Global IndianstoryHanumankind: The Indian rapper taking global music scene by storm

Hanumankind: The Indian rapper taking global music scene by storm

Compiled by: Charu Thakur

(August 24, 2024) The daredevils on motorbikes using centrifugal force to drive on the near-vertical walls of barrel-shaped structures is a popular stunt at carnivals in India. And it’s this very maut ka kuan (well of death) that forms the backdrop of the viral hit – Big Dawgs by Indian rapper Hanumankind. Within a month of its release, the single has caused a stir in the international music community with its groovy tunes and death-defying stunts. The Kerala-born rapper has rapidly risen to global fame, making his debut at number 57 on the US Billboard Hot 100. With over 54 million views on YouTube, the smashing hit surpassed Kendrick Lamar’s Not Like Us to grab the 11th spot on the Spotify Global Top 50 chart.

Responding to getting worldwide acclaim, he said in an interview, “It’s been crazy. But I’m just a rapper from India. I get it — I am from here. But I’m just someone that’s making art from a different side of the world. I have my own personal journey.”

Even Anand Mahindra is super impressed by the Indian rapper. He took to X to spotlight the artist, “Rap may not be for everyone, but this guy from Kerala & now Bengaluru via Texas is popping eyes across to US for his authentic sound & his extraordinary, raw videos.”

Have posted recently about astonishingly talented young women of Indian origin making waves in indigenous American music genres.

Now here’s Sooraj Cherukat, @Hanumankind1 @hanumankind (Insta) who’s rapping his way to global recognition.

Rap may not be for everyone, but this… pic.twitter.com/4udUHqSjHK

— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) July 28, 2024

The 31-year-old breakthrough artist has gained international fame in no time, with his song being generously shared across TikTok, Instagram, and X. But pursuing music was never on the mind of Sooraj Cherukat, who goes by the stage name Hanumankind.

Global influence

Born in Kerala, Sooraj moved around Middle and Africa owing to his dad’s job at an oilfield company before settling in Houston, Texas, where he spent his formative years. It was here that he was introduced to Southern hip hop as he grew up listening to artists like TidexX, Three 6 Mafia, and Project Pat. Growing up in a traditional family that wanted him to study well, get a job, buy a home, get married, and have kids, he decided to chart his own path. He returned to India in 2012 to pursue a degree in Business Administration from PSG College in Coimbatore. He landed a job at Goldman Sachs, spending his 9-to-5 in the corporate world while moonlighting as Hanumankind. In 2019, he released his first single Daily Dose, a part of his debut EP Kalari.

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A post shared by hanumankind (@hanumankind)

For the next five years, he kept belting out popular songs like Genghis, Skyline, Damnson, Southside, and Rush Hour, amassing a massive fan following in India. But it’s Big Dawgs that catapulted him into the international music scene for its beats and stunning video.

Big Dawgs – The song that changed it all

Shot in the coastal district of Ponnani – also known as the Mecca of Kerala, the video directed by Bijoy Shetty is a perfect blend of desi swagger and western beats. Talking about why he chose this location, Hanumankind told Rolling Stone, “A lot of things are happening in this video. But mainly, if you want something, take that risk, man, or else it won’t happen. Even if you fail, it’s still the act of doing. For me, even if this video didn’t work out, I get to tell my grandchildren that I actually sat inside the well of death and did this. At the very least, if nothing worked out, I’m happy about that.”

Interestingly, it was a Zoom call between Kalmi and Hanumankind that led to the birth of Big Dawgs. “We were just trying to build a habit of making music without any intention, without any weight behind it, and see what happens. It took some 30 minutes for us to put together the beat, I wrote, and it rolled out,” revealed Hanumankind, who calls himself spiritual.

Desi heart and soul

Revealing the inspiration behind his stage name, he said that Hanuman is a name that many people know. “It’s something that everyone can associate with being Indian. And mankind is the rest of the world. It was a combination of both things. To bring two things together in a way that ties into my purpose.”

Having lived in the US for a larger part, he is still considered an NRI. Though he has a thick American accent, Hanumankind is fluent in Malayalam, his mother tongue. “That’s something that’s helped me because I came here and built myself into the community.” He lived in Bangalore, attended university there for a while, and spent time traveling and immersing himself in life back home in India. At the end of 2012, he had the option to move back to the United States, but he chose to stay. “It’s now been 12 years since, and it’s been beautiful.”

It’s been five years since Hanumankind dropped his first single, and the artist calls hip-hop scene in India “absolutely thriving.” Since hip-hop is about telling a story, he finds many artists who have much to say and completely nailing the genre.

With a big hit to his name now, Hanumankind is not succumbing to the pressure of belting out another banger soon. “I want to push myself creatively, spiritually, mentally, everything. I want to develop my art and do it the way I want to. I know I can do better. There’s so much more I can do. This is not the peak of it all,” he said, adding, “I’m blessed to say that this happened, but these things come and go. I have goals and dreams and aspirations of being a version of myself.”

