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Time of India
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Unstoppable21: Where India's young changemakers step into the spotlight
Have you ever stumbled across a video so raw, so powerful, it stopped you mid-scroll? Maybe it was a boy no older than 13, his grip firm on a cricket bat, eyes fierce with focus, not just playing but commanding the pitch. Or perhaps it was a girl in a small town lab, mixing compounds to create a diagnostic kit she built from scratch, a pianist composing her own ballet score or a teenager diving into a pool, not just to swim, but to break national records. These aren't stories from a distant future, they are happening right now, in every corner of India. The kind of brilliance that makes you pause and think: how can someone so young be so extraordinary? But what's rarer than talent is a stage that knows how to honour it. Enter Unstoppable21, a celebration of the relentless, fearless, and truly unstoppable spirit of India's next generation. Now in its second season, The Times of India's #Unstoppable21 has grown into more than just a platform — it has become a powerful national tribute to the brilliance, resilience, and imagination of India's youth. This year's event was graced by none other than Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia, Union Minister for Communications and DoNER, as Chief Guest, whose inspiring words set the tone for an evening that celebrated courage, clarity, and character. His presence underscored the belief that leadership knows no age — it simply needs space to grow. Unstoppable21 celebrates 21 extraordinary individuals under 21 who are breaking boundaries across science, sports, arts, activism, innovation, and entrepreneurship. These aren't stories of 'someday,' they're stories of right now: of teens coding diagnostics, composing music, building ventures, and changing narratives. With backing from national mentors and media, Unstoppable21 doesn't just applaud potential — it nurtures it, offering young visionaries a launchpad to dream bigger and go further. Chosen from hundreds of nominations through a rigorous jury-led process, this year's cohort isn't defined by medals or marks, but by spirit, consistency, and the courage to shape the world before anyone asked them to. Fast lanes and fierce focus: Meet the sporting trailblazers What does it look like when a teenager commands a stadium? Ask Vaibhav Suryavanshi . At 14, he didn't walk into the IPL quietly—he lit it up, becoming the youngest player to score a century and leaving even seasoned pros applauding his calm confidence. Then there's Anmol Kharb, 18, the badminton ace whose power and precision helped India secure its first-ever gold at the Badminton Asia Team Championships. She's quick, composed, and already redefining what leadership on court looks like. In the swimming lanes, Dhinidhi Desinghu powered her way to a 11-medal haul at the National Games, turning ripples into waves with each performance. Meanwhile, Tanvi Patri returned from China to embrace her roots, and promptly dominated the junior athletics circuit, proof that homegrown dreams can run faster than any stopwatch. And then there's Esha Singh, India's young sharpshooter, calmly stacking up World Cup medals with the focus of a champion in the making. These athletes aren't waiting for their moment to arrive—they're creating it, record by record, stride by stride. Strings, stages and standing ovations: The performing arts whiz kids Step into the world of performance, and you will find magic in the making. Sooryagayathri , at 19, does not need flashy gimmicks or trending reels, her Carnatic vocals do the storytelling. With a voice that carries both depth and divinity, she has sung her way into hearts and sabhas alike, honouring tradition while captivating modern audiences. Close behind is Steven Samuel Devassy , a drumming phenomenon from Chennai whose rhythm feels almost elemental, he doesn't just play music, he lives it. Then there's , whose voice, once a childhood delight, now carries a grace and emotion far beyond her years; her recent playback work only cements her artistry. And weaving through it all is the haunting melody of Anirban Roy's flute, only 15, yet already a favourite at festivals for the kind of soul-stirring improvisations that feel like conversations. Together, these young performers are not chasing applause but they are subtly creating moments that linger long after the curtains fall. The heartspoken wordsmiths Not all stories need thunder to echo, some find their power in a whisper. Jiya Doshi, 17, knows this well. Her poetry, spread across three heartfelt books, captures the quiet chaos of growing up with honesty and grace. Each verse feels like a conversation with a friend, filled with warmth, wonder, and wisdom. Samarth Chitta