Global IndianstoryHow Ultramarathoner Sufiya Sufi Runner is smashing the records, one run at a time

How Ultramarathoner Sufiya Sufi Runner is smashing the records, one run at a time

Written by: Vikram Sharma

(May 17, 2022) Running long distances is a way of life for Sufiya Sufi Runner, who usually chooses to have her finish line several hundreds of kilometres away. From Kashmir to Kanyakumari, Manali to Leh to the Golden Quadrilateral — the ultramarathoner has done it all. Keeping her company throughout are beautiful landscapes, roads, mostly lonely, and the hostile weather. Battling heat strokes, low oxygen levels, dehydration, even lung and gall bladder infections — Sufiya accomplished all her missions with a smile. For her, there is magic in misery.

Sufiya Sufi at the Lungalacha La pass

Her upcoming plans can give you the jitters — A run from Siachen to Kargil (460 km in 7 day in -10°C) in July 2022 and a run across the UAE in December (700 km in 7 days, in 48°C and sand storm). These expeditions are the preparation for her longest and biggest expedition Run Around The World in 2024!

“Manali-Leh Run was not just a run but survival. It is one of the toughest routes in the world. Tough terrain, high altitude, low oxygen and freezing cold weather made it unique and challenging,” informs Sufiya, in an exclusive chat with Global Indian.

From Kathak to running

Born and brought up in Ajmer, Rajasthan, Sufiya was raised by her mother Shahnaz Khan after she lost her father Rafique Ahmed when she was 16. A student of Dropadi Devi Sanwarmal Senior Secondary School, sports was nowhere in the realm of imagination as classical dance was her forte, with a degree in Kathak from Shramjeevi College, Ajmer.

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So how did a Kathak dancer end up running? “I was in the aviation industry (ground handling), working like a machine for almost 10 years, which was very frustrating. Then one day, I stepped into this madness (running),” smiles the 36-year-old, whose first run was three km long in a society park in New Delhi in April 2017. The same year, she ran her first half marathon in November.

“Thereafter, I started training, participated in official marathons events and even won a trophy. My first official ultramarathon was 52 km in February 2018 in Noida where I finished first,” says the proud ultramarathoner. Her family was initially skeptical. Not only were they worried that she quit her job for running expeditions, they were also concerned about her health and safety during the long runs. “But when I got my first Guinness World Record and people were praising me, they were happy and kept encouraging me,” adds the ultramarathoner.

The beginning of an era

After completing her first ultramarathon, her life partner Vikas, who is a cyclist and her biggest inspiration, came up with a plan – to run from one city to another. “That is how the idea of running long distances hit me. We decided to cover Delhi, Agra and Jaipur in a triangular shape. It was almost 720 km,” informs Sufi, who started from Delhi on March 25, 2018 and returned to the capital on April 9, 2018. “It was my first long-distance run, which I completed in 16 days,” says the first female runner to complete this run. This helped boost her confidence to run longer distances.

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Around the same time, Vikas had completed his cycling expedition from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, and Sufi decided to run the same route. “He was more excited than me,” smiles the runner. The couple got in touch with the authorities of the Guinness Book of Records, who gave her a 100-day deadline.

Breaking records

But she finished her run in just 87 days, and it was one of the most “mesmerising and challenging experiences” for her. “It was cold in Kashmir, while it was peak summer in Punjab, Haryana and Delhi. In Rajasthan, I was battling a temperature of 49°C while western and eastern ghats were witnessing rainfall. In many places down south, it was humid,” she explains. Of the 87 days, she was hospitalised for five days due to heat stroke, dehydration, lung and gallbladder infection (due to pollution). “This run made me strong,” says Sufi.

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Within a year, she planned her third long distance run — the Great Indian Golden Quadrilateral Run. Connecting four metros (Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata), this 6,000 km long stretch was going to be Sufi’s second Guinness World Record. “This record was already set by a runner from Pune (Michelle Kakade) who had completed it in 193 days. So, I had a time target,” says Sufi who started her run in February 2020 from Delhi and after completing 2200 km, she had to pull a stop due to the abrupt lockdown triggered by covid. “I was very disheartened because the run was going on smoothly. It was fate and I had to accept it,” she adds.

