Entrepreneur | Meera Singh | Global Indian

Global IndianstoryEntrepreneur Meera Singh: Revolutionising the travel industry with innovative logistics solutions

Entrepreneur Meera Singh: Revolutionising the travel industry with innovative logistics solutions

Written by: Namrata Srivastava

(March 09, 2024) A few years back, when Meera Singh was travelling from Kolkata to Hyderabad after attending a wedding, she was aware that a few of her bags would be checked in as excess baggage at the airport. But what she wasn’t prepared for was the exorbitant prices that the airline was charging her for the excess baggage. “My ticket for the airplane was about ₹2500, whereas they were asking me to pay ₹8000 towards excess baggage as I had a lot of luggage. It was extremely frustrating to think that in future I will always have to pay this kind of money for excess baggage,” shares the entrepreneur as she connects with Global Indian in an exclusive interview.

Entrepreneur | Meera Singh | Global Indian

While most people would have paid the charges and moved on, this incident proved to be a turning point for Meera. The entrepreneur established Avaan India – a group of companies solving the new-age problems of logistics through innovative and sustainable models. “Having worked in the transport industry for about two decades, I understood the costs and woes of the logistics industry. So, I started the company with a focus on customer service and sustainable business models. Our primary focus is to offer a cost-effective resolution to excess baggage challenges, delivering throughout India through two transportation options: Air and Road. Air shipments are guaranteed to be delivered within 72 working hours from pickup, with a cost of less than ₹200/kg. On the other hand, road shipments take five to seven working days for delivery from pickup, with a minimal cost of just ₹100/kg,” shares the entrepreneur, who is the recipient of the Startup Business Award at the Economic Times Business Innovation Leaders Awards, 2020. Having a kiosk at major Indian airports already, Avaan India recently started their services at the Jaipur International Airport.

Gangtok chronicles

Meera grew up in the beautiful mountain Kingdom of Sikkim. As her father was good friends with the then King of Sikkim, Meera got a chance to experience Sikkim’s capital Gangtok as well. “My family shifted to the mountain country before it became a part of the nation in 1975. My father was the Director of Education there. At that time the Tibetans were coming to Sikkim, and I remember making friends with those refugee kids and learning the Tibetan language from them. I also met the Dalai Lama, when he visited the kingdom a few times. It was a very interesting childhood,” shares the entrepreneur.

Entrepreneur | Meera Singh | Global Indian

Unfortunately, the entrepreneur lost her father at a very tender age. “I was about 18 years old.” Though the family didn’t face any financial issues, the biggest challenge was the sheer suddenness of it. “He was just 48 years old, and it was quite difficult for us to cope with this loss. But, what I learned from this was that nothing is permanent in our lives, and that change is the only constant,” she says.

Climbing up the ladder

After finishing her school, Meera went on to pursue a graduate degree in management and hotel administration from the Pusa Institute (IIHM), Delhi, and a post-graduation in management from the Oberoi School of Learning & Development, Delhi. Eventually, she landed a job at The Oberoi, in Mumbai. Although quite ambitious, Meera quit her job quite soon. “I was very well placed in the hotel industry as the F&B manager. But I found that life was very boring after some time, and quit my job,” shares the entrepreneur, adding, “I moved to Hyderabad and joined the transport industry. Many people wondered why would a woman leave the luxury of the hotel industry and move to transport, but I enjoyed it. I got to travel so much during my time at Gati Ltd, and was in fact the first person in the country to set up a customer care service for a transport company, something that I learned in the hotel.”

Thanks to her work, Meera also got a chance to travel the country extensively. “I have been to the biggest cities and the smallest villages in India. I believe there is no greater school than meeting people; there is so much one can learn about management through travelling and talking to people. Also, having travelled the lengths and breadths of this country, I discovered how vibrant and beautiful this nation is. I have lived in Singapore, and yet missed India,” laughs the entrepreneur.

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Meera is also one of the only females to have successfully spearheaded the commissioning of the first hydel power project of 110 MW in the State of Sikkim in North East India. “The then CM of Sikkim was my father’s close friend and he called me up to take up this project. It was quite a challenging project. In fact, I remember thinking that I wouldn’t be able to do this job. But the CM was very sure of my abilities and encouraged me to not only work on the hydel project but also successfully complete it,” she says.

A new beginning

After developing and working on the idea of Avaan India, the entrepreneur still wasn’t 100 percent sure if the start-up would be received well. “I was at a senior management programme organised by the Isha Foundation. There I spoke about my business idea for the first time in front of so many people who were from the big companies, including Tata and Mahindra. When I was done with my presentation, people were so shocked to know that someone could come up with an idea like this. They were so excited about this idea, and that was very motivating,” she shares.

Entrepreneur | Meera Singh | Global Indian

Ask her about the initial capital for the business, and she quips, “Well, all thanks to my mother for teaching me that one should always have a source of income above the regular salary they earn. I have been a serious stock market investor for the last three decades, and that’s how I had a good sum to invest in the business. So, finance was never a problem for me.”

