(March 13, 2022) Growing up Ramya Ravi remembers feasting on the fragrant donne biryani whipped up by her grandmother. With each grain of the jeera samba rice coated in her secret blend of masalas and aromatic herbs, the greenish hued biryani left behind memories of its lusciousness long after it had been demolished. But the entrepreneur wondered why the donne biryani that filled her childhood with its deliciousness failed to enjoy its moment in the sun pan India like the Hyderabadi or Lucknowi biryanis. It was this desire to popularise the typically Karnataka style of biryani that led the Harvard alum to launch RNR Biryani as a cloud kitchen bang in the middle of the pandemic.
However, the entrepreneur’s gamble paid off and today, RNR is a hugely profitable enterprise with dine in restaurants too.
What started off as a cloud kitchen with an investment of ₹5 lakh in late 2020 is now a flourishing business clocking in a turnover of ₹10 crore. With a considerable presence across Bengaluru, RNR Biryani is set to spread its branches to neighbouring states this year. The fact that it was launched in the midst of a pandemic and managed to successfully grow at a time when the hospitality and F&B industries took a hit, makes it a unique story of spotting an opportunity at the right time.
Ramya Ravi with her sister Shweta
Born in Bengaluru into a family that owns a chain of hotels, Ramya and her two sisters – Shweta and Raveena – were always encouraged to be independent and come into their own. “We were always taught that it was all about what we brought to the table as individuals,” says Ramya, who schooled at The Valley School before doing her B.Com from Christ College.
“My father would always share stories of successful women entrepreneurs with us from early on,” says Ramya, who went on to do a short-term management course from Harvard University. “As I watched my father work, it influenced me to get into the hospitality sector myself,” the 27-year-old tells Global Indian. She also pursued multiple internships with various establishments and also worked with her father R Ravichandar, which gave her more exposure into the hospitality and F&B industries.
“But I always wanted to start up on my own,” says the entrepreneur, who often wondered why naati style Karnataka cuisine wasn’t celebrated across India; specifically the donne biryani. She launched RNR Biryani (named after her father Ravichandar and grandfather Ramaswamy) in November 2020 along with her sister Shweta as a tribute to their grandmother’s recipe. “The whole idea was to make RNR Biryani a family affair and dedicate it to my father and grandfather.”
They first began as a delivery-only model from a 200 square feet space in Nagarabhavi in Bengaluru with a single cook, two assistants and an investment of ₹5 lakh. “What gave us the confidence to start up in the middle of a pandemic is the fact that we saw an opportunity to deliver good quality donne biryani at a time when people were ordering in a lot,” says the entrepreneur, adding, “Given that during the pandemic hygiene was paramount, we found very joints that could deliver a hygienically made donne biryani; most of them were the small local joints.”
That became RNR Biryani’s USP – hygienic, authentic naati style donne biryani. Packaged in a blue tin box, RNR Biryani soon became quite popular as the startup tied up with Swiggy for delivery and in their first month clocked in over 10,000 deliveries. Soon, they’d launched their second kitchen in JP Nagar and there was no looking back. A year later, in November 2021, RNR also opened doors to its first dine in restaurant in Bengaluru’s Jayanagar. Today, RNR also has a delivery radius that covers almost every corner of the metropolitan city.
So what is it that makes the donne biryani so unique when compared to other biryanis? To start off, it’s more robust in its flavours, says the entrepreneur. “Since it is made with jeera samba rice, as opposed to basmati, the rice itself absorbs the flavours of the masala and herbs very well.” The RNR offers its biryanis in chicken, mutton, and vegetarian variants along with a slew of sides and kebabs, ghee roast, tender coconut payasam and a fusion rasmalai cremeux. Another unique offering they’ve developed is the drumstick chilli, a hit with vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike.
“We also paid great attention to packaging and opted for tin boxes that also become collectibles. It turned out to be a talking point when we first launched our donne biryani in the market,” says Ramya, a trained Bharatanatyam dancer.
As RNR has made its way into the hearts of Bengalureans, Ramya is now set to take her offering to other states as well. “I want to make the naati style donne biryani as popular as the Hyderabadi biryani. The plan is to first introduce it to other South Indian states and popularise it there,” says the entrepreneur, who also loves to travel, explore new places and cuisines in her free time.
(August 31, 2022) Java 2019: He had almost finished ploughing half of his paddy field. The plan was to finish the rest of the land before breaking for lunch. But just as he moved ahead, the machine got stuck and refused to budge despite several attempts. What he initially thought to be a big rock turned out to be a 140 cm high and 120 wide Lord Ganesha statue which took four days and 300 men to be excavated. Made of andesite, this 700-year-old headless and armless statue is one of the largest in the world. [caption id="attachment_28745" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Ganesha statue unearthed in Java[/caption] This is one of the many incidents where archaeologists have excavated full or parts of Lord Ganesha's statues in various parts of the world. From far eastern Japan to Central America and South-East Asian island countries to Afghanistan - the trail of the elephant god can be traced back to about 2500 years. Interestingly, the god who is today revered before any auspicious event in Hindu households, first emerged only in the sixth century CE and was considered to be 'Vighnakarta' or the creator of obstacles. However, over time, he evolved into ‘Vighnaharta’ or the
t in Hindu households, first emerged only in the sixth century CE and was considered to be 'Vighnakarta' or the creator of obstacles. However, over time, he evolved into ‘Vighnaharta’ or the remover of obstacles, who is revered to by the followers of many religions - including Buddhism, Jainism, Shinto and even Aztec.
