Indian Philanthropist | Mohnish Pabrai | Global Indian

Global IndianstoryHow investor Mohnish Pabrai applies Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger’s principles for extraordinary success

How investor Mohnish Pabrai applies Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger’s principles for extraordinary success

Compiled by: Amrita Priya

(April 1, 2024) A smart investor, thriving entrepreneur, and a dedicated philanthropist, Indian American Mohnish Pabrai has reached great heights from the obscurity of Bombay to the financial peak and fame in the US. The author of ‘The Dhandho Investor,’ and ‘Mosaic’ has followed in the footsteps of two of the most esteemed investors in history, Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger, who later became his mentor and dear friend.

Pabrai’s ambition has been bold and clear – to transform $1 million in savings into a $1 billion fortune by replicating Buffett’s investment approach.

Indian philanthropist | Mohnish Pabrai | Global Indian

In 2022 when Pabrai received a letter from Warren Buffett, he couldn’t have been happier. Acknowledging the impressive annual report of the Indian American philanthropist’s non-profit Dakshana Foundation, Buffet wrote:

Dear Mohnish,

I remain incredibly impressed by what you have done, are doing and will do at Dakshana. It is simply terrific – far more impressive than what business titans, investment gurus and famous politicians ever accomplish. I’m glad my annual report doesn’t get compared to the Dakshana annual report. It’s an honour even to be quoted in it.

With admiration – Warren E. Buffet

So far, Pabrai has secured investments totalling ₹130 crore for his foundation transforming nearly 40,000 lives forever.

Giving back

When Pabrai co-founded the Dakshana Foundation in 2007, he became a key figure in providing needy students in India good education and helpful guidance, helping them start successful careers. Dakshana’s primary focus is on combating poverty through education. The non-profit achieves this by identifying exceptionally talented but financially disadvantaged teenagers and offering them rigorous coaching along with hostel facilities for one or two years to prepare for the IITs and medical entrance exams.

The foundation has witnessed thousands of scholars being getting admitted to India’s prestigious IITs, and medical schools. Dakshana Scholars are exceptional students selected from Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas and government schools across India based on their academic performance and results from Dakshana’s unique testing process. They receive specialised coaching after completing Class 10 or Class 12.

Mohnish Pabrai with Dakshana Scholars

Pabrai comes across as a very fun-loving and relaxed individual when interacting with the scholars of his foundation, often leaving them in splits of laughter. During one such interaction, he recounted a childhood incident, saying, “I used to have very low self-esteem and thought I was significantly below average. I remember when I was in the third standard, in a class with a large size of about 60 students. We received report cards with our ranks on them. I distinctly recall my rank was 57 out of 60. I used to sit at the back, not understanding what was being taught, and I wondered why I didn’t get a perfect score of 60 out of 60!”

The flight of life

Mohnish Pabrai was born in Mumbai in 1964. His father’s job took him to different cities in India and Dubai which gave him the opportunity to study in various schools including Jamnabai Narsee School, Maneckji Cooper Education Trust School, The Air Force School in New Delhi, and The Indian High School in Dubai. These different schools influenced his outlook on life.

After completing his school education, he went on to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in computer engineering from Clemson University, showing his early talent for technology, even though he had studied commerce in his 11^th and 12^th grade. He continued to learn by attending the YPO Harvard President’s Seminar for nine years, eventually being recognised as an alumnus of Harvard Business School.

From 1986 to 1991, Pabrai worked at Tellabs, a technology startup, and then went on to found TransTech Inc., an IT consulting and systems integration company in 1991, investing $30,000 from his personal account and credit card debt. Despite facing challenges initially, his determination led TransTech to success. After nine years, Pabrai sold the company for $20 million to Kurt Salmon Associates.

Successful investing is not about picking winners; it’s about avoiding losers. Focus on preserving your capital first, and then look for opportunities to grow it over time.

Mohnish Pabrai mentioned in his book, ‘The Dhandho Investor’

Inspired by Warren Buffet and Charlie Munger

Pabrai’s investment strategy focuses on identifying severely undervalued companies with the potential for substantial returns.

