Global IndianstoryGuinness World Record holder Saurabh Bothra is redefining wellness through Habuild

Guinness World Record holder Saurabh Bothra is redefining wellness through Habuild

Written by: Amrita Priya

(April 18, 2024) ‘We build habits. Habits build you’ – with this winning mantra Saurabh Bothra has been transforming the lives of lakhs of people through his health and wellness venture Habuild that he co-founded with Anshul Agrawal and Trishala Bothra. The startup, which has just completed its eclectic four-year journey, boasts two million members across 38 nations. “It is a celebratory yet humbling feeling. The responsibility has increased, but so have the blessings,” Saurabh tells Global Indian.

Going from humble beginnings to creating a global impact, with a Guinness World Record under its belt, Habuild has been working towards improving the fitness levels of people, guided by its IIT alumni founders.

Saurabh Bothra, CEO, Habuild

In January of this year, Saurabh Bothra and his team at Habuild organised a 21-day online yoga challenge, which attracted 4.5 lakh yoga enthusiasts from 92 countries. During the challenge, on January 12th, the wellness platform achieved an incredible milestone by setting the Guinness World Record for the highest number of viewers in a single session, comprising 2,46,252 yoga enthusiasts. “Working for the world record was not just a personal endeavour, it was an opportunity to inspire and motivate people to embrace a healthier lifestyle,” remarks Saurabh.

The Nagpur-based wellness entrepreneur and government-certified yoga trainer also describes himself as a content creator. “I love to create YouTube videos to share my thoughts and expertise on health and wellness, all with the goal of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to explore,” he remarks. In his videos he unleashes health secrets in easy-to-implement ways to make people achieve their fitness goals. His YouTube Channel now has surpassed 800K subscribers.

Habuild – Helping people cultivate fitness

In 2020, when Habuild was established, it had just three eager students and a small team. Today, it boasts a thriving community of two million people on the path to cultivating healthy habits. The technology-enabled platform, which helps people build sustainable habits, now employs over 200 employees.

“I host live Yoga classes for our community every day and I am also deeply involved in looking out for better ways to serve our members through different health and wellness programs. In the past year, we have organised and hosted over 150 events for our community, all aimed at improving their health in all aspects,” Saurabh remarks.

Saurabh Bothra conducting an offline yoga session

Habuild offers its community members a bouquet of programmes like Yoga Everyday, Ayurvedic Detox, Mindful Journaling, Marma Healing, Her Health Matters (sessions on Women’s wellness), Kitchen Gardening, and more for their fitness and well-being.

The wellness model

The platform operates via a messaging automation tool integrated with WhatsApp. One of the favourites of the Habuild community is the daily WhatsApp reminders. These reminders set the tone for their day and help them integrate the habit of making healthy choices into their routine.

“At Habuild, we firmly believe that taking small, consistent steps towards a healthier lifestyle can lead to significant positive life changes,” says Saurabh. Each user’s journey is personalised on WhatsApp with lessons tailored to their health needs. Attendance tracking is also implemented to keep users active and motivated, with automated texts sent to provide details on missed classes.

Monthly challenges are hosted regularly to emphasise the importance of habit building. Participants can join between 6:30 am to 7 pm according to their schedule, engaging in various asanas of yoga or exercises from the comfort of their homes.

“We are constantly seeking new ideas to improve our users’ experiences. Moving forward, we want to make our members’ journeys more personalised,” says Saurabh adding, “Exciting things are happening, like introducing a new yoga batch just for kids. Plus, we are splitting batches into Hindi and English groups to make our programs accessible to everyone.”

In its monthly membership plan, Habuild offers chat support to users, addressing inquiries on general health, yoga, and physical ailments. Users can access complimentary consultations tailored to the nature of their inquiry, with a team of experts, which includes specialists in yoga, nutrition, and physiotherapy.

It started when…

Saurabh, an alumnus of IIT BHU, has always been a fitness enthusiast. In 2020, when people worldwide were confined to their homes due to lockdowns, he began offering lessons on Zoom and YouTube from his hometown, Nagpur.

Along with his friend Pramod Yadav, he conducted 45-minute sessions every morning, guiding viewers through simple breathing exercises, Surya Namaskar, and various asanas targeting different muscle groups for upper body, lower body, core, and flexibility.

Initially, it was just his way of contributing to the community. He didn’t anticipate its rapid popularity, leading to the establishment of a startup centred around the wellness idea. Collaborating with other IIT alumni, Trishala Bothra (his sister) and Anshul Agrawal (his batchmate), he laid the foundation of Habuild, which now boasts members not only in India but also in the United States, Canada, Dubai, and Singapore.

Saurabh Bothra

Love for creating change

Working towards bringing about change in his community had always been part of Saurabh’s personality. During his time at the IIT BHU campus, he initiated two initiatives that were positively embraced by his college community. He co-founded the ‘Let’s Read’ club, providing fellow students with the opportunity to exchange books and engage in a culture of reading and knowledge sharing.

