Scroll through Instagram today, and timelines feel like a time machine. Grainy photos resurface, awkward hairstyles return, and memories from 2016 flood screens as people jump on the viral ‘10 years ago’ challenge. It’s playful, personal, and deeply nostalgic — a reminder of who we once were.
But beyond selfies and glow-ups are stories where the change runs far deeper than appearances.
While social media looks back for sentiment, we chose to look back for significance. What were some of India’s young changemakers doing in 2016 — before recognition, awards, and headlines?
A decade ago, they were children with oversized dreams, teenagers testing uncertain paths, and individuals taking tentative first steps towards impact. Today, they are environmental warriors, global innovators, award-winning achievers, and symbols of perseverance.
This is their ‘then vs now’ — and the journeys their 2016 selves could never have imagined.
Jannat Patloo: From a child on a boat to Kashmir’s young environmental voice
2016:
At just four years old, Jannat Patloo could be seen sitting beside her father on a small boat in Dal Lake, gloves slipping over tiny hands as she helped pick plastic from the water. There were no headlines then — just a child following her father’s quiet resolve to protect Kashmir’s lifeline.
There were no headlines then — just a child following her father’s quiet resolve to protect Kashmir’s lifeline.
Now:
Today, 14-year-old Jannat is recognised nationally for her environmental work, including an honour from the Prime Minister of India. Yet her mission hasn’t changed. Every Sunday, she is still out on Dal Lake, net in hand, leading her campaign ‘Dal Lake for the Sunday’ — inspiring citizens, activists, and even government bodies to act.
Every Sunday, she is still out on Dal Lake, net in hand, leading her campaign ‘Dal Lake for the Sunday’ — inspiring citizens, activists, and even government bodies to act.
Her guiding principle remains a line her father once told her as a child: “Love your home through your actions, not just words.”
Charanya Kumar: In 2016, she was searching. Today, she’s building what matters
2016:
As the world wrestled with political shifts and questions of identity, Charanya Kumar was at a crossroads of her own. Splitting her time between London and the Bay Area, she began asking where she truly wanted to build her life — and what kind of work would feel meaningful in the long run.
During this period, she immersed herself in Indian culture, history, and storytelling through education and design.
During this period, she immersed herself in Indian culture, history, and storytelling through education and design. The idea of using play and games to help children connect with Indian heritage had taken shape — but it remained quiet, untested, and without a venture to call its own.
Now:
Today, Charanya is the founder of Chittam, a Chennai-based eco-friendly edutainment start-up creating board games, card games, and activity kits rooted in Indian history, culture, and values. What began as a personal question has grown into a catalogue of 17 games designed to bring families together and spark cultural curiosity in children.
What began as a personal question has grown into a catalogue of 17 games designed to bring families together and spark cultural curiosity in children.
Chittam has received grants and angel investments, including a Rs 10 lakh win on the Britannia Marie Gold Her Start-Up show, and partners with heritage brands as Charanya continues to build thoughtfully in India’s education-impact space.
Yeshwanth Kumar Umasankar: From a teen learner to a global medal-winning chef
2016:
At 13, Yeshwanth Kumar Umasankar was already on an international stage — but just getting started. That year, he represented India at the International Culinary Olympics in Germany alongside his father, learning the art of fruit and vegetable carving and earning a diploma from the jury.
At 13, Yeshwanth Kumar Umasankar was already on an international stage — but just getting started. Photograph: (DT Next)
Now:
By 16, Yeshwanth returned to the Culinary Olympics — this time winning four silver medals against chefs from nearly 59 countries. Today, he shares his craft through YouTube and Instagram, creates intricate culinary showpieces, and trains aspiring chefs in Chennai.
Today, he shares his craft through YouTube and Instagram, creates intricate culinary showpieces, and trains aspiring chefs in Chennai.
From a curious teen competitor to a globally recognised culinary talent, his rise reflects what a decade of discipline can build.
Raghav Rai: Then, he was learning to garden; today, he is growing hope
2016:
In 2016, seven-year-old Raghav Rai split his time between football and helping his mother tend to their terrace garden. As he played and observed life around him, he began noticing the everyday challenges children in Delhi’s bastis faced — especially when it came to food and nutrition.
In 2016, seven-year-old Raghav Rai split his time between football and helping his mother tend to their terrace garden.
It was a year of quiet learning and empathy, when a simple question took root: could growing food also grow opportunity?
Now:
Today, Raghav is the 17-year-old founder of Gardens of Hope, a grassroots initiative that has turned the terraces of Delhi’s bastis into thriving kitchen gardens. The project now supports 42 families with fresh, organic produce.
Today, Raghav is the 17-year-old founder of Gardens of Hope.
What began with convincing just five mothers has grown into a community-led movement across Nizamuddin, Sarai Kale Khan, Kusumpur Pahadi, and Ali Village — helping families grow vegetables like palak, mooli, and baingan, reduce food costs, improve nutrition, and build confidence together.
Ten years ago, these changemakers were just beginning — unnoticed, uncertain, and uncelebrated. Today, their journeys stand as proof that the most powerful transformations don’t always start with a spotlight.
Sometimes, they begin quietly — long before the internet is watching.
