Global IndianstoryChidananda Naik on winning La Cinef Award at Cannes 2024: This is just the beginning

Chidananda Naik on winning La Cinef Award at Cannes 2024: This is just the beginning

Written by: Charu Thakur

(June 21, 2024) Brushing shoulders with some of the biggest names in the world of cinema at the French Riviera last month, Mysuru-based filmmaker Chidananda S Naik found himself in a state of deep gratitude and awe at the 77th Cannes Film Festival where his short film, Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know won him the La Cinef Award. “My heart is filled with gratitude. This win is not just mine; it belongs to everyone who was a part of this project and every Indian who backed us, especially from Karnataka, as we proudly represented India on this global stage,” he tells Global Indian.

Chidananda Naik

Cannes 2024 proved to be a landmark year for Indian cinema at the prestigious film festival with several participants scripting history, including the 29-year-old filmmaker. It is for the first time that a film made by a student from the first year Television course at FTII, Pune has won an award at the Cannes Film Festival. Humbled by the win, Chidananda says, “I genuinely feel that this is just the beginning. Our success at Cannes has opened new doors and inspired us to continue creating films that resonate globally.”

Making India proud

Growing up, Chidananda had never imagined himself on a stage as big as the Cannes Film Festival, making his debut feel surreal and an experience he calls incredible. “It was such a huge honour to represent India.” As a member of the contingent that made India proud at Cannes 2024, the filmmaker is thrilled to have witnessed the historic triumphs of Indians at the film festival, a period he calls his “most memorable moment.” “I saw history being written in front of me and what a year for India! It started with Mansi Maheshwari, her anime film Bunnyhood won third prize at La Cinef, followed by Anasuya Sengupta, who became the first Indian to win the Un Certain Regard Best Actress award, and then Payal Kapadia, whose film All We Imagine won Palme d’Or,” he smiles.

For an emerging talent like him, film festivals play a crucial role, offering a platform to showcase their talent to a global audience and industry professionals. “La Cinef, formerly known as Cinefondation Selection, are particularly important because they are specifically created mainly to inspire and support the next generation of international filmmakers,” says Chidananda, whose short Kannada film was among the 18 entries selected from film school students worldwide.

Bringing a popular folklore to the forefront

Taking a leaf out of a popular Kannada folklore Ajjiya Jamba, the 16-minute short film tells the story of a village plunged into darkness by an elderly woman who steals a rooster. This act triggers chaos as the villagers frantically search for the missing rooster, believing it is essential to restore daylight. To bring the rooster back, a prophecy is invoked, resulting in the exile of the old woman’s family.

Chidananda cherished the folklore since childhood, but during his time at FTII, he discovered that it was only well-known in Karnataka and remained a mystery to people outside the state. “My editor, Manoj V, and I have always wanted to make a Kannada film, and the possibility of bringing the story world we imagined to life was really fascinating to us,” adds the filmmaker, who had only four days to shoot the film that was a part of his coursework at FTII. However, he remained focussed on taking the best shots and reflects that the filming process taught him to be “meditative in the chaos.”

Shot entirely under the cloak of night, the film uses darkness to weave a tale of mystery and suspense, pulling the viewers in the villagers’ desperate struggle, thus making night itself a vital character. “It was extremely difficult to shoot with all the limited resources and rules. We were super exhausted but really satisfied with the shots we achieved,” says the filmmaker, who found his crew in his batchmates. “Suraj served as the Director of Photography, Manoj was the editor, and Abhishek handled location sound and mixing,” reveals Chidananda, noting that other artists joined them to assist during the filming.

Doctor-turned-filmmaker

It’s hard to believe that the award-winning filmmaker once aspired to be a doctor. Born in Shivamogga to Prof Shekar Naik, Head of Department of Food Sciences and Nutrition at Yuvaraja College and Vinoda Bai, Chidananda was “never interested in cinema nor thought about it much.” His passion initially lay in medicine, leading him to enroll at Mysore Medical College and Research Institute for his MMBS. Ironically, it was medicine that initially drew him towards art. “From the first year, we delved into anatomy through dissection, understanding the human body in great detail. Yet, I often pondered about emotions and feelings, which are also essential aspects of being human,” says Chidananda, who found his expression in filmmaking, and joined FTII, Pune after completing his MBBS.

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“We are all born first and then we decide how to spend the rest of the days before turning into ashes. There is no blueprint to life that dictates what we should do. I just decided to be happy and do things that make me and people around me happy. It’s more about coming to terms with myself and finding my expression of life. These thoughts led me to resonate deeply with art and literature, ultimately guiding me towards filmmaking. It wasn’t that I was unhappy studying or practicing medicine, nor was I doing it solely for my parents. Instead, it was a realisation that my true passion lay elsewhere,” says Chidananda.

The road ahead

Pivoting to filmmaking turned out to the best decision for Chidananda, who met a bunch of talented people at FTII, thus helping him hone his craft and make impactful films. He reserves a special mention for Neeraj Voralia, a mentor whom he deeply admires. “He is a true blessing to students at FTII.”