He had established the Pabrai Investment Funds, a hedge fund family inspired by Buffett Partnerships in 1999. In a matter of four years, his long-only equities portfolio returned 517 percent of the invested amount. This meteoric growth catapulted him to prominence in the financial world. People started taking notice of his strategic thinking and investing acumen which was inspired by Warren Buffet’s investment philosophies.

Mohnish Pabrai with Charlie Munger

I have two gurus Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger. One of the things I learned from them which kind of took me a long time to actually figure this out, is that if you want to do well in life then what you should avoid doing is looking back.

Mohnish Pabrai

Pabrai had developed lasting friendship with late American businessman, investor and philanthropist Charlie Munger while being his mentee, and often followed his philosophies in life. Four months back when Munger passed away, Pabrai tweeted, “I lost a dear friend, mentor and teacher. As a kid from Mumbai, I never expected to have a friendship with Charlie Munger…”

In December 2023, Pabrai’s net worth was estimated to be $150 million. The bulk of his wealth accumulation are a result of his savvy investment decisions, with stakes in companies like Micron Technology, General Motors Company, and Bank of America Corporation, among others.

Also Read | Frank Islam: The Indian American visionary is bridging worlds through philanthropy, leadership and influence

Heads I Win, Tails I Don’t Lose

Apart from being the founder and managing partner of Pabrai Investment Funds that manages over $1 billion in assets, the investor serves as portfolio manager of Pabrai Wagons Funds, founder and CEO of Dhandho Funds, and chairman and CEO of Dhandho Holdings.

Mohnish Pabrai has crafted his own winning mantra – ‘Heads I Win, Tails I Don’t Lose.’ With this mindset he carefully selects companies which are undervalued in the market but have strong fundamentals and intrinsic values that can be reaped for good results. Employing this approach, he has mastered the art of value investing, achieving outstanding returns on his investments while minimising risks.

Indian philanthropist | Mohnish Pabrai | Global Indian

Not shy of sharing his knowledge

Beyond investment management Pabrai loves to share his insights with aspiring investors and professionals in the world of finance. He has shared his insights in two of his well acclaimed books – ‘The Dhandho Investor: The Low-Risk Formula for Value Investing’ published in 2011 and ‘Mosaic: Perspectives on Investing’ published in 2017.

These books provide practical advice and valuable insights drawn from his extensive experience and research in investing. His insights get quoted quite often. In fact, in Guy Spier’s book, ‘The Education of a Value Investor,’ there is a chapter titled “Doing Business the Buffett-Pabrai Way,’ which thoroughly explores Pabrai’s life and investment philosophy.

In addition to books, the investor frequently contributes articles to prestigious publications, offering commentary on current market trends, investment strategies, and the broader principles of value investing. His engaging writing style makes complex financial concepts understandable to a wider audience.

Mohnish Pabrai also actively interacts with the community through lectures and presentations. His thought-provoking speeches are full of humour, keen observations, and practical advice, empowering the investor community.

You don’t make money when you buy stocks. And you don’t make money when you sell stocks. You make money by waiting. The biggest asset of a value investor is not his IQ but his patience.

Mohnish Pabrai

Following his mentor Charlie Munger’s philosophy of ‘focusing on continuous improvement instead of dwelling on past’, the Indian American investor is always on a quest to reach fresh heights in the journey of life.

A little known fact:

Mohnish Pabrai is the grandson of world-renowned magician, late Gogia Pasha who earned international acclaim for his performances.

Follow Mohnish Pabrai on LinkedIn, X, YouTube, Facebook and his blog Chai with Pabrai

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Published on 01, Apr 2024

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How educator Dr. Neeli Bendapudi is empowering changemakers of tomorrow

