BGRFYouth Change Maker Awards

Aditi Sikder is a Year 8 student at Chelmsford County High School for Girls. She represents her class as the Student Voice of the Year and was recognized with the "Academic Achievement" award at the end of Year 7. Aditi's writing has been featured multiple times in the YoungWriters annual showcase. She has a passion for painting and reading, and she is also deeply involved in music, composing songs on the piano and singing Bengali devotional songs

Ambika Chakraborty is a dynamic and ambitious 15-year-old student in Year 11 at The Forest Academy. With a passion for both the arts and sciences, she aspires to become a cardiac surgeon and consultant in the future. From a young age, Ambika has cultivated a love for singing, music composition, and theatre, which she balances with her academic pursuits. She has been singing since the age of four, plays the piano, and is a member of the Redbridge Youth Choir. Her extracurricular interests also include badminton and karate, where she demonstrates both physical and mental discipline. Ambika's leadership skills shine through her role as a Prefect in the Arts Council and as an active member of the Redbridge Youth Democratic Project Group. Her dedication has earned her several accolades, including the Jack Petchey Award, Kudos Award for Reading Plus, Principal’s Award, and the Bronze Award in the Duke of Edinburgh program. She also showcased her public speaking talent as a finalist in Jack Petchey’s Speak Out Challenge and earned a Bronze II Award in the BPho Intermediate Physics Challenge. Ambika’s drive, talent, and determination make her a remarkable individual with a bright future ahead.

Arpita graduated in English at the University of Cambridge and will be completing Management Studies within the competitive Cambridge Judge Business School. She won the prestigious Catherine Yates Memorial Prize and achieved a Distinction in Hindustani Vocal (Grade 8). Arpita has held several leadership positions including the Women & Non-Binary Officer of Gonville & Caius College, Vice President of the Feminist & Gender Society, Vice President of BGLU, and Access Leader for increasing Cambridge's diversity.

Krishna Shil, 16, learnt Indian classical singing by his mother. His interest in preaching Lord Krishna's names is exemplified through his kirtans and Bhagavatam discourses, influenced by his spiritual gurus - he is spiritually initiated in Gaudiya Mission. Also being a Voice Kids UK quarterfinalist, earning over 10 million views, he has performed across the UK and abroad, promoting Hindu culture and sanatana dharma.

Laura Saha, LLM, BA, views her childhood performances as Maa Durga, embodying strength, justice, and protection, as a parallel to her current role as a trainee solicitor. Just as Maa Durga combats evil to restore cosmic balance, Laura sees her legal practice as a fight against injustice, upholding fairness, integrity, and the rule of law. She attributes this alignment of values to the teachings of Hinduism, cultural traditions, and the deep-rooted wisdom passed on by her parents, shaping her persona.

Neelavra Sarker is set to begin Year 10 at Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School this September. His favorite subjects include Mathematics, Geography, and Computing. Over the past three years, Neelavra has consistently excelled in the UKMT Maths Challenge, earning Gold and Silver certificates three times in a row. He is also an avid sports enthusiast, enjoying cricket, table tennis, and football, and recently secured the runner-up position in his school's chess competition. In addition to his academic and athletic interests, Neelavra occasionally plays the piano and actively participates in various religious events through singing and role-playing. He has a deep love for reading, particularly the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Bhagavad Gita.

Protyosh Chanda is set to begin his studies in Economics at UCL this September. His A-level success is a testament to his dedication and hard work, as well as the blessings of Lord Krishna. Protyosh's passion for economics has been further nurtured through his participation in the British Economics Olympiad. Looking ahead, he aspires to follow in his grandfather's footsteps and pursue a career in academia.

Shuvangi Dam, a 15-year-old student in Year 11, is preparing to take her GCSEs this year. One of Shuvangi's greatest passions is singing. While she enjoys singing a wide variety of songs, she has a particular love for Bhakti Geeti, including Podaboli Kirtans and Shyama Sangeets. Shuvangi actively participates in religious events like Kirtans and Pujas, where she not only attends but also contributes to the cultural programs through her singing. For Shuvangi, singing Bhakti Geeti is more than just a hobby; she sees it as a form of Puja, a way to express her devotion and connect with her spirituality.

Sudipta graduated from Barts and the London, School of Medicine and Dentistry in 2023. As a doctor working at Ipswich Hospital, she balances her professional life with her social life, continuing to be a keen and avid member of the Hindu Community. Since a young age, she has shown an interest in Hinduism, participating regularly in religious events either through singing or recitation. In more recent times, Sudipta is an outspoken individual and uses her platforms to support the minorities in Bangladesh