Global Indian sheds light on some uncovered trails of the god, who symbolises the universal concepts of knowledge, strength, and reverence.
From India to the far eastern shores
Way before the Europeans began their sea explorations, several empires in the Indian subcontinent had already established sea routes to various far eastern countries. Many merchants and scholars from these countries arrived on the Indian shores in search of wealth and knowledge. One such person, who came to the Kalinga Empire (present-day Odisha) in 8th Century CE, was a Japanese scholar named Kukai, who was keen to learn the secrets of Tantric Buddhism.
[caption id="attachment_28748" align="aligncenter" width="548"] Japanese god, Kangiten[/caption]
During his stay in Kalinga, Kukai met the noted Gandharan Buddhist scholar Pranja, who introduced him to various Hindu deities, some of whom later became a part of Shingon Buddhism in Japan. While most of these deities disappeared over time, only one survived over centuries and is still worshipped in over 250 temples across Japan. Named Kangiten, this god is depicted to have a head of an elephant and is otherwise famous among the locals as Lord Ganabachi or Binayaka Ten.
[caption id="attachment_28749" align="aligncenter" width="488"] A 12th Century stone sculpture of Ganesha found in Cambodia[/caption]
It is no secret that Thailand, Myanmar, and Indonesia is home to several temples that are dedicated to various forms of Lord Ganesha, but very few know that China is home to one of the oldest Ganesha statues in the world. Tucked away in the lush green forests of Kung-sin province, inside a Buddha temple is a rock-cut statue of Lord Ganesha, with the inscription 531 - referring to the year it was made in.
Land of the Méxica
When world-renowned European anthropologist Alexander Von Humbolt first postulated that the Aztec people worshipped a human deity, whose head resembled an elephant, many thought it to be a whimsy of a brilliant mind. The theory of Aztec symbols having any connection with an Indian deity then seemed unlikely to many as first, there were no sea routes connecting the two worlds, and second, elephants are not common in Central America.
[caption id="attachment_28750" align="aligncenter" width="457"] The Aztec elephant god[/caption]
However, later researchers found that Aztec depictions of the elephant had some religious significance. While it still remains unclear, the papers of prolific historian Donald Alexander Mackenzie (1873-1936) does throw some light on the connection between Central American and South Asian civilizations, and the possible exchange of cultures.
The Roman connection
In the 18th century British philologist, Sir William Jones drew close comparisons between the two-headed ancient Roman god Janus, and a particular form of Lord Ganesha, known as Dwimukhi-Ganesha. Calling Lord Ganesh the "Janus of India", Sir Jones felt that there was a strong resemblance between the elephant god and the Roman god of beginnings.
[caption id="attachment_28751" align="aligncenter" width="577"] Two-Faced Janus at the Vatican Museum[/caption]
Interestingly, the speculation was repeated by Volney in his 1791 publication, Meditation on the Revolutions of Empires, in which he pointed out the phonetic similarity between the names "Ganesha" and "Janus". Later in his 1810 published book The Hindu Pantheon, Moor too expanded the claims of an association noting that Janus, just like Lord Ganesha, was invoked at the beginning of any undertakings.
(October 26, 2022) "Trust is earned and I will earn yours," said Rishi Sunak, soon after being sworn-in as the Prime Minister of the UK. It's cause for celebration by Asians the world over. Understandably so - it's an accomplishment with many firsts (he is the first Hindu and the first person of colour to hold the PM's office. He is also the youngest and richest ever). Poetic justice has definitely been served. Although his family's connections with Africa go back two generations, Rishi has never doubted that his roots are truly Indian. Having grown up in the UK, Rishi found success soon after college, working with two hedge funds and going on to become partner at one.Still, he left it all behind to head for the sunny, very promising California climes, where he quickly a name for himself with hedge funds and to graduate as a Fulbright Scholar from Stanford University, where he would also meet his wife, Akshata. Despite a life of privilege (which has caused controversy), Rishi has hardly been the man to choose the easy way - whether it's taking off across the Atlantic or choosing to enter politics as a Conservative candidate. His first bid
choosing to enter politics as a Conservative candidate. His first bid for Prime Minister was thwarted by Liz Truss although he burst back onto the scene with the overwhelming support of 190 MPs. As congratulations pour in from around the world, Global Indian takes a look at his journey.
From Africa to the UK
For Rishi, it has been a long way here, a journey that began with his grandparents, who left India in search of a better life nearly a century ago. His parents were both born in Africa- his father in Kenya and his mother in Tanganyika, which later became part of Tanzania. It was part of a long and shared history - after the creation of the East African Protectorate in 1885, many Indians migrated there. Both regions were under British control at the time.