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With La Cinef Award under his belt, the passionate filmmaker is now gearing towards making a mainstream film. “I will share updates in a proper way as the project progresses. I can’t reveal too much at this stage,” says the man who has brought Kannada film to the forefront at a global stage like Cannes with his film Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know. “We are motivated more than ever to make films that tell compelling stories and connect with audiences worldwide. The journey ahead is exciting, and I believe we will see many more Kannada films gaining global acclaim in the future,” he signs off.

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Published on 21, Jun 2024

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The American Dream: Ambassador Gautam A Rana’s journey is an inspiration for Indian immigrants across the globe

(November 2, 2022) Once upon a time, a young man with a master's degree in chemistry landed on the shores of New York. A native of Vadodara in Gujarat, the man - like million others - dreamt of making a life for himself and his family in this land of opportunities. While the first year was quite a challenge for the young Indian immigrant, he persisted and found a good job. After working for four years, he had saved enough to call his family - a wife, two daughters, and a son - from Vadodara to the United States of America. But our story is not about this man. It is about his four-year-old son, who was enchanted by this big new world his father brought him to and decided to make the most of it. His name, Gautam A. Rana - the current United States Ambassador to Slovakia. "About a decade after my family shifted to the USA, my relatives also moved here. While I am a very proud American, I haven't lost touch with my roots. My family and I have always maintained our Indian identity and are very proud of our Indian heritage," shares the Ambassador, as

nd I have always maintained our Indian identity and are very proud of our Indian heritage," shares the Ambassador, as he connects with Global Indian from Bratislava.

[caption id="attachment_31264" align="aligncenter" width="693"] Ambassador | Gautam Rana | Global Indian Ambassador Gautam A. Rana with former US President, Barack Obama[/caption]

A lawyer by profession, Gautam is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, class of Counselor, and has served at various US embassies. The diplomat served as the Special Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of State, Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, and the Political Advisor for the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Khost, Afghanistan. He was even posted as the Director for Afghanistan and Pakistan on the National Security Council staff and the Deputy Minister Counselor for Political Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi. Before assuming the post of US Ambassador to Slovakia - for which he was nominated by President Joe Biden - he served as the Deputy Chief of Mission of the U.S. Embassy in Algeria.

The land of opportunities

After earning a master's in chemistry, Gautam's father decided to move to the USA, in search of better career opportunities in 1970. Only about six months old then, Gautam was completely unaware of how his father's journey was going to shape his own journey in the future. "I was born in Baroda (now Vadodara). And when I was just a small baby, my father decided to take a chance and move to the USA. At the time, the US Embassy in Mumbai was giving visas to people with a master's degree. And that is how he landed in the US," the Ambassador says.

Ambassador | Gautam Rana | Global Indian

While his father got the visa and moved to the US, his initial days in the country were not exactly rosy. "Even though my father had a master's degree, he didn't come from a very wealthy background. So, when he arrived in New York City, he only had $20 in his pocket. In his first year in New York, he worked at minimum wage jobs. In fact, he worked at 12 different places in the first year - since all of them were minimum-wage jobs, he moved from one job to the other. Eventually, he landed a decent job, and in 1973, along with my mother and two sisters, I came to the US," he details.

I think that the Indian diaspora in the United States of America has a lot of reasons to be proud of themselves. There are so many people of Indian lineage who are in decision-making positions now in the USA, including the Vice President, Kamala Harris.

Growing up in New Jersey, amongst a huge Indian diaspora, Gautam shares that his family would visit India almost every year during the festive season. "I have many fond memories of India from my childhood," he says, adding, "My family would travel home for every Navaratri and Diwali. We would do the garba and eat loads of delicious food." Speaking about his childhood days, the diplomat shares, "I grew up in a suburban area, amidst a very supportive community. We never encountered any kind of racism or bullying."

[caption id="attachment_31266" align="aligncenter" width="622"] Ambassador | Gautam Rana | Global Indian Ambassador Rana with President of Slovakia, Zuzana Čaputová[/caption]

While most Indian kids, who moved to the USA, battled only the cultural shift, Gautam had other challenges to face. “I suffered from polio when I was just five months old in India. I think that was part of the reason why my parents wanted to move to the USA. I have walked with crutches since a young age. And while I have never faced any discrimination for my disability, it is the expectations of other people that have been a challenge for me. Many times, I - and I think many other disabled people - struggle with what other people perceive and what we can and cannot do. This includes when we apply for jobs, or houses, even when we try to fetch a cab. I never wanted to limit myself to other people's perception of what I can do in life, and that has been the greater challenge for me," the Ambassador says.

Climbing the diplomatic ladder

Like most other Indians, Gautam's parents too emphasised on the importance of good education. "My sisters and I were very focussed on doing well in school. I remember my father would always tell me that good education is your ticket to the world. My sisters pursued a degree in medicine, and I went to the University of Pennsylvania to earn a BA and BS," he shares. Having always been fascinated by the legal profession, the Ambassador decided to enroll at the Vanderbilt University School of Law after working for a few years. "I have been very interested in social justice and inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, I earned a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Vanderbilt in 1997."

