Global IndianstoryFor the love of chocolate: La Folie by Sanjana Patel brings haute patisserie to Mumbai’s Kala Ghoda

For the love of chocolate: La Folie by Sanjana Patel brings haute patisserie to Mumbai’s Kala Ghoda

Written by: Bindu Gopal Rao

(February 18, 2024) For a decade now, Chef Sanjana Patel’s La Folie has elevated the French haute pâtisserie and chocolatery scene and continues to forge new paths.

As a 14 year old, Sanjana Patel would love seeing her grandmother, a baker, work in her kitchen. It inspired her to start baking with her. As her grandmother loved gardening, she has fond memories of summer holidays spent making carrot halwa cake from carrots picked from her garden. “I was always excited about making everything with chocolate. Even today, I carry with me a lot of things I learned from her, you will find these practices in my kitchen even today. One significant thing that I learned from here is localisation and sustainability, which you will find intertwined with La Folie’s philosophy and practices,” Chef Sanjana tells Global Indian.

Chef Sanjana Patel, founder, La Folie

Starting out

Patel did her early education at Maneckji Cooper and JB Petit and finished high school at St Hilda’s in Ooty. In 2005, she moved to the UK and started at Le Cordon Bleu, College of Culinary Arts in London, followed by Ecole Gregoire Ferrandi in Paris, where she earned a master’s in baking and Patisserie. Then, she moved to the University of Surrey for an M.Sc. in Food Science Management with honours in Chocolate Technology and did an M.Sc. in Marketing and Strategy at the University of Warwick (Warwick Business School). In 2008, she finished her master’s diploma C.A.P in bakery and patisserie with distinction at Ecole Gregoire Ferrandi in Paris. She then stayed in Europe for seven years and worked with chefs like Pierre Hermé, Jean-Charles Rochoux, Patrick Roger, Camille Lesecq, and Olivier Bajard. She also worked at award-winning restaurants like Hotel Le Meurice and Hotel Plaza Athénée in the Dorchester Collection under chefs like Christophe Michalak and Chef Alain Ducasse, among others.

The La Folie journey

In 2013, she decided to return to India and began her journey with La Folie as she opened the first outlet in Kala Ghoda, Mumbai a decade ago in January 2014. “My love for chocolate partially stemmed from Chocolaterie Jean-Charles Rochoux, where I served as a Chocolatier Intern. This experience has been the grounding stone of my journey into the world of chocolate,” she says. At La Folie she has introduced unique French haute creations. “Those things were very new, and people were not subjected to these kinds of tastes. So, a lot of education went in to help people understand what we were doing. However, over the years, I feel that with experimental cuisines expanding in India, people are now more open to trying out new flavours and foods,” she adds.

For someone who always wanted to offer something different, she started La Folie with a focus on natural flavours and says that now people appreciate their philosophy of using natural ingredients and the unique taste they bring. “My affair with chocolate began as a passionate hobby and soon cascaded into a magical journey of discovering myself through craft chocolate, a journey that led me on an adventurous road trip to numerous cacao farms across the world, to its native origins! The deeper I go, the more intrigued I am. Even chocolate tasting for me is not just biting into that heavenly piece but it is about setting on the journey of Emotions, Conversations, and Nostalgia. The more you taste, the more you indulge and build experiences with yourself and with others,” she adds.

‘Chocolate tech’

In 2017, after a leg injury, Patel revisited the concept of making her own craft chocolate as she wanted to offer a different sensorial journey and taste to the Indian consumer and ultimately it had to be tied to the very source of chocolate, cacao. “I take an instinctive approach towards what I do, and not bounding myself by flavours, moulds, or recipes, but find my inspiration in trends, my journey, and experiences that have influenced me. I have always strived to explore ingredients and chocolates at the core, experimenting with ways to create an experience for the patrons. Also, as a Chocolate Technologist, I have not bound myself just to taste profiles, but have also collaborated with product designers to create customised chocolate moulds that elevate the chocolate experience to an art form,” she says. Incidentally, in 2016, she introduced a heartfelt journey ‘Down the Memory Lane’ with the creation of ‘Grandma’s Carrot Cake’ and this nostalgic masterpiece served as a heartfelt tribute to her grandmother.

Gender bender

For someone who has not seen gender biases, and in fact has never seen herself as being different as a female, Patel believes in making an impact and creating sustainable growth and a future for one’s vision and one’s passion. “I feel blessed having to do that slowly and steadily and changing chefs’ and global culinary enthusiasts’ approach to chocolate. It’s a happy place for me to see my customer’s appreciation for our products and indirectly how it impacts at the farm level. I wish to continue doing that and building a stronger sustainable network across this field,” she avers. In her journey she has learnt many life lessons and one of them being the most important is to follow your vision and not get entangled in the vicious world of competition. “Staying and believing true to your identity will always take you forward strongly in a long way and yes always be willing to share knowledge and learn from others – there is nothing in withholding and being conservative about how your knowledge will be used,” she advises.