This symbiosis didn't last long, with vast numbers of Indians leaving East Africa in the second half of the 20th century. Politics had changed and Idi Amin's expulsion of the Indian minority from Uganda made life very difficult for the diaspora, who packed up their bags and moved. In 1966, Rishi's maternal grandfather Raghubir Sain Berry set off to the UK with his family. His wife sold her wedding jewellery to fund that trip.
Rishi's father went on to study medicine at the University of Liverpool while his mother studied pharmacy at Aston University. Rishi, who even did a stint waiting tables at an Indian restaurant, has spoken often of the sacrifices his parents made. "But it was Britain, our country that gave them, and millions like them, the chances of a better future."
Warmest congratulations @RishiSunak! As you become UK PM, I look forward to working closely together on global issues, and implementing Roadmap 2030. Special Diwali wishes to the 'living bridge' of UK Indians, as we transform our historic ties into a modern partnership.
A glowing article in The Tatlerdescribes Rishi Sunak from his days waiting tables at an Indian 'curry house' named Kuti Miah. The restaurant's owner was friends with Rishi's parents, Yashvir and Usha. Which is not to say that RishiSunak comes with a tear-jerker of a rags-to-riches, immigrant in the UK origin story. Far from it. Born to a physician father, Yashvir, while his mother, Usha, ran a pharmacy, his life was decidedly upper-middle class.
Still, even if there are doubts raised about his privileged upbringing, Rishi's capability as a leader is well-known and greatly appreciated among his party MPs. In 2015, he made his political debut by winning the constituency of Richmond, North Yorkshire, in the general elections. Despite early hurdles, he was quickly picked out as a rising star - according to The Tatler, this quality was spotted early on, even by his former boss at Kuti Miah. That year, in 1998, as the then 18-year-old Rishi was all set to enter Oxford University, his boss remarked, "You're going to be someone, Rishi." Sure enough, the fiercely patriotic young man, who grew up, thanks to his parents, immersed in the local community, never looked back.
His broad grin, which he flashes generously, belies the seriousness that lies beneath - Rishi's flawless record goes back a long way, he was Head Boy at Winchester College, an independent boarding school for boys and also editor of the school paper. He went on to read Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Lincoln College, Oxford, where he first dipped his toe in politics, as an intern at the Conservative Campaign Headquarters. He graduated in 2001, which was also the year he gave the fateful interview about his 'working class friends' to Middle Classes: Their Rise and Sprawl.
California dreaming
After graduating from Oxford in 2002, Rishi joined Goldman Sachs, where he worked for three years as an analyst. Then, he worked with The Children's Investment Fund Management, a hedge fund firm and became a partner in 2006. After he moved to California, he worked in hedge funds and experienced the buzz of genius and enterprise that comes with being in the Silicon Valley. Eventually, he went to Stanford University for his MBA. Those were golden days in sunny California, a love affair that hasn't quite died out for Rishi Sunak.
Appearing on the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuennsberg, he said, "You make the point about California. I have lived and worked in California and I actually think it's one of the reasons I would be good at this job.
Rishi went on to reflect on the "culture" of enterprise he witnessed during his two years living on the West Coast. "I think it's incredibly inspiring and empowering. If I was a young person, I'd want to go and do something like that." Rishi went on to add, causing some controversy as he geared up for the Prime Ministerial race that Liz Truss went on to win, that he will not rule out moving to his Santa Monica home if he loses the election.
Meeting Akshata Murthy
[caption id="attachment_31061" align="aligncenter" width="379"] Rishi Sunak and Akshata Murthy at their Bengaluru wedding in 2009[/caption]
The first time they met, Rishi said in an interview, he knew there was "clearly something." Akshata, the daughter of Indian billionaire and Infosys co-founder Narayana Murty was in Stanford University too and Rishi recalls re-arranging his schedule to take the same classes so he could "sit next to her." The couple married in 2009.
In a poignant letter to his daughter in 2016, Narayana Murty describes coming to terms with the man who stole his daughter's heart. "I, too, was a little sad and jealous when you told us you had found your life partner. But when I met Rishi and found him to be all that you had described him to be-brilliant, handsome, and, most importantly, honest-l understood why you let your heart be stolen. It was then that I reconciled to sharing your affections with him," he wrote. Akshata continues to manage her father's venture capital firm, Catamaran Ventures in the UK and together, the couple are the 222nd richest people in Britain, with a combined net worth of GBP 730 million as of 2022.
The political route
Rishi's entry into politics began in 2015 when he won the constituency of Richmond, North Yorkshire in the general elections, becoming the Conservative Party's rising star almost instantly. His entry, however, was not well-received by other conservative candidates, who resented this apparent upstart claiming territory they believed to be theirs. His victory was even more noteworthy because he contested "as a rank outsider," according to the Business Standard, "in the 97 percent white, prosperous rural Conservative bastion of Richmond in Yorkshire, where, the joke goes, there has been no immigration since the Norman conquest in 1066." However, his right-wing economic views - Rishi is an enthusiastic believer in free markets and a vocal critic of Brexit - helped him secure a historic win.