But not the one to give up, she started the run again in December 2020 from Delhi and this time completed successfully in 110 Days. “I broke the previous record by 82 days and completed the Golden Quadrilateral run with an average of 55 km per day,” informs a beaming Sufi.

However, it was the Manali-Leh run in 2021 that she calls “most challenging” as she had to undergo acclimatising training before attempting this run. “I fainted twice due to low oxygen. My oxygen level was dropping below 59 percent on high passes. My body was fully drained and exhausted after the fourth day when I was running on NakeeLa Pass. But my mind was not letting my body stop. This route was not just physically challenging but it tries to break you mentally,” explains Sufi, who took 6 days and 12 hours to make a new world record on this route. Her total elevation gain on this route was more than 9000 meters, which is more than the mighty Mount Everest.

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Sufi did have a ‘support crew’ and it was Vikas throughout. “He was taking care of my needs. Mostly, I opt for the local food available at every place. I ensure that it is hygienic, less spicy and oil free but full of protein and carbs. Otherwise, I take protein supplement and BCAA for recovery,” explains Sufi. Her liquid intake remains 500 ml per hour during the run.

Pushing the limits

Sufi learnt a lot about life, human mind and body through her runs. “You never know your limits and what you are capable of. If our mind is strong and positive, our bodies have no limits. So whatever the circumstances, be positive always, never underestimate yourself and keep challenging your limits,” says Sufi, who indulges in yoga to keep her mind calm and focussed.

Ultramarathoner | Sufiya Sufi Runner

The ultramarathoner, who never had any sponsorships for any of her expeditions, has spent all her savings. “Once people supported me through crowdfunding. But now I’m looking for sponsorships for my future projects. When not on any expedition, I take up some part-time jobs,” informs Sufi.

When not running, Sufi indulges in comedy shows and Sufi music. “I also like to watch expedition documentaries. I love to dance, which is the best relaxation and warm-up exercise,” she informs.

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Published on 17, May 2022

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Double jeopardy: Taliban and a stint in a US agency leaves this Baloch from Afghanistan nowhere to go

(August 19, 2021) On August 6, when heavily armed Taliban fighters sitting atop Humvees descended on the south western province of Nimruz in war-torn Afghanistan, Abdul Samad Rahimi knew what was coming. Far away from his country in Hyderabad, Rahimi began making frantic calls to his parents even as he watched the developments unfold on television in utter disbelief. By then, his 65-year-old father, a highly respected member of the Baloch tribe, had left his home in Nimruz along with his wife for a safer destination. Over the last 11 days, Rahimi's parents have constantly been on the move, concealing their identities and doing all it takes to escape the Taliban. The Afghan province of Nimruz, which lies on the border with Pakistan and Iran was the first to fall to the Taliban: they'd attacked the province from three directions, leading to a quick collapse of defenses by Afghan security forces. ''Ever since the Taliban took control of Nimruz, I’ve managed to talk to my father only a couple of times over WhatsApp calls. Lack of internet accessibility due to frequent changing of locations is making it difficult to reach him," informs the 34-year-old, his voice choked with emotion. [caption id="attachment_7694" align="aligncenter" width="589"] Abdul Rahimi (extreme right) worked as a language

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''Ever since the Taliban took control of Nimruz, I’ve managed to talk to my father only a couple of times over WhatsApp calls. Lack of internet accessibility due to frequent changing of locations is making it difficult to reach him," informs the 34-year-old, his voice choked with emotion.

[caption id="attachment_7694" align="aligncenter" width="589"] News | Afghanistan Taliban Crisis Updates | Afghan People Crisis Abdul Rahimi (extreme right) worked as a language trainer in Afghanistan[/caption]

Until last month, Rahimi was hopeful of returning to his country and serving his community. His visa expires in September end and he now finds himself at a crossroads; his hopes of returning to his motherland, completely shattered. "As a minority group in Afghanistan, we were happy that a democratic government was in place. Now, all of it has collapsed. I still cannot digest that everything has changed so rapidly," says Rahimi, speaking exclusively to Global Indian.

