Grammarly CEO | Indian CEO |Global Indian

Global IndianstoryGrammarly’s new chapter: Indian-American Rahul Roy-Chowdhury appointed CEO

Grammarly’s new chapter: Indian-American Rahul Roy-Chowdhury appointed CEO

Compiled by: Amrita Priya

(March 24, 2023) As Grammarly approaches its fourteenth birthday, it’s going through an exciting transition with the appointment of its new CEO.  The market leader in helping people communicate better and one of the first platforms providing assistive AI to millions of people will now be headed by Indian-American, Rahul Roy-Chowdhury.

“I joined Grammarly two years ago because of a deep belief in our mission to improve lives by improving communication. I’m honoured to serve that mission in a new capacity as Grammarly’s CEO, starting May 1,” Roy-Chowdhury shared on LinkedIn and Twitter.

“Our millions of users remain our north star as we continue solving their real communication challenges. Grammarly has been harnessing innovation in AI responsibly for over a decade, and we’re just getting started!” added Roy-Chowdhury who has been serving as the Global Head of Product in the organisation since 2021.

Rahul Roy-Chowdhury

He thanked his predecessor Brad Hoover for his leadership over the last 12 years. “It can only be described as an epic run!” Roy-Chowdhury mentioned in his message.

From Google to Grammarly

The business executive spent over a decade in Google, starting out in the Bengaluru office as a product manager in 2007. He climbed the hierarchy ladder, becoming the vice president of product management during his 14-year stint. Two years after he joined Google, he moved to California.

Roy-Chowdhury spent his years at Google leading the safety, security and privacy teams coming up with unified solutions across Google’s product portfolio. He also led the product management teams for Chrome OS and the Chrome browser.

The empathetic leader and team builder has been passionate about his craft of product management, applying a human-centred approach to problem solving.

Inclusivity and mentorship

With a mission-driven mindset, Roy-Chowdhury places emphasis on the value of inclusive process in building a high-quality decision-making culture at workplace.

I care about the mission, and I care about the possibility that what I am working on can impact the world. Trying to bring about the world we believe in keeps me going.

Rahul Roy-Chowdhury said in a podcast

Mentoring product leaders and entrepreneurs and sharing the lessons he has learned, has been an important part of Roy-Chowdhury’s career graph.

From Grammarly to GrammarlyGO

Roy-Chowdhury has announced Grammarly’s new AI tool, GrammarlyGO – the next evolution of the digital writing assistant. “GrammarlyGO brings the power of generative AI to Grammarly: it works everywhere you write, uses context to create personalized and relevant content, keeps you safe from harm and brings the comfort of our enterprise-grade security and privacy guarantees. Let’s GO!!” Users would be able to use the new assistive tool from April onwards.

"That means practically wherever you go to write something—composing an email or opening up a Google doc, GrammarlyGO will be there to assist you." @mashable's take on our new generative AI product: GrammarlyGO.https://t.co/Sqd5RUeQSP

— Grammarly (@Grammarly) March 20, 2023

Driving excellence

Brad Hoover, Roy-Chowdhury’s predecessor at Grammarly is all praise for his abilities. “During his two years at Grammarly, Rahul has focused on driving excellence and helped us up-level as a company. He has pushed our thinking and driven the organization forward with clarity, keen judgment, and sound decision-making,” he said, as he announced Roy-Chowdhury’s appointment. “Under Rahul’s leadership, we also took a big step forward with our product, increasing quality and introducing solutions to help beyond the revision stage of communication,” he added.

Successfully enabling billions of people worldwide access the power of the open web, Roy-Chowdhury oversaw the entire functioning of the writing assistance software – managing the product, design, and data science teams.

The course of life

Roy-Chowdhury’s academic accomplishments are as impressive as his professional journey. After doing his BS in mathematics from Hamilton College, he went on to do MS in computer science from Columbia University, and an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business.

On the personal front, one of his big goals has been to impart his love for ’80s music to his children, and has made some progress with the British rock band, Queen’s ‘Another One Bites the Dust’.