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Published on 24, Aug 2024

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No ‘barre’: How Payal Kadakia revolutionised fitness with ClassPass

(June 6, 2023) Payal Kadakia rang in the new decade in a blaze of glory, when her startup, ClassPass, which curates thousands of fitness regimens into an all-in-one subscription, entered the fabled unicorn league with $1 billion valuation in 2020. Even so, Payal's entrepreneurial skills were put to the test soon after, as the pandemic hit. The company, like so many others, struggled with a fall in subscriptions as the thousands of fitness studios, gyms, salons and spas with which it partnered were forced to close their doors. Her entrepreneurial journey has been filled with twists and turns - the company that began as a search engine called Classtivity, then became an accelerator called Techstars. Half a million dollars later, the site launched on demo day, to no reservations. "That was when I became an entrepreneur," the Global Indian told inc.com. It was a valuable lesson, Payal's developed a new ability to discriminate between what she calls "false signals of success" and the real thing. False signals might be plenty but the bottom line is fairly clear. In Payal's case: the number of people actually showing up to class, "which translated into revenue for my business an obviously revenue for

al thing. False signals might be plenty but the bottom line is fairly clear. In Payal's case: the number of people actually showing up to class, "which translated into revenue for my business an obviously revenue for our partners." The company has more than pulled itself out freefall, however and now partners with over 8,000 studios around the world. "ClassPass has been able to create some synergies that really built momentum for the entire industry to grow," Payal said, in an interview with MIT News. In 2022, she also released her book, LifePass.

Finding her identity

Payal's parents immigrated to the US in the 1970s, along with thousands of other Indians. "My parents never wanted me to have to go through any type of struggle, any type of hardship that they went through. So, they trained me in a way to be a bit more risk averse. And what that meant was making sure I had stability, good career, good education, good foundation," Payal told dot.LA. A passion for Indian classical dance kept her in touch with her culture and inculcated a lifelong love for the art form, too. "While I struggled to fit in, I think I also found beauty in who I was through being around this other group of people who did look like me. And where all of us could be together on Saturday and Sunday mornings.”

The MIT days

An undergraduate degree from MIT seemed like a solid stable way to go. "I think MIT was one of the hardest experiences of my life," she told the magazine. "I had to solve complex problems I never thought I'd be able to, but that also taught me so much. It was an awesome experience." That became her training ground, the place where Payal first learned leadership skills. Even there, she was innovative - she founded a South Asian fusion dance team, MIT Chamak, that is still active today.

Her lessons from MIT came in very handy. "My concentration in operations research was definitely relevant to what I would deal with at ClassPass in the areas of inventory planning and supply chain management," Payal said. "The way I plan my time is from everything I learned back in those classes." Again, her MIT background came into play. She wasn't a coder herself but was well-versed in dealing with developers and speaking their language. "MIT is all about problem-solving. That's at the heart of what entrepreneurship is."

Becoming a risk-taker

"When I graduated from college, I wanted to make sure I had a stable job," she told Vogue.in. "My parents had immigrated with nothing 50 years ago, so it was important for me to have that security." She found a job at Bain & Company and then entered the music industry, following her passion for Indian dance. In hindsight, it was the first step to being an entrepreneur, "The first decision I made was to really bet on myself a bit more, though I wasn't ready to take a huge leap." She did go on to build a dance company, Sa, which she ran on the side.

Being a full time entrepreneur definitely wasn't on her mind, but that changed, on a trip to San Francisco to visit an old friend from MIT. Payal, who was on the hunt for a ballet class, which one imagines would be easily available in a city like San Francisco, proved surprisingly cumbersome to find. It planted Payal's mind the seed for what she envisioned to be an aggregator, a kind of search engine that could collate and present the information. The answer: She would build one.

The early days

ClassPass began, Payal admits to Vogue.in, as a "small, scrappy team that raised money from friends and family, and some angel investors who believed in the idea. Given how much I loved dancing and going to (workout) classes, it felt like the right combination." The search engine idea, as Zomato and Swiggy had already proved, was likely to be a success - or so they thought. One year and quite a bit of money later, it didn't work. People came to the website, but nobody was booking clases. "That was a hard moment. However, as an entrepreneur, you start getting used to things not going as planned."

ClassPass went from being a searh engine into a subscription based model, which allowed people to take fitness classes in their area. Their users loved the idea - it was fun, allowed them room to experiment and since they could sign on for single sessions, they didn't really need to commit either. They could go to a venue a day. This was in 2013.

ClassPass

When it first launched in New York, according to Vogue Magazine, "ClassPass revolutionised the very nature of working out by allowing members to search for exercise classes in different disciplines." It changed the playing field for users and partners both.