The Afghan national had come to India on an ICCR scholarship in 2019. With the deteriorating security situation back home, his wife and six-year-old daughter joined him in Hyderabad early this year. He was pursuing MA (TESL) in The English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU) in the city. The course ended recently and the family was looking forward to returning home. "We wanted to get our daughter enrolled in one of the girls' schools there so she could remain closer to our community and serve them. But for the Taliban seizing control, I would have been back in my country. Now, I am stuck here and there is no way we can go back," says Rahimi, who refers to India as his second home. He got married in the year 2015.

[caption id="attachment_7695" align="aligncenter" width="654"] News | Afghanistan Taliban Crisis Updates | Afghan People Crisis Abdul Rahimi (left) back home in Afghanistan during happier times[/caption]

One of the main reasons why Rahimi cannot go back to his country was his stint in USAID, an independent agency of the US government, which helped Afghanistan with foreign aid and development assistance. It helped bring more Afghans back into economic and civic life after years of brutalization by the Taliban before the US sent in its troops in the aftermath of 9/11. "I worked with USAID for 9 months but the Taliban began threatening my father with dire consequences if I did not quit the job. I gave up the job after my father asked me to resign. Now, my city is under the control of a terrorist group (Taliban) and they are hunting for all those who’ve worked with US companies in the last two decades. People like me do not have a place to live there," informs Rahimi.

Whatever little conversations Rahimi has had with some people back home, they tell him that the Taliban, at least for now, appear flexible. "At the moment, it appears they are trying to deceive Afghans by some sweet talk. Sooner or later, they will change their colors and go back to their brutal ways. There is no guarantee for the lives and future of Afghans."

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Over the years, dozens of Baloch activists from Balochistan (Pakistan) have been frequenting Nimruz, which is also close to the borders of the Afghan provinces of Helmand and Farah. "They (Baloch activists) used to feel safe in Nimruz and would take refuge there. Many of them are dislocated after the Taliban takeover," a worried Rahimi says.

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Voice of reason: Dr. Meera Shah’s crusade for women’s reproductive rights

(October 19, 2022) A few months ago, scores of women took to the streets across America after the US Supreme Court overturned abortion rights in the country. Almost 50 years after American women's constitutional right to abortion was recognised, the country’s apex court effectively eliminated the right, allowing states to enforce a ban on abortions. [caption id="attachment_30779" align="aligncenter" width="486"] Dr. Meera Shah[/caption] Among the ladies who raised their voices against this change in law, was Dr Meera Shah, an Indian-American Chief Medical Officer of New York's Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic. An abortion provider who has made it her life's mission to make safe and legal abortions accessible to her patients, Meera even travels to other states to help women struggling with pregnancy. "When somebody has a positive pregnancy test, our immediate reaction as healthcare providers is to provide them with all the options. Never assume that it’s happy news you are delivering – you always want to mirror your reaction to the patient’s reaction. All options and all choices are valid, and I honour them," the doctor told American Kahani during an interview. Despite getting several threats from anti-abortion protestors and pro-life campaigners, Dr. Shah is resolute and passionate about

d, and I honour them," the doctor told American Kahani during an interview.

Despite getting several threats from anti-abortion protestors and pro-life campaigners, Dr. Shah is resolute and passionate about her work. Recently, she even came out with a book 'You’re The Only One I’ve Told: The Stories Behind Abortion', a collection of narratives by women who have had abortions, countered stereotypes about them, or have fought myths that persist around the subject. “People have said that the book has been eye-opening,” she said during an interview, adding, "That in itself is destigmatising — the understanding that even the most basic facts about abortion that have been littered by the anti-abortion movement.” Dr. Shah is also the national medical spokesperson at the Planned Parenthood Federation of America.

Standing for women's rights

Born to Jain immigrants from India, Dr. Shah was a brilliant kid growing up. In fact, she was so good at academics, that she had many career options after finishing high school. "The options were multiple choice. A, B, and C, doctor, lawyer, engineer: Pick one," she said to Elle Magazine, adding, "Reading and writing were my first loves. Going to the library or the bookstore was the biggest treat for me - that's how my parents would reward me for good behaviour."

