Ann D'Silva is an Indian writer based in Turkey

Global IndianstoryAnn D’Silva: The Indian writer who chased her dreams to Istanbul

Ann D’Silva: The Indian writer who chased her dreams to Istanbul

Written by: Charu Thakur

Dreams are a gateway to the subconscious. The invisible doors to awakening in the path of spiritual growth and transformation. The language of the Universe that speaks to the soul. But it’s only a few who dare to follow their dreams. And one such person is Indian-Turkish author Ann D’Silva. It was her dream that took her on a journey to Istanbul and led her to becoming a best-selling author.

In an exclusive interview with Global Indian, D’Silva said,

“The Universe is always speaking to us. It’s about understanding the messages and following them. If I had not listened to myself, my true dream and personal journey would not have happened. Moving to Turkey was the most courageous, riskiest, and rewarding thing I have done. Beyond fear is where the magic lies.”

Love for writing

Born and raised in Delhi, D’Silva forged a loving relationship with words at a tender age. At 8, she started writing poetry, and her inspiration came from her grandparents and their love story. “My grandfather was a journalist with the Reuters and my grandmom was from JJ School of Art, so creativity runs in our family. Their romance was always an inspiration,” added the author.

Ann D’Silva’s grandparents

Intrigued by classics like Odyssey and Jane Austen’s works, D’Silva studied Literature at Hindu College. But in the last quarter of her third year, her family moved to Mumbai after her father suddenly fell ill. Mumbai became D’Silva’s home for almost two decades. After completing her studies, she ventured into the corporate world where she worked in the telecom, travel, and banking sectors.

The perspective shift

It was in 2014 that things started to change for D’Silva who was then heading the global alliances team at the Sahara Group. “I was at the zenith of my career when the scandal broke. It was a turning point in my life because I kept asking myself ‘is there a message for me?’ I realized that it was time to make a switch and do something that I was passionate about. I was always interested in poetry, spirituality, chakras, and past-life regression. That’s when I decided to write my first book,” she said.

The Global Indian journey

It wasn’t until her maiden trip to Turkey that she started working on her first book, Sand & Sea: Footprints in the Sand. “I used to have these intriguing recurrent dreams about Turkey. I always thought Turkey was my place. I didn’t speak the language, I didn’t know anybody. But the place always drew me. In 2017, when I stepped inside the Blue Mosque for the first time, I knew I belonged there. So, in 2019, I moved to Istanbul,” revealed the Indian-Turkish author.

“By the time, I returned from Turkey, I had all the characters, elements, and places sketched in my mind,” added D’Silva. Released in January 2019, Sand & Sea: Footprints in the Sand became a best-selling book in no time and is now being translated into Turkish. The book about soulmates and Nature’s connection to love is one of hope and courage.

Ann D’Silva’s book cover

After the success of her debut book in the Sand & Sea trilogy, D’Silva released her second book Sand & Sea: Child of Two Worlds in April this year. She revealed that she is planning to finish the third book soon as a Bollywood production house is interested in making a screen adaptation of her books.

In no time, this Global Indian has become a popular name in literary circles. The author likes to call herself an “exposed” Indian who got a chance to experience the world. “I feel I am a modern Indian who was born in the 70s, grew up in the MTV era of the 80s where there was a dialogue around women’s identity and emancipation,” she added.

Despite having relocated to Turkey, D’Silva feels very much Indian. “I am an Indian woman in a sari. I am very close to my roots because my country made me who I am. I am global spiritually and mentally. I believe in an inclusive culture and forging new relationships with people with the right energy.”

The winds of change

Ann D’Silva in Istanbul

A spiritual being, D’Silva believes that change is the only constant. And it’s the embracing of change that has brought her to her current life. “When I used to do training on leadership, I used to often say that you cannot expect different results doing the same things. The realm shifts when you decide to embrace the change.”

Born as a catholic, D’Silva converted to Islam about four years ago. “I am spiritually connected with Allah.”

Giving back

D’Silva is also a humanitarian and someone who is fiercely driven about social responsibility. Apart from being a global goodwill ambassador and a board member of Asian African Chambers of Commerce and Industry, she was the co-founder of the India Heart Initiative.

Created with respect for the embroidery and textile traditions in India, the initiative helped artisans get their due. “We used 25% of the profits to educate women on health and to provide them computer literacy. I have plans of reviving the initiative and I am already in talks with a Turkish investor for the same.”

