Indian Entrepreneur | Firoz Merchant | Global Indian

Global IndianstoryDriven by compassion: Firoz Merchant offers second chances to those behind bars in the UAE

Driven by compassion: Firoz Merchant offers second chances to those behind bars in the UAE

Written by: Amrita Priya

(March 8, 2024) “In the spirit of forgiveness and extending second chances to those who need to be reunited with family and society, we have recently donated AED 1 million to liberate over 900 prisoners as we approach the Holy Month of Ramadan,” shared Firoz Merchant on social media, recently. The Indian-origin Dubai-based entrepreneur and philanthropist is the founder and chairman of Pure Gold Group, which consists of Pure Gold Jewellers, FGM Holding, Pure Gold Real Estate Development, La Moda, and Pure Gold Manufacturing.

He assists those incarcerated due to debt, ensuring they regain their freedom and dignity. In an interview, he expressed,

Not everyone in prison is a criminal. I firmly believe that being in debt is not a crime; it’s a consequence of the basic human desire to sustain and survive. Unfortunately, some individuals find themselves in situations where they are unable to honour their commitments, leading to repercussions such as imprisonment. I support and advocate for those individuals whom society often overlooks.

Firoz Merchant

Firoz Merchant

Among the 900 prisoners granted freedom, 495 were from Ajman, 170 from Fujairah, 121 from Dubai, 69 from Umm Al Quwain, and 28 from Ras Al Khaimah. The philanthropist additionally covered their expenses and arranged for their return flights. “I am grateful for the support of the government officials who helped in the release of the prisoners,” he said.

Beyond this endeavour, Merchant is actively involved in various other philanthropic efforts, including caring for the elderly through his initiative ‘The Forgotten Society’.

Enabling a second chance in life

With support from UAE police authorities, Merchant has played a crucial role in bringing joy to detainees in central jails across the UAE. Through his philanthropic efforts, he has contributed thousands of dollars towards their well-being and has facilitated the release of over 20,000 inmates since 2008. “Everything we do in this initiative strictly adheres to the guidelines and support of the UAE government,” he emphasised.

In addition to covering their bills and fines, Merchant also assists detainees with airline tickets to their respective countries, ensuring their safe return home. For 2024, Merchant aims to secure the release of more than 3,000 prisoners. He has already made significant progress towards this goal, with the recent donation of US$272K (AED 1 million) supporting the release of over 900 inmates from UAE prisons, marking fulfilment of nearly one-third of his target.

“My mother has instilled in me the values of kindness, generosity, and being a good human being. She has taught me that whenever I can help the society, I should embrace the opportunity,” said the philanthropist in an interview.

For those who tend to fall into debt Firoz Merchant has a piece of advice:

Don’t over commit or over borrow. Spend money reasonably and save money for bad times.

Compassion comes from humble beginnings

Firoz Merchant was raised in Bombay, in a family with limited financial resources. He was among nine siblings, with six boys and three girls. His father worked as a real estate broker, while his mother managed the household. The family struggled as their real estate business frequently faced challenges, leading to an unstable financial situation. Despite being a good student, he had to drop out of school when he was a mere 11-year-old to assist in managing their business’s daily operations.

“After I joined the family business, and turned 13 or 14, our lives began to improve,” he shared in an interview. Having honed business skills from a young age, he developed the mindset and skills of an entrepreneur as he grew into adulthood.

From India to Dubai

With his hard work, his business grew substantially in India, and in due course Merchant got married. In 1980, he travelled to Dubai for the first time with his wife, Rozina, for their honeymoon, and felt an immediate connection with the country.

One place which particularly mesmerised him as a tourist was the Dubai Gold Souk. A traditional market, the souk, located in Dubai’s commercial business district in Deira, consists of more than 380 retailers. Most of them are jewellery traders. With the entrepreneurial spirit that he had cultivated since childhood, Merchant realised that the place offered a wealth of opportunities if he made the right moves.

Upon returning from Dubai, he expressed his desire to his father to relocate there and venture into the gold business. His father laughed at him but Merchant remained persistent, having left his heart in Dubai. Witnessing his determination over months and years, his parents finally gave in and allowed him to make the move. “My parents advised me to pursue my dreams without expecting financial support from them, given our situation. However, they offered their blessings and good wishes,” Merchant shared.

In 1989, nine years after he had started nurturing his dream, Merchant embarked on his solo journey to Dubai to explore opportunities in the gold and diamond trading business, starting out with modest accommodations. As his circumstances improved, he was able to afford a flat, and called over his wife, and small children – a daughter and a son.