Follow Rahul Roy-Chowdhury on Twitter and LinkedIn

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Published on 24, Mar 2023

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Who is Avinash Sable, the first Indian to qualify for the Olympic men’s steeplechase finals

(August 10, 2024) It was at the Stade de France that Asian Games champion Avinash Sable lined up with his opponents for the men's 3000m steeplechase final at the Paris Olympics 2024. Sprinting in his orange shoes, he made a quick start and led the pack in the opening lap but soon fell behind and ended up finishing eleventh in a sport that's mostly dominated by East African athletes. Though he failed to win a medal at the Paris Olympics, Indian athletes achieved a series of firsts at the sporting event. Among these achievements was Sable becoming the first Indian to qualify for the men's 3000m steeplechase final, finishing fifth in the qualification round with a timing of 8:15.43. [caption id="attachment_53496" align="aligncenter" width="829"] Avinash Sable at Paris Olympics 2024[/caption] The Indian athlete, also a national record-holder in men's 5000m, is a man of determination and hard work. Coming from Beed district, an area known for its landless workers and migrant labourers, Avinash faced a harsh reality that fuelled his drive for success. Watching his parents constantly move for work instilled in him a relentless work ethic and a passion to do whatever it takes to achieve his goals. “For me,

elled his drive for success. Watching his parents constantly move for work instilled in him a relentless work ethic and a passion to do whatever it takes to achieve his goals. “For me, the background of the athlete is very important. Those who come from humble families, from the villages have faced the worst situations in life, those things made them hardened and battle-ready. They are not afraid of adversity and want to work hard. Sable was special and different from others. He has a will of steel and he can come back from any worse scenario” his former coach Amrish Kumar said in an interview.

Sable, who set a national record with his best timing of 8:09.94 during this year's Diamond League, never initially intended to become an athlete. "When I was a child, I had never thought I would become an athlete and win medals for the country. It's destiny,” the Global Indian said.

Adversity shaped his ability to overcome any obstacle

Born into a farmer's family in 1994 in Mandwa village, Beed district, Maharashtra, Sable grew up with modest means. His parents owned a small piece of land and worked as daily wage laborers in brick kilns. With his school nearly six kilometers away, Sable often ran to make it on time, while also helping his parents part-time at the kilns. Recognizing his potential, his schoolteachers encouraged him to participate in a local marathon at the age of nine. He won first place and a cash prize of ₹100. This victory boosted his confidence, and the muddy roads of his village soon became his training ground.

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While continuing to train and run marathons, Sable began working at construction sites after finishing Class 10 to help his family earn extra income. Despite enrolling in a local college, his struggles persisted. He had to run eight kilometers daily to reach college, where his talent was once again recognized by a teacher who played a pivotal role in broadening his horizons by accompanying him to collegiate-level track and field competitions. Always eager to join the Indian Army, Sable was recruited into the 5 Mahar regiment at the age of 18. In his early years of service, Avinash endured two extreme weather conditions—first, in the freezing cold of Siachen, the world’s highest battlefield, and later in the scorching 50-degree Celsius heat of Rajasthan. These experiences toughened him, preparing him to face any challenge that came his way.

Discovering his passion for Steeplechase

This determination led him to participate in a cross-country race within his regiment, and he soon began competing in larger events, eventually securing fifth place at the National Cross-Country Championship. It was there that he met his coach, Amrish Kumar, an Indian Army coach who mentors long-distance athletes. Kumar recognized Sable's potential and pushed him to improve further. In 2017, at Kumar's suggestion, Avinash switched from cross-country to the 3000m steeplechase. Within just one year of dedicated training, Sable shattered a national record that had stood for 37 years, achieving this remarkable feat in 2018.

Avinash Sable | Global Indian

The following year, at the Federation Cup in Patiala, Sable set a new record with a time of 8:28.94. This outstanding performance qualified him for both the 2019 Asian Athletics Championships and the 2019 World Athletics Championships, making him the first Indian male steeplechaser to qualify for the World Championships. He secured a silver medal in his international debut at the 2019 Asian Athletics Championships in Doha and went on to break his own national record twice at the World Championships. "The steeplechase is a very tactical race. So, most times, I was told it was not possible to break this record in India because no one can set that kind of pace in India. So, I had to set the pace for myself too," Avinash said in an interview.

