Global IndianstoryBorders of refuge: Indian MBBS students flee war-torn Ukraine recounting kindness, aid & hope

Borders of refuge: Indian MBBS students flee war-torn Ukraine recounting kindness, aid & hope

Written by: Vikram Sharma

(March 3, 2022) Even as the tragic death of Indian student Naveen Shekharappa in shelling as he went seeking food shocked the student community, there are stories of hope, and resilience emerging too. Far off on the Ukrainian borders, humanity shines through. Kind hearts who rose above their needs to help terrified others fleeing an illegal war that Russia has wreaked on Ukraine. The past 72 hours have been the most harrowing for Rohit Chauhan. He walked over 12 km, luggage in tow, in sub-zero temperature to reach the Romanian border. Back breaking, he stood in a long queue for 15 hours, braving biting cold, with nought to eat or drink. Chaos, hostile weather and no shelter, the sleep-deprived student even helped several women move faster in the queue that ended up delaying his own exit. He was the last in his group of 57 Indian students to have crossed into Romania on March 1.

“The local airport had been bombed. It was either staying in Ivano, or moving to the border.”

– Rohit Chauhan, MBBS student who fled Ukraine safely to Romania

“I just crossed the border into Romania. It was hell for the past three days. Glad we made it,” says Rohit, a first year MBBS student at Ivano-Frankivsk National Medical University, in a shaken voice, when Global Indian caught up with him moments after he crossed the border after a three-day ordeal.

Rohit Chauhan with fellow Indian medical students

In the past 48 hours, hundreds of Indians like Rohit fled Ukraine in the most challenging circumstances as Russian forces stepped up attacks.

When the clouds of war were engulfing Ukraine, unaware, Rohit Chauhan was still deep into attending physical class, exchanging notes, etc. When the Russian forces bombed the local airport to smithereens, the gravity of the situation dawned on the hundreds of foreign students at the university in Ivano city (northwest), 600 km away from Kyiv.

“I am Bishal Saha pursuing medical in #Ukraine. I am..stranded with four of my friends in a metro station to save ourselves from shelling..Unable to contact the Indian embassy…kindly tweet and spread”

Kindly take notice of our friends@MEAIndia @PMOIndia @DrSJaishankar pic.twitter.com/unkYaqL6hV

— Adarsh Patel (@04adarshpatel) February 24, 2022

Without wasting time, the group were lucky to book a bus. All 57 students huddled in a packed bus, carrying frugal belongings, and set off on a four-hour journey to the border. “I paid about 1,030 hryvnia (Rs 2,600) on bus fare. It was a difficult choice but we made it,” says a thankful Rohit (from Telangana).

The scenario was surreal, unsettling – as air sirens and warplanes zipped above. To be caught in a deadly war was the last thing they had expected.

Indian students walking towards Ukraine border

Rumours of the impending war had been rife for sometime, so his roommates stocked on groceries for a month. “University authorities told us to remain indoors,” he recounts. As the Russian forces gained ground pounding different towns and cities, with heroic resistance from the Ukraine army and heavily armed civilians, they sat contemplating their exit. “The local airport had been bombed. It was either staying in Ivano, or moving to the border,” he said. There were also reports of pitched battles being fought on the streets between the invading forces and Ukraine’s army.

I am a stranded Indian student in Kiev urgently request Indian govt and Indian embassy in Kiev to help us to travel from Kiev to borders like Poland or Hungary to evacuate from Ukraine..m just 17 year old this is my first time abroad please help me very scared I am

— Ramanan Uma (@RamananUma2) February 25, 2022

While most had heard of the tough conditions at the border, the stark reality was alarming. Thankful, and getting a bed to sleep in after three days, Rohit now awaits evacuation, the details of flights, much needed, are still sketchy.

Indian students waiting to be evacuated

Parekh Disha travelled from Kyiv to Lviv, still in shock. The MBBS student at Bogomolets National Medical University was among a group of 40 Indians who left Kyiv a couple of days ago, and reached Lviv in the early hours of March 1. “The train was overcrowded, we were standing at the door throughout the 12-hour journey,” recalls Disha, from Vadodara, Gujarat. “We did not pay anything for the train journey but we were scared. It was one hell of a journey,” she recounted.

Often times, human spirt appears in the toughest of moments. As food was scarce, some kindhearted Ukrainians stepped in. “They gave us free food – non-vegetarian. Many vegetarians were left hungry but we were so thankful,” smiles Disha, who safely reached Poland after a two-hour bus trip.

Check-points, stringent checks, an air of suspicion, she adds, “We were lucky our bus driver dropped us till the border. We met many who were forced to walk 15 to 20 km.” In Poland, food and shelter was provided for the sea of humanity fleeing war torn Ukraine. “I’m hoping I will be on the flight back to India soon,” a relieved Disha says.

