Global IndianstoryChef Garima Arora on second Michelin star win: It belongs to my team

Chef Garima Arora on second Michelin star win: It belongs to my team

Written by: Charu Thakur

(January 5, 2023) When a 60-year-old traditional Thai house is transformed into a unique dining destination, one expects to find magic served on every plate at the restaurant. And Chef Garima Arora doesn’t disappoint. At Gaa – which has earned the reputation of being one of the best Indian restaurants in Bangkok – she creates a one-of-a-kind Indian dining experience that has helped it bag two Michelin stars, thus helping Chef Garima script history by becoming the only Indian woman chef to achieve the feat. The achievement comes in a few months after Garima embraced motherhood, and welcomed her child Aham. “I am absolutely thrilled and excited,” she tells Global Indian.

Yet, in the same breath, she tips her chef’s hat to her team, acknowledging their pivotal role in this culinary triumph. “This is a great validation to my team and the dedication that they have put in. This transition that I’ve been able to make from being a business owner and chef and to now also a mom, I wouldn’t be able to do it so seamlessly without my stellar team. I can’t take all the credit. It all belongs to my team,” she adds.

Chef Garima Arora

Gaa took Bangkok – and the culinary world – by storm with its stellar debut in 2017, so much so that within a year it earned its first Michelin star. Over the last five years, Garima has been dedicated to transforming how people view Indian cuisine, producing, as a result, an array of award-winning vegetarian dishes. “You can spend a lifetime in India and not finish the entire cuisine. This is why it’s unique to us and also why we have to explore more and take it to the world. We have so much history, technique, and recipes that will die down with generations to come,” she says, adding, “Hopefully, we will save some of the cooking recipes and see our cuisine evolve from where it is today.”

Ask her what’s that one thing one can’t miss on Gaa’s menu, and pat comes the reply, “One of the dishes that I am most excited about is our Tandoori Durian main course. At Gaa, our main course has always been vegetarian and we are very proud of how Indian techniques are capable of drawing so much umami from vegetables in a way that you don’t miss meat.”

Gobi parantha served at Gaa

Dad’s the inspiration

Growing up in a Punjabi family deeply passionate about food, Chef Garima developed a love for the aromas, textures, and emotional connection within delectable cuisines from a young age. In the 90s, her kitchen saw some exotic dishes like hummus and rum baba being whipped up by her dad; the recipes of which he brought back from international travels. “My dad showed me the joy that comes from cooking.”

While her love for food was simmering on a low flame, she pursued Mass Media from Jai Hind College, Mumbai, which led her start a career as a pharma journalist. But she soon realised that being a chef was her true calling, and left for Le Cordon Bleu culinary school in Paris. “At 21, it opened my world of food and cooking. I tried many things for the very first time. For someone who wants to start a career as a Chef, this is the right place to be. Paris is very much like a playground – a Disneyland, with cuisines from all over the world,” she smiles.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by garima arora (@arorgarima)

Learning from culinary legends

Her time at the culinary school laid the groundwork, and she soon found herself at Noma, a Michelin-starred restaurant in Copenhagen, learning alongside legendary Danish chef René Redzepi. Under his guidance, Chef Garima began to perceive cooking as a cerebral experience. “I learnt to think cerebrally about food and think about what I was putting on a plate rather than put ingredients together by chance. It made me realise that food was also an intellectual exercise rather than just a blue-collar job,” she reveals.

After cooking up a storm at Noma, Garima was poised to launch her restaurant in India. But a sudden detour led her to Bangkok to work as sous chef alongside Chef Gaggan Anand at his Michelin-starred restaurant, Gaggan. Originally intended to be a temporary stopover, Garima ended up opening Gaa, a three-storeyed restaurant in Bangkok that pays homage to traditional Indian techniques through a modern tasting menu.

Summer Curry served at Gaa

Carving a niche

Gaa, which beautifully captures the vibrancy of Bangkok and the amalgamation of cultural influences, is an avant-garde restaurant that serves progressive Indian cuisine with local Thai ingredients and influences. Born out of her determination to rediscover and reform the narrative on Indian food, she was keen to show the world that Indian cuisine is beyond curries and naan. “Simply put, we explore vegetarian Indian cuisine with Thailand as a backdrop by weaving local Thai and East Asian ingredients to create a one-of-a-kind dining experience, which showcases the modern relevance of Indian cooking techniques,” says Garima whose restaurant won its first Michelin star in 2018. She added another jewel when she was named Asia’s Best Female Chef for 2019 by the World’s 50 Best Restaurants.

