Global IndianstoryThe electrifying business of electric mobility

The electrifying business of electric mobility

Written by: Charu Thakur

Eclectic Indians are spearheading the electric mobility wave across the world as unicorns are sprouting across the country to lend a greener outlook to our lives

(March 17, 2022) If you’ve visited the more cosmopolitan areas of Bengaluru in the early 2000s, it is unlikely that you have missed the sight of India’s first electric car – the Reva– in its bright colours, scurrying around town, usually with a lone passenger, sometimes two. It was a fad for the well-heeled to have REVA as their supplementary car, usually for chores and drives that do not involve lost distance travel.

Early days of REVA revving up the industry

Chetan Maini, director, Lithium Urban Technologies

In 1994, when Chetan Maini launched the REVA (Revolutionary Electric Vehicle Alternative) as a joint venture with Amerigon Electric Vehicle Technologies(AEVT Inc.), little did he know that two decades later, his brain child will go on to become a case study in electric mobility. REVA was ahead of its times, and still managed to export to around 25 countries including France, Greece, Brazil, Japan. Portugal, Spain and Bhutan, Nepal and Sri Lanka, closer to home. An ideal example of an Indian-origin innovator in the electric mobility space, Chetan boasts of an educational roster that includes Harvard Business School, University of Michigan, and the Stanford University. He was at the helm of REVA (eventually taken over and rebranded as Mahindra Electric Mobility Limited) for 16 years before becoming the director in 2016 of Lithium Urban Technologies, a company that he calls “an initiative to establish the infrastructure and service environment for shared electric-powered mobility in India”. Today, the world is embracing electric mobility as the future of personal transportation, and Indian innovators and businessmen are rolling up their sleeves to fight on what is a familiar turf for them, thanks to the Maini impetus.

The Indo-Spanish handshake

Mahesh Babu, CEO, Switch Mobility

Another Indian name that is synonymous in the electric mobility world is that of Mahesh Babu, a 20-year veteran in the field. From being an advisor and consultant for the Niti Aayog, Mahesh is the biggest electric mobility policy maker in the country. His dream of “creating customised electric mobility experiences with cutting-edge technology, for a billion Indians” has led him to embrace the concept of being a “servant leader – focussing on developing strong teams based on their aspirations and attitude”. For six years, Mahesh was the CEO at Mahindra Electric Mobility before recently becoming the CEO of Switch Mobility, a Hinduja Group company, under management of the Ashok Leyland team, with a manufacturing and technology center in Spain at an investment of Rs 500 crore. With this, the company hopes to break into the top 10 manufactures of electric vehicle transportation solutions.

Government impetus

While Indian innovators are collectively solving the last mile challenges of making electric mobility both accessible and affordable, the government is lending a helpful hand, not just in policy making, but also by committing to a better charging infrastructure. After all, don’t we need to recharge our electric vehicles, pretty much the same way we fuel our non-electric cars?

In mid-February, 2022, the power ministry of India made an announcement that electric vehicle (EV) charging stations have expanded by two-and-a-half times across nine Indian cities (with population of over 4 million), including Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai, just in the past four months. It also stated that government efforts have resulted in 2.5 times increase in charging stations in Surat, Pune, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Chennai during this period. This is in continuation of the ministry’s January issuance the revised consolidated guidelines and standards for EV charging infrastructure, which is being hailed by the industry as a forward-looking yet achievable set of recommendations towards the proliferation of EVs, a key step towards the country’s ambitious target of 100 percent electric mobility by 2030.

Electric rickshaws

Amitabh Saran, CEO, Altigreen Propulsion Labs

While EVs worldwide are often two wheelers or four wheelers, an ex-Nasa Indian innovator decided to bring this technology to the country’s ruralinteriors, by creating an innovative electric rickshaw. The brainchild of Amitabh Saran, CEO of Altigreen Propulsion Labs, the Altigreen neEV, was launched in January this year, with a bid to transform the commercial transportation sector in India. His company aims to develop technology for high-efficiency hybrid electric mobility solutions with a split team based in the US and India. While Amitabh’s roots lie in Lucknow and Dehradun, he went on to serve the Thailand office of Philips, before leading the development of computation modelling systems for NASA scientists, for more than a year. Two things make him feature among the big daddies of electric mobility in India. One, the fact that he has devoted more than a decade to Altigreen since inception, and two, the recent announcement by the energy arm Reliance, the Reliance New Energy Limited (RNEL) to invest more than Rs 50 crore in the company. Amitabh told global media, “A good part of the investment will be in R&D. We have on board investors who are also bringing their expertise to the table. For one, Reliance New Energy is investing heavily in non-li-ion batteries and we get access to those technologies.” He also stated that the company now plans to expand heavily into South East Asia. But his core philosophy is very grounded. He has often said, “a humble auto rickshaw driver probably won’t be thinking about the environment first. He will be worried about his livelihood and what he can take home at the end of the day, each day. Any invention for him will need to be approached from this standpoint. Rest of it in the backend is our innovation.”

Onwards to a greener future

Be it the first-mover advantage or the sheer entrepreneurial and disruptive streak of Indian origin innovators, India is set to rule the electric mobility wave in the months to follow. Today, we see a handful of Ola electric scooters or a few passenger cars with green number plates on them, but thanks to combined innovations, we can foresee a future that is cleaner, greener and more sustainable.

