Global IndianstoryHealTokyo gives Japanese India’s spirituality as Nupur Tewari helps them turn inwards

HealTokyo gives Japanese India’s spirituality as Nupur Tewari helps them turn inwards

Written by: Namrata Srivastava

(April 12, 2022) Motivational speaker, spiritual healer, philanthropist, performance coach, and yoga instructor – there are many hats that Nupur Tewari dons. A journey that started in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district traversed many cities to find a home in Japan with her husband and daughter. There, this introspective soul founded HealTokyo, that helps people through yoga, meditation, positivity, and teachings from the Bhagavad Gita. Her wings spread to other countries as well, and Tewari was recognised for her efforts by the United Nations too.

Rooted in Indian culture, Nupur has been spreading Indian culture in Japan through dance, yoga, food, and festivals. Her efforts have earned her the title of ‘unofficial ambassador of Japan’. “My family practiced yoga, and taught us lessons from the Bhagavad Gita. I grew up with those values. Since childhood, I wanted to do something for the community. Japan didn’t need money, but several people needed healing, and that was exactly what I could provide. So, I began free yoga sessions and counselling en masse to help the grief-stricken crowds,” shares Nupur in an interview with Global Indian.

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For a girl, who wanted to do something in life, growing up in a small village wasn’t easy. Nupur walked four kilometers to school, and studied under the dim glow of a night lamp, as her village did not have electricity. The Nupur of today took those hardships and turned them around. She schooled at a Bengali-medium, and struggled with English, today though she is fluent. “I had very low self-esteem as a child,” shares Nupur, adding, “I was always lost in my own world, and was very shy. I always thought I was different from everyone else. Unlike other girls in my class, I wanted to explore the world outside my small village.”

Nupur Tewari

Although many girls in her village were married off early, she didn’t give up on her dreams of a good education. After completing her tenth, Nupur moved to Behrampur to study further. “It wasn’t an easy shift. I could hardly speak English while other students were fluent. My clothes were traditional too. I felt out of place,” shares the motivational speaker, adding that there would be times she would pretend to read something just to avoid conversations with her classmates.

A chance meeting that changed her life

During this time, an incident shook her. A man, who wanted to marry Nupur, pushed her into a drain after being rejected by her. To keep her safe, her parents sent Nupur to her grandparents in Berhampore. There Nupur did her undergrad in tourism and management from Calcutta University. Although she wanted to work, her family was against it. They wanted her married off. “It was my mother who helped me move out. I left for Kolkata, where I got a job at a hospitality firm,” says the spiritual healer.

Nupur Tewari with her mother

In the Land of the Rising Sun

Within months of shifting to Kolkata, Nupur landed a job at Mitsubishi, and her hard work and perseverance got her an opportunity in Japan in 2003. The spiritual healer found a new home in Japan. Its rich and welcoming culture gave her a sense of belonging, and soon she started incorporating Indian culture into Japanese lives at the International Centre. “History suggests that King Ashoka of Magadh had sent ambassadors to Japan. I feel I might have been one of them because I was right at home as soon as I arrived in Japan. I already had a connection with the land, and felt so liberated,” Nupur shares.

A HealTokyo yoga class in session

Making yoga, music, and dance come alive at the International Centre in Tokyo, when Japan crumbled under the devastating Kumamoto earthquake in 2015, Nupur knew she had to do something to help the common people. “Many people lost their homes, livelihood, and loved ones. I began free yoga sessions and counselling. Every session had a voluntary donation box into which anyone could contribute, all proceeds directed towards rehabilitation,” she shares.

Giving back to the community

The great response saw Nupur start the HealTokyo movement in 2017 to help combat the worrying yet increasing suicide rates, and the overtly anxious atmosphere in Tokyo. The spiritual healer conducts one session weekly, which is attended by at least 30 people. In 2018, Nupur also initiated the HealIndya movement by renovating a school in Aligarh and providing students with stationery, books, and uniforms. “I had faced many struggles in my childhood, and I did not want any other child to go through that,” she says.

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Her efforts were recognised by the United Nations, and she was appointed to help Sri Lanka mentally recover from the devastating effect of floods and other natural calamities. She organised several yoga sessions, collecting about Rs 70,000, which was donated to help people rebuild their lives in Sri Lanka. Many foundations, including the Global MICE, India Star Book of Records, and the Nargis Dutt Foundation also appreciated and recognised her efforts.

Nupur Tewari with her daughter, Mihika

Nupur, who loves to spend time with her family whenever she gets some time, is a proud mother of a 13-year-old Mihika. “She is an amazing person, and I am very proud to be her mother. Even at a young age she is kind and takes care of everyone,” shares Nupur. Currently, Nupur is working on introducing the Japanese way of learning in an Aligarh school, the roots of which lie in self-empowerment – from cleaning rooms, polishing shoes, and training to be self-sufficient.