ALSO READ | From Zulekha Daud to Mama Zulekha: Story of UAE’s first female Indian doctor

Reaching the zenith

Starting out as a small trader, Merchant became successful in laying the foundation of what is now a large business enterprise. From humble beginnings, Pure Gold Jewellers has blossomed into a brand to reckon with. Starting with just one Pure Gold Jewellers store, the Pure Gold group now boasts off more than 150 outlets in places like Dubai, Northern Emirates, Abu Dhabi, Oman, Kuwait, and Qatar.

Merchant is proud of his accomplishments, “In 1998, within ten years of starting my business Pure Gold had become the largest importer of gold in Dubai, indulging in 110 tonnes of import out of the 600 tonnes that Dubai had imported that year,” he shared.

Firoz Merchant

A market leader in the industry, in 2002, Pure Gold Jewellers became the first jewellery retailer in UAE to gain ISO certification, and the first jeweller to be awarded the World Diamond Mark. “When I look at the challenges and competitors, I consider them good for me because we get to learn from both,” the visionary leader says.

Always do business with integrity and good intention, and the almighty will support you.

Firoz Merchant

Gold Group’s portfolio consists of a wide range of exclusive brands, including jewellery crafted from gold, diamonds, pearls, and various other precious and semi-precious stones. Additionally, they offer product ranges from established Italian designers. Despite his remarkable achievements driven by his own vision and ambition, Merchant acknowledges his father’s influence. “Closing deals is a skill I learned from my father,” he remarked. “He taught me the importance of building long-term relationships with customers and working on long-term plans. Short-term success may come, but might not last long.” Merchant shared, reflecting on the invaluable lesson imparted by his father.

Reaping rewards for philanthropy and entrepreneurship

Firoz Merchant has won several awards and accolades for philanthropy. He has been named in the Forbes Middle East Top 100 Indian Business owners in the Arab world. In 2017 the philanthropist received the Community Service Medal & Award from Lt. General Sheikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of the UAE at the Interior Ministry.

Merchant has been inducted into Abu Dhabi Police’s community wing ‘We Are All Police’ for helping with release of inmates by paying off their debts.

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A post shared by Firoz Merchant. (@firozmerchantpg)

In recognition of his remarkable contributions to philanthropy and entrepreneurship in the UAE, Firoz Merchant was honoured with the UAE permanent residency, known as the Golden Card, in 2019. This prestigious acknowledgment of impacting the country’s economy came exactly 30 years after his initial arrival in Dubai as an aspiring trader. The honour was extended to his entire family.

Expressing happiness and gratitude on the occasion, he remarked, “The UAE is the university of the universe and among the greatest and most beautiful countries in the world with world class safety, security, education and healthcare for residents to lead a valuable life.”

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Published on 08, Mar 2024

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Jayati Sinha’s ‘designs’ on empathetic housing for California’s homeless

(June 25, 2022) Stepping into California for her master's degree, responsible designer Jayati Sinha saw a jarring contrast in the landscape. The stunning high-rise buildings that lined the blue California sky, were matched with an equal number of tents queued up on the corners of the streets for the homeless. The alarming situation which left her "surprised" eventually made LA Mayor Eric Garcetti feverishly look for a solution, which he later found in a prototype built by Jayati and her team - a Pop Hut. The smart foldable and easily transportable temporary houses that give a "sense of belonging" to the homeless won the nod of the mayor in 2019 and can be a possible solution for the 161,548 homeless people in California. "I was surprised to find so many homeless people in a developed country like America. I realised it's not just a problem in developing or underdeveloped countries, it's a global issue," Jayati tells Global Indian over a call from California. Her invention might be a stepping stone to solving the homelessness crisis in California, and Jayati believes that the prototype can be replicated anywhere in the world, including India. [caption id="attachment_26124" align="aligncenter" width="427"] Jayati Sinha[/caption] The evolution of a childhood

target="_blank" rel="noopener">Global Indian over a call from California. Her invention might be a stepping stone to solving the homelessness crisis in California, and Jayati believes that the prototype can be replicated anywhere in the world, including India.

[caption id="attachment_26124" align="aligncenter" width="427"] Designer | Jayati Sinha | Global Indian Jayati Sinha[/caption]

The evolution of a childhood dream

When she was quite young, a fortune-teller prophesied that she would do something with scissors when she grows up. The only interpretation that her ecstatic mother could derive at that moment was that her daughter would become a doctor. She did pick up a pair of scissors as a youngster but that was to make Barbie dresses. "I must have been in second grade and was very much inspired by the protagonist of Disney show That's So Raven. I was fascinated by how she designed something from scratch," smiles Jayati whose interest later developed into product design. Her father, who is a scientist and professor at IIT-Kanpur, would get new gadgets and toys from his foreign trips which piqued her interest in technology. "My brother and I would take them apart and see what was inside of them. This desire to blend design and technology led the way to my interest in product design, which is ever-expanding," adds the responsible designer.