Users could look through a wide roster of regimens and workout styles - they could do yoga one day and a barre class the next. They could book single sessions instead of committing to a package, as they would do at a conventional gym. Fitness studios, which had offered classes through on their website, had heavy, sometimes unsustainable ad spends. Now, ClassPass was willing to do it for them. "From a marketing perspective they had to acquire every single customer individually," Payal told MIT News. "That's expensive for a business which already has fixed costs and in which the classes are 30 dollars."

Lessons along the way

The only thing that matters to Payal, who has seen so many ups and downs along the way, is the actual impact she's making. People may flock to the website and then leave without actually booking a class and to Payal, this doesn't count. High traffic might comprise the trimmings of success but it isn't, actually the real thing. "As long sa I was getting more and more people to class to try new ways of being active, I knew I was succeeding," she told Vogue.in. "Having a purpose and a vision is the most important thing for entrepreneurs... No one has walked these roads before, no one has made a blueprint for you. You have to know in your gut where the North Star is. Being an entrepreneur is basically about how you innovate."

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Aman Nath: Transforming India’s forgotten historical ruins into living heritage

(December 1, 2024) Fort-palaces and other dilapidated ruins of historical importance, which had long been neglected, now have a new lease of life led the efforts of historian and author Aman Nath. Imagine acquiring a 560-year-old medieval fort-palace in 1986, restoring it while preserving its architectural integrity, and converting it into a heritage ‘non-hotel’ hotel—eschewing the usual hospitality norms. Achieving success in just two years instead of the projected eight, all of it self-funded. Expanding to other heritage properties, nearly three decades later, the name Neemrana has become synonymous with historic, heritage properties across India. This, in a nutshell, is the legacy created by Aman Nath, who heads the Neemrana Hotels chain. [caption id="attachment_60939" align="aligncenter" width="576"] Aman Nath[/caption] Much has been written about how Nath and his friends who restored the Neemrana Fort-Palace on the Delhi-Jaipur highway. Built in the 15th century, the fort-palace combines Rajput, Sultanate and Mughal architectural styles. In 1986, upon learning that the royal family who owned the fort could no longer maintain it, Nath, along with his two friends Lekha Poddar and OP Jain, decided to acquire the crumbling ruin and restore it into a modern-day heritage hotel. Later, Francis Wacziarg joined Nath in his

6, upon learning that the royal family who owned the fort could no longer maintain it, Nath, along with his two friends Lekha Poddar and OP Jain, decided to acquire the crumbling ruin and restore it into a modern-day heritage hotel. Later, Francis Wacziarg joined Nath in his ventures but sadly passed away. The goal was to showcase India’s culture, heritage, and values to discerning travellers.

Under Nath's vision and guidance, Neemrana has restored and revitalised over 30 properties across 10 states, transforming them into revenue-generating assets as heritage properties with “zero loans.”

Journey of Historian and Author Aman Nath

Aman Nath is quite the polymath. Holding a Master’s degree in Medieval Indian History, he has authored 18 books – on Rajasthan, and other notable works such as Horizon: The Tata-India Century (a corporate book marking the centenary of the Tatas, which Ratan Tata called ‘the best book in the whole world’); Dome Over India: Rashtrapati Bhavan, which the Indian President presents every visiting head of State; and several books on Indian art.

As the youngest member of INTACH, the heritage and conservation association, he is credited with heading the restoration of more than 30 heritage properties across India. He has also been awarded the Chevalier de l’Ordre National de la Légion d’Honneur by the President of France for his contributions to heritage conservation, as well as the Lifetime Achievement Awards by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, Conde Nast Traveller, and the Lifetime Achievement Award which was recently awarded by the BW Hotelier Group.

[caption id="attachment_60941" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Kesroli Fort | Global Indian Kesroli Fort[/caption]

History Revisited

In an exclusive interview with Global Indian, Nath, along with his niece Sonavi Kaicker, the CEO, who has been instrumental in guiding the Neemrana team across all 18 Neemrana properties, and growing the business manifold discuss the success of the Neemrana model of hospitality. Nath explains how the preservation of ruins and dilapidated structures while maintaining their historical architecture, allows guests to relive India’s rich culture, heritage, and history. This, he shares, is one of the key visions and USPs at every Neemrana property.

Aman Nath recalls how, in 1986, they began restoring the iconic Neemrana Fort-Palace, which opened its doors in 1991. “The property was restored to blend with the site’s topography, featuring 14 tiered levels cut into the two-billion-year-old Aravalli Hills. It has courtyards, two swimming pools (one temperature-controlled), lush green gardens, an amphitheatre for evening cultural performances, and multiple dining areas, including al-fresco spaces. The restoration process took time, and it took us one year to redo just one wing. The property was opened in 1991 with 15 liveable rooms.” Soon it will have 100 rooms, with lift access to other wings.

