Environmentalist | Nimal Raghavan | Global Indian

Global IndianstoryNimal Raghavan: The ‘Son of Rain’ transforming lives and revitalising agricultural cycles in India and Kenya

Nimal Raghavan: The ‘Son of Rain’ transforming lives and revitalising agricultural cycles in India and Kenya

Written by: Amrita Priya

(January 3, 2024) Environmentalist Nimal Raghavan, who has revived 180 lakes in India, has won people’s heart in Kenya as well. He has earned himself the moniker ‘Wa Muva’, or ‘Son of Rain’ in the drought-stricken country, through his efforts to tackle water scarcity. “I have revived six lakes so far in Kenya, working along with the Ministry of Water,” Nimal tells Global Indian. “I was invited by the Green Africa Foundation to collaborate on their lake revival drives.”

Leaving behind a thriving career in Dubai, Nimal redirected his efforts to environmental activism, focusing on causes like organic farming and the rejuvenation of water bodies, along with tree planting, rainwater harvesting and the fight against climate change. So far, Nimal has overseen lake restorations in seven states across India and the planting of over 1.8 million saplings. Now, he aims to restore water bodies in 10 African countries, especially in areas where the water scarcity problem is most acute. “Last year, we brought water to one of the driest places in India (Ramnad) and to drought-stricken Kenya.”

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Recently, Nimal was awarded the title of Jal Prahari here in India, a recognition by the Ministry of Jal Shakti. “It was an immense pleasure to have received the award from ‘The great Waterman of India’, my inspiration Rajendra Singh,” he remarked.

Rising above odds

Born in Nadiyam Village, nestled in Tamil Nadu’s Peravurani district, often known as the ‘rice bowl of Tamil Nadu’, Nimal’s childhood came with challenges. When he was six months old, his father was diagnosed with a brain tumour and the family’s financial stability crumbled.

“My family spent everything on his treatment. Although we managed to save him, people began seeing me as a bearer of misfortune,” Nimal recalls. “Passers-by would deliberately alter their paths upon seeing me on the streets.”

Nimal Raghavan

Determined to rise above adversity, Nimal pursued engineering and secured his first job in Pune and eventually relocated to Dubai. His life took a positive turn financially after this move, allowing him to even construct a house in his native village.

The twist of tale

When he was on a vacation in his village in 2018, he witnessed devastation caused by a cyclone. The place was severely affected. In every house that Nimal visited he saw people crying and sobbing due to the misfortune caused by nature. “90 percent of the livelihood got affected,” he shared.

Deeply in love with his native place, Nimal extended his leave. “Instead of retreating, I rallied a team,” he says. Starting from his own village, he lent a helping hand to 90 nearby villages affected by the cyclone. This natural calamity unveiled an overlooked crisis—the mismanagement of water resources due to poor knowledge on the part of the villagers.

Realising the severity of water wastage in his region, Nimal embarked on a mission – to manage the water resources. His efforts didn’t just revive lakes, rather they resurrected hope. With meticulous planning, Nimal’s team rejuvenated water bodies, elevating water levels from 700 to 60 feet within six months, revitalising agricultural cycles in the process.

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“We realised that due to poor management of water resources, the farmers who previously cultivated crops thrice a year could barely manage once annually, Nimal says. Their efforts involved desilting, erecting boundaries, establishing inlet-outlet connections, and facilitating water retention. “Gradually, we successfully escalated the water level from 700 feet to 60 feet within a mere six months. This success sparked a realisation that if six months of dedicated work could resolve a three-decade-old problem here, why not replicate this in other regions?” remarks Nimal.

The power of action

Each revitalised lake symbolised more than water; it represented restored livelihoods. Nimal’s impact echoed when a grateful elder, previously unable to farm for many years due to water scarcity, handed him the first produce from his revived land—a gesture that remains Nimal’s most cherished moment. “The old man said I have been offering my first harvest to God since I have been farming but this time I’m giving this to you.” This gesture meant a lot especially when Nimal had seen times when people used to change their paths when they saw him coming.

Driven by a simple yet profound belief—no one should go hungry, no one should pay for water—Nimal’s vision is colossal. He yearns for a world where simplicity sparks profound change. He believes that even a drop of effort can cause ripples of transformation.

Nimal Raghvan in Kenya

“I work with the simple goal that no one should die of hunger. I don’t want anyone to pay for water. Through simple mind-set, we can bring powerful changes. With this attitude, I have set to achieve my big dreams,” he signs off.