Indian students on their way to Ukraine border

Student Amulya Chede (from Mahabubabad, Telangana), was in a group of 30 who crossed over to Hungary on March 1. “After a bomb blast in Kyiv five days ago, the university instructed us to get basic necessities and stay put at the hostel. The next day, we hurried to Vinnytsia railway station, boarded a train to Chop railway station. We had to spend an entire night out in the freezing night,” recalls the 20-year-old MBBS Indian student at Vinnytsia National Pirogov Medical University, staying at hostel No 5.

Amulya Chede in Ukraine

Her group then drove to Zahony, 5 km away, and crossed into Hungary. “I am in Budapest now, awaiting a flight home,” informed Amulya, who had travelled to Ukraine in December 2021.

Helpline numbers

Poland: +48 225 400 000, +48 795 850 877 Email id: controlroominwarsaw@gmail.com
Romania: +40 732 124 309, +40 771 632 567, +40 745 161 631, +40 741 528 123
Email id: controlroominbucharest@gmail.com
Hungary: +36 308 517 373, +36 132 57742, +36 132 57743, Whatsapp: +36 308 517 373
Slovak Republic: +421 252 631 377, +421 252 962 916, +421 951 697 560
Email id: hoc.bratislava@mea.gov.in
Indian Embassy at Kyiv: +380 997300428, +380 997300483

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Published on 03, Mar 2022

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Aditi Handa: The Indian baker turning the spotlight on sourdough bread while building a ₹18 crore bread business

(September 14, 2021) A good loaf of bread is incredibly satisfying: soft, yet crusty, full of character and versatile enough to either be made into a sandwich, bruschetta, pudding, or just wolfed down with a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar. It doesn’t need much else. However, a good loaf of bread can also be hard to come by. We don’t mean the industrial white bread loaves that dot every shelf, but a well-made loaf that is shaped by hand and is akin to a work of art. That’s exactly what Aditi Handa wanted to change when she decided to set up The Baker’s Dozen back in 2013 in Mumbai. Today with a presence in over seven cities, and several lakhs of loaves later, the 36-year-old is well on her way to building a multi-million rupee bread business. “There’s a certain joy to shaping a loaf of sourdough. No two loaves will look alike and there’s a beauty to a handmade product,” Handa told Global Indian in an exclusive interview. [caption id="attachment_10157" align="aligncenter" width="665"] Aditi Handa with her husband and co-founder Sneh Jain[/caption] Interestingly, Handa never had anything to do with baking or cooking before she launched The Baker’s Dozen. What she did have, however, was a family full of entrepreneurs.

rel="noopener">Global Indian in an exclusive interview.

[caption id="attachment_10157" align="aligncenter" width="665"] Indian baker Aditi Handa Aditi Handa with her husband and co-founder Sneh Jain[/caption]

Interestingly, Handa never had anything to do with baking or cooking before she launched The Baker’s Dozen. What she did have, however, was a family full of entrepreneurs. Her father ran a successful pharma company before diversifying into the education sector, while her mother adopted a village where she taught the women embroidery and stitching. Handa, herself holds a degree in psychology.

Finding her way to the oven

Born in Ahmedabad, Handa moved to England to study psychology at Nottingham University and then got her Masters in HR from University of Leicester before moving back to India in 2009. “My time in England shaped me; it gave me exposure to food and chefs. I began following their work, not on social media, but I’d attend their sessions and eat at their restaurants,” said Handa, adding that entrepreneurship is what she has always known. “Given that I come from a family of entrepreneurs, it’s what I’ve always known. So, when I came back to India in 2009, I wondered what I’d do next.”

[caption id="attachment_10158" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] The Baker's Dozen store in Bengaluru[/caption]

One thing led to another, and soon Handa had set up her first business: a souvenir store at IIM-Ahmedabad. She was involved in everything from designing to manufacturing of the merchandise that was made keeping in mind IIM’s iconic architecture and design. By December 2010, Handa moved to Mumbai with her husband Sneh Jain, an alumnus of IIM-A, and a year later handed the souvenir store back to the college management. Jain, who worked with McKinsey at the time, was soon sent to Canada on a project. It was here that Handa met a Lebanese chef who changed her perspective on food. “He taught me how to identify authentic food and develop my palate. He taught me to be honest to the origin of any food; things that hold me in good stead even today.”

A business of their own

When the couple returned to India a year later, they were both sure that they wanted to launch their own business and that it had to be something to do with the food sector. Once she’d decided to venture into the bakery business, Handa headed to New York to study bread baking at the International Culinary Centre and later to Le Cordon Bleu in Paris to study patisserie. “My time in New York was life changing. I fell in love with bread; I knew this was exactly what I wanted to be doing for the rest of my life,” says Handa, who finds baking bread extremely therapeutic.

