Latest news with #Siddhi
Fashion Value Chain
6 days ago
- General
- Fashion Value Chain
Re-Discovering Purpose: Oakridge Bachupally Students Lead Global Change at NAE Summit 2025
In a world where education must prepare students not just for exams but for impact, the NAE Student Summit 2025 stood as a beacon of global citizenship, youth-led change, and purposeful learning. Held at The Village School in Houston, the summit brought together over 160 students from Nord Anglia Education schools worldwide, including a passionate delegation from Oakridge International School, Bachupally. Oakridge Students Group Among them were changemakers like Siddhi, Riya, Samyuktha, Saanvi, and Nia, who didn't just attend-they led, inspired, and transformed. Service in Action Houston Food Bank Visit The summit in Houston-held in the first UNICEF-recognized Child-Friendly City in the U.S.-kicked off with workshops led by Lisa Petro from Generation Global, where students explored the power of dialogue in fostering empathy, inclusion, and global change. They also learned about Nord Anglia's Social Impact Grants, which have supported student-led initiatives with over $735,000 since 2021. On the second day, guided by UNICEF, students and educators-including Ms. Sonia from Oakridge Bengaluru-engaged deeply with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), connecting global frameworks to real-world case studies to inspire meaningful action. Service in Action: Houston Food Bank Visit In a powerful act of service, Oakridge students joined peers to sort 6,541 kg of food donations, providing 12,020 meals to families in need. 'It was humbling to see how small actions can create big change,' shared Siddhi, Grade 11. Later for two days students visited the Houston Museum of Natural Science to explore the evolution of energy and the importance of renewable solutions. Later, Oakridge students took the stage during Peer Talks to share their insights. Day 4 focused on advocacy, where students practiced speaking up for change and navigating tough conversations, while teachers participated in a UNICEF emergency aid simulation to better understand humanitarian response efforts. Riya presented SuvriddhiOS, a platform promoting sustainable development in urban communities. Samyuktha shared HealthMirror, a student-led initiative improving health awareness among underserved populations. Their stories sparked conversations on compassion, innovation, and youth-led impact. Capstone Projects: Learning into Action The summit culminated in powerful capstone presentations, where students showcased how they plan to drive change in their communities. From climate action to digital inclusion, their ideas reflected a week of growth, collaboration, and purpose. 'I am incredibly proud of our students who represented Oakridge Bachupally at the NAE Summit 2025. Their leadership, empathy, and commitment to global change reflect the true spirit of purpose – driven education. From impactful service to powerful advocacy, they returned not just inspired, but ready to inspire. This summit reaffirmed our belief that our students are not just learners, but changemakers shaping a better world. This summit reaffirmed our belief that international education is not just about global exposure – it's about global responsibility,' said Ms. Anuradha, Principal of Oakridge Bachupally. 'One thing that I fondly remember from this trip is our time spent volunteering at the Houston food bank. To see people get into action without having to tell them what to do, to see us all identify and take care of problems in the matter of seconds and just not hesitating to get the job done no matter the circumstances was something that warms my heart as I think about it even now. That is the type of ideology and experience that I want social impact to be centred around' – Siddhi from grade eleven k. 'Attending the NAE Summit 2025 @ Houston, Texas as a Regional Lead was an incredibly enriching experience. One of the highlights for me was delivering a Chaperone Peer Talk on 'Championing Social Impact in Schools: A Journey from Vision to Action.' It was a proud moment to share our region's progress and inspire others through our stories of student-led change. The summit itself was a powerful blend of learning, collaboration, and action' – Fiona Chettiar Regional Representative Social Impact Program-India & CAS Coordinator- Oakridge Bachupally. The NAE Summit 2025 was more than an event-it was a launchpad for future changemakers. For Oakridge Bachupally, it marked a milestone in nurturing knowledge, empathy, and service. Ranked among the top international schools in Hyderabad, Oakridge International School Bachupally continues to empower students with global opportunities, real-world impact, and a purpose-driven education. Discover how your child can be part of this global journey. Visit Call us today to learn more about our global learning programs.