Looking ahead

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Now, one of the most important tasks for her is to work towards creating farmer co-operative programmes that can benefit the farmers to raise funds and improve crop fertility. “We also want to work towards government support through grants, funds and sponsorships for the post-harvesting process and crop yields. We want to create a supply chain system for the farmers where they can liaise with other chocolate makers with pre-order systems. This will empower the farmers to have economic support and eradicate uncertainty,” she says. And she is looking at making La Folie products available across tier one and tier two cities, as well as export orders for European and Middle Eastern countries. As someone who straddles the tightrope of nostalgia with global inspirations, Patel is making the case for craft chocolate in her own unique way.

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Published on 18, Feb 2024

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Scholar Dr. Shivayogi Bhusnurmath is committed to training the next gen pathologist

(April 3, 2024) While he was doing his residency, Dr. Shivayogi Bhusnurmath experienced the most amusing incident of his career, when a goat made a daring escape from the animal research facility at his institution. "The goat took me for a merry-go-round all over campus. I was exhausted, sweaty, and cursing my luck," shared the scholar laughing, "After nearly two hours, the goat got tired and I managed to catch it. It was an unforgettable part of my training!” He might have had a bumpy start, but this Bangalore Medical College alumnus was recently named the Dean of Basic Sciences at the University of Medicine and Health Sciences (UMHS), New York. "I will aim to enhance the New York-based university's commitment to delivering high-quality medical education, training upcoming physicians to deliver compassionate healthcare, and fostering the ongoing advancement and expansion of UMHS," said the scholar. Dr. Bhusnurmath boasts a forty-year tenure crafting curricula at esteemed medical institutions, enriched with a profound reservoir of medical expertise, clinical proficiency, and academic stewardship. Educated at the renowned Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, in India, the scholar acquired Fellowship credentials from the esteemed Royal College of Pathologists in London. Across his

ic stewardship. Educated at the renowned Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, in India, the scholar acquired Fellowship credentials from the esteemed Royal College of Pathologists in London. Across his illustrious journey, he has been dedicated to medical pedagogy, clinical excellence, and scholarly inquiry, disseminating pathology knowledge to medical students and postgraduate residents across a spectrum of nations including India, the United Kingdom, the Sultanate of Oman, Sudan, Japan, Canada, and Grenada.

Accidental doctor

Born and brought up in the beautiful city of Bengaluru, Dr. Bhusnurmath trained in medicine at Bangalore Medical College. Interestingly, the scholar chose to study medicine as he didn't want to be alone at IIT. "I did medicine during the late 1960s and early 1970s. At that time in India, the only “reasonable” options for high-performing students were engineering and medicine – and parental pressure played a major role in career decisions. Because of my academic successes, I had the option of direct admission to either medical school or the Indian Institute of Technology. I opted for medicine because that’s what my friends chose, and I wanted to stay with them. At the time, I was too young to consider the broader ramifications of my choice," shared the scholar.

[caption id="attachment_50468" align="aligncenter" width="554"] Scholar | Dr Shivayogi Bhusnurmath | Global Indian Dr. Shivayogi Bhusnurmath receiving the “Excellence in International Pathology Education Award” from Group for Research in Pathology Education (GRIPE)[/caption]

In my second year of medical school, the scholar found himself bored with the course. However, it was this boredom that led Dr. Bhusnurmath to his calling. "I was tired after 18 months of anatomy study; the faculty seemed more interested in torturing than inspiring us," shared the scholar, adding, "Then I read The Final Diagnosis, by Arthur Hailey – and it was a major turning point in my life. The book’s central character was a chief of pathology and I was impressed by the role he played in critical decisions. A young nurse’s limb amputation due to suspected osteosarcoma; an epidemic of enteric fever; the autopsy that revealed unexpected incidental tuberculosis and prompted the screening of an entire family… These examples are still etched in my mind after five decades. In those days, many clinical questions ended with “maybe, maybe not” – so my drive to eliminate medical uncertainties made pathology a natural choice."

ALSO READ | Dr. Raghu Ram delivers early diagnosis, saves lives

Inside the lab

After he finished his internship, the scholar wanted to pursue a pathology postgraduate programme. At the time, candidates had to do one year as a house surgeon in medicine and surgery first, "I was fortunate to have Krishna Bhargava as hospital director. He created a new position at Bangalore’s Victoria Hospital – house surgeon in pathology – and I was the first inductee," the Global Indian shared.

[caption id="attachment_50469" align="aligncenter" width="557"] Scholar | Dr Shivayogi Bhusnurmath | Global Indian Drs. Bharti Bhusnurmath (left) and Shivayogi Bhusnurmath[/caption]

Eventually, the scholar worked in many developing nations, helping countries overcome epidemics. One incident took place in Zaria, Nigeria, where he was working as a lecturer-consultant at Ahmadu Bello University between 1982 and 1985. “The HIV/AIDS epidemic was just beginning, and we knew nothing about it – but I remember while introducing fine needle aspiration cytology, experiencing accidental needlestick wounds and living in fear for many years because there were no diagnostic tests and no treatments available. Fortunately, I escaped the infection.” From Nigeria, he went to the UK, Japan, Canada, and Oman in the 1990s. “My final move (so far) was in 1996 when I arrived at St. George’s University in Grenada, West Indies."

