Teen changemaker tackles nutrition gaps with a local superfood
What began as a personal setback for 16-year-old Vivaan Vasudeva, a student at The Shri Ram School, Moulsari, has evolved into a purpose-driven mission. During the pandemic, Vivaan was forced off the football field. He gained weight and struggled with his performance once sports resumed.
Determined to turn things around, he studied sports nutrition through the National Academy of Sports Medicine, lost 18kg, and made a comeback — this time playing football at the state level.
That transformation became the spark for something bigger. While his younger sister, 13-year-old Samaira Vasudeva, trained alongside para-athletes, Vivaan observed the immense talent of these athletes — but also noticed a glaring gap: limited access to proper nutrition. In response, he launched NutriAssist, an initiative offering personalised, affordable meal plans for athletes from modest backgrounds.
In just over a year, three athletes he worked with went on to represent India at the Para Asian Games. 'When these athletes went on to win medals for our country, I knew this solution needed to be scaled,' he says.
One of the biggest challenges was ensuring adequate protein intake on a limited budget — which led to the creation of SattuFusion, a nutrient-dense vegan blend built around sattu, a local superfood.
Vivaan says, 'Being a changemaker starts with spotting a problem that tugs at you so hard, you can't ignore it. For me, it was protein-energy malnutrition. I grew up on sattu — a humble roasted Bengal gram flour packed with protein — and I thought: why can't this age-old staple be reimagined for today? That question lit the fuse for SattuFusion and gave this project its spine — purpose.'
Today, SattuFusion — a pediatric-safe, chemical-free supplement — is being provided to children undergoing chemotherapy at the Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute. Tailored for underprivileged families, it helps maintain critical weight and muscle mass during cancer treatment.
Through a partnership with The Bigger Picture NGO, SattuFusion is now part of two cloud kitchens that serve over 200 fortified meals daily to undernourished children across Delhi-NCR. Proceeds from its sales on Amazon help fund the initiative — creating a full-circle model of impact
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Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Teen changemaker tackles nutrition gaps with a local superfood
What began as a personal setback for 16-year-old Vivaan Vasudeva, a student at The Shri Ram School, Moulsari, has evolved into a purpose-driven mission. During the pandemic, Vivaan was forced off the football field. He gained weight and struggled with his performance once sports resumed. Determined to turn things around, he studied sports nutrition through the National Academy of Sports Medicine, lost 18kg, and made a comeback — this time playing football at the state level. That transformation became the spark for something bigger. While his younger sister, 13-year-old Samaira Vasudeva, trained alongside para-athletes, Vivaan observed the immense talent of these athletes — but also noticed a glaring gap: limited access to proper nutrition. In response, he launched NutriAssist, an initiative offering personalised, affordable meal plans for athletes from modest backgrounds. In just over a year, three athletes he worked with went on to represent India at the Para Asian Games. 'When these athletes went on to win medals for our country, I knew this solution needed to be scaled,' he says. One of the biggest challenges was ensuring adequate protein intake on a limited budget — which led to the creation of SattuFusion, a nutrient-dense vegan blend built around sattu, a local superfood. Vivaan says, 'Being a changemaker starts with spotting a problem that tugs at you so hard, you can't ignore it. For me, it was protein-energy malnutrition. I grew up on sattu — a humble roasted Bengal gram flour packed with protein — and I thought: why can't this age-old staple be reimagined for today? That question lit the fuse for SattuFusion and gave this project its spine — purpose.' Today, SattuFusion — a pediatric-safe, chemical-free supplement — is being provided to children undergoing chemotherapy at the Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute. Tailored for underprivileged families, it helps maintain critical weight and muscle mass during cancer treatment. Through a partnership with The Bigger Picture NGO, SattuFusion is now part of two cloud kitchens that serve over 200 fortified meals daily to undernourished children across Delhi-NCR. Proceeds from its sales on Amazon help fund the initiative — creating a full-circle model of impact
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
From mango to masala: 5 high-protein Sattu drinks are perfect for summers
With the increasing humidity and hot weather, our bodies need foods and drinks that are hydrating as well as nutritious to sustain the harshness of the weather. While most people reach out for a chilled refreshing sugar laden cold drink or aerated beverage for instant hydration, you will be amazed to know that there are certain traditional thirst quenchers that not only provide instant hydration, but their cool potency helps in bringing down the body heat and reviving the energy levels naturally. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Here are some interesting sattu drinks made with the goodness of lemon, mango, spices and whatnot! So, follow us through these easy recipes and enjoy… The use of magical ingredients In India every region has some or other traditional drinks that are perfectly made to suit the nutritional demands of the season, and one such ingredient is sattu, which is made in so many interesting ways to keep the body hydrated and cool during the summer season. Here's all you need to know about this magical ingredient and some simple drinks that can be made with sattu, spices, and fruits to name a few… Why sattu? Sattu is basically a flour made by grinding roasted Bengal gram. This superfood is loaded with protein, fiber, and essential nutrients. Traditionally consumed in Eastern India, its high fiber and iron content helps in better digestion, provides satiety, and keeps the body cool and hydrated. In fact, its cool potency makes it a perfect choice for summer drinks, and its low glycemic index makes it great for effective diabetic management. Sattu Sherbet Sattu sherbet is a simple drink made by combining 2-3 tablespoons of sattu with a glass of chilled water. Add a pinch of black salt (kala namak), a squeeze of lemon juice, and a dash of roasted cumin powder (bhuna jeera). Stir well to avoid lumps. Aam Chatu Aam Chatu is a classic Bengali drink, which can be made by mixing sattu with fresh mango pulp, sugar, rock salt, black pepper, whole red chiles and cumin powder (bhuna jeera). Mix it well with fresh mint leaves, ice, water and some lemon slices. Mix all these things and serve chilled to enjoy. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Masala Sattu For those who enjoy a bit of a kick, the minty masala sattu drink is a perfect choice. In a blender, combine 2-3 tablespoons of sattu, a handful of fresh mint leaves, a small piece of ginger, a green chili, a pinch of black salt, roasted cumin powder, and 1.5 cups of chilled water. Blend until smooth. Strain if you prefer a smoother consistency. The refreshing mint and spicy notes of ginger and chili awaken the senses and make this drink incredibly invigorating on a hot day. Sweet Sattu Lassi Transform sattu into a delightful dessert-like drink with this sweet lassi variation. Blend 2-3 tablespoons of sattu with 1 cup of chilled yogurt (dahi), 1/2 cup of water, and 2-3 tablespoons of jaggery powder or sugar to taste. You can also add a pinch of cardamom powder for an aromatic touch. The creamy yogurt and sweet sattu make this a satisfying and nutritious treat, perfect for an afternoon pick-me-up or a light dessert. Vegetable Sattu Smoothie For an extra boost of vitamins and minerals, incorporate vegetables into your sattu drink. Blend 2-3 tablespoons of sattu with 1 cup of water, a handful of cucumber, onion, green chilies, and a squeeze of lemon juice. You can also add a pinch of black salt and black pepper for flavor. This savory green smoothie is an excellent way to sneak in extra nutrients and stay energized throughout the day. Made from roasted chana, sattu has long been a traditional energy booster. Whether you mix it with water and lemon or knead it into parathas, it fills you up and keeps you going. With around 20 grams of protein per 100 grams, sattu proves that simple food can be seriously strong. Can't eat your food without snapping a picture first? Join our Food Photography Contest and stand a chance to win exciting prizes! Click for details. Join our WhatsApp Food Community to discover delicious recipes, enjoy fascinating food stories, and stay updated with the latest food news! Click
The Hindu
27-05-2025
- The Hindu
Bengal govt. slapped us with punishment postings: doctors
Senior resident doctors, who were the face of R.G. Kar protests in West Bengal, accused the State government of slapping them with 'punishment postings' as a backlash for protesting against the government, on Tuesday. They cited the postings of doctors Debasish Haldar, Aniket Mahato, and Asfakullah Naiya, which were different from the places they had opted for during the counselling. Dr. Haldar, a postgraduate from Medical College in Kolkata, had requested the West Bengal Health Department for a posting in the Department of Anaesthesiology at Howrah District Hospital. However, according to an official release, he was ordered to join the Gazole State General Hospital in Malda district. Doctors alleged that the post to which Dr. Haldar was shifted did not exist before the counselling sessions, which were held at Swastha Bhawan (Health Department headquarters) on February 27, and was 'created' as a form of 'punishment'. Dr. Mahato, a postgraduate in anaesthesiology at R.G. Kar, had opted to complete his senior residency at the same college but was posted to Raiganj Government Medical College and Hospital in Uttar Dinajpur district. 'I chose Howrah GH, and according to my rank, they allotted it to me. But after the lists were published, I saw that everyone got the postings of their choice except me. This can be a form of revenge,' he said. Dr. Mahato questioned that if the Health Department had conducted transparent counselling processes and assigned postings accordingly, then why did the final lists not reflect the same? 'We do not mind going to any corner of the State to perform our duties as medical professionals, but the process should be transparent,' Dr. Mahato added. Several doctors with a similar plight protested outside the State Health Department office in Salt Lake, waiting for answers from the Health Secretary Narayan Swaroop Nigam. Mr. Nigam told the doctors to file official complaints with the Health Department. He also refuted allegations of 'punishment postings'. Indiscriminate postings In a similar incident, on March 20, senior doctor Subarna Goswami, a Bengal-based senior physician and public health administrator who was vocal during the movement, was transferred from the post of Deputy Chief Medical Officer Health (CMOH)-II at Purba Bardhaman district to Superintendent at Darjeeling TB Hospital in North Bengal. Dr. Goswami claimed that the transfer was a 'vindictive step by the administration,' while sources in the Health Department described it as 'routine.' The series of transfers and postings have led to criticism within the State's medical fraternity.
