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- Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

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Good News

EGMO 2024 Triumph: Indian Girls Secure Prestigious Medals in Global Math Olympiad

In a triumph of talent and dedication, a four-member girls team that proudly represented India at the 13th European Girls’ Mathematical Olympiad (EGMO) 2024, achieved exceptional success, securing two silver and two bronze medals. The event was held in Tskaltubo, Georgia from April 11-17. The girls were trained under the guidance of the Chennai Mathematical Institute (CMI). The achievement underscores India's growing prominence on the global mathematical stage. It is the second time that all four members of the team have secured medals at EGMO, following their debut in 2015. At EGMO 2022, they made history by clinching bronze medals, setting the stage for even greater triumphs in the years to come. The talented quartet includes Gunjan Aggarwal (17) from Gurugram, Sanjana Philo Chacko (15) from Thiruvananthapuram, Larissa (16) from Hisar, and Saee Vitthal Patil (17) from Pune. Gunjan and Sanjana distinguished themselves with silver medals, while Larissa and Saee showcased their prowess with bronze at EGMO 2024—a reflection of their exceptional mathematical abilities and unwavering dedication. The journey towards EGMO success was not without rigorous preparation and mentorship. The students underwent intensive training at Chennai's premier math school, CMI, under the guidance of institute students Sahil Mhaskar, Aditi Muthkhod, and Ananya Ranade—former Olympiad medallists who served as mentors and accompanied them to the Olympiad. Reflecting on their experience, the winning team highlighted the invaluable global exposure and connections fostered by EGMO, solidifying their resolve to pursue careers in mathematics and computer science. Gunjan Aggarwal, the eldest in the group, is poised to embark on a math major journey at Cambridge—an aspiration fueled by her training and mentorship under fellow students and former Olympiad medallists. The Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE) played a pivotal role in mentoring and training the girls, conducting the National Olympiad Examination as a gateway to international representation. EGMO, initiated in April 2012, has evolved into a global platform embracing over fifty countries, transcending geographical boundaries to foster collaboration and excellence in mathematics among high school girls. While Olympiads like EGMO do not directly translate into career benefits, they ignite passion for STEM fields and promote cultural exchange among budding talents worldwide. The increasing participation and success at EGMO reflect India's commitment to nurturing talent and fostering global connections in the field of mathematics. As more students benefit from CMI's training and mentorship, the future of STEM in India shines brighter than ever, poised to make significant contributions on the global stage.

19 Apr 2024
Good News

Star Citizens

Pavani Lolla: Invents the "Vapra-Oder Free Home Composter" that turns kitchen waste into Manure

In a world where environmental awareness is gaining momentum, Pavani Lolla, the brain behind Future Step's Vapra composting solutions, is leading the way to a greener and more sustainable future. "I started as a student when I founded the Eco Club, which focused on raising awareness about the environment. During this time, I realized the serious problem of waste sorting and landfills. At first, there was a plan to build a waste sorting site, " I started as a student when I founded the Eco Club, which focused on raising environmental awareness. but after I learned that a significant portion of organic waste ends up in landfills, I turned to composting. Pavani Lolla talks about her journey as an environmental crusader, her work on composting solutions, her vision to see a waste-free India, and why every small step towards sustainability is important. What makes her work different ~  The products they source are quite simple. "With our products, you simply add waste and recycle it; That's all. Your compost will be formed in just seven days without worms or unpleasant smells", says Pavani. The design and concept of the products they offer are based on the idea that they should work as both a waste bin and a compost bin. This not only simplifies the process for customers but also saves a lot of time. Milestones and Lessons Learned ~ In addition, the launch of their home composter is one of the most important milestones in her journey. "We started with just one product, our home composter, and it takes time for people to believe in us. But today, thanks to our Home Composter customers, we have successfully diverted over 20 lakh kg of waste from landfill. Our domestic partner is at the heart of our mission," she says. During the difficult early days, she talks about how Google helped her team reach our first customers through advertising and social media campaigns. "Google Forms allowed us to collect valuable feedback and use it to improve our design. Even today, all our sales are through social media and Google, and we create online content that helps customers." When asked about the team structure, she proudly mentions that her workforce is predominantly female, except in the financial sector. It was a rough start as a business that was worth only 33 thousand rupees in 2020. Currently, they are worth around 7 million. They have also received scholarships from Punjab, Shakti (Empathy Project), and Telangana Government through various schemes. Like the perfect businesswoman, she also reinvested the profits to reach her current position. Information about Vapra Composting? Who are They ~  Future Step Enterprise LLP is a social enterprise operating in the waste management sector. At Future Step Research, they develop and produce high-quality compost, composting machines, and composting solutions for organic waste and farm waste. They are proud to be part of a healthy lifestyle in society by reducing the risk of landfill sorting, reducing landfill incineration, and encouraging everyone to grow their food with their  Vapra-The Composter product, as well as encouraging farmers to switch to organic farming with their composting solutions. It all started with a dream to sort and effectively recycle waste and help promote organic farming among farmers by turning organic waste into compost using ecological and sustainable processes. With all the research at DIY Lab-Vigyan Ashram in Pune and simultaneously in Hyderabad, Telangana ~ they worked for their dreams and gave all their efforts, wherein they failed many times, but never gave up and then created their master product. They love the environment and believe that it's their responsibility to keep our earth clean and healthy. The biggest problems they face are chemically grown food, lack of segregation resulting in landfills filled with more than 50% organic waste, and incineration of organic waste causing soil infertility. So they want to do their part to solve a small part of this problem.  Decidedly committed to a sustainable future ~ Pavani Lolla and her Future Step have not only revolutionized composting but also set an inspiring example of social development. With a heartfelt vision of a landfill-free India, they are paving the way for a cleaner and greener tomorrow, with 'one compost bin at a time'. Managing kitchen waste is an important part of household waste management as it is estimated that a large portion of household waste comes from the kitchen. If kitchen waste is not properly treated, it can cause environmental problems, attract pests, and create unpleasant odors. In addition, it can also cause blockages in drainage systems and ultimately harm the environment. Finally, proper disposal of kitchen waste is important to reduce waste and protect the environment. Composting, recycling, and proper disposal are effective ways to manage kitchen waste. By practicing these methods, we can help reduce landfills and protect the environment. In addition, by composting food waste, we can save money and improve soil quality. Finally, it is important to educate yourself and others about the importance of proper kitchen waste management and its positive impact on the environment.