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J.muthukrishnan

January 4, 2024 8:41 pm

😍😊🤗 very excellent Nimal Raghavan brother water worries 😊😍

Published on 03, Jan 2024

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Taking Brand India to the world: MM Keeravani at the Golden Globes

(Jan 13, 2022) Cheers erupted from the RRR table as actor Jenna Ortega said the words every Indian was hoping to hear. "And the award goes to, Naatu Naatu, RRR." Looking a little like a deer caught in the headlights, a visibly flustered MM Keeravani clutched his Golden Globe with both hands, saying nervously, "I'm much overwhelmed with this great moment happening." It was a great moment indeed, for Keeravani himself, the RRR team, for Indians around the world and for every underdog everywhere. An underrated genius had finally received his due on a truly global platform, winning one of the most coveted awards in the world. He had hoped to break tradition, he said, by not dedicating his award to someone else, but being up on stage himself, he said, "I'm going to repeat the tradition because I mean my words." He went on to thank the RRR team, starting with his brother and director of the film, SS Rajamouli, for his "constant trust and support," choreographer Prem Rakshith, singer Rahul Sipligunj and Kala Bhairav (Keeravani's son) and actors Ram Charan and NT Rama Rao JR, who "danced with so much stamina." After the ceremony, Keeravani and Rajamouli even

ceremony, Keeravani and Rajamouli even performed the hook step that made the song so popular.

Naatu Naatu was released in April 2022, to much social media hype - Lahari even predicted it would be the 'Dance Number of the Decade'. Two months later, Korean pop music icons BTS released their own choreography to the song, skyrocketing it to global fame. According to media reports, the Global Indian created around 20 compositions for the song, with the final version chosen by Rajamouli and other members from the RRR team.

Early talent

A steady stream of RD Burman hits played through the day in Keeravani's childhood home in Kovvur, Andhra Pradesh. His father, Koduri Siva Shakti Datta, is a painter, lyricist and screenwriter and Keeravani, who grew up steeped in fine arts and the glamour of the Telugu film industry, displayed an early interest in music. His inclinations were appreciated and encouraged at home and he began learning to play the violin at the age of four.

Keeravani showed extraordinary talent even then and by the age of 10, was going on tour with the Pranalingam Accordion Party, a travelling band from Kakinada, for whom he played the violin. He was their piece de resistance, the young prodigy who won his audience's hearts with his solo rendition of Ek Pyaar Ka Nagma Hai.

A rocky start and a big break

Keeravani began his career in 1987, working as an assistant to composers K. Chakravarthy and C. Rajamani. His debut, which came in 1990 with TSBK Moulee's Manasu Mamatha, went out with a whimper, however, as the film was never released, leaving Keeravani's talent unnoticed. His thirty-year tryst with Indian cinema has been something of a comedy of errors, aided in part by the composer himself, and his insistence on having three names. "Stephen King had two names. I have three," he said, in a Rediff interview back in 2004.

As it happened, his great admiration for Stephen King had its part to play in his first big break. Director Ram Gopal Varma, who had heard some of Keeravani's work, was toying with the composer's name for his 1991 film, Kshana Kshanam. The deal was clinched with Varma caught sight of Keeravani sitting quietly by himself in his Chennai studio, his nose buried in a Stephen King novel. "If you like Stephen King, that means we can work together," he told him.

[caption id="attachment_33798" align="aligncenter" width="407"] Composer MM Keeravani[/caption]

The breadwinner goes to Bollywood

Varma, apparently, advised Keeravani to be selective and not take every film that came his way. Pickiness, however, was a luxury the composer simply could not afford. Life was more or less hand-to-mouth back then - in those early days, Keeravani, who lived in a joint family of around 30 people, was the sole breadwinner. The once-wealthy zamindar family had descended into hard times and when Keeravani started out, his cousin, Rajamouli, was still a student. So, he took every job he could get, working with Rajamani and K. Chakravarthy. "There used to be 75-90 Telugu movies produced in a year, and Chakravarthy did 90 percent of those films," Keeravani told Film Companion. "It was work 365 days a year, without a holiday."

Trained in both Western and Indian traditions, his work was always a seamless blend of both styles. And while the Telugu film industry put food on the table, Bollywood afforded him, or so he thought, a chance to be artistic. He went on to compose Tum Mile Dil Khile in Criminal, Gali Mein Aaj Chand Nikla in Zakhm, Jeevan Kya Hai in Is Raat Ki Subah Nahin and Jadoo Hai Nasha Hai in Jism. "Songs in Telugu and other languages are my bread, Hindi songs are my butter," he remarked to singer Sonu Nigam, when he was a guest on the reality show Saregama.