The road ahead

Now that Avaan is launched in almost all the major international airports of India, Meera wishes to expand the business. “We have already tied up with players like GMR, ADANI, AAI, Gati, Make My Trip, and MarutiCourier and are delivering worldwide through various partners such as DHL, Aramex, and UPS. Now, promoting our services digitally is the next course of action for the growth of the business. The next ventures in the pipeline for Avaan Excess are Pet Express and Art Express. Through Pet Express we shall transport pets like cats and dogs across India at affordable prices. We are also working on having a white glove service called Avaan Art Express through which we will be transporting exclusive art pieces and artefacts with packaging from a professional German packaging company,” shares the entrepreneur.

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Meera has established Gati Academy, a venture under the Avaan India brand, aimed at fostering the skill development of students, with a particular focus on Tier 3 rural areas. Additionally, she has founded Gati Intellect, a startup dedicated to eLearning, and Avaan Avishkaar, a marketplace showcasing a diverse range of ethnic Indian products such as handicrafts, Ayurvedic items, and traditional Indian weaves. This initiative not only enhances the skills of students but also creates employment opportunities for them.

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“Being a female entrepreneur is both a challenging and exhilarating journey. It presents daily obstacles that contribute to personal strength and the ability to lead assertively,” says the entrepreneur advising other businesswomen, “Women should not feel daunted; there is no concept of a glass ceiling. Success is not limited by gender but is determined by one’s conduct and leadership within a team. Throughout history, women have excelled as intuitive and empathetic leaders. To all emerging female entrepreneurs of the modern era, my advice is to believe in yourself, work hard with humility, and success will inevitably follow.”

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Published on 09, Mar 2024

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Punjabi-Reggae Revolution: How a search for identity led to the birth of ‘British Bhangra’

(June 18, 2023) In the vibrant tapestry of British cultural history, an extraordinary phenomenon took root in the 1980s, spreading its melodious tendrils and captivating the hearts of British-South Asians grappling with the intricate web of identity in their newfound homeland. A harmonious fusion emerged as if to weave together the threads of their ancestral heritage and the pulsating rhythms of their adopted abode. Punjabi-Reggae Music, an enchanting symphony born from the union of two distinct worlds, emerged as a resplendent symbol of cultural representation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WjK9m_8gCU Bringing Bhangra to the UK As the children of the pioneers who ventured to the shores of the United Kingdom in the 1960s in search of work in London or Birmingham's metal foundries, Punjabis carried with them an intangible gift, a precious consolation in the face of uprooted lives. This gift was none other than their indigenous music, a beacon of solace and celebration that reminded them of their agricultural lands in Punjab, a place that came to life during the harvest festival of Baisakhi, with men performing Bhangra to the beats of the dhol. The migration of rustic music to the West was not just a way to reminisce the life back home

s not just a way to reminisce the life back home but also a symbol of cultural representation for the young South Asians trying to find their identity in a new land.

Around the same time, a surge in migration of Black African immigrants from Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda, Kenya, Zimbabwe, and South Africa gave way to the mingling of South Asians with them. The influence of Afro music - especially hip hop and reggae - on young South Asians gave birth to a new genre - Punjabi Reggae, thus forging an exhilarating path towards artistic redefinition. In the resounding fusion of Bhangra and the captivating cadences of reggae, an alchemical transformation occurred, breathing life into a cultural narrative long yearning to be heard.

Preserving Desi culture

The 1980s and 90s saw the arrival of Bhangra music in the UK, thanks to artists like Alaap, Heera, and Apache Indian who were fusing Punjabi folk music with hip hop. Bhangra music bands started spurting in the corners of the UK to preserve desi culture in Britain, and among them a Southall band Alaap was the forerunner of this new genre. Singer Channi Singh's voice mixed Western beats and Punjabi lyrics made for a deadly combination, resulting in Alaap's huge success in the 80s.

[caption id="attachment_40162" align="aligncenter" width="510"] Bhangra band Alaap[/caption]

The emergence of Daytime Discos

But with conservative parents at home, going to nightclubs and discos wasn't an option for the young British Indians. This void gave birth to the concept of Daytime Discos, a cultural phenomenon that was a hit among the youth as they enjoyed dancing to music and made it home in time for evening tea. Hundreds of teenagers skipped schools and colleges to hear their favourite bands and DJs play at Daydiscos, and Bradford became the epicentre of the underground scene. Rani Kaur, who was popular as DJ Radical Sista in those days, told BBC, "At the time there was very little in terms of Asian cultural stuff in the mainstream, we would get the odd programme on TV but it was more geared to the older generation. There was a gap and there was a thirst for something to fill it, so daytimers just rocketed. It was about creating a new identity for Asians in the UK that had not existed before."

[caption id="attachment_40158" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Punjabi British Bhangra | Global Indian DJ Radical Sista played at many Daytime discos in Bradford in the 80s. (Photo: Tim Smith)[/caption]

While one could still get hold of the Bollywood records but finding a Bhangra record was a tough cookie to crack. So South Asians across Bradford came together to celebrate their culture and identity in the UK. Despite its success, the phenomenon was short-lived and lasted for about five-six years.