Racing to the finish line

In the final, Sable finished 13th with an impressive time of 8:21.37, not only surpassing the national record once more but also securing his qualification for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. This remarkable feat made him the first Indian to qualify for the steeplechase event at the Olympics since Gulzara Singh Mann in 1952. However, the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the Olympics by a year, and just three months before the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics in 2021, Avinash tested positive, impacting his performance at the world's biggest sporting event. Despite this setback, he managed to break his record yet again, though it was only enough to secure a seventh-place finish.

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However, Sable made a remarkable comeback at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, winning a silver medal in the steeplechase. This achievement made him the first athlete from outside Kenya to win a medal in the men’s 3000 meters steeplechase at the Commonwealth Games since 1994. He then reached new heights at the 2023 Asian Games, where he made history by winning India’s first-ever gold medal in the steeplechase and also earned a silver medal in the men’s 5000m.

His participation in the 3000m steeplechase final at the Paris Olympics 2024 marked a significant chapter in his illustrious career. His journey, from humble beginnings to becoming a global contender, reflects his unwavering determination and resilience. Despite the intense competition and challenges, Sable’s performance in Paris showcased his exceptional talent and grit, solidifying his place as one of India’s premier athletes.

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Jessica Kumar: The American Hindi Teacher

(March 15, 2023) Growing up in the US, Jessica was fascinated with the idea of traveling to different parts of the world. The quintessential American girl had never imagined becoming an Indian bride one day – but life, as she soon learned, had its own plans for her. Married to Abhishek Kumar, Jessica, who speaks Hindi just like any native speaker, has an interesting tale of ‘romance with India’ to share. She started the 'Invisible India Podcast’, to explore Indian culture through the eyes of an American and an NRI returning to India. Along the way, Jessica also forayed into a new venture, ‘Learn Hindi Anywhere,’ helping non-native speakers and second generation NRIs get a hold on the language.’ [caption id="attachment_36204" align="aligncenter" width="697"] Jessica Kumar[/caption] “I’m passionate about Hindi,” she says, during an interview with Global Indian. In her podcast, she tells stories of people who have broken stereotypes, are preserving India’s culture and languages, tackling societal issues and working to develop cross cultural relationships. Her Hindi classes, however, are about practical, real-world content, presented in a fun and engaging manner so that "instead of being a chore, it becomes fun for the learners,” Jessica explains. Since her learners

contrast="auto">“I’m passionate about Hindi,” she says, during an interview with Global Indian. In her podcast, she tells stories of people who have broken stereotypes, are preserving India’s culture and languages, tackling societal issues and working to develop cross cultural relationships. Her Hindi classes, however, are about practical, real-world content, presented in a fun and engaging manner so that "instead of being a chore, it becomes fun for the learners,” Jessica explains.

Since her learners are those who have not been raised in a Hindi-speaking environment, they require a different approach to learning, and this is where Jessica has put her maximum focus. “My classes are not run-of-the-mill, like starting with the alphabets. My learners want to be able to have conversations in Hindi, that’s all,” she remarks.

Teaching people based in UK, US, Canada, Dubai, Eastern Africa, foreigners in India, and Indians from non-Hindi speaking states, the American Hindi teacher motivates learners by being an example. ‘If I can speak Hindi, they can too.’

The beginning of the Indian affair

Back in 2006, armed with a degree in marketing and economics in the US, Jessica was thrilled when she got an internship opportunity in India. “My father, who is a businessman, used to travel abroad for work, and I always had a dream of doing the same,” she tells.

Indian Diaspora | Jessica Kumar | Global Indian

India was not specifically on her mind but the country offered a certain uniqueness. Jessica interned at an American entrepreneur’s IT firm based in Haridwar, and at the end of it was pleased to get hired in the company. By then she had already fallen in love with the place, built an understanding of the culture and had made many friends.

After four years of working and staying in Haridwar, she moved back to USA, where another beautiful twist of fate was waiting to be unfurled.

Jessica – the Indian bride

In the US, Jessica learned about an organisation which was involved with supporting immigrants and refugees. They were looking for volunteers who could communicate in Hindi. Since she had developed a good grasp on the language, she stepped in to volunteer. There, she was introduced to Abhishek, who had been working in the US for a few years. The two fell in love and got married in 2010.

