Youth Stars and Entrepreneur Honoured at Scottish Parliament
The young Edinburgh and West Lothian-based winners honoured for excellence in academics, leadership, and creativity were:
Stem Wizard –Â Kanav Jain (15, West Calder, West Lothian)
He is a 15-year-old STEM prodigy. A licensed, self-taught drone maker who led a Drone Workshop in Glasgow recently with BYITC. He builds custom drones that help farms, festivals, and local groups.
She is a 17-year-old and has never received less than an A in her academic journey. A gifted artist and resilient fighter, she has overcome multiple health challenges to achieve outstanding results, recently earning the prestigious Naismith Award for best academic performance in her school.
Maths Grandmaster –Â Alden Arun (12, Edinburgh)
He is a natural maths prodigy and four-time Maths Olympiad winner who has sharpened his skills at BYITC. A Chess Champion, the Clan Chief of his school and a gifted violinist, he has truly proved himself to be a grandmaster.
Dynamic Achiever –Â Arush Gosain (14, Livingston, West Lothian)
This 14-year-old is a remarkable achiever won the Maths Olympiad in the highest age category and raised ÂŁ3,000 for River Kids Charity through the YPI event. A brilliant student and prolific writer, his work has been published on multiple websites. He never calls it a day without writing!
Rising Marvel Young Author –Â Kenisha Jain (14, West Calder)
This brilliant 14-year-old mind has secured the UKMT Gold Award, triumphed in a Robotics Competition at Heriot-Watt University, and is now embarking on her journey as a writerâpreparing to publish her first novel.
Tanwi Bhattacharya (Nikkan Dance Academy) â Artistic Visionary of the Year in the new Business Excellence categories.
The Edinburgh winners reflected the diversity and brilliance of the Inspire Awards, spanning academic excellence in STEM and mathematics through to entrepreneurship and the creative arts.
Tanwi Bhattacharya, founder of Nikkan Dance Academy, was singled out for her contribution to dance and cultural innovation, inspiring her students and the wider community. She was celebrated for her performances across India, Scotland, and Europe and for inspiring the next generation.
Dr Rashmi Mantri, founder of BYITC, said the atmosphere in the room was electric: âThere was a real buzz on the night – pride, joy, and celebration filled the chamber.
“Our young winners have shown talent, perseverance, and creativity beyond their years, while our business leaders demonstrated vision and innovation that inspire future generations.
“Together, they represent the very best of what Scotland, and the UK, has to offer.â
Alden Arunâs parents said: âAldenâs passion for maths has grown beautifully, and we are so proud of him. His confidence soared with each Olympiad win, and now the INSPIRE Awards have given his confidence a further push!â
2025 Inspire Awards â Childrenâs Winners:
Academics
Stem Wizard:Â Kanav Jain (15, West Calder, West Lothian)
2025 Inspire Awards â Business Excellence Winners:
Artistic Visionary of the Year: Tanwi Bhattacharya, Nikkan Dance Academy (Edinburgh) â Dance
Innovation Hero: Krishna Yerra, MillionLogics (London) â IT Industry
Icon of Influence: Sarica (Knowledge Buddy), Knowledge Buddy (London) â Media & PR
Dynamic Leader of the Year: Rishi Harani, Mergify (London) â Financial Advisory
Brilliant Brandmakers: Ali Malik, Awaz FM (Glasgow) â Media & PR
Dr Mantri added: âThis yearâs Inspire Awards proved that excellence has no age limit. From our youngest winner, just six years old, to our established business leaders, each story we heard was remarkable. These awards are about celebrating achievement, yes, but also about inspiring the next generation to dream bigger and aim higher.â
The Inspire Awards 2025 highlighted not only the incredible achievements of individuals but also the growing spirit of community, innovation, and leadership across the UK.
The judges were: Barry Gunn, lecturer at Clyde College; and Derek Timpany, Associate Dean: Business & Management, City of Glasgow College.
Supporters and sponsors of the event included: Whitebridge Financial Services, Masala Twist, Oakminster Care Homes; and ScottishIndian.com.