(May 16, 2023) Even as a young child, living in Vishakapatnam, the seaside city of Andhra Pradesh back in the early 60s, Dr. Neeli Bendapudi had just one dream - that of becoming a world-class educator. As the eldest of three daughters in a family battling poverty, she witnessed the collective efforts of her extended family to send her father to the United States for a doctorate in English literature at the University of Kansas. The preciousness of this opportunity was not lost on the young educator. Defying all the odds that came her way, Dr. Bendapudi became the first woman and the first non-white person to lead the Pennsylvania State University in 2022. The educator, who values nothing more than her students and their future, brings to the table a wealth of life experiences and a strong set of values that will shape her priorities as a leader. "To me, for anyone in this job, students have to come first. We've got to focus on our students and student success," The Global Indian educator said in an interview, adding, "I want to make sure that every student, no matter who they are, when we say 'We Are', they know

strong set of values that will shape her priorities as a leader. "To me, for anyone in this job, students have to come first. We've got to focus on our students and student success," The Global Indian educator said in an interview, adding, "I want to make sure that every student, no matter who they are, when we say 'We Are', they know that they are part of the 'We'."

The power of education

Dr. Bendapudi's childhood in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh was marked by her family's hardship. The educator called herself a “living testament to the transformative power of higher education.” Before her family came to the United States from India, she said, "We never had running water, or the confidence that you could just turn on a switch and there would be electricity. These things, no question in my mind, are in my life because of higher education. It's really a mission, a goal, a challenge, an opportunity to create those opportunities for the next generation."

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

During her father's four-year stay in the United States, their connection was largely confined to infrequent letters and a telephone call every few months made from the home of a neighbour, who had a phone. Despite her tender age, the educator distinctly recalls the difficulty of being separated from her father, while simultaneously recognising the significance of his endeavours. "In India, the family as a unit is super important, and the idea was, ‘We need to make a better life for the entire family'," she said in an interview. "It was drilled into me, all the sacrifices that go into getting higher education, because it’s not just about you, it’s about the extended family. My father came back after four years with a Ph.D., and it changed the trajectory of our family’s lives. So I decided at a very early age that higher education would be my path," Dr Bendapudi added.

After finishing her schooling, the educator acquired her undergraduate degree in English and her MBA from Andhra University in India, where her father held a professorship. It was during these years that she encountered and tied the knot with Venkat Bendapudi, now her spouse for 38 years. Both decided to chase their doctorate degrees in the United States and after being courted by numerous universities, they opted to enroll in her father's alma mater, the University of Kansas.

Educator | Dr. Neeli Bendapudi | Global India

Following her steps, her two sisters also pursued their higher education at the same university. Eventually, even Bendapudi's mother undertook the journey of academia and achieved her doctoral degree. Sharing that her mother was the inspiration behind all her achievements, the educator said, "My mom is really a hero. While we were all in school, she also got her Ph.D. Having three small children, she didn’t get to do it when everybody else did, but she knew the importance of higher education."

The world of opportunities

Dr Neeli Bendapudi came to the US with one major goal - to become an educator. And her choices were again steered by her upbringing in India, having personally witnessed the transformation that occurred when Indian markets embraced competition, stopping monopolies from restricting affordability and accessibility for the less affluent consumers.

In 1994, the educator achieved her doctorate in marketing with a focus on consumer behavior. She began her academic career at Texas A&M, proceeded to instruct at Ohio State University, and eventually rejoined the University of Kansas in the roles of Business School Dean, then Provost, and Executive Vice Chancellor. "What I truly believe is that competition and free markets help everybody. Watching that transition — I wanted to study that. Marketing became something that fascinated me," the educator said. In 2005, Dr. Bendapudi earned her American citizenship. "That’s something my father instilled in me as well—this reverence and gratitude to this country. I hope all young people in this country get to watch a naturalisation ceremony. They won the genetic lottery by being born in this country."

Educator | Dr. Neeli Bendapudi | Global India

The educator warmly remembers the honor of being asked to deliver a speech at the naturalization ceremony where her parents obtained their citizenship in 2011. During her speech, she referred to the United States as "the most extraordinary nation on the planet," challenging the attendees with the words, "I invite you to mention a single other nation that has such long waiting lists of people yearning to identify themselves as its citizens."