Gaa restaurant in Bangkok

With each accomplishment, she is breaking through barriers in the culinary world as Chef Garima is on a mission to showcase Indian cuisine globally. She finds joy in the fact that Indian chefs are embracing their heritage and showcasing it on the plate. “We will see more Indian chefs championing their own food culture. In general, people are starting to look inward which is a very good thing. For the longest time we look to the West for inspiration but it’s time we recognise and give value to all the incredible resources we have in our own country.”

Despite two Michelin stars under her belt, Garima, who is now one of the most celebrated female chefs in Thailand, has no plans for expansion “as of now.” However, she quips, “I have learnt to never say never!” She is keen to give an opportunity to young talented chefs who worked with her to start their kitchens.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by garima arora (@arorgarima)

The award-winning chef, who has her hands full with her restaurant and parenthood, is a firm believer in giving back, and this led her to start The Food Forward Initiative in 2019 to give a new perspective on Indian cuisine to the world. “With all the traction we get from the accolades, I wanted to do good with it. Rather than talking about myself, it’s better to use this platform that I now have to speak more about our culture and cuisine, which hopefully will benefit the next generation of chefs to come,” she signs off.

Follow Garima Arora on Instagram

Name*

Email*

Name*

Email*

0 Comments

Inline Feedbacks

View all comments

Published on 05, Jan 2024

Share with

ALSO READ

Raj Patel: Bringing Indian Wines from Napa Valley

Meet Raj Patel, the Gujarat-born American Indian, whose brand of wine was served at the State dinner hosted at the White House for our Prime Minister. (July 23, 2023) Recently, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the US, President Joe Biden hosted a State dinner for him. A bottle of wine from Patel Winery was served along with the food. It is not very often that one hears of an Indian entrepreneur in the US who is in the business of producing wines. Competing with other vineyards, some of them being family-owned businesses going back hundreds of years, and selling a bouquet of high-end red and white wines takes some doing. Yet, Raj Patel, a first-generation wine producer, has successfully converted his early passion for wine into a business. Passion for Wines Raj recalls how his journey into wine-making began. “My passion for wine began 20 years ago while working as a lab intern for Robert Mondavi Winery. I learned how to make superior-quality wines and I have been a passionate student ever since.” [caption id="attachment_42088" align="aligncenter" width="505"] Raj Patel, Founder of Patel Winery.[/caption] Raj initially worked in the finance industry. And when an opportunity to get into the wine

ads/2023/07/Raj-Patel-Headshot-1-scaled.jpg" alt="Global Indian | Raj Patel" width="505" height="714" /> Raj Patel, Founder of Patel Winery.[/caption]

Raj initially worked in the finance industry. And when an opportunity to get into the wine business opened up, he grabbed it, though it came with challenges. He says, “Starting a wine business was at the back of my mind since 1989 when I first worked at Robert Mondavi. A winery requires years of planning and saving. It also requires patience, a tremendous amount of work, and determination because you might have to wait for a couple of years before you start turning in a profit. Building a brand is difficult in any industry, but in the wine business, it’s even more so because of lots of competition, and many wineries have been around for a few hundred years. I finally started the business plan in 2006 and in 2007 we made our first vintage.”

The wines that Patel Winery started out with were Cabernet Sauvignon (CS) wine and added red wine in 2008; In 2013 they added Malbec, Coombsville, and Rutherford CS. Raj’s goal though is to produce Bordeaux-style red wine and finally, own a winery of his own in the future.

Napa Valley Nuances

What is the business model then and how does Raj actually produce the wines? He explains, “We are currently using a custom crush facility to produce our wine. We use only handpicked, hand-sorted grapes from premiere Napa Valley vineyards. Winemakers believe that wine is made in the vineyard—in other words, it takes great grapes to create great wine. Our mission statement is ‘to produce the finest Bordeaux-style red wine from Napa Valley.’ My intent is to create unique wines with a strong personality that reflect the uniqueness of each vineyard and sub-applications of Napa Valley.” His personal favourites though are wines from Napa Valley, Bordeaux, France, Piedmont, Italy, and Champagne, in France.

Pairing Indian food with Wine

Global liquor giants are now tweaking their alcohol brands to suit Indian cuisine, some even blending them differently or creating exotic cocktails with Indian spices and other ingredients, and offering them at curated meals with dishes specifically paired to suit the drink. Do Raj’s wines follow this trend? He says, “We make wine for those who love wine and all kinds of food, and we let our clients decide what they enjoy a bottle of our wine with. In the US, many are moving away from spirits and beer to wine. Drinking wine is fashionable in the Indian community all over the world. Here, over 50 percent of my customers are of Indian origin. In today's global market, it's too difficult to set a broad agenda to match food and wine, that is an old concept. The new school of thought is more open to the type of foods and wine pairing. The wine critics might have a different viewpoint, but from a winery owner's point of view, we need to trust consumers and let them figure it out.”