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Siddharth Singh: Pioneering Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai to empower Indian women

Meet Siddharth Singh, a distinguished St Andrew's alumnus whose life took a transformative turn when he discovered Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) in the UK. Today, he stands as the sole Indian to possess a competitive brown belt in BJJ and the esteemed silver Mongkol 'Master' in Muay Thai (Thai boxing). Siddharth's impact goes far beyond his personal achievements, as he now runs five successful academies in northern India, collectively nurturing around 500 young talents. Additionally, he has empowered over 5000 women through self-defense training and collaborated with renowned NGOs like SLAP and Ritinjali. (July 22, 2023) Within the domain of close quarter combat, Siddharth Singh stands as an unrivaled marvel. He reads his opponent, finds their weak spots, and can overpower them no matter how strong they are. He's a master fighter who can calmly render them unconscious if needed. Siddharth Singh is the only Indian to have a competitive brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and the silver Mongkol ‘Master’ in Muay Thai (Thai boxing). “Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is all about body control and joint lock manipulation. It’s not so much about strength,” points out Siddharth Singh, a pioneer in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) in India, speaking exclusively with Global Indian.

exclusively with Global Indian. He holds a decorated track record as a professional fighter. He is India’s highest ranked competitive grappler, India’s only ADCC (Abu Dhabi Combat Club) Taiwan title holder and British BJJ champion. At rank 4 in ACBJJ (Absolute championship of BJJ) world rankings, Siddharth is a 10-time Indian BJJ and Submission grappling champion.

[caption id="attachment_42071" align="aligncenter" width="511"] Siddharth Singh, Founder and CEO at Crosstrain Fight Club.[/caption]

“The fact that BJJ is based around the premise that a smaller, weaker person can potentially defeat a larger, stronger opponent using technique and leverage is what makes it exciting. Strategy, technique, training and mental acumen is all what the sport is about,” says the Global Indian, who currently owns and runs Crosstrain Fight Club, a chain of MMA academies across north India, where he has created some of the best professional fighters in the country.

Grappling his way to success

Grappling demands dedicated focus in training. “It is an old art and there are an infinite number of techniques and positions. So one needs to go in for training with a specific goal in each training session,” he says.

For example, in one training session, the goal could be a specific submission, say, a Kimura joint lock, which is a shoulder lock. “It requires planning the drills around it, a number of different ways of getting to those positions. Rather than thinking of grappling as everything one can do, we narrow down the focus to one specific position for a day,” explains the 36-year-old, who has coached India’s top international MMA fighters like Anshul Jubli and Punyajeet Likharu.

Anshul etched his name in history as the inaugural Indian fighter to secure a coveted Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) contract. Moreover, he has served as a coach to more than 100 state and national-level MMA champions.

Lucknow boy

Born in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Siddharth’s passion for combat sports started with boxing while studying at the Doon School, Dehradun. He lost his initial fights but did not give up and continued to train hard. Eventually, he won the ‘Best Boxer’ at the school at age 18.

Siddharth Singh

“Boarding school teaches you a lot of skills, you either sink or swim. It taught me to deal with a lot of hardships,” says of his days in Doon School, where he also got introduced to hockey, football, athletics and gymnastics as well. After completing his 12th in Doon School, Siddharth went to Delhi University and completed his undergraduate studies.

Off to St Andrew’s

The turning point in his life came when he got a scholarship to study in the UK for his master's course in economics and strategy from one of the most prestigious universities in Scotland, St Andrews University in 2007. “That's where Prince William's also studied. It was a great learning experience,” smiles Siddharth, who enrolled himself in a Thai boxing gym in north London.

“Thai boxing is very different from traditional boxing. In Thai boxing, they have punches, kicks, elbows, and knees. And Thai boxing is the national sport of Thailand, also called Muay Thai,” he informs. One day, at the Muay Thai gym, he happened to attend a seminar on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Siddharth was hooked instantly. “It’s a martial art that involves strategy and technique,” he says.

At a crossroads

After a year in Scotland, Siddharth landed a job with Britain’s privately owned global company, Pentland Group, which owns and invests primarily in retail and wholesale businesses in the sports, outdoor and sports fashion sectors. He worked as the regional business manager for Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and India.

“The company used to encourage its employees to take up some sporting activity after work hours. I took up MMA,” informs the champion, who has been the national coach of the Indian Muay Thai team and presently serves as the head of the North Zone for Muay Thai in India.

He enjoyed his Muay Thai practice so much that in 2012, he quit his job, returned to India, and started competing in various championships, winning several medals for the country. Around the same time, he launched the first branch of his Crosstrain fight club in Delhi.