'A man must have three names'

By the late 1990s, MM Keeravani was an established name in the Telugu film industry, starting with his work for Annamayya (1997), which won him a National Award and several state accolades. During that decade, he also managed to set in motion a veritable comedy of errors, thanks to his many names - he goes by MM Keeravani in the Telugu industry, MM Kreem and Margatha Mani, his actual name, which he uses in the Tamil and Malayalam film industries. In Bollywood, he moved like a spectre, the name MM Kreem was a mystery to most. It resulted, as one might imagine, in a lot of confusion.

[caption id="attachment_33800" align="aligncenter" width="508"] MM Keeravani with SS Rajamouli, Ram Charan and NT Rama Rao Jr[/caption]

One story involves media baron Ramoji Rao, who had worked with Keeravani on a number of films. However, the outspoken Keeravani had done the unthinkable - he had a disagreement with the director and wanted to quit. Rao was angry, composers didn't get this much of a say, usually. He told his associates that it was time to replace him, asking them to find the man behind Sur, which had been done by "some guy called MM Kreem," only to find out that they were the same person. In Chennai, Nida Fazli spent a while wandering through the composer's studio asking for a man named 'Kreem', to people who only knew him as Keeravani.

Renunciation

He might appear reserved and mild-mannered, but Keeravani has had his share of rebellion and renunciation alike. An ardent devotee of Lord Shiva, he also had a guru. When he was 33, with his first child on the way, his guru advised him to take sanyaas for a year-and-a-half. Keeravani agreed, sacrificing the comforts of home to live like a hermit and eat only the most spartan, vegetarian food. He even missed the birth of his son and gave his earnings over to charity.

'A student for life'

His cousin, SS Rajamouli, has undoubtedly played kingmaker in Keeravani's life - all his songs for the director have dominated the billboards. However, the composer has had some very successful collaborations with industry heavyweights like Ram Gopal Varma, Mahesh Bhatt and Kumar Sanu, to name a few. He has many inspirations too - he reveres the iconic Ilaiayaraaja, the Burmans, Bhimsen Joshi and is a "great fan of the epic movie Fiddler on the Roof. I get inspired by whatever happens around the world, especially in the West," he told Indian Express. Trained in Indian and Western classical traditions, he man ages to produce a unique signature style to go with each of his monikers. "My inspiration comes from all the great stalwarts and maestros from all around the globe, from John Williams to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, all of them. I believe I'm a student for life."

From Bukhara to Chutney Mary: Chef Siddharth Krishna’s amazing culinary journey

(September 22, 2024) Chef Siddharth Krishna has worked with global legends over the past 22 years including Chutney Mary in London, Spice Mela in Abu Dhabi and is currently the Executive Head Chef at Fairmont Windsor Park near London. An Army kid, Chef Siddharth Krishna wanted to join the forces like his father who hailed from Rajasthan. Travelling all over the country every two years, eating the food cooked by his mother who came from Dehradun, and eventually settling in Delhi gave him exposure to various cuisines and food. However, wanting to be a chef was not his goal and he took the entrance exam only after joining the armed forces didn’t pan out. Gliding into Cooking Chef Siddharth Krishna, currently the Executive Head Chef at Fairmont Windsor Park, a luxury hotel in Egham, an hour away from London, candidly starts the interview with Global Indian by saying, “I never had an aha moment regarding cooking. Since joining the Army didn’t work out, I took the entrance exam, passed and joined the Institute of Hotel Management in Goa. It was at my internship at the Taj Holiday Village when I realised I enjoyed cooking. Till Class 12, I had never

ed and joined the Institute of Hotel Management in Goa. It was at my internship at the Taj Holiday Village when I realised I enjoyed cooking. Till Class 12, I had never wanted to enter the kitchen or been curious about cooking.”

[caption id="attachment_56414" align="aligncenter" width="444"] Indian Chef | Siddharth Krishna | Global Indian Chef Siddharth during an invitation to cook at the prestigious James Beard House in New York City[/caption]

Chef Siddharth Krishna joined the ITC Maurya in Delhi after graduation. He recalls, “I worked at Dum Pukht, Bukhara and Peshawri, the three globally known restaurants of the brand. Bukhara was also featured in Patricia Schultz's book 1,000 Places to See Before You Die. At Peshawri, known for its robust tandoor-cooked dishes, I refined my ability to prepare bold, flavourful meals that celebrated the culinary traditions of the Indian Northwest Frontier. Meanwhile, at Dum Pukht, famous for its luxurious Awadhi cuisine, I mastered slow-cooking techniques and the delicate use of spices, further broadening my culinary repertoire. These experiences laid the foundation for my later success, as I blended traditional techniques with modern innovation—a philosophy that would define my global culinary journey.”