In 2018, Rishi was inducted in the UK government by then British Prime Minister Theresa May. Then 37-years-old, Rishi was a Conservative party MP (Richmond, Yorkshire) with great promise, entering the government as the parliamentary-under-secretary of state in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. Incidentally, he was joined by another Indian-origin MP, also a pro-Brexit campaigner - Suella Braverman, who was Suella Fernandes at the time.
Rishi went on to make several contributions in the House of Commons, on issues like digital economy, social mobility and foreign direct investment. "From working in my mum's tiny chemist shop to my experience building large businesses, I have seen how we should support free enterprise and innovation to ensure Britain has a stronger future," Rishi told the media back in 2018.
[caption id="attachment_31063" align="aligncenter" width="744"] Rishi Sunak with his family[/caption]
The Conservative man of colour
As a conservative candidate of colour, Rishi's position is always likely to be precarious. Will he usher in a post-race era, or speak up for the hyper-local, ethnic problems that minorities face in the UK? Always fiercely patriotic, his loyalty to the UK cannot be called into question. However, he remarked, to the Business Standard, "British Indian is what I tick on the census, we have a category for it. I am thoroughly British, this is my home and my country, but my religious and cultural heritage is Indian, my wife is Indian. I am open about being a Hindu." Although he is given to phrases like "oh crikey," he does speak a smattering of Hindi and Punjabi.
Making history
In 2019, Rishi became the first Indian-origin to be named Chancellor of the Exchequer, taking over 11 Downing Street as one of the most powerful people in England. His term was, admittedly, fraught with controversy - he was charged with breaking lockdown laws, for instance. Finally, Akshata stepped in, saying she would pay the taxes, not because she had to because she “wanted” to do so.
On July 5, 2022, Rishi resigned from his post as Chancellor of the Exchequer, withdrawing support from PM Boris Johnson over a sexual harassment scandal within the government. He contested then as something of an underdog, with Liz Truss eventually being named the Prime Minister. He tenure was short-lived and tumultuous and on October 25, Rishi Sunak, who stood unopposed, was named the Prime Minister –in-waiting of the UK. Perhaps Rishi will have his own chance at rewriting history after all.
(May 14, 2023) “This year, United States became India's largest trading partner with trade nearing near the $200 billion mark,” shared a happy Dr Mukesh Aghi, President and CEO of US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) in one of his social media posts last week. Since the inception of USISPF in 2017, Dr Aghi has played a pivotal role, working with business and government leaders in the US and India to promote trade and strengthen ties between the two countries. “It's a remarkable achievement but more can be done, as the Indian government sets policies and executes new schemes to improve and enhance the business environment in India, thereby creating a stronger environment to create more foreign investors,” the business leader added. A recipient of Pravasi Bharatiya Samman 2021 for his outstanding contributions to the Indian diaspora, through promoting economic ties between India and the US, Dr Aghi has immense love for his native country. Although he was born in India, Dr Aghi has lived around the world to study and work. With a distinguished career spanning both the private and public setors, Dr Aghi has held senior leadership positions in companies like IBM (Singapore and India), Steria (France), and L&T
r Aghi has immense love for his native country. Although he was born in India, Dr Aghi has lived around the world to study and work. With a distinguished career spanning both the private and public setors, Dr Aghi has held senior leadership positions in companies like IBM (Singapore and India), Steria (France), and L&T Infotech (USA).
As the President and CEO of the nonprofit organization USISPF, Dr. Aghi has been a vocal advocate for the interests of the Indian American community. He has pushed for policies that benefit Indian companies operating in the United States and has been a strong proponent of initiatives that promote education, innovation, and entrepreneurship among the Indian diasporas.
The Global Indian has been recognized for his leadership and contributions through various awards and accolades, including the JRD Tata Leadership Award. He was recognized by the New York-based Esquire Magazine as a Global Leader. For his extensive philanthropic work, he received the prestigious ‘Ellis Island Medal of Honor’ in America in 2018.
Taking US-India strategic partnership forward
“I believe that the US-India relationship is the most important relationship of the 21st century. This has been stated by President Obama, President Trump and President Biden,” Dr Aghi remarked in a chat show conducted by Business World during his recent visit to India.
His non-profit, USISPF serves as a platform for dialogue and collaboration between businesses, government officials, and thought leaders from India and USA.
Established with the goal of enhancing bilateral trade and investment ties, fostering economic growth, and advancing shared interests and values between the two countries, USISPF focuses on various sectors including technology, energy, healthcare, defense, education, and agriculture. “India's demographic dividend, (now as the world's largest populous country) and tech talent, and the robustness of the American tech economy enable a synergy in the tech space,” Dr Aghi remarked in a social media post emphasizing how both countries complement each other.