Siddharth Singh

“In India, women come under attack all the time and they lack good self-defense mechanisms. The reason I launched my fight club is to teach them BJJ so they could safeguard themselves,” says Siddharth, who also runs a podcast called “Lockdown with Sid” on YouTube and Spotify.

The professional fighter runs five academies in north India which are presently training about 500 youngsters. Besides, he has trained over 5000 women in self-defense and worked with NGOs like SLAP and Ritinjali.

Bringing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to India

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai, says Siddharth, are very new sports in India. “Muay Thai is the national sport of Thailand and has been around for hundreds of thousands of years. And in India, it's been there for less than 10 years. It’s the same with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu,” he says adding most people back home did not even know such combat sports existed.

He says Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has been included in the upcoming Asian Games in China and Muay Thai is also growing rapidly. “Both the sports will get a lot of attention sooner than later,” says the MMA champ, who also held workshops for corporates including Google, Wrigley, and Mars.

A regimented life

When preparing for tournaments, Siddharth indulges in actual hand-to-hand combats, weight training, lots of conditioning and fitness exercises the whole week. “There is a lot of focus on techniques and I train for it specifically for most part of the day and then do some sparring. It’s a tough training schedule,” informs the fighter, who will be representing India in three international tournaments in Abu Dhabi coming up soon.

Elon Musk Vs Mark Zuckerberg

With reports suggesting that Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg might indulge in a “cage fight” soon, Siddharth says both are just beginners in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. “Both are white belts, absolute beginners. But let's be honest, these guys are not high-level competitors or athletes. They are celebrities who, if indulge in the fight, will end up just grabbing the eyeballs.”

Podcasts

When not fighting, Siddharth likes to listen to podcasts during his travels. “It helps me learn new skills,” says the Indian Muay Thai champion who also likes to read books on business strategies.

Follow Siddharth Singh on Instagram and LinkedIn.

Full throttle: How racer Lee Keshav made it to the international circuit

(December 16, 2023) Racing is not just a sport, it’s a way of life for Lee Keshav whose love for the sport began at 16,when he watched a Formula 1 race on television for the first time. Unlike many his age, however, Lee wasn’t content with dreaming. He worked towards it and made it happen. What started as a passion for super bikes soon transitioned to racing cars. “Once I discovered my love for racing, I wanted to be the best in the books,” says Indian racer Lee Keshav, in an exclusive with Global Indian. That’s not all he does. Highly versatile, Keshav was a bright student and had launched his own app design company as a teenager. He has also worked as an advisor with the government think tank Niti Aayog and has played a pivotal role in the success of various startups and organisations including Hike Messenger, Airtel Wynk Music and OYO Rooms among others. [caption id="attachment_47526" align="aligncenter" width="414"] Lee Keshav[/caption] Racing first The transition from cycles to bikes came naturally for Keshav. And the superbike craze caught him very early. “Thankfully, I got to explore most of my riding on a racetrack and that helped me channel

idth="414" height="594" /> Lee Keshav[/caption]

Racing first

The transition from cycles to bikes came naturally for Keshav. And the superbike craze caught him very early. “Thankfully, I got to explore most of my riding on a racetrack and that helped me channel my eagerness of going fast into more safe and mindful experiences,” he recalls. Keshav has ridden some of the best in the world too - “My favourite bike would be the Ducati 996 which was featured in Matrix Reloaded. I was truly fascinated and I aim to buy it one day,” he says.

Within no time, Keshav transitioned to racing cars. His first national-level debut was in the JK tyre Volkswagen Motorsport Polo Cup championship, where he finished 6th overall out of 20 drivers and second in the junior category. “It was a great learning experience. They made the process of entering motorsport a lot easier than I had imagined,” says the 30-year-old, who returned for the second year in VW polo championship, scoring multiple wins and podiums, in 2014.

He is all praise for the organisers, saying they helped the participants with coaching and skill development. “Beyond that, it's all about your own drive and talent that takes you further.”

Good mentors and a strong debut

In his early years of racing, Keshav sought guidance from well-known ex-Indian F3 champion, Akbar Ebrahim. It eventually led him to win the title of the ‘Fastest and Fittest Young Driver’ in the fiercely competitive JK Tyre Volkswagen Motorsport Polo championship.

After a year of racing at the national level, Keshav entered the MRF Formula Ford 1600 championship. “My ultimate dream has always been to race Formula cars. And this was my first time ever. I took really well to the driving style and adapted my mindset and skills to match the level of the best drivers,” says the racing driver, who describes it as a fulfilling and challenging experience. “I’m glad I got to race in the championship,” smiles Keshav, who managed a podium finish at third place, which was a great sign of his growth in the motor sport.