[caption id="attachment_30780" align="aligncenter" width="566"] Abortion | Meera Shah | Global Indian Dr Shah with her friends[/caption]

Drawn to social justice work, Dr. Shah chose to become a doctor. A Fellow of Physicians for Reproductive Health, Dr. Shah earned a medical degree from the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences and a Master’s in Public Health from Columbia University. And it was during her residency days that she witnessed the struggle of women who chose to abort their fetuses. "An incredible mentor who is a very vocal activist for abortion access encouraged me to become an advocate for her patients in the day-to-day, as well as on a larger policy front."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPJrRHxp3g8

When she first started working as an abortion provider, she struggled to tell people what she did - mostly because of the stigma attached to abortion. However, weeks of self-analysis, and leaning into her faith, Jainism, made her realise that she was helping those who were shunned not just by society, but many times by their own. "Supporting people and helping them exercise their autonomy is ethical, and the right thing to do," Dr. Shah told Elle.

The secret-keeper

After graduating from medical school, Dr. Shah joined Planned Parenthood, where she specialises in sexual and reproductive healthcare as well as transgenic care for transgender and gender non-binary people. She sees patients from all income levels, cultures, and races, and treats them equally. Listening to their stories of struggle motivated this Global Indian to dedicate her life to changing the narrative around abortion. For many years she hesitated to talk about her work. However, once she opened up, many women approached her with their own stories. "It was like the floodgates opened. I have become a sudden confidante at dinner parties, at rooftop barbecues, at the grocery store, even at jury duty… Being more open about my work helped people be more open about their own abortion stories," she described in the introduction to her new book, You’re The Only One I’ve Told: The Stories Behind Abortion.

Inspired and moved by the stories of many close friends and acquaintances, Dr. Shah began collecting stories of the survivors, which she later printed as a book. A champion of the reproductive rights of women, an activist, counselor, and advisor, Dr. Shah has described the nuance and richness of each subject’s life, both preceding and following the procedure. "I love to write and I thought this would be one other mechanism for bringing change. Each storyteller was able to edit their story. I sent a draft, and they made changes - because it's not my story, it's theirs.”

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Shooting the wild: Behind the lens with wildlife photographer Masood Hussain

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ss=" wp-image-49368" src="https://www.globalindian.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/FB_IMG_1707718061600.jpg" alt="" width="616" height="619" /> Masood Hussain[/caption]

“To make quality wildlife images, one needs to be extremely passionate, willing to fail several times and be persistent. It is all about patience and anticipation,” says the true-blue Hyderabadi. A wildlife photographer has no control over his subject. “In wildlife photography, if you lose a shot, you lose it forever. There is no second chance. One needs to be able to make the most out of any situation.”

Accolades galore

Back in 2012, Hyderabad was hosting the CoP 11 convention on biological diversity. A photography competition was announced to showcase the biodiversity of Hyderabad. “I knew I would be competing against some of the best in the field, but I was confident I would secure at least one of the top three places,” recalls Hussain. Sure enough, his image of a peacock won first place. This was his first ever award in a photography competition.

This distinction is awarded to those photographers who have had 15 images accepted and displayed by 15 different photography salons in at least 8 different countries. “By this time, wildlife photography had become more than just a hobby. I was determined to become one of the best out there and went on raising the bar,” says the wildlife photographer, who was the youngest photographer in the state to have achieved this distinction. He was also felicitated by the Andhra Pradesh Photographic Society.

Recognition by the National History Museum, London

Thousands of photographers from all over the globe participate in this prestigious competition. Then, a travelling exhibition of the prize-winning images goes to over 40 countries, and stays on display at the Natural History Museum for the rest of the year. Hussain is the only wildlife photographer from the state of Telangana and amongst very few Indians to have been awarded at the NHM.

“That feeling when your name is announced followed by the name of your country and to proudly walk up to the stage to receive the award amid applause from the gathering of the finest photographers, is a feeling that cannot be described in words,” says Hussain, who had been participating in this competition every year since 2015. But it was only in March 2020 that he finally won the award.