An identity shift

In the early 1990s, a group of young British Indians grappling with their identity confronted a unique solution within the confines of their garages: blending music. Caught between their British upbringing and their Indian heritage, these individuals pioneered a new sound known as British Bhangra music, which served as a bridge connecting both cultures. This musical fusion not only became a creative outlet but also played a pivotal role in shaping a bicultural identity. One man in the middle of this new phenomenon was Baljit Singh Sagoo aka Bally Sagoo, whose 1991 compilation Star Crazy put bhangra on the global music map. Fusing traditional Punjabi folk songs with reggae music is what made Laung Gwacha an instant hit. "This particular track (Laung Gwacha, feat. Rama & Cheshire Cat) was a Punjabi reggae song, it was an experiment, where the Asian kids went crazy and everybody thought we need some stuff like this.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgLI7ginjPM&list=PLgOfaFz80L2ZdQYEyQ1ZIm-FhyfElgKCt&index=5

Growing up in Birmingham, Sagoo was heavily influenced by the vibrant black music scene that surrounded him, encompassing genres such as hip-hop, soul, and reggae. This diverse musical environment left an indelible mark on his compositions. During this time, young British Indians discovered a newfound sense of identity through the emergence of Punjabi reggae music. Another notable figure making waves in the music industry with his fusion of Punjabi reggae was songwriter-singer and DJ Steven Kapoor, known as Apache Indian. Songs like Chock There and Boom Shack A Lak became anthems for the MTV generation, blending reggae with bhangra. "When I first went into the studio, I didn’t want it to be just reggae, so we put a bit of the Punjabi rhythm in there - the first-time bhangra was being fused musically, just like our lifestyles," Apache told the Guardian.

[caption id="attachment_40160" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Apache Indian | Global Indian Steven Kapur aka Apache Indian[/caption]

The popularity of the genre gave way to new singers and artists who not only became popular in the UK but created a stir back in India too. As the British-Asian population expanded and diversified around the mid-90s, it was Bhangra that kept the communities together. "The eighties London sound was a bit more innovative, open to Hindi and other Asian music, whereas Birmingham was desi because the community was solid, Punjabi and Sikh. It had an authentic rawness whereas London’s was more poppy popular. Today, a lot more kids in London are sampling grime and hip hop and doing remixes of bhangra classics than in the Midlands," Bobby Friction told the daily.

British Bhangra music embarked on a remarkable journey that began in the 1970s when it first arrived on the shores of Britain. Initially, it catered primarily to the South Asian diaspora, but its infectious rhythms and captivating melodies soon resonated with a wider audience. By the 1980s and 1990s, British Bhangra had reached its pinnacle when it took the form of Punjabi Reggae, captivating both British and global music enthusiasts.

Bhangra Music | Global Indian

This unique genre not only provided a soundtrack for celebration and cultural expression but also became a lifeline for young British Indians searching for a sense of identity. It bridged the gap between their British upbringing and their Indian heritage, offering a harmonious blend of sounds that reflected their bicultural experiences. Its influence reverberated throughout the music industry, permeating genres and captivating listeners worldwide well into the 2000s. Its legacy continues to inspire and enrich the musical landscape, a testament to the power of cultural fusion and the universal language of music.

Reading Time: 5 min

Journey of an artist: Revati Sharma Singh is crafting artistic narratives that transcend boundaries

(June 4, 2023) In a world where the weight of crises threatens to drain the vibrancy from our existence, it is a somber thought to imagine a world devoid of colour. From the pressing issues of hunger to the disheartening disparities of abundance, humanity stands at a crossroads. But amidst this bleak panorama, one interdisciplinary artist has emerged as a beacon of hope, weaving hues of optimism through her artistic tapestry. For the past 23 years, UK-based artist Revati Sharma Singh has tirelessly traversed the creative realms between London and India. "My paintings are very layered, just like people are," the artist explained during a recent interview, adding, "Often one wouldn’t notice slow, covert changes in the weather, just like one wouldn’t pay heed to the internal workings of the mind of a stranger. In a way, then, adding layers only unpeels my art’s subject." The Global Indian has been a consistent participant in prestigious art events such as the LAPADA Fair, Saatchi's Start Art Fair, the Affordable Art Fair in London and Singapore, the Masterpieces Art Fair in London, Art Monaco, and the Venice Biennale, where she has received two invitations to showcase her work. "Layers of surfaces give

as been a consistent participant in prestigious art events such as the LAPADA Fair, Saatchi's Start Art Fair, the Affordable Art Fair in London and Singapore, the Masterpieces Art Fair in London, Art Monaco, and the Venice Biennale, where she has received two invitations to showcase her work. "Layers of surfaces give meaning to the depth of understanding and emotion below. Nothing is ever in a vacuum and nothing is ever truly lost. Even if it can no longer be seen, it is right there under the surface. My works are made up of these layers. Sometimes many layers that you only catch a glimpse of how the work started and how it evolved."

Enchanted by nature

Growing up in Mumbai, Revati would never leave any chance to visit her grandparents, who lived in a scenic village in Himachal Pradesh. It was here that the young artist first fell in love with nature's beauty and later incorporated that into her art. "My work finds its verse in memories of my days at my grandmother's tea estate, nestled between the mountains in a tiny village called Darang, in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh," she mentions on her website, adding, "It is my spiritual home that renders my aesthetic. One of the most important concepts ingrained in me from my wandering days in the hills is that of freedom. Freedom from dogma and religion, freedom from closed-mindedness, freedom to choose my influences, and freedom from fitting in."