He made his first international debut with the MRF Challenge Championship, taking his motorsport passion to the next level. “It was a huge step up from my racing in India. I got to race with some of the best drivers on some amazing tracks. The car I drove was also much faster and allowed me to learn how to drive high speed corners,” Keshav explains.

The international circuits

Simultaneously, he started receiving professional training in Thailand. A great opportunity came his way when he received an invitation to the esteemed Red Bull Moto GP Rookies Cup selection in Spain in 2021.

“Getting to drive in Europe is a huge step for every racer as some of the most iconic teams and tracks are based there,” informs Keshav. Recently, he drove a Formula 2 car in France, a “truly life-changing experience” for him. “It is the highest level I’ve driven at so far and it was truly a life changing experience. The power, grip and downforce are truly beyond anything you could experience in a race car,” he says.

Only a Formula 1 or prototype car is faster and that gives us some perspective on how fast the F2 car is, he says. “I am excited to do more testing and racing next year,” informs Keshav, who is also the advisor to BMW, India.

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A versatile childhood

Born in New Delhi in December 1992, Keshav was a smart kid in school, often topping the class. Growing up in the 90s, Keshav, like most of his friends and peers, loved cricket and video games. Unconventionally, he chose to skip university, focussing instead on building a sought-after skill set, like digital design, programming and business courses. By the age of 16, he had established his own app design company, and soon made it to OYO as Chief Design Officer. He presently works as the creative head at Rush Gaming Universe.

By the time he turned 19, he was a senior product designer at BSB (Bharti SoftBank). Notably, he also provided valuable guidance as an industry leader on the women entrepreneurship programme at Niti Aayog. “I never stop dreaming,” Keshav smiles. He believes firmly that if people can find the resilience and courage to break through challenges, they can achieve things they would have never imagined.

Challenges

Like everyone else, Keshav has had to get past hardships along the way. He recalls one instance when he received a shockingly huge damage bill after a racing event. “I had to give up all my salary to pay for it. It was an important lesson which taught me a lot,” he says.

There were difficult races when he was still learning, too and the international championship helped him raise the bar for himself. “We need more such championships in India to take our drivers abroad and give them the full international experience,” he feels.

Staying fit

Being a race car driver requires an intense fitness regime and great discipline. Keshav usually begins his training around three months prior to an event. “It involves everything from cardio to weights. I train for 2-3 hours every day and focus on specific muscle groups like the neck and core which are essential for racing,” he informs.

That apart, Keshav also meditates, practices yoga and follows a very strict diet to stay at the top of his game. “It's definitely not easy and many times I struggle to keep my schedule as I also have a day job. But the desire to race and be competitive is enough to keep me focused.”

Keshav loves to travel and experience new places. “I am also learning to play the guitar and some music mixing and production.”

Follow Lee Keshav on Instagram

Brand India lighting up the world: How NRIs make Diwali a global celebration

(October 31, 2024) It’s that time of the year again, when millions of people across the world come together to light up their homes with lamps and candles, for prayers and celebrations. It’s Diwali — the Festival of Lights — which has the 35.4 million-strong Indian community abroad prepping up for vibrant celebrations, symbolising the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. The beautiful festival of lights has become a symbol of Brand India around the world, and today, is celebrated widely, not just by Indians. For instance, US President Joe Biden already hosted the annual Diwali event at the White House which was attended by more than 600 eminent Indian-Americans and NRIs, including Congressman Shri Thanedar, US Surgeon General Vice Admiral Vivek H Murthy and Gita Gopinath, the First Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Similarly, a lively Diwali celebration also erupted in the heart of Times Square, New York City where a diverse group of Indian community members and American citizens came together to honour the festival of lights. The iconic location in Midtown Manhattan was transformed into a kaleidoscope of colours, showcasing the rich culture and unity of the Indian community. The

ransformed into a kaleidoscope of colours, showcasing the rich culture and unity of the Indian community. The event featured prominent attendees, including New York Mayor Eric Adams. It is a heartwarming indication of the great Indian success story – NRIs have not just managed to assimilate and become part of a new culture, they have brought their own to the world, making it a time of joy and togetherness. Global Indian takes a look at how NRIs gear up for the festive season.

[caption id="attachment_59151" align="aligncenter" width="635"] NRIs celebrate Diwali | Global Indian New York Mayor Eric Adams celebrates Diwali with the Indian community[/caption]

Indian values

“I believe that people here hold more Indian values than many people living in India. Celebrating culture, dressing up, doing rituals during Diwali is something all Indians abroad look forward to,” smiles San Francisco-based serial entrepreneur Neena Pandey, while speaking to Global Indian. Having grown up in the enchanting city of Varanasi, Neena says Diwali is celebrated in a huge way in San Francisco Bay Area.