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

The couple, who are now parents of two kids, returned to India after a few years of their married life in the US, to be with Abhishek’s ageing parents. They spent the first six years in Abhishek’s home state, Bihar. Abhishek is also associated with an NGO that works to uplift the underprivileged and the couple host many podcasts together.

Of late, the family has been shuttling between Uttarakhand and Bihar for work and personal commitments.

Jessica’s Hindi…

The Invisible India Podcast is now in its fourth year and has found a foothold. However, the Hindi classes, which were launched last year, are keeping Jessica involved.

As far as her own Hindi is concerned, she says, “rehte-rehte, practice karte-karte seekh gayi.” Her grasp of the language improved in leaps and bounds after her marriage. “My in-laws talk to me only in Hindi and on top of that, I can also speak a little in Angika, the dialect they use with their relatives. That’s a different Hindi altogether,” she laughs.

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A post shared by Jessica | Learn Hindi Anywhere (@indiawithjessica)

Describing her experiences in India, Jessica is full of praise. “People here are very ‘milansar’ and accepting of me,” she tells. “In other cultures, people just expect you to adjust to their way of life and take your efforts to do so for granted. In India, that is not the case. Indians are always so happy to see foreigners leaning towards Indian culture and shower them with love. This is what happened with me,” she smiles.

Follow Jessica Kumar on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube
Listen to Invisible India Podcasts
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Reading Time: 5 mins

Knotting it right: Haresh Adnani is crafting bespoke carpets with artistic legacy

(May 29, 2024) Over the years, Haresh Adnani has skillfully woven his entrepreneurial spirit into Nodana (from the Latin word Nodus meaning knot), a bespoke carpet venture that elevates his family's three-decade legacy in home textiles by creating the most exquisite carpets. The entrepreneur has turned his carpet brand into his signature achievement while steadfastly supporting artisans in preserving their craftsmanship. To him, rug-weaving is an art form that demands precision, technique, and creative talent. The Spirit of Entrepreneurship Born in 1973, Haresh was raised in Mumbai, where he completed his schooling from Greenlawns and did his B.com from the popular HR College of Commerce. While studying, he began to intern at a garment export firm. “I have always wanted to be an entrepreneur, with a business in a different line, away from the family run company, so I started with manufacturing and exporting of garments in 1996. Bulk of my products were sold across Europe that included importers, retail chains and mail order companies,” Haresh tells Global Indian. Marketing his garments meant he had to travel extensively across Europe which he truly enjoyed as it meant getting work done and exploring, meeting, and seeing people and countries with its

chains and mail order companies,” Haresh tells Global Indian.

Marketing his garments meant he had to travel extensively across Europe which he truly enjoyed as it meant getting work done and exploring, meeting, and seeing people and countries with its various cultures and food. “Travelling has always fascinated me and to add to this, beautiful landscapes, natural beauty, and the richness of history across Europe made it even more worthwhile and exciting. With the family business growing quite swiftly, in the year 2002, I moved into the home textile division of the company which was also concentrated in exports,” he says.

Haresh Adnani | Global Indian

Business Mantra

Nodana is a part of Adnani Exports Ltd. which is a family owned and run company for over 35 years of manufacturing and exporting home textiles across Europe. “We have always wanted to foray into the Indian market with something special. I was always fascinated by the intricate designs and textures of carpets that I would encounter during my research trips. This felt like the right moment to materialize my wish with the concept of customised carpets. Backed with the experience and expertise of home textiles we marched right ahead in this new venture. India felt like a huge carpet ahead of me to be walked on,” he recollects.

Artisan Cues

The artisans play a crucial role in the creation of their intricate and beautiful pieces of art with many carpet weaving techniques being passed down through generations within artisan families and communities. They often draw on this rich tradition of knowledge and craftsmanship, preserving and honouring ancient techniques while also adapting to modern innovations.

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Carpet weaving is a highly skilled craft that requires years of training and experience to master. Artisans develop a deep understanding of weaving techniques, knotting methods, and design principles through apprenticeship and hands-on practice.

