Global IndianstoryCoachella to Louis Vuitton: When India took over global pop culture in 2023

Coachella to Louis Vuitton: When India took over global pop culture in 2023

Compiled by: Darshana Ramdev

(December 30, 2023) India’s presence on the global stage sparkles with a series of striking achievements. From the glitz of the Oscars to the vibrant pulse of Coachella, Indian talents are making waves, blending rich heritage with contemporary flair. Explore stories of how songs, films, and fashion originating from India are resonating worldwide, altering perspectives and embracing diversity. This journey is filled with exciting successes and touching tales, showcasing India’s dynamic impact on the international scene.

The Oscar winners

SS Rajamouli’s blockbuster hit, RRR, which became the first Indian feature film to win an Oscar. The award for Best Original Song, described as a “total banger” by actress Deepika Padukone, who presented it, went to ‘Naatu Naatu’, which was already a global hit by then. Keeravani, who received the award along with fellow composer Chandrabose, delivered his acceptance speech in the form of a re-written version of Top of the World by the Carpenters. The Telugu epic period action drama stars N.T. Rama Rao Jr, Ram Charan, Shriya Saran, Ajay Devgn and Alia Bhatt. Later, Richard Carpenter went on to tweak the iconic song in praise of Keeravani, who ‘broke down’ when he saw the Instagram post.

Guneet Monga and Kartiki Gonsalves’ also dominated the award ceremony with their heartwarming 41-minute documentary, The Elephant Whisperers. Set in the Nilgiri Hills, it is the story of Bomman and Bellie, a tribal couple who dedicated their entire lives to raising an orphaned elephant baby, whom they named Raghu. It is the first Indian documentary to win an Oscar. Kartiki, who received the award, said, “I stand here today to speak for the sacred bond between us and our natural world, for the respect of indigenous communities, and empathy towards other living beings we share space with and finally, for coexistence.”

Deepika and Alia become global ambassadors for two of the world’s biggest fashion houses

Bollywood icon Deepika Padukone breaks new ground as Louis Vuitton’s first Indian brand ambassador, a prestigious role unveiled during their latest handbag campaign. Padukone, a familiar figure in Louis Vuitton attire, first joined the brand’s elite circle in 2020, modeling alongside stars like Lea Seydoux. Her ascent in the luxury fashion world reflects a remarkable journey from aspirational admirer to fashion trailblazer. Reflecting on her rise, Padukone shared, “When you’re 18…you don’t even bother looking into a Louis Vuitton store…My association with Louis Vuitton is…completely out of your orbit…I can’t believe this is real. And it speaks to the kind of diversity I hope to see in the future.”

Alia Bhatt was named Gucci’s first Indian global ambassador, a landmark moment for both the luxury brand and the Indian fashion scene. Her inaugural appearance as Gucci’s ambassador occurred at the Gucci Cruise 2024 show in Seoul, commemorating 25 years since the brand’s first store in South Korea. This significant appointment reflects the rising prominence of the Indian market in the global fashion landscape. On Instagram, Bhatt shared her excitement: “I’m honored to represent the house of Gucci not only in India but at a global stage…I’m looking forward to the many sartorial milestones we create together.”

Diljit Dosanjh at Coachella

“Sat Sri Akal ji, Punjabi aa gaye Coachella oye.” The crowd roared its appreciation as Diljit Dosanjh, dressed all in black, in a traditional tehmat, kurta, vest and turban, greeted Coachella 2023 at the end of his opening song, G.O.A.T. The superstar, who is the first Indian to perform at the prestigious music festival, stuck to speaking in his his native tongue, taking pride in the fact that he doesn’t prefer to speak to English. Every gesture was an ode to his Punjabi cultural heritage. On day two, he appeared in white, in a tehmat kurta which he styled with sneakers. It was Coachella’s Patiala Peg moment and the crowds absolutely loved it.

Diljit was the festival’s headline act at Coachella 2023, alongside K-Pop megatars Blackpink and Bjork. “Jo ho raha hai, mere daayre se badi baat hai. Coachella is something I never even thought of, it was never in my plan,” he said. “Whatever is happening in my life is.. maybe I don’t even deserve it. I am just grateful to God.”

Hansal Mehta’s Scoop wins big in Busan

Karishma Tanna’s portrayal of journalist Jigna Vohra and her fight for innocence in the hit Netflix series Scoop won her the Best Actress Award at the Asia Contents Aawrds & Global OTT Awards 2023 in Busan, South Korea. The series, Directed by Hansal Mehta, also won the Best Asian TV Series Awards. Scoop is based on Vohra’s memoir, Behind Bars in Byculla: My Days in Prison, the story of crime journalist Jigna Vohra who was falsely accused of murder and sent to Mumbai’s Byculla jail.