Namastey London

While he was the Sous Chef at ITC Chola Sheraton in Chennai, in 2004, he got an opportunity to work with Camellia and Namita Punjabi, the sisters who have established Chutney Mary, one of the UK’s best-known restaurants serving Indian food. “I had participated in a cooking competition, and my dish was ranked the best. I met Camellia Punjabi because Jiggs Kalra, the legendary chef, had suggested she meet me and she asked me to join them. It was a no-brainer and I said yes given that it was one of the top ten restaurants in the world at that time.”

Chef Siddharth worked with Chutney Mary as Head Chef till 2012. His time there was a learning curve at several levels, he reveals. “We shared a great rapport, and through them, I learnt the know-how and tricks of the trade. Vision, strategy, flavour profiles, cooking techniques for all kinds of meat and more. Some of the processes we used there were unheard of at the Indian restaurants then. If we served three curries, none of them were anything like each other. I am still in touch with them!”

[caption id="attachment_56415" align="aligncenter" width="454"] Indian Chef Siddharth Krishna | Global Indian Chef Siddharth Krishna at a fish farm and market[/caption]

During his tenure there, Chutney Mary became known for its ability to blend traditional Indian flavours with contemporary presentations. The restaurant received multiple awards and recognitions during this period, including being ranked No. 5 in Time Out’s Guide to London’s Top 50 Restaurants. Additionally, it frequently featured in top food guides, such as the Square Meal Guide, which awarded it the Best Modern Indian Restaurant title for two consecutive years.

More milestones

Chef Siddharth Krishna left Chutney Mary to join Rosewood Abu Dhabi as the Chef de Cuisine and was part of the launch and subsequent success of Sambusek, (a lifestyle Lebanese cuisine restaurant), and instrumental in the launch of Dai Pai Dong (the Chinese restaurant at the Rosewood); and Aqua. Chef Siddharth says about his stint in the UAE, “One of my most significant achievements was my tenure at Spice Mela in Abu Dhabi, where I served as Chef de Cuisine. Under my leadership, Spice Mela became one of the premier destinations for contemporary Indian cuisine in the region, earning numerous prestigious awards.”

Due to his impactful journey in Abu Dhabi, the Rosewood group offered him a plum position to lead the culinary operations in the Bahamas at their property the Rosewood Baha Mar. He was responsible for the launch of their F&B operations here as well. Says Chef Siddharth about working on the island that is the haunt of the rich and the famous, “Since May 2018, I have led the culinary operations here. As the Executive Chef and a member of the Baha Mar F&B advisory committee, I was instrumental in the successful opening of the resort’s food and beverage operations. This included the critically acclaimed Café Boulud by Daniel Boulud and Costa, a coastal Mexican cuisine concept. Under my direction, the resort served over 35000 a la carte covers per month.”

[caption id="attachment_56418" align="aligncenter" width="450"] Indian Chef | Global Indian Chef Siddharth at work at Rosewood Baha Mar[/caption]

To further his knowledge, he went on a road trip to coastal Mexico to learn about their food as he didn’t want the cuisine to be limited to the ubiquitous Tex Mex variety. Some of his innovative approaches curating unique dining experiences included a ‘Dinner Under the Stars,’ featuring a menu inspired by Zodiac flavours, and collaborating with celebrity chefs Marcus Samuelsson, Daniel Boulud, and Margarita Carillo during the Baha Mar Culinary Festival.

Another achievement in this long list includes the invitation he received to cook at the prestigious James Beard House in New York City. “Being invited to this esteemed institution is one of the highest honours for a chef, and the opportunity to highlight my culinary artistry was a testament to my standing in the culinary community. My menu at the James Beard House featured a collage of Indian spices with modern cooking techniques, reflecting my vision of contemporary gastronomy.”

Life in the UK

Chef Siddharth Krishna decided to move back to the UK again because he wanted his 13-year-old son to have more exposure than was available on the island. In January this year, he joined the Fairmont Windsor Park, a luxury property in Egham, an hour away from London. About his role here as Executive Head Chef he says, “We change the menu every season and it is a lovely property where we grow our own vegetables in the garden.”

