Award
Five Indian Young People Among 2023 International Young Eco-Hero Award Winners
Local Students Receive Top Honors for Contributions to Solving Environmental Problems
San Francisco – Five young people from India are among seventeen young environmental activists from across the globe to receive a 2023 International Young Eco-Hero Award, announced Action For Nature today. This award honors eco-conscious youth ages 8 to 16 who are taking crucial steps to solve tough environmental problems.
Winners of the International Young Eco-Hero Award are selected by a panel of independent judges, including experts in environmental science, biology, and education. For the past 20 years, Action for Nature has recognized 339 Eco-Heroes from 27 countries and 32 U.S. states.
Eiha Dixit, a 9-year-old from Meerut, India, India is one of Eiha won First Place in this year’s competition. Since the age of four, Eiha has been growing saplings to protect the environment. Through the Green Eiha Smile Foundation, she and a group of volunteers have planted over 20,000 saplings, creating mini forests, parks, and green belts in her Indian city, providing shade and cleaner air. Eiha also established a plant bank at her home, using plants donated by people who can no longer care for them. These plants are used to obtain cuttings and seeds, and other people may take these plants free of charge.
“Age doesn’t matter,” said Eiha Dixit. “If the work is done with dedication and sincerity, then the biggest goal can be achieved.”
To learn more about Eiha’s work, visit www.facebook.com/eiha.dixit.
Manya Harsha, a 12-year-old from Bangalore, India, won Second Place in the 8-12-year-old category in this year’s competition. Manya has embarked on a mission to raise awareness about environmental issues and climate action. Through her books, blog, and YouTube channel, The Little Environmentalist, she aims to inspire youth to take action and become environmentally conscious. Manya engages in various activities such as walkathons, planting saplings, distributing seed balls, and organizing clean-up drives to make a positive impact on the environment. With over 5,000 sustainable bags distributed, 3,500 saplings planted, and 3,000 seed bombs thrown, she continues to work tirelessly to create a better future for the coming generations and to protect the earth for all.
“Don’t wait for a superhero to lead the march,” said Manya Harsha. “Be one! Today’s children are tomorrow’s future.”
To learn more about Manya’s work, visit www.thelittleenvironmentalistmanyaharsha.com.
Nirvaan Somany, a 16-year-old from New Delhi, India, India won Second Place in the 13-16-year-old category in this year’s competition. Nirvaan founded Project Jeans to tackle the environmental impact of the fashion industry, specifically the waste caused by discarded denim, while also addressing the needs of the underprivileged. He repurposes used jeans into washable and insulating sleeping bags for the homeless, reducing landfill waste and providing better protection from harsh weather conditions. With 6,000 pairs of jeans collected and 800 sleeping bags distributed to date, Nirvaan’s initiative has made a positive impact on both the environment and the lives of those in need.
“Mindless consumerism without consideration of the environmental impact is a huge problem with long-lasting ramifications,” said Nirvaan Somany. “Most people only think of financial cost when making purchasing decisions, and ignore the additional hidden costs, often at the expense of the earth’s resources.”
To learn more about Nirvaan’s work, visit https://www.projectjeansbluetogreen.com.
Mannat Kaur, a 15-year-old from New Delhi, India won Third Place in this year’s competition. Mannat’s project aims to address water scarcity and carbon emissions associated with freshwater supply and wastewater treatment. Mannat has designed a system to collect, filter, and reuse greywater from households for non-potable purposes, thus conserving precious drinking water. The impact of her invention goes beyond individual households, and could potentially save thousands of liters of fresh water daily and reduce operational and infrastructure costs for the city’s sewage treatment.
“India is facing an acute water crisis. We must reduce, recycle, and reuse potable water however we can,” said Mannat Kaur.
To learn more about Mannat’s work, visit https://youtu.be/WY2-mt4HMn8.
