Young Ria is changing the world
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|Leslie: Hi Ria, welcome to "My Legacy with Leslie". At the age of 13, you are a young volunteer with the Robin Hood Army. Tell me more about your work
R: Not only am I a volunteer in the Robin Hood Army, but I am also an art teacher to various kids in local hospitals, cancer hospitals and mostly kids going to public school. I am in charge of about 10 kids who come to a nearby municipal park and where we do fun arts and crafts. With the help of my art teacher I also send their paintings to upcoming national or international competitions with hope that they will win. Furthermore, I have also recently started with a menstrual health awareness drive, where I targeted women we serve in Robinhood Army. Because they are not aware and exposed to hygiene, we raised awareness of the diseases that can be caused. We also introduced them to menstrual cups, that are a very affordable and sustainable way to cope with their menstrual cycle and not only will they keep them safe from any diseases, it will also make the environment better because these cups can be reused for 5-7 years.
LT: How do you prioritise your week with school-life around
R: It is not that hard actually. In a week, I do like 2-3 hours of service which when you add up is only 3 out of 168 hours in a week which is less that 0.02% of the week. Therefore I can manage all my studies and preparation for tests.
LT: What causes you are passionate about
R: I am not targeting any specific cause, but I believe in equal opportunities for everyone, especially kids who will grow up to be the next generation. I believe that education is very important because it will make them grow up into mature, intelligent and capable human beings. Not only education but I also believe in passion. The kids I target are so passionate for arts and crafts and they are also really good at it. They are till date the most original and creative people I’ve met. They are always coming up with new ideas and being enthusiastic for every workshop we have. I have also observed that one of the main reasons they don’t develop a modern mindset where they take hygiene and education into importance, is because ion the type of social environment and norms they grow up with. Through my hours with them, I have also tried my best to make them aware of the opportunities that lay in front of them and how they are so talented and capable to pursue them. Growing up in an underprivileged family doesn’t mean that you have to stay that way your whole life, you can change if you put hard work and effort into it.
LT: What were the defining moments and advise that helped you become this beautiful compassionate young girl
R: Well, there wasn’t a particular person who inspired me to do what I am doing but I remember one of my first services was a couple of years ago when we went to a public school in Ranthambore to teach them sports. I taught them how to play capture the flag and that was what inspired me to do this more often back in Mumbai. Hanging out with those kids was one of the most amazing things I had done in my life and it made me feel really happy and good about myself. That is when I started researching about different places I can volunteer and came across Robin Hood Army and Shefali’s Art for a Cause that was actually held by my art teacher.
LT: Do you have any icons that you look upto
R: I really look up to icons like Malala or Michelle Obama. They are fearless women who stand by their word and there is literally nothing the cannot do. Not only am I inspired by their work, I am inspired by their compassion and their determination to achieve their goals. Malala and Michelle Obama’s goals were very different but at the same time, they coped with the hate and challenges they faced the same way. Malala wanted to fight for education for girls and she did that with bravery and no fear of being pulled down. Even after getting shot and going through several surgeries, she didn’t give up. Michelle Obama’s background was obviously very different because she being the First Lady had a lot of power. But the fact that she didn’t let the power corrupt her and actually used it to do good inspires me. Because you often see powerful people like her spending their money in unnecessary items, properties, etc. I really look up to people who use their power in a positive way rather than just putting it to waste. She improved the public health and education a great deal during her time as the First Lady.
LT: Do you watch movies, which are your 5 fav movies of all time
R: Life is Beautiful, August Rush, The Pursuit of Happyness, Forrest Gump, Dangal
LT: Your fav books
R: The Avalonia Chronicles by Farah Oomberbhoy
⁃The Selection Series by Kiera Cass
⁃Diary of Anne Frank
⁃The Outsiders by S.E Hinton
⁃Not Without my Daughter by Betty Mahmoody
⁃The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis
LT: Whats your motto in general
R: My motto is to “Be a voice, not an echo” It is all about objecting a opinion or a perspective about what you truly believe in. It is about expressing the opinions of thousands. Having something great in your mind is not going to benefit anyone, letting it out is going can a make positive change. Stand by your word. Moreover don’t mindlessly repeat what you have heard and follow and trust someone blindly.