[caption id="attachment_60942" align="aligncenter" width="922"] Neemrana Fort | Global Indian Neemrana Fort[/caption]

Nath emphasises that the Neemrana Fort-Palace is not a typical hotel with carpeted floors, jacuzzis, or luxurious chandeliers. “We call our properties ‘non-hotel’ hotels because none of them were meant to be hotels. Instead, they are structures of historical importance that had fallen to disuse, have been restored with integrity, introducing only basic modern-day amenities to ensure a comfortable stay for discerning travellers.”

The restoration and need-based revitalisation process at Neemrana Fort-Palace continues, with new experiences added regularly. Traditional techniques and materials were used where required while new technologies were introduced when necessary for the restoration. The Kangura (crenellation) motif, replicated from stone, and local artisans were involved in the restoration of cabling, plumbing and other aspects. The Jaalis (fretwork grilles) were made with Berla stone from Rajasthan, and the vaulted roofs were constructed with lime and mortar.

Within Neemrana Fort-Palace, the oldest Jait Mahal(1464CE) houses nine guest rooms named after nine precious stones, while the Hawa Mahal is where evening tea is served. Aam Khas, once the king’s private audience hall, is now an al-fresco dining venue, and the Surya Mahal, originally a 16th-century darbar room where royal ladies observed the all-male court, is now a two-bedroom duplex offering a terrace with a view of the sunset.

[caption id="attachment_60944" align="aligncenter" width="593"] Sonavi Kaicker | Global Indian Sonavi Kaicker[/caption]

As early as 2000, the company won the INTACH-SATTE Award for its exemplary restoration and tourism approach. This was followed by a litany of recognitions.

Expanding Horizons with Heritage

The Neemrana vision extends beyond the Fort-Palace to the restoration of other historical ruins, including the 19th-century Tijara Fort-Palace and the 14th-century Hill Fort-Kesroli. Restoring such crumbling ruins has not been without challenges. Aman Nath recalls how the walls of the fort are between 6-16 feet thick, and while lifts have been installed in certain areas, some parts remain accessible only by foot where the stairs have been made friendlier. “You have to want to feel the essence of history, walk into the darbars, and imagine life in the past. If you are not receptive to its history, then this is not for you. We want guests to explore as much of the entire property and savor the countryside as well as its breathtaking views,” says Nath.

[caption id="attachment_60946" align="aligncenter" width="1058"] Fort Tijara before restoration[/caption]

The Tijara Fort-Palace and Hill Fort-Kesroli, built in the 14th century by the Yaduvanshi kings, were renovated along similar lines, with the latter being one of the oldest forts where one can wake up in India. Rooms in the Tijara Fort-Palace are named after famous Indian artists, designers, and painters, with artworks adorning each room. Nath has worked with artists from across the country to create several nooks and corners where guests can relish the culture and enjoy the peace and also celebrate and enjoy themselves.

Other Neemrana properties include Deo Bagh (17th century) in Gwalior, The Bungalow on the Beach (17th century) in Tranquebar, Tamil Nadu, and the Baradari Palace (19th century) in Patiala, Punjab. Neemrana properties across Goa, Rishikesh, Kochi, Nainital, and Coonoor offer unique experiences closer to nature, with scenic views of rivers, seas, deserts or hills. Each property retains its original character and construction integrity while being modernised to suit contemporary needs.

Why Neemrana is Special

One of Neemrana’s key strengths is its team—over 65% of which hails from the local regions where the properties are located. Nath knows the names of nearly all of his team members, and Sonavi reveals they have a very low attrition rate. “We treat each member of our team like family,” she says. “We invest in their growth through interest-free loans, education allowances, and medical insurance. They were all retained during the Covid years. They take pride in what they do.”

[caption id="attachment_60947" align="aligncenter" width="1056"] Fort Tijara post restoration[/caption]

Neemrana’s success is also due to its approach of being a lean and flexible company, driven by young ideas. “The bottom line is important but never the most important as generating employment in rural areas and restoring India’s heritage remains of paramount importance,” says Sonavi. Neemrana properties are also the NCR’s favourite for destination weddings and conferences, with day tours and lunch packages available for those who want to explore the fort’s history without staying overnight.

The food at Neemrana properties is another key factor in their success. With an emphasis on authentic local cuisine, such as coastal fare in South India and traditional Rajasthani thalis, the menus blend local flavours with international and progressive fusion options to cater to all guests.

Aman Nath | The Global Indian Impact

Neemrana Hotels continues to pioneer the field of restored heritage properties, offering guests a chance to engage with India’s rich history and architectural beauty while experiencing the timeless charm of heritage travel. They appeal to guests who travel to see the difference.