[caption id="attachment_10153" align="aligncenter" width="542"] Indian baker Aditi Handa Aditi Handa[/caption]

“I always say that a master is one who doesn’t just teach you his craft, he teaches you techniques and rubs off his passion on you. I was fortunate to meet Chef Johnson in New York. He didn’t just teach me the art of baking bread, he also helped me develop recipes and design the kitchen at The Baker’s Dozen, which was still in its planning stages at the time,” she says, adding, she even learnt yoga to strengthen her body to be able to haul 25 kilograms of dough at a time. “My batchmates introduced me to it, and my mother would laugh that I never did any of it back home. But you see, I’d truly fallen in love with baking bread and was willing to go to any length to perfect the art.”

The Baker’s Dozen was formally launched by Handa along with Jain, her co-founder, in 2013 in Mumbai. When they began, it was a tiny artisan bakery that would bake and deliver about 25 loaves a day. Slowly and steadily, the business grew and they began setting up their stores across Mumbai and eventually moved their kitchen to Ahmedabad. Soon, stores in other cities followed and so did dark stores and tie-ups with delivery partners and e-commerce platforms. Today, The Baker’s Dozen ships out over 3 lakh loaves of bread annually and recently launched its flagship store in Bengaluru, it’s first in South India.

Room for growth

Initially, all the baking was done by Handa herself with four other bakers. Today, the team has 200 employees, and Handa is more busy with the business aspect of The Baker’s Dozen. “But I do go every once in a while to bake myself. Baking is super therapeutic for me and I do need to get my dose of baking in every once in a while,” smiles Handa.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g85qzLo6nzw[/embed]

All the breads are shaped by hand and baked at their Ahmedabad kitchen and then shipped to various cities. Even during the lockdown last year, the kitchen didn’t close for a single day. “One of our truckers who’d drive from Ahmedabad to Bengaluru requested that we give him some bread to eat on the way since all the dhabas on the highway were shut,” says Handa, adding, “This was just one instance, but there were so many others out there who were struggling for the lack of supply of essentials. That was one of the major reasons we decided to continue baking and supplying through the pandemic.”

A constant evolution

Even as Handa continues to expand and grow her bread baking business, she is also keen on evolving constantly as an individual. Currently preparing for her MBA exam, Handa says, “I like to keep refreshing and updating my skill sets. Which is why I am doing an online executive MBA program from IIM-Bangalore. I never really studied business, but learnt a lot on the job. So I thought why not get a degree in it.”

[caption id="attachment_10159" align="aligncenter" width="754"] Indian baker Aditi Handa Aditi Handa and Sneh Jain with their team[/caption]

All through her childhood, Handa has been learning important life and entrepreneurial lessons from her family. “I picked up the importance of moral value and ethics from my grandparents; the importance of a good business model from my father, and the creative flair from my mother,” she says, adding, “At the end of the day I figured that business margins don’t matter if the bread isn’t good. If the product is good, the commercials will match up.”

Products can be ordered either through The Baker's Dozen website or on e-commerce platforms and food delivery services such as Amazon, Swiggy, and BigBasket.
This is not a paid advertisement.

Reading Time: 8 mins

Anu Sehgal: Promoting South Asian cultural literacy in the US

(March 29, 2023) When Anu Sehgal moved to the US in 1995, she found herself yearning for authentic Indian experiences. She devoured everything that came her way – exhibitions, film festivals and book readings. Anu, who is the founder of The Culture Tree, had spent fifteen years in the corporate world, working with organisations like Mattel, and Colgate-Palmolive in the United States, but always had a deep interest in the arts. The idea for The Culture Tree - an organisation to promote South Asian literacy in America - came to her only after she became a mother. “I saw a big need for quality and in-depth educational initiatives around South Asia. Whatever was being offered was very superficial,” says Anu, in an interview with Global Indian. [caption id="attachment_36655" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Anu Sehgal[/caption] The culture enthusiast took a plunge into entrepreneurship eight years ago, to address the needs of parents like herself, who were raising their kids in the US and wanted them to remain in touch with their Indian heritage. Over the years, the startup has blossomed into a successful venture, bearing the fruits of her ‘persistence, hard work and professionalism’. “I work pretty much with all the museums, libraries and

com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/card_Anu.jpg" alt="Indian Diaspora | Anu Sehgal | Global Indian" width="640" height="640" /> Anu Sehgal[/caption]

The culture enthusiast took a plunge into entrepreneurship eight years ago, to address the needs of parents like herself, who were raising their kids in the US and wanted them to remain in touch with their Indian heritage. Over the years, the startup has blossomed into a successful venture, bearing the fruits of her ‘persistence, hard work and professionalism’. “I work pretty much with all the museums, libraries and cultural Institutions in New York City, Connecticut and New Jersey,” Anu reveals.

Through literary events, puppet shows, dance workshops and more Anu, has been facilitating cultural literacy for South Asian youngsters in the New York metropolitan area. Broadly called the Tri-State area, the place is considered the largest metropolitan area in the world in terms of urban landmass.

Getting recognised for her initiatives

“If you think of kids’ educational programmes about South Asia in the New York City area, it will be The Culture Tree,” smiles Anu, who holds an MBA degree from the Yale School of Management and serves as the organisation's founder and president.