Future of electric mobility in India

A report by the India Energy Storage Alliance estimates the EV market in India to exceed $200 billion by 2030.
The Dublin, Ireland-based ResearchAndMarkets.com estimates that the Indian EV market size will grow at an astronomical 94.4 percent to reach $152.21 billion by 2030.
2022 is the watershed year for EV adoption in India, driven by the commercial vehicle segment of 3-wheelers, according to World Economic Forum.

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Published on 17, Mar 2022

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Nirnith Devireddy’s Ikiminds is transforming Healthcare and Life Sciences globally

(February 27, 2023) Having spent his formative years in the US, Nirnith Devireddy developed some fundamental life skills early in life. Making friends real quick, networking and learning about the world through others experiences and cultures — were the most rewarding experiences during his schooling days. An early headstart Business was always an area of interest for him. In ninth grade, he won the DECA Business Youth Leader award in 9th grade for a Marketing competition in Keller Middle school in Dallas, Texas. “The unique schooling curriculum and skills I picked up there contributed to my development as a global entrepreneur,” smiles Nirnith DeviReddy, Co-founder and Director of Ikiminds, a data-driven Bio-IT services firm, speaking to Global Indian. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Nirnith Devireddy, co-founder, Ikiminds[/caption] How does Ikiminds work? A subsidiary of US-based Adroitent Inc, Ikiminds transforms biological data into impactful insights and solutions in the healthcare, life sciences, pharmaceuticals and medtech sector. “Solving specific domain-centric industry challenges like the collection and analysis of large volumes of biological data, explainability of outliers and impurities in drug development life cycle, and data security is at the core of our work,” explains the 31 year old, who launched Ikiminds in 2021. The firm’s talent pool of data scientists, computational biologists, PhDs

c domain-centric industry challenges like the collection and analysis of large volumes of biological data, explainability of outliers and impurities in drug development life cycle, and data security is at the core of our work,” explains the 31 year old, who launched Ikiminds in 2021.

The firm’s talent pool of data scientists, computational biologists, PhDs and domain experts are spread across their offices in Hyderabad and USA, serving over 50 clients globally.

After the FDA Modernization Act 2.0 was passed by the US government in 2023, paving the way for the industry to transition away from animal testing in clinical trials to other alternative approaches like modelling and simulation and insilico clinical trials, Ikiminds saw tremendous growth.

“We are at the forefront of providing these advanced modeling and simulation solutions and have created a platform for implementing and adopting these services by bringing in the best-in-breed partners,” says Nirnith, pointing to the firm’s strong capabilities in the virtual clinical trial space.

The company has delivered insilico models in multiple therapeutic areas like Oncology, Diabetes, Neurology, Vaccines etc. that can be customized to meet the needs of Pharma customers. Recently, Nirnith gave a presentation on present Modeling & Simulation & AI transformation in Pharma at the BioAsia 2023 conference in Hyderabad.

Early life

Born in Hyderabad in May 1991, Nirnith’s family moved to the US where he studied in different schools including Keller Middle School, Bear Creek Intermediate School, Ellis Elementary School and Shady Grove Elementary School. It gave him a unique school curriculum, which shaped his personality.

The family moved back to India in 2006 and Nirnith graduated high-school from the International School of Hyderabad. His father Srinath Devireddy is an Entrepreneur, Investor, and the current IT Advisor to the Government of Andhra Pradesh, his mother Supriya Reddy is an Interior Designer and Entrepreneur.

While his parents are a huge inspiration for Nirnith, his grandfather, late CC Reddy, who was a Government advisor, film producer, a successful global entrepreneur and Nandi award winner, played a key role in shaping his personality.

Back to America

It was in 2009 that the determined youngster returned to America to pursue BBA at Babson College, the world’s top entrepreneurship school. He graduated with a dual major in Technology, Entrepreneurship and Design (TED) & Environmental Sustainability.

The school’s ground-breaking curriculum allowed students including Nirnith to be a part of a class called Foundations of Management and Entrepreneurship to pitch business ideas, have two best voted on, and then split the class into two companies, where the college would provide a seed fund of $3000 dollars and a full semester to set up the business in the real world and conduct sales.

“Our company WriteOn was a peel-and-stick dry erase board material that can be customized as per branding and logos. We had the highest sales out of all the FME companies that year generating revenue of $12,000USD,” says a beaming Nirnith. The profits were given to a charity, as is the norm.

In 2013, after college, Nirnith moved to San Diego, California and worked at Qualcomm as a project analyst for three years. “It was an excellent start to my career as I was introduced to the corporate world and was part of some very interesting projects as I worked in the Customer Engineering team which is responsible for supporting all of Qualcomm’s customers globally,” says the entrepreneur, whose wife Mounica holds a Master’s in Data Science from UC Berkeley.

While work experience was integral for him, his heart was in entrepreneurship. He left the organization to start something on his own even as he continued his Executive Education at Harvard with an online certification in Implementing AI Solutions in Healthcare. “This brought together a cohort of industry leaders who were working on implementing AI in Healthcare and Life Sciences,” says the winner of the IT Serve Alliance Startup Pitch Competition winner in the USA.

First venture

In 2016, he co-founded his first venture ‘Anipanion’ with his roommate from Babson College. “It was the world's leading next-gen, tele-health and pet-care marketplace platform that connects pet parents and veterinarians through virtual visits with the goal of making veterinary care more convenient and accessible for pet parents,” explains the entrepreneur.

His firm was recognised by the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) as a leading virtual care platform.