Indian Express
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Indian Express
Athlete-couple Siddhi Hiray and Tejaswin Shankar chart a course for India's NCAA aspirants
Rubbing shoulders with the best university track and field athletes in the United States this week are four Indians — two triple jumpers, a long jumper and a discus thrower. The prestigious National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) outdoor track and field championships are underway at Hayward Field in Oregon. Thousands of miles away, at their Hauz Khas residence, the athlete-couple of Tejaswin Shankar and Siddhi Hiray watch the results closely. Former sprinter Siddhi and decathlete Tejaswin have a role in the record turnout of Indian athletes in the finals of the championships. Two of the four, triple jumpers Selva Prabhu and Sharvari Parulekar, consulted Siddhi's firm, specialising in admissions for student-athletes. Tejaswin, a two-time NCAA high jump champion, has the 'expertise', while Siddi, he says, is the 'brains' behind starting Kings Sports Group in 2024. The couple have gained recognition as the go-to people for Indian athletes aiming for US university scholarships. Along with the six Indians they placed in the NCAA, their footprint has expanded with two Sri Lankans and a Croatian also living the American college dream. Siddhi, without a guide to help crack the admission process, missed the NCAA bus. But brighter fate was around the corner. In 2015, Siddhi and Tejaswin first met as teenage athletes at the World School Games in Wuhan, China, and in time friendship blossomed into love. When Tejaswin went on a full scholarship to Kansas State University in 2017, the NCAA piqued her interest again. A student of business psychology at the Loughborough University, Siddhi travelled to Kansas in 2021 to figure out the collegiate system in which Tejaswin thrived — by excelling in academics and high jump. 'Tejaswin used to regularly talk about the NCAA competitions. I liked the culture of how sports and studies are both managed well. I observed and met coaches and athletes. I wanted to help Indian athletes get the opportunity that Tejaswin got and I missed out,' Siddhi said. Tejaswin went through the grind. The Asian Games and Asian Championships silver medalist in decathlon says University life was challenging as well as rewarding. He credits the NCAA circuit for him winning a high jump bronze at the Commonwealth Games and for his evolution as a combined-events athlete. Finding the perfect fit — for the athlete and university — is key to success. That's where Siddhi steps in. 'There are hundreds of universities in Division 1 but most people in India know only A-B-C-D. How does an athlete know if a particular University is good for long jump? Kids see social media posts and want to go to a University but that may not be the best for them. That is where our expertise comes in. For example, mine (Kansas) was good for high jump and combined events. It's about finding the right opportunity for the right athlete. Also, it is only for those who are willing to do academics along with sports. Because you are supposed to have a life outside sport, you can't miss your exams. You need 70 to 75 per cent attendance,' Tejaswin said. Pavana Nagaraj, the 2024 Asian under-20 long jump champion, moved to San Diego University in September. Pavana travelled directly from the World Under-20 Champions in Lima to the USA. Wanting to step out of her comfort zone, she got talking with Tejaswin, before Siddhi hand-held her during the application process. Pavana, 19, is pursuing an undergraduate course in communication. She's from a sporting family — her mother Sahana Kumari, the women's national record holder in the high jump, while father BG Nagaraj, a former sprinter. 'I moved to a US university as I was looking for more exposure. A lot of collegiate athletes eventually turn professional, so training and competing with them gives you a lot of confidence. The training methods, coaching, facilities make a lot of difference. It is very competitive and that makes you tougher,' Pavana said. Pradeep Senthilkumar, a specialist in the 400m and 800m, too travelled to the other end of the world. He and his coach in India didn't see eye-to-eye. He reached out to Siddhi on Instagram. 'I did some research and found that performance-wise, he would get a scholarship. After that, I connected with him,' Siddhi said. Pradeep was all in, he even quit his railway job to make the move to the University of Nebraska. Pavana and Pradeep had medals to show for but another class of athletes are eager to enter the elite collegiate system — those who finish outside the podium at national meets or promising juniors experiencing stagnation. 'Usually, those who finish 1-2-3 don't want to change anything because they are doing well. It is those who finish 4-5-6-7, the kids who want to change something because they are talented, are putting in the effort but are not doing as well as they expected,' Tejaswin said. University intake is twice a year, in August during fall and in January during spring, but Siddhi works around the year, scouting for talented athletes, talking to parents of athletes who are full of questions, checking athlete eligibility for scholarship, creating athlete profiles, helping in filling application forms, putting athletes in touch with the right university coach and also visa application. Burning midnight oil comes with the job because of the time-zone difference. However, it's a dead end for athletes who don't know English and don't want to learn it. The Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) is required only for the top universities, while TOEFL or Duolingo suffice for others. 'The recruitment process is year-long. There will be lots of questions from our side and their side. We have to wait for the coaches to accept, then see if the athlete likes the particular university that has an offer. After that applications, tests, then a US visa which takes a lot of time now,' Siddhi said. In her heyday, she lost the NCAA opportunity. Today the one-time sprinter is ensuring the next generation of Indian athletes don't.
News18
12-06-2025
- Business
- News18
Ola Rider's Reckless Driving Fractures Woman's Arm; Platform Called Out For ‘Delays, Vague Responses'
Last Updated: Ola responded to the post, stating, 'We want to ensure that this matter is properly addressed, and we empathise with how distressing it may have been for you." Ride-hailing platform Ola is facing mounting criticism after a Noida-based woman, Siddhi Vijayvargia, allegedly suffered a serious injury due to the negligence of an Ola Bike rider. The incident, which took place on April 22, left her with a major fracture in her left arm, requiring multiple surgeries and over ₹3 lakh in medical expenses. The story came to light through a viral LinkedIn post by her colleague Pratyush Singh, a Senior Brand Manager at DigiWhistle. In the post, Singh shared photos from the hospital and a screenshot of the ride Siddhi had booked. 'My colleague Siddhi Vijayvargia recently went through something no one should. She met with a serious accident while riding an Ola Bike, due to negligent driving by the rider. The result — a major fracture in her left arm, multiple surgeries, and over ₹3 lakh in medical expenses," he wrote. Singh alleged that despite initially promising assistance, Ola failed to offer real support, leaving Siddhi to face delays, vague responses, and a lack of accountability. 'The reality has been delays, ignorance, and vague responses. It's been months. No concrete help, no empathy, and certainly no accountability," he said, while tagging Ola and its CEO Bhavish Aggarwal. 'When someone places trust in your platform, the least you can do is stand by them when things go wrong," he added. He also emphasized that the issue isn't just about reimbursement, but about basic decency and corporate responsibility. 'Siddhi didn't ask for this trauma. She didn't expect her life to come to a halt. And now she's forced to fight for what should've been automatically extended to her — support, care, and rightful reimbursement." Ola responded to the post, stating, 'We want to ensure that this matter is properly addressed, and we empathise with how distressing it may have been for you. We are actively working on the details you have provided and will connect with you at the earliest. Your patience is deeply appreciated." However, Singh remained unconvinced. 'Appreciate the response, but this issue has already been delayed far too long. We hope this isn't just another template reply, but a sign that Ola will finally take real, prompt action," he wrote in response. The incident has since sparked a broader conversation online around safety, accountability, and how platforms respond when their services go wrong. For many, Siddhi's story serves as a reminder of the urgent need for transparent grievance redressal and rider accountability in app-based mobility services.