Artist | Revati Sharma Singh | Global Indian

But, while she loved colours since she was a young kid, Revati was introduced to pottery as a teenager, and in her words she was "hooked for life". Revati said, "My love affair with the pottery first began when I was 14. That summer, I lived with and learned from the great potters, Mini and Mary in an artist village called Andretta in Himachal. I spent hours turning the wheel with my foot and creating little pieces of magic from the earth. The rest of my time I spent walking around the fields on my own."

An artistic inspiration

After earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree from Delhi College of Art the artist shifted to Singapore, which proved to be a turning point. Venturing beyond the borders of India for the first time, she immersed herself in the vibrant city, tirelessly exploring its art galleries. It was during this period that she developed a deep admiration for the works of Affandi, the renowned Indonesian impressionist master, who would later become a profound influence on her paintings. "I admire Affendi, an old Singaporean Master. I love his work and his style of painting. I relate to his work a lot and am very inspired by him," Revati shared.

[caption id="attachment_39592" align="aligncenter" width="605"] Artist | Revati Sharma Singh | Global Indian Revati's artwork, "Fleeting Glimpses in Delhi"[/caption]

Interestingly, it was also during her stay in Singapore that Revati experienced the triumph of her inaugural exhibition, held at the esteemed Raffles Hotel. Reflecting on this achievement, the artist recalled a profound realisation that her art held the power to make a positive impact. Inspired by this revelation, Revati initiated a heartfelt gesture of philanthropy by donating a portion of the proceeds from each of her sold paintings to charitable organizations based in Indian cities. This philanthropic practice remains an integral part of her artistic journey, with notable contributions made to the annual charity auctions organized by the Magic Bus Foundation.

[caption id="attachment_39594" align="aligncenter" width="692"] Artist | Revati Sharma Singh | Global Indian Revati is working on several pieces for various international art festivals[/caption]

Revati eventually moved back to Mumbai and the return to her homeland sparked a transformation within her artistic expression, taking on a newfound and distinctly political dimension. Moving to the trendy Mumbai suburb of Bandra in 2007 provided Revati with a renewed perspective on the city, allowing her to embark on what she considers a pivotal phase in the evolution of her artistic expression. "I can still recall the moments when I would gaze out from my sea-facing apartment, completely captivated by the juxtaposition before me. I could see the shimmering high-rise apartments of the privileged alongside the sprawling slums below. This stark and powerful contrast became a pivotal moment of realisation for me, as it dawned on me that my art possessed the extraordinary potential to illuminate the urgent challenges that plague India's densely populated and struggling society," the artist expressed.

The broader picture

In 2011, Revati was invited to exhibit at the Art Monaco fair, which she did with Running on Faith, an installation featuring a life-size cycle rickshaw. In the work, the artist turned her focus more directly toward the religious context of modern India, targeting the concepts of faith and karma as manifested in an overweight, gold-coloured passenger being pulled along by an emaciated, grey-blue rickshaw driver – the latter’s thin body covered in tiny artworks of Hindu icons.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Av4R1CVrknQ

A couple of years later the artist shifted base to the United Kingdom, and 2015’s Italia Docet | Laboratorium marked Revati's first appearance at the Venice Biennale, with two multimedia installations drawing on the work of renowned Indian philosophers Rabindranath Tagore, Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda. While her art is brilliant, one of the most interesting things about Revati is that she makes her own colours. "I use natural pigments and glues to make my colours. Stunning lapis lazuli and beautiful malachite, earthy raw sienna, and brilliant yellow - it’s the essence of my being."

In 2019, Revati exhibited her sculptural works, Grains of Antiquity with Art and Soul, casting grains in varied materials and stitched together to form maps of countries, cutouts, and drawings are placed over each other using rice paper forming various planes of visual decoupages. Currently, working on several pieces for various international festivals, the artist wishes to use her art for the common good of humanity.

Artist | Revati Sharma Singh | Global Indian

"I have a strong desire to be ethical in the implementation of my work, to not succumb to what is expected but to be courageous and have the integrity to do what I believe in," she expressed, adding, "I found my path in the language of grains, the language of food, the language of hunger and that of abundance, it’s the language we all speak despite our differences in race, colour, class or religion. It is these differences that make life colourful."

Follow Revati Sharma Singh on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and her website

Reading Time: 6 mins

From foreign shores to Indian stories: Exploring the foreign authors enthralled by India

(June 27, 2023) India has been a magnet for scholars from around the world for centuries. From Fa Hien to Megasthenes and Ferešte, numerous travelers have explored and penned books about this ancient land. Its timeless charm has beckoned the adventurous souls of writers and scholars for centuries, each drawn to uncover the hidden gems within its storied landscapes. With its rich tapestry of history, mythology, geography, anthropology, religion, and tradition, India continues to captivate modern writers who venture here from all corners of the globe. Global Indian turns the spotlight on a handful of foreign authors who have beautifully portrayed India and its vibrant history through their words. Mark Tully Adorned with prestigious honors like Padma Shree, Padma Bhushan, and Officer of the Order of the British Empire, author Sir William Mark Tully stands tall among the literary giants of our time. From his earliest days, he was captivated by the bustling streets, a kaleidoscope of colours, and the vibrant tapestry of Indian culture. Remarkably, this celebrated author once harbored aspirations of becoming a priest and even pursued theological studies in his early twenties. However, destiny had different plans in store. Expelled from the country in 1975 alongside numerous

dies in his early twenties. However, destiny had different plans in store. Expelled from the country in 1975 alongside numerous foreign correspondents, Tully's position as the Chief of the BBC Bureau, led him back to India two years later, where he has since chosen to make his abode.

