Siya Kumari, 15
Granddaughter of Raja Randhir Singh, Olympian and veteran shooter
My hero is my grandfather, Raja Randhir Singh. He has shot for India at six Olympic Games and is an Asian Games gold medalist. He is also a member of the International Olympic Committee and has been involved in sports for over 50 years,” says Siya Kumari, grand-daughter of the sporting legend and daughter of Mahima Kumari and Raminder Takhar.
Little wonder then that the 15-year-old takes a keen interest in all things athletic. Football and badminton are her most favourite sports, and Siya says she takes “focusing on the job at hand” very seriously. “Concentration, resilience, and physical and mental strength are what matter the most,” she says, and to ensure that she walks the talk, Siya takes access consciousness classes in South Delhi to improve her sense of self-awareness. The fact that she’s already exceedingly aware of her surroundings is clear when she speaks about what all she would fix in her city. (Think littering, disease and corruption). Siya may sound adult when she speaks about Delhi but she likes all the usual teenage things too. “Sometimes, I sit in front of my laptop and watch YouTube videos all day long. I really enjoy watching movie trailers and videos about celebrities and keep my music on loop,” she says. Plus, there’s Snapchat for staying in touch with friends and Soundcloud for keeping all her favourite music in order. “I love growing up with technology,” says the girl whose long-term goal is setting up a fashion consultancy.
What would you do to improve the city if you were Delhi’s Chief Minister?
I would promote the odd-even car formula for controlling pollution. I would build wider roads and more flyovers to control traffic, and have public toilets on roadsides. I would employ people to clean the roads and put a Rs 5,000 fine on anyone who urinates on the road or throws plastic anywhere. Finally, I would spray mosquito repellent chemicals all over Delhi.
What does Smart City mean to you?
To me, a Smart City means a developed city that offers its residents good mobility, environment, economy, living and government.
Things you like about Delhi
It’s green. Even though development is increasing, not too many trees are cut. The Metro has made traffic and travelling much easier. I love the food; almost all the cuisines of the world are available here. I love that we have both malls and monuments, and India’s best flea markets.
Things you don’t you like about the city
I don’t like the pollution and the traffic, especially when it rains, and the dirty roads and corners. Summer means dengue and winter means swine flu. There is corruption.
Do you think Delhi is or can be a Smart City?
Some things are lacking but Delhi is on its way to becoming a Smart City.