About Me
I am Veer Mehta, a 16-year-old swimming, robotics and coding enthusiast studying at Dhirubhai Ambani International School. I am a national level swimmer, competing since the age of 4, have won over 250 medals, making the water my second home.
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For me, water is not just a medium for competition; it is where I find challenge and inspiration. And as I've grown, so has my awareness of the fragility of our aquatic ecosystems and how they are directly or indirectly related to our well being. Driven by this concern, my aim is not just to understand the problem, but to actively seek solutions and advocate for the health of our marine environments. I was the youngest and only high school student advocating for marine health at the World Ocean Science Congress 2024. I have leveraged my platform as a national-level swimmer to advocate for water pollution reduction strategies during competitions, amplifying the message to a wider audience. In the last 2 years I have participated in over 40 Competitions and interacted with over 1,200+ swimmers . My project “Turning the Tide” is a data-driven initiative that leverages precise machine learning algorithms for real-time marine pollution detection, co-organizes evidence based cleanup drives, hoping to engage over 400 million coastal residents through evidence-based strategies and local partnerships, aiming for measurable improvements in marine health and fostering sustainable conservation practices globally.
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I am aware that nature is the most precious gift we have been given, and it is the legacy we will leave behind for generations to come. With this in mind, I am committed to using my voice, my passion, and my actions to protect and preserve our oceans. Every individual has a role to play in safeguarding our planet, and I urge you to join me and help me in, “Turning the Tide”
Our coasts and beaches are irreplaceable. Let’s save them.
Our Mission
Our Vision
The primary goal of my project is to combat water pollution and protect river ecosystems, ultimately benefiting the communities that rely on them for their livelihoods and sustenance. I aim to achieve this through a 3 pronged approach– AI powered evidence collection of pollution markers, policy advocacy with the government of India, and educational outreach.
Water pollution poses significant health risks, particularly to communities closely tied to these environments. The project's focus on real-time detection and mitigation of pollution events directly contributes to reducing health disparities caused by environmental factors. By aiming to mitigate disease spread and reduce mortality rates associated with polluted water, the initiative works towards equitable health outcomes for all, a core aspect of environmental justice.