"Nodana has its manufacturing base in a small town called Bhadohi, located in Uttar Pradesh, known as the Carpet City of India. A lot of the artisans are normally contract staff and are given daily wages but at Nodana, our aim is not just based on commercial interest but also a social and emotional responsibility towards this invaluable art that's why all our weavers are on permanent payroll of the company. This helps in creating a family and oneness with the karigars which then eventually transpires in our work and designing,” he says, adding, “We recognise the legacy of this beautiful art and truly believe in it and want to take it forward and hence encourage the newer generation to be a part of this tradition. Our karigars take pride in their workmanship and strive for perfection in every aspect of the weaving process.”

Haresh Adnani | Global Indian

Making the Journey Count

Being very passionate about his work is what makes him start each day with renewed energy and hope."This is why even if I have failed, I have still picked myself up and started from scratch. Results have never defined my direction. I believe in perseverance and hard work, and then sooner or later results will fall in place. Willingness to learn each day, no matter how many years spent in this industry is what keeps me going," says Adnani. His advices potential entrepreneurs to be patient, hardworking and persistent. "Rome wasn’t built in a day and so goes with every business. Nothing comes easy. There are no shortcuts to success. So, it is important to dream and put yourself out there no matter how hard it is," he adds.

Beating Challenges

Like every business, they too have faced challenges at different times. For most, it would be financial and mental challenges but for Adnani it is emotional as well. "Being calm, collected and determined to resolve the issue at hand helps in having a clarity of thought. Sometimes, I have noticed that we try too hard to find a solution, and if we just disconnect and view the problem from a distance, it becomes easier to find the solution," says Haresh, who believes in the concept of community and working together. "You can never overcome a challenge completely on your own. Personally, I belong to the old school of thought, and I treat and respect every person working with me as family, where they also feel they are an integral part of the company and contribute to the process of resolving problems that arise."

Looking Ahead

For someone who has been fond of sports and athletics, he admits that it has stayed with him through the years and he enjoys a good game of cricket and tennis. “Travelling is also something I am very fond of, especially quiet countryside places, close to nature. All this really helps me to unwind and relax. I also love going to the theatre and catching up with friends,” says Adnani.

For his brand, he hopes to take his business to great heights but more important than that is the invaluable smile of the customer on receiving their product and giving space in their home. “I truly believe in the saying that the customer is the king. With every small step, we hope to take this legacy forward for years to come,” he signs off.

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How locally-sourced milk becomes world class cheese in the hands of Luigi Avarelli, the cheese-master in Puttaparthi

(October 12, 2024) He came to India for a break; never left, but set up a dharmasala, a dental clinic and now, Luigi Avarelli runs a successful business making varieties of authentic Italian cheeses. Listening to Luigi Avarelli discuss how he runs his cheese business is a lesson in integrity, passion, and ethics. He lives on the outskirts of the Sathya Sai Baba Ashram in Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh. He’s been here since 1999 and tells Global Indian in an exclusive, how his tryst with India began. “I had been working for 16-17 hours every day for 23 years in Torino – but I am a native of Southern Italy – Cosenza. I was tired and needed a break. I came to the Sathya Sai Baba Ashram and stayed here. When I wanted to return, Baba told me not to go back and stay back in India. So I went to Italy, sold my business to my nephew and moved here permanently. My wife travels between India and Italy frequently.” Drawn to Satya Sai Baba of Puttaparthi, Luigi Avarelli left behind a chain of successful restaurants in Milano, along with a bevy of sports cars, to begin a new spiritual lease

behind a chain of successful restaurants in Milano, along with a bevy of sports cars, to begin a new spiritual lease on life. Today, his team works amid of whir of gleaming steel, operating top of the line machinery from Italy, with which they produce 500-600 kilos of cheese everyday. It's priced anywhere between Rs 1200 and Rs 1800 per kilo. Avarelli's cheeses make their way across the country to a list of top-tier clientele, including The Leela Palace, and Masque, in Mumbai. Even Mukesh Ambani is reportedly a fan of Avarelli's burratta, and the giant white pyramid-shaped dome in his garden, caught the attention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

[caption id="attachment_57766" align="aligncenter" width="342"] Luigi Avarelli | cheese maker | Global Indian Italian cheesemaker Luigi Avarelli[/caption]

Italian Cheese Made in India

When Luigi needed a break, he was working as a manager with a company, running his restaurant [he is also a chef] and is the third-generation cheese-maker in his family, which meant he was in the business of making cheese as well. On his return, after tying up loose ends in Italy, Luigi, with his friend Sai Krishna, decided to build a dharmshala. He says, “We built a dharmshala that provides food and accommodation at a nominal price to 600 people in support of the Super Speciality Hospital built by Sri Sathya Sai Baba. On Thursdays, we provide free food for all the poor in the surrounding area. Then in 2007-08, we built a dental clinic that would provide dental treatment to the poor for free.”