Moving to academics

In 1996, the scholar assumed the role of Dean of Academic Affairs at St. George University School of Medicine. However, this position failed to captivate him. Hoping to empower upcoming pathologists with a top-tier education, Dr. Bhusnurmath and his wife established their own academy. "For the past 25 years, the bulk of my work has involved teaching medical students. With my wife, Bharti Bhusnurmath I created a unique programme called the International Clinical Tutor Teaching Fellowship Programme.” The programme started with four medical graduates who lived locally, but they now recruit recent medical graduates from across the globe to help them run small groups in their teaching lab. The course is taught twice a year – involving over 900 students each time – and students come from over 130 countries to join. “We are lucky to have them; although my wife and I could handle lectures for a class of any size, we need high-quality preceptors when we split the class into groups of eight to 10 students for applied clinical learning in the laboratory sessions," he shared.

However, the pathologist could hardly keep himself away from the lab. "I still process 60 to 80 patient samples per day – mainly in clinical chemistry and hematology, but we also perform fine needle aspiration cytology and sign out surgical biopsies,” Dr Bhusnurmath says. “The cases I see here in Grenada are different from those common in India. Here, I see a lot of sickle cell disease, diabetes, hypertension, human T-lymphotropic virus-related lymph node pathology, prostate and breast carcinoma, dengue, thyroid problems, and seasonal flu," he said.

ALSO READ | Dr. Kaushik Rajashekara is working on futuristic machines

The scholar has published more than 130 papers that have been cited over 1400 times. "I am also on the editorial board and a reviewer for several prestigious international medical journals of pathology and medical education such as Academic Medicine, and Medical Educator. I have also been a member of the executive committee of CAAM-HP (Caribbean Authority for Education in Medicine and Other Health Professions)," he shared.

Following Dr. Shivayogi Bhusnurmath on LinkedIn

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Hustling and bustling: Filmmaker Guneet Monga is taking Indian movies to the stars

(March 14, 2023) About 13 years ago, when her first short film - Kavi - cracked the top five at the 2010 Academy Awards, Guneet Monga didn't even have the means to travel to the United States of America to attend the event. The filmmaker wrote to various big personalities, including British entrepreneur Richard Branson and Indian tycoon Ratan Tata to sponsor her flight tickets, and got no response. "I used to describe myself as the 'Pride of India', asking people for any kind of help to get me into a plane to New York," the filmmaker shared during a show. However, despite chasing various people and their PRs, Guneet couldn't seem to be getting any help. [caption id="attachment_36155" align="aligncenter" width="646"] Guneet Monga (right) with Kartiki Gonsalves (left) after winning the Oscars for The Elephant Whisperers[/caption] Desperate, she ended up writing to the then-President of India - Prathibha Devisingh Patil - and finally got a call. "I asked if I could show my film to the President, and if she writes an appreciation letter I could ask for a sponsorship from the airline companies for a ticket to the US. There were only three weeks left before the Academy Awards.

ed if I could show my film to the President, and if she writes an appreciation letter I could ask for a sponsorship from the airline companies for a ticket to the US. There were only three weeks left before the Academy Awards. But it so happened that the President couldn't see my film, and I was quite vocal about my displeasure. At the Rashtrapati Bhavan, I met Prithviraj Chavan, who was the Union Minister for Science and Technology at the time. He eventually called the CMD of Air India and I along with my team was able to go to my first-ever Oscar event," the filmmaker shared.

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Sure enough, the 'Pride of India', Guneet has come a long way, from being a filmmaker who hustled hard to give her films wings to fly, to becoming one of the first producers from India to be inducted in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The Global Indian, who recently won the 95th Academy Award for The Elephant Whisperer in the Best Documentary Short Film category was also the executive producer of Period. End of Sentence. which won the 2019 Academy Award in the same category.

The girl from Delhi

Her story starts in the lanes of New Delhi, as a young woman who just wanted to enter show business in some capacity. A mass communications graduate from the Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Guneet hardly knew anything about the industry even when she shifted to Mumbai. In fact, her first independent project was funded by her neighbour, who didn't know much about filmmaking himself. "He told me he wanted to open a studio where young parents could come for a photo/video shoot of their kids," the filmmaker shared. She didn't like the idea one bit but had something better to offer. She said, "He wanted to put about ₹50,00,000 in this business. So I told him, 'Why don't you give me the money and I will go to Mumbai to make a good film for you?' And he agreed." While it all seems pretty easy, Guneet's journey ahead was not a cakewalk.