However, it was the foreign policy that interested Gautam the most, and which led him to join the US Foreign Service. He earned a MA from the National Defense University, College of International Security Affairs, and is the recipient of multiple State Department performance awards and a U.S Department of Defense Honor Award. Soon after joining the Foreign Services, Gautam was posted to the US Embassies in Jordan, Egypt, and Syria between 2006 and 2008. Subsequently, he served in several US embassies, including Kabul, Ljubljana, and Algiers.

The progress that the US and Indian relations have made, especially in the last 10 years, is incredible. The representatives from USA and India have been working very closely to better the relationships further. And the immense growth of the Indian diaspora in America has certainly helped that cause.

A proud Indian-American, Gautam shares that the diaspora has grown from being just immigrants to holding important positions in various spheres of the country. "I think that the Indian diaspora in the United States of America has a lot of reasons to be proud of themselves. There are so many people of Indian lineage who are in decision-making positions now in the USA, including the Vice President, Kamala Harris. But that is the story of America. People who have come to this land, and have worked hard, have been able to achieve so much in the USA. I think Indian Americans will continue to reach great milestones."

The Ambassador, who served as the Foreign Service Office at the New Delhi US Embassy between 2011 and 2014, feels that the US-Indian diplomatic relation has taken off in the last few decades. "The progress that the US and Indian relations have made, especially in the last 10 years, is incredible. When Prime Minister Modi had come to the USA during his first term, I was working at the White House, President Obama hosted a state dinner and several things were discussed during that meeting. The representatives from USA and India have been working very closely to better the relationships further. And the immense growth of the Indian diaspora in America has certainly helped that cause," he says.

[caption id="attachment_31269" align="aligncenter" width="656"] Ambassador | Gautam Rana | Global Indian Ambassador Rana with his family[/caption]

Currently stationed at Bratislava with his wife and two kids, Gautam is heading the US convoy to the land of the Slavs. While he hasn't been able to visit India since he moved back in 2014, he wishes to bring his boys to the country he was born in, someday. "Slovakia is a beautiful country and we are loving it here. I don't get much time off from my very busy schedule, I try to spend as much time with them as possible when I am free - especially because my boys are just eight and five years old. I think they would love India and I plan to take them there very soon," shares the Ambassador, who still speaks fluent Gujarati.

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The spiritual doctor: India’s top hair transplant surgeon Dr Pradeep Sethi connects giving back with spirituality

(April 21, 2023) Dr. Pradeep Sethi went from being a farm labourer, spending his childhood working in the fields to becoming one of India’s top hair transplant surgeons and the co-founder of Eugenix Hair Sciences, which boasts a long line of celebrity clientele. He’s also a leading philanthropist who has founded the Utkal Gaurav International School in his village Berunapadi in Odisha. The school aims to provide world-class education for free in India’s eastern hinterland, where opportunities are rare. Dr Sethi is in the process of bringing in top faculty from around the world to give international exposure to students, while laying emphasis on spiritual practices to ensure their holistic development. [caption id="attachment_37628" align="aligncenter" width="538"] Dr Pradeep Sethi[/caption] All through his inspirational journey, Dr Sethi, a true son of the soil, never lost touch with his village, which is situated 160-km away from Bhubaneshwar. Having benefited from education provided by various charitable trusts, he is now deeply committed to philanthropy and connects giving back with spirituality. He made headlines for his work with Utkal Gaurav International School which has been developed with a fund of ₹10 crore. The school was virtually inaugurated by Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik last month.

-contrast="none">All through his inspirational journey, Dr Sethi, a true son of the soil, never lost touch with his village, which is situated 160-km away from Bhubaneshwar. Having benefited from education provided by various charitable trusts, he is now deeply committed to philanthropy and connects giving back with spirituality. He made headlines for his work with Utkal Gaurav International School which has been developed with a fund of ₹10 crore. The school was virtually inaugurated by Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik last month.

Until 2020, the ground on which the school has been developed was just a large piece of farming land where I used to work as a daily wage worker. But, today, the same land houses the school.

"Most of my friends, who were initially my clients, have endorsed the idea of my school,” Dr Pradeep Sethi said, while speaking to Business Line.

The path of spirituality

Early in life, Sethi began gravitating to the teachings of spiritual gurus, especially Swami Paramhansa Yoganand, author of the iconic book, Autobiography of a Yogi. The spiritual teacher and author has laid emphasis on the importance of physical health and well-being, calling spirituality a holistic practice. Yoganand's teachings had a great impact on Sethi in his growing up years. The spiritual master’s emphasis on the interconnectedness of all things and the importance of service to others deeply resonated with Dr Sethi’s aspirations of life.

[caption id="attachment_37584" align="aligncenter" width="497"] Indian Doctors | Dr Pradeep Sethi | Global Indian Dr Pradeep Sethi with cricketer Ravi Shastri[/caption]

Autobiography of a Yogi is still Dr Sethi’s favourite, and he gifts the book to people as often as he can. "I have earned lots of friends through this book and I am sure when I die, I will be carrying lots of love, affection and friendship to the other world," he said.