Hussain received the YES bank natural capital award in 2017, one of the most respected wildlife photography awards in India. “My image of the White Lipped Himalayan Pit Viper, with two insects fighting on its head, got me this award,” informs Hussain. He received a cash prize of Rs 50,000 and a plaque handed over to him by the then Union Minister of Forests and Environment, Dr Harsh Vardhan at an awards function held in New Delhi.

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A childhood in Hyderabad

Masood Hussain was born in Hyderabad in April 1977. He studied at the famous Hyderabad Public School, Begumpet. “I was not the best-in-class student but almost always passed with a distinction,” recalls the wildlife photographer, who used to be such a shy and timid student, he was even scared of being called upon to read the thought for the day in the assembly. He was active in sports and was a part of the HPS junior cricket team.

Hussain’s interest in photography began when he was around six years old. His grandfather’s younger brother was a photography enthusiast, and he would help him develop the negatives and enlarge photo prints in the dark room they had at home. “He taught me the basics of photography on film cameras, right from loading a film in the camera to the relationship between the various photography parameters,” says Hussain. The first camera he used was a Leica, still considered one of the finest cameras in the world.

Hussain’s father Syed Masroor Hussain passed away when he was in class 8. He was a medical representative with Boots India Ltd (Now Abbot Laboratories). “He was a perfectionist and had great love for nature. He took me along for nature treks and fishing and that is when my love for the jungles started,” says the 45-year-old.

He describes his mother Vaseem Hussain as a warrior. After his father passed away, the entire responsibility of the family fell on her shoulders. Against all odds, she went on to start the first ever driving school in Hyderabad exclusively for women in1991, empowering thousands of them, who thanks to her, could learn driving from a woman instructor. After HPS, Hussain pursued his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from The PES College of Engineering, Aurangabad.

Hussain the entrepreneur

[caption id="attachment_49369" align="alignnone" width="1024"] 'The Enlightened One' by Masood Hussain | Photo: Special Arrangement[/caption]

After completing his Engineering, Hussain’s first aim was to give some rest to his mother, who, he says, was working like a war horse while he studied. “I gave up my plans of post-graduation and started my own business of design, fabrication and installation of Electrical Earthing and Lightning Protection systems.”

Like every other start-up, the first couple of years were quite a struggle, informs Hussain, who is the owner of Vista Techno Corporation. In the next few years, business started growing and he got busier scaling up.

First camera

By 2009, Hussain’s business began to stabilize and that was when he could afford his first DSLR, a Nikon D90. “All those years while I had been busy setting up my business, camera technology had evolved hugely. The film cameras were replaced by digital SLRs. I had to take up a crash course in digital photography to understand the latest technology,” says the passionate photographer, who learnt the nuances of photography from Ashok Kandimalla, a renowned photographer, columnist and camera collector.

In 2011, Hussain took a year-long sabbatical and travelled extensive across the country photographing birds and wildlife.

Giving Back

His exhibitions titled ‘Meraki by mh’ are his way of giving it back to the society. “With my exhibitions, I try to help the underprivileged and needy. By selling my limited-edition prints, I have successfully raised funds for a patient who underwent an open-heart surgery and another patient who underwent a bone marrow transplant,” Hussain says. He also raised funds for a school for differently abled children and has been a longtime supporter of the WWF INDIA and contributes regularly.

[caption id="attachment_49370" align="aligncenter" width="565"] Photo by Masood Hussain | Photo: Special Arrangement[/caption]

Branching out

While Hussain never considered photography as a source of income, he now has plans to start an online store to sell his prints. “The platform will also be called ‘Meraki by mh’. The buyers will be able to choose a picture they like to get it printed and framed,” he says of his new venture, which will also enable buyers to view the framed print on a virtual wall.

Hussain continues travelling to various jungles across the length and breadth of India to photograph the wildlife. “I also have plans to try my hand on shooting videos. I would love to make a documentary someday,” says the photographer, who plans to visit the wildlife destinations in Norway, Alaska, Botswana and New Guinea.