Hence, Raj prefers to stick to the traditional while reiterating that Indians, even those in the US, are now drinking wine and not just beer and whisky, and pairing it effortlessly with Indian food. He believes that his wines are best paired with Indian curries and dishes that are bland to medium-spicy. “Because we have people from so many diverse cultures who drink our wines, it's hard to stay one dish works better than another. Having said that, I would not pair very hot and spicy foods with our red wines, medium-spicy works best. Our white wine can be paired with much spicier foods.”

What then is the business model followed for the production of wine since he doesn’t grow the grapes himself? “Due to the nature of grape production, considerable produce can be obtained on a limited amount of land. Depending on the variety produced, for many new farmers, especially in areas where land is quite expensive, leasing land is often the best option. We lease the bulk of their land for crop production, allowing them the flexibility to adjust to our growth target.”

Process of Winemaking

The techniques followed also stick to the traditional. “We utilise neo-classic winemaking techniques; we are not a style that is driven by or follows the latest fad in winemaking. Our goal is to capture the uniqueness of the growing site for each vineyard and give each wine its personality. This approach to winemaking is pure and unadulterated; therefore, the wines will typically be very dark in colour, complex and aromatic; most of the characteristics that determine a wine’s style. We also age our wine in 100 percent new French oak barrels and one year in a bottle before release.”

[caption id="attachment_42090" align="aligncenter" width="509"] Global Indian | Raj Patel Raj Patel with Winemaker Luc Morlet.[/caption]

Raj’s company has a limited production – 1000 cases a year. He says, “Low yields are common and each vine is cared for individually by the vineyard owners. Because of the intense demand for great vineyard fruit in Napa Valley, we are only able to produce a limited amount of wine each year. There are 12 (750ml) bottles in one case, (that is 9 liters per case, this is universal in the wine world). Our goal is to grow the winery to about 2,500 to 3,000 cases in the next 10 years. We are limited by a small supply of fine quality grapes, and what mother nature gives each year, hence our production is limited.”

The wines are certainly from the premium range. Starting at USD 60 and going up to USD 170, Patel wines are aimed at HNIs and connoisseurs who don’t mind spending as much for a bottle. About 60-70 percent of each vintage is sold directly to consumers from the website. “We ship to 40+ states in the USA and six other countries. The remainder is sold to wholesalers who then sell to fine shops and fine dining restaurants all over the USA,” says the Global Indian.

When asked about his Cabernet Sauvignon that had been served at the White House, he said, “We are honoured to have our wine featured at Prime Minister Modi's White House State Dinner. Julien Fayard, our winemaker, does an amazing job! At the end of the day, even though I am Indian, I grew up in the US, and when the White House serves wine, it’s representing America and the best that we can offer.”

Follow Raj Patel on LinkedIn and Twitter
(For more details, you can visit patelwinery.com)

Double jeopardy: Taliban and a stint in a US agency leaves this Baloch from Afghanistan nowhere to go

(August 19, 2021) On August 6, when heavily armed Taliban fighters sitting atop Humvees descended on the south western province of Nimruz in war-torn Afghanistan, Abdul Samad Rahimi knew what was coming. Far away from his country in Hyderabad, Rahimi began making frantic calls to his parents even as he watched the developments unfold on television in utter disbelief. By then, his 65-year-old father, a highly respected member of the Baloch tribe, had left his home in Nimruz along with his wife for a safer destination. Over the last 11 days, Rahimi's parents have constantly been on the move, concealing their identities and doing all it takes to escape the Taliban. The Afghan province of Nimruz, which lies on the border with Pakistan and Iran was the first to fall to the Taliban: they'd attacked the province from three directions, leading to a quick collapse of defenses by Afghan security forces. ''Ever since the Taliban took control of Nimruz, I’ve managed to talk to my father only a couple of times over WhatsApp calls. Lack of internet accessibility due to frequent changing of locations is making it difficult to reach him," informs the 34-year-old, his voice choked with emotion. [caption id="attachment_7694" align="aligncenter" width="589"] Abdul Rahimi (extreme right) worked as a language

40":259}">

''Ever since the Taliban took control of Nimruz, I’ve managed to talk to my father only a couple of times over WhatsApp calls. Lack of internet accessibility due to frequent changing of locations is making it difficult to reach him," informs the 34-year-old, his voice choked with emotion.