The dream philanthropic project

Sethi’s own life has been transformed by the kindness of strangers and charitable institutions, and he never misses an opportunity to do good to others. With a deep urge to give back he provides free treatment to the needy, supports charitable causes and extends whole-hearted support to community outreach programmes.

During the launch of Utkal Gaurav International School, Sethi remarked, “I hope to arrange ₹100 crore for the final look of this dream project, in the next five years,” adding, “I want the kids of my school to get the exposure of the world. The difference between my village and developed countries like USA is all about exposure, and I want to do the hard work to reduce the gap between the developed countries and a developing small village.” Kids at the international school will be introduced to a wide array of fields including technology, sports and agriculture.

Some of my friends from Oxford and Harvard University are already taking classes online. Once the infrastructure is ready for the teaching staff to stay in, we will have teachers from places like the USA, UK and Australia visiting the campus.

Dr Sethi has plans to take the senior kids to international tours. “This would enable their growth and build in them the capacity to imagine the ideas that they can work upon to make the society better,” he said.

[caption id="attachment_37585" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] Indian Doctors | Dr Pradeep Sethi | Global Indian Opening ceremony of Utkal Gaurav International School[/caption]

Dr Sethi's venture is backed by industrialists like Rajiv Bajaj from Bajaj Group, Adar Poonawalla, CEO of Serum Institute of India, Puneet Goenka of Zee Entertainment Enterprises, and Sandeep Raheja of Exide Battery. Many of Sethi’s clients including cricketers and actors have also extended their help for the project. “The amount does not matter, the feeling behind it matters,” Dr Sethi said.

Keeping in tune with the principles espoused by his spiritual guru Swami Paramhansa Yoganand, Sethi’ school does not just focus on academics but on the all-round training for a fit body, mind and soul. Yoga, meditation, purpose of life and how to maximise one’s potential find a significant place in the curriculum. “I look forward to the day when institutions all over the country and across the world replicate the model,” he said.

The course of life

Though Sethi worked as a farm labourer, he was deeply dedicated to his academics, and later was able to secure an admission at Navodaya Vidyalaya. Studying there, he did well in his senior secondary exams and got admission at the Government Medical College in Sambalpur in Odisha. He later went on to do his further studies at the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi.

Passing out from there, Sethi started his practice from Rishikesh in 2008. The lack of opportunities in his area of specialisation led him to head to Rishikesh to get some spiritual relief and to try his luck there. Not getting a job immediately after passing out from medical college and moving to Rishikesh is something that he calls ‘blessing in disguise,’ because that prompted him to start his own independent practice.

Luck prevailed and Sethi’s practice became so successful that he expanded his business outside Rishikesh. Within a few years of starting his independent practice, he co-founded the state-of-the-art hair transplant chain Eugenix Hair Sciences, with his wife Arika Bansal who happened to be his batchmate at AIIMS. With seven clinics across India, Eugenix Hair Sciences has treated thousands of satisfied patients.

[caption id="attachment_37586" align="aligncenter" width="710"] Indian Doctors | Dr Pradeep Sethi | Global Indian Dr Pradeep Sethi and Dr Arika Bansal with their team[/caption]

To make others happy you will have to go out of your way. You will have to cause yourself discomfort and sacrifice your pleasures. If you go to that extent and serve society, only then you will be able to generate joy within you. That’s what I practice. I am very selfish. I want to make myself extremely joyful.

Dr Sethi is popular for his innovative techniques and advanced hair restoration methods including the DHT technique which he pioneered. He has conducted workshops and training sessions for the people of the medical fraternity in India and abroad and has contributed to the field through his research and publications in various medical journals. The International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) has bestowed the prestigious Fellow of ISHRS title upon Sethi for his pioneering research. However, the illustrious doctor considers his practice and medical research his ‘secondary job’ while practicing the principles laid down by Swami Paramhansa Yoganand his ‘primary duty’.

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The serial entrepreneur from Varanasi: Neena Pandey is painting her canvas with transformative strokes

(September 12, 2023) Neena Pandey’s infatuation with colours, designs, textures, and silhouettes goes back a long way. Growing up in the enchanting city of Varanasi, she experienced firsthand, how skilled weavers and artisans weaved magic on silks with their age-old techniques. She aspired to become an entrepreneur but her highly successful stints in the Silicon Valley wouldn’t let her go. Until one day, when she changed the trajectory of her life and gave up the corporate world to launch her own fashion brand. “My creations are a tribute to the intricate artistry that defines Indian fashion, combined with the contemporary sensibilities I have embraced abroad,” smiles serial entrepreneur Neena Pandey, speaking to Global Indian. A member of the Forbes Business Council, the US-based Neena Pandey is the founder and CEO of The String Code, a luxury fashion brand. She also founded IndieRoots, a lifestyle brand of products, and is the President of Club Z Tutoring, the fastest-growing franchise in the US. The list of top companies she has worked with in Silicon Valley is really long. “I am all about this cool concept called a portfolio career. It's this approach where you don't put all your eggs in one professional basket. You

about this cool concept called a portfolio career. It's this approach where you don't put all your eggs in one professional basket. You diversify, dabble in different ventures, and keep that professional life vibrant and the entrepreneur says.