Additionally, he spearheaded the ‘Satvik Mess’ on campus, which quickly became a student favourite. ‘We managed to offer Satvik food choices that led to a close-knit community,’ he shares.

As a former mechanical engineering student at IIT Banaras, Saurabh was awarded a Special Mention Award for his contributions to the campus, which included organising a successful cultural fest.

Habuild Team got successful in earning a Guinness World Record

“I did not turn out to be an engineer after IIT, but my college experience taught me the problem-solving skills crucial for my entrepreneurial journey. Every day in business, I use the lessons I learned during those special years,” he signs off.

Follow Saurabh Bothra on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube
To know more about Habuild visit its website

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Published on 18, Apr 2024

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Chetan Singh Solanki: The Solar Man of India transforming global energy access and sustainability

(September 7, 2023) Chetan Singh Solanki is a man on a mission. For the past eleven years, Chetan, who has earned himself the moniker, Solar Man of India, has been on an extended 'Solar Yatra', hoping to increase awareness around energy conservation, and promoting the use of solar energy. Climate change is a reality that no one can really turn their back on. And for someone who has committed 11 years for the cause of energy to the extent that he has promised not to go home is a cause that needs to be applauded. Chetan Solanki is known for his global work in Energy Access, Energy Sustainability, and Climate Change. The IIT-ian gave up on the cushy job prospects that come with being part of the academic elite. Instead, he headed to Belgium for a PhD and when he returned, coined the term 'Energy Swaraj', which aims to bring localised energy solutions to off-grid communities around the world. For over three years now, he has travelled the country on the Energy Swaraj bus to spread awareness, develops solar PV technologies, conducts training, and executes large-scale projects across the globe. Solanki also collaborates with policy makers and recently became the

ross the globe. Solanki also collaborates with policy makers and recently became the Brand Ambassador of Solar Energy for the Government of Madhya Pradesh.

[caption id="attachment_44637" align="aligncenter" width="438"] The Solar Man of India posing beside solar panels | Global Indian Chetan Solanki, the Solar Man of India[/caption]

Looking Back

Solanki was born in a small village in Madhya Pradesh and his primary school had just one room for five classes. His parents managed to send him to Indore where he completed his engineering. “I was encouraged to pursue higher studies by my teachers, I could clear the entrance examination and went on to do masters in microelectronics from prestigious IIT Bombay. Since I came from a rural background, I always wanted to do something for village people. After my master’s degree, I wanted to work in the social sector. I tried to pursue a Ph.D. in social science and tried to get a job in the social sector. But it did not work, as I had masters from IIT Bombay, I was turned down saying I was overqualified. I started my job of chip design in a multinational company,” Solanki tells Global Indian. But he was not satisfied as he wanted to work on some technology that would be useful for society. Around 1998-99 he thought about solar energy solutions being beneficial for the society, and particularly, for rural areas and it was then that he decided to leave the job and headed to Europe to do a Ph.D. in solar energy.

Sun Shine

At IIT Bombay, Solanki has two major accomplishments to his name. He was instrumental in setting up the National Centre for Photovoltaic Research and Education (NCPRE), one of the best research centres in the PV domain that comprises nine laboratories. Faculty members and students from six to seven departments collaborate to conduct research. “Secondly, I led another important project, which was dear to me, it was Solar Urja through Localization for Sustainability (SoULS) project. Through this project we localised the solar energy solutions, empowering local communities to assemble, repair and maintain solar projects. We have trained nearly 10,000 rural women for the job. And through the SoULS project, we reached 7.5 million families providing them clean light. This project earned me a lot of recognition and awards with total cash prizes of more than Rs. 1 Crore,” says Solanki. He has also written four books on solar energy and his books, research papers, and US patents reflect a journey of innovation and impact. Solar Photovoltaics demystifies solar energy's potential while his research papers advance solar tech, addressing climate challenges.

Energy Swaraj Yatra

[caption id="attachment_44639" align="aligncenter" width="497"] The Solar Man of India has been on the Energy Swaraj Yatra for over 1000 days[/caption]

On his 11-year journey, onboard a bus named Energy Swaraj Yatra, the Solar Man of India plans to change the world in the manner it generates and consumes energy. The Energy Swaraj Foundation spearheads a transformative public movement towards Energy Swaraj or Energy Independence, towards 100% solar powered living. It is the only organisation that empowers individuals, communities, and institutions to impart awareness about climate change and encourage masses to adopt renewable energy solutions. The ever-growing generation of and consumption of energy has contributed to the problem of climate change, which is now becoming catastrophic and even raising the questions on continued human existence beyond this century.

“Solar energy solutions if adopted in a sensible manner can not only solve the problem of climate change but also provide jobs, strengthen local economics, and provide clean energy supply. I have embarked on an 11-year journey to ignite the change towards 100% solar powered life. This nationwide movement aims to empower communities with sustainable energy solutions. Through workshops, seminars, and activations, we will raise awareness and drive action for decentralised, solar-powered living. It is a call to embrace energy self-reliance, bridging gaps and fostering a greener future,” says Solanki.