The minimalist approach

Hussain uses very modest equipment and has never used flagship cameras and lenses. “Good equipment helps, but I strongly believe that it is finally the man behind the lens that makes all the difference,” says the award-winning photographer who currently uses a Nikon D500 camera with a Nikon D300s as a spare body. He also avoids using the typical long and heavy pro lenses which are usually used by wildlife photographers. Hussain prefers his lens to be small and light. For his style of shooting, he needs to make quick movements on the field.

The lenses he currently uses for his wildlife work include Nikkor 200-500 mm (which costs Rs 75,000), Nikkor 300mm F4 PF (cost Rs 118000) and Nikkor 105mm Micro (cost Rs 50,000) used for macro photography. “The Technology is changing fast. The DSLRs are now making way for the Mirrorless Cameras and there has been a huge advancement in the way cameras work.”

The self-taught musician

When he isn't shooting wildlife, Husain, a self-taught musician loves to play piano, flute and the violin. “I also sing sometimes. Musical instruments have always fascinated me,” informs Husain, who spent most of the Covid-induced lockdown time to polish his music skills. Someday, he intends to write a book about his life as a wildlife photographer.

Follow Masood Hussain on Instagram.

Dr MN Nandakumara, MBE: A Lifetime of Service to Indian Arts and Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in the UK

(February 22, 2024) In 2023, the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Centre in London marked a significant milestone, celebrating its 50th anniversary in the United Kingdom. This commemoration was accompanied by a prestigious honour bestowed upon the centre's executive director, Dr MN Nandakumara. Renowned for his expertise in Sanskrit language, literature, and philosophy, Dr Nandakumara was awarded the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) by King Charles III. This esteemed recognition was in acknowledgment of his invaluable contributions to teaching, performance, and enhancing accessibility to Indian classical arts in the UK. While expressing joy and gratitude for the recognition Dr Nandakumara remarked, "I feel truly honoured and humbled. I am particularly delighted because this recognition acknowledges the tireless efforts and dedication of the Bhavan in promoting Indian arts and culture, especially as we celebrate our 50th anniversary this year." [caption id="attachment_49345" align="aligncenter" width="635"] Dr M.N. Nandakumara | Picture Credit: The Bhavan, UK[/caption] Dr Nandakumara is highly respected in the diaspora of the UK for his deep knowledge of the Vedas and Indian scriptures. For the past 47 years, he has been an integral part of the Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan in London, the largest cultural organisation in the country. Fondly addressed

ara | Picture Credit: The Bhavan, UK[/caption]

Dr Nandakumara is highly respected in the diaspora of the UK for his deep knowledge of the Vedas and Indian scriptures. For the past 47 years, he has been an integral part of the Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan in London, the largest cultural organisation in the country. Fondly addressed as ‘Nandaji’, Nandakumara had assumed the role of Bhavan’s executive director in 1995.

From Karnataka’s village to United Kingdom

Dr Nandakumara hails from Mattur, renowned as India's first Sanskrit-speaking village located in the Shivamogga district of Karnataka. After completing his schooling at Sharada Vilasa High School, he pursued his master's degree in Sanskrit from the University of Mysore. In 1975, Nandakumara started his career as a teacher at Raghavendra High School in Malleswaram, Bangalore.

“Searching for a job was a big challenge back then. With a degree in Sanskrit and the responsibility to run my family, I joined the school as a teacher. I didn't even get a salary for nearly eight months,” Dr Nandakumara shared in an interview.

During that period, his uncle, Mathoor Krishnamurthy was serving as the first executive director at the newly established Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan centre in London. He invited Nandankumara to the UK to pursue his PhD and assist with the Bhavan's work. Following his uncle’s advice Nandankumara flew to London and got enrolled at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London. However, adapting to the demands of academic studies in English presented a unique challenge. To enhance his English proficiency, he had to attend English classes conducted at the British Museum. After his classes he would devote his time to teaching Sanskrit to students at the Bhavan.

