Global IndianstoryAbhishek Dubey: Creating India’s international Taekwondo stars while navigating life in Korea

Abhishek Dubey: Creating India’s international Taekwondo stars while navigating life in Korea

Written by: Amrita Priya

(October 8, 2024) A seasoned coach, athlete, sports professional, and researcher Abhishek Dubey has spent over 18 years working in and out of Korea, the birthplace of Taekwondo, creating his own mark in the world of the martial arts. Korea’s deep-rooted connection to Taekwondo, with its rich history and tradition in the sport, has made his time there even more impactful. For the past 24 years, Abhishek has also been running Mumbai-based Indo-Korean Taekwondo Academy which has produced international athletes who have brought laurels for India. Abhishek’s work bridges the cultural and martial arts heritage of Korea with the growing Taekwondo scene in India, solidifying his standing in both the nations.

Recently, when one of his athletes, Rupa Bayor, achieved a world ranking of 9 and an Asian ranking of 2, it was a moment of great joy for Abhishek. “She is the first Indian to come in Top 10 World Rankings,” the coach shares with Global Indian with pride. “Seeing how sports can act as a means of intervention, especially for athletes from underprivileged backgrounds, is the most satisfying part of this journey,” he reflects. “It’s not just about winning medals—it’s about how sports can change lives.”

Abhishek Dubey

Falling in love with Taekwondo

Growing up in the suburbs of Chembur, Mumbai, the celebrated Taekwondo coach spent his childhood immersing himself in the offerings of the sports club at RCF Colony. In 1991, when he was 11, a newly established Taekwondo club at the sports facility caught his eye with its crisp uniforms and disciplined training sessions. What began as a mere curiosity quickly evolved into a lifelong passion. Under the guidance of Master Sunil Saxena and Late Rajesh Menon, Abhishek embarked on a journey in Taekwondo, eventually representing India at international events and winning numerous medals.

Abhishek’s expertise and deep passion for the martial art not only shaped his own life but also had a great impact on the athletes he coached, many of whom have gained international recognition and rankings in Taekwondo. His dedication to the sport also led to a lasting connection with South Korea, where he continues to work professionally in the field of Taekwondo. He is also pursuing a PhD at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in Seoul, focusing on sports as development tool in empowering women.

From athlete to coach

As an athlete, Abhishek Dubey’s achievements speak volumes. From participating in the SAI Open Nationals in 2001, narrowly missing a medal at the Korea Open in 2012, to winning gold and the Best Poomsae Athlete Award at the 2013 Korean Ambassador’s Cup, his career is filled with moments of personal triumph. Yet, he humbly acknowledges that his most significant accomplishments lie not in his individual accolades but in his role as a coach.

Coach Abhishek during the training for the 8th Asian Taekwondo Poomsae Championships in Vietnam

He has nurtured medalist for India at the 2024 Asian Taekwondo Championships, Australian Open, Oceania Open, WT President Cup Oceania, WT President Cup Europe, Croatia Open, XIII South Asian Games, VI Commonwealth Taekwondo C’ships Scotland, 2015 Korea Open, and the 2010 Yeongcheon Open.

The Indo-Korean Taekwondo Academy in Mumbai, which he co-founded with his childhood friend Chakrapani Koirala at the age of 20, just before graduating from university, embodies his commitment to the martial art. “What began as a part-time club has blossomed over the last 24 years into a training ground for elite athletes. Above all, it is a place for good Taekwondo practitioners with rich human values,” he says.

Watching his athletes gain international success

His greatest fulfilment as a coach comes from watching his athletes achieve international success. Some of his proudest moments include Ishee Pardeshi’s victory at the Yeongcheon Open in 2010, her triumph at the 2014 Commonwealth Taekwondo Championships, and her strong performances at the Croatia Open and the Asian Championships.

“The journey has been fulfilling every day,” he reflects. Recently, seeing one of his athletes, Rupa Bayor, win India’s first Asian medal in Taekwondo Poomsae has been especially satisfying for him. “Considering the challenges she faced, coming from a background where opportunities are scarce, her success is even more meaningful. When she first arrived in Mumbai on our scholarship program, she wasn’t ranked in the top 500 WT World rankings, and today she’s ranked 9th in the world and 2nd in Asia, becoming the first Indian to come in Top 10 World Rankings. It’s incredibly rewarding to see how sports can serve as a means of intervention, helping to shape a young athlete’s career and life,” he mentions.

Coach Abhishek Dubey with Athlete Rupa Bayor

Special connection with Korea

Abhishek has been traveling to Korea since 2007 for international Taekwondo championships and sports education, continuing until 2015.

Then in 2015, he received a full scholarship from the Sports and Culture Ministry of the Republic of Korea to pursue a Master’s in Global Sports Management, which opened new doors in sports research and management. “Since then, I’ve been involved in research work on sports for development. So yes, it’s been 18 years of going back and forth between Korea, and now I’ve been pursuing my Ph.D. since 2020,” he says.

Abhishek is writing his thesis on the impact of sports development programs in empowering women in India. “It’s been overwhelming and time-consuming. At times, my professional commitments have derailed my Ph.D., but seeing young athletes grow in the sport brings me immense joy,” says the coach who frequently returns to India to nurture elite athletes who represent the country.