[caption id="attachment_7694" align="aligncenter" width="589"] News | Afghanistan Taliban Crisis Updates | Afghan People Crisis Abdul Rahimi (extreme right) worked as a language trainer in Afghanistan[/caption]

Until last month, Rahimi was hopeful of returning to his country and serving his community. His visa expires in September end and he now finds himself at a crossroads; his hopes of returning to his motherland, completely shattered. "As a minority group in Afghanistan, we were happy that a democratic government was in place. Now, all of it has collapsed. I still cannot digest that everything has changed so rapidly," says Rahimi, speaking exclusively to Global Indian.

The Afghan national had come to India on an ICCR scholarship in 2019. With the deteriorating security situation back home, his wife and six-year-old daughter joined him in Hyderabad early this year. He was pursuing MA (TESL) in The English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU) in the city. The course ended recently and the family was looking forward to returning home. "We wanted to get our daughter enrolled in one of the girls' schools there so she could remain closer to our community and serve them. But for the Taliban seizing control, I would have been back in my country. Now, I am stuck here and there is no way we can go back," says Rahimi, who refers to India as his second home. He got married in the year 2015.

[caption id="attachment_7695" align="aligncenter" width="654"] News | Afghanistan Taliban Crisis Updates | Afghan People Crisis Abdul Rahimi (left) back home in Afghanistan during happier times[/caption]

One of the main reasons why Rahimi cannot go back to his country was his stint in USAID, an independent agency of the US government, which helped Afghanistan with foreign aid and development assistance. It helped bring more Afghans back into economic and civic life after years of brutalization by the Taliban before the US sent in its troops in the aftermath of 9/11. "I worked with USAID for 9 months but the Taliban began threatening my father with dire consequences if I did not quit the job. I gave up the job after my father asked me to resign. Now, my city is under the control of a terrorist group (Taliban) and they are hunting for all those who’ve worked with US companies in the last two decades. People like me do not have a place to live there," informs Rahimi.

Whatever little conversations Rahimi has had with some people back home, they tell him that the Taliban, at least for now, appear flexible. "At the moment, it appears they are trying to deceive Afghans by some sweet talk. Sooner or later, they will change their colors and go back to their brutal ways. There is no guarantee for the lives and future of Afghans."

Another reason Rahimi feels at home in India is the government's support for the Baloch people. "People here are kind and we Afghans feel a lot safer here. No one knows what lies ahead for Afghanistan. I shudder to think what will happen to Afghans under the Taliban rule. There will be no freedom of speech, who will hear the voice of the people in the absence of a democratically elected government?" wonders Rahimi, who also worked as a language trainer in a government institution in Afghanistan.

Asked what he plans to do now, Rahimi, who is utilizing the money he saved to buy his return tickets, says he is looking at options to stay back here. For this, he would need to apply for an extension of visa for himself and his family.

Over the years, dozens of Baloch activists from Balochistan (Pakistan) have been frequenting Nimruz, which is also close to the borders of the Afghan provinces of Helmand and Farah. "They (Baloch activists) used to feel safe in Nimruz and would take refuge there. Many of them are dislocated after the Taliban takeover," a worried Rahimi says.

Reading Time: 5 mins

Priya Chaudhry: The lawyer defending America’s most high-profile celebrities

(November 15, 2022) While giving an interview a few years back, criminal defense lawyer Priya Chaudhry said, "When I started, I wish I knew how important the emotional experience of a client is, and how to be present for it." The Indian American attorney, who has seen many highs and lows in her two-decade-long career, however, seems to have come a long way from there. The New York-based Global Indian, who is representing Canadian screenwriter, film producer, and director Paul Haggis, is one of the most sought-after lawyers in the USA and was recently named one of America’s Top 100 Criminal Defense Attorneys. [caption id="attachment_31744" align="aligncenter" width="550"] Priya Chaudhry, lawyer[/caption] Having represented several high-profile clients, including Jennifer Shah and Nikhil Wahi, Priya has made quite a name handling some of the most complicated and prominent cases. Her peers know her for her exceptional preparation and fierce advocacy. The founding partner of Chaudhry Law PLLC, the lawyer's official website notes that she “aggressively and creatively” defends her client's rights, “regardless of the charges leveled against them.” Her attention to crucial details in the case and personal involvement with the proceedings has earned her a reputation as one of the most successful

tion and fierce advocacy. The founding partner of Chaudhry Law PLLC, the lawyer's official website notes that she “aggressively and creatively” defends her client's rights, “regardless of the charges leveled against them.” Her attention to crucial details in the case and personal involvement with the proceedings has earned her a reputation as one of the most successful lawyers in the USA.