Tanna expressed her gratitude on Instagram, thanking Hansal Mehta, and the entire team. “To be nominated here was a huge honour and to win in both the categories is just overwhelming. So much gratitude in our hearts,” she said. This is also the 39-year-old actress’ first win the Best Actress category.

A perfect ‘Landing”: India at the Emmy Awards

Actor-comic Vir Das won an International Emmy Award for his stand-up special, Vir Das: Landing, in the Best Comedy category. The 51st International Emmy Awards Gala was held at the New York Hilton in November 2023.

This is Das’ second nomination and his first win, which he shared with the hugely popular Irish sitcom, Derry Girls. “It’s an incredible honour that feels like a dream,” he said. “My journey from crafting local stories to receiving a global accolade has been both challenging and rewarding, and Netflix has been instrumental in that growth.”

The other big winner was Ekta Kapoor, who said, “I’m bringing home an Emmy. This is for India.” Ekta was honoured for her “trailblazing career and impact on the Indian Television Landscape.”

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Published on 30, Dec 2023

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On Top of the World: No mission is impossible for Captain Zoya Agarwal 

(January 9, 2022) Zoya Agarwal dared to dream the impossible quite early in life. As a child, she would often spend hours on the terrace of her home, stargazing while all her friends were busy playing games. She imagined herself touching the sky and the stars. Back then, anybody who would asked her what she wanted to become when she grew up, her only reply would be “a pilot.” Over the years, she braved many odds as she set out to make her dreams come true. Eventually, they did. [caption id="attachment_33619" align="aligncenter" width="445"] Captain Zoya Agarwal[/caption] Captain Zoya Agarwal became the first Indian woman to fly the world’s longest air route from San Francisco (SFO) to Bengaluru, covering the North Pole, making aviation history by travelling a record-breaking 16,000 kilometres in 2021. It is the longest non-stop commercial route undertaken so far. “It was a significant turning point in my career to be recognised as an Indian woman who is making a difference around the world. My journey was super exciting and magical,” smiles Zoya Agarwal, who led the all-women crew on that flight, speaking exclusively to Global Indian. Taking the world by storm The senior pilot with Air India, who not only made her parents proud but

aviation history by travelling a record-breaking 16,000 kilometres in 2021. It is the longest non-stop commercial route undertaken so far.

“It was a significant turning point in my career to be recognised as an Indian woman who is making a difference around the world. My journey was super exciting and magical,” smiles Zoya Agarwal, who led the all-women crew on that flight, speaking exclusively to Global Indian.

Taking the world by storm

The senior pilot with Air India, who not only made her parents proud but took the world by storm with her mammoth feat, is the only human to have found a place in the San Francisco Luis A Turpen Aviation Museum in August 2022. The museum recognised Zoya’s illustrious career in aviation and her passion for empowering women worldwide. 

Becoming the world’s youngest lady captain to fly to the North Pole has been my dream. This feat has given flight to young girls across the world.

Coming from a humble middle class family of Delhi, Zoya opted for science in her 11th and 12th of schooling and went on to do her B.Sc from St Stephen’s college, Delhi.

Indian Leader | Captain Zoya Agarwal | Global Indian

Being the only child in a middle-class family meant that she was expected to follow the traditional path and settle down after marriage. “My dream of becoming a pilot seemed like an unusual career choice to my parents,” recalls Zoya, who was by then, firm in her mind that she wanted to pursue her passion.

Shattering the gender bias

She divided her time between her aviation classes and her STEM degree. “The first half of the day was for STEM and the second for my aviation classes,” says the pilot, who has motivated millions of young women and girls to achieve their ambitions.

The fact that many airlines didn’t even consider hiring female pilots until 2016 came as a big stumbling block for Zoya. “With career and responsibilities back home, women play a dual role. Therefore, an airline bears additional expenses when they need to support women on maternity leave. There’s no room for errors and additional expenses in this industry,” she says of her initial days.

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A post shared by Captain Zoya (@captainzoya)

However, times have changed for the better, with more women pilots now being hired. “I’ve had to fight hard to show everyone around me the strength of women in this field and to shatter the gender biases associated with aviation,” says the senior pilot, who was glad to get into Air India, a company, she feels, has always valued equality of the sexes. 