[caption id="attachment_30929" align="aligncenter" width="690"] Author | Mark Tully | Global Indian Sir William Mark Tully, author[/caption]

Since his debut work, "Amritsar: Mrs. Gandhi's Last Battle", India has remained the focal point of this author's literary endeavours. Each of his books offers a treasure trove of captivating narratives that effortlessly combine profound insights with educational value, leaving readers enthralled and reluctant to part with the pages. Over the span of five decades, the author's writings have spanned the spectrum of Indian existence, exploring the realms of politics, caste conflicts, blood feuds, and the everyday experiences of the common man.

Author | Mark Tully | Global Indian

Now, in his seasoned years, the venerable author presents a trio of engrossing collections: "Upcountry Tales: Once Upon A Time In The Heart Of India", "No Full Stops In India", and "India In Slow Motion". These extraordinary compilations of short stories are marked by a delightful blend of warmth, wit, and a compassionate gaze, offering a vivid glimpse into the intricate human theater that unfolds amidst the rural landscapes of northern India. Calling himself a Dilliwala in one of his interviews, Tully had said, "I believe in karma. My karma was to be born British — and you can’t lose that. I would love to be an Indian citizen. But in this country, you cannot have dual nationality."

William Dalrymple

Picture this: a fresh-faced 18-year-old lad arrives in the bustling streets of New Delhi, sent on a mission all the way from London. Little did he know that this city, notorious for its resilience in the face of destruction and rebirth seven times over, would steal his heart in an instant. And so, dear friends commenced a whirlwind romance that has captivated the collective imagination for a whopping three decades and counting. This love story is the stuff legends are made of, whispered with fervor throughout the town's nooks and crannies.

Author | William Dalrymple | Global Indian

"I never intended to come to India. I originally set out to be an archaeologist in the Middle East, but the dig I was assigned to in Iraq closed down — purportedly due to a nest of British spies. So, I joined a friend who was heading to India. I had no particular connection to the country, but when I arrived, it was one of those moments in life when everything changes. Thirty years later, I’m still here," author William Dalrymple had once written in one of his National Geographic articles.

The author's debut book on India, "City of Djinns: A Year in Delhi", weaves a tapestry of enchantment. A delightful blend of meticulous research and personal encounters, this marvelous creation captures the essence of the vibrant city in all its kaleidoscopic glory. Part memoir, part travelogue, it introduces us to a cast of characters that breathe life into the age-old streets. Surprisingly, our dear author was a tad unsure about the book's success. But the book skyrocketed to become a bestseller, propelling Dalrymple into a world of literary triumph. And that was just the beginning of his remarkable journey! His repertoire includes such gems as "White Mughals", "Nine Lives: In Search of the Sacred in Modern India", and "The Anarchy: The Relentless Rise of the East India Company".

Author | William Dalrymple | Global Indian

Even after 30 years, 11 books, and innumerable articles on Indian history, Dalrymple is still fascinated by this land. "I’ve been travelling around India for 30 years and there’s still a good quarter of the country I’ve yet to see. There are major monuments and mountain ranges, extraordinary places in the Himalayas I’m dying to visit. India is a continent rather than a country — you could never run out of things to explore here. I feel like a child in a sweet shop or a miser in a bank vault sometimes. There’s an almost infinite amount to take in, see and understand," he had written in his article.

Katherine Boo

In the realm of journalism, acclaim often eludes those who merely report on the ordinary. However, when Katherine Boo ventured into the heart of Mumbai's Annawadi, she discovered an irresistible calling to amplify the voices of the downtrodden and marginalised. Undeterred by the daunting task ahead, she fearlessly delved into the depths of this community. For a remarkable span of two years, spanning from 2008 to 2010, Katherine immersed herself in the very fabric of the slums, immersing her senses in their stories. This immersive experience would ultimately culminate in her compact yet profound masterpiece, "Behind the Beautiful Forevers," a 250-page chronicle that encapsulates the resilience and struggles of those living amidst the shadows of prosperity.

[caption id="attachment_30933" align="aligncenter" width="616"] Author | Katherine Boo | Global Indian Katherine Boo, author[/caption]

Vividly illustrated, the book conduits tales of developing-world poverty. Dealing with rats and sick people daily in her two years of research, the Pulitzer-winning author said in an interview that once she stepped into their world, it was hard to step back. "I'm not squeamish. Tuberculosis was a concern: there were many people I spent time with whose stories were that they got sicker and sicker and then they died. But if you're curious, you don't dwell on it that much. It was not pleasant to fall into the sewage lake. But at the same time, I didn't know it was a petrochemical type of stuff until I fell in, so that was something I learned."