The Road Ahead

The Solar Man of India believes that persistence fuels progress. His Energy swaraj Yatra has now completed 1000 days and has reached 22 states, covered 43000 km, and met more than two lakh people collaborating with more than 2100 organisations. “Slowly it has become clear to me that the way the world is using technology and growing economically, the humans are creating more problems for themselves, rather than making their lives easier. With increase in advancement, there is greater stress, depression levels are rising, degradation of natural resources is more than before and above all climate change is accelerating. But unfortunately, most people are sleeping on the current dire and critical situation we are living on the planet. I have learned that climate correction is beyond any government or policies now," Solanki opines.

Blindly accepting solar energy solutions is not the solution either, Solanki says, especially without knowledge of the boundary conditions o flivingo n the planet. "I have learned that modern humans have become experts in solving one problem and creating another problem. We have not aligned ourselves with nature, and in that case no technological solution be ever sustainable,” says Solanki. Going forward, the number of Energy Swaraj Yatra buses will be increased and initiatives like Energy Literacy Training, Ek Kamra Solar Ka that can be adopted globally will be pushed ahead. “We are going to collaborate with a wider network to bring these solutions beyond India. Through our online platform the Energy Literacy Training is already taken by people from more than 50 countries,” concludes Solanki.

Follow the Solar Man of India on LinkedIn and the Energy Swaraj Foundation on Instagram, Facebook, X their website

Farm to table: Chef Niven Patel cooks up a storm in Miami

(March 3, 2023) When Chef Niven Patel told his parents that he was going to study at the Culinary Arts School at The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, his family, which included his parents and a small crowd of relatives, were all horrified. Those 'bride wanted' ads were definitely not going to write themselves. As far as Niven Patel was concerned, however, it was Fort Lauderdale or nothing. Chef Niven Patel is one of Florida's most celebrated chefs, a two-time James Beard nominee (he received a nomination in 2023) who has been on the cover of the New York Times Sunday food section and named one of the Best New Chefs of 2020 by Food & Wine Magazine. Chef Nivens run three restaurants in Miami - Ghee Indian Kitchen, Mamey Miami, and Orno, with Erba all set to open this year. All the vegetables and herbs are sourced from Rancho Patel, Chef Niven's organic farm, where he grows everything from custard apple to tomatoes and turmeric. So, you see, when he writes on Instagram that he's 'Living the Chef Dream', he really means it. Chef Niven was born to Gujarati parents in Georgia, who had migrated to the United States

on Instagram that he's 'Living the Chef Dream', he really means it.

Chef Niven was born to Gujarati parents in Georgia, who had migrated to the United States in the mid-1970s. As the Patel clan is now known to do, they got into the motel business and expanding later to convenience stores as well. Chef Niven's life was seemingly planned out for him and in 2003, he headed to business school in Jacksonville. It just wasn't meant to be, however. Instead, Chef Niven turned to the happiest days he had known - composing menus for his family and helping create the dishes. "I have been cooking all my life. I used to make my menus as a child and let my family order and then I went into the kitchen to cook whatever they wanted," he said. So, after many a heated argument, his parents, mollified by the fact that there was an aunt in Fort Lauderdale, let him go to culinary school. He hasn’t looked back since.

[caption id="attachment_35751" align="aligncenter" width="530"] Chef Niven Patel[/caption]

When Chef Niven arrived at the Culinary Arts School, he felt right at home. "I was cooking and working in restaurants the whole time during college," he recalled. He worked at 3030 Ocean Restaurant at the Harbour Beach Resort and Spa in Fort Lauderdale. Finding a mentor in Chef Dean Max, Chef Niven spent some time at the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort and Spa before heading back home to re-join the family business and set up restaurants for them. Chef Dean called him back, though, this time to join Islamorada as a sous chef. He stayed for four years and in 2010, moved with Chef Dean to The Brasserie in the Cayman Islands.

"That's where I really found my style of cooking. It was modern American food but we had our own farm and two of our own fishing boats," he told the Flamingo. There, he worked with freshly-caught wahoo (the ceviche made with Florida Wahoo is still a specialty at his restaurants), "yellowfin tuna, different varieties of amazing snapper, like black snapper from 1,200 feet of water," he recalled, enthusiastically.

By this time, he had found himself a wife - a Gujarati, to boot. He joined her in Miami, finding himself a job at Michael Schwartz's namesake flagship in the Design District, where he worked as chef de cuisine starting in 2014.

Rancho Patel

[caption id="attachment_35752" align="aligncenter" width="639"] Chef Niven at Rancho Patel[/caption]

This story begins with a tomato. Anybody who has so much dabbled with a kitchen garden will know the effort that goes into planting a seed, tending a sapling and waiting for it to bear fruit. The dangers are endless, from pests to waking up one morning to find an entire potato crop overtaken by blight. One day, one of his cooks "grabbed this perfect tomato, took two slices off of it and then threw the other half in the trash. And I lost it." If his chefs didn't understand the value of fresh produce, what was the point, really. "So I told them, "You guys are all going to come to my house and we're going to start a farm."