[caption id="attachment_38609" align="aligncenter" width="443"] Dr Mukesh Aghi with US President, Joe Biden[/caption]
The organisation acts as a forum for stakeholders to exchange ideas, address challenges, and explore opportunities for economic cooperation. It also organizes high-level meetings, conferences, and events that bring together industry leaders, policymakers, and influencers to discuss key issues and promote business partnerships.
USISPF also provides research and analysis on important economic and policy issues affecting the U.S.-India relationship. It produces reports and publications that offer insights and recommendations to policymakers, businesses, and other stakeholders.
Utilizing India’s potential
In his recent conversation with Business World Dr Aghi said, “India has tremendous resources to build AI, while the US has fantastic algorithms on the AI side. If we merge those algorithms with the data of 1.4 billion people, we can come up with fantastic solutions that will be a win-win. However, it is important for policymakers on both sides to sit down and discuss how they can establish certain fences around AI so that it does not become a threat to society.”
Fully invested in his purpose of leveraging the high potential of US-India partnership, he remarked that the time is ripe to enhance the two countries’ collaboration in the space sector, and work towards enhancing supply chain resiliency, ‘a focus for Prime Minister Modi and President Biden ahead of the Quad Leadership meeting’.
Expressing his joy, he added, “India is now becoming a hotbed of innovation which is going to the rest of the world. We have over 326 space startups in India, and they are doing fantastic innovation.”
[caption id="attachment_38610" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Dr Mukesh Aghi in a meeting with PM Modi[/caption]
At the top of his game
Climbing peaks whether as a business leader or as a mountaineer is the Indian-origin leader’s core competency. While Dr Aghi served as chief executive and member of the board at L&T Infotech, he played a key role in tripling the company’s valuation. He expanded the business on a global level, led the company’s commercial growth strategy, established its global services function, and built the global sales leadership team preparing the organization for an IPO.
During his time as CEO at Steria, a European digital services and software development company, Dr Aghi successfully spearheaded the merging of Xansa and Steria into a more than $2 billion business. He managed P&L, sales strategies, service delivery, strategic partnerships, a global workforce of over 6,000 people, and the top 50 global accounts of the organisation. The business leader also directed the building of innovation labs and business solutions and liaised with the World Economic Forum and lobby groups in India and Europe during his time at Steria.
As the general manager of outsourcing in Asia-Pacific and President of India at IBM, Dr Aghi tripled the company’s revenue in three years and grew the market share, gross margins, and caliber of talent. He helped set up the IBM Lab in India and registered multiple patents from it.
Fluent in many international languages, as well as an avid marathon and mountaineering enthusiast, the business leader has competed in more than 27 international marathons and climbed some of the highest peaks in North America and Europe.
[caption id="attachment_38612" align="aligncenter" width="815"] Dr Mukesh Aghi with Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal[/caption]
Reaping growth
Dr Aghi is the founding-CEO of Universitas 21 Global, which went on to become one of the world's largest e-learning joint ventures, hailed by global educational bodies as a premier online institution. He was responsible for Building the company from the ground up and spearheading strategies for all aspects.. He also led the board of corporate and academic leaders.
The company's online program became the fastest-growing online program with enrollment growing to more than 7,000 MBA students from 70 countries across the world. Five years after founding Universitas 21 Global, Dr Aghi sold the company to a private equity firm for a profit which was twelve times his investment value.
“We as individuals must decide on our own what our priority is. You must reflect ‘am I being a parasite in the world or am I being a contributor’. It's ok to create wealth but there must be a balance – a balance between accumulating the wealth and bringing change and contributing to society,” he said in a thought leadership conversation organized by Giggr.
[caption id="attachment_38615" align="aligncenter" width="779"] Dr Mukesh Aghi with industrialist Shiv Nadar[/caption]
Giving back
A noted philanthropist, Dr Mukesh Aghi has been involved with several charitable organisations and supported causes related to education, healthcare and poverty alleviation. He has been at the forefront of relief efforts for issues ranging from the pandemic to the 2018 floods in Kerala. He also works with initiatives aimed at promoting clean energy and sustainability and has served as the CEO of the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), a non-profit organization in India that aims to bring transparency to the country’s democratic system.
He has also been involved with the Pratham Education Foundation, one of India's largest NGOs, which works to provide quality education to underprivileged children in India.
In 2017, Dr Aghi received the Community Leadership Award by the American India Foundation (AIF) for his philanthropic work. “Indian Americans are the most affluent and most philanthropic minority group in the US. It shows that as a community, we are not just focused on enhancing our own lives, but also the environment around us and the different cities we are staying in,” he said at a conference.
Dr. Aghi holds several degrees, including an advanced management diploma from Harvard Business School, a Ph.D. in international relations from Claremont Graduate University, California, an MBA in international marketing from Andrews University, Michigan and a BA in business administration from the Middle East College, Sultanate of Oman. Though he is based in the US, the business leader extensively travels to India for help power his country's growth.