[caption id="attachment_56417" align="aligncenter" width="425"] Indian chef | Siddhartha Krishna | Global Indian Chef Siddhartha Krishna at the Fairmont Windsor Park[/caption]

Chef Siddharth Krishna has a strong belief system which has perhaps played a key role in his success. He says, “I believe that whatever you do, you have to be true to yourself. There have been challenges where acquiring the knowledge and skill was important. Now it is about cooking with passion and authenticity.”

On the personal front, Chef Siddharth has a cookbook ready in the wings, complete with a foreword written too. He says it is one with an out-of-the-box concept but has not gotten around to sending it to publishers yet. If it is as colourful as his career trajectory, we are sure the book will be as successful when it hits the shelves.

While travelling, Chef Siddharth likes to eat at:

Black Pepper Crab at Long Beach UDMC, Singapore
Crispy pork belly at Mott 32, Hong Kong
Lasagna at Don Angie, New York
Tacos, gorditas, churros, al pastor on the streets of Mexico City
Prawn Al Ajillo at Casa Lucio, Madrid

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Sana Javeri Kadri: Cultivating change in the spice industry with Diaspora Co.

(February 13, 2024) Entrepreneur Sana Javeri Kadri is the founder and CEO of Diaspora Co., a direct trade, single-origin spice company dedicated to improving the spice trade in South Asia. Beginning with just one spice (turmeric) in 2017, her company now sources 30 single-origin spices from 150 farms across India and Sri Lanka, aiming to create fairer opportunities for spice farmers. With offices in Mumbai and California, Diaspora Co. is at the forefront of ethical spice sourcing and building an equitable spice trade. “The original intent of colonial conquest of the Indian subcontinent was a desire for domination of the spice trade. 400ish years later, as a young woman born and raised in postcolonial Mumbai, working at the intersection of food and culture, I was slowly discovering that not much about that system had changed,” Sana writes on her Diaspora Co’s website. Mirroring the colourful packaging of products that her company deals in, her website too immediately captivates visitors with its colourful pages spreading radiance like Sana. The young entrepreneur has been empowering marginalised communities by channelling funds, equity, and authority into the hands of Indian and Sri Lankan farmers, with the aim of disrupting an outdated spice trading system.

like Sana. The young entrepreneur has been empowering marginalised communities by channelling funds, equity, and authority into the hands of Indian and Sri Lankan farmers, with the aim of disrupting an outdated spice trading system.

[caption id="attachment_49015" align="aligncenter" width="513"] Sana Javeri Kadri is founder and CEO of Diaspora Co., a direct trade, single-origin spice company making spice trade in South Asia better. Sana Javeri Kadri[/caption]

Through extensive taste testing, farm visits, and collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Diaspora Co. sources the finest spices from South Asia, bringing them to international markets.

Solving a big problem

In the conventional commodity trading model, crops from multiple farmers are mixed together at each stage, with quality judged solely on colour and size rather than factors such as cultivation methods, seed varieties, taste, and aroma. Farmers lack control as well as influence over both the price they receive and the ultimate quality of the product. “We’re here to say that the system is no longer good enough – we all deserve better,” remarks Sana.

The Diaspora Co. model guarantees that the spices are sourced from the latest harvest to maintain maximum potency and freshness. Her organisation claims to collaborate with small, multi-generational family farms, providing them with an average premium of three to five times the market rate for their sustainably-farmed single-origin spices. “Each spice takes us anywhere from a few months to several years to source, based on rigorous lab testing, in-field visits, and several tastings,” Sana shares. She is committed to sourcing the finest spices while supporting sustainable farming practices in a mission to revolutionise the spice industry.

[caption id="attachment_49014" align="aligncenter" width="794"] Indian Entrepreneur | Sana Javeri Kadri | Global Indian Sana Javeri Kadri with farmers[/caption]

Taking up the responsibility

The young entrepreneur has dedicated all her efforts to make her venture successful, driven by the deep desire to uplift the disadvantaged farmers. In 2022, much to Sana and Diaspora Co. team’s happiness, the spice startup raised more than two million dollars in funding from value-aligned investors like Meena Harris of media company Phenomenal, Pentland Ventures, Ben Jacobsen of Jacobsen Salt Co. and Shelley Armistead of hospitality group Gjelina.

“I’m responsible for 200 farmers who like to look to us for a majority of their income,” an elated Sana had shared after raising fresh funding in 2022. “There’s the world of valuations and growth. And then there’s a world of farms and farmers and things grown in the grounds. In raising this round, I had to constantly think about what honours both of these things.”