Her organisation has been awarded by the New York City Mayor's office four times. “Recognising the huge impact of The Culture Tree, former Mayor Bill de Blasio had even declared June 20, 2021 as The Culture Tree Day in NYC,” Anu says.

[caption id="attachment_36656" align="aligncenter" width="660"] Indian Diaspora | Anu Sehgal | Global Indian Former Mayor Bill de Blasio declared June 20, 2021 as The Culture Tree Day in NYC[/caption]

Recently, The Society of Foreign Consuls recognised Anu as one of the 15 trailblazing women from different countries working for community empowerment. She was honoured at a special event held at the Consulate General of India in New York.

Kahaani Rangeeli

Earlier this month, the entrepreneur launched her debut book Kahaani Rangeeli at the New York Public Library. Through readings held at different venues across the city, she showcased Indian literary culture to people from a wide variety of communities and ethnicities.

The children’s book was published by the Singapore based publisher T4Tales. “The book is based on the story of Lord Krishna and how he was teased for his dark colour. Apart from touching mythology, it addresses the issue of colourism that exists in America and also in India,” Anu says. The author is in the process of publishing two more books with T4Tales.

[caption id="attachment_36658" align="aligncenter" width="741"] Indian Diaspora | Anu Sehgal | Global Indian Anu Sehgal during a book reading session[/caption]

Creating an impact

The entrepreneur is excited about her collaboration with the Asia Society of New York City to help youngsters grasp the positive learnings of religions that originated in India. Through a series of curated events, the entrepreneur's underlying goal is to create empathy, respect and understanding towards Indian multiculturalism in America. “I will be not just focussing on the big festivals but also the lesser-known ones and their significance,” Anu says.

Recently, over 2000 people attended The Culture Tree's Holi celebrations at Seaport, Manhattan. The event was covered by major TV channels and newspapers. “For the last two years, our Holi event has been listed as the top event during Holi week by the New York Times,” she says.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cB4fEzB3nI

Promoting bilinguism

While cultural literacy is one track of The Culture Tree, the other is language education. The organisation has been running language classes both in-person and online in Hindi, Urdu, Gujrati and Punjabi for Indian American and Pakistani American youngsters based in North America and Canada.

In fact, her first initiative at The Culture Tree was to introduce second and third generation young NRIs to the languages of India so that they become confident communicators in their mother tongues.

“There is no limit to how much people can benefit in life when they are bilinguals. It helps them gain more awareness about their roots and heritage,” Anu shares. “Passing on knowledge of native languages to children can create better communication between generations. Learning another language in today’s global world creates lots of opportunities,” emphasises the entrepreneur.

[caption id="attachment_36657" align="aligncenter" width="768"] Indian Diaspora | Anu Sehgal | Global Indian The Society of Foreign Consuls recognised Anu's efforts for community empowerment at an event at the Consulate General of India in New York[/caption]

The Culture Tree focuses on increasing the conversational abilities through music, story-telling sessions, songs, art and more. “I have an excellent team of instructors who conduct classes for different ages and levels,” she says.

Both Anu and her team of teachers have undergone training at NYU’s bilingual STARTALK programme to learn the best teaching methods for Indian American and Pakistani American kids. “I now play an advisory role at NYU's bilingual STARTALK programme helping develop the programme and curriculum further.”

Making a difference

Anu aims to expand The Culture Tree’s reach in America and take it to other countries as well. “In fact, some development is already happening in this regard. This year we will have a puppet show, and my book’s launch in Singapore,” she shares.

[caption id="attachment_36659" align="aligncenter" width="856"] Indian Diaspora | Anu Sehgal | Global Indian Anupam Kher and Ustad Amzad Ali Khan were chief guests at one of the literary events of The Culture Tree[/caption]

‘Making The Culture Tree a hub for every South Asian,’ is the entrepreneur’s goal. The culture enthusiast hails from Meerut. She had pursued her undergraduate studies at Delhi University before moving to the US in mid-nineties.

Follow Anu Sehgal on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn
Follow The Culture Tree on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and its Website

Reading Time: 5 mins

Saare Jahan Se Achha: Space pioneer Rakesh Sharma’s story evokes national pride

(September 4, 2023) “I think I was born a little early because I’m already 75 and the remarkable era of space exploration programmes begins now but as an Indian, I join my hands and congratulate ISRO for the great success,” said cosmonaut Rakesh Sharma, on the success of Chandrayaan-3 mission while speaking to National Geographic. Whenever people talk about important milestones in India's space exploration, the name of Rakesh Sharma is bound to come up. It's a name that no well-informed Indian can ever forget. Though many Indian-origin people have gone to space; in the population of 1.4 billion people, Rakesh Sharma remains the first and the only Indian citizen so far to have achieved this feat. The conversation between astronaut Rakesh Sharma and the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi while he was in space is still widely remembered. His response, 'Saare Jahan Se Achha' (better than the entire world), when she asked how India looked from space, became a source of pride for the entire country. This interaction contributed to Rakesh Sharma's status as a national hero. [caption id="attachment_44465" align="aligncenter" width="535"] Rakesh Sharma[/caption] From space the world seems borderless “When you go into the space, the first thing you

ational hero.