LT:What do you think is plaguing the youth today
R: Technology has taken over the world and revolutionised our daily daily lives into making basic activities like taking a walk, going out for a run into a whole different level of laziness. Technology at a controlled state is actually very beneficial but in today’s millennial generation it is turning into an addiction . An addiction that can distract you from the fun parts of life like spending time with your family and friends, meeting face to face with someone over a meal, eating in restaurants. Eating meals in restaurants has turned into ordering home delivery via Swiggy. Face to Face conversations has turned into video calling. It is like a virtual reality we are living in that is taking over our lives. This might be a bad thing if the limit is crossed therefore it is very vital for us to control our usage.
LT: What is your message to youth today?
R: My message to youth today, is to participate in service activities. Believe me it will bring you happiness. Instead of watching one episode of Netflix, you can help the world by just spending 45 minutes by teaching underprivileged kids or even adults about a life skills that will change their lives, which in turn will change your lives in the long term. So at least for 45 mins a week, you should try and do something that will benefit someone.
LT: What is your legacy according to you?
R: I won’t take credit for the art I am teaching them because that is inspired by my art teacher. But I do want to spread menstrual hygiene to women living on the streets in Robin Hood Army. Till now, I have only targeted my local cluster but I want to move forward my targeting other parts of Mumbai, and possibly spread it across the country one day. For that I would need help from the volunteers. So that would be my legacy I would love to spread because it will be benefiting the people with freedom from diseases and the environment with a sustainable way to cope with the cycle.
LT:Where do you see yourself, 5 years from now
R: If all goes well, I probably see myself in university, possibly studying science as I have always had interest in that subject. I am still unsure about the field I want to choose but I know that I want to become a doctor. I know that if I go abroad to study, I will have to leave all the services behind, but maybe I can start a few new ones out there.
R: Not only am I a volunteer in the Robin Hood Army, but I am also an art teacher to various kids in local hospitals, cancer hospitals and mostly kids going to public school. I am in charge of about 10 kids who come to a nearby municipal park and where we do fun arts and crafts. With the help of my art teacher I also send their paintings to upcoming national or international competitions with hope that they will win. Furthermore, I have also recently started with a menstrual health awareness drive, where I targeted women we serve in Robinhood Army. Because they are not aware and exposed to hygiene, we raised awareness of the diseases that can be caused. We also introduced them to menstrual cups, that are a very affordable and sustainable way to cope with their menstrual cycle and not only will they keep them safe from any diseases, it will also make the environment better because these cups can be reused for 5-7 years.
LT: How do you prioritise your week with school-life around
R: It is not that hard actually. In a week, I do like 2-3 hours of service which when you add up is only 3 out of 168 hours in a week which is less that 0.02% of the week. Therefore I can manage all my studies and preparation for tests.
LT: What causes you are passionate about
R: I am not targeting any specific cause, but I believe in equal opportunities for everyone, especially kids who will grow up to be the next generation. I believe that education is very important because it will make them grow up into mature, intelligent and capable human beings. Not only education but I also believe in passion. The kids I target are so passionate for arts and crafts and they are also really good at it. They are till date the most original and creative people I’ve met. They are always coming up with new ideas and being enthusiastic for every workshop we have. I have also observed that one of the main reasons they don’t develop a modern mindset where they take hygiene and education into importance, is because ion the type of social environment and norms they grow up with. Through my hours with them, I have also tried my best to make them aware of the opportunities that lay in front of them and how they are so talented and capable to pursue them. Growing up in an underprivileged family doesn’t mean that you have to stay that way your whole life, you can change if you put hard work and effort into it.