Author | Katherine Boo | Global Indian

Still in India, searching for her next subject, Katherine feels that there is so much left to be explored in this ancient land. "When in Mumbai these days I find myself still making tapes, documenting corruption and social problems — I can’t help myself."

Alex Ruttherford

Unleashing the mighty Mughals from their crypts onto the bookshelves of countless Indian readers, and now even onto their television screens, are none other than the enigmatic duo - Diana and Michael Preston. Better known to the world by their pseudonym "Alex Rutherford", the couple have been utterly bewitched by the allure of the subcontinent's rich past since their days as students at Oxford University. It all began with a serendipitous jaunt to India, where the majestic Taj Mahal beckoned their inquisitive souls. Inspired by this architectural masterpiece, the intrepid couple embarked on a remarkable journey of research, initially immersing themselves in the tale of the monument's creation, before delving deep into the remarkable dynasty responsible for numerous awe-inspiring structures across India.

Their quest for knowledge even led them to traverse the mesmerizing Ferghana Valley in Kyrgyzstan, retracing the footsteps of the illustrious first Mughal emperor, Babur. And lo and behold, from this captivating odyssey emerged the illustrious six-book series, aptly titled "Empire of the Moghul," a spellbinding work of historical fiction that has enraptured readers far and wide.

[caption id="attachment_30931" align="aligncenter" width="641"] Author | Alex Rutherford | Global Indian Diana and Michael Preston, authors[/caption]

"Ever since our university days, we wanted to be writers. What inspired us to write about India was the travelling that we did here. We came to India very soon after we got married and we kept coming back, because we were so fascinated by the society here, the complex, multi-layered history and that's what eventually many years after our first visit, we wrote our book, a non-fiction about the creation of the Taj Mahal. Since we had read all the chronicles of the Moghuls, to understand the genesis of that building, it led us to write a series of novels, The Empire of the Moghul," Diana had said during a recent interview.

Author | Alex Rutherford | Global Indian

Among their literary offspring are "A Teardrop on the Cheek of Time: The Story of the Taj Mahal," a poignant tale entwined with the fabric of Mughal Indian society, and "Fortune's Soldier," a mesmerizing narrative that dances through the very heart of this captivating era. And if that wasn't enough, brace yourselves for the latest twist in the saga! The renowned director, Nikhil, has worked his magic, transforming the epic "Empire of the Moghul" series into a captivating web extravaganza, now streaming exclusively on Disney+ Hotstar.

Reading Time: 6 mins

Mountain flavours: Local meets global at NAAR by Chef Prateek Sadhu

(October 27, 2024) On a balmy September afternoon, I made my way to the Le Cirque Signature Restaurant at The Leela Palace, Bengaluru to sample ‘Mountain Flavours’ as part of a four-city Himalayan cuisine tour that saw Prateek Sadhu’s first pop-up with his latest venture, NAAR, in collaboration with Conosh. Showcasing ingredients from Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, like the local ragi, foraged sea buckthorn, citrus fruits and timru, a local pepper, the seven-course meal was a nod to his culinary acumen. A chef who is following his heart to showcase the stunning array of Indian cuisine to the world, Prateek Sadhu has many aces up his very able sleeve. Although he says his decision to be a chef was "very unplanned," Chef Prateek Sadhu has had a stellar run. After four years at Taj properties in Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru, he went onto graduate with double gold medals from The Culinary Institute of America. Chef Prateek has worked at top restaurants around the world, before returning to start Masque in Mumbai, and NAAR, his ode to Indian mountain food, in Himachal Pradesh. [caption id="attachment_58746" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Chef Prateek Sadhu, founder, NAAR[/caption] Rewinding to the Past I caught up with him

globalindian.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/chef-prateek-1.webp" alt="Chef Prateek Sadhu | NAAR | Masque Mumbai | Global Indian" width="640" height="457" /> Chef Prateek Sadhu, founder, NAAR[/caption]

Rewinding to the Past

I caught up with him recently over a phone call where he told Global Indian that he never really planned to be a Chef. Instead was always hoping to be a pilot - yes, you read that right. Born in Baramulla, he spent his formative years in Kashmir, but had to move to Delhi in the 1990s because of the political disturbances at that time. After doing some part of his schooling, his family moved back to Jammu where he did his high schooling. “I always wanted to be a pilot, but I guess life always has different plans for you, and hence I landed in a hotel school. This was very unplanned. I never thought of or ever intended to be a chef and it never crossed my mind. But I graduated from there and started my Chef life,” he reminisces.

Experiences Galore

Post graduation, his first job was at the Taj Group, where he worked for almost four years at their Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore properties. He then joined The Culinary Institute of America, where he graduated with double gold medals. This set the tone for this global journey, one that saw him work at well-known names like Alinea, The French Laundry, Bourbon Steak, Le Bernardin, and did a small internship with Rene Redzepi at Noma.

“I was always cooking European style food with some minor nuances of cooking styles. And for me working at those restaurants was not about cooking or learning a recipe but rather it was mostly about the thought process. So, if you are looking at the tomato, for instance, what are you thinking and why? The takeaway was about how we were arriving at the flavours and how ingredients were being used in different ways and forms,” Chef Prateek explains. "It was fantastic and fascinating at the same time. And growing in my career then, these were the things that really helped me to find my own voice and helped me find my mindset as far as food was concerned,” he says.