[caption id="attachment_44809" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Entrepreneur | Neena Pandey | Global Indian Entrepreneur Neena Pandey[/caption]

Clothes have this incredible ability to work wonders for women, she feels. “They can boost confidence, make a lady feel beautiful, spread genuine happiness, and help her truly appreciate herself,” points out Neena, who lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband Sachin, an engineer, and their two children, Aditya and Anya. “I have lost count of instances where I noticed that when I am dressed to impress, I walk into meetings with my head held high and crush my presentations,” says Neena. The entrepreneur describes her fashion brand as a canvas where the colors of her Indian upbringing merge with the strokes of contemporary international influences.

A Varanasi girl

Growing up in a middle-class Indian family in Varanasi, Neena and her two elder sisters were consistently reminded by their parents that being unable to support themselves was not an option. “I grew up with limited resources, and always thought that I would ultimately find myself working for someone else as an adult – a path that I did follow,” recalls Neena, who in her younger days, took on the role of the family's designer, creating clothing for everyone at home.

[caption id="attachment_44817" align="aligncenter" width="683"] Neena Pandey | Global Indian IndieRoots artisans at work[/caption]

She did her schooling at St John's School, Varanasi, and an undergraduate degree in Chemistry with Honours from the Banaras Hindu University. During her academic years, Neena aimed to become a doctor due to the limited options typically presented in Indian households at that time – either medical or engineering. “However, I couldn't clear the pre-medical test, which turned out to be a fortunate turn of events in retrospect. I swiftly redirected my focus towards something I was passionate about – fashion and apparel,” informs the entrepreneur, whose professional journey began with India’s largest retail chain, Weekender.

Moving to the Silicon Valley

Before she kicked off her brands, Neena was crushing it as a fierce and outspoken marketing executive in Silicon Valley. While doing an MBA programme with a marketing major at Santa Clara University's Leavey School of Business, she got an internship at Adobe Systems during her first summer break in 2007.

Entrepreneur | Neena Pandey

“Adobe asked me to stick around part-time while I finished my programme. I took it up,” informs Neena, who later got an offer from Sun Microsystems, a big player back then and the brain behind Java. They offered her the chance to be the first product marketing manager for Open Solaris, their open-source operating system. Neena had a blast wearing her creative marketing hat– instituting innovative GTM plans to target students and the developer community worldwide. “We ended up exceeding targets by 106%, a full year sooner than projected,” says the former corporate honcho. Later, when Oracle acquired Sun Microsystems, she moved there and worked for two years. She was the ambassador for their cohesive hardware-software messaging. “I also proposed a product idea that became a star product offering later.”

From there, Zyme Solutions came knocking and the entrepreneur was leading the marketing squad for something groundbreaking — channel data management, which was all about giving retailers the tech tools to conquer the retail scene. “We ended up launching the product internationally, making a difference in the lives of retailers, says Neena, who earlier did her Masters in Garment manufacturing technology from NIFT, Delhi.

A leader at heart

She had her fair share of victories at the Silicon Valley but deep down, she had this constant itch to venture into entrepreneurship. Eventually, Neena recognised that entrepreneurship was her calling. “I am the first person in my family to go on an entrepreneurship route. Obviously, my family members were scared when I left my promising career in corporate,” the entrepreneur says. Despite the uncertainty, she ventured into this new journey, acknowledging that success wouldn't be immediate.

[caption id="attachment_44810" align="aligncenter" width="624"] Entrepreneur | Neena Pandey Entrepreneur Neena Pandey[/caption]

With technology revolutionising fashion retail by reshaping e-commerce and marketing becoming hyper-personalised through data-driven insights and augmented reality, Neena says her tech wins combined with her deep dive into the fashion-retail world have her primed to shape a future all about connections and doing right by the planet.

Neena is also a featured author and contributor for Forbes. “Forbes values my opinion in various polls and publications. Being a part of this, I also get to tap into the vast knowledge pool of accomplished business leaders from all corners of the globe,” the entrepreneur says. As a proud member of the Council, Neena is unlocking a bunch of exclusive opportunities that are tailored to elevate her professional influence to new heights. “I'm connecting and collaborating with other esteemed local leaders in our own private space and at members-only events.”

[caption id="attachment_44821" align="aligncenter" width="601"] Entrepreneur | Neena Pandey | Global Indian Neena during the photoshoot for The String Code[/caption]

In the midst of this whirlwind, she carves out time for her own well-being. “I hit the gym at 5 in the morning or squeeze in a late-night swim at 10 p.m. Her workout routine covers a wide spectrum – from weightlifting and intense body combat sessions (a fusion of martial arts and kickboxing) to Pilates, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and swimming. “I have incorporated meditation into my daily routine.”

The String Code

The String Code is not just a brand – it's a movement rooted in women's empowerment and manifestation of inspiring ideas and concepts, says Neena. “Our designs cater to diverse sizes and silhouettes, making sure every body type feels confident and comfortable in String Code outfits,” informs the serial entrepreneur, who is the start-up mentor at The Centre for Global Enterprise, New York.

