HARSIMRAN KAUR
16-year-old Harsimran Kaur is a self-published author and poet. She also has a place in the India Book of Records and Asia Book of Records.
You recently published your third book and have already written more than 150 poems. What motivated you to start writing?
I was introduced to literature at the age of eight or nine years. I started reading stories from the Panchatantra and then got into contemporary and fiction works. My reading habits gave me an affinity for literature and books. I wrote my first short story at the age of 10 years. At 14, I wrote a collection of 60 poems called, ‘The Best I Can Do Is to Write My Heart Out’. And at 16, I wrote a fiction book titled, ‘I Am Perfectly Imperfect’.
Tell us about the things you are passionate about.
I am very passionate about things related to the arts like books, literature, music and films. This artistic ability has always motivated me to connect to people and write books.
How does it feel to be a part of the India and Asia books of records?
I always wondered about the Guinness and Limca books of records. Then I got to know about the India and Asia books of records too and decided to make a place for myself in these books. It felt nice and mostly it felt like, ‘I matter’.
What ideas are you trying to share through your books?
The idea is about perception. I try to tell people how I perceive the world and how being a perfectionist and imperfectionist are different from each other, but at the same time, both these sets of people are humans and humans make mistakes. That is the idea that I portray through my writings.
Tell us about your future plans.
I will most probably head towards poetry and creative writing.
What message would you want to give to our readers?
Just stay in the moment, practise what you preach and follow your passion.
PRIYANSH LODHA
16-year-old Priyansh Lodha is the founder and owner of a professional e-sports organisation called Knockout Clan.
Tell us about your hobbies.
I am interested in learning about finance, entrepreneurship and anything related to business. On the creative side, I like filmmaking, photography and video editing.
You are the founder of the Knockout Clan. Tell us something about it.
I have been gaming since I was a kid and over the last couple of years, I developed a deep interest in entrepreneurship. I decided to combine these two loves together and started Knockout Clan, a professional e-sports organisation. In a few months, we started getting sponsorships.
On one of my gaming apps, high school students can give tests and on the basis of the grade they receive, they get awards in the form of vouchers. These vouchers are from local businesses around the city. This is a way in which we can motivate students to do better in their studies.
You also enjoy playing sports. What are some of your sporting achievements?
I have been playing football since I was in class 1. I have played national qualifiers where I represented my state team. I also run long distance and marathons, especially the 10km run. In class 8, I won the best athlete award for middle school.
How did you develop an interest in filmmaking?
In my school, I opted for an activity of filmmaking and that’s how my interest developed. Also, since I love watching movies, I started video editing too.
How did you develop an interest in filmmaking?
In my school, I opted for an activity of filmmaking and that’s how my interest developed. Also, since I love watching movies, I started video editing too.
Tell us about your future plans.
I want to pursue finance and economics after my time in school.
What message would you like to give our readers?
The one thing I have believed in is taking risks. Even if you fail, it will teach you a lot. If you get an opportunity, you should always go for it and try new things.
Arnay Agarwal, a class 9 student of Greenwood High, Bengaluru, is a young entrepreneur who founded eReadingShala at the age of 10 and StoryTelling Society of India at the age of 11. He also hosts a programme called ‘Motivation Madness’, where he gives motivational talks for children. He is a published author of three books, he has written around 100 articles and stories that have been published in India, UK and the US and his podcast has more than 24,000 listeners.