Anipanion helped many veterinary hospitals across the United States overcome operational challenges when the pandemic hit in 2019 and continues to be instrumental in veterinary practice workflows today. “We have integrated with many practice management systems within the veterinary care flow and are one of the top telemedicine providers in the United States,” says Nirnith. While he continues to serve as co-founder and board member, he stepped back from daily operations to give more time to his new venture, Ikiminds.

Challenges

Bringing in the first customer was the biggest challenge, a common problem for entrepreneurs. “The first one is always challenging but once you nail it - it is the leap spring which propels your venture forward,” he says.

Next came a phase of rejections. “Being aware of red flags and learning to pivot towards better things is a good practice. Allow rejections to bog you down is not,” he feels. Another hurdle was understanding the domain. Without an educational background in Biology, it took Nirnith many hours of study and online learning to bring himself up to speed with the scientific elements of the business.

Future plans

Growing his companies into multi-billion dollar organizations that change the world is Nirnith’s relentless goal. “We aim to become technology partners to many more pharma organisations globally to offer end-to-end modelling and simulation services to accelerate the drug development cycle.”

Cinema and politics

Outside of entrepreneurship, Nirnith is a big movie buff who loves acting and dancing. “I was a part of two high school plays as the lead and even took acting lessons in San Diego as a weekend hobby,” he says. He also played a cameo in a Telugu movie. “I also hope one day I can act or produce a feature film. I also am very interested in politics and feel I can be of value to help my home state of Andhra Pradesh through all my learnings and skills,” says Nirnith, who is the Regional Vice President of North American Telugu Association.

If you’re wondering why Nirnith seemed familiar, it’s because his wedding was covered in Netflix’s hit reality docu-series, The Big Day’. “Of course I was not acting in that. It was a series dedicated to unveiling the multi-billion dollar wedding industry,” says the huge Star Wars fan.

The fitness freak loves to spend time with his pet, Pico. When he is not doing anything else, he loves to travel around the globe.

Giving Back

Nirnith also volunteered at Blue Cross and Naandi Community Water Services. “Giving back to the planet provides me with a great sense of peace. In fact, Babson College had coined a philosophy to reshape business leaders of tomorrow called the “Triple P” bottom line, (People, Planet, and Profit) which I believe is how all businesses one day should be thinking about their bottom lines,” he adds.

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Shilo Shiv Suleman: From Bengaluru to Burning Man

(September 14, 2022) "It's impossible, it can't be done." "Don't go to Pakistan, it's too dangerous." Shilo Shiv Suleman, award-winning artist and founder of the Fearless Collective, always does it anyway. In late 2021, her installation, Temple, was showcased at Boundless Space a charity event by Sotheby's and the Burning Man Project. The 40-kilo, wearable installation, crafted in bronze, which was finally auctioned for $56,700, is a connection to her paternal family's history as well as an attempt to see the female body as a site of devotion. This year, she branched out into the NFT space, at the Disruptors Techne show, conducted in parallel with the India Art Fair. The Fearless Collective did NFT drops of five posters by artists from India, Pakistan, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. She's also a regular at the Burning Man festival at Black Rock Desert in Nevada - having been name the Lead Artist in 2014 and again in 2016, for Pulse and Bloom and Grove, respectively. Global Indian looks at the artist's life and career, as she straddles two worlds – her personal art work which leans into magical realism and her art as social activism, done through the Fearless Collective. Equating the

al art work which leans into magical realism and her art as social activism, done through the Fearless Collective.

Equating the female body with the divine has been the philosophy underlying Shilo's work for several years now. When we met at her Bengaluru home back in 2016, Shilo emerged in a gold outfit, her forehead adorned with sacred ash and vermillion. It was her means of paying showing reverence to her body, just as one would do to an altar or a shrine, she informed me.

[caption id="attachment_29367" align="aligncenter" width="762"] Temple, by Shilo Shiv Suleman. Photo: The Burning Man Journal[/caption]

Talent born in turmoil

Born in Bengaluru, Shilo's life at the age of 13, when her father went on a business trip to China and "vanished without notice," she told The Hindu. Her mother, Nilofer, who is also an artist, suddenly found she had a family with two children to sustain and began teaching art. "At 14, I used to carry her basket of crayons and assist her. During the day she worked two jobs to sustain us, at night we painted." When she turned sixteen, Shilo decided to take her mother's middle name, Suleman. Today, Nilofer is a celebrated artist in her own right, her work in private collections around the world.

Shilo's career as an artist began at 16, as a children's book illustrator. By the time she turned 20, she had published 10 books. She leaned into magical realism, art, nature, culture, technology and the divine feminine, producing paintings, wearable sculptures, installations and public art.

The Fearless Collective

In 2012, when the horrific 'Nirbhaya' case shattered the country, Shilo decided it was time her art made a social impact. She founded the Fearless Collective, quickly becoming something of a revolutionary. She went from painting at home to taking her art to public spaces, using technology and Augmented Reality and creating large-scale installations around the world. That year, her talk as an INK fellow, made it to TED.com, fetching nearly a million views.

Starting out with a small team that included Tehani Ariyaratne and Gayatri Ganju, the Fearless Collective began as an online campaign. Women from around the world were given a platform to tell their stories. This included the Syrian refugees in Beirut, queer activists in South Africa, the women of the Shaheen Bagh protests and LGBTQ men from Rajasthan. "We conduct workshops for them and help them use art as a way to represent who they are and how they wanted to be perceived in this world," Shilo told Social Story. "Through these workshops, we essentially make self-portraits in the street and create such monuments for that community."