Follow Neemrana Hotels on Instagram

Globetrotting with a purpose: Anil Srivatsa is raising awareness on organ donation

(September 12, 2022) "My biggest challenge in the journey has been people," says Anil Srivastsa, "Most people are ready to donate money to an organisation such as Akshaya Patra because they feed people. But, when I tell them that they should donate their organ to others, they are hesitant as they do not have enough knowledge about it." Having dedicated his life to the cause of organ donation, public speaker Anil's biggest challenge has been to raise awareness about a subject he says "is more of a social issue than medical." [caption id="attachment_29267" align="aligncenter" width="557"] Anil Srivastsa, public speaker, life coach and entrepreneur[/caption] The Mumbai-born life coach and entrepreneur embarked on this journey about seven years ago, after a fateful incident. "In 2014, my brother, Dr. Arjun Srivatsa was diagnosed with chronic renal failure. During his treatment, we got to know that he will require a transplant. When the doctor consulted us, I was more than happy to donate one of my kidneys. However, the more I researched organ donation in India, the more I found how people were not only hesitant but also ignorant about how transplant works. Many didn't know that donors can lead a healthy, normal life

. However, the more I researched organ donation in India, the more I found how people were not only hesitant but also ignorant about how transplant works. Many didn't know that donors can lead a healthy, normal life after they donated their kidney or part of their liver. Also, many people shy away from donating organs of their relatives who have passed away. I am working towards dispelling the myths around the matter," he shares, as Anil connects with Global Indian from the USA.

In the last seven years, Anil has undertaken several overland expeditions to raise awareness about the matter. Covering thousands of kilometres, the entrepreneur has driven across 44 countries by road, including Denmark, Central Asia, Myanmar, USA , sharing his story with over 1,50,000 people and encouraging them to donate organs. A gold medalist at the World Transplant Games, Anil is also the founder of the NGO Gift of Life Adventure.

Inspired by a fateful event

Growing up in a fauji household, Anil shares that he was brought up in a disciplined environment. "I had a very normal upbringing. My father was in the Indian Navy and my mother was a journalist. She would take me and my brother along for the interviews she took, so I was well-exposed to the world and that allowed me to learn about several things that kids my age didn't get to learn at school."

After finishing his bachelor's in criminology from Mysuru, Anil left for Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, where he pursued a master's in telecommunication management in 1993. His first job was at Medstar Television Inc as the head of production and research for the first-ever reality-based forensic series on television which used a 'murder mystery approach’ to documentary storytelling. He later produced and hosted a radio show, Anil ki Awaaz, which was aired in North America. "I have a career spanning over 35 to 40 years. And in those years, I have worked in various companies and held many senior positions," shares the public speaker, who was also the CEO of the Indian Premier League team, Kings XI Punjab.

[caption id="attachment_29269" align="aligncenter" width="460"] Public speaker | Anil Srivastsa | Global Indian Anil at the WPRB studios. 1999[/caption]

Anil's life turned around when his brother was diagnosed with a kidney disorder. Speaking about his first introduction to organ donation, he says, "In 2001, when I was living in the United States, my neighbour donated her kidney to her sister-in-law. While I had heard about organ donation, it was the first time that I witnessed it. However, I didn't delve deep into the subject back then. It was only when the doctors informed us that they will have to transplant Arjun's kidney is when I started researching the subject."

Impacting lives

Soon after his brother's successful surgery, Anil started spreading the word about organ donation and how it can save several lives across the globe. However, it was an uphill task initially as people not just lacked basic knowledge on the subject but many were hesitant due to several social stigmas. "The religious and spiritual leaders have a great role to play in encouraging people to come forward and donate vital organs." Narrating an incident, the public speaker, shares, "I once met a couple of a particular community, which doesn't even allow blood donations. When I asked them what would they do if their child needed a blood transfusion, they said that they would let them die if that is what the god wished."

[caption id="attachment_29271" align="aligncenter" width="2048"] Public speaker | Anil Srivastsa | Global Indian Anil, during his expedition in Antarctica[/caption]

Several such conversations with people from different regions and communities motivated Anil to embark on this extraordinary journey. And up till now, he has impacted over one lakh people by encouraging them to donate their organs. Speaking about one such incident, he says, "My car is decorated with various slogans and messages about organ donation. So, once while I was in Gujarat, I was spotted and stopped by a couple whose daughter was diagnosed with a liver disorder and needed a transplant. Despite several attempts, they weren't able to find a donor. When I got to know about the case and met the medical team handling the case, I spoke to the family about how a live person can also donate a part of their life - something they didn't know about. The mother agreed to donate her liver, and today that girl is studying to become a lawyer."