[caption id="attachment_36156" align="aligncenter" width="551"] Filmmaker | Guneet Monga | Global Indian Guneet also won the Oscar's Period. End of Sentence. (2019)[/caption]

Just 21, without much experience and alone in a big city like Mumbai, the filmmaker found it quite difficult to start working on her ambitions. "I didn't know much about this business. So, I would just meet anybody and tell them that I had ₹5 million to make a film and ask if they had a story for it. About half of Mumbai knew that a 21-year-old girl has come from Delhi with pachaas lakh rupay," she laughed, adding, "Eventually I met director Subhash Kapoor, and we made Say Salaam India, which was a children's cricket film released on the day India lost the World Cup."

[caption id="attachment_36157" align="aligncenter" width="605"] Filmmaker | Guneet Monga | Global Indian Guneet with Nobel Peace Prize winner, Malala Yousafzai, at the Oscar Screening, 2023[/caption]

Around the same time, while she was producing her first film in 2007, Guneet lost her father which affected her deeply. "My mother and I launched Sikhya in 2008 and I lost both my parents that same year. I was not inspired to run a company anymore, so I threw myself into a string of production jobs. I met Anurag Kashyap and worked with him for five-six years," the filmmaker shared.

From Mumbai to the Oscars

Learning and growing, Guneet went on to produce some marvellous gems of Bollywood, including Rang Rasiya (2008), Dasvidaniya (2008), and Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai (2010). Eventually, the filmmaker struck gold with the 2012 indie movie The Lunchbox, which was produced under her banner and starred Irrfan Khan, Nimrat Kaur, and Nawazuddin Siddiqui. The movie was selected for the International Critics' Week and a midnight screening at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival, with The Hollywood Reporter, calling her the "most prolific producer of a new wave of cinema".

[caption id="attachment_36158" align="aligncenter" width="650"] Filmmaker | Guneet Monga | Global Indian Guneet with the team of The Lunchbox at Cannes Film Festival, 2013[/caption]

A hustler, Guneet raised nearly ₹10 million for her next production, Peddlers, by posting the film's script on Facebook. The movie was selected at the International Critics' Week, won rave reviews, and opened new markets for Indian Cinema. "I do not mind hustling for a movie. I once knocked on the door of American filmmaker, Martin Scorsese, uninvited, to promote Gangs of Wasseypur. I gave the DVD of the film to the person who opened the door, wrote my email id on the back of it and gave it to him. About six months later I received an appreciation mail from Scorsese." the filmmaker shared, adding, "I have so many stories where I approached big movie names just to promote my film. I once crashed a dinner of Quentin Tarantino at a film festival and told him about a movie of mine that had just been released. I found a chair and self-invited myself to that dinner party. I am okay to do anything to promote a first-time filmmaker."

[caption id="attachment_36159" align="aligncenter" width="650"] Filmmaker | Guneet Monga | Global Indian Guneet (extreme right) with the team of Masaan at the Cannes Film Festival, 2015[/caption]

In 2015, another movie of Guneet's, Masaan was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival winning two awards and putting her in the international movie fraternity's spotlight. About four years later, the filmmaker co-produced Period. End of Sentence., which followed a group of local women in Hapur, as they learn how to operate a machine that makes low-cost, biodegradable sanitary pads, which they sell to other women at affordable prices. The movie won Academy Award for Best Documentary (Short Subject) at the 91st Academy Awards.

[caption id="attachment_36160" align="aligncenter" width="650"] Filmmaker | Guneet Monga | Global Indian Guneet received the second highest civilian French honour in 2021[/caption]

In 2021, Guneet was conferred with the Chevalier dans l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Government. Focussed on promoting female filmmakers and women-centric movies, Guneet is all for pushing barriers and breaking stereotypes. "I am deeply focused on working with female directors. If not female directors, the most important part of my story has been forwarding female stories in my work. Everything that I lean into as a filmmaker is forwarding a female case. If producers give more backing that is definitely going to change and that is exactly what I am trying to back – the works of good independent woman filmmakers," she shared during an interview.

Follow Guneet Monga on Instagram and Twitter

Reading Time: 6 mins

Flags of Friendship: Vexillologist Raghavendran is on a quest to promote global harmony

(February 8, 2024) The diplomatic representatives from seven nations serving in India, including Costa Rica, Malaysia, El Salvador, Mali, Palau, the UK, and Germany, have paid a personal visit to vexillologist and vocalist Raghavendran V. They have presented him with desk flags typically used during their ceremonial occasions such as agreement signings or bilateral meetings. Their visit has been a gesture of appreciation for Raghavendran's endeavours in advancing peace, harmony, and friendship, aligning with the principles of Vasudaiva Kutumbakam (The World is One Family). Many other diplomatic heads have acknowledged Raghavendran’s unique attempt by dispatching their flags with a letter of appreciation boosting his efforts. The Bengalurean has devoted more than six years to his passion for vexillology (the study of flags and their symbolism). [caption id="attachment_48868" align="aligncenter" width="524"] Raghavendran V[/caption] "I have written to high commissions, embassies, and consulates of different countries serving in India, requesting their respective desk flags. I aim to collect flags from all 193 countries that are member states of the United Nations, and the two other countries,” Raghavendran shares with Global Indian. “So far I have been successful in collecting flags of 160 countries and need 35 more to reach my target and apply

n to high commissions, embassies, and consulates of different countries serving in India, requesting their respective desk flags. I aim to collect flags from all 193 countries that are member states of the United Nations, and the two other countries,” Raghavendran shares with Global Indian. “So far I have been successful in collecting flags of 160 countries and need 35 more to reach my target and apply for the Guinness world record.”