[caption id="attachment_44819" align="aligncenter" width="669"] Entrepreneur | Neena Pandey | Global Indian A collection from The String Code[/caption]

Launched in July 2021, The String Code is her way of connecting with women across the spectrum. “I have woven my enduring confidence and passion into every string, every thread, and every distinct look meticulously designed for String Code,” says the entrepreneur, whose clothing brand adheres to the United Nations development goals. “The clothing is made in small batches using natural fibers, upcycled fabric, and environmentally conscious business practices when possible.”

Each piece she designs meticulously balances traditional elegance with modern sophistication. “My fashion brand is a canvas where the colors of my Indian upbringing merge with the strokes of contemporary international influences. I offer a collection that resonates with individuals regardless of their cultural background.”

IndieRoots

Collaborating with 60 artisan collectives across India and Southeast Asia, Indieroots is a lifestyle brand offering a range of products. “Its essence lies in bridging the gap between artisans and the global community by establishing a sustainable international market for talented creators. It fosters a spirit of entrepreneurship.”

[caption id="attachment_44816" align="aligncenter" width="701"] Neena Pandey | Global Indian Neena with some of the artisans of IndieRoots[/caption]

Describing IndieRoots - which was established in 2018 - as a profound calling that resonates with her passion for handicraft and home decor, Neena says every piece that finds its way into the homes of her customers narrates a story of artisan traditions kept alive by craftsmen from various corners of the world. She partners with over 60 artisan groups across India. “We've expanded our horizons to include collaboration with other Southeast Asian countries as well,” informs the entrepreneur, who is the executive member of the International LEAP network.

A book worm

Books are Neena’s getaway. The eclectic reader dives into Historical fiction, fiction, and mystery. “Lately, though, I have been drawn to non-fiction. There's something about inspirational, self-help, and spiritual books that just resonates with me,” says the entrepreneur. When it comes to music, she says it's woven into her family's fabric. “My children are passionate singers. Karaoke evenings and backyard jam sessions are pretty much standard fare at our house.”

TV shows? “I've had those nights where I've binged-watch till the wee hours, even when there's a business meeting waiting for me in the morning!” says the entrepreneur, whose favourites span a range of genres, from gripping thrillers and suspenseful espionage tales to comedy. And, when it's time to unwind, Neena finds solace in a good glass of wine.

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My name is crimson: The remarkable life of Anish Kapoor

(April 24, 2023) If by chance you were to open the website of the artist Stuart Semple and make your way to the 'art products' page, you will be asked to confirm two things: One, that you accept cookies and two, that you are not Anish Kapoor. When the British Indian artist purchased exclusive rights to Vanta Black, created by Surrey Nano Systems, he ruffled many feathers in the art world. Nevertheless, Anish is arguably one of the world's most successful artists and his works have pride of place in the world's top galleries and in spheres of public art. Everything about the man is larger than life - his colossal works and the statements they make. He is known for his ability (and desire) to provoke, whether it's other artists with his proclivity for copyrighting colours, his fascination for gore, his licentious works and the fact that he maintains, through it all, "I have nothing to say." In retaliation to the Vanta Black controversy, Stuart Semple, calling Kapoor a "rotter," created another pigment, the 'world's pinkest pink'. You can buy it online, but only if you manage to prove that "You are not Anish Kapoor, you are in no

apoor, you are in no way affiliated to Anish Kapoor, you are not purchasing this item on behalf of Anish Kapoor or an associate of Anish Kapoor." However, in 2016, Anish, who freely admits that he is "not an artist's artist," got his hands on the pink and of course, flaunted it, dipping his finger (we won't specify which finger) in the pigment and posting it on Instagram.

The outsider

Despite his renown in the art world, Anish has made himself an outsider there, too. It's a theme that has followed him throughout his life and while he isn't happy about it, he does wear it on his sleeve. Back in 2020, he purchased for himself, to house the Anish Kapoor Foundation, the Palazzo Manfrin in Venice and placed, at the entry way, an upside-down mountain, "inverting the Italian tradition of the painted ceiling," according to the New Yorker. At the 59th Venice Biennale, which took place earlier this year, Anish presented two monumental exhibits - one at the Gallerie dell’Accademia and the other at Palazzo Manfin. There is some poetry to this acquisition - the palace, which was vacant for many years, was once owned by Count Manfrin, a Croatian tobacco merchant . He was proud of his art collection and had transformed the first floor into a public viewing gallery. Many eminent personalities have visited the place, which became one of Venice's main tourist attractions, including Lord Byron, George Ruskin and Edouard Manet. After his death, the place lay vacant, deteriorating into a dereliction, until Anish bought it back in 2020. After extensive restoration, which was hampered by the pandemic, the place is now almost ready and will house the Anish Kapoor Foundation.

[caption id="attachment_28642" align="alignnone" width="1080"] Anish Kapoor | Global Indian Photo credit: Instagram[/caption]

Courting controversy

Over a decade ago, his work, Dirty Corner, which was displayed at the Palace of Versailles, was vandalised with anti-semitic comments. The controversy snowballed, with the then President Francoise Hallane and Prime Minister Manuel Valls expressing their regret over the vandalism of the work and also over the nature of the vandalism itself. Anish, however, decided to leave it intact.