“There are many Indians here and many host parties. There are Diwali fairs where vendors sell things from Indian clothing to jewelry to pooja items, home decor and much more,” says Neena, founder and CEO of The String Code, a luxury fashion brand and a member of the Forbes Business Council.

Once an outspoken marketing executive in Silicon Valley, Neena, who previously worked at Adobe Systems, Sun Microsystems among others, says many companies also have Diwali parties. “Silicon Valley is very diverse and like a mini India. All the major tech companies are here, many of whom have Indian CEOs and a big Indian work force. Therefore, the celebrations are grand,” she says.

[caption id="attachment_59152" align="aligncenter" width="670"] NRIs celebrate Diwali | Global Indian Diwali at the White House[/caption]

Diwali in UK

In UK too, grand Diwali celebrations is on the cards. After all, there are 250,000 Indians who live across UK. Vijay Goel, Senior Partner at Singhania & Co, London recalls how he and his family, friends have been attending various Diwali events since the year 2000.

“Diwali celebrations in London are getting bigger and bigger each year. For our first Diwali party, we invited the Queen of UK to our house as we were her neighbours. We told her about Diwali being the biggest indian festival and how we celebrate. We were delighted when she sent across a reply wishing us a happy Diwali,” recalls Vijay, who is all geared up for celebrations this year.

The Goel family is hosting a dinner for friends and colleagues which is likely to be attended by some of the top businessmen and who’s who of UK. During the previous Diwali celebrations, they hosted dinner for 400 guests and invited Bollywood singers as well.

Fresh start

“Our Diwali celebration begins with the thorough cleaning of our home, an act that symbolizes a fresh start and readiness to receive blessings. As dusk falls on Diwali, we light numerous diyas and candles, casting a warm glow throughout our home, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness,” informs Shankar Devarashetty, CEO, Oasis Accountants and Entrepreneur, London.

[caption id="attachment_59148" align="aligncenter" width="743"] NRIs celebrate Diwali | Global Indian Diwali in 10 Downing Street, with former PM Rishi Sunak[/caption]

The centerpiece of his celebration is the Lakshmi Puja, a serene and sacred moment where the family unites to seek prosperity and well-being for the year ahead. “The air is fragrant with incense, and the recitation of mantras adds a profound sense of peace to the atmosphere,” he says.

Culinary delights are a major highlight, with an array of traditional sweets like ladoos and barfis and savory treats that Shankar shares with family and friends. This sharing is more than just about food; it’s a celebration of togetherness and joy.

“We participate in or organize gatherings that might include cultural performances, dazzling fireworks, and festive music. It’s a wonderful time for everyone in the community to come together, regardless of their backgrounds, to revel in the festivities,” says Shankar adding Diwali also prompts them to reflect, express gratitude, and extend a hand to those less fortunate, embodying the spirit of generosity that the festival stands for.

Meaningful Time

[caption id="attachment_59153" align="aligncenter" width="681"] NRIs celebrations | Global Indian Diwali in Leicester, UK[/caption]

NRIs in the UK also find themselves surrounded by warmth and festive cheer. “Diwali is such a meaningful time for us as a family, no matter where we are. It’s the festival that truly brings light, warmth, and joy into our lives. We go all out to recreate the festive atmosphere we grew up with in India,” says Sashidhar Bacchu, Founder & CEO Sriven Solutions Ltd, Bedford city, UK,

Every year, he says, they set up traditional decorations—rangolis, diyas, and vibrant lights that fill his home with a festive glow. “We make sure to perform the Lakshmi Pooja together, keeping the rituals alive for the next generation. Diwali is also a wonderful time to connect with other families in the community. We often host or attend gatherings where we enjoy homemade sweets, exchange gifts, and sometimes even organize cultural performances,” he says. Above all, says Shashidhar, it’s heartwarming to see everyone come together with such joy and enthusiasm, making Diwali feel just as vibrant and meaningful as it did back home.

Dubai dazzles

The celebrations are no different in Dubai. Karma coach and author Tamanna C who lives in Dubai is among the many Indians who is looking forward to the celebrations.

“The Indian community abroad is very conscious of staying in touch with their roots especially when it comes to teaching values and traditions to their children. Diwali celebrations is usually close knit where people spend time in each other's house hosting get togethers and also doing something where children are involved,” she says.

[caption id="attachment_59150" align="alignnone" width="1024"] NRIs celebrations | Global Indian Diwali in Dubai[/caption]

Tamanna says she, like all Indians in Dubai, celebrates Diwali with the same zeal as they do in India. “Cleaning of the house, Laxmi puja and visiting the gurudwara and the temple is a must. This is followed by get together at a friend's house for dinner and cards,” informs the author.