Today, Chef Niven Patel and his wife call Rancho Patel home - that's where the couple raise their twins. The chef is up at the break of dawn, as are his daughters, usually and together, they survey the crops. Chef Niven picks the vegetables and fruit, his daughters gather clumps of wild flowers that are put in vases at the restaurants. And most importantly, fresh produce is taken from the farm to the restaurants. Menus are decided based on what's available. Anybody lucky enough to visit, is likely to find local farmers and helpers pushing around wheelbarrows ladedn with mangoes, custard apples, lychees (he loves lychees) papaya, turmeric, carrot, tomatoes - one gets the idea. Taro (tapioca) is another staple.

"We would cook up a feast," he told the New York Times. Then, they started inviting friends, fellow chefs and farmers over, cooking up elaborate Gujarati meals. It was simple vegetarian fare, most of it cooked in ghee. All this while, it hadn't occured to Chef Patel to cook Indian food, that had never been the plan. But guests absolutely loved his meals. "I thought, 'We have to do this; we have to make a place that's like eating at home,'" he told the New York Times.

Cooking in Ghee

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A post shared by Ghee Indian Kitchen (@gheemiami)

When he started up Ghee Indian Kitchen in Miami in 2017, staff were sent to Rancho Patel to learn the ropes. Besides, while the menu is planned in advance, the day's produce can change everything. He recalls, in an interview, bringing in 40 pounds of Siberian kale, which ended up as a braised green dish that "was awesome."

The theme at Ghee is "simple but flavourful." The menu has things like bhel, tossed with chutney and avocado and topped off with local tuna. And kheema samosas with mint chutney.

Branching Out

After Ghee Indian Kitchen came Mamey Miami, which he runs with Mohamed Alkassar, director of operations for Nolan Reynolds International. The tropical-themed restaurant was named after the melon native to Cuba and Central America. Chef Niven takes his inspiration from his travels here, celebrating the exotic flavours and spices of tropical cuisine. Here, you can try yellowfin tuna tostones with tomato sofrito, Bahamian conch fritters with cilantro tartar source and roasted peppers, the Creole mahi and Brussel sprouts pad thai.

Erba, which is all set to open in 2023, is a nod to the chef's time in Florence, Italy, from the Alpareno Restaurant Group. The restaurant will feature in-house pasta and a "vegetable forward menu." That's all the owners are willing to say, for now.

Follow Chef Niven Patel on Instagram

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Indian American Vivek Ramaswamy announces POTUS bid

(February 21, 2023) At a time when the buzz around another Indian-American making an entry to the US Presidential race was gaining heat, millionaire entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy decided to throw his hat in the ring. The Indian-origin tech entrepreneur announced his his 2024 presidential bid with a promise to “put merit back” and end dependence on China. He took to Twitter to make the big declaration, "We’ve celebrated our “diversity” so much that we forgot all the ways we’re really the same as Americans, bound by ideals that united a divided, headstrong group of people 250 years ago. I believe deep in my bones those ideals still exist. I’m running for President to revive them." We’ve celebrated our “diversity” so much that we forgot all the ways we’re really the same as Americans, bound by ideals that united a divided, headstrong group of people 250 years ago. I believe deep in my bones those ideals still exist. I’m running for President to revive them. pic.twitter.com/bz5Qtt4tmm — Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) February 22, 2023 Recently, American investor Bill Ackman hinted at Vivek's big move as he tweeted, "I think the country is ready for his message…. He speaks hard truths which many

297454598?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 22, 2023

Recently, American investor Bill Ackman hinted at Vivek's big move as he tweeted, "I think the country is ready for his message…. He speaks hard truths which many believe but fear to say.” Ackman has a point - Ramaswamy's tirade against social justice warriors led to him found Strive, a publicly traded company that seeks to make companies shut down their 'woke' overtures - and has drawn over $300 million in assets. Ramaswamy is giving speeches with more enthusiasm than ever, apparently doing test runs. And since the Harvard-Yale man comes with a net-worth $500 million, he can afford the expenses of a campaign, at least in the early states. Global Indian takes a look at the rise of Vivek Ramaswamy.

[caption id="attachment_35325" align="aligncenter" width="444"] Vivek Ramaswamy[/caption]

Ramaswamy has evolved, over the years, into a prominent Conservative voice, taking on what he calls 'Corporate America's social justice scam'. Flying in the face of the pundits who populate the Ivy Leagues, Ramaswamy maintains that corporations are not in the business of altruism- he calls it hypocrisy. "(It’s) Goldman Sachs preaching about diversity so it can be at the front of the line for the next government bailout. It's AstraZeneca waxing eloquent about climate change... It's State Street building feminist statues to detract attention from wage-discrimination lawsuits," he writes, in Woke Inc. His opinions are clear, his delivery brutal and have earned him the tongue-in-cheek epithet, CEO of Anti-Woke Inc.