[caption id="attachment_38725" align="aligncenter" width="673"] Educator | Dr. Neeli Bendapudi | Global Indian President Neeli Bendapudi and her husband, Venkat, with their 14-month-old grandson, Arjun[/caption]

After working at Kansas University for about two decades, Dr. Bendapudi took on the role of President at the University of Louisville, in 2018. Throughout her journey, she held the position of executive vice president at Huntington Bank for several years, and she has also spent significant time consulting outside the academic sphere, working with entities such as AIG, Procter & Gamble, Deloitte, and the U.S. Army. "I’m very proud of that background. I knew I wanted to be a professor that could talk about how this applied in the real world," the educator said, adding, "To me, you would not want to be taught medicine by a doctor who said, ‘I’ve never seen the heart, but I’ve read the book.’ Likewise, when teaching business, I did not want to be a professor that said, ‘I’ve never done it.’ Not just teaching in the abstract, but connecting and working side-by-side with business people was important to me."

Rising to the top

Dr. Bendapudi officially stepped into her role as the 19th president of Penn State on May 9, 2023. Although she has spent the preceding months working intensively with former President Eric Barron, along with various administrators and trustees to grasp the intricacies of this expansive University, the educator is also lean on a broad spectrum of personal experiences that have equipped her for this fresh responsibility.

As the educator assumed the leadership at Penn State, her interpretation of the University's mandate is crystal clear: "Enhancing lives by producing and spreading knowledge." To achieve this mission, she has established an articulated set of objectives. Her emphasis on students is far from mere rhetoric. Her genuine concern is observable in the way she interacts with them. At a Penn State men's ice hockey match in January, she made a special effort to personally meet some of the students present, inquiring about their fields of study and their experiences with authentic curiosity.

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

"The truth is, when I interact with every single student, I cannot help thinking about the potential. You never know what this person is going to go on and do, and what this education is going to mean for that individual. So I love talking to students. My second big focus will be on faculty and staff—making sure we support our faculty and staff, that we are competitive, that we attract them and retain them," she said during her speech at the event, adding, "My goal is to continue to foster that sense of belonging for every student, employee, and alumni, and help them find a way to make this special place their own."

Follow Dr. Neeli Bendapudi on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook

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Meet Vivek Narain, the man behind the exclusive members-only club, The Quorum

Meet Vivek Narain, Founder and CEO of The Quorum, a members-only lifestyle club in India, which promotes culture while building a community of people with shared interests. The workspace as we know it, is rapidly changing globally. From shared co-working spaces to working from home to sitting in a coffee shop with free wi-fi, the office has been reinvented. Capitalising on this paradigm are private clubs, bridging the gap between five-star luxury and the amenities of an office. Along with a forum to network, and have conversations about art, music, life and other topics of interest. The suave Vivek Narain, who holds a finance and economics degree from the American University, Kogod School of Business, Washington D.C, combined his past experience in hospitality and an extensive understanding of real estate, to design and create The Quorum, a members-only club that doubles up as a space where business and leisure complement each other effortlessly. [caption id="attachment_51095" align="aligncenter" width="453"] Vivek Narain, founder, The Quorum[/caption] Breaking the 9 to 5 office mould In an exclusive with Global Indian, on a day’s visit to the just-launched 110,000 square feet of space that is The Quorum in Hyderabad, he shares details about his idea. He

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Breaking the 9 to 5 office mould

In an exclusive with Global Indian, on a day’s visit to the just-launched 110,000 square feet of space that is The Quorum in Hyderabad, he shares details about his idea. He reveals how the club is more than just a place to work or relax after a guided tour. “We had set up The Quorum in Mumbai and Gurgaon and it took us two years to get the Hyderabad venue up and running. The place has everything you could need — to work, entertain, relax, hold an event, or even have a meeting, without the pretentiousness of a five-star property.”

The Quorum’s facilities geared towards wellness include two internationally certified padel courts, a pilates studio, a room for yoga, a pool, and a gym. There is also a restaurant, a members’ lounge and bar, and smaller, private rooms to hold a book club reading and conduct meetings or events. Kids are allowed only on Sundays.

