Ridhhaan Jaiin
I believe that age should never be a barrier to pursuing your dreams; I want to inspire every child to follow their passions and be the best version of themselves.
Ridhhaan Jaiin (12), from Pune, India, discovered his love for storytelling at just four years old. The pandemic lockdowns became a turning point, pushing him to channel that childhood creativity into real advocacy for other children.
Believing that adult gatekeeping often silences young voices, Ridhhaan founded RidhzWorld Publishing, an international publishing house dedicated to helping children become real, credited authors with full professional support. Through it, he launched “Once Upon In Our Minds,” a free global initiative upholding children’s right to be heard — a free story-writing competition that has engaged over 5,000 students across 28 countries, helping children from every background see themselves on a book cover.
Ridhhaan also hosts the podcast “B’coz I Can with Ridhhaan,” featuring conversations with national heroes and young achievers, with over 30 episodes across YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts and some reaching over 3,100 views.
Beyond digital platforms, Ridhhaan has led more than 75 in-person workshops and motivational sessions across Indian states like Maharashtra, Delhi, and Gujarat — proving that a four-year-old’s imagination can grow into a global movement.
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