Designer | Jayati Sinha | Global Indian

The National Institute of Fashion Technology, Bhopal gave wings to her dreams wherein the Kanpur-born enrolled for a Bachelor of Design in lifestyle products. The four years played a perfect catalyst in helping shape her ideology as a product designer. Her perception changed when she was in college and happened to visit a crafts cluster at a nearby village, where artisans practiced metal crafts. "It was an opportunity for us to learn from them and vice versa. The visit had an impact on me as I saw how they were keeping the culture alive with their crafts. But at the same time, they weren't getting paid enough," explains Jayati who couldn't get past the paradox. "They were busy making beautiful things but their own life was nothing like it." This pushed the 26-year-old designer to become more empathetic and do things in the future that create an impact.

The project that changed it all

This quest for purpose took her to the ArtCenter College of Design in California in 2017 for her Masters in Environmental Design. Two years into her degree, Eric Garcetti, the Mayor of Los Angeles, reached out to her college "looking for inspiration" to build budget houses for the homeless. The mandate was to build structures that were foldable, transportable, and something that gave them a "feeling of home". Soon she began ideating on Pop Hut along with her team that was led by Professor James Meraz. "It's temporary housing, like a transition house that homeless people can use when they have no place to go before they move to a permanent house once they get a job or something." While building on the concept, Jayati and her team were crystal clear about including "empathy" and a "feeling of home" to the Pop Hut. They did that by including a door, a house number, and a small porch. "It's not just a box but should give them a sense of home and belonging," adds Jayati who worked on Pop Hut for about a year. "The initial few months went into interviewing the homeless and understanding their psyche, gathering information and research and prototyping. We built the home in four months," reveals Jayati who was emotional about designing the house, adding, "We used translucent glass instead of transparent so residents feel less vulnerable. Having been on the streets for so long, they don't want people to look into their homes anymore. It gives them a sense of privacy."

[caption id="attachment_26123" align="aligncenter" width="526"] Designer | Global Indian | Jayati Sinha Pop Hut designed by Jayati and her team[/caption]

Made on a budget of $2000, the Pop Hut's journey from concept to reality had its share of challenges. If getting people to open up about their insecurities was a task, finding affordable material for the built was nothing short of a dare. "Making a connection where they feel safe enough to show their vulnerable side requires time. But this also made me understand how privileged I am to come from a family that supports me - emotionally as well as if need be, financially," says Jayati who gives a reality check on the stark difference in lifestyles between India and US. "Here, kids leave home at 16 or 18 years to support themselves. Many pay their fees with the money they earn at Starbucks or McDonald's. They don't get to explore the opportunities to grow or do something they are capable of. However, in India, teenagers get to focus on education without having to worry about how to fend for themselves," says the designer who in the process understood that everyone has a story and "they aren't homeless because they are lazy."

How an environmental designer became responsible

With the prototype getting a nod from the mayor and on its way to becoming a reality, Jayati believes that Pop Hut can be replicated in India too, but not without a few tweaks. "We'll have to learn about the environment - where it will be placed and understand a little about the problem of homelessness in India to make it a product that caters to the need of the people. We might have to change a few materials too, but overall this can be replicated anywhere," says the designer keeping in mind the population of 1.77 billion homeless people in India.

[caption id="attachment_26126" align="aligncenter" width="530"] Designer | Jayati Sinha | Global Indian Jayati Sinha working on Pop Hut[/caption]

Jayati, who is currently working with Accenture in California, is steadily unfolding the concept of "responsible design." While environmental designers focus on projects that are eco-friendly and sustainable, responsible designers collectively focus on "environmental, social and economic factors." "It's embedded in the decision-making of why we are doing what we are doing. We don't mind saying no to big clients if what they are asking for isn't good for the users. That's where the collective consciousness is now moving to," reveals Jayati who loves to work with clients who think about "humans as humans and not as profit." Currently busy exploring the EV space in her new project at work, she is understanding "how and why EVs are important and even if they are good for the environment, and how we can make it better," says the girl who loves unwinding by spending time with her German Shepherd, growing plants at her home, and working out.

[caption id="attachment_26125" align="aligncenter" width="363"] Designer | Jayati Sinha | Global Indian Jayati loves hiking[/caption]

She believes that winds of change are causing shifts like never before. "A lot of people now are not simply doing jobs for the sake of it, but most are busy creating an impact. Things are shifting on a larger scale," signs off Jayati.