Glasgowâs own national treasure, Elaine C. Smith, will take to the stage in the stunning surroundings of the City Chambers on Friday, 24 October 2025, for a one-off evening of laughter, stories, and song, in celebration of Glasgow 850.
âElaine C. Smith: Freedom and Fun in the City Chambersâ promises an unforgettable night in one of the cityâs most iconic buildings with the performer who gained the Freedom of the City of Glasgow, in March, this year.
Guests will be treated to Elaineâs trademark humour, reflections on her early years, tales from her celebrated career in comedy and acting, and a chance to ask questions in an audience Q&A. The evening will conclude with a musical finale featuring specially selected tracks.
Although tickets are free, a minimum suggested donation of ÂŁ10 is encouraged to support Glasgow Womenâs Aid and the Lord Provostâs Charity Fund for Vulnerable Citizens â two causes close to Elaineâs heart that support people across the city.
Elaineâs has a long-standing connection to Glasgow Womenâs Aid that helps women and families rebuild their lives after experiencing domestic abuse by providing essential services including one-to-one and group support, childrenâs support workers, and help with donations of everyday items such as toiletries and toys.
The Lord Provostâs Fund for Vulnerable Citizens provides grants to relieve poverty, advance education, and provide general support for those in need due to factors like age, illness, disability, or financial hardship, in the city
Elaine said: âA show in the Banqueting Hall of the City Chambers is not your usual Thursday night gig, is it? Itâs a huge honour to perform in front of a home crowd and raise money for worthwhile causes in the city.
“I love Glasgow, and to be able to share stories, laughs, and a few songs with folk in such a stunning building is just magic.â
Lord Provost of Glasgow, Jacqueline McLaren, said: âIâm so pleased that Elaine has been able to fit in this charity evening before her busy Panto season begins.
“She has proved herself more than a worthy recipient of the Freedom of the City Award as part of our Birthday celebrations, and we are proud to host this special event in the heart of our city. Guests are guaranteed to laugh out loud, be moved by Elaineâs stories, and leave inspired by her advocacy for the city and its communities.â
Tickets are limited and must be booked in advance here
Every year, thousands of families face a terrifying crisis. A sudden diagnosis. A life-threatening condition. A desperate need to be close to their child, but nowhere to stay.Â
The Sick Childrenâs Trust provides a calm, comforting space for families to be near their critically ill child during the most traumatic time of their lives. A warm bed, a place to cook, and somewhere to rest â all free of charge, just minutes from the hospital.
It costs The Sick Childrenâs Trust ÂŁ40 a night to support one family in one of our ten âHomes from Homeâ, and we rely entirely on donations. The reality is that costs are rising, and demand for our homes is growing. Thatâs why Iâm asking your readers to become a Friend of The Sick Childrenâs Trust by giving ÂŁ10 a month. Their monthly gift will keep another family together, when they need it most.
The families we support travel an average of 86 minutes to be by their sick childâs bedside. One such family is that of Laura Makin, whose teenage daughter Keisha needed urgent treatment in Newcastle, over 200 miles from their North Wales home. Our Crawford House âHome from Homeâ became their lifeline, keeping them close to Keisha during months of uncertainty and heartache. Laura said:
âCrawford House quickly became our sanctuary. Being offered a room there meant I could stay close to Keisha while she faced months of intensive treatment. Spending Christmas and Keishaâs 16th birthday in hospital was tough, but the âHome from Homeâ gave us comfort and normality in the chaos. I could cook meals, talk to other parents, and just breathe. It even gave Keisha a break from the hospital when she came out of isolationâŻââŻshe loved being there, just being a teenager again.
âWe stayed in Newcastle for nine months, and Crawford House was with us every step of the way. Iâll never forget the warmth and support we felt. It truly was a lifeline when we needed it most.â
Because people chose to give, Keisha didnât have to face hospital alone. Now your readers can help another parent, another child, get the comfort and closeness they deserve.
Please visitâŻsickchildrenstrust.org/donateâŻto become a Friend today. Your regular support will help us plan for the future and will make sure our âHomes from Homeâ are there for the next family in crisis â tomorrow, next month, and for years to come.