[caption id="attachment_29369" align="aligncenter" width="904"] The Fearless Collective in Karachi. Photo: Shilo Shiv Suleman[/caption]

In 2015, Shilo took the Fearless Collective to Pakistan. There, she painted on the wall of the National Bank of Pakistan in Lahore where she was interrupted by the director, who found he liked her work so much he allowed her to carry on. In Rawalpindi, the artist-activist made history, working with Khwaja Sera, the local transgender community, whose stories they depicted through public art.

The unsung heroes of the pandemic

When lockdowns were imposed across the country, the Fearless Collective took to the streets once more, this time to celebrate Bengaluru's civic workers, the pourakarmikas. Every day, the pandemic notwithstanding, thousands of women would step out of home to clean the city, collecting garbage from homes and business and cleaning the streets.

When the lockdown was lifted, the Collective collaborated with Hasiru Dala, an NGO that works with these informal waste workers, to start 'Essential'. The Fearless team painted a mural on the Utility Building, one of Bengaluru's iconic landmarks, located on MG Road. It was a tribute to the dignity of the women who make the city liveable, responsible for collecting and segregating the 4000 tonnes of waste generated in Bengaluru every day.

"I have always said it's high time that women go out on the streets, reclaim their public space and represent their stories, fearlessly," Shilo told Outlook India. "In general, India needs more women on the streets, making way for critical social justice conversations with marginalised communities and transforming corners of fear and trauma into a canvas of beautiful art." At the time of that interview, the Fearless Collective was a three-city tour across North India, starting in UP which was "reeling with the nightmarish news from a brutal gang rape of a Dalit woman in Hathras. We chose to speak of how women want to be touched." They concluded in Jaipur, where they spoke to members from the queer community.

[caption id="attachment_29370" align="aligncenter" width="901"] Grove, from Burning Man 2016, at Black Rock Desert, Nevada. Photo: Shilo Shiv Suleman[/caption]

The Sotheby's auction

Twelve years after her father's departure, Shilo decided the time had come to seek him out once more. She went to his hometown in Kerala, where he was living after being compelled to return from China. "That afternoon in December 2019, I found him, but I also found myself," she told The Hindu.

Her father's family, who were Nambiars, had, for generations, been custodians to a temple in Kannur. They tended to the deity, Oorpazhachi Kavu, the temple of the Mother Goddess. "Temples are not just entered but also ceremonially worn," Shilo told Indulge Express. "These shrines serve as a reminder that sacredness exists within our bodies."

That's how she conceptualised the piece, which took six months to execute. She did so through local artisans in Hawa Mahal, Jaipur. Although Shilo couldn't be there in person her friend, the American singer Monica Dogra put together a performance - a procession of 25 women in red sarees, holding holy water in their hands. "I had estimated ito to be auctioned at 50,000 so the final deal exceeded my expectations," she said, in the Indulge interview. "When I heard numbers were going up, I couldn't contain myself. It was amazing to see the recognition that it got."

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Constant gardener: Alyia Krumbiegel and the legacy of the famed landscaper

In 2016, when Alyia Krumbiegel stepped out of Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, she did so into a blaze of cameras flashing and reporters firing questions at her. This was Alyia's first ever visit to India and she "just wasn't prepared for the media frenzy. It was astonishing," she tells Global Indian. The first thing on her schedule was a trip to Lalbagh Botanical Gardens. She entered through the West Gate, originally known as 'Krumbiegel Gate' and thought, "Oh my God, I'm home. It was surreal. I felt this is where my life should be." Alyia's story - and her great-grandfather's obviously, is one of globalisation and multiculturalism that began far before these terms came into vogue. As India struggled under the British, a German man found home in Bengaluru, in a country that continues to love and treasure his legacy. During his lifetime, much of which he spent in India starting in 1893, he "landscaped his way," according to Alyia, over 50 gardens, tea and coffee estates in the Nilgiris and across the South. Alyia's legacy from her great grandfather, goes back to the late 1890s, to her great-grandfather, the famed landscaper Gustav Hermann Krumbiegel, who gave Bengaluru its

great-grandfather, the famed landscaper Gustav Hermann Krumbiegel, who gave Bengaluru its 'Garden City' moniker and who was behind the planning and creation of numerous parks, zoos, coffee estates and palace gardens. His name is still spoken among the royal families, from Baroda to Mysuru. As for Alyia herself, it was a twist of fate that sent her on a years-long journey to discover a rich and storied family heritage - the German landscaper who came to India during the British rule and left a mark that's still visible today.

[caption id="attachment_29781" align="aligncenter" width="382"] Alyia Krumbiegel[/caption]

Written in the stars

"I'm a great believer in planets aligning," she tells me from her office in London, where she lives and was once neighbours with Shah Rukh Khan. Years have passed since we last spoke and Alyia has spent her time unraveling enough family history to fill a book. Which is exactly what she's doing, along with planning her next trip to India (the pandemic truncated her annual visits). She had grown up hearing stories from her grandmother and never thought much about them. In 2015, Alyia was at a crossroads in her own life, "I had reached a pinnacle and was at a stage where there were more years behind me than ahead of me." She decided, almost on a whim, to Google his name for the very first time. "I remember taking off my glasses because I was so surprised," she laughs.