The wolf of Wall Street

By the time he turned 30, Ramaswamy, who was described by Fortune as an "ambitious wunderkind," apparently cancelled his honeymoon in the Swiss Alps. Instead, his new bride Apoorva accompanied him as he rang the bell at the New York Stock Exchange to launch the biggest biotech IPO in US history. (One admits, that’s much more romantic than a chalet). Those were the golden days of the biotech bubble and Ramaswamy took full advantage. In December 2014, he founded Roivant with a ten-member team that included his mother and brother. It was the parent company then to Axovant Sciences - and the story of how a company that hadn't even existed a year prior, sold its shares at $15 a-piece, raising $315 million at a $1.4 billion valuation is the stuff of Wall Street legend. How did that come to be? Through RVT-101, an unproven Alzheimer's drug the company had purchased from GlaxoSmithKline at $5 million.

[caption id="attachment_35324" align="alignnone" width="790"] Photo: @Forbes[/caption]

A few days later, experts and enthusiastic investors began to ask the obvious question – why would a pharma giant sell off a drug for so little? The shares prices spiralled and the drug, it eventually turned out, didn’t work. Still, it was a historic stock market triumph and Ramaswamy was put glowingly on the cover of Forbes as ‘The 30-year-old CEO conjuring drug companies from thin air’. He attracted many critics but it didn’t take away from what he was actually trying to do. As he told Forbes, "It's an ethical problem of an underappreciated magnitude. So many drugs that would have been of use to society are cast aside. Certain drugs have gone by the wayside for reasons that have nothing to do with their underlying merits.

The immigrant life in Ohio

Ramaswamy's parents arrived in the USA shortly before their son was born in 1985, in Cincinnati, Ohio. His father was an engineer and patent lawyer who worked at General Electric and his mother (who went on to join him at Roivant) is a geriatric psychiatrist. As the The New Yorker would have it, his "family commissioned his horoscope, which predicted that he was destined for greatness."

Ramaswamy was imbued, even from an early age, with a "sense of superiority," he admits. There was pressure on him always to be the star, no matter what he did. Hard work was the mantra of every Indian immigrant and their children, they determined, would grow up to embody the great American dream. After getting into a scuffle at the public school he attended, which resulted in him being pushed down the stairs, his parents shifted him to a private prep school.

He was a tennis champion and played the piano like pro. Then, like a model Indian kid, Ramaswamy went off to Harvard University, where he majored in Biology and first dipped his toes into American politics. This was the start of Ramaswamy's great disillusionment with what he perceived as the left's groupthink. He was a proud libertarian and even became president of the Harvard Political Union.

Harvard to hedge funds

Just outside the NYSE, looking forward to ringing the closing bell in a couple of hours. pic.twitter.com/Pk3UvWsQAH

— Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) August 10, 2022

This was the heyday of the hedge fund and after his sophomore year, Ramaswamy interned with Amarant Advisors, working in the biotech division. He lived the good life, accompanying the company's bigwigs as they partied on yachts and blew thousands on a bottle of wine. He didn't enjoy the experience, he wrote later, in Woke, Inc. Goldman Sachs made him just as discontent - a tree-planting session turned out to be a photo-op and Ramaswamy wasn't happy.

Even so, Ramaswamy made his way to the New York City hedge funds soon after college. He also attended Yale Law School while continuing to work at QVT. That's where he met Apoorva, whom he would go on to marry.

In 2014, he founded Roivant and in 2015, performed his IPO magic trick. In September 2017, it was established that Axovant's drug, Intepirdine, was a failure. "It felt humiliating," he told The New Yorker. Axovant saw a series of failures after that.

Ramaswamy's own brand of Corporate Social Responsibility

In the late 2010, diversity, equality and social consciousness were buzzwords in Corporate America. A new standard had been set, restaurants that sold fried chicken were successful not for their fried chicken but their views on the LGBTQi community.

America doesn’t force you to choose between speaking your mind freely and putting food on the dinner table. Between the First Amendment and the American Dream. We’re the quintessential nation on earth where you get to enjoy both at once. pic.twitter.com/S6Kyly5oCY

— Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) February 20, 2023

The young millionaire's frustration continued to grow. In the Wall Street Journal in 2019, he spoke of the power of stakeholder capitalism. Issues that should be decided through an exercise of electoral rights and executed by governments, were now put in the hands of companies. Oil companies were giving lectures on climate change and political views seemed more important than a good product, or a sound financial model.

Ramaswamy spoke out freely and soon became a fixture on Fox News, as well as a prolific columnist for the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times and a host of other publications. In 2022, he wrote letters to Apple, which was planning a racial equity audit and told Disney to "stop speaking out on political issues that do not affect its business. He told the Financial Times, "It's like McDonald's volunteering to take responsibility for the adult body weight of anyone who's eating a Big Mac."

The POTUS bid

His official announcement has made him a household name in India, too. Frankly speaking, his chances at victory are miniscule if he contests as an independent (remember Kanye’s ill-fated bid in 2020). Even so, it’s a big step for the diaspora, who have found favour on both sides of the political spectrum in the United States.