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Reading Time: 6 min

Sufiya Ahmed: The British-Indian author giving South Asians a voice through her books

(July 14, 2022) Growing up in the UK, young Sufiya Ahmed loved immersing herself in the world of adventure - thanks to Enid Blyton. Her books were a perfect gateway, an escape into a magical world. Flipping through the pages of The Famous Five series, she often found herself following Julian, Dick, Anne, George, and Timmy on their epic journeys to find treasure or stumble upon a circus troupe with them. That was the magic of The Famous Five for Sufiya. But little did the author know that decades later, she would give a South Asian spin to the classic, the much-loved series with her own storytelling. The four-book series is an ode to Enid Blyton from her “huge fan” Sufiya. "She’s up there on my presentation slide as an author who inspired me in my school talks. When I was asked if I’d like to pen new adventures with the Famous Five characters, I immediately said yes,” smiles the author. However, the new adventures are more reflective of the modern times. “Whether it’s The Famous Five, The Secret Seven, or the girls at Malory Towers, these are beloved characters and I'm just making the setting for their adventures more reflective of the

ous Five, The Secret Seven, or the girls at Malory Towers, these are beloved characters and I'm just making the setting for their adventures more reflective of the world that young readers live in, without changing the essence of their appeal," she tells Global Indian, adding, "The Five still love the countryside and the coast, go camping on their island and are good-hearted children who help their friends and neighbours and of course, are devoted to Timmy the dog!" The two released books have already captured the imagination of children in the UK, Portugal, and Spain.

[caption id="attachment_26873" align="aligncenter" width="480"] Author | Sufiya Ahmed | Global Indian Sufiya Ahmed is a British-Indian author.[/caption]

A popular name in the children's fiction space, the British-Indian author is one of the few authors giving voice to South Asian characters through her books - My Story: Princess Sophia Duleep Singh and Noor-in-Nissa Inayat Khan - something that's been missing from mainstream literature for too long. "Noor and Sophia’s stories are about our shared history and I feel they can add to the sense of belonging for British South Asians to our home country," adds the winner of the Redbridge Children's Book Award.

A writer in the making

Born at her nani's house in Gujarat, Sufiya found herself surrounded by love and care as a baby. "I was the first grandchild who was adored by the extended family and who was constantly fed ladoos as an expression of love," she laughs. But she soon returned to the north of England where "much of the migration after WWII had occurred." At age four, she moved to London where she attended a girls' school. But it was the public library that was her sanctum while growing up. Being a voracious reader, she loved borrowing books from the library per week for free. While she devoured books, she was also a huge Bollywood fan who loved Zeenat Aman and Sridevi.

[caption id="attachment_26876" align="aligncenter" width="864"] Author | Sufiya Ahmed | Global Indian Sufiya Ahmed reading Secret of the Henna Girl to school kids in the UK[/caption]

At age eight, she wielded the pen and started writing her own stories. Being an ardent fan of Enid Blyton and Roald Dahl, she "would copy their first few chapters word-for-word in my exercise book and then halfway through, let my imagination come up with my ending." Her stories developed with time, and when she turned 14, Sufiya convinced her mother to buy a typewriter to write her stories and send them to publishers. Amid the clickety-clack of her typewriter, she happily typed a story and sent it to Puffin Books. However, her dreams of being a published teen author crashed as she never heard back from them. "Years later, my debut Secrets of the Henna Girl was published by Puffin Books. I did take some pleasure in mentioning that little story at my book launch," she smiles.

In the following years, while Sufiya kept writing stories in her spare time, she worked full-time in the advertising sector and in the House of Commons. "I worked in both sectors for 15 years while writing stories that were rejected by writing agents. They didn’t feel they could represent the stories I was writing to publishers." Unfazed, Sufiya kept writing more stories, and in 2012, got her big break with Secrets of the Henna Girl – a book that won her an award and put her on UK’s literary scene.

Giving children’s fiction a new voice

In the last decade, Sufiya has established herself as a famous author in the children's fiction category. Having grown up in the 80s, with not much entertainment, except "four TV channels and VHS Bollywood tapes", Sufiya loved spending time in the library. The books were a perfect escape from reality and led her to the world of adventure. And she wants to replicate the experience for children with her books. "The books I read gave me so much pleasure, transporting me into worlds where mysteries were solved, adventures were experienced and fantastical settings were explored. I think it’s the escapism that grabbed me, and I want children today to have that," adds Sufiya, who also calls her books a "reflection of the issues" that matter to her. "Secrets of the Henna Girl looks at forced marriage and girls' rights. An issue I care about deeply," says the author.