Editor’s Take

Just flipping through the pages of a book, one can be easily transported to a different country, its culture, its nuances, and stories. Books often open up portals to another dimension, to a higher level of consciousness and awareness, and that’s exactly what the best-selling author Ann D’Silva has done with her Sand & Sea trilogy. Through her inked words, she is inspiring millions of people to follow their dreams and to trust their instincts.

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Published on 17, Jul 2021

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Take a bow: Victory loves preparation, says ace Indian archer Abhishek Verma

(May 18, 2023) From a humble classroom in New Delhi to the prestigious podiums of international archery, Abhishek Verma's journey is an inspiring saga of relentless dedication and stellar achievements. A towering figure in Indian compound archery, the Arjuna awardee’s legacy includes over 150 national and international medals, including multiple World Cup golds. Get a glimpse into the determined, driven life of the ace Indian archer, who ranks 10th in the world and 1 in Asia and India. Abhishek Verma's day begins at the crack of dawn. Even after two decades of being a professional archer, Abhishek lives by one rule: Victory loves preparation. "Practice is the key in any tournament, I practice eight to ten hours every day without fail," the ace archer says, speaking exclusively to Global Indian. "I do some physical activity between 6 am and 7 am and then have a practice session till 11 am," he explains. At 3 pm, he begins his second session - that continues till 7 pm, after which he usually heads to the gym.These intense practice sessions have always been a way of life. "I followed the same routine in my early days and stick to it even now, even

ions have always been a way of life. "I followed the same routine in my early days and stick to it even now, even after becoming the father of two children," smiles the compound archer.

[caption id="attachment_38810" align="aligncenter" width="573"] Indian archer Abhishek Verma[/caption]

Victory loves preparation

That dedication has always stood him in good stead. At the 2014 Asian Games held in South Korea, just as Abhishek was all set to aim and shoot, strong winds began to play a spoilsport. He stayed calm maintained his focus and leaned into his training, recalling everything that he had learned about encountering harsh weather conditions. Abhishek brought home the gold in the men’s compound archery team and silver in the men’s individual compound event.

“All professional archers encounter strong winds and rainfall during tournaments. Don’t bother about winning a medal, just go out there and perform well. The medals will follow,”Abhishek smiles. Also in 2014, Later that year, he won the Arjuna Award, becoming the first archer in the compound category to receive the top sporting honour. "Arjuna is a dream for any sportsman. It was a huge moment in my career," he says.

At the time of this interview, the World Cup gold medallist had just returned from Tashkent, where he led a 16-member contingent of archers for the Asia Cup 2023. The team returned home in triumph, with a total of 14 medals in the compound and recurve events. His current world ranking is No. 10 while his Asia rank and India rank stand at No 1. “Archery demands focus and consistency, which comes with a lot of dedication.

Transformed by his game

Archery, Abhishek believes, changes one’s personality for the better. “It makes you calm and focussed,” he says. For him, he is his own competition. “I don’t see other people as my competitors. I am my own competitor,” remarks Abhishek, who is also an Income Tax officer in Delhi. Hundreds come to play a tournament but only three win medals,” says the archer, who is presently training for the Asian Games to be held in China in October this year.

In August 2015, he won a gold medal in the compound men's individual section at the Archery World Cup Stage 3 in Wroclaw, Poland. In October the same year, he won the silver medal in the compound men's individual section at the Archery World Cup Final in Mexico City.

Last year, Abhishek teamed with fellow archer Jyothi Surekha Vennam and won gold medal in compound mixed team event in Archery World Cup held at Paris, France. Similarly, in November 2021, he won the bronze medal in the men's compound archery team at the 22nd Asian Archery Championship in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Early life

Born in New Delhi in June 1989, Abhishek was in class eight, a student of Government School in Model Town, when he decided to take up some sporting activity. So, one morning, he walked up to his PT teacher and sought his advice on which sport he should take up. “Join archery,” his teacher casually told Abhishek.

Some days later, when he held a simple wooden bow and shot an arrow for the first time in his life, Abhishek felt an instant connection with the sport. So much so that he gave his 100 per cent to archery and it gave him everything one can aspire for in life.

In those initial years, Abhishek would practice at the Delhi university ground, from where he started playing sub-juniors and nationals. By 2005, he became a national champion. “I was an average student academically, so my parents were happy that I was doing so well in archery,” he recalls.

Going pro and paying it forward

By 2006, he started practicing at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) stadium and went on to play several national tournaments. “My real journey started from the year 2011 as I began participating in world championships. I worked very hard for the compound model, which was new in India. I took the help of some of my coaches and the internet to get it right. I pushed myself harder,” says Abhishek, who represented India in five Asian championships held across the globe and won 12 medals.