Taking care of people's trust

Zoya feels that anyone can learn to fly but one needs nerves of steel to work in the airline industry. “One has to be fully prepared for emergencies and land the plane safely,” says Zoya, who became the youngest pilot in India to fly a Boeing-777 in 2013.  She also piloted  Air India’s first Boeing 777 aircraft over the Hindu Kush mountain range.

[caption id="attachment_33624" align="aligncenter" width="643"] Indian Leader | Captain Zoya Agarwal | Global Indian Captain Zoya Agarwal with one of the passengers on board[/caption]

"Making the passengers feel safe is the most satisfying part of the job," says Zoya, who garnered attention for her role in saving a passenger’s life on a Delhi-New York flight in 2015. The passenger complained of breathlessness mid-air and Zoya swiftly turned the aircraft around, going back to Delhi where the passenger was taken to the hospital.

Being a pilot is not an easy profession. One has to work diligently and remained focused all the time. After all, people trust the pilot with their lives.

Avoiding all distractions and maintaining proper mental equilibrium is a must for pilots. “In my profession, the safety of passengers always comes first. Pilots have to be tough and selfless,” says Zoya, adding that the job requires her to be alert, have swift decision-making abilities and multi-task. Perseverance and passion (for the job) is what drives the pilot.

On top of the world

Zoya’s job takes her across the world but the journey excites her more than the destinations themselves. “I love looking out over the world when in the clouds,” smiles the ace pilot, who made an appearance on Indian Idol for its Republic Day special episode, soon after she and the other crew members completed their longest flight ever.

Her favourite destination? “Being on top of the world,” smiles Zoya, who was chosen by the United Nations as its spokesperson for Generation Equality.

Captain Zoya Agarwal is the first Indian woman to fly world’s longest air route from San Francisco (SFO) to Bengaluru, covering North Pole.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, when India initiated the ‘Vande Bharat mission’ in May 2020, Zoya was chosen to co-pilot the first repatriation flight, which evacuated thousands of Indians from different countries.

“One of the memories I cherish the most is the flight from San Francisco to Mumbai which I had piloted. Every member of the crew greeted me with a loud round of applause. I can never forget that experience,” says Zoya, who was witness to emotional family members reuniting with their loved ones. 

Follow Captain Zoya Agarwal  on Instagram

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The Specialist: IPS officer Vivek Dube led from the front, fearlessly and meticulously

(November 11, 2022) Cycling his way to the Gorakhpur University, Vivek Dube was enamoured by the sprawling bungalow of a DIG rank police officer, the sentry standing at the gate and the flicker bulb on the police officer’s car. The road from Dube’s house to the University passed through the DIG’s residence and the youngster had his eyes fixed on them, every day. “I will become a DIG one day,” he would tell himself, unaware of police ranks higher than that at that point in time, and pedal his way into the university and back. Rise of the honest cop And lo and behold, he landed in the service one fine morning! “When I got the offer to join IPS, my mother advised me against joining it saying it is a dirty service. I thought how could the police department be dirty? Only people make it dirty or good. After spending 35 years in service, I realised that I was right,” smiles Vivek Dube in an exclusive conversation with Global Indian. [caption id="attachment_31602" align="aligncenter" width="442"] IPS officer Vivek Dube[/caption] A stickler for rules and meticulous in his investigation, Dube, who underwent two prestigious courses — one in Australia and the

src="https://www.globalindian.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/PHOTO-2022-10-22-10-51-17.jpg" alt="Police | Vivek Dube | Global Indian" width="442" height="569" /> IPS officer Vivek Dube[/caption]

A stickler for rules and meticulous in his investigation, Dube, who underwent two prestigious courses — one in Australia and the other in US — is among those rare few who worked strictly within the framework of law.

From heading the investigation into the sensational Bilkis Bano case in Gujarat while working in the CBI, to handling militancy in Jammu and Kashmir during his stint in the CRPF to fighting Naxalites down south, Vivek Dube, a 1981 batch IPS officer, has done it all. “Wherever I worked, high integrity and absolute honesty always came to my rescue,” says Dube, an Andhra Pradesh (undivided) cadre IPS officer, who worked as SP (superintendent of police) of various districts at the height of naxal movement in the state in his early days in service.

He may have retired from service, but the investigations he headed into some of the most sensational cases in the country during his eight year long stint in the CBI, continue to make headlines. Bilkis Bano gangrape case is just one of them.