[caption id="attachment_44465" align="aligncenter" width="535"] Indian Heroes | Rakesh Sharma | Global Indian Rakesh Sharma[/caption]

From space the world seems borderless

“When you go into the space, the first thing you do when you look out from the window is to look for your country. You say, ‘yes, it’s quite like what the Geography books have said’. After seeing it over and over again when you shift your focus, you look at the neighbouring countries and then you start realising from up there that boundaries are not visible – that they are man-made, and then you start developing that global outlook,” Rakesh Sharma told children when he visited one of the schools.

When you have the tricolour on your arms, your performance goes beyond your potential. It’s like having a purpose higher than yourself, and when you have that purpose, things become a lot easier.

Rakesh Sharma remarked

The trailblazer’s story

In January 1982, a decision was made that an Indian would go to space on a Soviet spacecraft. It was a joint mission of ISRO and the Soviet Interkosmos Space Programme.

This big decision inspired Squadron Leader Rakesh Sharma to volunteer for this tough mission. After a very careful selection process, including a thorough medical test, he was chosen as one of the two candidates to become astronauts from a group of 150 highly qualified Indian Air Force pilots.

Once he was selected, Sharma went through extensive astronaut training at the Yuri Gagarin Centre in the USSR. During this time, he showed strong dedication and commitment, which impressed the experts of the Soviet Space Programme. The Squadron Leader successfully finished a very tough training programme, standing out for his exceptional professionalism and great performance.

Then, on April 3rd, 1984, he scripted history by becoming the first Indian to complete a space mission in orbit. Throughout the joint Indo-Soviet Space Mission, he did all the planned scientific experiments and other tasks really well, showing impressive skill and excellence. Through his achievements, Rakesh Sharma not only earned his place among respected space pioneers but also brought a lot of honour and pride to the country.

[caption id="attachment_44469" align="aligncenter" width="796"] Indian Heroes | Rakesh Sharma | Global Indian Rakesh Sharm with his team members Yury Malyshev and Gennadi Strekalov[/caption]

It takes your breath away…

Right from his childhood Rakesh Sharma was captivated with the news of space. He followed every development related to space and the lives of the astronauts, oblivious of what the future beholds for him.

“There were no television sets then but our generation closely followed each and every information that they came across in the print media to know all about the astronaut training and experiences in space,” he told the school children.

I was the 128th guy in the world to go to space. By that time, there was already a lot of information available in the print, audio and visual media. So, I was pretty much prepared for what to expect but still, it takes your breath away when you go up there.

Rakesh Sharma shared

Sharma’s space odyssey

The first Indian citizen to travel into space accomplished the historic feat by embarking on a journey aboard the Soviet rocket Soyuz T-11, which was launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic on April 3, 1984. The spacecraft carried a crew that included Sharma, the ship's commander Yury Malyshev, and flight engineer Gennadi Strekalov to the Salyut 7 Orbital Station.

During his time aboard the Salyut 7, which lasted for 7 days, 21 hours, and 40 minutes, Sharma and his team conducted a range of scientific and technical studies. These encompassed 43 experimental sessions, with a primary focus on fields like bio-medicine and remote sensing.

In their celestial voyage, they captured mesmerising views of space in the absence of gravity.

The crew held joint television news conferences from space, connecting with officials in Moscow and India's Prime Minister at the time, Indira Gandhi. This mission made India the 14th nation to achieve the remarkable milestone of sending a human into outer space.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hfccr3KIWc&t=8s

All praise for ISRO

“ISRO was working on a very carefully crafted plan of the luminaries like Vikram Sarabhai who envisioned that all our efforts on space must have a socio-economic focus and everything must trickle down to the common man,” he said.

Speaking highly of ISRO, Sharma remarked, “It has never competed with any other nation, and has received spectacular success.”

Yoga and music in space

“One problem with space flight is that people can become less productive because of space sickness in the environment of zero gravity,” Rakesh Sharma mentioned.

While aboard, his other two Russian crew members followed their own training profile to address the space sickness issue but Rakesh Sharma had strong belief in Yoga.

“Two-three months before the launch of our space programme, I had stopped training as per their profile. I did only yoga. It was my way to check whether yoga would prove to be helpful in addressing the space sickness problem,” he remarked. “The other two were experienced cosmonauts so they adjusted pretty well to zero gravity and I being the first timer did not face any problem either,” added the Global Indian.

The crew was allowed to take one kilogram of personal stuff in space. The Russian astronauts carried a guitar while Sharma carried a cassette player and a cassette of his favourite music.

A naughty child

Rakesh Sharma was born on January 13, 1949, in Patiala, Punjab. Growing up in a modest household he had an affinity for flying from a young age.