[caption id="attachment_58747" align="aligncenter" width="693"] Chef Prateek Sadhu | NAAR | Masque Mumbai | Global Indian Chef Prateek Sadhu in the kitchens at NAAR[/caption]

Coming Home

After a job at The Pierre Hotel, New York, he returned to India as sous chef at Le Cirque Signature in Bengaluru, incidentally where he showcased NAAR as a popup. In 2016 he opened Masque in Mumbai. “While I was in the school, I would be doing a lot of these internships as I was there. With this, the global restaurant culture was getting imbibed in my mind, even as I had the opportunity to work with some of the greatest chefs of my generation. So, I think there was always this seed in my mind that whenever I move back to India, I would open my own restaurant,” he says.

He was also clear that this restaurant would speak the soul of India in terms of ingredients, and food culture. After moving back to India in 2012, he started Masque in Mumbai with entrepreneur Aditi Dugar and ran it for close to seven years winning numerous accolades along the way including a spot in Asia's 50 Best Restaurants in 2021.

Finding his Calling

In 2022 however, he parted ways with Masque and started travelling the length and breadth of the country extensively. “Honestly, just to understand my own country. It's not that just because you are from India, you understand it’s food culture. For instance, curry leaves may be a commonplace ingredient for one person but in Kashmir it was alien to me when I was growing up. And that is a blessing for chefs as in our country, we have so many different food cultures and I started traveling and understanding what real Indian food means,” he says.

And this is how NAAR was born, with its soul in the mountains and nestled within Amaya, a boutique property in Himachal Pradesh’s Solan district. “I want to tell the story of India through a very different lens of what Indian mountain food means to all Indians,” he says. Admitting that this is arguably the best time to be in the Indian food and beverage industry, he says that he wanted a smaller restaurant as this was what was available. “The restaurant is a 16-seater space as these were old farming terraces that were abandoned and we took the space without disturbing the rest of the ecology.”

Food Files

[caption id="attachment_58750" align="alignnone" width="850"] Chef Prateek Sadhu | NAAR | Masque Mumbai | Global Indian NAAR creations[/caption]

Apart from being sustainable, the restaurant showcases six menus through the year as a nod to the changing seasons. But Prateek Sadhu is clear that his focus is not just about ingredients but rather showcasing food culture. “This whole ingredient forward thing is hyped. Every restaurant is Indian driven. Who is not using ingredients? At the end of the day, we are trying to showcase where we are, the kind of ingredients that we work with and source locally,” he opines. His process involves understanding how locals use ingredients before interpreting them in his own way.

Quiz him on what food means to him and pat comes his reply. “I love to eat food, which is very familiar to me. It can be a flavour of spice or chili and or even umami for that matter. My food philosophy is very simple. It's a very personal lens to the food. If you give me a potato to maybe cook in the way which is very familiar to you, you know the taste will be very familiar, but the way I arrive on those flavours might be very different.” Fortunately for him, the Himalayan belt is blessed with many different ingredients and different techniques. “I usually take those techniques and sort of cook with them. My vision to really put Indian food on the global map. The idea is to put Indian food on one of the biggest stages in the world and NAAR is just a small, humble attempt for that.” For someone who believes he can walk away from anything, he admits that doing the same thing becomes boring and he is always looking at doing something different. Indian food is having a moment and NAAR is certainly having a lot to do with it.

Follow Chef Prateek Sadhu on LinkedIn and NAAR on Instagram.

King Cannes: Chef Manu Chandra shines at top film festival

(July 12, 2022 ) When Chef Manu Chandra stepped down from the Olive Group after 17 years to branch out on his own, it seemed like a dicey detour. He didn’t let that stop him, founding Single Thread Catering in 2021. One year later, Manu took his new venture to the Festival de Cannes 2022, after the Ministry of External Affairs invited the culinary maverick to join their contingent at the India Pavilion. It didn’t end there. Manu was also asked to cater the inaugural dinner, a big order on very short notice – just the sort of challenge he enjoys. Giving local products an Indian twist, in an attempt to bridge Rajasthani and French cuisines, the menage-a-deux menu included Pyaaz ki kachori en Croute, made with roasted shallots and wrapped in croissant dough and served with chutney and creme fraiche. There were also the wildly popular Paniyaram Madelines, served with podi and coconut chutney and vada pav made with French brioche buns. “There’s an interesting backstory to the whole thing,” Manu Chandra tells Global Indian. “I’m involved with Diageo’s latest endeavor, their craft counsel. It’s an endeavor that aims to change how people perceive locally-distilled brands and Godavan, a single-malt made in Rajasthan, was one of their

Global Indian. “I’m involved with Diageo’s latest endeavor, their craft counsel. It’s an endeavor that aims to change how people perceive locally-distilled brands and Godavan, a single-malt made in Rajasthan, was one of their biggest, recent launches.” Shortly after the launch, they received a call from the Government of India, asking them to be pouring partners at the India Pavilion at Cannes, to showcase a story that is “so inherently Indian.” The Ministry also inquired if Manu would be open to coming along. “I jumped at the idea,” he says. “I can’t turn down a chance to go to the South of France for a couple of days!”