on the other hand, is all of 13, but her podcasts have become a window for children into the grown-up world, explaining careers with humour, heart, and the kind of clarity even adults admire. And in the softest, most awe-inspiring surprise, is Anvi Agrawal, who became a TEDx speaker at five, and has not stopped creating since. Whether she is painting, composing, or writing poetry in two languages, Anvi brings a sincerity that's impossible to overlook. These young voices don't just tell stories, they remind us of how beautiful, thoughtful, and limitless childhood can truly be. Brains behind breakthroughs: The young scientists & tech tinkerers What drives a teenager to swap screen time for lab time? Curiosity. Compassion. And an uncanny instinct to solve problems most adults shy away from. In a quiet lab in Bengaluru, 20-year-old Mayank Pandhari is studying the behaviour of cancer cells. Not for a college credit, but to help shape future treatments. In Mumbai, Krisha Janaswamy is designing self-diagnosis kits that can help women detect gynaecological issues early, a life-saving idea born from stories close to home. Meanwhile, Anirudh Nautiyal is building tech that could help bomb squads and strengthen drone defense systems. And Aditya Kumar Jha, all of 16, turned a friend's illness into a mission, creating an AI-powered urine strip that detects early signs of liver disease. These are not school science projects. These are not mere concepts, they are real answers to real problems. Driven by empathy, sharpened by intellect, and built to make the world safer, smarter, and infinitely more hopeful. Compassion in motion: Young voices for a better tomorrow Not every young star stands on a podium, some walk quietly into the world, changing it with every step. Seventeen-year-old Saiyam Mazumdar is one of them. With over 1,800 animal rescues to his name, he is not just protecting wildlife but nurturing a generation to care, teaching everyone through conservation camps and even scaling Mount Kilimanjaro to raise awareness. In Delhi, Anoushka Jolly turned personal pain into purpose. After facing bullying herself, she built Kavach, an app offering kids a safe, empowering space to speak up. What started as a school project is now reshaping how institutions respond to harassment. These young humanitarians remind us that courage does not always roar, sometimes, it gently rewrites the rules. The young(est) entrepreneurs and their 'preneurs What do you call a child who turns an idea into impact? A preneur. And these young minds are showing us that age has nothing to do with ambition. Take Ridhhaan Jaiin, who at just 11 didn't stop at writing his own books, he built a publishing house to give other children a voice. Today, over 25 young authors have seen their stories come to life, because one boy believed they should be heard. And then there's 21-year-old Vaibhav Shokeen , whose innovations tackle global problems, from affordable diagnostics for parasitic diseases in Africa to eco-bricks that turn India's industrial waste into sustainable housing solutions. These are not side projects or science fair ideas. These are full-fledged, purpose-driven ventures, powered by passion, empathy, and the fierce belief that no dream is too big and no changemaker too young. A night of applause, emotions, and electric energy The journey of Unstoppable21 reached its crescendo in a grand celebration that brought all 21 young trailblazers under one roof, not as contestants, but as changemakers. As their names were called and they stepped into the spotlight, the room erupted with applause, admiration, and awe. There were standing ovations, proud tears, heartfelt hugs, and the unmistakable buzz of dreams being honoured in real-time. Parents looked on with teary smiles, mentors stood tall with pride, and these young visionaries stood center stage as living proof that brilliance knows no age. The evening wasn't about competition; it was about community, courage, and celebrating a generation that's already rewriting the narrative. Because Unstoppable21 was never just an award show, it was a promise to see children not as future leaders, but as leaders now. To create a space where school-going scientists, playground philosophers, and bedroom entrepreneurs are taken seriously. It is a movement that proves ideas drawn in notebooks and dreams whispered at bedtime can one day echo on national stages. And as the curtain falls on Season 2, the spotlight shifts again — outward, toward the next wave of young stars getting ready to rise. Season 3 is already on the horizon, and if this year has shown us anything, it's this: the next class of unstoppable kids is out there — curious, courageous, and already changing the world. Disclaimer: The article has been produced on behalf of Unstoppable (by BBCL) by the Times Internet's Spotlight team.