He was a naughty child who often got punished by his teachers who made him stand at the back of the class.

After completing his schooling from St. George Grammar School, Hyderabad, and graduation from Nizam College, he joined the National Defence Academy (NDA) as an air force plebe. Subsequently he joined the Indian Air Force as a test pilot in 1970. Sharma was only 21 then.

Maths was never my favourite subject – English literature, English language and biology was. But during my test pilot training I did a master’s level aeronautical science course with mathematics as an important subject. Maths was coming out of my ears but I did manage to finish that course.

Sharma said in an interaction with children evoking laughter.

Difficulty in getting parents’ consent

Rakesh Sharma’s father worked for Punjab National Bank and later switched to state government service. His mother was an educationist. “I had difficulty in getting consent from my parents to allow me to fly fighter aircraft because we didn’t have any other family members in the air force except for a cousin of mine who had died in an air crash two months after he was commissioned,” he shared.

But looking at how adamant he was to join the Airforce, Sharma's parents gave in. However, his mother set a condition. “I want you to promise that you will be very good at what you are choosing because that will keep you ahead of the game, and that’s the only way you will be safe,” she said.

[caption id="attachment_44470" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Indian Heroes | Rakesh Sharma | Global Indian Rakesh Sharma[/caption]

Sharma's dedication and skill earned him the opportunity to fly various aircrafts. While serving as a military pilot, he participated in dangerous combat missions on board a MiG-21 aircraft during the 1971 Bangladesh War.

From fighter pilot to astronaut

Progressing through numerous levels, Sharma was promoted to the rank of squadron leader in the IAF.

It was his exceptional performance as a pilot that caught the attention of the authorities when the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) sought to send an Indian into space. In 1982, Rakesh Sharma was chosen for this historic mission.

If it hadn’t been for my career as a fighter pilot, I wouldn’t have gone to space. If I were to live my life again I would again try to become a fighter pilot. It still remains an interesting job with new verticals like automation and artificial intelligence added to it now.

Rakesh Sharma remarked

Awards and honours

After his return from space, Sharma was conferred the prestigious title of the Hero of the Soviet Union. He continues to hold the unique distinction of being the sole Indian recipient of this honour.

In India, Sharma and his two Soviet mission companions, Malyshev and Strekalov were honoured with the highest peacetime gallantry award, the 'Ashoka Chakra'.

Life after retirement

After retiring as a wing commander of the Indian Air Force, Sharma joined Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in 1987, assuming the role of chief test pilot at the HAL Nashik Division. In 1992 he moved on to HAL's Bangalore division. In 2001, his flying career came to an end.

Immediately after that, Sharma held the position of non-executive chairman at Cadila Labs, a company based in Bengaluru that specialises in innovative automation solutions. He also played a significant role in ISRO's Gaganyaan National Advisory Council, supervising the astronaut selection programme.

Sharma has been leading a life full of tranquillity in the quietude of Coonoor in Tamil Nadu with his wife, Madhu. They savour the pleasures of golfing, gardening, yoga, reading, watching films and listening to music which ranges from Hindustani classical, to western and Sufi numbers.

[caption id="attachment_44475" align="aligncenter" width="884"] Indian Heroes | Rakesh Sharma | Global Indian Rakesh Sharma during an interaction session with students[/caption]

Inspiration for all

Rakesh Sharma has extensively travelled across schools and colleges of India sharing his first-hand experience of being in space with youngsters.

Sharma's impact reverberates through the pages of history books and India's journey among the stars. He continues to symbolise boundless exploration of space and the aspirations of humanity.

Reading Time: 5 mins

Voice of reason: Dr. Meera Shah’s crusade for women’s reproductive rights

(October 19, 2022) A few months ago, scores of women took to the streets across America after the US Supreme Court overturned abortion rights in the country. Almost 50 years after American women's constitutional right to abortion was recognised, the country’s apex court effectively eliminated the right, allowing states to enforce a ban on abortions. [caption id="attachment_30779" align="aligncenter" width="486"] Dr. Meera Shah[/caption] Among the ladies who raised their voices against this change in law, was Dr Meera Shah, an Indian-American Chief Medical Officer of New York's Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic. An abortion provider who has made it her life's mission to make safe and legal abortions accessible to her patients, Meera even travels to other states to help women struggling with pregnancy. "When somebody has a positive pregnancy test, our immediate reaction as healthcare providers is to provide them with all the options. Never assume that it’s happy news you are delivering – you always want to mirror your reaction to the patient’s reaction. All options and all choices are valid, and I honour them," the doctor told American Kahani during an interview. Despite getting several threats from anti-abortion protestors and pro-life campaigners, Dr. Shah is resolute and passionate about

d, and I honour them," the doctor told American Kahani during an interview.

