“Believe in yourself. You are braver than you think, more talented than you know, and capable of more than you imagine.”
Nitesh Yadav, a 15-year-old from a village in Alwar, Rajasthan designer and coder with a social cause. It’s amazing how a little self-belief and determination can go a long, long way. Like they say, when you have your eye on the prize, everything around it is immediately out of focus. This story, if nothing else, will definitely inspire your soul. His story, from being demoralized to emerging gloriously through it all, is motivational and get-up-and-achieve-your-dreams worthy.
1. When did your journey begin?
I come from a village background; to spot a smartphone is a rarity. I was in class eight when I first saw a man in our village with a phone and learned of something known as an Android app developer. Having seen the benefits of a smartphone I was now bent on doing something for my locality and village. I wanted to be an app developer. although I lacked the resources, I pressed forward, asking my father to support my dreams and buy me a smartphone. When I told my father about an Android app, he was clueless. He still supported me and bought me a small smartphone after a lot of pleading.
2. What were the challenges and difficulties that followed?
A number of other difficulties and challenges followed. To code, an app requires skill and training. My family could not afford to send me to coding classes, and that was when I made my way to what I call “Google Gurudev.” I read an article about an app developer who had created a number of educational apps. When I finally figured out how to use the smartphone, I made my way to “Google Gurudev” who has taught all me that I know about coding apps and creating websites.
3. Which was your first application that you developed?
My first app, ‘Mera Kanharka’, took me four months to make and was launched on Google Play. This app helps connect my village to digital India, giving them access to the outside world. Rising above being made fun of by friends and village members, lacking the information required to make an app, and having a hard time coping with the Android language, I finally made it for everybody.
4. Tell us about all the application and success you have received so far?
Today, I have created over 14 websites for various clients, and apps like ‘Kisan Guru’ help farmers connect with the digital world, receiving information on market prices, how to grow crops etc., which has over 30,000 downloads.
I have also launched an artificial intelligence software named ‘Exam Mitra’, which helps users or students study while he/she uses Facebook. This software is integrated into the Facebook Messenger app and has subjects like math, geography, physics, chemistry, etc.
5. There has been a strong word about your classes. What are they about exactly?
I take Skype classes for students at my village and others on various social media platforms regularly, teaching them about the web developing at zero cost. I am also currently working on my software development company named Techsicon that aims to promote any business as a brand to the global level.
6. What progress you think you’ve made in the past 2 years?
In a span of two years, From class 9 till class 11, I have been invited by Google, Nasscom, Programming hub and many more big IT brands to know my story and appreciate me, which I’m grateful for. It all started from a newspaper article, I read one random day when I was 13. The article talked about Imran Khan, who is a self-taught computer programmer from Alawar, Rajasthan. He has developed over 50 educational apps and 100+ websites which lead to my motivation.
7. What is your final aim?
My aim is to digitize every single village in India and train students in web development and robotics so they’re able to design apps themselves and give back to the community. Moreover, I do not want them to go through the hardships I have.
He is really a very talented personality and encourages me to follow my dreams. Feel the same ?