Holiday

It’s not only New York, the main main day of the festival of Diwali (the day of Lakshmi Puja) is an official holiday in Fiji, Guyana, Malaysia, Mauritius, Myanmar, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Trinidad and Tobago.

Hustling and bustling: Filmmaker Guneet Monga is taking Indian movies to the stars

(March 14, 2023) About 13 years ago, when her first short film - Kavi - cracked the top five at the 2010 Academy Awards, Guneet Monga didn't even have the means to travel to the United States of America to attend the event. The filmmaker wrote to various big personalities, including British entrepreneur Richard Branson and Indian tycoon Ratan Tata to sponsor her flight tickets, and got no response. "I used to describe myself as the 'Pride of India', asking people for any kind of help to get me into a plane to New York," the filmmaker shared during a show. However, despite chasing various people and their PRs, Guneet couldn't seem to be getting any help. [caption id="attachment_36155" align="aligncenter" width="646"] Guneet Monga (right) with Kartiki Gonsalves (left) after winning the Oscars for The Elephant Whisperers[/caption] Desperate, she ended up writing to the then-President of India - Prathibha Devisingh Patil - and finally got a call. "I asked if I could show my film to the President, and if she writes an appreciation letter I could ask for a sponsorship from the airline companies for a ticket to the US. There were only three weeks left before the Academy Awards.

ed if I could show my film to the President, and if she writes an appreciation letter I could ask for a sponsorship from the airline companies for a ticket to the US. There were only three weeks left before the Academy Awards. But it so happened that the President couldn't see my film, and I was quite vocal about my displeasure. At the Rashtrapati Bhavan, I met Prithviraj Chavan, who was the Union Minister for Science and Technology at the time. He eventually called the CMD of Air India and I along with my team was able to go to my first-ever Oscar event," the filmmaker shared.

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Sure enough, the 'Pride of India', Guneet has come a long way, from being a filmmaker who hustled hard to give her films wings to fly, to becoming one of the first producers from India to be inducted in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The Global Indian, who recently won the 95th Academy Award for The Elephant Whisperer in the Best Documentary Short Film category was also the executive producer of Period. End of Sentence. which won the 2019 Academy Award in the same category.

The girl from Delhi

Her story starts in the lanes of New Delhi, as a young woman who just wanted to enter show business in some capacity. A mass communications graduate from the Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Guneet hardly knew anything about the industry even when she shifted to Mumbai. In fact, her first independent project was funded by her neighbour, who didn't know much about filmmaking himself. "He told me he wanted to open a studio where young parents could come for a photo/video shoot of their kids," the filmmaker shared. She didn't like the idea one bit but had something better to offer. She said, "He wanted to put about ₹50,00,000 in this business. So I told him, 'Why don't you give me the money and I will go to Mumbai to make a good film for you?' And he agreed." While it all seems pretty easy, Guneet's journey ahead was not a cakewalk.

[caption id="attachment_36156" align="aligncenter" width="551"] Filmmaker | Guneet Monga | Global Indian Guneet also won the Oscar's Period. End of Sentence. (2019)[/caption]

Just 21, without much experience and alone in a big city like Mumbai, the filmmaker found it quite difficult to start working on her ambitions. "I didn't know much about this business. So, I would just meet anybody and tell them that I had ₹5 million to make a film and ask if they had a story for it. About half of Mumbai knew that a 21-year-old girl has come from Delhi with pachaas lakh rupay," she laughed, adding, "Eventually I met director Subhash Kapoor, and we made Say Salaam India, which was a children's cricket film released on the day India lost the World Cup."

[caption id="attachment_36157" align="aligncenter" width="605"] Filmmaker | Guneet Monga | Global Indian Guneet with Nobel Peace Prize winner, Malala Yousafzai, at the Oscar Screening, 2023[/caption]

Around the same time, while she was producing her first film in 2007, Guneet lost her father which affected her deeply. "My mother and I launched Sikhya in 2008 and I lost both my parents that same year. I was not inspired to run a company anymore, so I threw myself into a string of production jobs. I met Anurag Kashyap and worked with him for five-six years," the filmmaker shared.

From Mumbai to the Oscars

Learning and growing, Guneet went on to produce some marvellous gems of Bollywood, including Rang Rasiya (2008), Dasvidaniya (2008), and Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai (2010). Eventually, the filmmaker struck gold with the 2012 indie movie The Lunchbox, which was produced under her banner and starred Irrfan Khan, Nimrat Kaur, and Nawazuddin Siddiqui. The movie was selected for the International Critics' Week and a midnight screening at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival, with The Hollywood Reporter, calling her the "most prolific producer of a new wave of cinema".

