahead
“I am literally living my dream of being an anchor with Star Sports. Reading a few scripts for my next film and doing some good digital content for the web are the biggest disruptors of the day.”
As an agent of change
“I think each one of us can be an agent of change. No matter how small an effort, it goes a long way.”
By the way
Aparshakti is addicted to sports, especially football which is his bi-weekly fix.
KING OF RING SACHIN SIWACH, 17, BHIWANI
One of India’s most promising junior boxers, he caught the eyeballs of many in the field of boxing when he clinched a gold in the Youth World Boxing Championship held at St. Petersburg, Russia, in December last year. Now this lad from Miththal village in Bhiwani is all set for a challenging joust at the Asian youth championship.
Secret sauce
“Hard work, dedication and focus have taken me places in this very competitive field.”
Inspiration
“Olympian Vijender Singh hails from a village next to mine. Right from my childhood, I wanted to be like him and win medals for the country at the Olympics. This is one reason why I started boxing at an early age.”
Challenges facing india
“If we want India to be a powerhouse of world sports, we have to provide good sporting facilities at the village level. Education and health care also need attention.”
Uplifting feature
The simplicity and rich culture of our nation.
The road ahead
“I am training hard to win a gold at the Asian Youth Championship.”
As an agent of change
“I can contribute to the society by becoming a role model for the youth. I come from a very humble background. My father is a small farmer, so you can imagine the hurdles I had to cross to reach this height. I managed to make it big through sheer hard work and determination. If I can become successful, so can others like me.”
By the way
When not training, Sachin loves watching movies. Dangal, he says, has really motivated him to train harder than before.
THE SAVIOUR SAVITA PUNIA, 26, SIRSA
The graceful Savita Punia is one of the best women goalkeepers in the field of hockey in India. This year, she was declared the Best Goalkeeper in World League Round 2; last year she was feted as the Goalkeeper of the Year by Hockey India, and in 2013, she was named the Best Goalkeeper in Asia Cup. But the girl from Jodhkan village in Sirsa, who was encouraged by her grandfather to pursue the sport when she was all of 18, is as unassuming today as she was eight years ago when she donned the goalkeeper’s gloves at SAI, Hisar.
Secret sauce
Savita says her sharp focus is her strongest virtue.
Inspiration
Nicolas Jacobi, the towering German goalkeeper who currently guards the nets for Delhi Waveriders in the Hockey India League.
Challenges facing india
Women empowerment, quality education and widespread crime. “It is high time the government tackles these three big challenges.”
Uplifting feature
Savita says the one thing that she finds most uplifting about India is its participation in various sports at international level.
The road ahead
Savita is gearing up for Asian Games 2018 and Commonwealth Games 2018.
As an agent of change
“I will bring about change in our system by educating youngsters to whatever level they wish.”
By the way
When not being the rock of the Indian women’s hockey, Savita enjoying turning pages and watching programmes on television.
BAND OF PERFECTION GURNAZAR CHATTHA, 22, KARNAL
A singer, musician and a sportsman, Gurnazar wears a variety of hats, and all with great elan. In the limelight for winning medals at the national-level skating championships during his childhood, he was barely out of his teens when he set up a band. A perfectionist at heart, he says, for him every song, every performance, every jam session is an achievement in itself. “I believe it is really important to keep yearning for perfection, to keep working towards your goals with unwavering determination.”
Secret sauce
“My success mantra has always been to embrace my failures and my victories just the same. They are all experiences at the end of the day and only help you see the bigger picture.”
Inspiration
“My biggest fan- my mother.”
Challenges facing india
Corruption, ignorance, and insensitivity.
Uplifting feature
India’s rich heritage and culture. “All the cultures and ethnic backgrounds come together to create unique breathtaking flavours of art in this country.”
The road ahead
“To keep making better music and to definitely put urban Punjabi music on the world map.”
As an agent of change
“Music is the language of the soul. I hope my music helps people connect to their inner selves.”
By the way
He still enjoys skating, which he calls his guiding light in his childhood.
DIGITAL HERO SAHIL KHATTAR, 29, CHANDIGARH
One of the top 10 YouTube stars, he became Chandigarh’s leading radio jockey when he was all of 17, with his programme Love Guru. Then he was crowned ‘Road ka raja’ for conducting street interviews. His two videos ‘Every Punjabi in the world’ and ‘Punjabi on the phone’ made him a star among the diaspora. He lied to his parents in 2010 and came to Mumbai to make a mark in the entertainment industry. Now after six years his parents have shifted with him to Mumbai.
Secret sauce
“My energy is my X factor. The energy I create, everyone flows in it.”
Inspiration
“I am greatly inspired by Jimmy Kimmel, Adam Sandler, Sacha Baron Cohen and our own Farhan Akhtar. But my biggest inspiration is my mother, who is post-graduate in music.”
Challenges facing india
“We lack quality infrastructure and a well-oiled system. Digitisation needs to be encouraged in a big way. Audiences need to get mature and we need to experiment with concepts. Why are we still in the slot of developing nations, why aren’t we developed?”
Uplifting feature
“Our population is one of our biggest strengths. Whatever we do on the digital media can become a trend given our huge user base. The YouTube unique user base has grown by 90% in the last one year.”