Vivek is passionate about inviting speakers on a range of subjects, and the club’s activities across cities include hosting fashion pop-ups, and using the space on the walls as a gallery to promote art. The newly-launched Hyderabad club had its first show in collaboration with Srishti Art Gallery and their in-house curator ensures art gets its due importance across all three properties. He adds, “Every month we will be collaborating with different galleries and artists because I believe art is and should be an important conversation to have.”

According to an article in Forbes magazine, ‘The fastest-growing workplace isn’t home or the office, but some third place — a coffee shop, hotel lobby or, increasingly, private clubs.’ And, focussing on this trend, within five years, The Quorum has helped bridge the gap for people who are frequent travellers and are aware of trends and luxury experiences they might wish to replicate in India.

More than a club membership

The membership profile for The Quorum, according to Vivek is, “Men and women who are global Indians — upwardly mobile, have a larger goal of wanting to make an impact, and are curious about other ideas and have multiple interests. People who want to push boundaries on conversations on varied topics from geopolitics to AI; who have an interest in listening to opera or watching a Bharatnatyam performance.”

Vivek and his team showcase talents across fields; and with the club’s credibility now firmly in place, people approach them to host events — whether it is to talk about ideas or deliver high-quality content. Just the April calendar for the Gurgaon venue included events like an art soiree, a live jazz performance by Tanya Nambiar, a meditation session every Friday morning, a talk on women in business hosted by a woman member, and a conversation on sustainable fashion with designers like Nikhil Mehra, Gaurav Gupta with Anju Bhandari. Another talk with the lawyer Indira Jaising, and a whisky-tasting session along with readings from a classic by Naseeruddin Shah were on the agenda too. The Hyderabad one for its part hosted an opera night, a live sitar recital, a qawwali and a ghazal night, a conversation with the previous Governor of the RBI, D Subbarao, and a live performance by Mama Tips and The Goa Crew to name a few.

Vivek admits that some events are crowd pullers and some conversations have barely a handful in the audience, but it doesn’t deter him from pursuing this paradigm of offering something more than a club.

Keeping in mind the high-profile members, many of whom are HNIs, the club is tastefully done up. From the comfortable seating to the wall-papered library which even has a secret door that leads to a private room; an installation hanging from the ceiling, echoing the movement of birds during a murmuration, by Delhi-based origami artist Ankon Mitra to the spacious dining area, the pool etc., everything spells luxury sans the snob element. The staff is friendly and the entire space is meant to make you relax. When asked how The Quorum is different from the regular clubs, Vivek reiterates, “Those clubs are not always focussed on giving you the best quality. Even as we push the boundaries on various subjects, our kitchens promise you an excellent culinary experience too with global cuisine on the menu.”

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All these facilities come at a price. The standard joining fee is a one-time, non-refundable deposit of Rs five lakhs, and an annual fee of Rs one-and-a-half lakhs. What you spend on food and drinks is extra. The fee gives you access to this space and its facilities, two of The Quorum’s other clubs in Gurgaon and Mumbai, and 75+ clubs across 28 countries it has associated with. Though there are other membership tiers — for entrepreneurs, women, and those who fit the profile and are under 30 — the one-time fee has been waived off.

Offices of tomorrow

Vivek, who has in the past worked with leading hospitality brands, has also set up his second flagship brand called district150. Elaborating on the brand’s name and idea, he says, “According to Robin Dunbar, an anthropologist from Oxford University, 150 is the total number of stable, meaningful relationships a person can have in their life. That is why cavalries have only 150 members, and a human being can remember a maximum of 1500 faces and 500 names. With this narrative in mind, I set up district150 which is a meetings and events venue driven by hospitality and is a space built with the future of work and lifestyle in mind. It’s an amenity for the office building of tomorrow which can add significant value as a venue for corporate meetings and events during business hours and as a social venue after working hours.” It is a cross between an office and a hotel and you can host meetings and events here; there is also a progressive Indian casual dining restaurant called Zila. The brand has partnered with Subko, for their artisanal coffee and chocolate experience.