It’s exhausting at times – managing the academy and athlete development in India, and my research and other professional engagements in Korea – but I continue my PhD without neglecting my duties towards Taekwondo because I believe that while there are plenty of PhD scholars in India, there is yet to be a world champion in our sport. That’s my quest: to create one in the near future.

Abhishek remarks

Celebrating Taekwondo and its Korean heritage

Taekwondo is more than just a sport in Korea; it is a national treasure. It promotes perseverance, respect, humility, and integrity in practitioners who are taught to uphold these values in their daily lives. The sport is often integrated into school curricula, emphasising its importance in the formation of character and discipline by training the body and mind of the youngsters.

Abhishek Dubey at the International Referee Seminar conducted by the World Taekwondo Federation where he became the first Indian Taekwondo Referee to win the coveted Best Participant Award for Kyoroogi in South Korea

Taekwondo is one of the oldest martial arts of the world, originating in Korea over 2,000 years ago. The name reflects its essence: Tae (foot), Kwon (hand), Do (art). Its roots can be traced back to ancient Korean martial arts, including Taekkyeon and Hwa Rang Do, practiced by warriors and royal families. Taekwondo began to take shape as a unified martial art form under the influence of various masters who sought to promote Korean culture and heritage after the Korean war (1950-53). In 1955, the term ‘Taekwondo’ was officially adopted, and the sport quickly gained popularity both in Korea and internationally.

Translating to ‘the way of the foot and fist,’ Taekwondo has become a global phenomenon, and Abhishek is proud to play his part in it. “It’s been a beautiful experience. Will always be indebted to the love, knowledge, friendships and bonds that have been built through the sport of Taekwondo in Korea,” he remarks.

Life in Korea

Abhishek has worked as a researcher with the Seoul Olympic Museum, served as a Communication Manager for the Gangwon 2024 Youth Olympic Games, and worked as a Research Assistant at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, describing it as “an experience of a lifetime.” He shares, “I cherish every opportunity that my 18 years of travel in and out of Korea have brought to my life, and I love engaging with the sport and culture here.”

Abhishek Dubey with Kukkiwon President Grandmaster Man Soon Jung in 2014

The coach and researcher can communicate in Korean, having studied the language during his university days in Korea. “I am still trying to learn more,” he remarks.

An ambassador of India in Korea

The Indian community in Korea is diverse, consisting of professionals, students, and skilled workers who contribute significantly to various sectors, including technology, education, hospitality, and business. “Of late, the India diaspora is growing especially with students and people in the IT industry,” remarks Abhishek.

Many Indian students are attracted to Korea’s advanced educational institutions and its emphasis on research and innovation. Scholarships and programs aimed at international students have further encouraged this trend, with Abhishek serving as a prime example.

As a professional, scholar, and coach in the world of Taekwondo, a national heritage of Korea, Abhishek Dubey is contributing to strengthening Indo-Korean ties in his own way.

Abhishek Dubey

Plans for future – giving back and elevating India’s position

Abhishek aims to apply his expertise in both sports management and the martial art form to support the growth of India’s Taekwondo community in different capacities and in several meaningful ways.

“I would love to establish an Elite Athlete Taekwondo Training Program/Center for youth from marginalised communities in India and develop a concrete plan to create India’s first World Champion in the Olympics,” he signs off with a determination to keep empowering the next generation of athletes and elevate India’s presence in the global Taekwondo rankings.

Follow Abhishek Dubey on Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn

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Published on 08, Oct 2024

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Guru ‘cool’: How Mohit Bharadvaja’s unusual quest revives the Rigveda & ancient Indian customs

(April 10, 2022) A 31-year-old former techie, Mohit Bharadvaja, left the plush confines of corporate life at Wipro and HCL. All this in the pursuit of a calling that has fast depleted in the humdrum of a fast-paced life. His calling took him towards the traditional way of learning. Mohit established a gurukul (ancient Indian education where pupils stay with a guru) to impart knowledge of millennia-old Rigveda and Yajurveda. [caption id="attachment_22742" align="aligncenter" width="586"] Mohit Bharadvaja, founder, Aangirasa Antarvediya Gurukulam[/caption] He himself sought the solace of olden day norms. He self-learnt sanskrit, Rigveda (vedic sanskrit hymns), and Yajurveda (mantras for worship) after college all the while studying engineering at Amity University, Noida, and later after office hours from traditional vaidika masters. Today, 16 pupils between nine to 19 years learn the vedas along with CBSE English-medium education at his gurukul - Aangirasa Antarvediya Gurukulam in Baghpat (near Meerut). Not just studying but living the vedas… The idea of opening a gurukul had consumed Mohit since 2014. He finally took a plunge to revive traditions that were extinct in 2017. His mother Usha Sharma, a homemaker, and father, Devendra Kumar Sharma, a senior HCL employee were not very keen on letting their son pursue

he vedas…

The idea of opening a gurukul had consumed Mohit since 2014. He finally took a plunge to revive traditions that were extinct in 2017. His mother Usha Sharma, a homemaker, and father, Devendra Kumar Sharma, a senior HCL employee were not very keen on letting their son pursue a less stable path unlike his cushy corporate job. “They however gave in to my determination and argument that vedas need to be lived, and not merely studied, upon the condition that I would only be allowed to pursue my chosen path after I marry,” reveals techie-turned-gurukul founder Mohit in a conversation with Global Indian. Soon, he married (2017), and without further ado, quit his job and established the gurukul with the full support of his wife, Nidhi. To him reviving the ancient tradition mattered more than being attached to a stable livelihood.