Creating records

The vexillologist, who is associated with organisations like the North American Vexillology Association (NAVA), South African Vexillology Association (SAVA), Vexillology Ireland, and the New Zealand Flag Association, received an appreciation letter from the Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture, Meenakshi Lekhi, upon reaching a milestone of 150 flags in his collection. He has also earned a place in the Best of India Records Book and the Worldwide Book of Records.

Despite spending more than two decades of his life bedridden, the Carnatic vocalist is a man of many talents. He recently concluded his thirty-fourth concert. As a philatelist, he has collected 10,000 stamps from different countries and boasts of an impressive collection of coins and currency notes of minimum denomination, and also 27 miniature models of airplanes.

Giving Back

As the CEO of the HSVJ Foundation, which he co-founded with a group of friends living abroad, Raghavendran is dedicated to serving disadvantaged communities and has been contributing to keeping the planet green through tree plantation drives. “With support of my friends 675 saplings have been planted so far in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu,” he shares.

Known for his ability to provide personalised emotional support, Raghavendran is frequently sought after by individuals going through a difficult phase in their lives. Recently he got inducted as the Honorary Director of the Social Inclusion and Global Amity Division of the Confederation of Young Leaders, based in New Delhi.

Rising above odds

“I have lost 22 precious years of my life owing to my medical condition,” he reveals. “I overcame my physical challenges through positive thinking, self-confidence, and hard work,” tells the warrior who lost his mobility and sitting posture after undergoing three unsuccessful ortho surgeries in 1990. “Due to the negligence of the doctor all the three surgeries that he did were defective,” he remarks.

“I then underwent three major and very expensive corrective surgeries in 2013-2014 with the generous support of late playback singer Sri S.P Balasubramaniam, and under the skillful care of Dr Rajasekaran of Ganga Hospital in Coimbatore. It was only then that I was able to walk slowly with the support of a walking stick,” he shares.

[caption id="attachment_48878" align="aligncenter" width="532"] Indian Art and Culture | Raghavendran V | Global Indian Raghavendran V with late playback singer S.P Balasubramaniam[/caption]

Raghavendran was just a ninth-grade student when sudden pain in the joints during a stage performance left him helpless. Despite undergoing numerous treatments in Chennai, his condition deteriorated rapidly within a few days, plunging him into excruciating pain and leading to a decline in his mobility to the extent that he remained completely immobile for 22 years.

Despite being unable to attend formal education due to his physical limitations, he took charge of his own learning journey, relying on BBC radio as a constant companion. "By treating the channel as my friend and companion, I not only expanded my knowledge of the world but also sharpened my communication skills," says Raghavendran, who has cultivated a strong network of friends spanning borders. These friendships have been instrumental in supporting his endeavours in collecting flags, stamps, coins, and currency, and have provided moral support in his career as a vocalist.

Fighting odds through music

“Music became my weapon against trauma," shares the 48-year-old, who has harboured a passion for singing since childhood. In addition to avidly tuning in to BBC radio, and reading some good newspapers like The Hindu, he immersed himself in watching Rajnikant movies and music, honing his ear for melodies. "I can sing up to 400 songs from memory alone," he proudly states.

Raghavendran has been learning Carnatic music vocal from renowned artists like Vidwan Sri Udupi Gopalakrishnan. He is also being guided by Vidwan Dr Vidyabhushana in Bengaluru. These accomplished individuals typically don't make house calls for teaching, but upon witnessing Raghavendran's talent and considering his physical condition, they graciously made an exception, carving out time from their hectic schedules to do so.

[caption id="attachment_48873" align="aligncenter" width="703"] Indian Art and Culture | Raghavendran V | Global Indian Raghavendran V at a Carnatic vocal performance[/caption]

The journey of vexillology

With a knack for networking, Raghavendran has cultivated connections with various individuals, including orthopaedic specialists due to his ailment. People often seek his advice on orthopaedic matters, as he possesses valuable insights to offer.

A few years back, a Bangladeshi acquaintance of his visited him in the hospital upon learning about his hip joint replacement. She sought his assistance in consulting his doctor for her nephew's treatment. During the discussion, she came to know that Raghavendran is fascinated by the flags of different countries, an interest he developed while watching the telecast of one of the Olympics' opening ceremonies. Upon returning to Bangladesh, she sent him a cloth flag as a token of gratitude. "That flag marked the beginning of my collection,” he says. Later, his friends also started bringing back flags from their trips abroad.