Anish was born in Bombay in the 1950s, to an Indian father and a Jewish mother. His maternal grandfather was a cantor at the synagogue in Pune - the family had moved there from Baghdad in the 1920s - "They were very poor, they spoke Arabic mainly, and spoke Hindi better than English generally," he said during in an interview, speaking in the plummy British accent he has developed over the thirty-something years he has lived in the UK. His father, he says, joined the Indian Navy and went on to become an admiral.

"I was anti-authoritarian," he says, "Not willing to listen to my admiral father or anyone else." He was also a terrible student - Anish and his brother were day-scholars at the Doon School, where he hated the emphasis on a disciplined physical regimen. It was a cosmopolitan house regardless, his father loved Russian Romantic music and disliked ritualistic religion. There was a strong sense of trying to understand what it meant to be Indian. Anish describes, in various interviews, having felt like an outsider, being part of a very small religious community in a very large country.

From an Israeli kibbutz to art school in the UK

When Anish was around 16, he and his brother went to live in a kibbutz in Israel. "We believed then that a kibbutz had a form of communal life that was real, shared and equal. What it hid was that there were unequal Jews and non-Jews," he said, in an extensive interview with Yanis Varoufakis. One day, a man walked up to him and said, "black," in Hebrew, leaving the teenage Anish completely taken aback. That sense of being an outsider was driven in further and has always remained with him. It was during those three years - that he decided to be an artist and rented himself a studio where he would paint.

[caption id="attachment_28643" align="aligncenter" width="875"] Anish Kapoor | Cloud Gate | Global Indian Cloud Gate in Millennium Park, Chicago. Photo credit: www.anishkapoor.com[/caption]

In 1973, just before the Yom Kippur War, Anish moved to Europe. His family had relocated to Monaco by then and he hitchhiked his way across the continent. The UK at the time was in the throes of the 'New Left', where activists were campaigning for a range of issues, including civil and political rights, environmentalism, feminism and gender equality. "It was amazing, at one level." Anish remarks. "There was garbage piled high on the streets because people were not working - adamantly not working. I loved it."

Naturally, this revolutionary fervour peaked in university campuses and art colleges are especially prone. The Hornsey College of Art was "a militant, lefty college where nobody did anything. It was protest all day and all night," Anish describes it. For the anti-authoritarian who had defied his conservative family, art school was a different experience. He had to find himself, as a human being and as an artist. "I have come to discover, it isn't to do with what I think or what I have to say. I often say that I have nothing to say. One uses a different part of one being to create."

When fame found him

At the time, nobody really made a living from art, apart from big names like Lucien Freud, Henry Moore and a handful of others. The thing to do was teach, which Anish thought he would do a couple of times a week, dedicating the remainder of his time to his art. However, recognition came early on - through his first series, 1000 Names, inspired by his first return visit to India since he had left for Israel. In 1982, his works then made form styrofoam and wood and using the powdered pigment for which he was known, were taken on by the prestigious Lisson Gallery.

[caption id="attachment_28662" align="aligncenter" width="761"] Anish Kapoor | Descension | Global Indian Descension, at Brooklyn Bridge Park, is 26 metres in diameter, a giant swirling pool of water.
Photo credit: www.anishkapoor.com[/caption]

He's always on the intersection of art, sculpture, engineering and technology - the latter two are maybe a nod to his parents, who hoped their son would be an engineer, as a good Indian boy should. In Cloud Gate, for instance, he bought a milling machine from Boeing, a machine that can "make stainless steel completely flat so you can't see ripples even at a micro level," he said in an interview. "We wanted to see if it would be possible to make curved forms. The whole point was to make an object without any seams and no joints, so there is no scale."

Shades of Red

His fascination for the colour red is known. Anish's artistic expression carries an unmistakable undertone of violence, he creates the distinct sense in the viewer that he or she has walked into a slaughter-house. In 2019, he created Sacrifice, which is not for the faint of heart. The walls and floors are covered with artificial gore while the centerpiece itself, a massive sculpture in steel, is covered in what looks remarkably like human skin, made from a resin that he has created to resemble blood. If you were to think he was making a carnal statement, you might not be entirely wrong.

Svayambhu, an installation created for the Haus Kunst in Munich, is a response to the building's history. The Haus der Kunst is the first monumental propaganda building of the Third Reich and its debut exhibition was "The Great German Art Exhibition," a display of Nazi-sanctioned work. A Sanskrit word, Svayambhu means auto-generating or self-generating and Anish makes sure that it lives up to its title. Tracks ran through the Haus Kunst, on which a motor-propelled block of wood carrying red wax slowly moves through the rooms, leaving a trail of gore in its stead.

[caption id="attachment_28658" align="aligncenter" width="834"] Anish Kapoor Svayambhu. Photo credit: www.anishkapoor.com[/caption]

Other art works include Shooting into the Corner, which includes a fully functional cannon that shoots tons of gory goop into a corner, as the name suggests. His 1992 work, Descent into Limbo, is a cube shaped building with a 2.5 metre hole set into the floor. The hole has been painted black to create the feeling of being an infinite drop - once, an Italian man in his sixties actually fell in.