Presently, he practices at National Centre of Excellence (NCOE), Sonepat or at Yamuna Sports Complex, Delhi. Archery is an expensive and technical game, he says. “To participate in the international events, we need imported bows which cost 3 lakh upwards, which not everyone can afford,” he says, adding that the government, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) in particular, is doing its bit to help out the talented sportspersons.

Abhishek also plans to do his bit for archery. “I want to open an academy and train young players to become successful archers. I have the capability and knowledge about the sport which I want to pass on to my juniors and help them in every possible way,” says Abhishek, who has travelled the world for his tournaments.

Leisure time

Ten hours of archery practice daily and taking care of his family don’t leave Abhishek with much time to pursue a hobby. “Whatever time I get after or in between my practice, I make it a point to spend it with family. This leaves me no time for anything else,” says the ace Indian archer.

He however likes to watch OTT and indulges in it in between long flights. “There is so much of travelling to do for world tournaments and that gives me some time for myself,” he smiles.

Follow Abhishek Verma on Instagram.

Teja Chekuri: The Indian restaurateur bringing bold Andhra flavours to the world

(September 17, 2024) An Indian restaurateur who has made his mark in the USA and now in India, Teja Chekuri, founder, Full Stack Ventures is also a global restaurateur who has set up restaurant chains across the world. Apart from being the Managing Partner at Ironhill India, he is on the board at several other different companies as well. He has also acquired nine Dunkin’ Donuts franchises across the USA, with an $18 million investment in total. A deep fascination with flavours and innovation characterised his upbringing in the southern peninsula of the Indian subcontinent. “From a young age, I harboured a deep appreciation for culinary experiences, cultivating a rich understanding of gastronomy,” he tells Global Indian. At the same time, he was also intrigued by numbers and technology, which eventually steered him towards a degree in Electrical Engineering at Sree Vidyaniketan Engineering College in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. From there, he moved to the US to do his MS in Gannon University, Pennsylvania, and began his career as a database administrator for MetLife and UPS. The experience helped him develop a strategic mindset, laying the groundwork for his subsequent entrepreneurial endeavours. [caption id="attachment_56083" align="aligncenter" width="288"] Teja Chekuri[/caption] What nourishes the

[caption id="attachment_56083" align="aligncenter" width="288"] Teja Chekuri | Ironhill | Global Indian Teja Chekuri[/caption]

What nourishes the soul

Chekuri’s career has reflected his passions and aspirations. While his background lies in engineering, his heart has always been in the food and beverage industry. Despite carving a successful path in the corporate sector, he never lost sight of his first love – food. Teja's expansion into f&B spans three countries - India, the US and Canada. It started with Prost, Bengaluru's first microbrewery. Athough he was a Telangana boy, Bengaluru was the most conducive place to start his business, although he went on to launch Prost in Hyderabad in 2016.

During his time in the US, he had observed that although there were lots of Indian restaurants, most were toned down to suit a wider palate. So, he decided to launch a chain of restaurants that were unaplogetic about their spicy roots, serving up Andhra food that wasn't tweaked to suit American tastes. In 2015, he launched Godavarin Woburn, near Boston. The approach at Godavari was bold, but it received such a positive response that Teja expanded to over 30 locations in the US and Canada, with plans to launch 21 more. They keep the menu dynamic, although the thaali, the Andhra chicken curry and Hyderabadi dum biryani remain favourites. Godavari also dishes up perennial South Indian favourites like idlis, dosas and sambar rice.

“My journey has been guided by a relentless pursuit of innovation and a desire to create authentic consumer experiences. I chose to venture into entrepreneurship because I believe in the power of ideas to transform industries and uplift communities. Each business I have pursued has been driven by a desire to challenge the status quo and redefine the boundaries of possibility,” he says. He also co-founded the Madras Dosa Company, and Vaanga, which aimed to bring authentic South Indian flavours to a global audience. Setting up food businesses in the USA posed challenges, including navigating complex regulations and competition, but his dedication to providing genuine culinary experiences helped overcome these hurdles.

Teja Chekuri | Ironhill | Global Indian

The return home

Returning to India was a natural progression for expanding his culinary ventures globally. Managing restaurants across countries allowed him to cater to diverse audiences and leverage unique opportunities. “Despite challenges adapting to a different market and business environment, the experience has honed my cross-cultural communication and team management skills. I remain committed to leveraging my expertise to create new opportunities for growth and development,” he explains.