India Today
11-06-2025
- Business
- India Today
Woman claims Ola delayed surgery compensation after accident due to rash rider
A Noida-based woman claimed that Ola delayed compensation for the surgeries she had to undergo after an accident caused by an Ola Bike rider's mistake, which left her left arm a now-viral post on LinkedIn, her colleague Pratyush Singh shared a detailed account of the series of events. He attached a hospital photo of his colleague, Siddhi Vijayvargia, along with a screenshot of the ride she had booked on the day of the accident, April 22. advertisementSingh said, 'My colleague Siddhi Vijayvargia recently went through something no one should. She met with a serious accident while riding an Ola Bike, due to negligent driving by the rider. The result - a major fracture in her left arm, multiple surgeries, and over Rs 3 lakh in medical expenses.' He claimed that Ola, despite promising assistance, failed to act. 'The reality has been delays, ignorance, and vague responses. It's been months. No concrete help, no empathy, and certainly no accountability,' he further called out the company, tagging Ola and its CEO, Bhavish Aggarwal, questioning the lack of support and responsibility. This isn't just about money. When someone places trust in your platform, the least you can do is stand by them when things go wrong,' he added that Siddhi, who never expected her life to be derailed this way, has now been left to fight for the basics: support, clarity, and reimbursement.'Siddhi didn't ask for this trauma. She didn't expect her life to come to a halt. And now she's forced to fight for what should've been automatically extended to her,' he said. Take a look at the post here: Reacting to the viral post, Ola claimed the issue had been resolved. The company wrote, 'We want to ensure that this matter is properly addressed, and we empathise with how distressing it may have been for you. We are actively working on the details you have provided and will connect with you at the earliest.'However, Singh wasn't entirely convinced. He said, 'Appreciate the response, but this issue has already been delayed far too long. We hope this isn't just another template reply, but a sign that Ola will finally take real, prompt action.'Siddhi Vijayvargia's story has now become a point of conversation online, not just about platform accountability but also about how companies handle consumer grievances when things go terribly wrong.
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Aa Okkati Adakku OTT Release Date: When and where to watch Allari Naresh & Faria Abdullah's Telugu rom-com film
Aa Okkati Adakku OTT Release Date: Back in 2024, Allari Naresh and Faria Abdullah headlined this Telugu romantic comedy, which is finally gearing up for its digital debut in India. The film was briefly available for overseas audiences on Prime Video before its rights expired. Now, OTT lovers are in for a treat. Aa Okkati Adakku will be streaming on ETV Win starting June 12, 2025. Aa Okkati Adakku's cast and crew Directed by Malli Ankam, the movie is produced by Rajiv Chilaka and co-produced with Bharath Laxmipati under Chilaka Productions. Other than the lead duo, Aa Okkati Adakku also stars Jamie Lever, Ravi Krishna, Vennela Kishore, Harsha Chemudu, Hari Teja, Ajay, Anish Kuruvilla, Raghu Babu, Raja Chembolu, Praveen, Goparaju Ramana and Rajiv Kanakala among others. Aa Okkati Adakku's plot overview Aa Okkati Adakku follows Ganapati, also known as Gana, a sincere government employee in his 30s who is under mounting pressure from his family and society to get married. Still single despite repeated attempts, he turns to a matrimonial agency called Happy Matrimony. There, he meets Siddhi, a confident and independent woman who isn't immediately interested in settling down. While Gana begins to fall for her, Siddhi's indecision and interest in exploring other options create emotional friction and confusion. As Gana's search continues, he uncovers the dark underbelly of the matrimonial business. The agency he trusted is involved in scams, creating fake profiles, misleading clients, and exploiting people's desperation to marry. The film shifts from lighthearted romance to social drama, as Gana fights to expose the fraud while confronting his own beliefs about marriage. In the end, he takes control of his journey, choosing to pursue love and happiness on his own terms rather than bow to societal pressure. Excited to watch Aa Okkati Adakku on OTT? Drop your thoughts @indiatimes.