7 Mar 2024
Star Citizens

This Cafe In Kolkata Is Operated By HIV Positive People Who Are Now Independent Individuals

The stigma around HIV positive people has been there since the beginning. The discrimination is so immense that people living with it are often pushed towards depression and end up feeling unwanted. But this is not how it should be. People should rather be welcoming towards them. And Café Positive in Kolkata is teaching us exactly the same. Café Positive came into inception last year and it is the first café in Asia which is run and operated solely by HIV positive people. It was founded by Kallol Ghosh who also came up with Anandaghar, a shelter for people living with HIV. Forming the café was not an easy task because when people came to know about the operators, they became hesitant about giving a place to run the business. They roamed around for several months in search of a space and finally a member of the Rotary Club, Kolkata, Indrajyoti Dasgupta rented out his garage space. In a conversation with Youth Ki Awaaz regarding the same, Kallol said: “We started searching for prominent locations for our coffee shop in South Calcutta like – Gariahat, Ballygunge, Dover lane, Hindustan Park, Golpark but everyone refused to rent us a space citing ‘problems to be caused by the neighbourhood’. One morning, a call came from a friend of mine who was ready to rent his garage space of 120 sq ft. to us for the shop and finally, we were able to set up the shop at Jodhpur Park.” The workers here are young and enthusiastic and today they are independent too. Café Positive has given them an opportunity to prove the world that they belong here and have the right to work shoulder to shoulder with everyone else. They are earning a living and walking down the streets with their heads held high and that’s what makes us proud of this café. We are also proud of the visitors of the café for keeping the taboo aside and accepting them the way they are. Hope others too leave the stigma behind and only generate positivity. Image Courtesy: Cafe Positive Facebook

17 Jul 2019
Star Citizens

Positive Reads

Benefits of Laughing Out Loud

Laughter is often considered the best medicine, and for good reason. Laughing out loud has a host of benefits that can improve both your physical and mental well-being. Firstly, laughing out loud can reduce stress and improve your mood. Laughing triggers the release of endorphins, which are chemicals in the brain that act as natural painkillers and mood elevators. This can help to reduce feelings of anxiety and depression and make you feel happier and more relaxed. Laughter can also boost your immune system. When you laugh, your body produces more antibodies and natural killer cells, which help to fight off infection and disease. This can make you less susceptible to colds and other illnesses and help you recover more quickly if you become sick. In addition to these physical benefits, laughing out loud can also improve your social life. Laughing is contagious; when you laugh out loud, it can encourage others to do the same. This can create a positive and friendly atmosphere, and help to strengthen relationships. Laughter can also improve your cognitive function. Laughing can help improve your memory, boost your creativity, and enhance your critical thinking ability. This can be especially beneficial for children, as laughter can improve their ability to learn and retain new information. Laughing out loud is a simple and enjoyable way to improve your physical and mental well-being. Whether you're watching a comedy, reading a funny book, or just spending time with friends and family, make sure to take time to laugh out loud every day.

12 Jan 2023
Positive Reads

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