Diaspora Co. also appointed a new board of advisers including Ellen Bennett of apron company, and Hedley & Bennett and Food52 co-founder Merrill Stubbs. “I started this company not really to be a unicorn. Our numbers are great and we are profitable. The math makes sense. But I started the company for the impact and flavour and cultural piece,” she mentioned.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJFdwd9GrUc&t=81s

Using global education to uplift natives

In 2017, at the age of 23, very confident about the potential for ethically produced high- quality spices Sana dipped her toes into entrepreneurship. Coming from a privileged family and growing up in an environment of entrepreneurship, choosing an entrepreneurial career path came naturally to her.

Sana grew up in a family of successful architects. Her grandfather, IM Kadri, is the veteran architect who founded I.M.K Architects in Mumbai. He has been a key figure behind the creation of iconic buildings across various cities in India, the United States, Russia, the Middle East, Hong Kong, and numerous other locations globally. Sana’s parents Rahul and Shimul Javeri Kadri are well-known architects too.

However, for Sana, the choice of business sector to indulge in came with her own experiences of life. When she was on a full scholarship at United World College of the Adriatic in Italy, she worked on an olive grove one spring and a vineyard the following year.

Later, when she went to study in the US, her on-campus job was on a farm, and that’s when she discovered that she wanted to work in the realm of agriculture. Around that time the US had just discovered turmeric latte (haldi doodh - the time-tested concoction to boost immunity in Indian homes). The youngster realised that the ethnic food and spices of South Asia - the region that she comes from needs more exposure.

[caption id="attachment_49019" align="aligncenter" width="478"] Indian Entrepreneur | Sana Javeri Kadri | Global Indian Sana Javeri Kadri[/caption]

For the sake of social change

Her family has always believed in social upliftment. “At age 12, my dad taught me the term ‘social change’,” Sana shared in an interview. She merged her discoveries with the values she grew up with to establish her spice startup for empowering farmers.

Motivated by her desire to utilise her privileged global education to create meaningful change as soon as she had finished college, Sana had purchased a one-way ticket to her home-town Mumbai. Immersing herself in seven months of thorough market research, which included over 40 farm visits, she had dedicated herself to understanding the intricacies of the industry. It was during this period that a meeting with professionals from the Indian Institute of Spices Research had reaffirmed her commitment to making a difference in the spice trade sector.

Sana began with a single spice - 350 kilos of turmeric that she sourced from a young farmer who had his farm at the outskirts of Vijayawada. Today Sana and her company deal in 30 types of spices, which they source from more than 200 farmers across India and Sri Lanka. Apart from whole spices, Diaspora Co. has also diversified into masalas and now have an impressive range of products in this segment as well.

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A post shared by Diaspora Co. Spices (@diasporaco)

“From our very first day, the big, audacious dream was to grow a radically new, decidedly delicious and truly equitable spice trade, to push a broken system into an equal exchange, and to have a lot of fun doing it,” shares Sana who is busy penning a cookbook of family dishes that are ‘heirlooms and generational gifts’ celebrating 25 family farms across India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

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Follow Diaspora Co. on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and its website

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Preeti Aghalayam: Pioneering the global reach of world-class education as IIT Zanzibar’s woman director

(September 15, 2023) Nestled amidst the breathtaking landscapes of Zanzibar, the Bweleo district is a paradise for both nature enthusiasts and academic aspirants. Located just 15 kilometers south of the bustling Zanzibar Town, this coastal gem is chosen by IIT Madras to establish its first international campus, promising world-class education. Come October, and the very first session for IIT-M Zanzibar will begin with 70 students under the guidance of its first-ever woman director Preeti Aghalayam. An alumna of IIT-M, she has scripted history as the first woman to lead an IIT. "For me, the fact that it is the first IIT campus abroad is more important than me being the first woman to head an IIT. It is not just about breaking the glass ceiling for me. It is more of 'once an IITian, always an IITian' for me," Preeti said in an interview. A significant step in the internationalisation of IIT-M, Zanzibar campus offers a four-year bachelor of science degree in data science and artificial intelligence, as well as a two-year master of technology degree in the same discipline. Setting up their first international campus is a proud moment for IIT-M, and the 49-year-old academician echoes the sentiment. "I

l campus is a proud moment for IIT-M, and the 49-year-old academician echoes the sentiment. "I am an alumnus of IIT Madras and doing something of this magnitude for the institute and the country is such a big honour."