The Bilkis Bano case

As part of the investigation, Vivek Dube personally met Bilkis a few times. “When I heard this pathetic story, I was so disgusted with the loss of humanity,” says the police official, recalling how, despite Bilkis lodging a complaint at Limkheda police station and an FIR being registered, the case was closed by the local police on the grounds that she was giving varying statements.\

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RGBzSpTpAk

Bilkis narrated to Dube the horror she underwent from the moment she fled her village when the communal riots started until she was gang raped and left for dead by the accused. “Bilkis was very courageous and stood like a rock to face all the probing queries of a battery of defence lawyers. We supported her during trial and guided her,” says Dube, who also supervised the investigation and trial of sensational murder cases like Madhumita Shukla, Satyendra Dube, Jaggi and MLA Paritala Ravi and also the controversial Ayodhya case. It was around midnight in January 2004 that Dube took the tough call to arrest the 12 accused, who until then, were confident that nobody could touch them.

Courses abroad

Dube, who completed his post graduate degree in Physics (solid state physics) from the University of Gorakhpur in 1976 and secured third rank in the university, underwent two key courses abroad. One was a four-month course on strategic Human Resource management at University of Wollongong, Australia in 1997 and the other was a 35-day “Anti-Terrorism Assistance programme” at Baton Rouge, Louisiana, US in 2005.

Police | Vivek Dube | Global Indian

At Wollongong, the IPS officer was taught how to improve his leadership skills and to manage the available Human Resources effectively. “We visited various government and corporate organizations, to talk to managers and understand how they were performing so well. The trainers used to place different tricky situations before us to know our reactions. It helped a great deal in becoming an effective manager at work,” informs Dube, who also served as Additional DGP (Provisioning and Logistics) and Additional DGP (welfare) in the AP police.

The second course at Baton Rouge in the US was a commando training during which he was taught how to work in a team and flush out terrorists holed up inside a house using quick and sudden action. “I also sharpened my shooting skills there. While practising for counter ambush, we were provided plastic bullets with painted chalks in front so that we would know where exactly the bullets hit on the body. This advance training was very fulfilling as I had never attended such kind of training in my career,” says the IPS officer, who completed his degree in Defence studies’ National Security and Strategic Studies from National Defence college, New Delhi in 2002.

Stint in ITBP

He also had a stint as a Commandant in the Indo-Tibetan Border Police between 1991 and 1995 (ITBP) during which he supervised the working of Mana, Ghastoli, Rattakona and Jagrao forward posts in Manna valley and Ghamsali, Bimlas and Geldung forward posts in Niti valley (on Indo-China border). Back then, he also participated in Joint Exercises with Army.

Much before he joined the CBI on deputation, it was his stint as SP of naxal-infested Adilabad district which was most challenging.

Dealing with Naxals

“This was a sleepy district with 43 percent reserved forest area and 10 percent other forests. PWG, a Naxalite outfit, was very violent and on the rampage then,” recalls Dube, who was initially taken aback when told by his fellow officers that they did not even know the name of the district secretary of the PWG, pointing to extremely weak intelligence gathering mechanisms.

Police | Vivek Dube | Global Indian

A determined Dube started everything from scratch. Six months later, after making massive efforts to gather intelligence, results started showing. During his tenure, 29 gun battles took place between the police parties and Naxals in which 35 ultras were neutralised. However, 18 policemen also lost their lives in three ambushes. “It was a tough time but I left the district with lots of satisfaction,” remarks Dube, who also served as the Special observer appointed by Election Commission of India for West Bengal elections in 2019.

On policing today

What does he feel about the present-day policing ? “The police have definitely become more digitized now. Still, the police reforms that were ordered by the Supreme Court in 2006 have not yet been implemented. Unfortunately, the old culture of colonial policing still continues,” feels Dube, who earlier held charge of the posts of DIG, ACB, Delhi.

For instance, he says, Japan has got ‘Security Commission’ at state level and ‘Safety Commission’ at the national level. “These commissions are independent bodies and they only run the police,” points out the retired police officer, who otherwise loves reading good books and plays a game badminton, lawn tennis and table tennis every day without fail.