He has also acquired nine Dunkin’ franchises in the US, marking a significant milestone. “With a $18 million investment across multiple locations, we are poised to enhance the Dunkin' brand experience. We constantly adapt to evolving consumer preferences to stay ahead of the competition. We see the rise of QSRs as a significant trend and are eager to incorporate it into our offerings, demonstrating our agility and readiness to adapt,” he adds. His approach involves a multifaceted strategy, focusing on branding, product innovation, and operational efficiency. By leveraging Dunkin's established reputation and expertise, he aims to meet and exceed customer expectations, solidifying his position in the market and driving sustainable growth.

Learning from challenges

Chekuri admits that he is driven by an unyielding passion for innovation and a deep-rooted desire to make a meaningful impact on the world. “Every obstacle presents an opportunity for personal growth, and success should be measured not just in monetary terms but also in our positive impact on others. Additionally, I find inspiration in the diverse cultures and culinary customs from around the globe, and I am committed to honouring these differences and fostering togetherness through the universal language of food and hospitality,” he says. And as far as conquering obstacles is concerned, he says that it requires a combination of creativity, determination, and adaptability. His experience as an entrepreneur has come with its share of challenges, from including manoeuvring through intricate regulations, to competing with formidable opponents. The ability to keep an open mind, as well as the willingness to experiment, has kept him fortified.

Teja Chekuri | Ironhill | Global Indian

One of Chekuri’s most valuable lessons is continuous learning and adaptation. In a rapidly evolving world, staying ahead of the curve requires embracing change and exploring new ideas. “Moreover, I have learned the power of collaboration and teamwork in achieving shared goals. By surrounding myself with talented individuals who share my vision, I have accomplished more than I ever thought possible,” he says. In his free time, he enjoys immersing himself in culinary exploration, travel, and adventure. Reading and watching movies offer him both a welcome escape and inspiration. “My goal is to drive growth and innovation in the food and beverage industry. I will promote culinary innovation, explore new business strategies, and celebrate diversity. I will cultivate creativity and professionalism to achieve our objectives and lead the industry,” he concludes.

Follow Teja Chekuri on Instagram and on his website.

Braving the odds: Sara Adhikari walks 800 km with her sister to help acid attack survivors

(July 18, 2022) Stretched over 800 km, El Camino, the ancient pilgrim route in northern Spain is on the bucket list of every hiker. And it was no different for Sara Adhikari, the head of content at GiveIndia - the country’s largest online giving platform. So, when her sister, Louise suggested it, she jumped on the idea. However, the 64-year-old didn’t want it to be a walk of just self-discovery and bonding with her sister. She wanted to walk for a cause close to her heart. Deciding to raise awareness and funds for acid attack survivors in India, Sara, and her 62-year-old sister, recently finished their 800-km walk and were also able to raise over ₹5 lakh, which will go for the rehabilitation of acid attack survivors and help with their long-term medical treatment. [caption id="attachment_26952" align="aligncenter" width="550"] Sara Adhikari[/caption] On Sunday, June 26, Louise and Sara reached Santiago, 40 days after starting the trek. While their friends cheered the ladies as they uploaded wonderful pictures on social media, others generously contributed to the cause. As she connects with Global Indian, Sara remembers the emotions after she reached the finishing line. "I was relieved, elated, overcome, overwhelmed… all rolled into one.

ctures on social media, others generously contributed to the cause. As she connects with Global Indian, Sara remembers the emotions after she reached the finishing line. "I was relieved, elated, overcome, overwhelmed… all rolled into one. And, for the first time, we are proud of ourselves. We were also blessed with sunshine in Santiago, where it rains 300 days a year," the hiker shares.

Preparing for the El Camino trail

The 800-km El Camino de Santiago walk in Spain is ‌one of the most ancient and longest trails in the world. Besides being adventurous and having the will to complete the journey, what was required was a lot of planning. After all, the walk would last for weeks! "I bought a couple of books to know more about the kind of training we should do, including people's accounts about walking the route and of course, a list of what little we could carry in our backpacks," says Sara.

Preparations began months in advance. Sara joined a gym to train on the treadmill as much as possible. "If I wasn't there, I went out walking as many mornings as I could, sometimes with a friend to the lakes. But I never managed to walk more than about seven km. That worried me and Louise too - what if I couldn't manage the 20-25 km we would have to walk every day on the Camino?"

[caption id="attachment_26979" align="aligncenter" width="550"] Hiker | Sara Adhikari | Global Indian Sar, with her sister Louise during the El-Camino trek[/caption]

The Bengaluru-based Sara is a former journalist who has worked with various leading publications such as Khaleej Times and Times of India. Her sister, Louise, worked in IT for 37 years and took early retirement about six years ago. Louise lives in Witney, Oxfordshire, with her husband and has taken part in triathlons, done challenges such as the Great Wall of China walk and a fundraiser where she walked 52 miles in 24 hours four years ago. The Camino walk was Louise's idea after she saw the Martin Sheen film called The Way.