Gurukul Founder | Mohit Bharadvaja | Global Indian

Aangirasa Antarvediya Gurukulam, in Kaamla village in Baghpat district (between Delhi and Meerut), saw Mohit, the techie-turned-gurukul founder, re-establish the ancient system of education and knowledge which is reflected in the studies of arshagrantha (ancient scripts) so that pupils of his gurukul become experts in vedangas (auxiliary disciplines of Hinduism that developed in ancient times and is with the study of the Vedas). The techie-turned-gurukul founder feels deeply about the need to promote Sanskrit, vaidika principles, education, and lifestyle.

A gurukul is incomplete without gaushala (shelter for cattle)

“A gurukul steeped in tradition is incomplete without serving cows,” says Mohit. Aangirasa Antarvediya Gurukulam has a thriving gaushala of 25 cows. The land on which the gurukul is situated belongs to a relative who migrated to Delhi in the 1950s, and always wanted to farm cattle but had a full-time job. He offered unused land which now has 2,000 square feet of a building that houses Mohit, his wife and 16 pupils on the ground floor while the first floor is under construction.

Gurukul Founder | Mohit Bharadvaja | Global Indian

Another gentleman in the same locality helped with 5.5 acres of land to expand the gurukul. “It will take time due to lack of resources for constructing the larger structure. However, the cattle have been moved to the larger piece of land,” says the techie-turned-gurukul founder.

Usual childhood, unusual inclination

The techie-turned-gurukul founder was born in Mathura but spent his childhood in NCR as a student of DAV Noida. “Religious practices at home were normal without ideas being thrust upon my younger sister and me, yet I had always been interested in religious practices from childhood, and later got in touch with sadhus and sants (sages and saints) which augmented my desire to explore the Vedas. When I studied it in depth, I was worried that though Yajurveda was still being taught by many, no one was doing anything to revive the Rigveda, thus I made up my mind to do something,” says Mohit.

[embed]https://twitter.com/vvaayu/status/1395958754080739330?s=20&t=sgljW_DNvCgMDbA9kcISPQ[/embed]

Free education and lodging for disciples

The pupils at the gurukul are all from lower economic families, and apart from free education, free lodging and food is provided as well. “To charge money for imparting knowledge of the Vedas, is something I cannot fathom,” he adds. Support for education and food comes from donations made by people who feel deeply about Mohit’s mission of reviving the tradition. "Conscious decision has been taken to not take any government aid," says Mohit.

“A disciple got severely affected by TB, and had to be hospitalised. His parents did not have money for the expenses so we took care of that too,” shares the techie-turned-gurukul founder.

All the disciples visit their families once a year during Diwali. The day begins at 10 am to 5 pm - immersed in education. While Mohit teaches them Rigveda, science, and maths, an acquaintance teaches Yajurveda. English, Hindi, physical, and mental well-being is Nidhi’s domain, and so is the administration.

Hopeful about building a larger gurukul with better infrastructure, the techie-turned-gurukul founder loves reading and traveling, both as a tourist and a pilgrim.

"I am confident that my pupils would fulfill my purpose of reviving and spreading the knowledge of the extinct Rigveda far and wide," Mohit signs off.

Follow Mohit Bharadvaja on Twitter

Reading Time: 5 mins

Kebabs to Jackfruit Dabeli Bao: Chef Manav Tuli’s journey to a Michelin Star at Chaat, Hong Kong

(August 25, 2024) Rooted in tradition, Chef Manav Tuli, the man behind the Michelin-starred restaurant at Chaat, Hong Kong, likes to innovate. Now a chef-owner at Leela, Chef Manav’s love for improvisation has resulted in eclectic offerings like Oxtail Chakundar Gosht (cooked with beetroot and its leaves), Jackfruit Dabeli Bao and Tandoori pork ribs. From the iconic Chutney Mary in London, to winning a Michelin Star at Chaat in Hong Kong, and branching out as an entrepreneur, Chef Manav Tuli shares his incredible journey with Global Indian. Chef Manav Tuli’s career milestones have the knack of propelling him to the next one. As also the setbacks his family had witnessed, when they moved to India, post-partition. Chef Manav recalls how he chose to become a chef. “My grandparents came from a wealthy family but lost everything after the partition,” he says. His grandfather was offered a government grant, which he refused, and went on to set up a restaurant of his own. However, things ended badly, when he was cheated by his business partners. “He lost his will to live after the losses. When my father grew up, those people gave him a job at the same restaurant. By the

ost his will to live after the losses. When my father grew up, those people gave him a job at the same restaurant. By the time I grew up, my father did not have good memories of those times and had a low opinion of the hospitality field. He was quite apprehensive of this profession and it was not considered prestigious during that time.”

[caption id="attachment_54518" align="aligncenter" width="340"] Chef Manav Tuli | Leela | Chaat Hong Kong | Global Indian Chef Manav Tuli[/caption]

A journey begins

To escape the pressure of pursuing a medical or engineering degree like the children of family friends were doing, Chef Manav joined the Indian Institute of Hotel Management, in faraway Thiruvananthapuram. “This led to my first job as a Commis at The Trident, Udaipur,” he says. This was followed by a post-graduate diploma at the Oberoi Centre of Learning and Development. During the two-year course, he travelled to Jaipur, Mumbai, New Delhi and Gurgaon between semesters and his final posting was at The Oberoi in Mumbai.”