Inspired by family

Just like her clients, the lawyer fiercely protects her family details from the limelight. While not much is known about her family, it has been public knowledge that her parents shifted from India to New York City in search of better career opportunities. Born in the USA, Priya was inspired by the journey of her grandfather, who was also an attorney. "The lawyer I most admire is my grandfather, a prominent criminal defense lawyer in India, who once won an acquittal in a broad-daylight murder case with four eyewitnesses," she shared during an interview with Super Lawyers Magazine.

[caption id="attachment_31745" align="aligncenter" width="648"] Lawyer | Priya Chaudhry | Global Indian Priya with Canadian screenwriter, film producer, and director Paul Haggis[/caption]

Priya earned BA (High Honors) at the University of California, Berkeley. As she was always clear about her career path, she enrolled herself at the Northwestern University School of Law to pursue a Doctor of law (JD). Soon after, she became an Assistant Public Defender and later joined the Hafetz & Necheles LLP - one of New York's premier law firms focused on criminal defense, defending individuals and corporations in criminal investigations.

Climbing the ladder

After a decade of learning the skills of defending her clients in several complicated cases, the lawyer joined Harris, St. Laurent & Chaudhry LLP as a partner in 2013. It was during this time that she started representing celebrities and high-profile people in criminal matters - from the most sophisticated white-collar cases to homicide. She also represented individuals in regulatory proceedings, such as FINRA and SEC actions, as well as alleged Title IX violations, where she has won complete acquittal after trial for her student-clients.

Her passion for educating young people led her to teach Trial Advocacy at various prestigious institutions such as Cardozo Law School, Rutgers School of Law, and the New Jersey Public Defender. She is also an adjunct faculty at Columbia Law School and Fordham Law School. Keen to share her courtroom experiences, the lawyer has authored the paper “Crimes of Dishonesty: Perjury, False Statement, and Obstruction of Justice” in White Collar Crime: Business and Regulatory Offenses, and is also the co-host of the podcast Security and Compliance Weekly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkvKrvt9i50

Priya established her firm Chaudhry Law PLLC in 2019, through which she represented two very popular cases, that of Jennifer Shah and Paul Haggis. A football lover and a movie buff, Priya's formidable career in criminal defense wins her regular recognition, including from the American Board of Criminal Lawyers, Chambers and Partners, Super Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers, Corporate LiveWire, American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys, and National Association of Distinguished Counsel.

Follow Priya Chaudhry on LinkedIn and Twitter

Reading Time: 6 mins

10-tastic travels in 12 months – How startup founder Amanda Sodhi juggles music, film & travel

(December 29, 2021) In 2021, Amanda Sodhi was on the move, non-stop. Around Christmas last year, she sold her furniture in Kolkata, downsized to a suitcase and embarked on a journey in search of “home” and “belonging.” Living life out of a suitcase, Amanda’s search took her to 10 cities in the past 12 months. Friendships were born, memories cherished as this juggler of many talents moved forward. Her 12StepsToHome Instagram project across 12 cities in India went viral. The singer who has written lyrics for two songs in Amazon’s Made in Heaven and directed films in diverse genres, is looking at 2022 to become an author now! A digital nomad, Amanda’s startup — Pen Paper Dreams promotes creative self-expression. The former Washington DC native wears multiple hats — entrepreneur- singer-songwriter-poet-screenwriter, filmmaker now travelling philosopher. “We’ve conducted sessions at bookstores, cafes, schools, co-working spaces, lit fests, etc. We’ve been hosted by Juggernaut Books, Rupa Publications, LBB, WeWork, YLAC, Hyderabad Trails and Haptik,” informs Amanda, a self-confessed book worm to whom poetry, songs and stories come naturally. [caption id="attachment_18317" align="aligncenter" width="522"] Amanda Sodhi[/caption] While Pen Paper Dreams began as a poem-a-day Instagram project, it evolved into a brand that helps people

316_1017495878634104_6834845297965793280_n.jpeg" alt="Travel | Amanda Sodhi | Digital Nomad | Entrepreneur" width="522" height="752" /> Amanda Sodhi[/caption]

While Pen Paper Dreams began as a poem-a-day Instagram project, it evolved into a brand that helps people bust stress through creative self-expression.

