MUMBAI-BASED Angad Daryani (15) is the latest teen to join the brigade of precocious global IT (information technology) entrepreneurs. With parental support, this self-styled “open source software and hardware developer” promoted Shark India Pvt. Ltd in 2012, and is getting ready to launch the country’s most cost-efficient, “fastest, and most robust” desktop 3-D printers. Priced at one-third (Rs.20,000-25,000) the tag of 3-D printers available on the Indian market, Angad is also working on launching the product line of his DIY (do it yourself) Shark kits for children in the 5-15 age group.
The younger of two siblings of Anil Daryani, an engineer, and Kanchan, a homemaker, Angad began dismantling and reassembling toy cars at the age of three. With father Anil’s active encouragement, he built a humanoid robot with a Lego NXT Mindstorm kit and a remote-controlled hovercraft when he was just 11, and his version of an open source RepRap 3-D printer at 13. An enthusiastic participant in science fests, he created a sensation at the IIT-Techfest 2010 where he presented a solar-powered speed boat.
“I am blessed with an inquisitive mind and derive pleasure from hands-on technology. Sharks are my favourite creatures, so I’ve named my products after them. As I have learnt so much from other inventors thanks to open-source technology, it’s my endeavour to empower others the same way,” says this gifted teenager, who completed his secondary programme equivalent to class X under the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) system in March.
Despite his busy schedule involving a host of activities, attending STEM seminars and workshops, conducting research etc, Angad dedicates five-six hours a day to intensive study, and was recently admitted into the Plus Two programme of the highly-rated Jamnabai Narsee School (IB), Juhu. His future plan is to study embedded systems design and development programmes abroad. “My goal is to develop cost-effective, accessible solutions for real-world problems and spark a production revolution across the country and worldwide,” he enthuses.
Right on!
Sunayana Nair (Mumbai)
Radhey Patel
“Junior Picasso” to his friends and family, Radhey Patel (11), a class VI student of the Gurgaon-based Scottish High International School, will be moving to the UK in July this year to continue his studies in one of three British public schools, which have offered him art scholarships. Merchant Taylors’, Aldenham, and The John Lyon schools have awarded this budding artist full scholarships for a year. Meanwhile, this month (May) the National Institute of Fine Arts (NIFA), Gurgaon will stage a three-day exhibition of his paintings.
“Radhey’s paintings are far ahead of his years. I can’t recall any artist who has made such a great impact at such a young age,” says Renu Khera, director of NIFA. When Radhey began drawing and doodling at age seven, his supportive parents encouraged him by sending him to summer art camps and then to NIFA classes every weekend to learn drawing and painting techniques.
“Ideas pop up for new drawings, paintings and collages first thing every morning. Expressing these ideas is exciting and makes my day complete,” he says. A recent graduate to slapping oils on canvas, Radhey has achieved parochial fame with local newspaper supplements regularly publishing his output after NIFA labeled him a “child genius”.
Radhey’s next challenge is to mount an online exhibition of all his work in support of BBC’s Children in Need programme, which inter alia, auctions works of art to raise resources for underprivileged children in South Asia. “Radhey is a gifted student who combines serious study with several extra-curricular activities and has a bright future in fine arts,” says Sudha Goyal, principal, Scottish High International School.
A multi-dimensional youngster who also plays golf and cricket, Radhey hasn’t decided whether art is a hobby or future profession. “I have plenty of time to decide. I also love academics and sports but for the moment I’m just focused on enjoying my childhood,” he says.
Way to go!
Autar Nehru (Delhi)