Edinburgh born baritone, Arthur Bruce makes Usher Hall debut
Enigma(Solve riddles in music)
Capella Edina
Conductor Luis Schmidt
Soloist Arthur Bruce
Usher Hall, Edinburgh
3pm, 12 October 2025
Edinburghâs first resident philharmonic orchestra for almost 90 years brings its first annual season to a conclusion with one of the most perplexing pieces of music created, Edward Elgarâs Enigma Variations.
The afternoon concert in the cityâs spectacular Usher Hall precedes the Elgar with shorter riddles including Arthur Blissâs playful work, A Knot of Riddles with Edinburgh born baritone Arthur Bruce joining the orchestra, and Alexandre Desplatâs evocative Suite from The Imitation Game, the haunting musical tribute to the genius of Alan Turing heard in the 2014 feature film.
Bringing more beautiful film music to the concert hall, from the same year, The Theory of Everything brought us the story of another famous scientist, Stephen Hawking with a Golden Globe winning film score by Icelandic composer JĂłhann JĂłhannsson, heard here in a Suite.
Capella Edinaâs composer in residence, James Clay has his third work for the orchestra premiered, Afterland, a work for string orchestra, organ and timpani. It is dedicated to Alan Turing and uses God Save the King, the first music recording ever produced by a computer used by Alan Turing.
Riddles have fascinated humankind for centuries â and none more enduringly than Edward Elgarâs Enigma Variations. âThe Enigma I will not explain,â he once wrote about this work which portrays friendship, love, and deep personal reflection.
From thunderous brass to intimate strings, crowned by the voice of the Usher Hallâs majestic organ Elgarâs Enigma promises an incredible finish to Capella Edinaâs first season.
Proving that age is just a number, Scottish Building Society hosted Scotlandâs largest walking rugby festival last month, bringing together players of all abilities for a celebration of sport, community, and accessible active living.
Delivered in partnership with Edinburgh Rugby on 15 August, the seven-team tournament saw clubs from across Scotland come together to prove that walking rugby can keep people playing the sport they love for longer.
Ayr, Annan, Edinburgh BATS, Kelso, Midlothian Uncoachables, Murrayfield and Strathmore all participated in the event fielding both male and female teams, with the oldest male player being 85.
The tournament was held during a memorable day at the home of Edinburgh Rugby.
Walking Rugby follows a similar format to traditional rugby except there is no sprinting, meaning passing accuracy and positioning are key.
It is a more accessible game as tackling is a much lesser part of the game and requires greater tactical knowledge. The format is growing in popularity with former players who still want to play the game but are older or are unable to partake in full Participants were also joined by Oliver Duncan from the Edinburgh Rugby Academy, who shared his expertise with the players.
Oliver Duncan, Edinburgh Rugby Academy, said:âItâs great to see people of all ages across Scotland come together  for the love of the game.
“Walking rugby can really help older players, or those less able, to enjoy the game for longer and help communities stay fit. â
Speaking following the tournament, Lindsey Kyle from Annan Walking Rugby, said: âMaking connections, being out in the fresh air, interacting with others and staying active for as long as possible is  so important form a physical health and a mental health perspective.â
Paul Denton, CEO, Scottish Building Society said: âWalking rugby is one of the fastest growing sports in Scotland because it can be played by such a wide range of ages and abilities.
âThrough our partnership with Edinburgh Rugby, weâre proud to champion inclusivity and give back to communities in meaningful ways. Programmes like these show that rugby truly is a game for everyone.
âThis tournament shows that age is just a number, and we hope events like this encourage more people to take up the sport and see that regardless of ability, mobility or age- rugby has a place for you.â
With just a few days left until the 10th anniversary of Poppyscotlandâs popular Sportive, supporters are being urged to sign up today and get on their bikes in aid of the Armed Forces charity.
Taking place on Sunday, September 21, 2025, the Sportive features four routes designed for different ability levels. It is split into two distinct types â the Classic (46, 68 and 102 miles) and the Wee Yin (22 miles).
As in previous years, riders will start in Prestonpans, East Lothian, before following the coastal route to North Berwick and beyond. Classic routes include a timed hill climb and feed stations, with distances ranging from 46 to 102 miles, while the Wee Yin (22 miles) offers a flatter, family-friendly ride through Gullane and Aberlady before returning to the coast. All routes finish in Prestonpans.
