November 01, 2025
Thaaragai Aarathana
Class 6, Ellen, Sharma Memorial School, Chennai
Thaaragai is a scuba diver from Chennai who is passionate about environmental conservation. Through underwater activities and ocean cleaning initiatives, she advocates for the protection of marine creatures and resources. Her efforts include removing plastic from the ocean and encouraging people to decrease their dependence on plastic.
What inspired you to protect the ocean?
My father was my biggest inspiration. As a child, I watched him scuba dive and collect plastic from the ocean. Curious, I asked him why he was collecting waste. When he explained the harm it causes to marine life, I realised how serious the problem was and decided I wanted to help too.
Who participates in your clean-up initiatives?
I do shore clean-ups with my friends and underwater clean-ups with my father and his diving group. We’ve carried out drives in Chennai, Puducherry and Rameswaram. By being involved in ocean activities, I have realised how important the ocean is to us. However, the careless activities of humans often affect it. Protecting nature makes me happy. One of the most uplifting experiences is freeing marine creatures tangled in ghost nets. My father and I have done this multiple times and watching them swim away safely fills us with happiness.
What can people do to protect the ocean?
As plastic is one of the biggest threats to the ocean, people should limit their use of plastic, especially plastic bags and bottles. Adults can participate in clean-up initiatives and inspire children to participate in activities to protect nature. Watching educational documentaries and reading educational books can further encourage children to safeguard nature.
Siyaa Poddar
Class 12, Arizona College, Prep High School, Arizona, Usa
Siyaa has developed a detector called RADAR (Real-time Assessment of Deteriorative Airborne Risks) that detects dangerous contaminants such as silica and uranium, which is helpful for people living close to abandoned mines. She received the esteemed Regeneron Young Scientist Award at the 2025 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), USA, in recognition of her achievement.
What inspired your innovation and how does it work?
Growing up in Southwestern USA, I saw firsthand how abandoned mines polluted the air with toxic silica and uranium. These toxic pollutants can cause serious diseases like Sjögren’s syndrome, which often go undiagnosed for years. As this is considered a local problem, it often gets overlooked. To address this, I created a flexible, pocket-sized film that changes colour when exposed to silica and uranium in the air.
I wanted to make it easy for people to understand what they’re breathing in so they can take charge of their health. That’s why I chose a colour-changing material, because colour is simple and anyone can recognise it. My idea was centred around using colour to show air quality in a way that is clear for people to understand. RADAR is inexpensive, convenient to use and provides results quickly, helping people detect invisible threats.
How did you overcome setbacks?
My work included a lot of experimentation and I hit many roadblocks during my journey. However, my high school chemistry teacher was a huge support. I’d often go to her frustrated and she always encouraged me to change my approach towards the problem and not give up. This helped me to stay focussed and solve my problems.
How can children with simple ideas make a difference?
You don’t need to fix a big problem to make a difference; you could just start with something simple or local. Even something small can grow big if you are passionate and hardworking. Empathy doesn’t need special skills, just effort. And don’t be afraid to ask for help; mentors in your community can guide you along the way.
Sirish Subash
Class 10, Gwinnett School, of Mathematics, Science, and Technology, Georgia, USA
Sirish is an innovator who won the 2024 3M Young Scientist Challenge, a science competition for middle school children in USA, for his invention called PestiSCAND. PestiSCAND is a handheld device that helps people check vegetables and fruits for pesticides before consumption.
What sparked the idea for PestiSCAND?
It started when I was about to eat some grapes and my mother insisted on washing them thoroughly. I wondered why it mattered so much and did some research. What I found shocked me! A significant amount of produce has pesticide residues, even after washing, and they’re linked to serious health issues such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and even certain types of cancers. I realised it would be helpful to have a way to check for pesticides at home and that’s what led me to build PestiSCAND.
What makes your device unique?
PestiSCAND is designed to be portable, user-friendly and easily accessible. Unlike other complex methods that require produce to be cut or chemicals to be added to detect the presence of pesticides, PestiSCAND is designed for convenience and safety. It is a simple, AI-powered handheld device that works by shining light on the fruit or vegetable and analysing how it reflects. This helps detect pesticide residues.
What message would you like to give young innovators?
Although I had to troubleshoot numerous technical problems while working on my device, it was perseverance and the constant support of my family and community that kept me going. I would like to tell young innovators that when curiosity sparks an idea, don’t be afraid to chase it. And even if a problem feels huge, just take that first step—momentum will carry you forward!
Children’s Day celebrates the creativity, dreams and potential of children, the future of India. Over the years, RobinAge has highlighted the efforts of numerous young pathbreakers who have excelled in various fields, offering a fresh perspective on age-old problems and delighting the world with their creativity. From leading social initiatives and coming up with innovations to writing novels and winning accolades in sports, they prove that greatness isn’t defined by age. These young changemakers not only shatter boundaries, but also inspire others to find their passion. We call these children Bright Sparks. Are you one of them?
Log on to www.robinage.com/rbsa and participate in the ROBINAGE BRIGHT SPARKS AWARDS 2025-26. We would love to hear your inspiring story.
REFLECTION: Bright Sparks
Tell us what you would like to change in the world and why.