The road ahead
“I plan to set up a digital company called Khattarnaak with ‘khatarnaak’ (dangerous) content. We will feature pranks and songs besides conducting road interviews.”
As an agent of change
“I want to tell people that they are free, they should do what they want to do. I want to contribute to breaking away the social stigma. I want to start talking about everything so that people feel free to express themselves and create a domino effect.”
By the way
Bronze medalist in roller hockey, this sport is a passion with Sahil. He also enjoys chilling out with friends.
PROGRESS IN A BLOCK PRAJWAL BUSTA, 22, JUBBAL KOTKHAI
The youngest chairperson of a block development committee (BDC) in India, 22-year-old Prajwal Busta from Jubbal Kotkhai in Shimla, makes success seem like a cakewalk. But delve a little deeper and you realise it’s success born out of desire to work for her constituency.
Secret sauce
Give 100% to the work at hand.
Inspiration
The voice of her conscience.
Challenges facing india
Its burgeoning population with a huge disparity between the rich and poor; corruption in public life, and medieval attitude towards women.
Uplifting feature
“We are the most democratic and heterogeAnd neous society in the world. our demoour graphic dividend (60% of population is young ) gives us an edge over other countries of the world.” Busta says she can do it in her present role by ensuring that all the development schemes reach the people of her region.
The road ahead
Bustawants to start a NGO for developdancing ment work in the region.
By the way
She enjoys reading, and meditatpeace. ing. All for inner KEEPER OF FARMERS ANSHUL KHADWALIA, 26,
PANCHKULA
This young man is at the helm of affairs at Indo Farm, a leading tractor and cranes making company in the region. Fresh out of college, Anshul overlooked other prospects and joined the company at the age of 21. Today he is its chief operating officer, who has to his credit several stratetaken gic innovations that have the comnever-say-die pany to new heights.
Secret sauce
Hard work and attitude. His mantra: Think big, think positive and use the power of your will power.
Inspiration
Anshul is greatly inspired by his father’s rags-to-riches story. “We are still making do with outdated processes and systems instead of adopting the latest ones. We need to promote entreinnovation.” preneurship and
Uplifting feature
The hard working nature, adaptability and dynamism of Indians.
The road ahead
“We aim to become a one-stop organi360-degree sation providing solufarmers.” tions to the
As an agent of change
Anshul says he wants to change the general indifferfarming ence to the commureading. nity.
By the way
Anshul enjoys “I make it a point to read at least one book a week.”
AN ABLE ARCHER POOJA RANI, 26, ROHTAK
Daughter of a scrap dealer barely able to make ends meet, this 26-year-old is the country’s first para-archer to compete in the Olympics. Pooja suffered from polio as a child, leaving her with an impairment in her legs. She started out as a para discus athlete, but then switched to archery in 2010. Six years on, she took part in the 2016 Rio Paralympics.
Secret sauce
Winning spirit. Pooja does not give up easily and believes she can achieve the impossible if she tries hard enough.
Inspiration
“Aunty (Tai ji) and my coach Sanjay Suhag.”
Challenges facing india
“In India, there is lot of disparity between able-bodied persons and differently abled persons. People think we are dependent on others, but in reality we are contributing equally to the country’s pride. So, I want that people’s approach towards disabled persons should change.”
Uplifting feature
“The free-flowing spirit of Indians is a boon. We are all very generous by nature.”
The road ahead
“I am eyeing a podium finish in the World Championship going to be held in September.”
As an agent of change
“After becoming the country’s first paraarcher to compete in the Olympics (2016 Rio Games), I have shown a path to other girls. If I can achieve this, anybody can.”
By the way
Pooja loves travelling and hanging out with friends. MODERN MICHELANGELO MANDEEP SINGH MANN, 29,
MOHALI
Mandeep is an immensely talented sculptor who can breathe life into inanimate objects. A native of Khera village near Mohali in Punjab, he has always been fascinated by art. He also likes to see it flourish around him. As a student of Masters of Art, he cobbled together a group of young artists to collaborate on art.
Secret sauce
A strong belief in one’s ability coupled with hard work.
Inspiration
Famous Italian sculptors and painters Michelangelo and Gian Lorenzo Bernini are Mandeep’s two inspirations.
Challenges facing india
Superstition, lack of education, and corruption.
Uplifting feature
Taj Mahal is the most uplifting feature about India.
The road ahead
Wants to do more work on stone sculptures.
As an agent of change
“Art is a strong medium for conveying a message, and I want to convey human values through my art.”
By the way
When not carving stones, Mandeep enjoys singing and writing.
HE THROWS WINNERS RINKU HOODA, 17, ROHTAK
At 17, Rinku Hooda was the youngest athlete in the Indian contingent during the 2016 Rio Paralympics. Hooda was all of three when he lost his left arm in an accident involving a fan blade. But a natural in sports, he excelled in javelin .
Secret sauce
Belief in yourself and hard work.
Inspiration
Under-20 javelin world record holder Neeraj Chopra.
Challenges facing india
Unemployment and female foeticide.
Uplifting feature
India’s democratic character.
The road ahead
Rinku is preparing for the world championship to be held in July this year.
As an agent of change
“I would like to connect with Indian parents and ask them to encourage their children in sports.”
By the way
When not in the field, Rinku enjoys watching sports shows.