[caption id="attachment_36158" align="aligncenter" width="650"] Filmmaker | Guneet Monga | Global Indian Guneet with the team of The Lunchbox at Cannes Film Festival, 2013[/caption]

A hustler, Guneet raised nearly ₹10 million for her next production, Peddlers, by posting the film's script on Facebook. The movie was selected at the International Critics' Week, won rave reviews, and opened new markets for Indian Cinema. "I do not mind hustling for a movie. I once knocked on the door of American filmmaker, Martin Scorsese, uninvited, to promote Gangs of Wasseypur. I gave the DVD of the film to the person who opened the door, wrote my email id on the back of it and gave it to him. About six months later I received an appreciation mail from Scorsese." the filmmaker shared, adding, "I have so many stories where I approached big movie names just to promote my film. I once crashed a dinner of Quentin Tarantino at a film festival and told him about a movie of mine that had just been released. I found a chair and self-invited myself to that dinner party. I am okay to do anything to promote a first-time filmmaker."

[caption id="attachment_36159" align="aligncenter" width="650"] Filmmaker | Guneet Monga | Global Indian Guneet (extreme right) with the team of Masaan at the Cannes Film Festival, 2015[/caption]

In 2015, another movie of Guneet's, Masaan was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival winning two awards and putting her in the international movie fraternity's spotlight. About four years later, the filmmaker co-produced Period. End of Sentence., which followed a group of local women in Hapur, as they learn how to operate a machine that makes low-cost, biodegradable sanitary pads, which they sell to other women at affordable prices. The movie won Academy Award for Best Documentary (Short Subject) at the 91st Academy Awards.

[caption id="attachment_36160" align="aligncenter" width="650"] Filmmaker | Guneet Monga | Global Indian Guneet received the second highest civilian French honour in 2021[/caption]

In 2021, Guneet was conferred with the Chevalier dans l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Government. Focussed on promoting female filmmakers and women-centric movies, Guneet is all for pushing barriers and breaking stereotypes. "I am deeply focused on working with female directors. If not female directors, the most important part of my story has been forwarding female stories in my work. Everything that I lean into as a filmmaker is forwarding a female case. If producers give more backing that is definitely going to change and that is exactly what I am trying to back – the works of good independent woman filmmakers," she shared during an interview.

Follow Guneet Monga on Instagram and Twitter

Reading Time: 6 mins

Celebrating 50 years: Madhur Jaffrey’s culinary legacy

(January 16, 2024) Renowned for securing the best actress award at the 1965 Berlin Film Festival for her portrayal of a pompous Bollywood star in Merchant Ivory's film 'Shakespeare Wallah', Madhur Jaffrey is a trailblazer in the culinary world. She has brought the delights of Indian cuisine, along with its diverse regional nuances, to successive generations of Western cooks. Recently, the 50th anniversary edition of her debut cookbook 'An Invitation to Indian Cooking' got released by the publishing group, Knopf. With its original edition 50 years back, the book had announced the arrival of a culinary star. 2023 also saw the release of the 40th anniversary edition of Madhur's another popular cookbook, 'Indian Cookery', updated with 11 new recipes. The first edition of the book was groundbreaking, coinciding with a BBC series of the same name featuring Madhur, and it went on to sell lakhs of copies. Madhur has authored more than 30 cookbooks in her illustrious career. At 90, the workaholic is far from slowing down. One of the biggest living authorities on Indian cuisine, Madhur keeps herself busy by educating Gen Z and Gen Alpha through her Masterclass on digital media. “Nobody knows spices like we do, we

ducating Gen Z and Gen Alpha through her Masterclass on digital media. “Nobody knows spices like we do, we are masters,” she announced proudly in its trailer.

[caption id="attachment_32665" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Indian Cuisine | Madhur Jaffrey | Global Indian Madhur's debut cookbook is celebrating its 50th anniversary edition[/caption]

“When my programme came on air, there weren’t any Indian cookery shows, it was an immediate hit,” Madhur Jaffrey told the BBC, talking about her ground breaking cookery programme that premiered in the United Kingdom 40 years ago.

The Padma Bhushan 2022 awardee grew up in Delhi and left for London in her 20s to study at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. She became an actress and later, turned to writing cookery books and presenting cookery shows. Little did she know that this career transition would turn out to be a significant step towards introducing India’s soft power to the western world.

[caption id="attachment_32663" align="aligncenter" width="544"] Indian Cuisine Madhur Jaffrey Madhur Jaffrey[/caption]

Indian food is a magical world where the art of using spices is so advanced that we’ve created a cuisine that exists nowhere else in the world!

Her debut cookbook, an Invitation to Indian Cooking (1973) introduced Indian food to western hemisphere for the first time. It was later inducted into the James Beard Foundation’s Cookbook Hall of Fame in 2006.