(August 13, 2024) “As children of the pre-digital era, we have all grown up in homes and environments that have been driven by tradition. From food to craft and clothing, everything had a story and was a hand-worked skill passed through generations, be it the chutneys that were made at home or the sweaters that were knit. So there always was an inclination towards culture and the traditions of the past,” Nishant Malhotra reminisces as he connects with Global Indian. Although he was always fascinated by India’s luxurious heritage and traditions, he had never imagined that he would one day work with it. After spending several years in the banking and finance sectors, Nishant Malhotra founded WeaverStory nine years ago, finding both purpose and an avenue for social impact. [caption id="attachment_53617" align="aligncenter" width="482"] Nishant Malhotra at WeaverStory curated runway show at BNI4M2024 event[/caption] Led by artisans The craft-led textile brand has come a long way. Launched with just five sarees on a Facebook page, WeaverStory has grown into a 30-member team working with over 400 weavers from 10 different weaving clusters. “This transformation has significantly improved the lives of weavers and their families and enhanced the experiences of our customers
="aligncenter" width="482"] Nishant Malhotra at WeaverStory curated runway show at BNI4M2024 event[/caption]
Led by artisans
The craft-led textile brand has come a long way. Launched with just five sarees on a Facebook page, WeaverStory has grown into a 30-member team working with over 400 weavers from 10 different weaving clusters. “This transformation has significantly improved the lives of weavers and their families and enhanced the experiences of our customers spread across more than 20 countries," tells the entrepreneur.
Whether it is the famed yarns of Banaras, the vibrant hues of Gujarat, the ethereal threads of Chanderi, intricate works of Kashmir, poetic weaves of Bengal, or resplendent silks of Kanchipuram - WeaverStory has been championing authentic handmade products like luxurious sarees and fabric, bespoke occasion wear, bridal couture and accessories blending tradition with modernity.
GI certified handloom
The textile brand’s products are silk mark and craft mark-certified with GI tags. It has been participating in the Government of India’s ODOP (One District One Product) initiative which aims to promote indigenous and specialised goods and crafts distinct to various districts across the country. “WeaverStory sources 350 products from over 19 Geographical Indications (GIs), thus ensuring genuine handloom apparel from the craftspeople who bring them to life.”
The hand weaved textiles are delivered through retail stores in Delhi and Hyderabad and the brand’s website. It also retails online through domestic and international marketplaces such as Pernia’s Pop Up Shop, Aza, Aashni + Co., Nykaa Fashion and Etsy.
[caption id="attachment_53634" align="aligncenter" width="720"] One of the WeaverStory stores[/caption]
The journey of transition
As a banking and financial services professional, Nishant often travelled to rural areas and smaller cities in India, working on financial inclusion projects. These experiences exposed him to not only the challenges faced by the local population but also to the complexities of implementing programs to benefit them.
“I realised that even small steps could have a significant impact on their lives and it was this thought that drove me to start WeaverStory after a trip to Banaras that proved pivotal in the transition,” tells the Delhi based entrepreneur.
Starting small
In Banaras, Nishant met a weaver who had been forced to quit his craft due to low income and the pressure of supporting his family. Instead of engaging in his creative work, the weaver was folding sarees at a retail shop. This deeply moved Nishant. Upon his return to Delhi, he began conversing with others to understand the market need for Indian handlooms – the artistic heritage of India.
“I discovered that there was a demand for handloom products, but people were unaware of authentic sources,'” he says. This realisation led him to start a small initiative by creating a Facebook page, where he showcased five well-crafted saris by a weaver of Banaras to help people appreciate the value of craftsmanship of the weaving community.
Within months, his initiative started gaining recognition, motivating Nishant to leave his job and pursue social entrepreneurship. He had found the purpose of creating better opportunities for the artistic weavers of India and making a difference in their lives.
“It started as a mere passion project with no intention of launching a full-fledged brand. However, that small step transformed everything, leading us to where we are today,” says Nishant who had over 15 years of corporate experience with Fortune 500 companies and biggest conglomerates like the TATAs and Reliance group at the time of stepping into social entrepreneurship. “Through WeaverStory my attempt has been to bridge the gap between true fans of original Indian handlooms and those with a century-long lineage in this artistic heritage. We work towards preserving our heritage and enabling weavers to become financially successful,” he says.
Rising above challenges and earning trust
In the initial days of his venture gaining the trust of the weavers was a challenge. “Coming from a banking background with no experience in textiles, I wasn’t attempting to become a designer. My goal was to create an ecosystem around handlooms. However, understanding the craftsmanship, the uniqueness of handwoven fabric, and effectively communicating with the weavers required substantial knowledge,” Nishant mentions.
When he approached weavers, they were sceptical. “They doubted my understanding of their craft and feared their products would be rejected after completion.” An online brand, was an unconventional idea in 2015, especially for the rural weavers for whom trade meant an offline activity.
To alleviate their fears Nishant started work on the model of buying products outright from the weavers addressing their concerns. “By ensuring immediate and fair compensation, we gradually earned their trust and overcame their initial resistance,” he says.