There was so much to see - the snippets from her grandmother had done no justice to the man, really. She also found an advertisement, posted by Richard Ward of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, trying to find Krumbiegel's descendants. The first thing next morning, she rang the house and left Richard a message. He called back 20 minutes later to say, "I can't believe it. I just cannot believe it. We have been searching for you for years." Alyia had found a renewed sense of purpose, "Learning I was a Krumbiegel, and what that meant, made me a different person. It reinvented my life."

GH Krumbiegel: Passage to India

Like his great granddaughter, Gustav Krumbiegel's journey to India was fraught with challenges and plot twists. A horticulturist in Hamburg, he was very keen to work at the Royal Botanical Garden in Kew and wrote to them, Alyia says, no less than 12 times before he was finally accepted. In 1888, he was offered a post at London's Hyde Park, where he tended to the rose gardens. Finally, he was granted entry to Kew, where he took care of the hothouse, and this is where, Alyia says, "our story starts."

[caption id="attachment_29782" align="aligncenter" width="354"] Alyia Krumbiegel | Global Indian Alyia's father[/caption]

Sayaji Rao Gaekwad III of Baroda was, at that time, looking for someone to tend to the state botanical gardens back home. As he visited the gardens in Kew, he learned that Krumbiegel took care of the hothouse and promptly offered him a job. Three months later, Krumbiegel was on a ship to Bombay, from where he arrived in Baroda. "He wrote letters back to Kew in those early days, calling India a remarkable country and praising its rich, red soil, where everything grows, saying there was no need for a hothouse." Three years later, he sent for Kaite Clara and a couple of hours after her arrival in Bombay, married her.

Krumbiegel worked as the curator of the botanical gardens for the erstwhile princely state of Baroda, succeeding J.M. Henry. "He was asked to find spots for tea plantations in Cooch Behar," Alyia says. He also landscaped the gardens of the Sayaji Baug Zoo, designed the sunken gardens of the Laxmi Vilas Palace and laid out Baroda's polo fields. "He also designed water storage reservoirs, because he was very concerned with issues like water conservation. During that time, my great grandmother, Katie Clara, would teach the young princes German. How she had learned fluent German is a bit of a mystery to me because she was British." Krumbiegel also worked with the Government Botanical Gardens in Ooty and was responsible for the architectural redesign.

[caption id="attachment_29786" align="aligncenter" width="266"] Alyia Krumbiegel | Global Indian Alyia with Jeetendrasingh G Gaekwad in Mysore[/caption]

Krishnaraja Wodeyar and finding home in Bangalore

A painting of Krumbiegel and a bust, both commissioned by the Maharajah are still in the Mysore Palace. In 1907, Krishanaraja Wodeyar, the ruler of Mysore, made him an offer and Krumbiegel arrived properly in the South, where he spent the remainder of his time in India. "He became a trusted associate of the royals and was the only man allowed the privilege of a handshake with the Maharaja," Alyia says.

The famed Brindavan Gardens, the landscaping of the Mysore Zoo and the palaces and Bengaluru's Lalbagh all bear the touch of G.H. Krumbiegel. In 1912, Krumbiegel became involved with the Mysore Horicultural Society and the Dewan of Mysore appointed him as an architectural consultant despite objections from Mysore's British Resident. Krumbiegel expanded Lalbagh, spending so much time there that he moved to the premises with his family. "He was the only superintendent to raise his family in the park," Alyia explains. He revived the Mughal style of gardening and introduced several plants that he brought in from England.

The seed exchange

"Kew had a seed exchange programme, which great-grandfather started when he went to Baroda," Alyia tells me. In Lalbagh, where he worked another 'Kew-it', John Cameron, they scaled up the exchange. The duo obtained seeds from other countries and sent collections to Kew as well as to America. Varieties of mango, including the malgova and varieties of rice went to the United States from Bangalore. In return, he introduced the Rhodes grass, Russian sunflower, soya bean, American maize, Feijoa sellowiana from Paris, Livistonia Australia from Java and several other species. In Bengaluru, the tabebuia and the jacaranda, as well as the majestic rain trees that continue to line the Cantonment area, all bear testament to Krumbiegel's legacy. He was also among the group that founded the still active Mythic Society in Bengaluru.

[caption id="attachment_29789" align="aligncenter" width="504"] Alyia Krumbiegel | Global Indian G.H. Krumbiegel at the Lalbagh Flower Show[/caption]

'Enemy of the state' and a patriot of his adopted home

When World War II commenced, Krumbiegel was declared an enemy, by virtue of his birthplace, by the British. "He had embraced India and was very vocal about independence for the country," Alyia says. "The princely royals protected him when the British saw an enemy in every German."

On two occasions, Krumbiegel was thrown into prisoner of war camps by the British in India. His views against colonialism also resulted in him receiving a severe beating during his imprisonment. "The Maharajah of Mysore saved him from being deported as well." His wife, Katie, although she was British, was also considered a traitor for having married a German and for a time, Alyia says, "great grandmother and their daughters were under house arrest."

The end in Bengaluru

In 1952, Krumbiegel, who was then a consulting architect and an improtant advisor in town planning and horticulture died in Bengaluru. He was buried in Hosur Road, at the Methodist cemetery and a road located between two of Lalbagh's gates was remained Krumbiegel Road in his honour. In 2016, the grave was given a much-needed facelift. Krumbiegel House in Lalbagh remained standing as a ruin until its collapse in 2017, after which the state government created a replica of the structure.