Overcoming their fears

After a few weeks of hiking trips in England, Sara and Louise were finally ready in May to start the challenge and headed to Spain. Sara’s two biggest worries before they started on the Camino were the fear of sleeping on the top bunk in hostels/dormitories along the way and how her feet would take in all the walking.

She didn’t have to wait for long to come face to face with her first fear. After the first day of walking, they were in a dormitory. Both of them got top bunks opposite each other. In the middle of the night, Sara had to get down and she slipped on the ladder, fell headlong, and hit the back of her head on the bunk. But it was nothing serious - except for a bump on the back of her head, which meant she couldn’t lie on her back for weeks.

Hiker | Sara Adhikari | Global Indian

On the second day, Sara had some blisters on her feet. However, with all her friends encouraging them on social media, she continued with her mission. After walking for eight days, Louise insisted Sara go to a health centre in the next town. "I was mostly limping the better part of 10 km. The doctor tested my legs and told me to go to a health centre every day to treat them." So Louise walked the rest of the 10 km on that day on her own and Sara took a taxi to the Albergue, where they stayed the night.

The following day too, Louise, walked the next 20 km while Sara walked to the health centre in Logrono and the doctor bandaged her well so she could start walking again. The hiker did join her sister eventually and they finished the rest of the journey together.

Memories from Camino that will stay

Most hikers describe life on the Camilo trail as 'walk, eat, sleep, repeat' - and each day was different for Sara and Louise. The stories of co-walkers' lives inspired the ladies a lot. "We met a newly married man, who had a chronic condition and suffers debilitating pain in his head which causes seizures. But that didn't stop him from walking 800 km alone. While he needed to visit the hospital a couple of times along the way, he didn't want to be bound by his family's legitimate fears of what could happen. He was greeted by his relieved teary-eyed wife when he walked into Santiago, bursting with pride at his achievement,” Sara shares.

[caption id="attachment_26982" align="aligncenter" width="550"] Hiker | Sara Adhikari | Global Indian A picture of the beautiful countryside in the northern Spain that Sara shared on her Instagram[/caption]

The duo also met an American couple in their late 70s who were “walking very fast.” But when they slowed down to chat, Sara learned that the husband has dementia, but still wanted to do the Camino. "The wife never left his side," the hiker says.

Worth the trouble

"It was hardy,” says Sara on the walk, despite all the difficulties they faced. “Doing something for acid attack survivors was on the top of my mind,” she says. GiveIndia had launched a fundraiser for Chhanv Foundation to raise funds for acid attack survivors.

The hiker shares that researching and reading about incidents of cruelty that physically and mentally scarred women for life had deeply disturbed her a lot. “I wanted to create awareness for these survivors, who usually keep a low profile as they find it difficult to face the society that shuns them,” she says.

[caption id="attachment_26983" align="aligncenter" width="550"] Hiker | Sara Adhikari | Global Indian Sara and Louise after finishing the El Camino[/caption]

Thanks to the generosity of friends, family, colleagues, acquaintances, and others, Sara’s fundraiser for acid attack survivors has reached the target of Rs 5 lakh and people are donating even now. You too can donate to the cause here.

Follow Sara Adhikari on Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter

Reading Time: 7 mins

Meet Dr. Archana Sharma, the Indian scientist involved in the discovery of the Higgs boson at CERN

[et_pb_section bb_built="1"][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type="4_4"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.9.0"] (April 13, 2023) It was the biggest news of not just 2012, but of the century. A group of scientists, in a landmark event, had discovered the Higgs boson particle (also known as the God particle) - a discovery that lay the foundation for the matter that forms us and everything we see around us in the universe. Scientists from across the globe rushed to congratulate the team behind such a historic discovery, among whom was Dr. Archana Sharma, the Indian staff scientist at CERN who was involved in the experiment. As she connects with me over a call from Geneva for an interview, I ask Dr. Sharma something that had been on my mind for a long. The STEM education gender gap in India is glaring even today. How challenging was it for her to pursue a master's in nuclear physics back in the early 80s? "Well, I don't think any journey is easy. Neither was mine," says the scientist, adding, "While I was pursuing my Ph.D., most girls my age were getting married. Today girls can put their foot down and do what they want to, but the generation that I belong to is

girls my age were getting married. Today girls can put their foot down and do what they want to, but the generation that I belong to is very different. People would say, 'jhola leke chali hain physics padhne, kya yeh Nobel Prize layengi?' Though there was immense support from my family, from time to time I would hear people say, 'She’s too educated, who is going to marry her?' But, whatever the challenges, you just need to clench your teeth and carry on."