[caption id="attachment_53624" align="aligncenter" width="523"] A Madhubani artist associated with WeaverStory[/caption]
Assuring quality
Earning the trust of the weavers was just one side of the story. Nishant highlights that when purchasing a premium product like a handwoven saree, customers seek assurance about their investment. Therefore, early in their journey, the WeaverStory team began conducting video calls with customers to showcase the products in detail, thereby earning their trust as well.
“At WeaverStory, our values of purity, pride, and intention have always been at the core of everything we do. We have consistently strived to present our customers with a curated collection of authentic weaves in pure fabrics that best represent India’s textile heritage and the skills of our weavers,” the entrepreneur mentions.
Weaving stories
To bring the stories of the rural weavers to the forefront and change the narrative in their favour Nishant Malhotra and his team does not just look at them as mere suppliers of products that they are marketing but provide the weaving community a sense of close collaboration. “This outlook is one of the major factors contributing to our growth story,” says Nishant.
“Our product curation and storytelling are deeply influenced by the intentions and narratives of the weavers, and we make it a point not to interfere with their stories. The authentic stories behind each weave is what attracts our customers; and they want to buy, own, and cherish these unique pieces of art.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_QW-F7l3Yk
WeaverStory Foundation
Recently, the entrepreneur has started the WeaverStory Foundation, which will undertake projects aimed at providing sustainable livelihoods and skill development for weavers, with a special focus on women artisans. “We are actively seeking and collaborating with like-minded partners to further this mission,” Nishant points out.
Awards galore
The textile brand has instituted several reward and recognition programs, such as Kala Nishtha, Kala Samridhi and Craftales to encourage lesser-known and new weavers to look at their skills with more optimism and be part of the WeaverStory network.
“These initiatives help create visibility for them, especially among their peers and within their communities, where weaving is often seen as a low-paying job.”
In the WeaverStory model, the products are purchased outright from the weavers. “WeaverStory ensures that weavers are paid fair market prices that account for the scale and input while keeping the product competitive. This approach rewards the weavers for their skill, time, and labour,” Nishant says.
[caption id="attachment_53627" align="aligncenter" width="723"] Naseem Bano (extreme right) is one of the weavers that WeaverStory works with to upskill village women artisans[/caption]
New Initiative - Revival collection of Venkatagiri sarees
On the occasion of National Handloom Day which falls on 7th August and coincides with WeaverStory’s foundation day, the textile brand launched a revival collection of Venkatagiri Sarees.
“Venkatagiri was once known for its fine-count cotton sarees with gold khaadi borders woven on a traditional pit loom. It held a place of pride in Andhra’s handloom traditions. However, with the advent of the power loom, the decline in the value of cotton, and a shift in market demand that leaned towards Banarasi, Kanchipuram and Paithani styles, the weavers of Venkatgiri lost touch with their traditional design language and eventually met with flagging patronage and diminished popularity,” informs Nishant.
For the past several months, WeaverStory has been working with Tata Trusts’ Antaran to revive the lost designs of the Venkatagiri cluster. The textile brand has launched a collection of sarees with four archival designs that have not been woven in over 70 years. “The aim is to rekindle significant market interest in this historic craft and give saree connoisseurs across the world a piece of heritage to own,” says the entrepreneur who works with the vision of promoting the exquisite craft of handweaving, ensuring its legacy continues to thrive.
[caption id="attachment_53637" align="aligncenter" width="722"] Nishant Malhotra with Mridula and Parvez Alam from Tata Trusts during the unveiling of Venkatagiri Revival Project[/caption]
(November 3, 2024) Eco Warrior, Founder & Director of the ClimAct Foundation and part of the Women’s Climate Collective, environmentalist Heeta Lakhani has represented Indian climate activists on global stages around the world. Heeta Lakhani is working to create awareness about climate change, saving the eco-system and mentoring young people to do their bit for this cause. What she is doing in essence is safeguarding the future – of your children. Her passion towards the cause, fuelled when she was a kid herself, has helped create impact, and hopefully, influenced several minds to do their bit to save Mama Earth. She has achieved many milestones on a global scale in her career towards this goal. A childhood spent on her grandparents' farm helped Heeta develop a deep love for the outdoors, even in childhood. It would follow then, that the sight of a perfectly healthy, statuesque coconut tree uprooted due to, of all things a beautification exercise on Mumbai’s famous Marine Drive, upset her deeply. She recalls the incident that led to her choosing to work in the area of climate change and protecting nature when she grew older. “I was 13 and heading home from school. This was about
hool. This was about 20 years ago and I saw a coconut tree lying on a trailer, complete with roots. The image of this majestic tree that should have been vertical, but was lying horizontally, stuck in my head for a long time. For several days, that is all I kept talking about at home, till a family member asked, ‘If you care so much, why don’t you become an environmentalist?’ It was the first time I’d heard the word but that is what I chose to become," she tells Global Indian.
