From a digital hero to a wrestler: Meet achievers among Top 30 Under 30 at HT Youth Forum 2017
In the run-up to its sixth edition of Top 30 under 30, Hindustan Times profiles 30 young achievers who will be felicitated at its flagship event on May 26. Today we bring to you 11 bright sparks who have made a mark in disparate fields ranging from the forces, academics and art to entertainment and sports. What unites them is their never-say-die spirit, and the will to win.
Hand-picked from a diverse array of professions and landscapes, our young achievers spoke in one voice when describing the pros and cons 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 upsetting is corruption and intolerance. HINDUSTAN TIMES listens in to 11 stars of HT Top 30 Under 30.
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. Know more
Quite an act: Aparshakti Khurana, 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 well-known radio jockey and sports anchor, Chandigarh lad Aparshakti Khurana is all set to make waves as an actor as well. Know more
The gold digger: Bajrang Punia, 23
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. Know more
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. Know more
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. Know more
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 sheer hard work and a strong desire to work for her constituency. Know more
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. Know more
An able archer: Pooja Rani, 26
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. Know more
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. Know more
He throws a winner: Rinku Hooda, 17
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. A natural in sports, Rinku was introduced to javelin throwing by fellow Indian para athlete Amit Kumar Saroha. Know more
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. Know more
To know more about the other achievers click here