[caption id="attachment_29289" align="aligncenter" width="527"] Manu Chandra | Single Thread Catering | Global Indian Manu Chandra, founder, Single Thread Catering[/caption]

The big invitation

The journey ahead was fraught with surprises. When the list of names was sent to the Ministry, someone recognised Manu’s name and asked if he would be “open to doing some of the dishes at the India Pavilion.” It was short notice, but do-able and Manu agreed. “My thought process was to create something that represents the country in interesting ways – a confluence of traditional Indian offerings and a little bit of France, given I would be working with a lot of local ingredients. I wanted to play with form and make it something people would remember because it was a landmark festival for so many reasons. It was taking place after a long break, India’s 75^th year of independence and 75 years of Indo-French diplomatic relations.” The Ministry loved his suggestions.

The story doesn’t end here. Even bigger things were brewing – an extended invite at the festival. “Before I knew it, another request came in from the Ministry, asking if I would be open to the doing the inaugural dinner, as well.” Now this was a big ask – Manu would be very short on time. “As a chef, you tend to shine brightest in adversity. I took on the challenge and put together a menu that paid tribute to Rajasthan.” He explained the Rajasthani-French confluence on the menu and it was very well-received by the Ministry. Manu was told that he would be cooking for 25, and be provided a venue with a kitchen.

India Pavilion — the most buzzing pavilion!

As someone who’s hands-on, Manu believes he works best in situations where all hands are on deck. That wasn’t meant to be, for Manu’s visa was the only one stamped ahead of time. He arrived at the venue alone, standing before a team of French chefs eyed him with apprehension, “thinking the Indian chef would come with pots of curries.” They realized soon enough that it was all very French and very innovative. It was an adventure all through, which began with trying to source dosa batter in the South of France. “Not a joke,” Manu remarks. A Sri Lankan grandmother came to their rescue – “the only one who could make it.” Manu also worked with a local caterer in Nice.

Manu is a process-driven chef, with an eye for detail. He began with a mad rush for local ingredients, then putting them together, building flavours and creating presentations. His team arrived an hour before the dinner began. “It was like a suspense thriller,” Manu recalls. “I thought to myself, ‘I’m going to have to do 30 plates alone’.” It was an “exciting and daunting task,” but exhilarating, especially when the guests walked in – the invitees included A-listers like A.R. Rahman, Madhavan and Nawazuddin Siddique. The moment dinner was done, the team raced to begin prepping for the India Pavilion.”

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A menu that married comfort with contemporary aesthetics

“It was comfort food married with contemporary presentations, comfort married with using local products with that classic Indian twist. That manifested in a Baingan Bharta caviar passed through vodka and garnished with asparagus – this was popular with people from the Bangladeshi pavilion, who stopped to dig in and told Manu it reminded them of home. Snacks like kodubale, pepper cashews, small chaklis, and khakhras “sold like hot cakes,” Manu said. “We had guests from the Dutch, Irish, Ukrainian and Columbian pavilions alike. The India Pavilion was the most buzzing – we actually had a crisis situation in the pantry!”

Inside the mind of the master chef

“I’m philosophy-agnostic,” Manu says, about how he plans his menus. “I don’t want to be tied down to a single process when I think of food and menus. I believe evolution is key, to be able to engage with your customer on an ongoing basis.” There’s always “merit in repetition,” he says, but as a creative professional, that’s not always a priority. “I need to be able to create. I have always believed in that.”

Does he have creator’s block? “There are a lot of moving parts in the food business. There’s too much going on for that.” Perfectionism, however, is Manu Chandra's trademark. “It doesn’t always bode well for me as I scale because I want things to be done a certain way and so much is in the hands of others. Does that make me insecure? No. But it does make me worried.”

The Next Big Move: Single Thread Catering

Seventeen years of being closely associated with the Olive Group was followed by Single Thread Catering, a bespoke catering venture. “So far, our event have been well-received,” Manu says. “It’s a challenge to create something new but when you have an amazing team, the effort is worth it. Offering a consumer an outstanding meal is always worth it.”

Manu Chandra | Cannes 2022 | Single Thread Catering | Global Indian

At home...

At home, Manu prefers a homely bowl of curry and rice., “I like a bottle of red wine and a good OTT show. I don’t binge-watch because I’m an early riser,” he chuckles. He doesn’t always have the time to go home and cook, because he doesn’t have help at home. “My time in New York taught me self-reliance, though.” When he does cook, though, it’s a “nice curry, made in advance, with freshly-ground masalas and eaten at night with a steaming bowl of rice, which appalls my family in Delhi!”

Manu comes from a large family with lots of aunts who were accomplished in the kitchen. “They call and take tips from me,” Manu gloats. “I say, ‘Bua, you’re an amazing cook and there’s nothing I can teach you. Still, they continue to ask! It’s a big compliment!” More so because his decision to be a chef raised eyebrows at home. “There wasn’t a restriction as such but I knew they were thinking it – a son in the family wanted to work as a cook!” Today, they value and appreciate him, a sign that life has come full circle for master chef Manu Chandra.

Follow Chef Manu Chandra on Instagram

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