LT: What were the defining moments and advise that helped you become this beautiful compassionate young girl
R: Well, there wasn’t a particular person who inspired me to do what I am doing but I remember one of my first services was a couple of years ago when we went to a public school in Ranthambore to teach them sports. I taught them how to play capture the flag and that was what inspired me to do this more often back in Mumbai. Hanging out with those kids was one of the most amazing things I had done in my life and it made me feel really happy and good about myself. That is when I started researching about different places I can volunteer and came across Robin Hood Army and Shefali’s Art for a Cause that was actually held by my art teacher.
LT: Do you have any icons that you look upto
R: I really look up to icons like Malala or Michelle Obama. They are fearless women who stand by their word and there is literally nothing the cannot do. Not only am I inspired by their work, I am inspired by their compassion and their determination to achieve their goals. Malala and Michelle Obama’s goals were very different but at the same time, they coped with the hate and challenges they faced the same way. Malala wanted to fight for education for girls and she did that with bravery and no fear of being pulled down. Even after getting shot and going through several surgeries, she didn’t give up. Michelle Obama’s background was obviously very different because she being the First Lady had a lot of power. But the fact that she didn’t let the power corrupt her and actually used it to do good inspires me. Because you often see powerful people like her spending their money in unnecessary items, properties, etc. I really look up to people who use their power in a positive way rather than just putting it to waste. She improved the public health and education a great deal during her time as the First Lady.
LT: Do you watch movies, which are your 5 fav movies of all time
R: Life is Beautiful, August Rush, The Pursuit of Happyness, Forrest Gump, Dangal
LT: Your fav books
R: The Avalonia Chronicles by Farah Oomberbhoy
⁃The Selection Series by Kiera Cass
⁃Diary of Anne Frank
⁃The Outsiders by S.E Hinton
⁃Not Without my Daughter by Betty Mahmoody
⁃The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis
LT: Whats your motto in general
R: My motto is to “Be a voice, not an echo” It is all about objecting a opinion or a perspective about what you truly believe in. It is about expressing the opinions of thousands. Having something great in your mind is not going to benefit anyone, letting it out is going can a make positive change. Stand by your word. Moreover don’t mindlessly repeat what you have heard and follow and trust someone blindly.
LT:What do you think is plaguing the youth today
R: Technology has taken over the world and revolutionised our daily daily lives into making basic activities like taking a walk, going out for a run into a whole different level of laziness. Technology at a controlled state is actually very beneficial but in today’s millennial generation it is turning into an addiction . An addiction that can distract you from the fun parts of life like spending time with your family and friends, meeting face to face with someone over a meal, eating in restaurants. Eating meals in restaurants has turned into ordering home delivery via Swiggy. Face to Face conversations has turned into video calling. It is like a virtual reality we are living in that is taking over our lives. This might be a bad thing if the limit is crossed therefore it is very vital for us to control our usage.
LT: What is your message to youth today?
R: My message to youth today, is to participate in service activities. Believe me it will bring you happiness. Instead of watching one episode of Netflix, you can help the world by just spending 45 minutes by teaching underprivileged kids or even adults about a life skills that will change their lives, which in turn will change your lives in the long term. So at least for 45 mins a week, you should try and do something that will benefit someone.
LT: What is your legacy according to you?
R: I won’t take credit for the art I am teaching them because that is inspired by my art teacher. But I do want to spread menstrual hygiene to women living on the streets in Robin Hood Army. Till now, I have only targeted my local cluster but I want to move forward my targeting other parts of Mumbai, and possibly spread it across the country one day. For that I would need help from the volunteers. So that would be my legacy I would love to spread because it will be benefiting the people with freedom from diseases and the environment with a sustainable way to cope with the cycle.
LT:Where do you see yourself, 5 years from now
R: If all goes well, I probably see myself in university, possibly studying science as I have always had interest in that subject. I am still unsure about the field I want to choose but I know that I want to become a doctor. I know that if I go abroad to study, I will have to leave all the services behind, but maybe I can start a few new ones out there.
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