While acquiring flags for certain countries proved relatively simple, others like North Korea, Palestine, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan posed more of a challenge. “I have waited for two to three years to get desk flags of some countries,” he says. Some nations are in very remote areas, requiring extra time and effort to obtain their flags, while representatives of some other nations prefer to meet them in person to present the flag, hence the delay.

“For countries without offices in India, like Cameroon, Mauritania, Eswatini, and Gambia, I have corresponded with their offices located elsewhere in the world,” he says. To diplomatic heads of some countries, he has even requested for the flags to be sent to his friends residing in those regions. “They then courier the flags to Bengaluru. That is how I received the table flags from the Kingdom of Jordan and East Timor," he explains.

On social media, Raghavendran actively promotes bilateral relations between India and other countries by sharing images of desk flags representing both nations on special occasions such as their national days. Once I collect flags of all the 195 countries, I would like to meet our honourable prime minister Shri Narendra Modi, and dedicate my achievements and the work I have been doing for our nation,” he remarks.

Multi-talented personality

Raghavendran leads a disciplined life and never wastes time. Deeply intrigued by Android applications, he delved into the technology and developed his expertise. Recognising his proficiency, a Hong Kong-based android developer named Handcent approached him and engaged his services as a freelance consultant to provide insights and ideas for enhancing their applications. "I purchased my first Android phone with the earnings from that opportunity," he mentions happily.

Message for society

Raghvendran is immensely thankful to his parents for giving him all their support and care. “If it would not have been for their compassion and unconditional love, growing up into such a positive and multi-faceted individual was impossible.”

[caption id="attachment_48875" align="aligncenter" width="560"] Indian Art and Culture | Raghavendran V | Global Indian Raghavendran V[/caption]

He advocates for a compassionate society and emphasises the importance of creating an environment where individuals facing disabilities receive understanding and support both within their families and in their communities. He believes that with a positive atmosphere, overcoming challenges becomes significantly easier.

For the ones who are going through a tough phase in their life due to any physical or mental ailment, Raghavendran has a piece of advice too. “Maintain a positive mindset. Tap into your hidden talents, to get rid of negativity and become mentally strong. Disability should never serve as a deterrent; rather, with willpower and hard work, anything is achievable,” he signs off.

Follow Raghavendran V on Twitter and LinkedIn
You can reach out to him at: raghavendran24@yahoo.com

Reading Time: 5 mins

Amazon conservationist Shaji Thomas rows deep into forests to help tribes

(April 5, 2022) The year at a training programme in Brazil was nothing short of a lifetime opportunity for Shaji Thomas. Little did the Kerala-born environmentalist know that in the dense forests of Amazon, he would find a home. In the past 32 years, Shaji has risked his life on numerous occasions, to not only save the tropical rainforests but also for the upliftment of over 60 communities living in the heart of the region. Despite the struggles, he wouldn’t want it any other way. "I intended to stay in this country only for a year when I arrived at Sao Paulo in 1989. But I could never return, and that is one decision I will always be proud of," shares the environmentalist, who lives in Belém, Brazil, during an interview with Global Indian. A green panther Growing up in Ramapuram village of the Kottayam district of Kerala, Shaji was third of the six kids in the family. His father was a local politician and his mother, a housewife. Home tutored in the initial years of his life, the environmentalist was brilliant with numbers. "I even passed the Indian Sainik School entrance exam, but my mother was not in favour

environmentalist was brilliant with numbers. "I even passed the Indian Sainik School entrance exam, but my mother was not in favour of sending me far away," he shares, adding that nature intrigued him even as a child. But he equally enjoyed school. “I was a good student and participated in scouts and guides and NCC. We had agricultural land on which we grew cocoa, rubber, coffee, coconut, paddy and pepper," says Shaji.

[caption id="attachment_22571" align="aligncenter" width="723"] Shaji Thomas[/caption]

However, when his father asked him to join local politics, he packed his bags and left for Mysuru University to pursue social science, politics and economics. At the same time, he received a degree in philosophy from the Institute of Vidyaniketan in Mysuru. “During college, I got an opportunity to visit Odisha, where I lived with tribal communities," adds Shaji.

Upon his graduation, he got the opportunity to do a year of an overseas training programme in Sao Paulo by the Religious Institution Society of Divine Work. With no direct flight to Brazil from India at that time, he spent a week travelling to his destination. "No one came to pick me up and I didn't have enough money to pay for a cab. Almost no one spoke English and I didn't know Portuguese. Fortunately, a taxi driver took mercy on me and dropped me at the institute," reveals the environmentalist.

Guardian of the forest

Although it was his dream, Shaji found Brazil “very strange” in the beginning. From falling sick after gulping down a cup of caipirinha, which he thought to be a juice to learning Portuguese from a Japanese teacher, he had his share of peculiar moments.

[caption id="attachment_22572" align="aligncenter" width="716"] Shaji during a forestation event[/caption]

But it was his institute’s involvement in social movements across Brazil that piqued his interest and understanding of the issues faced by various communities. He, too, dived into one of the largest movements in Latin America, Landless Workers’ Movement which “changed” his life. Upon completion of his training, the institute invited him to study theology, and he decided to stay.