[caption id="attachment_44966" align="aligncenter" width="825"] IIT Zanzibar[/caption]

Curiosity alchemised into life-long passion

A professor in the Chemical Engineering department, Preeti's curiosity was always welcomed in her home in Mysuru, where she grew up with a sister, and academician parents - one was a Chemistry professor and another a linguistic scholar. Her inquisitiveness led her to dismantle toy cars and clocks in her playtime, and to satiate her creative side, she would craft mirrors from plain glass. "I was chatty and curious, and our parents were very indulgent. There were simply never too many questions,” she told Hindustan Times. Passionate about science and math, she knew what she wanted to do.

This desire to learn led her to the gates of IIT Madras in 1991 for her BTech in Chemical Engineering, a place she knew she was meant to be at. She later moved to the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2000 for her PhD. Before returning to her alma mater in 2010 as a professor of Chemical Engineering, she worked as a postdoctoral researcher at MIT, Cambridge and faculty at IIT Bombay. "The infrastructure in the US was great; the student community, more diverse. But women were still a minority there in the late ’90s, especially in leadership roles. As an Indian woman, I was part of an even smaller minority group,” the Global Indian said.

[caption id="attachment_44967" align="aligncenter" width="774"] Preeti Aghalayam | Global Indian Preeti Aghalayam is the director of IIT Zanzibar.[/caption]

Coming from a family of academicians, she was sure that she wanted to pursue academics as a career path. "I knew what I wanted to do ever since I was in Class 8 and it has been a fulfilling journey." At IIT-M, she worked as a nodal officer within the campus division of the GATI (Gender Advancement for Transforming Institutions) program, whose primary objective is to recognize and rectify disparities while fostering greater opportunities for women within IIT campuses. Within few years of working at IIT-M, she was recognised as one of the 75 women in STEM for exceptional contribution to the scientific community.

Aiming to promote girls in STEM

However, Preeti is aware of the gender-skewed ratio at the IITs, and how women only form a minority at IITs. It took seven decades since the inception of the first IIT in Kharagpur in 1951 to appoint a woman as the head of the institute. "It is a fact that women have been a minority at IITs. Things have improved a bit in the past few years but the problem still exists and it is at all levels - both at students and faculty. We are about 12 per cent women faculty at IIT Madras. The problem is not about gender inclusivity on campuses but about the whole perception around technology institutions, " she said in an interview.

Preeti Aghalayam | Global Indian

But this is the perception that Preeti is keen to change with IIT Zanzibar campus. "Every time we visited Zanzibar as part of the IIT Madras contingent, we noticed that the representation of women on their side is quite significant. So, it was important that we do this mindfully and our effort will also be to have gender balance in the new campus. There are no rigid norms around it right now but in the coming years, we will definitely work towards achieving it," she added. Preeti understands the importance of women in STEM as she considers women equal to men in skill and intellect, and believes that exclusion of women leads to lost opportunities as a society. She believes the answer lies in holding the space for women - and asking them what they want in terms of opportunities and safe spaces. "Rather than waiting for women to participate, we need to create opportunities for them to speak, conduct surveys to understand roadblocks, reward women for achievements and proactively seek them out while hiring.”

Preeti Aghalayam | Global Indian

With IIT Zanzibar campus, Preeti is turning a new page, giving a taste of world-class education to the world. A marathon runner and a blogger, Preeti is currently juggling her life between Zanzibar and Chennai, where she lives with her husband who is head of a finance and investment firm.

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Breaking barriers: Indian-origin business executive Ajay Banga scripts history as World Bank’s new President

(May 5, 2023) In a historic appointment, the World Bank confirmed that Ajaypal Singh Banga, an Indian-origin business executive, will be taking over as its next President. As the first-ever Indian-American to head the World Bank, Banga's appointment marks a significant milestone. Confirming his appointment, the World Bank said in a press statement, "The Board looks forward to working with Mr. Banga on the World Bank Group Evolution process, as discussed at the April 2023 Spring Meetings, and on all the World Bank Group’s ambitions and efforts aimed at tackling the toughest development challenges facing developing countries." Ajaypal Banga was nominated earlier this year by US President Joe Biden to lead the institution. During his candidacy, the top business executive emphasised the importance of greater private sector funding to address global problems, stating, "There is not enough money without the private sector." Banga, who will assume his new role on June 2, envisions the World Bank established a system to share risk or mobilise private funds to achieve its goals. As the Indian-American business executive gears up to lead the World Bank, Global Indian takes a look at his glorious 40-year-long career. Ahead of the curve Born to an Indian

role on June 2, envisions the World Bank established a system to share risk or mobilise private funds to achieve its goals. As the Indian-American business executive gears up to lead the World Bank, Global Indian takes a look at his glorious 40-year-long career.