The event wouldnât be possible without the support of the charityâs many volunteers who staff the various stations throughout the routes, or its sponsors, including Leith Cycles, based on Leith Walk, Edinburgh, who have been a staple supporter throughout the eventâs history.
Sportive organiser Richard Todd said: âWe are extremely grateful to the team at Leith Cycles for their support with our Sportive event each year, ensuring that they are on hand at pit stops throughout each route to assist with any minor bike faults.
“As a small token of our appreciation, we recently presented owner Richard Dowsett with a framed Poppyscotland memorabilia jersey marking 100 years of the Scottish poppy.â
Richard Dowsett, owner of Leith Cycles, said it was a pleasure and privilege to support Poppyscotland over the years. He added: âWe are a small, independent business and we are delighted to help once again by providing both manpower and the necessary tools or equipment that may be needed for any bicycle issue on the day.
“Just being there to help cyclists with any issues they may have is imperative so that participants can complete their Sportive route safely.
We really enjoy being a part of the Sportive and we continue to help, knowing what a fabulous charity Poppyscotland is in supporting our countryâs Armed Forces community.â
Entry for the Classic routes is ÂŁ40 per rider (minimum age: 16). The Wee Yin route is ÂŁ25 per rider or ÂŁ40 per family (2 adults and 2 children). The minimum age is 12, and entry is free for riders under 16.
Entry includes electronic timing, mechanical support, food and water stations, coffee at the start, tea and toast at the finish, the âKing and Queen of The Heughâ timed hill climb, sweeper service, and a finisherâs gift.
Edinburgh Leisure is inviting little ones to take their first steps into sport with its Play & Try Week, running from Monday 29th September to Sunday 5th October 2025.
Designed for babies to preschoolers, this special week of ÂŁ3 taster sessions offers a fun and friendly introduction to a variety of coached activities across the city.
Whether itâs bouncing into trampolining, splashing into swimming, or scoring their first goal in football, these sessions are all about building confidence, learning new skills, and having fun.
Participating venues include:
Ainslie Park Leisure Centre
Drumbrae Leisure Centre
Gracemount Leisure Centre
Kirkliston Leisure Centre
Meadowbank Sports Centre
Royal Commonwealth Pool
Tumbles at Portobello
Portobello Swim Centre
Warrender Swim Centre
Sports on offer:
Gymnastics
Trampolining
Dry Dive
Football
Basketball
Swimming
Multi-Sport
And thereâs more good news for parents:Â if you sign up for a coaching course at the venue on the same day as your taster session, your October coaching fee will be waived.
âWe know how important it is to get children active from an early age,â said Angela McCowan, Sports Development Manager for Edinburgh Leisure. âPlay & Try Week is a brilliant opportunity for families to explore our coaching programme and find something their little ones love.â
Wherever youâre at on the map or in life, Edinburgh Leisure is here to help the people of Edinburgh enjoy a healthier, happier, and more active life. And itâs never too early to start.
Book your spot from 15th September – just ÂŁ3 per session.
âSee it. Say it. Sorted’ rail security campaign given its first major refresh since it was launched almost a decade ago.Â
Bold new design makes the British Transport Policeâs 61016 number more prominent, helping the public easily identify and report suspicious activity.Â
ÂŁ17 million investment to better connect CCTV at train stations, enabling greater real-time access for police to accelerate investigations and help passengers feel safer.Â
Train passengers across Great Britain will start to see new ‘See it. Say it. Sorted’ posters and hear updated announcements from today (16 September 2025), marking the campaign’s first major refresh in a decade.
Since the campaignâs launch in 2016, reports to BTP’s 61016 text service have increased more than eightfold to 255,088 a year â helping to improve the safety of travellers across the rail network.
To make reporting even easier, posters have had a makeover to clearly display the 61016 text number, and the renowned âSee it. Say it. Sortedâ train and station announcements have had an upgrade to make their wording clearer.
The new campaign is designed to help passengers more easily spot when something doesnât look right, by explicitly showing and telling them what this could be, like an unattended bag, or someone accessing an area they shouldnât.