Time of India
20-06-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Meet this year's #Unstoppable21
The young talents nominated by the TOI jury come from different parts of India, spanning categories from sports to science. The youngest is 5 years old, while some are already stars in their field. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Vaibhav Suryavanshi (14), Tajpur The youngest IPL debutant and record-breaking centurion from Bihar stunned the world with a 35-ball hundred and a strike rate over 200, earning praise as the 'future of Indian cricket' Anmol Kharb (18), Faridabad She led Indian women's team to its maiden gold at the 2024 Badminton Asia Team Championships. By 12, she had clinched the U-17 AllIndia Ranking title. Dhinidhi Desinghu (14), Bengaluru She was the youngest member of the Indian contingent at the 2024 Paris Olympics. She has smashed records and won 11 medals at the 2025 National Games. Esha Singh (20), Hyderabad She became India's youngest national champion in 10m air pistol at 13. She has since bagged many world and Asian medals and emerged as one of India ' s brightest shooters. Tanvi Patri (14), Bengaluru She was Asian U15 badminton singles champion in 2024 at 13. She won her first U8 title in 2018 in China and, in the following year, won eight titles across age categories. Mayank Pandhari (20), Bengaluru A gold medallist at the International Biology Olympiad and science prodigy, he ' s known for research in cancer biology and RNA therapeutics. He ' s now doing research on breast cancer. Aditya Kumar Jha (16), Mumbai This teen innovator is making low-cost, AI-powered diagnostic tools for early liver disease and cancer detection that are accessible to all. Anirudh Nautiyal (20), Vadodara He has created a robotic bomb disposal arm named 'VENOM'. This pioneer of youth-led defence tech in India has been lauded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Krisha Janaswamy (19), Mumbai A cancer researcher, she developed a selftest device for cervical cancer that was top 5 at IIT Bombay's Bio-Hackathon and is now patent-filed and funded by ICMR. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Sooryagayathri (19), Vatakara She catapulted to fame at 9 with her rendition of 'Hanuman Chalisa'. The singer from Kerala has performed in multiple countries, including the US, UK, and Singapore. Uthara Unnikrishnan (20), Chennai She won the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer at 10 for 'Azhage', from the film 'Saivam'. She is trained in Carnatic, Hindustani classical, jazz, and R&B. Anirban Roy (15), Kolkata A flautist trained in Hindustani and Western classical music, he has received global recognition, including Asian African Award for Musical Excellence. Steven Samuel Devassy (19), Bengaluru A drumming prodigy who has performed with the likes of A R Rahman and Shivamani, he blends Indian percussion forms with Western rhythms. Samarth Chitta (13), Bengaluru A podcaster and author, he has published two books and turned childhood curiosity into an online platform that helps kids explore careers, ideas, and news. Austin Ajit (12), Bengaluru Austin had written 10 books on animals and environment by 11, channelling his passion for conservation and creating awareness about climate and environment. Anvi Vishesh Agrawal (5), Bhubaneswar A TEDx speaker, Guinness recordholder and an artist, Anvi uses her creativity to champion social causes and was nominated for the Nelson Mandela Leadership Award at Oxford. Jiya Doshi (17), Mumbai A young author and poet, she has written three acclaimed books and won the International Exceller Under 18 Writers Award and Golden Book Awards 2025. Vaibhav Shokeen (21), Delhi Collaborating with Stanford researchers, he helped develop a machine learning tool to diagnose schistosomiasis (a parasitic infection prevalent in some African countries). Ridhhaan Jaiin (11), Pune Founder of a global publishing platform, RidhzWorld Publishing, he has authored five books and helped 28 kids become authors. He holds six Asian and national records. Anoushka Jolly (15) Delhi At 13, she became the youngest entrepreneur to secure funding on Shark Tank India for her anti-bullying initiative, Kavach. She has also won the PM Rashtriya Bal Puraskar. Saiyam Mazumder (17) Guwahati The social activist and India's youngest snake rescuer, Saiyam is also an avid mountaineer and has won the PM Rashtriya Bal Puraskar award.