In the past, Vivek has headed development for Fairmont Raffles Hotels International and was responsible for the group’s growth and expansion efforts across South Asia. He has been a board member of SUJAN Rajmahal Palace and was instrumental in repositioning this marquee boutique heritage-palace hotel, part of the prestigious Relais & Chateaux collection, as one of the top luxury hotels in the world. He is a founding member and events and programming Chair of ULI (Urban Land Institute), India. He is currently also involved with Changemakers of Gurgaon at Scale, an organisation working towards making Gurgaon a more vibrant and sustainable city that figures among the top 50 cities of the world.

With his larger goal of making an impact while remaining a profitable business, Vivek plans to expand to other cities like Delhi, Bengaluru and Goa. This, despite fighting the constant challenge he faces as a first-time entrepreneur – that of attracting and retaining the right talent. Still, he stays committed to his goal of establishing a brand with high credibility that slowly brings change into the way we conduct business or hold conversations.

Follow The Quorum on Instagram.

How para cyclist Jyoti Radheshyam escaped death and made it to the Paris Paralympics 2024

(September 2, 2024) You just can’t beat the person who won’t give up. That’s true of Jyoti Radheshyam Gaderiya. Back in May 2016, when she met with a near-fatal road mishap, doctors had lost all hope of her survival. They even declared her “dead” and sent the “body” for a post-mortem. But she fought a fierce battle with death and came back to life moments later. She spent the next three months in the ICU, battling for life, and her treatment involved the amputation of her left leg. Yet, she did not give up. “Losing a leg completely shattered me, I felt like a burden on myself. I went into depression for years. Eventually, I pulled myself together and here I am today,” says Jyoti Radheshyam Gaderiya, India’s top para cyclist, speaking to Global Indian. Over the years, Jyoti made India proud by winning 12 international medals and several national medals in para cycling championships. She is now at the prestigious Paris 2024 Summer Paralympic Games and says, “My sole aim is to win gold for India and make my country proud. I am completely focussed and working hard for it,” smiles the 26 year old. [caption id="attachment_55307" align="aligncenter" width="468"] Para cyclist Jyoti Radheshyam[/caption] Her preparations for the games were intense. Jyoti’s

m/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/PHOTO-2024-07-05-14-47-13.jpg" alt="Jyoti Radheshyam para cyclist | 2024 Paris Summer Paralympics | Global Indian" width="468" height="468" /> Para cyclist Jyoti Radheshyam[/caption]

Her preparations for the games were intense. Jyoti’s day would begin at 5 am, and she would head to practice, which lasted several hours. “After practice, I do body recovery exercises and drink protein shakes. Evenings are reserved for gym sessions,” she explains.

Rowing to cycling

Jyoti started cycling in February 22, 2022 with support from the Aditya Mehta foundation. Prior to that, she clinched an international bronze in para rowing at the Asian Games in 2019. “I shifted priorities and wanted to do cycling,” says the para cyclist.

Her steely resolve and dedication led Jyoti to win the gold medal in the Malaysia Para Road Championship Time Trial. Held in November 2022, it was a 13km event. Similarly, she clinched gold medals in Malaysia Para Road Race Championship (13.5km), Malaysia Para Track Championship Time Trial (500m) and Malaysia Para Track Championship Individual Pursuit (3km).

“Aditya Mehta Foundation supported me from the very beginning, providing accommodation, food, training and counselling which helped me win medals for the country,” says Jyoti, who was also a participant at the 2023 Asian Games in China.

She also proved her mettle at the 10th Asian Road Para Cycling Championship held in Tajikistan in 2022, World Para Cycling Track Championships 2022 (Ranking Number 8) and World Para Track Cycling Championship Scotland UK 2023 (Ranking Number 13).

“Exploring new places and learning different things has been the most interesting part of all my foreign travels. Winning medals was the icing on the cake,” smiles the para cyclist. The cycle she uses is fully carbon-made. “All its parts are very delicate, and it's the most expensive thing I own.”

Jyoti Radheshyam para cyclist | 2024 Paris Summer Paralympics | Global Indian

Humble beginnings

Hailing from Dongargaon in Mohadi taluka of Bhandara district in Maharashtra, Jyoti is the daughter of farmer couple Radheshyam Kashiram Gaderiya and Usha Radheshyam Gaderiya.