Interestingly, Chef Manav witnessed the harrowing events of 26/11 at that time. He reveals, “I was leaving for Mauritius, and we had a party organised at the nearby Hotel Marine Plaza. Chef Matthew Crop’s (my boss) wife decided to leave the party early and went back to the hotel. That is when we heard about the terrorist attack and followed him there. We were not allowed to enter and all of us stayed near the Inox cinema complex across the road. It was a terrifying three days, but she was alright when the attack ended.”

Iconic brands and taking risks

Chef Manav admits he tends to keep asking himself, what next? From 2008 to 2011, he worked at the InterContinental in Mauritius. As far as cuisines went, he gravitated towards Indian cuisines. “At OCLD, we were taught all cuisines and I used to think, and even speak with my head chefs that I was wasting my time learning Italian or Japanese cuisines,” he admits. “I knew I would eventually be a chef making Indian food. This is because I believe that even if an Indian chef interprets something differently, an Indian making Indian food will always be accepted.” However, his diverse training paid off, resulting in his unique style.

Armed with early childhood influences of his grandmother cooking, and even pickling wild boar meat, Chef Manav, who was drawn to the nuances of fine dining, headed to London, where he joined Chutney Mary. It was a career milestone and Chef Manav and his wife lived in a studio apartment, saved as much as they could, and finally bought their own place. “My refinement as a chef happened in London.” There, he was also involved with the opening of Tamarind when it was rebranded with Chef Karunesh Khanna for the first year.

[caption id="attachment_54519" align="aligncenter" width="471"] Michelin Star Chakundar Oxtail Ghosht[/caption]

After eight years in London, Chef Manav was bogged down by monotony and wanted something more. The restaurant owners idea of rebranding was sending me to Mumbai with a list of restaurants to eat at and then recreating those dishes in London. That process did teach me a lot, but I also wanted to express myself more and discover uncharted waters.”

As luck would have it, Chef Manav joined Tamarind restaurant and did the opening as Head Chef. Soon, he got a call from his previous chef at Chutney Mary – Chef Siddharth Krishna – asking if he was interested in joining Rosewood Hotels at their flagship property in Hong Kong to launch Chaat, their Indian restaurant – the first Indian restaurant in Hong Kong at a five-star hotel. “I had no clue about Hong Kong, had never even been there, but I said yes.”

Success in the Orient

Moving to another country and city, despite being comfortable, was the result of Chef Manav’s philosophy. He says, “Your definition of success changes after doing the same job for seven years. It progresses with time, age and money. I knew that I would probably feel the same unrest at Tamarind after a while.” So, he decided to move, although his daughter was only eight months old and his wife had a steady job. The family landed in Hong Kong on 29^th August 2019; amidst social unrest and riots. “The project got delayed and I started thinking that maybe I had made the wrong decision. But, we finally launched in May 2020, during Covid.”

There were several challenges starting from the fact that Chef Manav did not even like the name Chaat. “The name did not excite me; the first impression was that we would be serving extensive chaats,” he says. “Later it did make sense when I came up with the idea of ‘serving street food of India in an elevated manner’ and gave it a story by including kababs, biryanis, and curries, all of which are also available on the streets.”

Chef Manav spent the lockdown doing menu testing and tasting, besides cooking for VIPs and the staff, using the experience as an exercise in understanding local tastes and preferences. The restaurant became a huge success and some of the bestsellers he created here include the Octopus Biryani, Tandoori Tomahawk, Tandoori Char Siu, Raj Kachori, Baked Samosa made like a cream horn, with stuffings ranging from lamb to plant-based meat derived from jackfruit.

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In 2022, under his leadership, Chaat won a Michelin star. He recalls how that panned out. “Michelin star for any Chef is the most unbiased and most prestigious award in the culinary world in my opinion. At Chaat, I was allowed to spread my wings and innovate. Pearl Yan, who was with Michelin Star approached us saying they were conducting interviews with chefs around the city. Halfway through it, she got a call which she answered. I found it rather odd that with all the camera people around, and in the middle of an interview, she was answering her phone. Then she gave me the phone and said, “This call is for you.” It was the Michelin team informing me that we had been awarded the Michelin Star! I started crying; I couldn’t believe it. It was one of the best days of my life,” he says.

The move to entrepreneurship

Again, the desire to move after the biggest achievement of a chef’s career struck. But he was now looking to be a chef-owner. It was a plan at the back of his mind that came to fruition sooner than he expected. He says, “At a chefs’ lunch, I met a friend, Chef Agustin Balbi and I asked him how he had launched Andō – the Michelin-starred Spanish Japanese restaurant. He had spoken to Yenn Wong, the CEO of the JIA group who helped him launch it. He connected me with her and we decided to launch Leela, at Causeway Bay.”

Leaving a well-established Michelin-star restaurant to launch a new brand was a risk. But Chef Manav was confident of his abilities despite the opening pangs. “I had peaked at Chaat, and was hungry for more. I wanted to leave before the monotony set in. Besides, as a partner, the perspectives are different from when you are working for someone.”