Donning many hats

The public speaker, who is currently on a 56,000 km drive, is on his way to take part in the 'World Transplant Games' that will be held in Australia in 2023. "I have been representing India at the World Transplant Games - which is held for either donors or recipients of an organ. In 2019, I won gold for India in ball throwing. My brother, Arjun, also won gold in golf. In a lighter vein, it was my own kidney winning the gold because he has one of mine." laughs Anil.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ellKTD6FvL8

Anil is also the founder of Sochcast, which is a content creation and distribution platform, especially for women. "I also started Radiowalla Network, which is the most scalable, dynamic, and valuable internet audio distribution and content platform," he shares before signing off.

Follow Anil Srivatsa in Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and his website

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India-born mountaineer Satish Gogineni sets new record by summiting Mt Everest and Mt Lhotse within 20 hours

(June 29, 2022) It’s not just the altitude that makes a mountain mean. From the route to scale the summit to the unexpected weather turning the climb into a deadly expedition - many unforeseen hurdles can make the summit an impossible task. However, nothing could deter Hyderabad-born mountaineer, Satish Gogineni, from climbing not one but two mountains in a single day. Last month, Satish summited Mount Everest and Mount Lhotse — the first and fourth highest peak in the world - within 20 hours of each other, in one single expedition. This makes him the fastest Indian to achieve the double-summit, a feat less than 100 climbers in the world have managed. [caption id="attachment_26275" align="aligncenter" width="505"] Satish Gogineni[/caption] Connecting with Global Indian from San Francisco, Satish shares that he was preparing for the summit for some time now. "I summited Mount Everest (8,849 m) and Mount Lhotse (8,516 m). I have always enjoyed travelling to new cities within and outside the US, and meeting new people. This, combined with my curiosity to find my vertical and endurance ceiling pushed me to challenge myself. I was able to climb both the mountains in about 19-and-a-half hours," shares the mountaineer. Driven by

enjoyed travelling to new cities within and outside the US, and meeting new people. This, combined with my curiosity to find my vertical and endurance ceiling pushed me to challenge myself. I was able to climb both the mountains in about 19-and-a-half hours," shares the mountaineer.

Driven by adventure

Like most kids, Satish grew up playing sports, however, it wasn't a big part of his life. "My father worked as an engineer in BSNL and my mother worked at Dr BR Ambedkar Open University. Growing up, I remember I was a lot into cricket. I and my brother would play many sports, but we never pursued them professionally."

[caption id="attachment_26276" align="aligncenter" width="586"] Moutaineer | Satish Gogineni | Global Indian Satish at Mount Everest's summit[/caption]

Academically driven, Satish went to Pune to pursue a bachelor's in engineering at the Maharashtra Institute of Technology, and later relocated to the United States in 2004. It was here that he reconnected with his adventurous streak. “I started taking part in inter-college sports activities. But soon realised that people here were much faster than I was. So, I started running about two to three miles every day. After moving to Los Angeles, I joined a running club as I didn’t have many friends to hang out with. In 2007, I ran my first LA marathon," shares the mountaineer, for whom there has been no looking back since then.

Matters of the mind

An endurance runner, Satish has run 14 full marathons, including the world majors in Berlin and Tokyo. However, the road to the highest mountain in the world was full of hurdles. "Very unexpectedly, I lost my mother in 2011. That was a big shocker for me. I struggled through depression for about two years. It was a huge loss," shares the adventure junkie. But it was running that kept him going. "Everyone in the world has struggled through a loved one's loss. However, it is important to move on. While it was difficult for me, I kept myself going. I never quit running and with time I got more disciplined and organised," the mountaineer adds.

Moutaineer | Satish Gogineni | Global Indian

While he is a pro at it now, mountaineering was never on the cards. A chance backpacking trip with a friend changed it all for Satish. “In 2013, a friend invited me for a backpacking trip to Mount Whitney (4,421 m), which is the tallest peak in the US. I didn't like it at the time, because it felt like running two marathons simultaneously. But, later, I started enjoying the rush," shares the mountaineer. High on adrenaline rush, he returned home to watch many YouTube videos on ‘How to climb Everest’ till wee hours of the night, after being sleepless for several hours.

Tryst with mountains

Since then, Satish has climbed several mountains in the US. He has summited Mt Shasta (4,322 m), Mt Rainier (4,392 m) and Mt Hood (3,429 m). Interestingly in 2018, he also climbed volcano Iztaccíhuatl (5,230 m) in Mexico, and scaled it again in 2019 along with stratovolcano Pico De Orizaba (5,636 m) — the third highest mountain in North America. In June 2021, he summited Mt Denali (6,190 m) — the highest mountain in North American continent.

[caption id="attachment_26279" align="aligncenter" width="612"] Moutaineer | Satish Gogineni | Global Indian Satish with another climber[/caption]

Passionate for the mountains, he trained rigorously for his Everest expedition with his friend. "I would run for about 60-90 miles a week. Apart from the endurance training, I had to prepare mentally as well, for which I practiced yoga regularly,” he adds.