A city to city trail

While enjoying a shikara ride on the pristine Dal Lake in Srinagar on Diwali 2020, a realisation dawned upon Amanda. “Rather than staying in one place and feeling sorry, why not consciously uproot each month and live in different cities and see if I find a place that has the potential to feel like home or, if I find my tribe,” informs Amanda, who like many others was feeling isolated towards 2020 end.

A chance meeting with filmmaker Amit Madheshiya (Cannes-winning director) in Srinagar who himself shuttles between Delhi, Mumbai and Srinagar led to 12StepsToHome. “Witnessing him pull that off inspired me to take it up a notch and live out of a suitcase for 12 months, a different city each month,” says Sodhi in an exclusive with Global Indian.

[caption id="attachment_18318" align="aligncenter" width="647"] Travel | Amanda Sodhi | Digital Nomad | Entrepreneur Amanda Sodhi in Coonoor[/caption]

Born and brought up in Washington DC, Amanda moved to Los Angeles in 2011. She was 25 when she moved to Mumbai (2012) and later to Kolkata (2017). The same year, the Indian-American launched Pen Paper Dreams -- which works towards cultivating inclusive virtual safe spaces which are creative communities.

But first, the travel

Amanda’s journey took her through India’s hinterland. Her experiences in Andamans were most cherished. “In Andaman, I was fortunate to meet very kind locals who were a wonderful support system. The beaches were stunning too,” she says.

The beauty of Kashmir captivated this itinerant traveller though it was challenging at times. Her time in Hyderabad was great. “It has all the facilities of a tier-one city with the added bonus of a more leisurely pace,” quips Amanda, who went to Marymount University in Virginia, where she double majored in communications and English, and minored in business. She graduated the four-year programme in three years.

Living out of a suitcase is quite affordable, insists Amanda matter-of-factly. Her monthly spend is ₹7,000 to ₹15,000 on rentals, meals or shared kitchen access, Wi-Fi, electricity, room cleaning etc, though in metros like Mumbai, it was more. Amanda, whose father passed away in December 2015, has her mother and elder sister in the US.

[caption id="attachment_18319" align="aligncenter" width="465"] Founder of Pen Paper Dreams | Digital Nomad | Entrepreneur Amanda Sodhi in Hyderabad[/caption]

Work defines her, through her 12 steps. To budget, the 34-year-old relies on auto-rickshaws and buses to sightsee. The startup founder is presently in God’s own country – Kerala - the 12^th and final month of #12StepsToHome.

While her 12-month journey ends on December 31, 2021, the search for home and belonging has come full circle. “I would like to divide my time between Hyderabad and Srinagar next year,” informs Amanda, who just finished reading The Cat Who Saved Books and now switches between The Startup Wife, Destination Wedding and Tokyo Ever After.

A solo woman traveller

As a woman travelling alone, she has had some bad experiences too, one homestay billed her falsely, and after she wrote a bad review, she had to face the police. “In Srinagar, someone followed me to my homestay, and later even followed me to the police station. The homestay was semi-starving (us) tenants - though we were billed for a meal plan – as the landlady was sadistic. The second wave was in full swing, so most shops were shut and sourcing food became a huge issue,” says Amanda, who agrees with Indian comedian and actor Vir Das about “two Indias.”

[caption id="attachment_18320" align="aligncenter" width="543"] Travel | Amanda Sodhi | Digital Nomad | Entrepreneur Amanda Sodhi in Andamans.[/caption]

Of course, Sodhi always has her guard up while travelling. “I have never felt that my life is in danger but eve-teasing saddens me. In Puri, I was uneasy when older men stared and cat-called at a beach. This, I would only go for walks when friends were on a a call with me,” informs Amanda, who grew up watching Hindi films and listening to Indian music.

The entrepreneurial bug

Travel aside, she is a hands-on entrepreneur. “I’m a digital nomad and I have great discipline. I meet client deadlines, irrespective of whether I am traveling or not. I’m simply living in different cities each month, not on a 365-day vacation,” says Sodhi. Interestingly, she had previously enrolled in a few kirtan classes at a local gurudwara, briefly.

Her startup conducted online sessions during the pandemic too. "Writing is therapeutic. We conducted many free creative writing workshops online to help people destress, in addition to our paid programmes. We created a virtual interactive reading and writing group. It is rewarding when people share how these sessions have helped them,” says Amanda. Her company works with interns and freelancers but Amanda does most of the work on her own. “We are a tiny startup, and don't have the budget to recruit a full-time team,” she smiles.