Despite getting several threats from anti-abortion protestors and pro-life campaigners, Dr. Shah is resolute and passionate about her work. Recently, she even came out with a book 'You’re The Only One I’ve Told: The Stories Behind Abortion', a collection of narratives by women who have had abortions, countered stereotypes about them, or have fought myths that persist around the subject. “People have said that the book has been eye-opening,” she said during an interview, adding, "That in itself is destigmatising — the understanding that even the most basic facts about abortion that have been littered by the anti-abortion movement.” Dr. Shah is also the national medical spokesperson at the Planned Parenthood Federation of America.

Standing for women's rights

Born to Jain immigrants from India, Dr. Shah was a brilliant kid growing up. In fact, she was so good at academics, that she had many career options after finishing high school. "The options were multiple choice. A, B, and C, doctor, lawyer, engineer: Pick one," she said to Elle Magazine, adding, "Reading and writing were my first loves. Going to the library or the bookstore was the biggest treat for me - that's how my parents would reward me for good behaviour."

[caption id="attachment_30780" align="aligncenter" width="566"] Abortion | Meera Shah | Global Indian Dr Shah with her friends[/caption]

Drawn to social justice work, Dr. Shah chose to become a doctor. A Fellow of Physicians for Reproductive Health, Dr. Shah earned a medical degree from the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences and a Master’s in Public Health from Columbia University. And it was during her residency days that she witnessed the struggle of women who chose to abort their fetuses. "An incredible mentor who is a very vocal activist for abortion access encouraged me to become an advocate for her patients in the day-to-day, as well as on a larger policy front."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPJrRHxp3g8

When she first started working as an abortion provider, she struggled to tell people what she did - mostly because of the stigma attached to abortion. However, weeks of self-analysis, and leaning into her faith, Jainism, made her realise that she was helping those who were shunned not just by society, but many times by their own. "Supporting people and helping them exercise their autonomy is ethical, and the right thing to do," Dr. Shah told Elle.

The secret-keeper

After graduating from medical school, Dr. Shah joined Planned Parenthood, where she specialises in sexual and reproductive healthcare as well as transgenic care for transgender and gender non-binary people. She sees patients from all income levels, cultures, and races, and treats them equally. Listening to their stories of struggle motivated this Global Indian to dedicate her life to changing the narrative around abortion. For many years she hesitated to talk about her work. However, once she opened up, many women approached her with their own stories. "It was like the floodgates opened. I have become a sudden confidante at dinner parties, at rooftop barbecues, at the grocery store, even at jury duty… Being more open about my work helped people be more open about their own abortion stories," she described in the introduction to her new book, You’re The Only One I’ve Told: The Stories Behind Abortion.

Inspired and moved by the stories of many close friends and acquaintances, Dr. Shah began collecting stories of the survivors, which she later printed as a book. A champion of the reproductive rights of women, an activist, counselor, and advisor, Dr. Shah has described the nuance and richness of each subject’s life, both preceding and following the procedure. "I love to write and I thought this would be one other mechanism for bringing change. Each storyteller was able to edit their story. I sent a draft, and they made changes - because it's not my story, it's theirs.”

A board member of Sakhi, a community-based organisation in the New York metropolitan area committed to ending violence against women, Dr. Shah has observed that there is a lot of stigma and shame surrounding abortion in the South Asian community. "There are a lot of cultural nuances that go into somebody’s views on sex and abortion and unintended pregnancy. I see patients who are of South Asian identity all the time, and I am trying to bring this idea closer to the community because we just don’t talk about it very much," she told American Kahaani.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eq9TKfqcrpw

While much needs to be done for the cause, Dr. Shah is committed to her work. The young doctor is planning to start an advocacy support centre for women - especially of colour - who need any mental, medical or legal support before or after abortions.

Follow Dr Meera Shah on LinkedIn

Reading Time: 6 mins

Suresh Mukund: Emmy-nominated choreographer stuns the ‘World of Dance’

(February 25, 2022) Staring at the Boogie Woogie stage in awe, the then 21-year-old Suresh Mukund felt a rush of excitement and gratitude. That surreal moment in 2009 also evoked discomfort - seeing his crew in slippers and torn clothes rehearsing for their biggest night ever. That day, he vowed to make them stars. Cut to 2019, he along with his team Kings United lifted the winning trophy in season three of American reality show World of Dance in the US. “It was a defining moment as those kids on the stage of Boogie Woogie were now getting a standing ovation from Jennifer Lopez. They had finally become stars," Indian choreographer Suresh tells Global Indian in an interview. Stepping up in style The 34-year-old Emmy-nominated choreographer is also the first Indian to win the World Choreography Award 2020 for his work on World of Dance. “I am so humbled that Indian dance has become popular. I (feel) I have played a role in this,” adds Suresh, who inspired Bollywood director Remo D’Souza to make ABCD 2 on Mukund’s journey. [caption id="attachment_20341" align="aligncenter" width="737"] Suresh Mukund's Kings United at World of Dance[/caption] Born in Vasai in Maharashtra to a businessman father

[caption id="attachment_20341" align="aligncenter" width="737"] Indian Choreographer | Suresh Mukund Suresh Mukund's Kings United at World of Dance[/caption]

Born in Vasai in Maharashtra to a businessman father and a homemaker mother, he was an introvert till dance brought out his innate talent. “Due to my dark complexion, I had an inferiority complex. My older brother was fair and popular in school, while I was called kaaliya which led to low self-esteem,” reveals the choreographer. However, things took a U-turn when as a 12-year-old, he performed to the Hrithik Roshan-starring song, Ik Pal Ka Jeena in school. “I wasn’t a dancer but that one performance changed everything. Overnight, I became a star. The appreciation boosted my confidence,” he recalls. He had found his calling in dance. Imitating routines of international crews followed, and he was on song.