Reviving the legacy

Always on Alyia's hand is a gold gandaberunda, flanked by rubies and pearls, bearing the two-headed bird that is the royal insignia of the kingdom of Mysore. Now, it is Karnataka's state symbol as well. "it was a gift from the Maharaja of Mysore to my grandmother Hilda, when she turned 18," Alyia says. "When she died, I got the bracelet."

[caption id="attachment_29785" align="aligncenter" width="470"] Alyia Krumbiegel | Global Indian Gold gandaberunda, flanked by rubies and pearls, bearing the two-headed bird that is the royal insignia of the kingdom of Mysore. Now, it is Karnataka's state symbol. Photo: Courtesy Alyia Krumbiegel[/caption]

Ever since her first visit in 2016, Alyia, who tries to return each year, has become a vocal voice for preserving Bengaluru's monumental and green heritage. One of the people she met along the way was Jeetendrasingh Rao Gaekwad, of Baroda, with whom she took a private tour of the Mysore Palace and tea with the queen mother, Pramoda Devi Wadiyar.

"That was a surreal experience," she says. "We were sitting in the formal lounge of the palace, which was breathtaking. Then she came through, wearing a bright yellow sari and so graceful, she looked like she was floating, not walking. We had coffee and cake together and spoke of all the connections." She also visited the coffee estate in Chikmagalur that her grandmother had once owned and been made to give up when the British left India.

When she returns, the first thing she does is visit her great-grandfather's grave. "I like to arrive at half-past three in the morning so I won't be in traffic." Alyia describes Bengaluru with great familiarity. After breakfast, she heads to the Methodist Cemetery to place flowers on Krumbiegel's tomb. "Nobody ever touches it. I think they know that I left it there and they always make sure it's intact. Even if it's hanging by one string, it stays there."

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Holistic health: Renowned lifestyle coach Luke Coutinho’s journey to personal transformation

Luke Coutinho's remarkable journey from carefree teenager to holistic wellness expert showcases his unique approach to personalized health, focusing on comprehensive wellness, prevention, and integrative healing methods. (May 2, 2023) As a corporate worker, Luke Coutinho observed senior professionals succumbing to lifestyle diseases, despite access to top healthcare resources. Recognising the need for a holistic approach, Coutinho developed his signature program, 'You Care Wellness Program.' Today, he has consulted and treated over 20,000 patients worldwide, authored four bestselling books, and regularly conducts workshops. "If people are mindful and know what their bodies need, it will make living a healthy life more effortless." Emphasising simplicity, he says, "The body is unique, so every day is different, and so are its needs," Luke Coutinho tells Global Indian. Among his accolades, Luke was named one of GQ's 50 Most Influential Young Indians and Times Power Men in 2018. He also received Elle's Best Health Expert of the Year and Vogue's Best in the Industry (Nutritionist) in 2018. His clientele ranges from billionaires to A-listers across Bollywood, Tollywood, television, industrialists, royal families across the Middle East, elite athletes and spiritual leaders. While some illnesses might not have a cure, Luke believes healing is always

ies across the Middle East, elite athletes and spiritual leaders.

While some illnesses might not have a cure, Luke believes healing is always possible, even if it means accepting the condition and finding peace. He asserts that healing is spiritual, involving improvements in physical, emotional, and spiritual health. "It can include improving the quality of your life by empowering yourself with the right lifestyle, food, movement, and tools to enable emotional wellness and the spirit."

[caption id="attachment_37992" align="aligncenter" width="677"] Luke Coutinho[/caption]

From Goa to the world

Born in Mumbai, Luke travelled extensively with his family, growing up around the world before his father decided to settle down in Goa. He has come a long way as well, from the carefree teen who liked to chill with friends, to hotel management to lifestyle coaching. "Goa was very different in the late 1990s and early 2000s. I had my fair share of parties and clubs as a youngster,” Luke recalls.

His interest in nutrition sparked during college days when he was part of Institute of Hotel Management and Applied Nutrition (IHM). After completing his three year course, he worked for several organisations across Mumbai, Qatar, Dubai, London and India and tried his hand at different professions, ranging from operations, sales, hospitality to learning and development.

The program that changed it all

Luke respects all forms of healing, be it allopathy, naturopathy, homeopathy, ayurveda. “We are not against any form of medicine. Instead, we integrate the best forms of medicine that works for an individual, while we coach them on lifestyle,” he informs.

He says the You Care Wellness Program is a holistic, integrative medicine and lifestyle program that revolves around patient's condition, medication, goals, the nutrition they need, integrated with movement, exercise guidance and sleep. "The program empowers you with the tools to build sound emotional health and wellness,” Luke explains.

Moreover, his program revolves around five pillars — deep and intelligent cellular nutrition, adequate movement and exercise, quality sleep, emotional detox and wellness, and the spirit. “These are the foundational platforms for prevention and recovery in integrative and lifestyle medicine. It respects your uniqueness and works with an understanding that no one shoe fits all.”

Every program and journey is personalised according to the person’s past or present lifestyle, health condition, symptoms, and root causes, says Luke, who is an adviser and the head of integrative lifestyle and nutrition at Pure Nutrition, which creates pure plant-based formulations and cold-pressed oils.

Luke says integrative and lifestyle medicine focuses on addressing the root cause of the problem and works to manage the side effects of medications and treatments that may cause secondary problems, issues, and discomfort. “While symptoms are being treated, root causes must be addressed, and rebuilding with a focus on future prevention is important,” he explains.