Follow Vivek Ramaswamy on Twitter and Instagram

Dr Ali Irani and Sujoy Mitra: Meet the fastest men to travel to all seven continents in 73 hours

(March 6, 2024) One balmy morning amidst the pandemic, Dr Ali Irani, while skimming through the pages of an UAE newspaper, stumbled upon an article detailing the extraordinary feat of Emirati adventurer Dr. Khwala AlRomaithu, who set the Guinness World Record for the fastest time to travel to all seven continents in 86 hours. Proud of her achievement, she was confident that no one could beat her record. But being a physiotherapist with the Indian cricket team for a decade, Dr. Irani had learnt "all records are meant to be broken." This led him on a journey across the globe in December of 2022 along with Sujoy Mitra, where the two Indian men set a new Guinness World Record for the fastest travel to all seven continents in just 73 hours. "Breaking the record at a time when travel had many Covid-related restrictions, it was surreal," Sujoy tells Global Indian. Starting from King George Island in Antarctica, they moved to Chile and Peru in South America, followed by the USA, and ended the trip at Melbourne in Australia on December 7, 2022, in a record time of 3 days, 1 hour, 5 mins and 4 seconds. "Travelling across the seven

December 7, 2022, in a record time of 3 days, 1 hour, 5 mins and 4 seconds. "Travelling across the seven continents in just 73 hours made me realise that impossible also means I'm possible," says Dr Irani, who has travelled to 102 countries so far. With Guinness World Record rules in place, they took commercial flights, and travelled on a restricted budget, using their credit card points to the maximum.

[caption id="attachment_49670" align="aligncenter" width="516"] Sujoy Mitra and Dr Ali Irani | Global Indian Sujoy Mitra and Dr Ali Irani at King George Island, Antarctica[/caption]

A quest to travel

An ardent traveller who travelled with the Indian cricket team to around 87 countries, Dr Irani has always been passionate about travel. And it was his encounter with Sujoy Mitra in the fall of 2014 that added fuel to the fire. A chemical engineer by profession, Sujoy came from Rai Bareilly - a small district in UP that had no airports. So, taking a flight was aspirational for him, something he did after completing his engineering. "My first flight was Kolkata-Jaipur, which got cancelled. As a complimentary rescheduling, I rescheduled it Kolkata-Raipur-Jaipur, just so I can spend more time in the aircraft," he laughs. That was the beginning of his love affair with travel. Between 2006-2011, he travelled across the length and breadth of India on a low budget, realising that travelling brought him great joy.

ALSO READ | Dhruv Bogra's Bicycle Diaries: From Alaska to Peru in 18 months

"I left my corporate job at the age of 29, and knew that travelling was my real calling," says Sujoy. Ask him if leaving a well-paying job to follow a passion is scary, and he quips, "When the subconscious mind believes that it's possible, we find ways." He found his way by starting a Miles Schedule platform where he found his first client in Dr Irani. "With limited resources, I have travelled to 197 countries so far, and this April, I am visiting my 198th country - North Korea - thus making me the most travelled Indian.", says Sujoy, who has optimised airline, hotel and credit card points to travel due to limited resources. "I travelled first class Qatar for ₹5.50, and first class Emirates for ₹2100."

Cricket took him across the globe

Dr Irani, on the other hand, is a well-known physiotherapist who worked with the Indian Cricket team from 1987 to 1997, and it was while accompanying the team that he fell in love with travelling. "I covered 87 countries when I was working with the Indian cricket team and now the number has reached more than 102." On his first meeting with Sujoy, he realised that he hadn't used his credit card points efficiently for a very long time, and Sujoy soon started encashing them for him by buying plane tickets and upgradations. "I believe 80 percent of the Indians don't know how to use their points. That's Sujoy's way of giving services to the people."

[caption id="attachment_49671" align="aligncenter" width="479"] Dr Ali Irani is a physiotherapist[/caption]

When Dr Irani came across the news article about the Guinness World Record, he made his first call to Sujoy, knowing his expertise in planning routes. "I asked him if it is possible that we can break this record and he replied in an affirmation. But we knew it would need a lot of planning, as time was the most important aspect. We couldn't afford to miss any flight as it would jeopardise the entire adventure," says Dr Irani. Especially as the duo was aware of the strict restrictions related to visas and flights due to Covid-19. "But those constraints brought the best out of us, thinking on our toes about the best alternative. After a lot of brainstorming and keeping all COVID-related restrictions in mind, we came up with a route of 81 hours," adds Sujoy.

On their way to set a new world record

With only a handful of countries issuing visas during that time, this turned out to be one of the biggest challenges for the duo. "But Sujoy always found a way. So, if a country wasn't issuing visas, we checked which country's visa could get us a visa on arrival to the country we wanted to go to. That's the permutation and combination we had to do to work around the visas," says Dr Irani. Moreover, these constraints led to the rescheduling of the routes more than three times, and they ended up finding a route where they could finish their journey in 81 hours. "Out of 25 countries, only four were issuing visas Schengen Visa. Moreover, rules changed. You couldn't get your visa issued from Switzerland and visit France first. These constraints led to rescheduling but were able to figure out a road map for the journey."