Anish lives in the UK and works out of his sprawling studio Camberwell District in South London, which encompasses almost an entire block. From here, the Turner Prize winning artist, who was also given a Knighthood, has created works that are on prominent display around the world, at the top galleries and in public spaces. His architectural works are Cloud Gate, in Chicago, Void Field at the British Pavilion, Descension, at the Brooklyn Bridge Park and the Arcelor Mittal Orbit, possibly the best-known piece of public art in Olympics and one of Anish's most famous works overall.

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A Model Life: How Ramji turns ISRO’s iconic spacecraft into detailed miniatures at Craftizan

(October 31, 2023) Srinivasan Ramanathan, fondly known as Ramji, is an engineer, carpenter, and the visionary founder of Craftizan. With ISRO as his top customer, he's a self-made entrepreneur with a talent for crafting intricate scaled models, tracing his love for model-making back to his childhood. As I open the gates of Craftizan at Belwadi Industrial Area in Hunsur on the outskirts of Mysore, I am quite amazed at the sight I see. The large area has varied models of rockets and PSLV that all closely resemble the real ones that are being assembled. “These are being done for museums and schools and are scaled models,” says Mohammed Arshad Ayub, the design engineer who is showing me around. The factory itself is abuzz with activities making smaller models of rockets and launchers and currently employs over 50 people. [caption id="attachment_46397" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Srinivasan 'Ramji' Ramanathan, the founder of Craftizan[/caption] Building blocks The centre here, however, is the brainchild of Srinivasan Ramanathan, or Ramji, as he likes to be called, who has had a chequered career and is today at the helm of this unusual business with ISRO as his largest customer. However, his life has been quite a roller coaster.

er, is the brainchild of Srinivasan Ramanathan, or Ramji, as he likes to be called, who has had a chequered career and is today at the helm of this unusual business with ISRO as his largest customer. However, his life has been quite a roller coaster. “I do not claim to be anyone great; in fact, I am a very simple person. But, yes, life has come a long way because of my focus on work. I did my engineering in 1967 and learned carpentry myself,” he tells Global Indian.

Ramji’s interest in making models began when he was just eight years old, when his father bought him a Meccano set (a model construction system) in 1952. The eldest of five brothers, he dabbled in the woodwork business in Pune and created furniture and interior jobs. After his wedding in 1975, he shifted to Bengaluru and set up Touchwood, a large business that did well (and even made doors for the Oberoi in Bengaluru) but eventually shut down in 1999. “We lost a lot of money, and eventually we moved to Mysore in 2003 and started doing consulting for businesses here. I returned to Bangalore for about eight years, did more consulting roles, and returned to Mysore,” he reminisces. It was then that his friend Moiz Vagh of Hunsur Plywood Works (Hunsply) suggested that he do what he really loves. That took him back to building models, and proverbially, there has been no looking back since then.

[caption id="attachment_46398" align="alignnone" width="2560"] Craftizan A display as part of the Wall Museum[/caption]

The ‘Model’ life

Craftizan started in November 2018 when Swaminathan Ramji Creatives Model Making Company came into existence at the site owned by Shabir Vagh of VAGH Group, Mysore. The company was established with a vision to provide creative scale model making services like miniature model making, ISRO scale model making, dioramas, science museum exhibits making, marine model making, engineering model making, industrial model making, locomotive model making, DIY kits making, and product prototype model making. “Over the years, we have developed ourselves into the most trusted model-making solution provider across India, and we are planning on capturing the global market. We not only design and build the models that our clients require, but we also help them envision the models of their dreams. We brainstorm and consult on the best creative way forward for developing a great and creative model,” he says.

The ISRO journey

He started working with rocket models, and when ISRO saw the model, they liked it. Ramji was called for a meeting by N. Sudheer Kumar, who commissioned many models for ISRO offices across India. He also made railway models for Indian railways but laments that the models are not being maintained. He has also made a model of the heritage railway for Sterling Properties in Ooty. “ISRO, however, gave us a lot of backbone support, and we have received several orders from them. We started with two people here at Craftizan and now have 50 staff. The venture is completely bootstrapped, and I am happy we have jobs worth over six crores,” he explains.

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Institutions like the University of Chennai, PSG College of Technology in Coimbatore, Science City, Ahmedabad, and Savitha University from Chennai are his clients. He has also made ‘India in Space’, a wall museum that displays the history of ISRO and models of its latest launches, which has made its way into hundreds of schools in rural India. The models made here are done to perfection, from ensuring all the small parts are in place to the painting on the model.

A full life

There has been much interest in his venture, and colleges and universities are now sending students as interns to his factory. He admits that his zest for life comes from the fact that he does not like being idle. There is a lot of work to do in terms of making models, and there has been a request from some car manufacturers to make scaled-down car models. “You should keep working till the last day of your life and maintain yourself well. I have many things that I want to do. I have just started; only 10 percent of the job is done, and I have a long way to go,” he concludes. As India embarks on an ambitious space program in the coming years, this is one place whose models could well inspire the next generation of children to become scientists at ISRO.