A team of highly skilled nutritionists, clinical dietitians, allopathic doctors, yoga therapists, life coaches, and certified emotional counselors are assigned according to the condition of the person. “All these experts come together to form an integrative team that will help you find a way on your journey to wellness and a healthier you,” says Luke, who has co-authored The Dry Fasting Miracle with The Green Sheikh.

[caption id="attachment_37994" align="aligncenter" width="682"] Luke Coutinho[/caption]

The hardships along the way

Luke has had his share of challenges along the journey. The toughest challenge, he says, has been changing the wrong attitude of people and working with them on this so they can actually recover. “Sometimes it only takes some correcting to improve health. The ego, pride and wrong attitudes can be so strong that it comes in the way of their healing and becomes an obstacle,” he informs, adding that another challenge he encountered was during the pandemic when he could not meet his patients.

In the line of integrative and lifestyle medicine, he believes in seeing his patients and closely observe their physical aspects that signify health. “I am a huge believer in energies, and physical presence of a doctor or nutritionist allows an exchange of energies which can benefit a patient,” says Luke, who is also the co-founder of GOQii, a digital healthcare platform that provides personalized coaching.

Holistic programs

He believes a wellness program needs to focus on the root-cause, instead of a symptomatic approach. “A program has to look at health from a holistic lens, and not just pushing diets and strict exercise regimes. It has to work on the basic fundamentals of nature and should focus on simplicity instead of complication, because the answer to most diseases in most cases is simple lifestyle corrections,” points out Luke, who also co-wrote the book The Magic Weight Loss Pill - Lifestyle with Anushka Shetty, which includes 62 proven lifestyle changes that help individuals achieve healthy weight loss.

He says complicated solutions might be required for some cases, but not all. “Most programs today may get good results, but they can only be carried out in a controlled environment. The moment an individual travels or moves out of their homes, the program becomes impossible to follow,” points out Luke. He believes it is necessary for any health program to be realistic, simple, individualistic, and driven with true care and passion by the experts.

Luke and his team work with root cause and create an inner and an outer environment for an individual so as to allow their body’s inner intelligence to kick in. “It would be through fasting, circadian rhythm, fixing nutritional deficiencies, creating relaxation in the mind, and so on.”

On mental health

With mental health issues plaguing people across the world, Luke says chronic stress is one of the major reasons for half of the cardiac problems and also cancer. “If your illness is caused by chronic stress, then no amount of medication is going to help unless you learn to manage your stress the right way,” he says.

Luke learns the most about life from his interactions with terminally- ill patients. “I have learnt that time and life are finite, so don’t waste both. Instead build and make memories. Be ambitious in your career but don’t become a slave to your career or to money,” he says.

His piece of advice? “Focus on family, relationships, love, emotions and experiences. Look after your health and enjoy your life. Find a way to give back to society to feel fulfilled in life.”

[caption id="attachment_37995" align="aligncenter" width="668"] Luke Coutinho[/caption]

Luke the speaker

The award winning holistic nutritionist travels the world conducting and speaking at events on holistic wellness, nutrition, disease and emotional wellness. He doesn't believe in preaching instead wants to empower people to use their own mind, common sense, biofeedback and intuition to make decisions for themselves.

Being an expert, he says he can coach people on the guidelines to conform to, but cannot make specific decisions for their health. However, he does emphasise on the three most important fundamentals to success in all areas of life - Discipline, Consistency, Simplicity.

Future plans

Luke says his past, current and future plan has always been to give 100 percent to every patient who comes to him. “My goal is my next patient. That is what built us so far, and I want to continue giving my all to the vision my team and I have.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6Xd5b_I_W4

Learning something new everyday

Luke prioritises personal growth by dedicating at least an hour every day to learning something new through reading and research. “Writing is also a way for me to express myself and reflect on my thoughts. I immensely connect through music, and I find myself listening to my favorite artists and playlists during my downtime, in-between consults, and after work,” says Luke. Since he is constantly on the go, he watches movies during his travels.

“I make it a point to soak in some sunshine while practicing meditation and pranayama,” smiles Luke, who tries to fit in a workout during the day. “Once work is done, I head back home, where I may have a few more consults before winding down for the day," says the nutritionist, for whom evenings are dedicated to dinner, some reading, journaling, and prayers. “I always end the day with a sense of gratitude.”

Key takeaways:

Embrace a holistic approach: Focus on nutrition, movement, sleep, emotional detox, and spirituality for overall wellness.
Personalize your wellness plan: Recognize that everyone's needs are unique and tailor your health journey accordingly.
Listen to your body: Pay attention to your body's signals and adapt your wellness plan to its changing needs and requirements.
Address root causes: Identify and target underlying issues to prevent health problems rather than merely treating symptoms.
Combine healing methods: Utilize integrative techniques, such as allopathy, naturopathy, and ayurveda, to create a well-rounded wellness strategy.