Follow Vivek Dube on Linkedin

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Meet Dr Umesh Bhammarkar, the ultra marathoner who loves the ‘extreme’ life

(March 26, 2024) When Dr Umesh Bhammarkar arrived at the picturesque Pangong Tso in Ladakh and began gazing at the frozen lake in February this year, the piercing cold winds gave him the first taste of the hostile weather. As temperatures dropped to minus 30 degrees Celsius amid the heavy snowfall, he was both excited and nervous about his mission — the 21 km frozen lake half marathon. Determined to conquer the terrain, the doctor took the challenges head-on and accomplished the mission. “When passion drives us, we can achieve remarkable feats and surpass our own expectations. This run was psychologically and physically demanding,” smiles Dr Umesh, a Vitreoretinal surgeon, Ophthalmologist and extreme sports enthusiast, as he connects with Global Indian. Having run 68 half marathons and four full marathons in various part of India and abroad, including the Prague night run in 2022, the 44-year-old is showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon. [caption id="attachment_50292" align="aligncenter" width="542"] Dr Umesh at the Pangong Tso frozen lake half marathon[/caption] The most challenging marathon of all “The sub-zero temperature at Pangong Tso made me totally numb. Breathing was difficult and the high altitude even caused delirium. Nothing could get more exciting and challenging

esh at the Pangong Tso frozen lake half marathon[/caption]

The most challenging marathon of all

“The sub-zero temperature at Pangong Tso made me totally numb. Breathing was difficult and the high altitude even caused delirium. Nothing could get more exciting and challenging than this,” says Dr Umesh, who was among the 120 participants at the one-of-its-kind event, which was named the ‘Last Run’ to remind people about climate change and the need to save the Himalayas. Amid chants of “Vande Mataram” and “Bharat Mata ki Jai” the participants made their way into the Guinness World Record for the world's highest frozen lake half marathon.

Among all the half and full marathons that Dr Umesh has taken part in, the Pangong frozen lake marathon was by far the toughest and tested his endurance like never before. “Preparations for the frozen lake marathon started more than a year ago. It required tremendous determination and effort that is both physical and psychological,” says the Hyderabad-based doctor.

He started with 60 to 90 minute daily gym sessions to focus on core strength for the first two months and followed it up by running (hill, pace, trail, fastrep) for long distances. “I would run between 22 km to 40 km to build the endurance. It's one of the key elements for participating in extreme sports,” points out Dr Umesh, who was wearing five layers of clothing to keep himself warm at Pangong - at 4,350 meters above the sea level, it is the world's highest salt water lake.

The extreme sports enthusiast also included cross training with cycling and swimming sessions of 120-240 minutes per week. “My day would start at 5 am to meet the training requirements,” says Dr Umesh. He also followed a balanced diet comprising of 3-4 boiled eggs per day, meat, salads, fruits, lots raw and cooked veggies, sprouts and plenty of fluids for the Pangong lake half marathon.

The globe-trotting marathoner

Exploring new routes, soaking in the sights and sounds of unfamiliar surroundings, and Dr Umesh loves connecting with fellow runners from around the world. From the bustling streets of Bangkok to the scenic trails of Switzerland, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Turkey and Austria, Dr Umesh has run and cycled across the world, mostly solo, in the last few years.

He has fond memories of the 10-km Prague night run, 2022. “Running through the streets of Prague under the night sky, surrounded by fellow enthusiasts was a unique and exhilarating experience,” recalls Dr Umesh. He also did a solo cycle tour in Vienna. “With its beautiful architecture, rich history, and well-maintained cycling paths, Vienna provides an ideal setting for exploring by bike. Cycling solo allows for a unique sense of freedom and independence,” feels the extreme sports enthusiast.

He believes that participating in such events not only provides an opportunity for personal achievement but also allows one to immerse themselves in the energy and camaraderie of the running community.

[caption id="attachment_50293" align="aligncenter" width="586"] Dr Umesh Bhammarkar | marathon | Global Indian[/caption]

Nagpur boy

Born and raised in the “orange city” of Nagpur, Maharashtra in January 1980, Dr Umesh’s father was a railway employee and his mother, a homemaker. He studied up to class four at St. Michael’s school in Mohan Nagar finished 10th grade at St. Anthony’s High School in Ajni, Nagpur, and 12^th grade at Dinanath Junior College. “A passion for running and playing games has been a consistent part of my life since childhood,” informs Dr Umesh.

Dr Umesh always wanted to be a doctor, and serve people through healthcare, and enrolled Government Medical College (GMC) in Nagpur. Interestingly, he also has an MBA from IIM Kozhikode, LLB degree, a PH Diploma in Human Rights and a Diploma in Sports Nutrition and Fitness, alongside his medical career, for continuous learning and personal development. “I believe that integrating business knowledge with medical expertise can open up new opportunities and perspectives in healthcare management and leadership,” he explains.