[caption id="attachment_49303" align="aligncenter" width="414"] Indian Arts and Culture | Dr M.N. Nandakumara | Global Indian Dr M.N. Nandakumara[/caption]

Later, Nandakumara joined the Bhavan as an employee. After two decades of dedicated service, he ascended to the position of its executive director in 1995. Nandakumara dedicates his achievements to three individuals who left an indelible mark on his life – the late Maneck Dalal OBE, founder chairperson of Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan in London, Mathoor Krishnamurti, its first executive director, and Dr. John Marr, its first general secretary. “Their support, guidance and experience have been foundational to anything I have achieved here,” Dr Nandakumar remarked.

In 2015, the Global Indian was honoured with the lifetime achievement award by Milapfest, leading Indian Arts Development Trust in the UK.

Facilitating growth of Indian art and culture in the UK

For over four decades, Dr. M.N. Nandakumara has devoted himself to making Indian art and culture popular in the UK through teaching, lecturing, and advocacy. Renowned for his oratory, he has delivered speeches at prestigious venues worldwide, including Westville University in Durban, South Africa, the Houses of Parliament, and Cambridge University. Throughout his career, he has garnered numerous awards and accolades, and he has extensively travelled to perform Hindu ceremonies at significant events and occasions.

Over the years, Nandkumara has witnessed the growth of numerous performers - from their very first lessons in art to their outstanding performances as artists on stage, where they became respected figures in their respective disciplines. “Their journey of transformation has inspired me,” he remarked.

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

Dr Nandakumara has also been at the helm of bringing some of the greatest artists to perform at the Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan in the UK, including Pandit Ravi Shankar, Lata Mangeshkar, George Harrison, the Shakti band, and more. This has helped establish stronger connections between the diaspora and the icons of Indian art and culture.

Reflecting on his association with Bhavan and its accomplishments, Dr Nandakumara remarked, "I take great pride in being associated with an organisation that has successfully set the benchmark for teaching and performing Indian classical arts in the UK, and has been recognised not just by the Indian diaspora but with the arts loving public at large.”

King Charles III’s love for Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan

Dr MN Nandakumara deeply values the consistent support and affection shown by King Charles III towards Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in the UK. He feels honoured to have welcomed the king on four separate occasions.

“In the early 80s, when Prince Charles visited Bhavan for the first time, we took him to all our classes. He took such a genuine interest and asked such sincere questions,” he reminisced. “I still remember, in our Tabla class all students and the teacher were seated on the floor on a carpet. When Prince Charles entered the room, he removed his shoes, joined them on the floor, and even tried his hand at playing the Tabla. He asked several questions about playing and learning Tabla demonstrating his sincere curiosity.”

[caption id="attachment_49299" align="aligncenter" width="703"] Indian Arts and Culture | Dr M.N. Nandakumara | Global Indian King Charles III at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, UK on 4th Feb,1981 | Picture Credit: The Bhavan, UK[/caption]

Although each of the royal visits only lasted an hour or two, he made it a point to engage with everyone, including the singers, the dancers and the teachers. "During each of his four visits, he displayed a genuine interest in our institution, our teachers, our students, and the art forms we teach. All of us here have felt deeply honoured that a royal family member has been so attentive in his presence here and has shown genuine curiosity.”

Usually, the Patron in Chief of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan accepts the position for just a single term but Prince Charles had extended his tenure for two terms which is rare and a matter of pride for the organisation. He is also associated with the institution as its honorary life member.

A rich legacy

Founded in London in 1972 Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in the UK is dedicated to teaching and promoting classical Indian arts, yoga, languages, and culture. It stands as the sole organisation in the UK offering such a diverse range of traditional Indian cultural activities all under one roof. With classes spanning to about 20 distinct subjects, the centre provides a unique opportunity for fusion of different art forms.

[caption id="attachment_49304" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Indian Arts and Culture | Dr M.N. Nandakumara | Global Indian Dr M.N. Nandakumara with The Bhavan's teachers | Picture Credit: The Bhavan, UK[/caption]

Under Dr Nandakumara's leadership the organisation has facilitated understanding of the significance of Indian art and culture for the new generation of the diaspora, and has emphasised on how the Indian legacy needs to be celebrated and carried forward.