Ahead of the curve

Born to an Indian army officer in Khadki cantonment, the business executive is the younger brother of Manvinder "Vindi" Singh Banga, the senior partner at the private equity fund Clayton, Dubilier & Rice. Growing up in various parts of India, he learned a lot about adaptability and managing people. "I grew up moving from city to city. Adults find it hard to move, but kids don’t. Moving frequently makes you flexible, quick to make friends, quick to adjust and adapt, and allows you to glide between cultures and people. Different parts of India have completely different cultures. The North is completely different from the East and the West. This is completely different than even in the South," he said, adding, "The one thing it did for me more than anything else was this easy adaptability, the willingness to adjust, and the willingness to just fit in, I think it’s helped me in all my life."

[caption id="attachment_35571" align="aligncenter" width="638"] Business executive | Ajay Banga | Global Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi met Ajay Banga, in New York[/caption]

Having studied in some of the finest schools in the country, including St. Edward's School, Shimla and Hyderabad Public School, the business executive went on to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in Economics from St. Stephen's College, Delhi, and later pursued an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. Soon after finishing his studies, Mr. Banga started his career with Nestlé in 1981, where he worked for 13 years before moving to PepsiCo.

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

"When I was a young manager in India, infrastructure was relatively poor. Labour relations were challenged. Phone lines were awful. You couldn’t get through to people or distributors. If you were waiting for baby food trucks to reach you, it wasn’t that you knew they would arrive in three days; it could take nine days. So that idea of knowing how to deal with ambiguity, of knowing how to deal with that form of unpredictability, it’s the way I’m trained to think," shared the business executive, adding, "The idea of taking thoughtful risks came from that environment. And having the sense of urgency to make that decision and take that risk without knowing everything, but having had the patience at the same time to listen to people who know more than you — that is an interesting balance."

Taking the plunge

In 1996, Ajaypal Banga moved to the United States while working for PepsiCo and handled various roles during his tenure, including CEO of the company's operations in India and Southeast Asia. While the business executive was still settling in his role, a grave terrorist attack on the USA shook the world and in its aftermath, Banga too had to endure discrimination. "Post-9/11, I have been accosted by people on the street and called names. I’ve been taken aside randomly for searching at every T.S.A. checkpoint. I get that. But again, you can be pissed off about it, or you can realise that this is people trying to do their job. They’re trying to keep me safe as well as you. But I’m not resentful," he shared during an interview.

[caption id="attachment_35566" align="aligncenter" width="659"] Business executive | Ajay Banga | Global Indian Mr. Banga with his wife, Ritu[/caption]

The business executive was naturalised as a US citizen in 2007. And soon after that, Ajaypal Banga became the CEO of Mastercard, and also a member of its board of directors. When he took over the company, Mastercard wasn't in great shape. Instead of giving quarterly earnings guidance to the company's investors, Banga offered them a rolling forecast of where Mastercard would be in the next couple of years. "I told my investors, you should expect to see over the next three years is growing at an average growth rate of this to this, this range, within average profitability of this to this, this range. And I’m not going to make other commitments to you. I’m going to run my company. I want to grow revenue, not maximise my profitability," he shared. Almost all his strategies worked out and soon enough Mastercard stocks soared by more than 1,000 percent during his tenure, outperforming competitors Visa and American Express.

[caption id="attachment_35569" align="aligncenter" width="657"] Business executive | Global Indian Mr. Banga receiving Padma Shri by former President of India, Dr. Pranab Mukherjee[/caption]

Realising his potential in leading a financial institution, the former US President appointed Ajaypal Banga to serve as a member of the President's Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiation in 2015. The business executive was also elected as the chairman of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) succeeding Paul Polman. The Government of India awarded Banga the civilian honour of the Padma Shri in 2016.

Leading the World

Banga's appointment as the new President of World Bank has been applauded across the globe. As Banga takes the reins, the world economy faces significant challenges, including slowing global growth and high-interest rates. Low-income countries are expected to face a double shock from higher borrowing costs and reduced demand for exports, fueling poverty and hunger.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-tjY-DG5-0

With the bank estimating that developing countries will need $2.4 trillion every year for the next seven years just to address the costs of climate change, conflict, and the pandemic, Banga aims to balance World Bank's new objectives without diluting the pressing economic development needs of its member countries in developing economies. "Climate is important, but we don't want to have a trade-off where we have an agenda that will be climate versus development," the business executive said during an interview.

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