Running journey

Dr Umesh, who was used to going for walks, started his running journey in Hyderabad with a 5K race in 2014. Gradually, he progressed from 5K to 10K and went up to 21k, 25 and 42 k. “Running is not only a great form of exercise but also an excellent way to challenge yourself and set and achieve personal goals,” believes the sports enthusiast, who completed the 44k run on his 44th birthday.

Among the various events he participated nationally was the "Tour of Karnataka 9" (TOk9) 2023 an exciting cycling event that spans four days and 520km, the Procam Slam, consisting of four major marathons in India (Tata Mumbai Marathon, TCS World 10K Bengaluru, Tata Consultancy Services World 10K, Airtel Delhi Half Marathon, and Tata Steel Kolkata 25K).

Dr Umesh Bhammarkar | marathon | Global Indian

“Completing the Procam Slam was a remarkable accomplishment for me that gave next level confidence to go for something more challenging,” says Dr Umesh, who also participated in the Triathlon event, Ironman 70.3 Goa 2023.

Duty calls

As a doctor, practising at UB Diabetic Retina Care Center & Lions Dundoo Eye Hospital Hyderabad, Dr Umesh has a busy schedule.

His day typically starts at 4:30 am with his workout session while professional work starts at 9.30 am. His work revolves around OPD visits, surgical procedures and clinical discussions among other things. “Balancing patient care with surgical procedures requires focus, expertise, and compassion,” says Dr Umesh, who has a special interest in Diabetic Retinopathy, Retinal detachments, Macular Degeneration, and other sight-threatening conditions. He is also associated with Sai Jyoti eye hospital and Clear Vision Eye Hospital and is a Visiting Retina Consultant In Durgapur, West Bengal.

Wrapping up all his medical responsibilities by 6:00 pm, Dr Umesh goes to sleep early, by 8.30 pm. Being a doctor, conditioning the mind comes automatically for him. “In built focus is vital. I never lose my cool. Preparing well in advance gives me the confidence and mental stability I need for my adventures,” says Dr Umesh, who is also fond of sky diving and horse riding and has joined the Telangana Horse riding academy.

Varied interests

Outside of sports and adventure, Dr Umesh has a wide range of interests and passions. “I enjoy reading, travelling ,exploring new cuisines, engaging in creative pursuits like photography, and staying updated on developments in technology and science,” he says.

[caption id="attachment_50296" align="aligncenter" width="483"] When he isn't in a marathon Dr Umesh also loves horse riding and skydiving[/caption]

Additionally, he has a keen interest in psychology and human behavior, which often leads him to delve into topics related to personal development and mental well-being. “Whether you enjoy fiction, non-fiction, or a mix of both, books can transport you to new worlds, broaden your horizons, and stimulate your mind.”

He believes each learning experience brings with it a sense of excitement and discovery. “I enjoy cooking sometimes, it is not only a creative outlet but also a practical skill that allows you to nourish yourself and others with delicious homemade meals,” smiles the father of two, who has also created a travel diary to document his adventures.

Future adventures

Dr Umesh is already prepping up for his future adventures which includes the Ooty Ultra 60K scheduled for March 31, 2024, the NMDC Marathon scheduled for August 26, 2024, in Hyderabad, the JBG Satara Hill half marathon and Ironman Goa in October. “Whether it's participating in endurance races, mountaineering expeditions, or wilderness treks, I aim to continue embracing the thrill of adventure while prioritising safety and responsible outdoor practices,” he says.

Follow Dr Umesh Bhammarkar on LinkedIn

Forest farm calling: How Vivek and Brinda Shah quit US job to become environment entrepreneurs

(May 24, 2022) Peering through the window of their train enroute Los Angeles in 2016, Vivek Shah and his wife Brinda saw acres of strawberry farms sprawled all across Salinas. The splendid view of lush, juicy, and red strawberries seemed like something out of a dream. Then, they were pulled from their reverie by the sudden appearance of a man, covered in a protective suit and spraying pesticide on the crops. It sent a chill down their spine. "It didn't seem right. How harmful were the chemicals that he had to wear protective gear? And we were consuming that produce. We knew this wasn't the environment we wanted to live in. It became a defining moment for us," environment entrepreneur Vivek tells Global Indian. In 2016, the San Fransico-based couple left their comfortable lifestyles in the US behind to return to Gujarat and start their forest farm. Now six years later, the 10-acre land which is a "mix of the commercial and experimental farm" has given Vivek and Brinda a purpose in life - to create awareness on environment restoration and put their techniques to use for a larger cause. [caption id="attachment_24809" align="aligncenter" width="440"] Brinda Shah and Vivek Shah at their forest form, Brindavan[/caption] Existential crisis

In 2016, the San Fransico-based couple left their comfortable lifestyles in the US behind to return to Gujarat and start their forest farm. Now six years later, the 10-acre land which is a "mix of the commercial and experimental farm" has given Vivek and Brinda a purpose in life - to create awareness on environment restoration and put their techniques to use for a larger cause.