Tradition meets innovation meets fine dining

The cuisine at Leela is markedly different from that of Chaat despite the inevitable comparisons. Chef Manav says, “I cook traditional Indian food but I innovate too. The Oxtail Chakundar Gosht [meat cooked with beetroot and its leaves] and Paneer Chestnut are popular. The Tokri Chaat, Jackfruit Dabeli Bao, Tandoori Pork Ribs, Kandhari Lamb Chops and the Bone Marrow Biryani are bestsellers. We change the menu incrementally every three months. I intend to showcase royal recipes from Greater India – the area that was the Indian empire during the Maurya kingdom in the third century BCE. Essentially, recipes from Greater India.”

Chef Manav’s style remains rooted in tradition, but his creations are authentic and innovative with the application of two of his favourite expressions – refinement and balance. He is also working on a recipe book with all his recipes but claims he has a long way to go before it is ready. Knowing his questioning nature, it should appear soon.

Follow Chef Manav Tuli, Leela Hong Kong and Chaat on Instagram.

Michelin-starred Chef Rohit Ghai is taking the Indian platter to the world

(June 24, 2022) Some of his fondest memories from his childhood are cooking with his mother. Today, Chef Rohit Ghai is one of the best-known Indian chefs in the UK, and is widely known as the fastest Indian to get a Michelin star. After honing his craft at some of the most prestigious hotels and restaurants in India - including The Oberoi Group and the Taj Hotels - Chef Ghai began his international career working with Michelin-starred restaurant Benares in London in 2008. [caption id="attachment_26090" align="aligncenter" width="634"] Chef Rohit Ghai[/caption] Since then, he has led several other Michelin-starred kitchens, such as multi-award-winning Gymkhana, Trishna, and the JKS Group, where he developed innovative menus and became accomplished in all areas of operations, recruitment and managing teams across different sites. He later launched the Leela Groups’s first London venture, Jamavar, in 2016, which earned him the fastest Michelin star - within 10 months of the restaurant’s opening. Chef Ghai recently released his first cookbook, Tarkari, a rich repository of his earliest food and travel memories. He also opened Kutir in November 2018 to offer a slightly different take on London’s high-end Indian food offering. "It has been a fantastic journey," shares the

ry of his earliest food and travel memories. He also opened Kutir in November 2018 to offer a slightly different take on London’s high-end Indian food offering. "It has been a fantastic journey," shares the chef, during an interaction with Global Indian, adding, "I have learned from some wonderful mentors over the years. It was so exciting to refine the menu and concept of my new venture Kutir, and bring a different style of Indian cuisine to the London market. We now have our second restaurant in the UK called Manthan."

A small-town boy

Originally from Punjab, Chef Ghai's family resided in Gwalior, where his father worked in the Public Works Departments (PwD). The youngest of the five siblings, the chef attributes his love for cooking to his mother, who would prepare simple yet expertly balanced dishes at home. "I remember as a child I would always be around my mother. In fact, kitchen was where I felt the happiest. I will never forget the first proper meal I cooked myself when I was about 15 years old. It was sarson ka saag and my mother taught me how to make it. When she approved of it, I was so happy," shares the chef, adding that till date he returns to his mother's recipes for inspiration to reconstruct a new dish for his customers.

[caption id="attachment_26091" align="aligncenter" width="689"] Chef Ghai with singing sensations, Ed Sheeran and James Blunt at his restaurant, Kutir[/caption]

He might be one of Britain's most-celebrated chefs today, however, Chef Ghai never consciously decided to pursue a career in culinary arts. "You can call it destiny," quips Chef Ghai, "Growing up, while I loved to cook, becoming a chef was never the plan - it just happened naturally for me." After realising that he wanted to pursue a career in the culinary industry, he enrolled at the Institute of Hotel Management in New Delhi to become a chef. "Like most Indians, my parents also wanted me to either take up engineering or prepare for UPSC. However, when I told them that cooking is what I loved, they supported me," he says.

A rising star

After graduating, Chef Ghai worked for several grand hotels where he honed his skills and began to get acquainted with the different regional cuisines available across the country. This included stints at both Taj Hotels and Resorts and Oberoi Hotels – two of the most-esteemed groups in India.

Realising how the perception of Indian food was changing in the UK, he decided to move to London in 2008 and bring his expertise to a new audience. Joining Atul Kochhar - who is a pioneering twice Michelin-starred chef from India - at the famous restaurant Benares as a sous chef, he worked at the restaurant for five years until an opportunity to become an executive chef with JKS Restaurants arose.

[caption id="attachment_26094" align="aligncenter" width="666"] Swiss tennis ace Roger Federer at Chef Ghai's Kutir[/caption]

By 2016, his success at JKS had earned him a reputation for running critically-acclaimed kitchens. He opened Jamavar for the Leela Palace Hotels – an all-day dining restaurant with a slightly more contemporary and pan-Indian menu. Ten months into it, Chef Ghai became the first Indian chef to win a Michelin star within a year. "It is quite a glamourous looking industry, isn't it?" exclaims Chef Ghai. "However, there is a lot of hard work that goes into preparing a single plate. It's a very demanding industry, and one doesn’t get much time for themselves or their family. I think I am very blessed that I was able to be in this industry and my work was so widely appreciated."

From a chef to a restaurateur

Partnering up with Abhishake Sangwan, the chef opened Kutir in November 2018 to offer a slightly different take on London’s high-end Indian food offering. "The restaurant is based on the hunting lodges of India," shares the culinary expert, adding, "I always look to bring something new and refreshing to the city as people are so open to trying foods they haven’t had before. When I was a part of the team at Oberoi Hotels in India, I helped to launch a luxury lodge in the heart of the forest, and that’s what inspired me to do something similar in London. It was perfect – we didn’t want to open a big restaurant so we could really focus on the food and have staff talk customers through some of the more unknown dishes."

