"Creativity is thinking up new things. Innovation is doing new things” said Theodore Levitt, his words perfectly echoing the spirit of India’s young pioneers tackling some of today’s greatest challenges, one innovation at a time. From tackling environmental issues to making a social impact, these talented teens use cutting-edge technology to solve incredible problems. Global Indian shines a spotlight on these teen innovators who are breaking barriers with their groundbreaking creations.

Here's a list of Top 5 Talented Indian Innovators:

1. Zain Samdani

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At 15, a visit from Saudi Arabia to India changed Zain Samdani’s life. Meeting his partially paralyzed uncle left a deep impact on him and inspired him to create Neuro-ExoHeal, an affordable exoskeletal hand device for rehabilitation, using neuroplasticity and Azure technology. The innovation helps neurological injury patients get back faster and cheaper, to the delight of technology leaders like Google CEO Sundar Pichai. Jain, now 21, has selected more than 10,000 people from 160 countries to participate in Microsoft's 2022 Imagine Cup World Championship—the "Olympics of Engineering."

His journey with robotics began in 2013, focusing on prosthetic designs. Realizing the prohibitive costs of prosthetic hands, he became determined to make them accessible. His uncle’s improvement with Neuro-ExoHeal validated his work, a breakthrough that first brought him recognition as a finalist at the Google Science Fair in 2016.

2. Jui Keskar

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Pune-based Jui Keskar wanted to help her uncle, who has Parkinson’s disease, after witnessing his struggles with repeated hospital visits. During the 2020 lockdown, she researched potential solutions and found a gap—no device existed to accurately monitor tremors, which are essential for personalized treatment. This led him to develop JTremor-3D, a wearable device that monitors tremors every tenth of a second and stores the data in the Cloud. Doctors can then use this information to tailor treatments, making Jui a 2022 recipient of the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar.

3. Nikhiya Shamsher

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At just 14, Nikhiya Shamsher’s hospital visit for her project, Compassionate Clowns, exposed her to the harsh reality of oral cancer. Struck by the high mortality rates due to late diagnoses, she developed QuitPuff, a device that detects biomarkers in saliva to assess the risk of oral pre-cancer and cancer. A color change in the QuitPuff reagent indicates the presence and severity of these biomarkers. Affordable at ₹38, the device has already been tested on over 500 patients, offering early detection and hope to many.

4. Siddharth Mandala

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In 2012, Siddharth Mandala was just 12 when he was moved by the Nirbhaya case. Determined to help fight sexual assault, she created the Electroshoe, a wearable device that can be attached to shoes, rings or pendants. Using a simple press, the electroshoe releases sharp points that electrocute the attacker. The device also sounds an alarm, alerts nearby police stations and sends the user’s location to their family. Equipped with solar charging, Electroshoe empowers women with safety on the go.

5. Vinisha Umashankar

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Vinisha Umashankar’s impactful words at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in 2021 earned her a standing ovation. At 12, this Tamil Nadu innovator invented a solar-powered ironing cart, inspired by witnessing the environmental impact of charcoal used by local vendors. The device earned her the 2020 Children’s Climate Prize and made her a finalist at the Earthshot Prize in 2021, with the Duke of Cambridge, Prince William, inviting her to speak. Vinisha’s solar cart represents her commitment to protecting the environment and reducing carbon footprints.

Conclusion

These young innovators exemplify how technology, determination, and creativity can come together to solve critical issues, inspiring future generations to innovate for a better world.