South Asian characters take centrestage

Author | Sufiya Ahmed | Global Indian

Being a South Asian raised in London, Sufiya never found people like her in the books that she read. This absence of South Asian characters in her favourite books while growing up made her resolve her to give voice to such characters in her books, and she did that with My Story: Princess Sophia Duleep Singh and Noor-in-Nissa Inayat Khan. While Noor was a WWII heroine - a spy who was sent to Nazi-occupied France as a radio operator to transmit messages to London, Princess Sophia was a suffragette who contributed to a pivotal moment in British history. "I want young people to know their stories so they can understand the contribution that British South Asians made to Britain. But I do believe that community cohesion has to work both ways. It is not enough for one minority community to strive for belonging. The majority community has to take steps for acceptance too," explains Sufiya who believes that literary world is evolving with "readers getting more access to books through the internet".

Come August, the British-Indian author's Rose Raja: Churchill's Spy will hit bookshelves across the globe. The idea, she says, took form as she did research for Noor Inayat Khan and Sophia Duleep Singh. Set in WWII, the book sees Rosina as a Muslim heroine, who is half-Indian and half-English, finds herself in occupied France, and how she gets embroiled in a struggle against the Nazis. "It’s a two-book deal, so I’m working on the second book which is set in Egypt during WWII. I’ve included Indian soldier characters because so many were stationed there to protect the Suez Canal, the British Empire's gateway to India," reveals Sufiya whose second book will be out next year.

[caption id="attachment_26874" align="aligncenter" width="460"] Author | Sufiya Ahmed | Global Indian Sufiya Ahmed's Rosie Raja: Churchill's Spy will be out in August.[/caption]

The author is currently binge-watching Miss Marvel and is in love with it. "The representation is just fantastic and it's amazing to see so many talented South Asian women writers and filmmakers behind it," says Sufiya who would have "liked seeing Shah Rukh Khan in it though."

Busy writing more stories that speak of diversity and inclusivity, Sufiya is busy creating an impact in the literary world. "I'd want children to enjoy my stories because that’s what they are. And stories are for everyone. I completely reject the idea that stories should be written for niche audiences," she signs off.

Follow Sufiya Ahmed on Instagram and Twitter

Reading Time: 6 min

Arun Ashokan and Sumi: The Malayali couple who built an elementary school in Malawi

(May 15, 2024) In the heart of East Africa, 5457 km to the west of Kochi, lies the beautiful nation of Malawi. The landlocked gem, bordered by Tanzania in the North, Mozambique in the East, and Zambia in the West, is home to Kerala Block - a school in Chisasila village, 330km from Lilongwe - built by a Malayali couple, Arun Ashokan and his wife Sumi. A four-classroom concrete structure with a garden is the brainchild of Arun, whose heart was stirred by the image of village children studying under a tree. Driven by the desire to make a difference, he joined forces with the locals to build an elementary school. Eighteen months of hard work paid off as he saw the students take their first steps into the newly constructed building. "It gave me immense satisfaction. I am an Indian who is equally indebted to Malawi - a country that has given me everything. When I came here, I possessed nothing. Today, I am blessed with financial stability and a fulfilling life. I wanted to reciprocate the kindness by giving back to the country to whom I owe so much," he tells Global Indian. [caption id="attachment_51630" align="aligncenter" width="730"] Arun

ner">Global Indian.

[caption id="attachment_51630" align="aligncenter" width="730"] Arun Ashoka and Sumi | Global Indian Arun Ashoka and Sumi at Chisasila School[/caption]

A scene that triggered it all

It began one rainy February morning in 2021 when Arun, along with his driver, was en route to his worksite for dam construction in Chisasila when he encountered a bunch of rain-soaked children looking for shelter. Upon inquiring from his driver, he found out they mostly study under the tree due to inadequate infrastructure. Along the way, he caught sight of a leaking shed that served as the village's elementary school. "It broke my heart. My first thought was, 'How can I help?" says Arun, who reached out to the villagers expressing his interest in helping them build the school.

He was welcomed with open arms by the warm people of Chisasila, who were grateful for the help extended by an Indian - the very first who ever visited their village. "Growing up in Malappuram in Kerala, I witnessed the same situation, and understand their plight. We had similar schools that ran under the trees. But things have changed in the last few years due to progress and proper infrastructure. I wanted to bring the same development to Chisasila," informs Arun.

Though a proper school wasn't a part of the initial plan, seeing the kids and the hardworking people of Chisasila who made bricks on their own, he decided to construct a building. "Initially, I wanted to cover the existing shed with a sheet but later decided to add four classrooms to accommodate 144 students." Motivated to give back to the country that has bestowed prosperity on him, Arun was keen to make the plan work and dialled up his friend Ashif in UAE to share the idea, and asked him to be on standby in case he struggled to finish the project. "I told him that I might need his help financially. But he was happy to join from the go," reveals Arun, whose colleague Kenneth Francis, a civil engineer, also chipped in.