When she was hired by BBC to present her cookery show - Madhur Jaffrey’s Indian Cookery, it was meant to be an educational programme. The aim was to make people learn about Indian culture by introducing them to authentic food cooked in different regions of India. The show mesmerised people so much that Madhur soon became known as ‘spice girl’, thanks to the plethora of South Asian spices she introduced to the western homes. She was popularly called ‘the actress who can cook.’

Building respectful image of South Asians

“Until then, the South Asians were not represented the way they would have loved to see themselves on the television and cinema,” she said, in the interview with BBC.

[caption id="attachment_32664" align="aligncenter" width="574"] Madhur Jaffrey[/caption]

Madhur’s career transition had filled in the much-desired space with elan. Her show was the first mainstream series about Indian food to be broadcast in the UK and also the first one to be presented by an Indian.

Characteristically dressed in a crisp cotton saree, Madhur Jaffrey became the face of the South Asian diaspora in the UK. She knew this, tailoring her image to that of an attractive Indian who is modern, yes, but remains tied to her roots. That was the pre-internet era, so Madhur used to get flooded with letters of appreciation from her fans.

Ruling the supermarkets

If Madhur was exotic, the food she cooked seemed even more so to the uninitiated Western audiences. In fact, her recipes became so popular that Indian food was "tried by everybody all over England and beyond’. “The day I cooked chicken with green coriander, they ran out of green coriander in Manchester,” laughs the food expert.

The demand for Indian spices and ingredients grew so much that supermarkets started overstocking the ingredients that the Global Indian used in her cookery show.

[caption id="attachment_32666" align="aligncenter" width="598"] Indian Cuisine Madhur Jaffrey Madhur Jaffrey presenting her cookery show on BBC in 1980s[/caption]

The spice girl from India

In the introduction to her cookbook, At Home with Madhur Jaffrey, she writes, “The techniques used in Indian cooking are not any different from those used the world over: roasting, grilling, steaming, frying, stewing, braising and so on.” Yet it is distinct she emphasises.

What gives Indian cuisine its uniqueness, its tingling excitement, and its health-giving properties is the knowledgeable use of spices and seasonings, ancient in its provenance.

The food expert has authored close to thirty bestselling cookbooks on Indian, Asian and world vegetarian cuisine, and has appeared in several related television programmes. Apart from Madhur Jaffrey’s Indian Cookery that premiered in 1982, she presented Madhur Jaffrey's Far Eastern Cookery (1989) and Madhur Jaffrey's Flavours of India (1995).

[caption id="attachment_48280" align="aligncenter" width="456"] Indian Cuisine | Madhur Jaffrey | Global Indian Madhur Jaffrey[/caption]

What made her shows and books relevant for decades was the fact that she adapted to the time constraints of her fans. In one of her book introductions, Madhur shared, “My own cooking has changed over the years. I am often as rushed for time as perhaps you are. I am often asking myself is there an easier way to do this?”

Madhur made sure, therefore, to simplify her cooking to match with the times.

I now try to reach real Indian tastes by using simpler methods and fewer steps

The seven times winner of James Beard award wrote in one of her books.

As she made a huge name for herself in the traditional yet novel segment, Madhur went on to associate herself as food consultant of one of the most popular Indian restaurants in New York City - Dawat.

Madhur has also written three children’s books and two memoirs – Sweet Memories (2002) and Climbing the Mango Trees: A Memoir of a Childhood in India (2006).

Strengthening cultural relations between continents

Before becoming a television personality and delving into the domains of food and travel writing, Madhur had made a mark for herself as an Indian-British-American actress, starting with minor acting roles on BBC television and radio. One of her notable works is the film, Shakespeare Wallah (1965) for which she won the Silver Bear for Best Actress award at the 15th Berlin International Film Festival.

[caption id="attachment_32667" align="aligncenter" width="714"] Madhur Jaffrey Global Indian Madhur Jaffrey in one of her television shows[/caption]

During the course of her acting career, she enthralled audiences with her performances in television, films, radio and theatre. Perhaps this background contributes to her eloquence as a food presenter.

Her cookery shows have always been lively with powerful punchlines like:

Each grain of rice should be like brothers, close to each other but not stuck together.

After a divorce from Sayeed Jaffery, the notable actor who is father to her three daughters, Madhur married an American violinist. The couple have now been together for 56 years.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2GKfjaZQZE

In recognition of her contribution to cultural relations between the UK, India and the United States, through film, television and cookery, Madhur was named the honorary Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2004. Padma Bhushan 2022, the third highest civilian award from the Government of India, is a testament of her service to Indian culinary art.

Follow Madhur Jaffrey on Twitter

Reading Time: 5 mins