Having climbed the world's tallest peak, Satish calls the experience “mentally challenging”. "The key is to stay focussed, because while it not the most dangerous mountain to climb, Mount Everest does test you in many ways. There are deadly crevasses, the Khumbu icefall, and the high altitude. So, the most difficult thing is to stay focussed on the task at hand at any given point in time. Also, I wasn't just climbing Mt Everest, but also My Lhotse, and for that it was important that to have a strong mind."

Moutaineer | Satish Gogineni | Global Indian

Happy to achieve the feat, Satish is all praise for his Sherpa, whom he calls his “biggest gift.” “Pemba, who was from the Makalu region, was the biggest blessing throughout the journey. He always double checked the safety and encouraged me at every point,” says Satish who plans to climb more mountains in the future.

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Reading Time: 7 mins

Country’s first certified chocolate taster Nitin Chordia serves ‘Made in India’ chocolates in the truest sense

(September 16, 2022) When people get to know that Nitin Chordia is a chocolate taster, they can’t help but be curious. What could be a better job than that of a chocolate taster’s is the most common reaction. Though Nitin seconds their opinion with a smile, India’s first certified chocolate taster dons other hats too. As an entrepreneur, he has his work divided between Cocoashala, an academy that trains chocolate makers from around the globe, and Kocoatrait, the chocolate manufacturing company that has his wife, Poonam at the forefront. [caption id="attachment_29429" align="aligncenter" width="903"] L Nitin Chordia, chocolate taster and entrepreneur[/caption] Chocolates that are literally ‘Made in India’ Since long India’s large share of the chocolate market has been claimed by big foreign brands. Thanks to the efforts of chocolate makers like Nitin, we can now enjoy made-in-India chocolates. In a conversation with Global Indian, he elaborates: Chocolates in India have been made by big players in the industry for decades. I have tried to revolutionise the concept of made-in-India chocolates in the sense that the ingredients (cocoa beans) that we use for chocolate making are being sourced from Indian farms instead of being imported from outside - Nitin Chordia

an>Global Indian, he elaborates:

Chocolates in India have been made by big players in the industry for decades. I have tried to revolutionise the concept of made-in-India chocolates in the sense that the ingredients (cocoa beans) that we use for chocolate making are being sourced from Indian farms instead of being imported from outside - Nitin Chordia

That’s what makes his chocolates unique in comparison to the popular brands that have been ruling the market for years now.

[caption id="attachment_29430" align="aligncenter" width="788"] Indian Entrepreneur | Nitin Chordia | Global Indian Cocoa pods on a cacao tree in the farm - cocoa beans are inside these pods[/caption]

Having begun just a few years back, the revolution ushered by Nitin is ‘benefitting the farmers cultivating cocoa beans in India’ and it’s the most satisfying part of the business for him. Talking about the second satisfying aspect, “I can assure you that no child labour is involved in cocoa farming in India, unlike in some other countries,” says the bean-to-bar chocolate maker.

What’s bean-to-bar chocolate making?

A question that’s often posed to Nitin. “Many big companies that make and sell chocolates in India just do the last mile thing, buying chocolate slabs, adding fruits and nuts, and giving them shapes and packaging.” While the bean-to-bar chocolate makers like Nitin are involved in the process right from the beginning – cocoa beans cultivated by the farmers on the cacao trees,” he explains.

[caption id="attachment_29458" align="alignnone" width="1040"] Indian Entrepreneur | Nitin Chordia | Global Indian From bean to bar[/caption]

However, big brands, on the other hand, follow cocoa liquor-to-bar or mass-to-bar chocolate production processes. “All they do is buy chocolate paste which is known as cocoa liquor or cocoa mass, bypassing several processes like dealing with the farmers, trying to select the best fruit, getting the cocoa beans fermented, dried, roasted and then turned into paste. They outsource the initial processes,” tells Nitin. Such has been his close association with the farmers that he often sees himself getting into the shoes of the mentor for them to ensure quality produce.

[caption id="attachment_29435" align="aligncenter" width="923"] Indian Entrepreneur | Nitin Chordia | Global Indian Interaction session with cocoa farmers[/caption]

It all began when…

Though Nitin dipped his toes in the world of entrepreneurship in 2015, his tryst with confectionery dates back to 2005 when he was working for KSA Technopak, one of India’s largest retail companies and was heading its client Godrej’s Nature Basket project. Nitin was entrusted with the responsibility of establishing the Nature Basket chain of stores across the country for the corporate giant. “In that process, I developed a grasp on several categories of food products. Chocolates particularly interested me from the economic, and business standpoint,” says the Chennai based entrepreneur.