[caption id="attachment_26092" align="aligncenter" width="602"] Chef | Rohit Ghai | Global Indian A glimpse of Chef Ghai's table[/caption]

Taking inspiration from all the different regional Indian cuisines, Chef Ghai's menus make the most of seasonal British produce. However, several familiar dishes appear on the menu too - including dhokla, khichadi, khasta and falooda. "We serve three exceptional tasting menus that we refer to as expedition menus: Signature, Vegetarian Signature and a seasonal expedition menu, with a focus on game or seafood. Many Indian dishes are naturally vegetarian or vegan and are in fact, some of my most-loved dishes," shares the chef, who opened his second diner, Manthan, in Mayfair last September.

"The menu at Manthan is a culmination of many years of work and I hope it speaks to customers as being representative of the comfort food I love back home as well as the food I have made my name cooking here," shares the chef, for whom comfort food is a simple bowl of toor dal and chawal.

Expansion on his mind

Having successfully run several kitchens, Chef Ghai released his first cookbook, Tarkari, earlier this year. "Tarkari is an Urdu word, which means vegetables. The book is all about cooking with family, and I wanted to pay homage to the food my parents ate and cooked for me when I was growing up. That is where my love of cooking started. These recipes take me back to fond memories of watching my mother cook. Being part of the action in the busy kitchen makes up some of my first childhood memories," shares the chef, who worked on the book during the pandemic lockdown.

Chef | Rohit Ghai | Global Indian

The chef, who was also a part of the Expo 2020 Dubai, is currently working on starting a few new restaurants, including one in the UAE. "It is a very exciting time for me. I have loved working on Expo 2020 and enjoy the time I spend there, so a restaurant in Dubai would be a dream come true. Either Dubai or Oman would be on the top of my list," says the chef, adding, "I am also looking to open a restaurant in India. However, we have to work on a plan for that one."

Follow Chef Rohit Ghai on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter
Follow his restaurants - Iksha 360, Manthan, Kutir and Koolcha

Reading Time: 7 mins

From go-karting to GT4 European Series: Indian racer Akhil Rabindra is driving to glory

(July 1, 2022) An expensive sport, motor sports in India finds only a handful of takers as a profession. It was in the early 2000s that motor sports took off in India with Narain Karthikeyan and Karun Chandhok getting behind the wheel of a mean machine, and since then the racing industry is trying to find a stable foothold in the country. However, none of this dissuaded Indian racer Akhil Rabindra. Fascinated by cars since a very young age, Akhil went from enjoying recreational go-karting on weekends to becoming the first Asian to be selected by the Aston Martin Racing Driver Academy. [caption id="attachment_26364" align="aligncenter" width="563"] Indian racer Akhil Rabindra[/caption] Speaking to Global Indian from United Kingdom, ahead of the 2022 GT4 European Series, the 26-year-old racer reveals that racing was never on the cards, however, he always enjoyed speed driving. "Racing was never on my mind but driving cars, looking at cars and anything to do with cars was. I always thought I would own something nice and drive something nice," laughs the Indian racer, adding, "There were fewer opportunities in India, but still I got to a higher level. Motor sports require a lot of financial resources, time

was never on my mind but driving cars, looking at cars and anything to do with cars was. I always thought I would own something nice and drive something nice," laughs the Indian racer, adding, "There were fewer opportunities in India, but still I got to a higher level. Motor sports require a lot of financial resources, time and commitment. Somewhere along the way, it happened and I got into financial racing.”

Obsessed with cars and speed

The Bengaluru-born was always fascinated with cars. While other kids his age would spend their weekends playing cricket or football, Akhil's parents would drive him to a go-karting trip. "At age 10, I was obsessed with cars. When you are that young the only option for you is rental go-karting which were very few, back in the day. So, my weekend would start around 4 am on Saturday, when my parents would take me to a go-karting place which was far away, we would spend the weekend there and return late on Sunday, so that I could attend the school next morning," shares the Indian racer.

From recreational driving, Akhil progressed to professional go-karting at the age of 14. He did junior racing and moved to the highest national championships before moving out of India. However, it was a “busy life” for this champion. "I started professional go-karting in ninth grade. I had two sets of board exams ahead of me and I was not the brightest student. There was a lot of travelling involved, missing school, coming back and catching up on notes and I had to squeeze my school, fitness training and tuition on my week days. Since I was travelling, racing, working out on fitness, I had very less time to socialise and live the normal teenager life."

[caption id="attachment_26365" align="aligncenter" width="707"] Indian racer | Akhil Rabindra | Global Indian Akhil after securing the double podium finish in the season opening round of the GT4 European Series, 2022[/caption]

In 2012, Rabindra, alongside racing in single seater car, debuted in touring cars, driving the Toyota Etios Racing Series, and was the youngest finalist in the saloon car category in the championship. He even managed a podium finish at the Exhibition Race in Chennai and a strong finish in the race of Champions in Delhi ensuring his place at the Columbia Night Race 2013. But an accident in 2014 threw him off the scene for a while, however he shares that he has fully recovered from it. "Motor sport is not easy. Having said that, I think no sport is easy or safe. However, my family was incredibly supportive throughout my journey," shares the Indian racer.