With no Trust funds or any NGO supporting his charitable efforts, he ran out of money in 2013. That is when he decided he had to do something sustainable. “I put my own money and built the structure where my cheese factory is. Sai Krishna helped with the land and I imported all the machinery from Italy.” To counter the heat of Andhra Pradesh, Luigi ensured the walls of the building were two feet thick. The company he set up is called Parthifoods and Caseificio Italia is the brand name under which the cheeses are made and sold.

As for the staff and ingredients, he sourced them locally. “I buy the milk directly from the local farmers and my staff can speak Hindi and Telugu. The vegetarian rennet for the cheese I import from Italy directly.”

Sweet Dreams are made of Cheese

The cheese range made by Luigi includes Mozzarella, Ricotta [low in fat and sodium, it is recommended for low-cal diets and is used to make Neapolitan pastries, Cassatas and Sicilian Cannoli]; Bocconcini and Ciliegine, [both of these are used for salads and appetisers] Mascarpone [excellent for cheesecakes and Tiramisu], Mozzarella “Fior Di Latte” [made from cow’s milk and predominantly used to make a Caprese and pizzas], and Burrata, a product typical of Southern Italy.

I ask why Parmesan cheese is excluded from his list and he explains, “There is no authentic Parmesan cheese in India. In Italy, Parmesan comes from two regions, Parma and Reggio Emilia, in Central Italy: the accurate phrase is ‘Parmigiano Reggiano’. The cows there, the grass they eat, and the milk they produce cannot be replicated in India. What you get here is duplicate Parmesan if it is made here. That is why I do not make Parmesan cheese.”

I buy the milk directly from the local farmers and my staff can speak Hindi and Telugu. The vegetarian rennet for the cheese I import from Italy directly - Luigi Avarelli

[caption id="attachment_57765" align="aligncenter" width="552"] Luigi Avarelli | cheese maker | Global Indian Luigi Avarelli at work. He supplies to some of India's top restaurants and hotel including Araku in Mumbai and The Leela Palace[/caption]

Several hotel chains including The Leela Palace and ITC Gardenia were his clients when he started. While the former still buys their cheese from him, the latter no longer does – a fact he attributes to the changing staff who come with their preferences. However, he has other hotel groups like the Taj and the Oberoi and smaller restaurants and pizzerias buying his cheese in cities like Bengaluru, Chennai and even Hyderabad. When he started, he would personally teach the chefs how to use the cheeses with authentic Italian dishes that best showcased them.

When Luigi started, he was making 30 to 40 kilos of cheese a day in 2014. Today, his factory makes 500 to 600 kilos of cheese every day, all year round. The packaging is kept simple and functional. Depending on the cheese, the price ranges from Rs 1200 to Rs 1800 per kilo. He reiterates that his prices are based on the fact that his cheese is chemical-free, and ethically made with no shortcuts or compromise on the ingredient quality, it is completely natural and authentic. He owns temperature-controlled trucks, through which the cheese is transported with the temperature at a steady 4 degrees Centigrade. “How can cheese makers in India send cheese by train without any cooling? Plus, the cold storage trucks here are at -18 degrees which is too cold for cheese. Hence, I bought my trucks to transport the cheese the right way,” he states. When his business grew, Luigi brought in more machinery from Italy in 2016-17. He would like to expand his reach of customers but logistics are a challenge he says.

Luigi sends his trucks to Bengaluru twice a week and prefers to work with customers who understand the authenticity of his products and the value they add to their dishes. He says, “My goal is not only to make money; it is tough to work with those who don’t understand what I do. Other cheese brands will last a month or more, mine lasts for only one week.”