[caption id="attachment_51635" align="aligncenter" width="740"] The children of Chisasila Village[/caption]

In between, he briefly returned to Kerala for his marriage to Sumi, in whom he found a perfect partner. Along with sharing household responsibilities, Sumi was keen to work with Arun on his dream project. Also, a Malappuram native, she resonated with the cause and was eager to offer help in every way possible. While Arun and locals helped in the construction of the school, Sumi contributed by painting the school's walls, educating kids, and empowering the local women.

[caption id="attachment_51634" align="aligncenter" width="599"] Arun Ashokan and Sumi | Global Indian Arun Ashokan and Sum[/caption]

Malawi - a country that transformed his life

In 2019, Arun moved to Malawi with the help of his uncle to work at a trading company as a warehouse manager, a job he needed urgently in times of financial crisis. Two years later, he transitioned to a construction company, where he currently works as a site administration manager. The move marked a turning point in his life, bringing financial stability and a sense of belonging. "My life transformed completely. I wanted to give back by contributing a part of my salary for the development of villages in Malawi."

One step at a time

However, he soon realised it wasn't enough to make the desired impact and started a YouTube channel Malawi Diary to give a glimpse into the lives of people of Malawi. "A popular Indian YouTuber, who was travelling across Africa, met with us in Malawi when we were building the school. He was impressed by our work and even promoted our channel, asking people to subscribe to us," says Arun, whose channel now boasts of 134k subscribers. "We started making revenue and invested it in school construction." A stoic believer in social responsibility, he even refused to accept financial help from his subscribers. "It's my responsibility to give back to a country that has given me so much."

Arun Ashokan and Sumi | Global Indian

With 308 videos, Arun and Sumi continuously update their YouTube channel with fresh content, driving revenue that's often infused into the development of Chisasila village. Along with the building, the funds were used to make school furniture and provide stationery, school bags, and uniforms to the village kids. "No school in Malawi provides shoes to school kids. But we do," says a proud Arun.

Ask him about his biggest challenges in the journey, and he replies, "It was the procurement of cement as the prices kept increasing every few months due to the devaluation of the currency in Malawi. If it cost 7500 Malawi kwacha, in the next few months, the price soared to 12,500 Malawi kwacha." Additionally, the voluntary nature of the work led to frequent delays. "Only the bricklayers and carpenters received payment, while others volunteered. This led to villagers' absence on most days, with even some refusing to help stating their kids no longer attend elementary school. But we had to convince them about the larger cause, and not just personal gain."

Kerala Block stands tall

The fruits of their labour were evident as the villagers stood in awe looking at the newly constructed building. "Since most of the construction was completed before the Christmas break, villagers left for holidays. Only Sumi and I were left behind, and for 15 days, we plastered the walls, painted, and even worked on making a small garden in the compound. Upon the villagers' return, their excitement was palpable. They called it a complete makeover," laughs Arun.

[caption id="attachment_51632" align="aligncenter" width="689"] Chisasila School | Global Indian The inauguration of Chisasila School in Malawi[/caption]

In 2022, Kerala Block saw the light of day when village kids found themselves accessing a proper school. "It was an overwhelming moment," says Arun, who is currently stationed in Mponela, which is 250 km from Chisasila. "I am here for a new dam construction project. We are now starting to build a secondary school in MPonela." However, he is still actively involved in the ongoing progress of Chisasila School. Moreover, his dedication to the village transcends academics as he also imparts farming skills to the villagers during the dry season. "We came up with a plan to build a local dam at a river that can hold the water, which can be later used for irrigation."

Meanwhile, Sumi has been actively engaged in educating schoolchildren and empowering local women in Chisasila by teaching them how to prepare South Indian cuisine using native ingredients like banana, maize, and rice when are available in plenty. "Locals don't know how to use most ingredients available to them. We have taught them to make banana chips, and even a few women now sell chips, thus generating employment," beams Arun, who shares a strong bond with the people who Chisasila.

The warm people of Chisasila

Fondly referred to as the "Warm Heart of Africa," Malawi is renowned for the kindness of its people. "They are lovely, warm and peaceful. Unlike the other countries in Africa which have civil or political unrest, Malawi is a peaceful place, and in fact, has a landscape similar to India." In the last five years, Arun has admired "a strong sense of belonging and community" in the people of Malawi.