[caption id="attachment_49672" align="aligncenter" width="576"] Dr Ali Irani and Sujoy Mitra | Global Indian Dr Ali Irani and Sujoy Mitra at Punta Arenas, Chile[/caption]

They started with Antarctica on December 4, 2022, but the expedition came with a rule from the Guinness World Record which mandated them to avoid the use of any chartered plane. "We needed to book flights that had less scope of getting cancelled or delayed, so we tracked data for the last three months to understand which airline was most reliable," says Sujoy, who along with Dr Irani was racing against time to travel to all the seven continents in a short time. Having worked with the cricket team, Dr Irani knows how function calmly during stressful situations. And he extended his support to Sujoy during many uncertain times. "In Bhagavad Gita, it says 'jo hona hai, vo hoke rahega' (What is meant to be, will happen). So, I kept reminding Sujoy that certain things are beyond our control."

ALSO READ | Capt Aarohi Pandit: Crossing the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean solo as the world’s youngest pilot

Race against time

With just 3-4 hours between every flight, they had to navigate the immigration, exit the airport, get on a public transport, reach a designated landmark suggested by Guinness World Records, take selfies and record a minute video, obtain two witness signatures, return to the airport, pass through the immigration and board the next flight.

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That wasn't all - the duo also had to keep sending their satellite GPS location at every landmark. "Otherwise, we would be disqualified," says Sujoy, who took the task upon himself. "In case we are in Antarctica, Guinness World Record will recognise Antarctica when we are above -60 degree South i.e. King George Island." Dr Ali, on the other hand, took the responsibility of clicking selfies and recording videos. With a huge task list to check at every point, they travelled light with a handbag. "A pair of jeans and a few T-shirts," says Dr Irani, adding there were times when we almost missed our flight. Sujoy chimes in, "Once we started enjoying the struggles, we started enjoying the uncertainties."

The same uncertainties led them to finish their expedition in 73 hours instead of the planned 81 hours, which worked in their favour. "Our last flight reached one and a half hours before and one flight we flew six hours later from the starting point, so that's how we ended up finishing 81 hours trip in 73 hours," reveals Dr Irani.

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New adventures, ahoy!

It's been a year since the two made the world record, and the duo is now planning to take on another challenge this year. "We are now planning to challenge the fastest travel to the seven wonders of the world," reveals Sujoy, who will also travel to his 198th country - North Korea - this April. "For me, the journey is more important than the destination." Dr Irani chimes in, "Travelling is learning. This kind of exposure you cannot get anywhere."

Follow Dr Ali Irani on Instagram

Building better lives: How Nowsheen Yaqoob went from aviation to human development through NLP

(March 27, 2023) Nowsheen Yaqoob believes no matter what the adversity is, one must learn to be joyful in all situations. Joy, she believes, is a basic emotion – It was the conviction that led to the creation of Auracious Global Consulting - a human development company based in Dubai, that helps individuals and organisations across the globe achieve their full potential on the personal and professional fronts. Their approach, according to the company's LinkedIn profile, involves the latest developments in neural and behavioural science, Neuro Linguistic Programming, Hypnosis and Quantum Physics, as well as Life Coaching and Change Management models. Auracious works with a diverse clientele from around the world, as well as with clients like FedEx, De Montfort University Dubai and Amity University Dubai. Nowsheen, who left behind a lucrative career in the aviation sector to help people and organisations transform themselves, has come a long way. The wind beneath her wings Born in Srinagar, Nowsheen is a qualified Architect and holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration, besides being a certified life coach. Growing up, she always dreamed of a profession that would allow her to fly. "When I would watch planes fly as a child, I

Administration, besides being a certified life coach. Growing up, she always dreamed of a profession that would allow her to fly. "When I would watch planes fly as a child, I dreamt of working in a profession that would allow me to travel across the world. However, when it actually happened I felt something was missing,” Nowsheen said, in an interview with Global Indian.

[caption id="attachment_36614" align="aligncenter" width="361"] Nowsheen Yaqoob, founder, Auracious Global Consulting[/caption]

So, after more than a decade of working in the aviation sector she realised that it wasn't her calling. She loved communicating and connecting with people more. Nowsheen went on to do a Master’s in Neuro Linguistic Programming and life coaching. During this time, she realised “there were many people, especially youngsters, who were unable to experience joy because of some trauma they were carrying,” she says. "I transform the way people understand themselves, their relationships, career, and health. The intent to help people in an authentic manner, backed by professional tools, put me on the road to making Life Coaching my career."

Nowsheen constantly feels this desire to add value to people’s lives, especially the ones who feel they are under societal pressure and have issues that prevent them from achieving their best potential due to self-limiting beliefs. She finds it extremely fulfilling personally and professionally in more ways than she could have imagined.

The entrepreneurship route

It was this passion that led to creation of Auracious Global Consulting. "As an Internationally certified Master Life Coach and Neuro Linguistic Programming Practitioner, my work focuses on human development, along with personal and professional coaching solutions," Nowsheen explains. She remarks, that in her quest for excellence, she has taken purposeful strides to blaze new trails in her specialisation, combining the best of her experience and expertise to help people and individuals achieve growth.