She always loved athletics, even in school, when she participated in various sports. Until she met with the accident on May 3, 2016, she was a state-level Kabbadi player.

The day that changed her life

Jyoti was returning home from her friend’s house on a two wheeler when the accident took place. “It happened in front of my house, which is on a highway,” says the para cyclist.

After her leg was amputated, Jyoti felt like the ground had slipped from beneath her feet. “My mom and dad were crying beside me, but I hid my tears, though they knew I was completely broken. They gave me courage and strength,” recalls the para cyclist.

Her parents sold everything they had and spent all their life savings, around Rs 80 lakh, on Jyoti’s treatment. “I didn't want my father to spend all his savings on me, neglecting my three sisters and one brother,” says Jyoti, who participated in the 10th Asian Championship New Delhi 2022 and Asian Para Track Cycling Championship New Delhi 2024 in which she won the gold medal.

Once she got better, her father got her admitted to a civil engineering course, but her heart was not in studies any more. In December 2018, Jyoti left home for Pune to work and earn money.

Challenges

While Jyoti did face challenges during her sporting journey, especially with the finances, she did not give up. “The equipment, gear and training put together cost lakhs of rupees,” says the youngster, who ran from the proverbial pillar to post and eventually managed to get the funds needed for preparation for the Asian rowing championship in 2019. Back then, she was training in rowing with Villa Sarve in the Army Rowing Institute. Her hard work paid off as she won bronze in Asian Games.

[caption id="attachment_55310" align="aligncenter" width="503"] Jyoti Radheshyam para cyclist | 2024 Paris Summer Paralympics | Global Indian Jyoti Radheshyam at the Chungju Tangeum Lake International Rowing Regatta. Photo: Facebook[/caption]

“No task is difficult, you just need to have confidence in yourself and a determination to work hard. No matter what happens, hard work will definitely show its results one day. Just never give up,” is her piece of advice.

When not cycling, Jyoti likes to listen to music and read. “I like to read to keep my mind focused and avoid negative thoughts,” says the determined sports star. She watches romantic movies, sports and Hindi songs to uplift her mood.

Looking back, she says whatever happens, happens for good. “I believe that good things will continue to happen only if one keeps working hard. There is nothing in the past, what matters is today so keep moving forward,” says Jyoti, who is an inspiration for many across the world.

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

Reading Time: 7 mins

Meena Harris: A ‘phenomenal’ voice inspired by Kamala Harris

(September 18, 2023) Meenakshi Ashley Harris, the US based lawyer, entrepreneur, and children’s book author is more commonly addressed as Meena Harris. The daughter of Maya Harris and the niece of the current US Vice President, Kamala Harris, Meena extensively advocates for women’s rights. Her prominence soared in 2020 when she actively supported her aunt's US election campaign. This period also saw the release of her debut book, ‘Kamala and Maya’s Big Idea’, which centres on the lives of her mother, aunt, and grandmother, Shyamala Gopalan Harris. With a strong presence in social media, Meena, a Harvard Law School graduate, and mother of two fervently engages in discussions about social issues and human rights activism. She established the Phenomenal Woman Action Campaign, a women-focused initiative, as part of her 'Phenomenal' fashion label. The label's name is inspired by the poem ‘Phenomenal Woman’ by the iconic Black poet Maya Angelou. [caption id="attachment_45050" align="aligncenter" width="506"] Meena Harris[/caption] The entrepreneur-author recently launched a new book, ‘Ambitious Girl’, inspired by Kamala’s drive to support ambitious women. “As a mom to black daughters, diversity and representation in children’s books have always been important to me,” Meena said in an interview with People Magazine. Proud of

t: 400;">The entrepreneur-author recently launched a new book, ‘Ambitious Girl’, inspired by Kamala’s drive to support ambitious women. “As a mom to black daughters, diversity and representation in children’s books have always been important to me,” Meena said in an interview with People Magazine.