The future is bright

Next on agenda is a book about her 12StepsToHome. “I hope to release it in 2022, and will also release a new single then. I hope to continue to grow Pen Paper Dreams.” She is hoping that the book about #12StepsToHome gets picked up for an OTT project.

[caption id="attachment_18321" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Founder of Pen Paper Dreams | Digital Nomad | Entrepreneur Amanda Sodhi in Spiti[/caption]

Earlier in her career, the Indian-American recorded the background score of an Indie film called 5 Souls in 2011, and wrote music reviews for Planet Bollywood which caught the attention of renowned lyricist, screenwriter and poet Prasoon Joshi. He asked her to translate his lyrics into English for his anthology, Sunshine Lanes.

She has penned the lyrics of two songs for Netflix series Made in Heaven, and for the hugely popular — Puppet Life, I Don't Write Sad Songs Anymore, Takiye Pe Sar she composed and sang too.

A tweet by AR Rahman and Kalki Koechlin for her lyrics in the two songs in Made In Heaven thrilled her to bits. She also released three singles earlier — Jigsaw Puzzle, Behind My Sunglasses and MainKhaali that were received well.

Filmi gupshup

As she juggles diverse talents, one must mention her co-written feature film Life! Camera, Action.... with Rohit Gupta. Amanda shared a nomination with him for Best Screenplay at the World Music and Independent Film Festival 2011. Apart from the lyrics of Hai Yeh Kaisa Safar, she wrote and directed two short films — The Dance of Death and Through Bloodshot Eyes.

"The fact that I’ve survived the curveballs life has thrown at me, and haven’t given up on my dreams yet is what gives me maximum joy,” says Amanda, for whom Mindy Kaling, Hasan Minhaj and Lilly Singh are her favourite global Indians.

How Amanda went around India in 12 months
January - Hyderabad
February - Andamans
March - Ooty
April and May - Kashmir
June - Hyderabad / Hampi
July - Manali / Spiti
August - Imphal
September - Puri
October - Chandigarh
November - Delhi
December - Kerala (Wayanad, Alleppey, Varkala)

Follow Amanda Sodhi on Twitter and Instagram

Reading Time: 8 min

Smashing the stereotypes: How Najira Noushad hitchhiked from Kerala to Nepal to prove a point

(May 20, 2022) Sitting at a height of 9,383 ft above sea level, Najira Noushad found her Sherpa hastily telling her that she cannot make it to the Everest base camp (17,598 ft) in five days. As a mother of five who had never stepped into a gym, the Sherpa reckoned the 33-year-old was being too ambitious. For Najira, it was a re-affirmation of why she was there in the first place: To break stereotypes. Najira wants the world to know that India is safe for women travellers and that a woman can do anything she sets her mind on. Not even the wind and sleet of the Himalayas. Najira made it to base camp in five days as planned, becoming the fastest Indian woman to complete the 62-km trek, braving snowstorms and navigating extremely steep and rocky terrain. "It was very challenging. But I knew I could do this. I had my eyes set on finishing the trek in five days. I set the challenge for myself to inspire other women," Najira tells Global Indian. [caption id="attachment_24688" align="aligncenter" width="642"] Najira Noushad during her trip from Kerala to Everest base camp[/caption] Doing the trek without an acclimatisation period was a

"] Solo traveller | Najira Noushad Najira Noushad during her trip from Kerala to Everest base camp[/caption]

Doing the trek without an acclimatisation period was a challenge, but Najira pulled it off. "After two days, I developed shortness of breath and suffered from exhaustion. If not for that, I'd have completed the trek in four days. Despite the difficulties, it was a great experience. It made me realise I can do anything," adds the Oman resident, who hitchhiked her way from Kerala to Nepal to achieve the feat. “There’s so much negativity about the safety of solo female travellers. So I decided to ditch public transport and hitchhike all the way to prove the point that India is safe for women travellers,” she explains.

When the travel bug bit

The Kerala-born was raised in God's Own Country by a salesman father and a homemaker mother. Coming from a humble background, Najira lived a simple yet happy life, passionate about travelling even as a child. “I loved boarding a bus for a long journey. I always wanted to see what awaited me on the other side,” says the mother of five, whose first trip was to Tiruchirrappali where her dad was posted in the 2000s. She only ever travelled with her family – a conservative household meant even school picnics were off limits for the young girl. “We made the most of family outings, though,” Najira smiles. “That was the beginning of my wanderlust.”