In 1991, Shaji visited Amazon for a vacation, which took him four hours by plane and 12 hours by boat to reach. "I was visiting the Quilombola community, who are people of Afro-descent. I had heard stories about their hostility towards visitors. However, my experience was completely different. Their chief invited me over dinner and offered me the first plate of food - which is a mark of respect," he says.

That’s when he learnt about the several issues faced by the communities. "Most of Brazil is covered by the Amazon forest and many of the communities living here are Afro-descendants. At one point, their forefathers used to own these lands, but now these people are harassed by the land, mining, drugs, and timber mafia. They grab their land, and make them work for free. They do not have clean water, electricity, education, or even access to a medical centre," divulges the environmentalist.

In 1993, he returned to the Amazon forests to fight for the rights of indigenous people and environmental conservation. For the next six years, he lived on a boat in the Amazon river, visiting various communities and helping them in matters of land conflict.

Mafia, violence and gunshots

Though the environmentalist is happy living with his family in Brazil, the journey was not all peachy. Working with over 60 communities, fighting for their rights, while protecting the forest got Shaji in trouble with people, including the land and wood mafia. He wasn't only threatened but also attacked by them. "A few times the timber mafia even tried to sink my boat, but I was lucky to escape," says Shaji. Few of his friends, including famous Brazilian activist Dorothy Stang, however, weren't as lucky as him and were shot by the forest mafia. "I worked with Dorothy in the same organisation for the protection of Amazon’s residents. Her death was a big blow, but we knew we couldn't stop fighting," shares the activist.

[caption id="attachment_22573" align="aligncenter" width="660"] Shaji Thomas[/caption]

Though he continued to fight for the locals, his status as a foreigner often worked against him. "To prove to them that I wasn't going to go away, I took Brazilian citizenship in 2003," says Shaji. Realising that understanding the law of the land will help him serve these communities better, Shaji decided to pursue law at the Estácio do Pará College in Belém in 2007.

Miles to go...

After three decades, Shaji continues to work with the communities. Living in Belém, with his wife Elysangela Pinheiro, a Brazilian lawyer, a 17-year-old son Santosh and four-year-old daughter, Sofia, Shaji feels there is still more to be done. "Until 2002 these people had no help from the government. While the situation was getting better after Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva came to power, the subsequent governments have not worked for the betterment of these communities. There are no measures in place to control the land grabbing. Several hydroelectric projects have been established in Amazon, due to which the region's massive biodiversity — the largest in the world — is going underwater,” he explains.

[caption id="attachment_22574" align="aligncenter" width="711"] Shaji with his family[/caption]

Currently he is working as a researcher at the Federal University of Pará, in natural resource management and climate change. He has been conducting several forestations drives and workshops on legal awareness for the indigenous communities. In his free time, he loves to tend to his kitchen garden with his son or take long walks with his family along the Amazon.

While the couple did visit India a few years ago, Shaji isn’t in touch with his family much. “My father is no more, but my mother was very happy with my visit," he concludes.

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Reading Time: 6 min

Artiste Rekha Tandon: Bridging yoga with Indian classical dance

(May 2, 2024) Many Indian dancers would agree that Indian classical dances and yoga have similar roots and tales associated with them. From the mudras to the various positions and alignments, many things are similar in yoga and our classical dances. However, over the period of time, people have forgotten the connection between dance and yoga. Eminent Odissi artiste Rekha Tandon, is working on re-bridging the gap between Indian classical dance and yoga. [caption id="attachment_24385" align="aligncenter" width="550"] Odissi artiste Rekha Tandon[/caption] Living in a quaint and beautiful house in Auroville, which is situated near Puducherry, the Odissi dancer hosts artistes from across the globe for residencies and workshops. She has presented performances at many festivals in different parts of the world, including at the Quay Theatre, The Lowry, Manchester (2007), Mary’s Gallery, Sydney (2012), Tantrutsav, Kalarigram (2018) and Pondicherry Heritage Festival (2019). View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rekha Tandon (@danceroutes_skandavan) An author of the book of Dance as Yoga: The Spirit and Technique Odissi, Rekha explains that yoga has been the fundamental building block of Indian art for centuries. "In essence, yoga is the union of matter and spirit. The process of refining any

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An author of the book of Dance as Yoga: The Spirit and Technique Odissi, Rekha explains that yoga has been the fundamental building block of Indian art for centuries. "In essence, yoga is the union of matter and spirit. The process of refining any body movement skills and aspiring for excellence, is by itself very naturally ‘yogic’," shares the artiste during a conversation with Global Indian, adding, "Yoga has made such a strong impact on global consciousness, and all Indian classical dance forms embody yoga. This integral connection will acquire more widespread acknowledgment and as it does, I am sure more people will gravitate towards them."