[caption id="attachment_24809" align="aligncenter" width="440"] Environment Entrepreneur | Vivek and Brinda Shah Brinda Shah and Vivek Shah at their forest form, Brindavan[/caption]

Existential crisis led to true calling

Born and raised in Baroda, Vivek was more of a "creative and outdoorsy" person during his growing up years who was in the pursuit to "charter a path" for himself. "We had a CA firm, my dad is a second-generation CA. So, society expected me to follow suit. But my heart wasn't in it. After finishing my school, we received our green card for the US, and the entire family shifted base," says Vivek, who came across an open college that he calls his "golden ticket" as it gave him the chance to learn anything without pressure. From photography to fine arts to economics, Vivek dabbled in everything before settling for a degree in interaction design. "Though nature and environment always intrigued me, it wasn't a career option back then," adds Vivek.

After a year-and-a-half of working as a product designer, Vivek realised it wasn't his calling either. "Sitting behind a computer for 8-10 hours wasn't helping me make any impact. Instead, I was leading people into hyper-consumerism through my job," adds the environment entrepreneur, who was on the cusp of an existential crisis. It was then that he came across a month-long course on organic farming. This set the ball rolling for Vivek and his wife, who decided to study permaculture. "It was the logical starting point to understand environment restoration. After she came to the US, we both realised we wanted to do something in the field of environment, and that's how our journey began," reveals the 33-year-old who met his wife through common friends.

Environment entrepreneur | Vivek and Brinda Shah

A forest farm that changed it all

Vivek quit his job and returned to Gujarat with Brinda, who has a master's degree in printmaking, to begin their journey as environment entrepreneurs. Interestingly, they found massive support from their families. So much so that a family friend lent them a piece of their land to start their experiment. "We came with no background in agriculture. But the course did help us in understanding the techniques that we could adopt to make a sustainable farm," adds Vivek. For the next nine months, the couple grew crops and vegetables, understood the agricultural cycle, and tapped into local knowledge. "The initial phase was spent in observation and understanding the workings of the farm," explains Vivek. A year later, they found the perfect land in Nadiad, an hour's drive from Ahmedabad. "That's how Brindavan came into existence. We started just before the monsoon, and it was a fruitful year," reminisces the environment entrepreneur.

Environment entrepreneur | Vivek and Brinda Shah

Since then, the couple has been using techniques like green manuring and controlled grazing to ensure soil fertility and harvesting rainwater to utilise the farm resources to their capacity. "When we started, we had no role models to follow. Most of it was trial and error," he says, calling it a learning phase for the couple. "Converting our orchard into a rain-fed model and working on no-till vegetable farming gave us more confidence and faith in ourselves and our techniques," adds Vivek.

Working for the future

Sustainable farming practices are quite a fad in the US, but Vivek and Brinda realised that not much was happening in India in this space. That's the reason they decided to return and give back to their homeland. "It was a now or never for us. I was 25 when I decided to make the switch. I knew if I let this opportunity slip through my hands, I wouldn’t have the courage to pursue it after five years. Though it was like diving into an ocean, there was a sense of urgency. And I am glad we did it," says Vivek who is now providing consultancy services and applying the couple’s farming techniques on client sites.

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"We aim to collaborate with like-minded people who need our services in saving the Earth. However, a lot needs to be done. There is awareness but the lack of action is one of our biggest challenges," says the environment entrepreneur who often finds no public participation, adding that not many are willing to invest in this space. "It's still considered to be an NGO kind of thing and not a legit industry." He believes that the right sources need to be moved in as "opportunities are plenty." Calling climate change a "real problem", Vivek finds the situation "scary because we can’t predict anything more. The changing temperatures are hampering crop growth, and in the near future, we won't be able to afford a single crop." The environment champion believes that branching out would be the solution. "We'll have to add new things to your diet that you never before even considered," says Vivek who thinks it's time to start experimenting with food security.

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Brinda and he are now eyeing bigger projects, along with trying to make inroads with the government on climate change. "We are also planning to bring climate litigation under the larger umbrella and address climate-related challenges," says the environment entrepreneur, who believes patience is the key in this profession. He urges youngsters to "follow their heart and not have a Plan B. If you have something to fall back on, you might not push through enough." Vivek and Brinda had to make lifestyle changes on their arrival in India, but they knew it was worth the effort. "Cutting down on lifestyle expenses can do wonders, only if you are willing. But we knew we wanted to create an impact. That's what drove us both," says the father of a one-and-a-half-year-old who loves spending time with his family.