[caption id="attachment_51633" align="aligncenter" width="734"] Chisasila Village in Malawi[/caption]

When Arun arrived in Malawi in 2019, he was surprised to find a thriving Indian community in Malawi. "While Gujaratis mostly run businesses in Malawi, many Malayalis work for companies. Each year many Indians arrive in Malawi for work as many Indian companies have their offices in Malawi," informs Arun. Revealing the reason behind the influx of Indians in Malawi, Arun points out the benefits provided by the companies. "They take good care of their employees, and provide them a house, cook, guard, a car and a driver and even pay rent. Indians live a peaceful life in Malawi, and mingle together at parties, association events, temples, and at festivals."

Love for Hindi cinema

Africa's love for Hindi cinema and music is an open secret, and Arun confirms its popularity extends even to Malawi. "I recently spotted this girl in Mponela singing a Hindi film song, who came running to me inquiring about the film," he smiles, adding, "They love Bollywood films, and music and even watch Hindi serials. They have small theatres in villages where they play these movies and serials," informs Arun, who is looking forward to visiting India this year. "We only miss family, festivals, and Malayalam films in Malawi, otherwise everything is great here," he smiles.

Malawi has been a transformative force in Arun's life. "My thinking has changed. I was living in lack when I first came here and now, I only see abundance. I have found a purpose in Malawi," he says. Contemplating the legacy he will leave behind, he says, "When I die, I am not going to take money with me, but the memories that I am making here."

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Chetna Maroo: British-Indian author’s debut book makes it to the 2023 Booker Prize longlist

(September 25, 2023) "It took three years. I write slowly, the first pages in longhand, then typing. I usually try to get each sentence and paragraph sounding right before I go on, reading and editing from the beginning of the story," says Chetna Maroo, the Indian-origin author whose debut book Western Lane has been longlisted for the 2023 Booker Prize. The 160-page novel revolves around Gopi, an 11-year-old who is brought up with two other sisters in the UK and is driven to become an athlete by her father as they struggle with grief. The novel, set within the context of the British Gujarati milieu, has been praised by the Booker judges for its use of the sport of squash as a metaphor for complex human emotions. "It’s an honour. It’s humbling to see Western Lane amongst all the books that have been longlisted in the history of the prize," the Kenya-born said in an interview. [caption id="attachment_45318" align="aligncenter" width="766"] Chetna Maroo[/caption] The novel, which is Chetna's debut, hit the stalls in February this year, and in a few months has garnered praise from book lovers all across. The London-based author moved to the UK from Kenya in childhood and

el, which is Chetna's debut, hit the stalls in February this year, and in a few months has garnered praise from book lovers all across. The London-based author moved to the UK from Kenya in childhood and grew up with three sisters and two brothers. It's this bond that she brought to life with Western Lane, telling the story of three sisters who grow up in the absence of a mother and their bond with one another. Reading the nuances of the squash in Western Lane, one could easily imagine that Chetna was a child prodigy. But growing up in the UK, she didn't pick up the squash racquet until her late teens as she calls herself "extremely uncoordinated" as a child. It wasn't until her 20s and 30s that she played squash properly. "I always liked the squash court and felt at ease at the squash court. There was something about the squash court itself, about the simple white box: it’s such a surreal, unfamiliar place, where time seems suspended and the outside world can be forgotten," Chetna added. It was her physical presence in the court for years that helped her bring the experience to the book.

However, writing wasn't her first passion. In fact, before taking up writing as a profession, she worked as an accountant for many years. While still keeping her day job, Chetna started taking writing seriously only a decade ago, wherein she wrote many short stories. Those years brought with it many rejections but also a couple of acceptances where her stories were published in The Paris Review, The Stinging Fly, and The Dublin Review. In 2022, Chetna was bestowed with the Plimpton Prize for Fiction for one of her short stories. Having been brought up on a great diet of books, she was always interested in the world of fiction, especially sci-fi and thrillers. And this love later metamorphosised into her passion for writing.

Western Lane | Global Indian

While she was glued to her desk at home writing short stories, she kept developing the story of Gopi for three years. It began with a month-long writing workshop in 2018 that played a catalyst in changing the trajectory of her life. It was in this workshop that she first developed the story of Gopi, however, it wasn't until the next six months that she began working on the book. "For a good six months, I read a lot of children's stories, and a lot of them were retrospective narratives," Chetna said in a podcast.

Having a personal tryst with squash and grief of losing her mother, Chetna was able to draw inspiration for the story of Gopi in Western Lane. "I lost my mother in my early 20s, so that's how I depict the grief part in the novel," she said. Western Lane tells the story of Gopi and her sisters who have recently lost their mother. Their father is bereft and struggling to parent his daughters, and encourages Gopi to hone her skills in squash.