Najira was married when she turned eighteen and gave birth to her first son within a year. Her urge to travel remained satiated, however. Her husband’s transferable job took the family to Chennai, Dubai and Oman. “He is my biggest support system, along with my mother,” says Najira about her husband, who works in hospitality. "He has always pushed me to do what makes me feel happier, and travel tops the list. Even with my five kids in tow, I have never hesitated to take the road less travelled," adds Najira, who decided to go on an all-India trip in 2021.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by NaajiNoushi solo mom traveller (@naajinoushi_mom_solo_traveller)

Kerala to Ladakh in 60 days

"Keen to explore India, I decided to travel from Kerala to Ladakh across 17 states and five union territories. A Facebook friend tagged along but I did the planning and drove the entire 13,000 km. It was exhilarating," says Najira, adding that she was mindful of every move that she was making. "Since we were on a budget trip, I constantly had lodging and food on my mind. I had almost become a CBI officer doing all the research," laughs the traveller, who was curious to know about different cultures and people. "The trip was an eye-opener where I met so many people who opened their homes for us. We didn't just travel across the big cities but moved into the hinterland because that's where the real India lives," adds Najira. So, they rented an Innova and spent a combined total of ₹6 lakh on the 60-day trip.

It gave her so much confidence that in November, Najira boarded a plane to Lakshwadeep with only ₹3000. "You don't need money to travel, all you need is an idea," says Najira who knocked on the doors of the people to let her stay the night. Calling it one of her most "interesting trips", Najira explored all ten islands without spending a single penny. "The people of Lakshwadeep are not only kind-hearted but masoom (innocent). There is no crime rate, and their prisons are empty. That's a part of India that everyone should see," says Najira who explored the coral island for a month. "I didn't even buy a cup of chai from my money. Every day these people welcomed me into their homes and fed me," says the YouTuber who has over 50K subscribers.

[caption id="attachment_24693" align="aligncenter" width="571"] Solo traveller | Najira Noushad Najira Noushad in Lakshwadeep[/caption]

Travel with purpose

But it was her trip from Kerala to Everest base camp in Nepal that made her a star traveller. As a woman, Najira often heard stories of India being an unsafe country for solo women travellers, so she took it upon herself to change what she believed to be a mistaken notion. "People often say that Europe is safe for women travellers, but so is India. I wanted to prove it by hitchhiking from Kuttanad in Kerala, all the way to Nepal. She made the journey in 32 days, mostly taking rides on trucks. Najira says that lorry drivers have a bad image but that’s another stereotype she was happy to break. "They were very friendly and helped me at every step. There were days that I slept in trucks but felt very safe. Many introduced me to their families either on phone calls or in person. Getting to travel that way gave me a fresh perspective on life," says the travel vlogger.

[caption id="attachment_24694" align="aligncenter" width="750"] Solo Traveller | Najira Noushad Najira with a lorry driver[/caption]

She began her expedition with two messages - 'Admire India' and 'She Can Travel Alone', and Najira truly lived up to them during her month-long journey.

Overcoming fears is what Najira believes in, and that's exactly what she did on the trip. "Have the courage to follow your dreams, and they often take you to beautiful places and stunning experiences," she says. During those two months on the road hitchhiking, Najira saw India like never before. "I understood the food problem, the lack of education, and poverty. But I also saw the large-heartedness of the people who would welcome me with open arms even if they have nothing to offer. That's what makes India incredible," adds Najira.

Smashing the stereotypes

It was at Lukla that Najira learnt about SVN Suresh Babu, a Vizag trekker who created history by reaching the Everest base camp in a record-breaking four days in January 2022. "When my Sherpa told me about Suresh, it inspired me so much. But he kept dissuading me saying that I was a woman who never went to a gym and had five deliveries. But I was determined to finish it in five days. He warned me that people often die if they are not well-prepared. But I turned a deaf ear to him," reveals Najira, who completed in five days a trek that usually takes anywhere between ten and fifteen.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by NaajiNoushi solo mom traveller (@naajinoushi_mom_solo_traveller)

"My Sherpa was stunned that I could pull it off. I think if you have a lakshaya and the courage to follow it, nothing is impossible. If we set our mind to something, our body works in alignment," adds Najira who believes a strong head and heart can take you to places that you cannot even imagine.

She now plans to take a trip to the North East along with Bhutan and Nepal, for "there is no life without dreams." And she advocates "self-love" to fulfil them. "When you love and cherish yourself, you'd go to any lengths to follow your dreams. Be courageous enough to take that first step and the rest shall follow. Don’t fret if things don’t work out your way, embrace the change,” she advices adding, “Be positive in life, it will bring in more good experiences."

Follow Najira Noushad on Instagram and Facebook

Reading Time: 6 min