A BASINGSTOKE youngster has been honoured by The Scottish Parliament in the inaugural Inspire Awards 2023.

Young people across Britain gathered at the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday, June 6, to attend the awards.

The accolades celebrate the talents of young people aged between five and seventeen who excel in whatever they love to do.

Nine-year-old Vishruth Sai Keshettivar, from Basingstoke, has been celebrating after he won the Wonder Kid Award.

Vishruth's swimming performance has been exceptional, as he managed to advance three levels within a single term and received the Overall Achiever award at his swimming school.

In his leisure time, Vishruth, who attends Oakridge Junior School, undertakes various activities that spark his curiosity and passion.

He enjoys challenging himself on TTrockstars, a platform that enhances his mathematical skills, and takes pleasure in swimming.

He dreams of one day owning his own zoo, where he can surround himself with his beloved animals.

The Inspire Awards 2023 is a new initiative from the British Youth International College (BYITC), which was founded in 2015 by Glasgow-based academic and educator Dr Rashmi Mantri to help young people learn and improve their abilities in maths.

He said: "We wanted to create a special night to celebrate diversity and inclusion and recognise young people from all backgrounds who are making all of our futures’ brighter by learning and excelling in whatever they choose to do.

"We’ve had everything from solar powered fans to content creators on YouTube and outstanding singers and dancers, not to mention the STEM stars. Well done to everyone who won as you have set the bar very high for next year’s awards.” said BYITC’s Dr Rashmi Mantri.

The awards were overseen by a high-profile judging panel including Professor Eleanor Shaw OBE, associate principal of the University of Strathclyde, and entrepreneur Dr Poonam Gupta OBE, chief executive of PG Paper, an international paper company based in Inverclyde, Scotland.

She said: "I have seen first-hand how achievement in learning and skills can fill young people with confidence and show them how amazing they really are."

Leader of the Scottish Labour Party and Member of the Scottish Parliament, Anas Sarwar, said: "It is a great privilege to welcome all of these high-achieving young people to the Scottish Parliament on this special occasion.

"The Inspire Awards are in themselves an inspirational concept that highlights the outstanding achievements of young people in their chosen specialities across the United Kingdom and I congratulate each and every one of them on their awards.

"I would like to congratulate especially the work of Dr Rashmi Mantri and BYITC in conceiving, organising, and bringing to a magnificent conclusion the Inspire Awards 2023. Dr Rashmi’s is a wonderful achievement for which she deserves high praise."