Scientist | Dr Archana Sharma | Global Indian

A globally recognised scientist for her pioneering work on micro-pattern gaseous detectors, Dr. Sharma is currently a senior CMS physicist European Organisation for Nuclear Research, known as CERN in Geneva, Switzerland. She is also the head of relations between CERN and other international organisations. The Global Indian, who received the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman in 2023 for her 'outstanding contribution to science and technology' and in recognition of her 'valuable contribution' in promoting the honour and prestige of India, dedicated the award to the students of India saying that her Indian roots and upbringing have helped her serve the world as one family.

A small-town girl with big dreams

Born in Aligarh, Dr. Sharma was always a brilliant student. "I grew up in Jhansi and completed most of my school education from there. Both my parents were teachers - my father taught mechanical engineering, and my mother taught economics and geography. They were the ones who pushed me towards picking science as my career path. I came from a middle-class family, so good education was quite important and my parents saw to it that I got that."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PL9pjrhgVxc

After finishing school, Dr. Sharma moved to Varanasi for a bachelor's in physics from Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi where she also did her master's degree. While it might look easy now, back in the 80s, it wasn't common for girls to pursue a career in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields. "Firstly, I loved the subject, and just decided to follow my heart to do a masters in nuclear physics. I was curious to learn more about what makes the world around us and wanted to explore the field," says the scientist.

Scientist | Dr Archana Sharma | Global Indian

However, while education is one thing, finding a job is another. Despite being a "good student, who had secured gold medals", the scientist faced several challenges after finishing her master's. "Physics is not a top career path in terms of giving immediate rewards. There were students in my class who took electronics and computing and got a job even before finishing their master's. It was a frustrating time for me because I wanted to stand on my own feet and there was no future in sight. For about two to three years, I didn't get any suitable job. Moreover, I didn't get admission to the best Universities to pursue my Ph.D. But as they say, there is a rainbow after the rain. I was lucky and got a chance to do Ph.D. at Delhi University," the scientist says.

The land of the Alps

While she was pursuing her Ph.D. at DU, Dr. Sharma got an opportunity to attend a workshop in Trieste Italy, in 1987 and visit CERN. And that was a turning point for her. “A senior professor who gave a lecture at the workshop announced that the best student would be allowed to work at CERN in Geneva for six months. It was a big opportunity and couldn't just let it go. So, I worked hard and managed to get this opportunity. I convinced my parents about me going to Geneva, and my in-laws were also quite supportive," shares the scientist, who later won a fellowship to come to CERN for three years and landed right in the group of detector development led by Georges Charpak (Physics Nobel Laureate, 1992).

[caption id="attachment_37285" align="aligncenter" width="650"] Scientist | Dr Archana Sharma | Global Indian Dr. Sharma receiving the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman from President of India, Droupadi Murmu[/caption]

To work at CERN is a dream for scientists across the globe, and Dr. Sharma was living it. In a first Sharma was exceptionally employed in 2001, by CERN, as an Indian. But the dream had its challenges. "The cultural shift wasn't so much of an issue. Being raised in a multicultural society, Indians are well aware of how to accommodate and adapt to other cultures. Language, however, was a bit of a barrier. I had to learn French, which was a steep learning curve for me," she recalls.

However, language wasn't the only barrier. Lacking practical knowledge of instrumentation and building scientific instruments, the scientist found herself in a bit of a tight situation in Geneva. She reminiscences, "Back in those days, there was a lack of infrastructure in the Indian universities. So, my preparation wasn't as good as I thought it was when I reached CERN. I had to learn and understand how advanced instrumentation worked, now that I had to use them regularly, and to make sense of the work that I was supposed to do."

Scientist | Dr Archana Sharma | Global Indian

To overcome the challenge, Dr. Sharma enrolled and earned a second doctorate (D.Sc.) in "Instrumentation for High Energy Physics" from the University of Geneva in 1996 and later also got an executive MBA degree from the International University in Geneva in 2001. "However," she adds, "The ease of performing research and development work at CERN, was a pleasant surprise for me. The work culture and professionalism here is amazing."

The discovery of the God particle

CERN, in collaboration with over 10,000 scientists and hundreds of universities and laboratories, built the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) between 1998 and 2008, to allow physicists to test the predictions of different theories of particle physics. "My work was to prepare tools and techniques for looking at the processes relating to the big bang."