Karnav Rastogi, a 13-year-old from Mumbai, India received an Honorable Mention in this year’s competition. Karnav is committed to raising awareness about and taking action to reduce plastic waste and combat climate change. He wrote two books, “Kartik, Daddy & Plastic: A journey about beating plastic pollution” and “Kartik, Mixie & Monster: A journey about ocean pollution,” to educate young people about the impact of plastic pollution and climate change, providing solutions to tackle these issues. To date, he has distributed 5,000 copies of his books, and has inspired countless young people to become champions of change.
“I strongly believe that students are the biggest champions of change, and my main goal is to create awareness among students about climate change,” said Karnav Rastogi.
To learn more about Karnav’s work, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyA7tCoSGo4.
“All of this year’s young climate champions are proving one thing loud and clear: the next generation of leaders has arrived, and they’re unleashing their power on a global scale to tackle the climate crisis head-on,” said Beryl Kay, president of Action for Nature. “The incredible accomplishments of this year’s winners are more than just isolated projects – they’re changing lives and transforming communities for the better.”
Space Zone Aerospace, a pioneering leader in space technology, has been awarded the prestigious Aegis Graham Bell Award for Innovation in Space Tech. This recognition was presented by the Minister Jitin Prasada, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. This accolade recognizes the company’s groundbreaking contributions to advancing space technology and its unwavering commitment to driving innovation in the aerospace sector.
The 15th edition of the Aegis Graham Bell Awards ceremony took place on February 20, 2025, at The Ashok Hotel, New Delhi. Initiated in 2010 by the Aegis School of Data Science, the awards aim to promote and recognize outstanding innovations in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) domain. The event was supported by esteemed partners, including Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, Ministry of Education, Government of India & Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India
The event witnessed the participation of several leading space tech companies, showcasing their latest innovations in satellite technology, propulsion systems, and advanced aerospace solutions. Space Zone Aerospace stood out with its presentation on hybrid propulsion systems, demonstrating a cost-effective and sustainable approach to space exploration.
“We are incredibly honoured to receive this prestigious award,” said Anand Megalingam, Founder & CEO of Space Zone Aerospace. “This recognition fuels our mission to revolutionize the space industry with innovative, cost-effective, and sustainable space solutions. It is a testament to the hard work, passion, and dedication of our entire team.”
Under Megalingam’s visionary leadership, Space Zone Aerospace has successfully launched two demonstrator rockets over the past two years from a private launch pad in Chennai. Notably, one of these rockets featured reusable capabilities, marking a significant step toward cost-effective and sustainable space access. The company is also at the forefront of developing hybrid propulsion systems, aiming to make space exploration more efficient and environmentally friendly.
Founder and CEO Dr. Anand Megalingam emphasizes that the true strength of Space Zone Aerospace comes from its dedicated team and esteemed mentors. The company’s core team, which started with small roles, has now grown into a highly skilled workforce, playing pivotal roles in fuel grain development, aerodynamics, propulsion, avionics systems, and cutting-edge research and development.
Committed to relentless innovation, the team has spent countless hours at the factory and testing facilities, refining technologies that are shaping India’s space and defense advancements. The core team, comprising Sindha, Calwin, Lakshmi, Jatin, Shyam, Balaji, Manigandan, Shahul, Naveen, Shabana and others, has been instrumental in driving breakthrough achievements in hybrid propulsion and reusable rocket technology.
Anand Megalingam, a visionary leader in India’s space tech industry, founded Space Zone Aerospace with a mission to make space more accessible through cutting-edge technology. His relentless pursuit of innovation has positioned the company as a key player in the aerospace industry. Notably, he spearheaded India’s first hybrid rocket launch, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s space exploration journey.
Space Zone Aerospace attributes its success to the invaluable mentorship of Dr. Mylsamy Annadurai, Former ISRO Scientist & Project Director of Chandrayaan-1 and Mangalyaan & A.S. Rajan, I.P.S, Former Spl. Director IB and Former Director, SVP National Police Academy, Hyderabad.
Their expertise and guidance have played a crucial role in shaping the company’s innovative strategies and achievements.