Mukund always had his sights set on Boogie Woogie. The dream fructified in 2009 after years of perseverance. “Back then, it was the only dance reality show, and to see myself onstage with my group was unreal,” recalls Suresh, who also formed the Fictitious Dance Group with Vernon Monteiro a few months before the audition. However, it wasn’t a cakewalk as the team had to not only battle scepticism about ambition but also financial constraints. “Most dancers were from poor backgrounds. I remember many wearing slippers and torn jeans during Boogie Woogie’s technical round. It broke my heart,” says the Indian choreographer.

[caption id="attachment_20347" align="aligncenter" width="298"] Indian Choreographer | Suresh Mukund Suresh Mukund[/caption]

On a winning spree

A simmering desire saw him win season three of India's Got Talent in 2011. “We became overnight stars. The win catapulted us into the league of star dancers. By then YouTube had become popular, and many realised that I was inspired by a Filipino hip-hop dance group Philippine All-Stars. A few called us out for copying their moves,” admits Suresh. Entering the World Hip Hop Championship in Los Angeles to battle it out with the best dance crews, he says, “We didn’t just beat Philippine All-Stars but ended up being in the top eight.”

[caption id="attachment_20344" align="aligncenter" width="442"] Indian Choreographer | Suresh Mukund Suresh Mukund receives an award at the International Film Festival 2019[/caption]

A week before his life story made it to the big screen, the Fictitious Dance Group split due to creative differences. One of the lowest points in his life, he went into depression, and was suddenly out of work. Not one to quit, he gathered dancers to form Kings United. To make an impactful comeback, the only path before them was to win the next big dance competition - World Hip Hop Dance Championship 2015. “We had just 20 days to rehearse. The team was shocked at my decision to participate. But I had to prove myself. It was a do or die situation,” adds the Indian choreographer, whose team included a dancer who had never performed before.

When family is all that matters

His biggest support system - his father was beside him even though he had been unhappy with Suresh’s career choice. With a bachelor’s in management studies, he even tried working in his father’s business but was sad. “I asked my father to give me two years to prove myself. The year 2012 was a turning point as we represented India at the World Hip Hop Championship. That’s when he realised that his son had made him proud,” laughs Suresh.

Kings United outperformed some of the biggest international crews in San Diego to clinch a bronze. It was a dream come true for the sprightly dancer who also started Kings United Dance Academy back home.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quwY-1dsS0Q

Their biggest moment came in 2019 – winning season three of World of Dance, with judges Jennifer Lopez, Ne-Yo and Derek Hogh awestruck. “The World of Dance team approached us after watching our viral video in season one of Dance Champions. Frankly, I was nervous about entering the show as some of the best crews had been eliminated. But then I decided to give it a shot,” says the leader of Kings United. Recalling how no one took the team seriously, he gushes, “We killed it in our first performance. The judges went crazy and we saw respect in the eyes of other dance crews too,” adds Suresh.

Moving towards bigger goals

The breath-taking choreography on the show earned Suresh a nomination, first for any Indian choreographer, at the Emmys. “I was shocked beyond words. Walking the red carpet with some of the biggest names was a magical moment,” reveals Suresh, who calls it the perfect validation of his hard work and talent. He also won the World Choreography Awards 2020 for showcasing innovative work at World of Dance.

[caption id="attachment_20345" align="aligncenter" width="485"] Indian Choreographer | Suresh Mukund Suresh Mukund addressing the media at the Emmys[/caption]

“I always believed in myself and my work. Even during the lowest points, I knew I could overturn any situation,” says the man, who has made Indian dance popular, internationally. Kings United has ensured that the world is raving about them. “It’s so humbling,” adds Suresh.

He now wants to become an actor. “I have started taking acting classes,” he smiles. He decided to reinvent himself during the pandemic too. “It was a tough time as shows were not happening. I had so many team members to look after that I had almost gone bankrupt. Then, I decided to work and rebuild myself through social media. It has given me the confidence to be in front of the camera,” says Suresh, who did a cameo in Bosco Martis’ upcoming film Rocket Gang.

A doting father to a four-year-old son, family is his go-to. “I used to indulge in adventure sports before, but now whatever time I get, I like to give to my family,” Suresh signs off.

Follow Suresh Mukund on Instagram

Reading Time: 7 min