The Government is also providing a nearly ÂŁ17 million funding boost so Network Rail can make improvements to enhance police access to CCTV from railway stations. This will enable BTP officers to have more access to real-time footage from across the railway and help to identify offenders as quickly as possible, supporting the Governmentâs Plan for Change by making our streets safer.
The Rail Minister, Lord Hendy, is meeting British Transport Police (BTP) Chief Constable Lucy DâOrsi at London Victoria to unveil the renewed campaign and hear about how it helps passengers report to the BTP.
Rail Minister, Lord Hendy, said:Â “‘See it. Say it. Sorted’ isn’t just an earworm that’s been the soundtrack to our trains for nearly a decade now â it’s a really important security and public safety campaign.Â
“It plays a crucial role in making our railways safe, and this refresh will help spread its message to even more people.
“We’re committed to making our railway as secure as possible, which is why we’re also improving CCTV connectivity, to help police identify offenders and bring them to justice faster â particularly key as we work towards our goal of halving violence against women and girls in the next decade.”
BTP Chief Constable Lucy DâOrsi said: “Our officers are out across the railway network 24/7 working to keep the public safe â but ‘See it. Say it. Sorted’ reminds us that passengers and rail staff also have a vital role to play in being our eyes and ears.
âOur pioneering 61016 text service is a simple and discreet way to report crime across the rail network, and thanks to the âSee it. Say it. Sortedâ campaign, you can save 61016 in your phone today and contact BTP immediately if something doesnât feel right on your journey.
âOver 1 million 61016 texts have been sent since its introduction in 2013 â so Iâd also like to take this opportunity to thank the public for continuing to help us create a network of vigilance. Trust your instincts and text us on 61016.â
Security Minister, Dan Jarvis, said:“‘See it. Say it. Sorted’ has become part of the national consciousness – whether you’re commuting into work or waiting for a coffee at the station, we’re all familiar with the message.
“As we relaunch the campaign, I encourage everyone to look out for one another, trust your instincts and if something doesn’t feel right, text British Transport Police on 61016.”
The campaign has also evolved to encourage passengers to report any non-urgent crimes to the BTP, including anything that makes passengers feel unsafe or uncomfortable, helping police keep our railway safe.
For example, in May, a man was jailed after he sexually assaulted three women on trains in London. All three of his victims reported the assaults to the BTP, including by texting 61016, which meant BTP officers could obtain CCTV, identify the perpetrator, and bring him to justice.
The new design marks a new era for the internationally renowned ‘See it. Say it. Sorted’ campaign, which launched in 2016 with a focus on counterterrorism. Although it serves a very serious purpose, âSee it. Say it. Sortedâ has also become a cultural phenomenon, entering everyday vocabulary, inspiring punny spinoffs, and even a play of the same name.
Lucy McAuliffe, Network Railâs Sussex route director and crime lead for the southern region, said:Â âThis refreshed campaign will ultimately keep our railway running reliably by encouraging passengers to be our eyes and ears.Â
âWhen people speak up, it really helps us respond faster and more effectively to keep everything on time.
âItâs all part of a wider range of measures weâre taking to keep people safe and of our shared commitment to getting everyone home safe everyday.â
Siwan Hayward, TfLâs Director of Security, Policing and Enforcement, said:”For a decade, the âSee it. Say it. Sortedâ campaign has been instrumental in encouraging public vigilance and providing a simple way for our customers to take action to keep our railways network safe. Â
âBritish Transport Policeâs 61016 text service provides an easy and accessible way for passengers to report crime, any unusual behaviour, or anything that makes them feel unsafe. 61016 remains central to our shared commitment that every journey in London is safe and feels safe.
âWeâre proud to be working alongside the BTP, the Department for Transport, and other partners as we launch the next phase of this important campaign across our network.”
Jacqueline Starr, Executive Chair and CEO of Rail Delivery Group, said: Â âThe safety and wellbeing of both our rail customers and frontline workers is a top priority across industry. Â
âThatâs why we want everyone to feel confident in knowing that they can use 61016 to report anything thatâs inappropriate, doesnât look right or makes them feel unsafe while theyâre on a train or in a station.
“If you report it, rail staff and transport police can sort it.âÂ
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