Born to dance

Born in Karachi, Pakistan, well-known Odissi dancer Rekha Tandon is shaping Indian classical dance - Odissi - for a contemporary world. As her father was working with the Indian Foreign Services, Rekha lived in various countries, including Germany, Belgium, and Egypt. Moving from one country to the other, if there was one thing that stuck with Rekha, it was dancing. "I loved to dance even as a child," shares the artiste, adding, "I was introduced to various Indian classical dances, such as Bharatnatyam, Kathak, and Khathakali in school. In fact, when I lived in Cairo, I even learned western ballet."

[caption id="attachment_24386" align="aligncenter" width="550"] Artiste | Rekha Tandon | Global Indian Rekha with Padmashree Madhavi Mudgal, in 1985[/caption]

However, the family was struck with tragedy when the artiste's father passed away in a glider crash, in 1981. The dancer's mother, who had been a housewife until then, started working India Tourism Development Corporation and later also worked for the former Prime Minister of India, Rajiv Gandhi. The family moved to Delhi, and it was in this city that Rekha fell in love with Odissi.

"I was about 15 years old, and during an event, I saw eminent dancer Kiran Segal perform. Although I had been dancing for about six to seven years by then, I was transfixed by the lyrical quality of her performance, It seemed to combine contrasts effortlessly — strong, defined lower body footwork with a very fluid, curvilinear upper body that was perfectly amalgamated," shares the artiste, who soon started learning Odissi, under Guru Surendra Nath Jena - whose dance style incorporated the various aspects of Indian culture, such as temple sculpture, ancient dance, Sanskrit and vernacular literature, yoga, traditional painting, manuscripts, and philosophy.

[caption id="attachment_24387" align="aligncenter" width="551"] Artiste | Rekha Tandon | Global Indian Rekha Tandon with other Odissi artistes[/caption]

"Initially it was more like something I did in the afternoons, after school. But slowly my focus changed and dancing became much more than just a hobby for me," shares the artiste, who pursued a bachelor's degree in planning and architecture.

A dance academician

After six years of practice under Guru Surendra Nath Jena, a 23-year-old Rekha started rehearsing at the Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, under Padma Shri Madhavi Mudgal. "Though my mother was very supportive, I still had a lot of pressure to look for a job. So, in 1985 after my graduation, I apprenticed under an architect, who was working with noted designer Rajeev Sethi. We worked on the event Festivals of India. However, I think dancing was where my soul was," laughs the artiste, who later did a master's in history of art, from the National Museum Institute of History of Art, Conservation and Museology between 1990 and 1994.

[caption id="attachment_24388" align="aligncenter" width="551"] Artiste | Rekha Tandon | Global Indian Rekha at Skandavan with her students[/caption]

While Rekha had been practicing Odissi and presenting solo performances at many festivals in different parts of the world since 1985, she wanted to learn more about the history of Indian dances and understand the culture better. So, in 1995 the dancer started pursuing a PhD in Dance Studies from the Trinity Laban - United Kingdom's only conservatoire of music and contemporary dance. It was here that the dancer met her now-husband, Michael Weston, who is a musician.

As the artiste studied and researched at the centre about how the Indian dances were connected to the temples, yoga, and philosophy, Rekha was also working with the kids trained in Gotipua dance in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. In 1997, the dancer co-founded Dance Routes with her husband, to help these kids slow down their acrobatics and learn new choreography.

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A post shared by Rekha Tandon (@danceroutes_skandavan)

Explaining her work with the Gotipua dancers, Rekha shares, "Gotipua is basically a traditional dance form, which is the precursor of Odissi. These kids have been performing in the courtyards of the Hindu temples since 16th century. It has been performed in Orissa for centuries by young boys, who dress as women to praise Jagannath and Krishna. Once they become fully mature at the age of 14 or 15, they stop dancing. So much skill was invested in 10 years of their life. However, they eventually were jettisoned from this tradition and had to find alternative sources of income. Our work involved developing their skills further and creating productions that could be staged in cities.”

Living in the lap of nature

The artiste first visited the beautiful Auroville - which she now calls home - for a workshop, along with her husband. "It was during our third visit to Auroville that we decided to make it our base. We have beautiful rooms for foreign visitors, who come for the residencies. I also have a few students from Auroville, and Puducherry, whom I teach Odissi."

Over the last few years, Rekha and her husband have documented, researched, and produced DVDs in connection with the art form. Shares the artiste, “We have this interesting history folk tradition being revised as classical tradition. And, it would be tragic to just tap into the final product of Odissi and not look back at the elements that went into it. The focus of the hour is while learning Odissi, being aware of the resources that went into building it right from the beginning.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vp5P__5Pvgs

Giving an insight into her world, the artiste shares, "I live and work mostly from a studio residence in Skandavan which is a beautiful two-acre garden near Auroville, with my husband, Michael, two dogs, a cat, several chickens, and two big fishponds. We inevitably always have guests or students living on the premises as well. So, every day is always busy from very early morning onwards. When I can, I enjoy watching movies, reading, or just being with the animals."

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Reading Time: 6 mins