Proud of Indian lineage

The ancestral village of Meena’s maternal family is situated in Tamil Nadu. She frequently talks about her Indian lineage across various social media platforms. When an American political figure made a derogatory comment about Kamala Harris' Indian name during her election campaign, Meena Harris was among those who openly expressed their pride in their non-American names. Using the hashtag "#MyNameIs," she shared, "I’m named after the Hindu goddess Meenakshi, as well as my great-great-grandmother. I come from a lineage of resilient women who instilled in me a sense of pride in my cultural background." This garnered huge support from the diaspora.

The same year, Harris and Indian-American actress Mindy Kaling exchanged affectionate messages during the Diwali festivities, sparking a joyful atmosphere underscoring Indian heritage on Twitter in the backdrop of the festive mood.

Indians in USA | Meena Harris | Global Indian

The ‘Phenomenal’ story

Meena worked at Facebook and Uber before turning full-time to entrepreneurship and starting her fashion label.

Initially, it had started as a modest side venture selling ‘Phenomenal Woman’ t-shirts but had tasted success since the beginning. She had sold 2,500 T-shirts on the very first day. The profits were directed towards women-centric organisations like Girls Who Code and Planned Parenthood.

Subsequently, the company evolved into a big apparel brand, expanding its product range to include sweatshirts, leggings, socks, and bodysuits adorned with impactful statements such as ‘Black Lives Matter’ and ‘Phenomenally Indigenous’.

A sweatshirt collection emblazoned with Kamala’s viral quote, ‘I’m Speaking’ is an all-time bestseller of the fashion label. “A statement T-shirt can seem so small and insignificant, especially compared to the enormity of the social change that’s happening before our eyes,” Meena told People magazine. “But there is substance and meaning behind it. And the most basic meaning is people proclaiming to the world that they are worthy, deserving of dignity and proud.”

[caption id="attachment_45053" align="aligncenter" width="601"] Indians in USA | Meena Harris | Global Indian Throwback image: Meena Harris when she was a kid with her mom, grandmother and aunt Kamala Harris[/caption]

She calls her apparel ‘socially conscious’ because of the sustainability factors attached to it. Celebrities like Kerry Washington and Storm Reid are some of the brand's loyal customers.

As Meena’s aim is to highlight issues such as racism and oppression faced by marginalised communities through her brand, she remarked, “It serves as a reminder that the world must continually witness and acknowledge these concerns until complete accountability, equality, and justice are achieved for everyone, rather than just a select few who are privileged.”

From apparels to book publishing

About a year ago Meena’s organisation ‘Phenomenal’ expanded into book publishing by getting into a collaboration with Hachette Book Group. This partnership is dedicated to identifying and cultivating literary works from voices that are often underrepresented in both fiction and nonfiction, catering to audiences of all ages, from children to adults.

“We know first-hand that audiences are looking for more stories from authors who, too often, do not receive the meaningful, intimate support that Phenomenal will provide to discover literary talent and position their works for success,” she said.

Indians in USA | Meena Harris | Global Indian

Apart from ‘Kamala and Maya’s Big Idea’ and ‘Ambitious Girl’, Meena has also authored ‘The Truth about Mrs. Claus’. “I’m proud of this book because it’s so much more than a cute holiday story - it’s about finding truth in purpose while acknowledging important traditions; it’s about intergenerational relationships, and finding your way, even when it means reshaping other’s expectations,” she remarked adding “Changing course and challenging norms can feel scary. I hope every child who picks up this book has someone in their corner as they forge new paths ahead.”

With Phenomenal’s book publishing division, Meena’s goal is to present stories by authors whose voices can help bring a change in society so that the world becomes closer-knit.

On the personal front, Meena enjoys support from her close-knit family. Her partner Nikolas Ajagu, had even taken a short sabbatical from work to take care of their children. The couple had met while working together at Facebook. They are parents of two daughters who often grab the limelight for lighting up the day of their grand-aunt Kamala Harris. The US vice president is not their only fan. The former first lady, Hillary Clinton had once tweeted, “Meeting Kamala Harris's grand-niece was a highlight of an already pretty great day." Looking at who it came from, the proud mother ‘actually sobbed’ reading the post.

Meena Harris is hugely inspired by her aunt Kamala Harris. They share a great bond and also happen to share the same birthday.

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Reading Time: 5 mins