Formula to success

After finishing his school, Akhil moved to the United Kingdom to enroll in the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, to pursue his BSc graduation. It was here that he saw the stark contrast in racing between India and abroad. "When I went to UK, I realised two things - one talent abroad is very competitive and hard, and two, you have got to do a lot of things right to make it to the top”, shares the Indian racer.

But as they say, when the going gets tough, the tough get going. So, Akhil started dedicating more time and energy into racing. In 2015, he competed in BRDC Formula 4 Championship in the United Kingdom with Wayne Douglas Motorsport, a series for young drivers from all over the world driving the new MSV F4-013, 2-litre Ford Durance engine and paddle shift gearbox. Having to learn a new car and new tracks, Akhil scored 203 points finishing 14th overall.

Indian racer | Akhil Rabindra | Global Indian

While he was keen to become a Formula 1 driver, eventually, the racer decided to jump from Formula series to the GT. "This was a tough decision as the formula ladder needed a lot of time, financial resources, and the chances of making it was also doubtful. We wanted to have a sustainable journey in motorsport and also be able to make it to the top. In the GT category, it has a larger ecosystem than 20 drivers in F1 and there are several more car manufactures, which opens up opportunities," explains the Indian racer.

Contrary to popular belief, motor-racing requires an equal amount of physical-mental fitness and discipline as any other sports. Explaining the intensity of the training, Akhil shares, "It’s the difference between a commercial jet pilot and a fighter jet pilot. Basically, it is the G-force that pushes into your body and weight and that’s when resistance comes into play. You’re sitting in a cramped position under a lot of external and internal heat and withstanding these forces. In some ways, it is a diluted version of a fighter jet on the ground.”

Road to the Aston Martin Racing Academy

India’s only GT4 racer, Akhil has been selected for the Aston Martin Racing Academy for the third year running. The 26-year-old was also the only Asian in the Aston Martin Racing (AMR) Driver Academy, which kicked-off its 2020 season with the French FFSA GT4 Championship, one of Europe’s strongest GT National Championships. "The Aston Martin Racing Academy was a big achievement," shares the Indian racer, adding, "They help in many different fronts such as physical and mental training, technique of driving and a lot of on and off stuff. They are not just focused on the driving part but it is a holistic approach to teaching. It is also the network as you get to interact with drivers who would help you out in different situations. They help tap into different forms of support with ease.”

Indian racer | Akhil Rabindra | Global Indian

He began 2022 on a good note by securing a double podium finish in the season opener with his new team, Racing Spirit of Leman, at the European GT4 Championship. Currently ranking third overall in the ongoing series, Akhil feels that the interest in motor sports is slowly growing in India but it’s still a long way to go. “In India, people are not educated on the sport like say we are on cricket. We understand terms like wide, no ball or cover drive. There is a fair interest in fast cars and modified cars in any city in India. The middle class is getting more affluent and everyone is always seeking to have a nice car. I think if it is televised more and there are more opportunities to watch, the interest will grow," he signs off.

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Indian-Origin cricket stars: Creating a legacy in their adopted nations

(January 26, 2024) Cricket, deeply rooted in the cultural essence of India, has seen the rise of exceptional Indian-origin talent flourishing abroad in countries they now call home. Global Indian puts into spotlight seven cricketers with roots in India, who have become integral to the cricketing spirit in their adopted countries. From donning the colours of England, South Africa, New Zealand, the Netherlands, to guiding international teams, each player's journey is about triumph, adding glory to their respective nations and making the diaspora proud. Ravinder Singh Bopara Representing England The Indian-origin English cricketer is associated with Sussex County Cricket Club in one-day cricket and has been a part of the England national team. Initially recognised as a top-order batsman, his evolving medium-paced bowling skills have transformed him into a batting all-rounder in one-day matches. Beyond his contributions to Sussex, Bopara has showcased his talents in various T20 leagues, representing Kings XI Punjab in the Indian Premier League, Karachi Kings in the Pakistan Super League, Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League, and Chittagong Vikings in the Bangladesh Premier League. He was a key member of the England team that secured victory in the 2010 ICC World Twenty20. [caption id="attachment_48627" align="aligncenter" width="640"]

of the England team that secured victory in the 2010 ICC World Twenty20.

[caption id="attachment_48627" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Indian Origin | Ravinder Singh Bopara | Global Indian Ravinder Singh Bopara[/caption]

Born into an immigrant Indian Punjabi Sikh family, Bopara received his education at Brampton Manor School in East Ham and Barking Abbey School. His cricket journey began at Frenford Clubs, and he represented Essex Boys and Girls Clubs in their U14 representative cricket team. His talent had earned him a place in the England U-19s, where he played multiple matches, including the 2004 U-19 Cricket World Cup, before joining the senior team.

Muttiah Muralitharan

Represented Sri Lanka

Muttiah Muralitharan played a pivotal role in Sri Lanka’s victory in the 1996 Cricket World Cup. A former Sri Lankan cricket player with origins in India, Muralitharan serves as a cricket coach and commentator now. For averaging over six wickets per Test match, he is widely acknowledged as one of the premier bowlers in the history of international cricket. Muralitharan holds the distinction of being the sole bowler to achieve 800 Test wickets and over 530 wickets in One Day Internationals (ODIs). As of September 2023, he holds record of taking the highest number of wickets in international cricket, surpassing all other bowlers. Muralitharan has been bowling coach of Sunrisers Hyderabad since 2015, and has coached the Australian national team on multiple occasions.