True Italian Style

With the cheese business keeping him busy, he still has several ideas for what he would like to do next. “I want to set up a food academy, where I can train people to make authentic Italian food. Here, no one has respect for genuine Italian cuisine. They want to add chilli and spices to everything, and ketchup on their pizza and if you give them the original, they say it is not good. People don’t understand that Italian food is different from Indian food and the spices are not the same. So, when I eat out, I eat Indian food, but if I want to have an Italian meal, I cook it myself.”

[caption id="attachment_57782" align="aligncenter" width="558"] Luigi Avarelli | cheese maker | Global Indian Luigi's staff[/caption]

The olive oil he uses to cook his food comes from the trees in his backyard in Italy. His commitment to authenticity shows in everything he does, not just in his products, but his personal life as well. Not surprising then, that only connoisseurs of true Italian cuisine buy his cheeses. And given the quantities he sells every day; it would appear there are quite a few. One can only hope he achieves his goal of setting up a food academy too someday, so people who love global cuisines can learn how to cook authentic Italian. Till then, they just have to make do with the real cheeses he makes.

Aadith Moorthy and Boomitra: From TIME 100 to Earthshot Prize and Forbes 30 Under 30

(July 22, 2024) Founded by Indian origin Aadith Moorthy, Boomitra, which means ‘friend of the earth’ in Sanskrit, has been receiving well-deserved acclaim. The organisation was named in the TIME 100 Companies list of 2024 for being a disruptor in carbon sequestration and supporting smallholder farmers worldwide. Last year, it won the prestigious Earthshot Prize, considered the Oscars for the environment in the ‘Fix Our Climate’ category for successfully removing 10 million tons of carbon from the atmosphere. Aadith Moorthy has made it to the 2024 Forbes 30 Under 30 North America list for creating social impact. Aadith’s journey towards making a difference started eight years ago. During his visit to a remote village in South India, he witnessed a funeral procession of a farmer who had committed suicide, devastated by the hardships he faced due to failed monsoon rains. “This tragic event made me question why farmers, the backbone of society, were forced to struggle,” the Global Indian shared, talking about the reason behind starting Boomitra. This led him to think about how modern technology could offer a solution to such a problem in different geographies. Soon after, driven by the desire to make a change, he laid the

about the reason behind starting Boomitra. This led him to think about how modern technology could offer a solution to such a problem in different geographies.

Soon after, driven by the desire to make a change, he laid the foundation of his startup to address this issue. The Florida native had always been an exemplary student in geography and social sciences, winning the 22nd National Geographic Bee competition in the US when he was just 13. Over the years, he developed an interest in technology and AI, going on to study at the California Institute of Technology for his graduate studies and at Stanford University for his master’s degree. Boomitra became an amalgamation of his interests, aimed at solving societal problems.

[caption id="attachment_53158" align="aligncenter" width="555"] Indian Entrepreneur | Aadith Moorthy | Global Indian Aadith Moorthy with Prince Williams during the Earthshot Prize ceremony[/caption]

Connecting needs of farmers and corporates

Farmers seek carbon-rich soil to enhance crop yields, while corporations aim to neutralise their CO2 emissions. Boomitra connects these two needs. Utilising his expertise in materials science, computer science, and artificial intelligence, Aadith founded Boomitra in 2016 with a mission "to unlock climate action at a gigaton scale through science-backed technology." Ever since, the entrepreneur and his team have been working to "empower farmers and ranchers to create a planet that thrives." Today, Boomitra operates across four continents and twelve countries.

In its eight-year journey, the organisation has established itself as the world’s leading soil carbon marketplace. Boomitra helps farmers and ranchers worldwide drawdown carbon from the atmosphere and store it in their soil. By regenerating soils globally, Boomitra is pioneering a greener future characterised by food system resilience and equality for all. The company has been empowering land stewards and enables businesses to meet their sustainability goals effectively.

As per a statement of Boomitra, “It has been able to reduce 10 million metric tons of CO2 from the atmosphere through the efforts of 150,000 farmers who use company's proprietary AI and remote sensing technology to measure soil carbon stocks, and to restore grasslands through carbon farming.”