Space Zone Aerospace is a leading space technology company dedicated to developing innovative satellite launch systems, propulsion technologies, and aerospace solutions. With a strong commitment to research and development, the company aims to make space exploration more efficient, sustainable, and accessible.
Website: https://www.spacezoneindia.com
Chennai, India – Get ready to immerse yourself in a soul-stirring musical experience with “Vandanam Bharatham (Tamil) and Shatadha Naman (Hindi), a patriotic album composed by Global peace song Award-winning composer Aditya Ramkumar, released on YouTube and all streaming platforms today. This magnificent tribute to the nation is a culmination of heartfelt lyrics, soothing melodies, and exceptional vocals.
The album is an ode to the spirit of India, celebrating its rich cultural heritage, resilience, and diversity. The album features two tracks and an instrumental EP, each meticulously crafted to evoke a sense of national pride and unity. From the soulful rendition of “Vandanam Bharatham” to the energetic beats of the train tracks in Shatadha Naman, every sound heard is a testament to the composer’s passion for the nation.
The album’s lyrics have been penned by Vikram Edke and Tom Karthi in Hindi and Tamil respectively, whose words beautifully capture the essence of India’s spirit. The vocals have been rendered by Armaan Khan (son of Ustad Rashid Khan), VM Mahalingam, and Aditya Ramkumar, each bringing their unique style and emotion to the table. The song is produced by ace arranger Sanket Joshi from Mumbai.
“I was scrolling through Instagram and was browsing for nice Abhangs and that’s now I discovered Armaan. We immediately started talking and jamming and the whole experience was very divine. We started off with one song and ended up making over 3 songs together”.
“With regard to the Tamil version, I was looking for a raw voice with a good range. We auditioned multiple singers from Madurai and rural Tamil Nadu but, finally believed that Mahalingam would be the right choice for the emotion and rawness we wanted to maintain”
This ode to my motherland is more than just an album – it’s a tribute to our great nation and its people,” says composer Aditya Ramkumar. “I wanted to create music that would resonate with every Indian, evoking a sense of pride and unity. I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to collaborate with such talented artists to bring this vision to life.”. The goal of having “semi-classical and raaga-based compositions is to ensure that the future generation consumes musical content that could improve their musicality. “I have always believed that raaga based compositions truly stand the test of time”. Over 95% of this song’s recordings were conducted remotely and I am grateful for the technology we have today that enables us to work from anywhere.
Words from composer
“The song starts off with a railway announcement in the Secunderabad station which is something I recorded and preserved from 2009 while visiting my cousin for summer vacation”. Little did I know that It would be an introduction to a song I would compose 14 years later.” It took about 1.5 years to complete this album as it had multiple iterations in terms of arrangements and mixes and we are very happy with the way the song has shaped out”
Future vision
Aditya Ramkumar says he has over 1000+ unreleased tracks that he has composed over the last 4 years and the goal is to have them all released on his YouTube channel. “The goal of making music is not for money, not for numbers, not for fame but, mere passion to express yourself in the best possible way”
Release Details
“Vandanam Bharatham” and “Shatadha Naman” is now available on all leading music streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, and Gaana. The album’s music video is also released on YouTube in Aditya Ramkumar’s channel ahead of the 76th Republic Day celebration.
Be a part of this musical celebration of India’s spirit! Follow the album’s social media handles to stay updated on the latest news, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive releases.
Link to the songs are available here –
Award
Balamurugan Subbiah Awarded Honorary Doctorate in Entrepreneurship by Brookfield University, USA
-
Entertainment3 years agoSmall-town girl Anjali Kumari’s hottest Bollywood song “Katra Katra Again” compared to Mallika Sherawat’s
-
Education1 year agoFostering Sustainability: Highlights and Insights from ICSE 2023
-
Business2 years agoGreat Place To Work Recognizes LoginRadius as One of India’s Best Workplaces
-
Technology1 year agoCrewsphere & ICP’s Innovative Virtual Darshan Applauded by Deputy CM During Navratri at Mata Chintpurni Shrine