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From a cricketer to a beauty queen: 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 10 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.
To borrow from Dickens, it’s the best of times, it’s the worst of times. It’s the age of wisdom, it’s the age of foolishness. Armed with a demographic dividend, India today stands poised to leapfrog from the developing to the developed world. But a lot rests in the hands of its young citizens. Here are 10 of the 30 being honoured at the HT Youth Forum 2017:
SRISHTI KAUR: Recently crowned Miss Teen Universe, this Noida girl s a student of fashion in London. The crown, she hopes, will provide a platform to boost her business and the ‘Make in India’ campaign. “I am going to work on cancer awareness and also on my school for the under-privileged.” Know more
MANDEEP SINGH: The batsman from Jalandhar is captain of the Punjab Ranji Trophy team, and made his T20 debut for India against Zimbabwe in 2016. A regular in the Royal Challengers Bangalore team for IPL, he is considered a dynamite in the shortest format. “Unemployment and lack of non-cricket sports infrastructure are two challenges that the government must tackle,” he says. Know more
TANUSREE PAREEK: The first BSF woman officer in a combat role, Tanusree Pareek is posted on the Punjab frontier. “I will contribute my very best to my organisation and try to ensure that women get their due in society,” she says. Know more
SHUBHANKAR SHARMA: A national golf champion at 16 who went on to set a record by winning his first professional title at the age of 17, Shubhankar has earned several laurels on the greens but he doesn’t think he has any claim to fame. He is hugely inspired by Tiger Woods and Rory McLlroy. Know more
KHUDA BAKSH: One of the three finalists at the singing reality show Indian Idol 9, this 21-year-old from the boondocks of Bathinda won a million hearts with his mellifluous voice and humility. His magical voice, says the scraggy youngster, is a gift from God. Know More
NEERAJ CHOPRA: This young lad has scripted history by setting the junior world record in javelin throw. He won a gold medal in the U-20 World Championship in Poland last year. He also holds the national record in the event and snagged a silver in the Asian Grand Prix held this April. Know More
MANSI JOSHI: A medium-fast bowler in the Haryana team, Mansi Joshi made her Women’s One Day International cricket debut against Ireland in the 2017 Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier on 10 February this year. Know More
RITU PHOGAT: One of the famous Phogat sisters who inspired the biopic ‘Dangal’, Ritu bagged a gold in the Commonwealth Championship, and brought home a bronze in the Asian Championship held this year. A go-getter, this girl with a disarmingly charming smile, is known for her brilliant tackles on the mat. Know More
SUMIT SANGWAN: The 24-year-old boxer clinched a silver medal in the Asian Boxing Championship held in May this year. A regular on the Indian team, he had also competed in the 2012 London Olympics. Sumit was all of 11 when picked up gloves at his uncle’s training academy in a Karnal village. His boyish looks hide a steely resolve. Know More
SIMARPREET SINGH MAMIK: A student of Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani, Simarpreet was cruising along smoothly in life when a road accident threw his life upside down. The accident not only damaged Simarpreet’s spine but also paralysed him waist down. Know More