[caption id="attachment_37266" align="aligncenter" width="580"] Scientist | Dr Archana Sharma | Global Indian Dr. Sharma at the CERN Large Hadron Collider[/caption]

She explains, "The Universe is made up of fundamental particles of matter, which contains quarks and gluons, and forces by which they act on each other. In the 1960s, the Higgs mechanism was invoked to explain how particle gets mass. So, to prove that the Higgs boson exists, we needed to do a very large experiment and the LHC had an ambitious goal of finding this boson. In the 90s, I was working on R&D of detectors and techniques, which were later used to confirm the existence of the Higgs boson particle. Of course, I did not know at the time that I was contributing to this huge experiment. I worked on the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) experiment, and my responsibility was to ensure that the detectors for the muon system would be built, installed, commissioned, and then operated when the LHC switched on."

On July 4, 2012, a historic seminar was held to announce the detection of the Higgs boson. "I got up early and reached CERN at 5 am to get a seat at the auditorium, only to find that I couldn't even enter the jam-packed venue. It was the most amazing experience of my life," she shares.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUDPB0MfG74

Ask her about the theories floating around at the time that the LHC could potentially create a black hole and the scientist quips, "Oh, they were blessings in disguise. You know how they say 'any publicity is good publicity'. This news gave us scientists a way to reach out to the public and explain to them that collisions much greater than the hadron collider happens from cosmic rays as well. And yet, we and the Universe are still here. So, these theories helped us bust many myths around the black hole formation."

Empowering young people

In 2017, India became a member state of the CERN and Dr. Sharma has been coordinating collaborations, and even guiding Indian interns at CERN. Running her own NGO, Life Lab Education and Research Foundation, the scientist is working towards creating partnerships with educational institutions for the benefit of underprivileged students. “I come to India very frequently, giving my time to schools and other science and engineering institutions to give talks and interact with students, teaching them whatever little I can about particle physics, and how technology and innovation can impact society and sustained development goals,” Dr. Sharma says.

[caption id="attachment_37265" align="aligncenter" width="652"] Scientist | Dr Archana Sharma | Global Indian Dr. Sharma with Indian school students[/caption]

Currently working on the CMS experiment in the Large Hadron Collider, developing a new muon system called GEM (Gas Electron Multiplier), which can detect muons in the outermost layer of the CMS, the scientist has mentored a large number of Ph.D. students and has authored or co-authored over 1200 publications. Her dream is to touch the lives of as many students as possible and bring advanced medical applications from particle physics in mainstream education, diagnostics and treatments.

Follow Dr. Archana Sharma on Twitter

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Slam dunk: India, Spain, or US, basketball pro Prudhvi Reddy ‘shoots’ to thrill everywhere

(January 31, 2023) Back in 2013, when Ambati Prudhvishwar Reddy began practising at the Europe Basketball Academy (EBA) in Barcelona, Spain — his acrobatic abilities, agility, swift moves, and teamwork — earned him a lot of admirers among professional athletes and coaches, almost instantly. One among them, in particular, was the academy’s head coach, Srdjan Premovic, who introduced Prudhvishwar to a ‘basketball life’ in its truest sense, replete with intense training and a tough fitness routine, which improved his game. So much so that when the budding basketball player informed him that he had no money to continue in EBA, three months after his arrival, Premovic not only helped him continue in the academy for one year but also bought his air tickets back home when Prudhvishwar was selected to play in the Indian basketball team! “While leaving Spain, I promised my coach that I will never let him down, come what may. I kept my word,” smiles Prudhvi, as he is known in basketball circles, in an exclusive conversation with Global Indian. Standing tall at 6.2, the professional basketball player made India proud in various national and international tournaments. Representing Telangana state four times to playing for Christian Life

es, in an exclusive conversation with Global Indian. Standing tall at 6.2, the professional basketball player made India proud in various national and international tournaments. Representing Telangana state four times to playing for Christian Life prep school in the US to being selected amongst the two best players in India and going to the US once again for UBA — the list of his achievements is really long. “Practising in Spain was very tough and it was the turning point in my life. Training with highly professional athletes and professional coaches made me what I am today,” says the 27-year-old basketball player.

Double dribble

Born in Siripuram, Nalgonda district of Telangana, Prudhvi studied at Niraj Public School in Hyderabad and later went to St. Mary’s College, Yousufguda. While his mother A Upendra Reddy worked as a PT teacher in the same school, his father A Ravinder Reddy is into business. As kids, he and his brother Rajasekhar Reddy, now a mechanical engineer in the US, loved to play cricket and used to go for regular coaching. “Back then, I wanted to become a professional cricket player,” informs Prudhvi, who soon gave up the sport to perform better academically.