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Reading Time: 6 min

Dancer Aparna Satheesan is taking Indian classical art to new levels

(April 26, 2024) When she lost her father at the age of 15 in a car accident, the one motivation that kept her going was his wish that she would become a great dancer. Living his dream, 32-year-old, Indian classical dancer and choreographer, Aparna Satheesan has won several awards over the years. The Thiruvananthapuram native, who is settled in the US for the past 10 years, Aparna is an expert in seven Indian classical dance forms, including Bharatanatyam, Mohiniyattam, Kuchipudi, Kathakali, Ottam Thullal, and Kerala Nadanam. "My mother loved dancing, but my grandparents didn't allow her to learn. So, she wanted me to train in classical dance forms," shares Aparna during an interview with Global Indian. The dancer, who recently received the prestigious Abhinandan Saroja National Award 2021 by the National Institute of Indian Classical Dance, believes that her career, spanning 25 years, has been blissful. "I am blessed to have learnt from several eminent dancers, including Regatta Girija Chandran, Padma Bhushan Dhananjayans, Smt Vyjayanthi Kashi, Sri. Nelliyodu Vasudevan Namboothiri, Smt. R.S Lekshmi, and Smt. Chithra Mohan," she adds. Young prodigy Starting her journey at the tender age of three, the dancer shares that the more she understood Indian classical

, including Regatta Girija Chandran, Padma Bhushan Dhananjayans, Smt Vyjayanthi Kashi, Sri. Nelliyodu Vasudevan Namboothiri, Smt. R.S Lekshmi, and Smt. Chithra Mohan," she adds.

Young prodigy

Starting her journey at the tender age of three, the dancer shares that the more she understood Indian classical dance forms, the more she wanted to learn. Growing up with an elder sister in Kerala, Aparna says that her family was her biggest support throughout her life. "My father especially was always encouraging and supportive. I can hardly express how happy he would get watching me perform on the stage. Unfortunately, I lost him very early," Aparna shares.

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Having won several awards right from a young age, the brilliant dancer also worked as a video jokey at leading television channels during her school and college years. "I had a busy childhood, apart from the school and regular dance classes, I also hosted several shows for the channels like AsiaNet, Soorya TV, Kairali, and AsiaNet Plus. I briefly also worked as a radio jockey and even as a dubbing artist for Malayalam movies," shares Aparna.

Moving to the States

In 2011, after finishing her under graduation, Aparna moved to United States of America to pursue Masters in Software Engineering, at the Ball State University, Indiana. However, in the States people did not know much about Indian classical dance forms. "They thought that Bollywood dance was Indian classical," she shares. To showcase the Indian culture Aparna decided to take part in the University events. And from there started her journey of pursuing dance professionally.

"While I was at the University, I got several opportunities to perform and won many awards. Although I had a degree, I was sure then that I cannot leave the stage ever. So, I started choreographing my performances with a mixture of various dance forms, which was highly applauded. Later, I was even able to collaborate with many artists. My first dance production “Krishna" was premiered at The Sangam event, organised by Eli Lilly Corporation, Indianapolis. I played the main role as Krishna, which got great appreciation from the artist community," she says.

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With an idea of giving back to the society, Aparna started a non-profit organisation Samyoga Foundation India, in 2015, in memory of her late father. "Princess of Travancore inaugurated the foundation, Her Highness Aswathi Thirunal Gowri Lakshmi Bayi. We have conducted several fundraising events for the welfare of society under the project "Transforming Life through Dance" in India and abroad since 2015. However, we weren't able to organise any event in the last two years due to the pandemic."

The show goes on...

Living happily with her husband, Hari, and a one-year-old son, in Indianapolis, Aparna is gearing up for a performance - Amma – which she considers very close to her heart. "I am a new mother, so I understand that the journey is not all cheerful. A new mother also struggles to cope up with the new phase of her life. There is a lot of mood swings, loneliness, anger and irritability that she deals with. While we always show the happy side of motherhood, we often skip these things. However, I wanted to highlight them too. The 45-minute-long dance production will premiere in Atlanta in summer. I am quite excited about that," shares the dancer, who enjoys travelling and reading during whatever little she gets between dance practice and playing with her son.

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Reading Time: 5 mins

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