[caption id="attachment_48628" align="aligncenter" width="540"] Indian Origin | Cricket Stars | Global Indian Muttiah Muralitharan[/caption]

Muralitharan's grandfather had migrated from South India to work as a tea plantation worker at Sri Lanka in 1920. After many years he went back to his homeland with his daughters and started living in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu. However, his sons, including Muralitharan's father opted to stay in Sri Lanka.

Keshav Athmanand Maharaj

Representing South Africa

Keshav Maharaj represents the South African national team in Tests, One Day Internationals (ODIs), and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). Specialising as a left-arm spin bowler and lower-order batsman, Maharaj made his first-class cricket debut for KwaZulu-Natal, a coastal South African province in 2006. He started representing South Africa in Test cricket since 2016. In domestic cricket, Keshav plays for Dolphins and represents Durban's Super Giants in SA20. His father served as a wicketkeeper for KwaZulu-Natal.

[caption id="attachment_48629" align="aligncenter" width="587"] Indian Origin | Cricket Stars | Global Indian Keshav Athmanand Maharaj[/caption]

Born into a Hindu family in Durban, Keshav Maharaj has Indian ancestry. His great-grandfather migrated from Sultanpur in Uttar Pradesh to Durban in 1874 as an indentured labourer.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul

Represented West Indies

Shivnarine ‘Shiv’ Chanderpaul is regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of his era. He played a pivotal role in the West Indies team's victory in the 2004 ICC Champions Trophy. Having captained West Indies in 14 Tests and 16 One Day Internationals, Chanderpaul, a left-handed batsman is popular for his distinctive batting stance. Chanderpaul holds the 10th position in the list of highest run-scorers in international cricket and eighth position in Test cricket. For accumulating 20,000 runs in international cricket, he was honoured as one of the five Cricketers of the Year by the Wisden Cricketers' Almanack in 2008 and was bestowed with Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy (ICC Cricketer of the Year) from the International Cricket Council. He was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame in 2022.

[caption id="attachment_48630" align="aligncenter" width="596"] Indian Origin | Cricket Stars | Global Indian Shivnarine Chanderpaul[/caption]

Born to Indo-Guyanese parents Kamraj and Uma Chanderpaul at Unity Village in Guyana, Shivnarine Chanderpaul's cricketing talent was nurtured by his father, Kamaraj. His family's roots trace back to India, from where his ancestors moved to the West Indies as indentured labourers. Currently, Chanderpaul serves as the head coach of the USA senior women's and the USA Under-19 women's teams.

Ish Sodhi

Representing New Zealand

Inderbir Singh popularly known as ‘Ish’ Sodhi, represents New Zealand’s national cricket team across all formats and plays for Canterbury in domestic cricket. Sodhi, a right-arm leg-spinner and right-handed batsman, achieved the top-ranking for T20I bowlers in January 2018, rising from the 10th position at the conclusion of the preceding year.

[caption id="attachment_48631" align="aligncenter" width="673"] Indian Origin | Cricket Stars | Global Indian Ish Sodhi[/caption]

Originating from Punjab, Sodhi was born in Ludhiana, into a Sikh family. He migrated to Papatoetoe in New Zealand, with his family at the age of four, and attended Papatoetoe High School.

Hashim Mohammad Amla

Represented South Africa

The Durban-born cricketer is a former South African captain in both Test and ODI cricket who announced his retirement last year. Amla achieved the distinction of being the fastest cricketer to reach 3000, 4000, 6000, and 7000 ODI runs, and the second fastest to reach 5000 runs. He also holds the record of the quickest to attain 10 ODI centuries. Known for occasional off-break bowling, Amla is widely acclaimed as one of the greatest batsmen to have represented South Africa and is regarded as one of the finest opening batsmen in cricket history. A right-handed batsman, Amla claimed the record for the highest individual Test score by any South African batsman, notching an unbeaten 311 against England at The Oval, London in 2012.

[caption id="attachment_48632" align="aligncenter" width="643"] Indian Origin | Cricket Stars | Global Indian Hashim Mohammad Amla[/caption]

Hailing from a devout Muslim family of Indian descent, Amla's grandfather migrated from Surat to South Africa in 1927. Raised in a middle-class household, the cricketer attended Durban High School. His elder brother, Ahmed Amla, also pursued a professional cricket career. The brothers played together for some time at the KwaZulu-Natal Dolphins.

Vikramjit Singh

Representing Netherlands

Vikramjeet Singh is popular as the left-handed opening batsman. Singh made his debut for Netherlands at the age of 15. In his junior career, he represented the Netherlands national under-19 cricket team at Under-19 World Cup Europe Qualifier, emerging as the second-highest run-scorer in the tournament with 133 runs against France. Moving on to his senior career, Singh made his T20I debut for the Netherlands against Scotland in September 2019.

[caption id="attachment_48633" align="aligncenter" width="607"] Indian Origin | Cricket Stars | Global Indian Vikramjit Singh[/caption]

Born in Cheema Khurd, Punjab, India, to a Sikh family, Singh's grandfather had migrated to the Netherlands after the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Initially working as a taxi driver. His grandfather later established a transport company. The family moved back and forth between the Netherlands and India for several decades, and finally settled permanently in the Netherlands when Singh was just seven.

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