Ambati Prudhvi Reddy | Basketball Player | Global Indian

In school, Prudhvi was an enthusiastic kid who always wanted to run around and play. “Be it any sport, I had that competitive spirit in me to win the game,” says Prudhvi who won the best sportsperson award in class 10. The event was a memorable one as it was his mother, as a PT teacher, who handed over the award. Academically too, he performed well, having passed class 10 (ICSE board) with 81 percent.

Years later, when his brother was getting into basketball coaching, after much prodding by their mother, who felt playing the sport would make him taller by a few inches, Prudhvi decided that he too would follow suit. Moreover, he felt his athletic physique was best suited for basketball. By the time he turned 16, Prudhvi was making all the right moves on the basketball court. Not one, he was going to three different places in Hyderabad for coaching.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4-LggxFiAs

The young sportsman would regularly create videos of him playing basketball and upload them on YouTube. A coach from EBA even got in touch with Prudhvi after he saw his videos. But back then, the budding basketball player was in no mood to give up his education and travel to Spain for training.

When the going gets tough...

Back home, Prudhvi was not able to get through the selection process in Indian basketball camps. “I realised that the training I was receiving back then was not good enough to get selected for the Indian team. The following year, I made up my mind to go to Spain for professional training,” informs Prudhvi, who was among the country’s top 16 chosen by the UBA (United Basketball Alliance) to visit the US after seasons two and three, where he averaged 20 and 25 points per game.

He left for Spain soon after his EAMCET exams. “My father agreed to it the moment I told him about Spain. We gathered all the necessary information, pooled the money, and left for Spain. This was the beginning of my basketball journey,” informs the basketball professional.

Ambati Prudhvi Reddy | Basketball Player | Global Indian

At EBA, Prudhvi was in the best hands. Sporting his talent early, EBA coach Srdjan Premovic took Prudhvi under his wings and he wasted no time picking up the nuances of the game. “Playing with some of the best basketball professionals from across the world and the best facilities was something I missed in India. It made a huge difference,” points out Prudhvi, whose coach admired him for his “hunger for the game.”

He excelled as a point guard in the game, whose primary job was to facilitate scoring opportunities for the team. A point guard has the most specialised role of any position and is expected to run the team's offense by controlling the ball and making sure that it gets to the right player at the right time. “My coach would always challenge me and treated me with 10 euros if I scored the most points. He used to push me harder. To this day, I keep following what I learnt there,” recalls Prudhvi. When it came to Indian basketballers, coach Premovic would describe Prudhvi, as “one of the best materials to work with.”

Upon returning to India, Prudhvi achieved success at the 2014 South Asian Basketball Association (SABA) championship in Bengaluru. Later, his game was noticed by the coach of Christian Life Academy in Houston, Texas where he spent another year of intense training. For Prudhvi, playing in the US was a different experience when compared to Spain. “In Spain, it was mostly training while in the US, I was representing a prep school where we had games throughout the year and it was all about performance,” says Prudhvi, whose experiences and exposure abroad helped him improve his game great deal.

Ambati Prudhvi Reddy | Basketball Player | Global Indian

While in the US, he also worked for a Mexican as an interior designer where he used to design bedrooms into their favourite hero or sports figure themes. “I used to go for NBA games where I met NBA player Tyler Ulis who was playing for Phoenix’s Suns team,” says the professional. Tyler is an American professional basketball coach.

Scaling new heights

With the United Basketball Alliance (UBA) making inroads in India, his career received a major boost. Prudhvi was selected by the Mumbai Challengers on an annual contract in the UBA’s second season.

So what makes for a good basketball player? Prudhvi says it takes years of hard work and consistency for any athlete to make it big in sports. As for basketball, one needs good training and routine. “Having a good diet, eating on time, fitness and regular practice is a must,” he points out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaKWBE2aEh0

Speaking about his future plans, the basketball player says, “Well, I just fulfilled my dream of opening my basketball academy in Hyderabad. Just like EBA, it consists of everything a basketball player needs including a gym, sports rehab, physio, Ice bath, hydrotherapy, and recovery. It is India’s first such academy,” smiles a beaming Prudhvi, adding that his goal is to educate people that there is life and profession in basketball.

Since he is occupied with basketball for the most part of the day, he makes it a point to watch NBA highlights whenever he has the time. “Otherwise, I spend time with friends,” he says.

Follow Ambati Prudhvishwar Reddy on Facebook

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