Nowsheen ensures that her beliefs and values hinge on achieving human connectedness, growth and contribution, in a manner that brings the best benefits for those who gain from it. "I give my best in everything I do, and be as genuine as humanly possible, with a never-give-up attitude. It is this same belief, ‘yes, it is possible’ that I share in my work, to help transform an individual’s mindset to realize their infinite horizons, dimensions, and potential."

Her personal transformation

Nowsheen has had her own journey of transformation. "The amalgamation of my life experiences with how I overcame many challenges and obstacles in life, and my passion for sharing my learning with people helped me to take this up as a career," she explains. From her early childhood years and well into adult life, hers has been an arduous journey towards overcoming many fears and anxieties. When she triumphed over them, it inspired her to go forward confidently in her chosen field of work.

In order to take the plunge into entrepreneurship, Nowsheen had to overcome her own self-limiting beliefs and rise above the apprehensions, fears, doubts and vulnerabilities, as well as a certain level of self-directed scepticism. "Now, I am living my passion of helping individuals to break their shackles of fears, anxieties, traumas, and stress, to live a confident, happy, and fulfilled life."

Her focus areas

Today, Nowsheen helps individuals and corporations to transform the way they understand themselves, their relationships, career, and health, thus becoming their personal and professional best.

Nowsheen Yaqoob, founder, Auracious Global Consulting, Global Indian

"I work on bringing about a dynamic transformation in people’s lives through the principles of Human Potential Development, NLP and Life Coaching through individual sessions, awareness workshops, corporate trainings, group coaching, webinars, seminars, social media awareness, eBooks, self-help PDFs and podcasts."

Human connectedness is the core value on which her Life Coaching approach is founded. Each step of the personal empowerment journey is designed to the highest degree. Auracious Global Consulting uses a well-structured combination of scientifically proven tools and techniques that are an amalgamation of Neuro Linguistic Programming, Life Coaching processes, Compassionate Counselling, Hypnosis and Meditation. “I have been a full-fledged Life Coach since 2015. However, my career in training and development has grown over the past 18 years, with many milestones, experiences, and learning.”

A global mission

She works with people of over 200 nationalities and Auracious Global Consulting is based out of Dubai. Still, Nowsheen keeps her ties with her homeland. “I visit India off and on for counselling; have conducted many sessions in Kashmir with schools, different organisations. I work with multinational companies and conduct workshops for employees and top-notch CEO’s,” she says. These days, Nowsheen has people calling her up from across the world seeking counselling.

In 2022, she also launched Auracious Global in Kashmir and provides online consultations. When she is in Kashmir she does in-person consultations. “People just need to be more aware that help is available and they need to be guided in the right direction. In order to create awareness I make the best use of my social media handles – both personal as well as professional.”

“It is a rewarding journey of transformation and fulfilment for those who I work with, by helping them overcome struggles to achieve their goals,” the entrepreneur remarks. Nowsheen loves to work closely with her clients and seeing them experience their personal breakthroughs is a constant source of fulfilment and gratification for her. “I give my 100 percent to my clients which led my clientele to grow organically through referrals and meaningful associations.”

Overcoming obstacles

Taking on huge responsibilities at an incredibly young age, with minimal guidance and no mentor presented Nowsheen with a mountain of obstacles to surmount.

“However, successfully overcoming those early challenges gave me that all-important thrust in the right direction. I had to break free from the imaginary mould of ‘perfection’ to face realities and to see for myself that inner happiness is more validating and satisfying than trying to live up to anybody else’s definition of perfection. We are not here to live up to a mark sheet of perfect expectations. We are better off discovering and creating our own happiness in each moment of our lifetime, she explains.

Making a difference

At various points in her personal and professional life, Nowsheen has been able to give back to society in many ways where her expertise could be harnessed free of cost to those who needed it. “Throughout the year 2020, especially when the pandemic forced people to give in to mental, emotional, and psychological pressures, and income sources dried up, I was able to provide professional life coaching pro bono to one and all.”

Lately, she has been working towards building a community of transformational coaches, thought leaders, mentors and change facilitators – who offer help to those who cannot afford or access professional coaching. “The foundation of this community lies on shared ideologies, and a fluid forum that inspires, sustains, and encourages progressive thoughts and sustainable human potential transformation.”

Nowsheen’s own struggle for inner transformation and her courage to follow her dreams, have led to her living her greatest passion - making a meaningful difference to people’s lives, by helping them make empowering decisions. She helps people to create the best version of themselves for themselves, and for the larger benefit of society.

“The greater aim is to make the world a better place through individuals who are joyful, confident, and evolved.” Apart from receiving many awards and appreciation during her course of journey, having received the Business Excellence Award from Padma Bhushan Javed Akhtar in November in Dubai has been quite a humbling experience for Nowsheen.

Follow Nowsheen Yaqoob on LinkedIn

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