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Reading Time: 7 min

Toy story: Suhasini Paul is pushing the boundaries of play

(February 7, 2023) Suhasini Paul is the first toy designer in the country to have her name imprinted on her work for Indian and global clients. She's also the force behind the immensely popular surprise toys found inside Kinder Joy chocolates, the creator of Chota Bheem promotional toys and merchandise and has been a toy expert with Snapdeal. And as far back as she can remember, making toys has been her passion, one that grew into an ambition and then a flourishing career. "I didn't have toys growing up," she says, in an interview with Global Indian. "I had Ludo, and Snakes and Ladders." Instead of buying dolls like other kids her age, her grandmother taught her how to make her own toys and create chalk sculptures. The first turning point came when she realised, she could "convert my ideas into products." "When you want to achieve something, the world conspires to help you," she remarks, paraphrasing Paulo Coelho. [caption id="attachment_34773" align="aligncenter" width="393"] Suhasini Paul[/caption] The first turning point She was an engineering student in Nagpur when the National Institute of Design started a toy design programme in 2002. Even in engineering college, Suhasini was doing birthday parties and

24" /> Suhasini Paul[/caption]

The first turning point

She was an engineering student in Nagpur when the National Institute of Design started a toy design programme in 2002. Even in engineering college, Suhasini was doing birthday parties and window displays for kids, earning her own money. Still, she had no idea that such a profession even existed. "I thought, this is what I have always wanted to do, really." She took the exam and got admission to NID, kickstarting her professional journey.

Suhasini began working with Frank Educational Aids during her diploma project. She decided on a topic that would help kids become more environmentally conscious and wondered if she could give them a gamified approach to imbibing good values. This led to designing two board games and two puzzles - which were launched in January 2006. "My first product was out in the market," she says.

Her "first success," Suhasini recalls, came a year prior. In 2005, when she was still a student at NID, she received a National Award, given to her by Narendra Modi, who was the CM of Gujarat at the time. "I was the only woman designpreneur - the award was for Designpreneur of the Year," she says. There has been no looking back since.

How does it work?

Suhasini designs for all age groups, from toddlers to teens. "My specialty is toddlers and pre-schoolers," she explains. She has over 300 toys in production and in the market. "It's all about the materials," she explains. "Toddlers become very active after 18 months of age, they begin to understand colours and basic shapes." These early stages of cognitive growth progress rapidly - "They embrace change, learn and understand very fast."

[caption id="attachment_34774" align="aligncenter" width="492"] Suhasini with a participant from one of her workshops[/caption]

'Play' is the most important part of a child's life, and has a pivotal role in "cognitive, motor and psychosocial, emotional and linguistic skills. It also plays a key role in raising self-confident, creative and happy children." "They improve their oral and motor skills and hand-eye coordination. They work on oral skills by blowing air through a straw and matching colours. Kids at that age need tangible, age-appropriate toys," says Suhasini, who has done programmes with NDTV explaining how toys can be introduced at the kindergarten and pre-school levels.

Suhasini sees herself as a bridge between the manufacturer, the parent and the end user. "And I need to make toys with high perceived value and the lowest cost possible. The design needs to be manufacturing-friendly, save on time and cost." Still, it needs to be something kids would want to grab off the shelf and since the "parent is the one buying it, the toy needs to appeal to them too. It's all about the materials, really."

The design process

It begins with study and observation. "I understand kids through their drawings, gather my insights and make a design direction," she explains. When the parameters are established, the work begins - sketching, concept and detailing.

These days, when she works with clients, Suhasini even designs the packaging. "It's a journey that begins from scratch and goes all the way till the product makes it to the market." It's an immersive process, more so because her husband, Sandip Paul, is also a noted product designer. "It's a way of life now. We talk about design all the time, even when we're going to bed," she laughs.

[caption id="attachment_34775" align="aligncenter" width="588"] An eco doll house: Credit: Suhasini Paul[/caption]

It's a material world

In 2009, Suhasini went to Germany to launch toys for a client and was invited to their factory in China. She ended up staying there for a month, understanding how to design wooden and bamboo toys. From there, she was invited to another company, in Thailand, this time, which specialised in rubberwood toys. "They removed the latex from the rubber trees and use the remaining wood to make toys," says Suhasini, who has been designing toys for them since 2010.

"It's a fully sustainable process from start to finish," she says. This includes the processes, packaging and even the brochures, and involves soy ink and recyclable paper.

Also in 2009, she was approached by the Italian confectionary giant Ferrero to be part of its Kinder brand. Kinderjoy, with its plastic, egg-shaped packaging that splits into two and contains a surprise toy is the company's most lucrative product in the last decade. Suhasini came on board in 2008-09, as they entered the Indian market. "I designed multiple toys for them." She has also done a range of sports toys for Disney and as an expert with Snapdeal.

Expert speak

Today, Suhasini's job also involves working with clients who want to create toys of their own, as the Indian toy industry began witnessing a historic boom. In 2014-15, the toy industry export was around USD 96.17 million and grew by 240 percent in 2021-22, when it was worth USD 326.63 million.

It means more players in the market and Suhasini's role has transformed from designing toys to making entrepreneurs aware of the industry and educating them. "Earlier, I had mainly international clients but we now have lots of projects from India as well. India is becoming more and more design savvy and the shift has happened in the last two years."

Everybody wants a show-stopper product and that's where Suhasini steps in, hand-holding companies, from suggesting names, creating a philosophy, logo and a signature product.

[caption id="attachment_34776" align="aligncenter" width="571"] A mini-drone designed in collaboration with Paul Sandip. Photo credit: Suhasini Paul[/caption]

The IoT world

"Everything is good in moderation," Suhasini smiles. "Everything has its pros and cons." It has however, led to the creation of IoT and tech-based toys. "I want to be a trendsetter always."

She calls toys the "basic hygiene of cognitive development." The question at hand, she explains, is always, "How will this help a child grow and also have fun? If you marry these two things together, your toy will be a superhit."

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