Manya Gajwani, 16
Granddaughter of veteran artist Gopi Gajwani
The daughter of graphic designers Yogesh and Suraksha Gajwani and grand-daughter of famous artist-cartoonist Gopi Gajwani, Manya has been exposed to all kinds of art since childhood. Aside from the legends in her family, Manya venerates American artist Jean Michel Basquiat. “He shared his pain and stories through his art and I feel inspired by the way he stood up for what he believed in through his work,” says the 16-year-old who takes music as seriously as art, and has started singing and playing the guitar at gigs in the city. She paints and sketches while talking on the phone at night, while the dayhours see her playing her acoustic guitar and humming along. Not that music or art is what Manya wants to do for a living. “I want to be a biochemical engineer and I keep reading up on my subject of choice,” says the teenager who also watches “funny and relatable” YouTube channels like rclbeauty101, iisuperwomanii and mrbrent98. She has travelled across Europe and North America because her family, and she, “love to invest in experiences”.
What does Smart City mean to you?
A sustainable city is eco-friendly and has well-developed resources like libraries and hospitals. A Smart City gives equal opportunities to everybody and is self-sustaining.
Do you think Delhi is or can be a Smart City?
Yes, if public transport and roads are improved. Rules like the Odd-Even car usage must be enforced to reduce pollution.
Things you like about Delhi
The variety of food, the monuments, my friends, winters and Indian designer wear options.
Things you don’t like about the city
It is unsafe and overcrowded. There is pollution and garbage. The city has no amusement parks.
What would you do as CM to improve Delhi?
I would have stricter laws for cleanliness, more CCTV cameras and good quality colleges for the less privileged.