[caption id="attachment_53163" align="aligncenter" width="553"] Indian Entrepreneur | Aadith Moorthy | Global Indian Image credit: Boomitra[/caption]

Whether it's restoring grasslands in Northern Mexico, empowering pastoralists in Kenya or supporting ranchers in Chihuahua, Sonoran deserts, lowlands of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay in South America, Boomitra has played a transformative role making lives of the smallholder farmers better.

“Effective climate action requires prioritising those most profoundly affected—communities in the Global South,” believes Aadith. Hence in his native country India, his efforts have benefited smallholder farmers through carbon farming initiatives. The organisation has been working to unlock agricultural sustainability in states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.

Merging AI and farming

Aadith’s unique approach utilises satellites and AI-driven technology to measure soil carbon levels and verify carbon credits for sale on the open market. This method bypasses the need for expensive and time-consuming soil sampling, ensuring that a greater share of the revenue from carbon credits goes directly to farmers.

Under his leadership, Boomitra has been helping farmers adopt techniques like minimal tillage and the use of cover crops, which improve soil quality, capture carbon dioxide, boost crop yields, and mitigate climate change. “It’s not just about technological innovation; it’s about fostering climate solutions that resonate with the heartbeat of our global community,” Aadith Moorthy remarked, highlighting why his organisation is considered a leader in climate action.

The organisation is working on the goal to distribute $200 million in carbon finance to tens of thousands of marginalised farmers by 2025.

[caption id="attachment_53160" align="aligncenter" width="466"] Indian Entrepreneur | Aadith Moorthy | Global Indian Aadith Moorthy[/caption]

Always on the top-of-the-game

The only child of an immigrant computer engineer father and a homemaker mother, Aadith confidently clinched the 22nd National Geographic Bee in 2010. He told National Geographic News at that time, "I wanted to win—that was my goal," adding that he "thought the questions would be harder.”

Just before the final round of the championship, which saw nearly five million fifth- to eighth-grade students vying for spots in the national competition through bees held in all 50 U.S. states, Aadith had mesmerised audiences with his electrifying Carnatic performance.

Along with the U.S. $25,000 college scholarship, the then highschooler of Palm Harbor Middle School had bagged a lifetime membership in the National Geographic Society and a trip to the Galápagos Islands in Ecuador.

After passing out of school when Aadith joined Caltech, he was able to earn yet another scholarship for his further studies which took him to Stanford.

[caption id="attachment_53161" align="aligncenter" width="798"] Aadith Moorthy | Global Indian 2010 National Geographic Bee winner Aadith Moorthy (center) with fellow competitors | Image credit: National Geographic[/caption]

Joining a cohort of students from 20 countries, Aadith had joined the inaugural class of Knight-Hennessy Scholars, a scholarship program founded by Stanford University. The scholarship covered his full tuition, boarding expenses, and a living stipend. The program provided leadership training, and brought him into contact with national and world leaders.

It was not an easy selection process as Aadith and other candidates were interviewed by stalwarts in their fields like the former Secretary of State, former U.S. Ambassador to Russia, the founder of Nike, former Stanford president and the then chairman of the board of Alphabet, Google's parent company.

"This is a culmination of the past four years of my efforts at Caltech,” Aadith had remarked after getting successful in the tough selection process of Stanford's life changing Knight-Hennessy Scholars program.

No stranger to scholarships, Aadith had earned the Barry Goldwater Scholarship before this achievement, which funded the cost of college tuition, other fees, books, and boarding charges for an entire academic year at Caltech.

After winning the 2010 National Geographic Bee at the age of 13, Aadith had correctly answered every question on the AP calculus exam, becoming one of only 11 people to do so that year, at the age of 16.

Love for Carnatic music

Although Aadith was raised in Florida, growing up he visited his native city Bangalore, every year - spending more than a month learning Carnatic music from his gurus there. "I started singing when I was four, and my first lessons were learned in the US," he shared in an interview. Since online classes were not the norm then, he stayed in touch with his gurus in India through 'phone classes,' he said. Despite being a busy entrepreneur his passion for Carnatic music continues. The well-travelled entrepreneur and singer describes himself as a singer first, a traveller second, and then the CEO of Boomitra on social media.

[caption id="attachment_53159" align="aligncenter" width="503"] Indian Entrepreneur | Aadith Moorthy | Global Indian Aadith Moorthy during a Carnatic performance[/caption]

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