Chetna Maroo | Global Indian

For someone who loves music and art, Chetna knew that writing was something that she had a chance with. Despite her novel being longlisted for the 2023 Booker Prize, Chetna doesn't believe in giving too much into the highs and lows of life. "I am in a happy state but I like to keep things steady. That's the best way forward." added the Global Indian.

Reading Time: 4 min

Ex-NRI Nasar Thootha’s wedding dress bank is a boon for brides from poor families

(May 13, 2022) Nasar Thootha, a taxi driver from Thootha village in Perimantthalmanna in Malappuram district, Kerala, has been running a wedding dress bank since the last two years to help underprivileged girls experience dream weddings. The philanthropist, who formerly worked in a supermarket in Saudi Arabia, has helped more than 350 brides and families from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh with wedding dresses that the poor families cannot even dream to afford. “Women from affluent backgrounds use their wedding dress for a few hours on their wedding day and never touch it again. I was able to convince many of them to donate their dresses as they could make such a difference to the weddings of the poor,” Nasar tells Global Indian. His brother, Shanu Thootha, acts as interpreter. “We have even provided a dress to an underprivileged bride from UP,” Nasar adds. The calling came ten years ago when Nasar met a woman who was struggling to put money together for a wedding dress for her daughter. Most were out of her price range. Nasar, who is no stranger to philanthropy, was moved by her plight and arranged the money for the woman to buy her

Philanthropist | Wedding Dress Bank | Nasar Thootha | Global Indian" width="615" height="618" />

The calling came ten years ago when Nasar met a woman who was struggling to put money together for a wedding dress for her daughter. Most were out of her price range. Nasar, who is no stranger to philanthropy, was moved by her plight and arranged the money for the woman to buy her daughter the dress she wanted.

Building the bank

When he started out, well-wishers donated their wedding clothes as he built his ‘dress bank’ at home. Word spread quickly and the media came calling. News of the ‘Nasar Thootha Dress Bank’ travelled across the state and outside it as well. The dress bank now has close to a thousand dresses with a price range of ₹5000 to ₹40,000. Several donations have been made by women living not only in India, but also in the USA and the Gulf countries.

As the size of his bank grew, Nasar’s house was soon too small to hold them all and he rented a place nearby. Now, would-be brides have a wide selection of dresses to choose from, as well as a variety of styles suited to customs of all religions.

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

“Picking up dresses from nearby places is not an issue as I do that while I drive my taxi. Many dresses are couriered as well,” says he adding that “those who want to collect the attire come to my dress bank and choose. Though we do not tell them to return the clothes, some do so after the use.” The philanthropist has been touching lives of not only people who are getting married but the entire family, given that weddings are a family affair in which the happiness is shared by all.

Talking about the plight of a family, he says, “I was moved to tears when a visually-impaired girl visited the dress bank for her sister’s wedding. The financial condition of the family filled me with sadness.” He is happy that the local government has showered him with moral support and encouragement for his initiatives.

Caring for all...

Growing up in Thootha with six brothers and a sister, Nasar would see his mother go out of her way to lend a helping hand to those in need. His sister, who was struck by polio, is differently-abled and struggles to move or sit. Living under the same roof with her has opened Nasar’s eyes to the suffering of others and motivates him to stand by them.

This spirit of generosity spills over – Nasar always feels a tug when he sees the homeless and the hungry, wandering around in the shabby tatters, not having cleaned themselves for months. He helps them with a complete makeover, ensuring that they are bathed, provided clean clothes and given a meal. His friends and family are supportive and help in any way they can.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WX-GJVHFOmk

During the pandemic, he converted his taxi - SUV Tavera into an ambulance helping people around to reach to health centres for immediate intervention. On the second anniversary of the dress bank, he laid the foundation for his latest project, Sukritam, to provide facilities like wheelchairs, airbeds, walking sticks and oxygen cylinders to people who are bedridden or who struggle to walk, like his sister. A new ambulance is part of the project with donations from several people.

Nasar now plans to open a second dress bank in Bengaluru. An entrepreneur from the city has offered him assistance.

Present and Future

The philanthropist stays with his mother, sister, wife and four school-going kids. “Two or even three poor girls can be married with the amount that is spent on a single wedding in an affluent home,” he says.

[caption id="attachment_24440" align="aligncenter" width="435"] Philanthropist | Wedding Dress Bank | Nasar Thootha | Global Indian Nasar Thootha with his wife[/caption]

After working in Saudi Arabia for seven years, he no longer felt like leaving his homeland and chose to settle in his village instead, buying a taxi from his savings and trying to make a difference to the lives of his fellow villagers.

“The Samaritan is also an exemplary goal keeper who shines in all local football tournaments,” signs off Shanu Thootha, his doting brother and interpreter.

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Reading Time: 5 mins