[caption id="attachment_59181" align="aligncenter" width="550"] Heeta Lakhani, featured on the cover of The New York Times[/caption]
Laying the Foundation for Environment
Heeta went on to do her Master’s in environmental studies at TERI University, in Delhi. She recalls, “I was applying for jobs in Mumbai because I wanted to be with my family. At the same time, I was volunteering with a wildlife conservation organisation and studying German. Soon after I completed the course, I got a job as a language expert with TCS, though the environment continued to be my passion. In 2015, there was a lot of buzz in the media about the COP21 [21st Conference of Parties] – a UN Climate Change conference in Paris. Even Prime Minister Modi was going to be there. It is an annual conference held by the UN on climate change. I wanted to go and was looking around for avenues to get there. Luckily, someone I had met while volunteering supported me with a badge to attend the event. I had no training or capacity building for the conference, but I attended it for one week. The entire experience was overwhelming; the venue was spread over one km, and around 30,000 people attended. Even though I didn’t understand the proceedings, I was motivated and it was a sign that I had to go back to working for the environment.”
Due to her volunteer work, the next year, at COP22 held in Morocco, Heeta was part of a youth delegation. She had also joined the UNFCCC youth group for climate change called YOUNGO as a volunteer. “I attended meetings where negotiations on climate change were held. I got to observe the geopolitics involved, the technical language used during the discussions, and the pace and scale of progress.”
Training them Young
Heeta Lakhani continued volunteering with YOUNGO, a vibrant, global network of children and youth activists associated with the UNFCCC, and did project-based work simultaneously. She contested in the elections for the Global Focal Point of YOUNGO held in 2019, with members from over 170 countries, and won. The role as the head meant she was the primary point of contact for other organisations and the 10,000+ members. Heeta continued to be active in this space and took the learning she gleaned from her interactions towards her next milestone.
She also started the ClimAct Foundation in 2022, of which she is the Founder Director. She reveals, “While working with YOUNGO, I realised that there was a lack of young Indians in this arena. I set up a foundation where I mentor these young changemakers who can combat climate crises with knowledge-based action. We also conduct sessions in private and government schools; and at venues like the Kala Ghoda Art Festival and museums. It is my passion project and I have built it up. It is a not-for-profit organisation and we have grown organically. We are supported entirely through grant funding and are mostly volunteer-based.”
As part of her role, the content for the climate leadership programme that she organises in India over a six-month time frame includes a cohort from across 14 states in India. She says, “The leadership programme involves four months of learning and two months of mentorship and work experience. It includes understanding climate change, biodiversity, ecosystems, climate justice, vulnerability, genders, Indigenous communities, communications, entrepreneurship, etc.”
She has also co-founded the Youth Negotiators Academy, where youth are trained to be effective negotiators in the UN’s intergovernmental processes.
Passion for the Environment
What Heeta Lakhani does requires dedication, passion and commitment. Everyone makes the right noises about saving the environment, but not as many practice it daily. What are the challenges in a country like India for an environmental warrior like Heeta? She says, “Initially, getting an audience was a challenge here. One has to think beyond waste segregation and pollution and look at the bigger picture as well. The next challenge is to bring various audiences together to affect the change. We tweak the messages we send out in the schools and make them relevant and palatable to the audience. We have had sessions with tribal children in Manipur. There, we had to be sensitive to their culture and lifestyle; the content had to be simple so it could be easily translated by a local. The good part however, is that when we started in 2017, we had to explain what climate change means; now everyone already knows about it.”
Another feather in Heeta’s cap is that she is an alumna of the Women Climate Collective and was part of last year’s cohort of 16 women climate leaders. Founded in 2023, Women Climate Collective has worked dedicatedly towards empowering women in the climate and gender equity spaces. This year to further amplify women's voices in climate action and ensure their equitable participation in designing and implementing sustainable solutions, WCC has launched its next cohort focused on nurturing 20 young women leaders in climate action. These women leaders work across diverse focus areas such as climate advocacy, nature-based solutions, and climate tech, spanning regions from the Himalayas to Bengaluru, and from Maharashtra to West Bengal, as well as many other states and areas of expertise. Heeta was one of the four who attended the Climate Week NYC 2024, from September 22 to 29 in New York. The Collective also facilitates interactions with business leaders, political change-makers, and civil society representatives worldwide to advocate for gender-just climate action.
'It's a marathon, not a sprint'
On the personal front, Heeta Lakhani practices what she preaches. She says, “My journey here is a marathon, not a sprint. I am here for the long run.” Her efforts towards saving the environment at home include recycling everything, using menstrual cups, using public transport and trains instead of flights when possible, and travel cutlery. The latter she says “can be a hindrance at airports but I carry my own. I have not bought a bottle of water since I was a teenager and even as kids, we didn’t burst crackers. At home, we have our compost pit and kitchen garden. My parents are also part of all these efforts.”
To conclude, Heeta knows that she has miles to go before her efforts can show sizeable change given all the inherent challenges, but she soldiers on. “We need to rethink our policies and have empathy towards the environment. Whether it is tourism, education, or business, local action at every level is required. The rampant construction in eco-sensitive areas which drives tourists to see a river or a forest destroys what draws them there. Sensitisation of the urban Indian is the need of the hour.”