[caption id="attachment_29436" align="alignnone" width="1029"] Indian Entrepreneur | Nitin Chordia | Global Indian Nitin conducting a chocolate appreciation session[/caption]

Nitin hails from a family that has been into entrepreneurship since generations, and to be in that space was his ultimate goal as well. However, he wanted to dabble in something new as opposed to his family business in trading, finance and real estate. That’s when he decided to pursue an M Sc in retail management from University of Surrey and later worked for a couple of retail consultancy firms with the plan to eventually foray into entrepreneurship one day.

Expensive lessons

Over the years, Nitin found himself intrigued by the world of chocolates, a business domain he was keen to explore. However, he wanted to do some research before soaking into the world of entrepreneurship, and that’s when he decided to go on a backpacking trip to Belgium, the European Mecca for chocolate. “It took me 20-days to discover that thousands of chocolate sellers actually don’t make chocolates at all. They don’t go to cocoa farms, they don’t buy cocoa fruit, they don’t process or make chocolate in bulk. All they do is buy slabs of chocolate from some manufacturer, put some nuts into it and sell.” This discovery was a gamechanger for Nitin as for him ‘a myth got uncovered.’

[caption id="attachment_29448" align="alignnone" width="1079"] Indian Entrepreneur | Nitin Chordia | Global Indian Nitin in one of the sessions abroad[/caption]

However, there was more as it was on the same trip that he met his mentor Martin Christy, who runs the International Institute of Chocolate and Cacao Tasting in the UK, the only institution of its kind and affiliated to the Government. “We happened to meet in a chocolate museum. Within two weeks, I was back attending a chocolate tasting certification course at his institute, becoming India’s first certified chocolate taster,” Nitin tells. After a few months of clearing the first certification level, he returned for level two getting assured that the chocolate business has huge potential to click. Martin became his mentor.

[caption id="attachment_29469" align="aligncenter" width="877"] Fermented cocoa beans - in the process of chocolate production[/caption]

“People had just started understanding speciality tea, coffee, wine but chocolates had never been spoken about,” and he got determined to bring his discoveries and gained knowledge to the forefront.

Making a difference

There were some people making bean-to-bar chocolates at a very small scale in India in places like Puducherry and Mysuru, but the practice was not popular - Nitin Chordia

With the purpose of making cocoa bean farming a profitable venture in India, he opened a franchisee of his mentor’s institute in the country giving fuel to business ideas of other entrepreneurs to start chocolate making ventures with ingredients produced in the country.

[caption id="attachment_29432" align="alignnone" width="1006"] Indian Entrepreneur | Nitin Chordia | Global Indian Nitin at one of the training sessions at Cocoashala[/caption]

Nitin’s Cocoashala has not only provided training to some of the most successful bean-to-bar chocolate makers of India but has also enabled their businesses by hand-holding them throughout the process. Through his consultancy venture, Nitin has helped them out with machinery, raw material, recipe development, being instrumental in ensuring their transition from learners to professional chocolate makers. There are 12 well-known bean-to-bar chocolate entrepreneurs in the country who have been successful in their businesses under Nitin’s mentorship. One of them being Paul and Mike, India’s largest bean-to-bar chocolate makers.

[caption id="attachment_29466" align="alignnone" width="1193"] Different types of cocoa pods[/caption]

All the entrepreneurs whom Nitin has mentored have been sourcing cocoa beans from farmers in Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra and Tamil Nadu, giving a boost to the economy.

Strong partnership

Poonam Chordiya, Nitin’s wife has had a significant role behind the success of both Cocoashala and Kocoatrait. “It was she who was instrumental in the idea of me starting Cocoashala. When in 2015 we talked about bean-to-bar chocolate making, everyone laughed at us. Poonam coaxed me to monetise the insights I gained through extensive travels and expensive mistakes.”

[caption id="attachment_29442" align="alignnone" width="930"] Indian Entrepreneur | Nitin Chordia | Global Indian Nitin with his wife, Poonam Chordia[/caption]

Once Cocoashala got stable, they started Kocoatrait in 2019, manufacturing chocolates and coming up with the end product with an all-women’s team. “Poonam is the brain, soul and heart behind the Kocoatrait brand,” Nitin says. The couple has been working diligently to let the quality of the products and services do all the talking. “We do not engage in any advertising and PR,” he remarks.

Measuring success

The only way Nitin and Poonam measure success is through the fact that they have saved more than 200 kgs of single use plastic from entering landfills. Their chocolate brand does not use paper or plastic in packaging.

The wrappers are biodegradable, compostable, recyclable, and upcycled in the first place. They are made with cocoa shells which are a by-product of our roasting process that would have otherwise gone into landfill. Apart from that, cotton waste generated by the garment industry in places like Coimbatore is being used for making the wrappers - Nitin Chordia

To compete with established brands is hardly the goal for Nitin. He finds happiness in the fact that he has been able to drive in the point that India is capable of producing internationally acceptable chocolates with Indian-origin ingredients.

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Reading Time: 7 mins