In the 47 year-long association with the Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan in London, Dr Nandakumar has seen thousands of Indian-origin and European people benefit from the organisation’s offerings. He has brought students and art lovers together helping them transcend the barriers of colour, religion and nationality.

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Sundar Pichai: The Indian-origin CEO who made Google more global

(June 26, 2022) Sundar Pichai, the CEO of tech giant Google and its parent company Alphabet Inc hardly needs any introduction. Interestingly, the email service provided by Google, Gmail, was launched on the very day Pichai joined the company – April 1, 2004. Unaware of this new product, he admitted his ignorance in the job interview of the organisation. Luckily for Pichai, that moment of uncertainty got viewed as one of the qualities that Laszlo Bock, Google’s former senior VP of people operations was looking for in a candidate. Bock remembers Sundar Pichai as the candidate with "intellectual humility”. Today, Pichai’s meteoric rise from humble beginnings to a top CEO is a success story that people cherish globally. [caption id="attachment_26171" align="alignnone" width="1107"] Sundar Pichai, Google's CEO[/caption] The first non-white CEO of Google also serves on Alphabet’s Board of Directors. He has been focused on developing products and services with the vision to be of value in all big and little moments of people’s lives. Talking at Google’s flagship I/O Developers Conference 2022, Pichai informed: “Throughout the pandemic, Google has focused on delivering accurate information to help people stay healthy. Over the last year, people used Google Search and Maps to

in all big and little moments of people’s lives.

Talking at Google’s flagship I/O Developers Conference 2022, Pichai informed:

“Throughout the pandemic, Google has focused on delivering accurate information to help people stay healthy. Over the last year, people used Google Search and Maps to find where they could get a COVID vaccine nearly two billion times!”

His zeal for leadership with purpose got recognised in India in the form of Padma Bhushan award 2022. Global Indian turns its spotlight on the journey of the man who inspires millions.

The academic flight

Ironically, the CEO of American multinational technology company has not studied computer science, rather metallurgical engineering from IIT Kharagpur. Coincidentally, he has also studied inside the campus of IIT Chennai. His school, Vana Vani happened to be located inside the sprawling Chennai campus.

[caption id="attachment_26157" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Indian CEO | Sundar Pichai | Global Indian Sundar Pichai interacting with IIT Kharagpur students in one of his India visits.[/caption]

Sundar Pichai celebrated his 50th birthday on the 10th of this month. Born in 1972, he was raised in a middle-class household. His father Raghunath worked as an electrical engineer at General Electric Company (GEC), while his mother Lakshmi was a stenographer. After passing out from IIT Kharagpur, Pichai earned a master's degree in material sciences and engineering from Stanford University and an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. His father had to spend a year’s salary to buy a plane ticket for him to go to the US for his studies. That was the middle-class lad’s first flight journey. The sincere student did not let his parents down and got recognised in his foreign academic institutions as one of the best in the batch.

Foundation of the effervescent leader

Before his association with Google, Pichai worked at Allied Materials and McKinsey & Co. Though both the organisations specialised in metallurgy, the stints groomed him well. He picked up the nuances of product strategy, execution, and team building that eventually set the foundation for his pivotal beginnings at Google. Pichai nurtured his career by aligning it to Google’s success.

“We try to work on things that billions of people will use every day”

No wonder Google is part of everyday conversations and happens to be a significant part of the vocabulary of kids and adults alike across the world!

[caption id="attachment_26172" align="aligncenter" width="750"] Indian CEO | Sundar Pichai | Global Indian Sundar Pichai with Nigerian Google team during his visit to Africa[/caption]

It has established itself as the organisation that cares with breakthroughs like use of ML to make web images more accessible to people who have vision problems. It generates real-time captions for online videos to help those who struggle with hearing.

Rise and rise of Google under Pichai’s leadership

Sundar Pichai joined Google as its vice-president of product management. He was entrusted with the responsibility of development of Google Toolbar and Google Chrome. These went on to become the world’s most popular internet browser. Undoubtedly, with these quantum leaps, Sundar Pichai climbed the hierarchical ladder. He launched Chrome OS and Chromebook in 2011 and went on to launch Android operating system in 2013. By 2014, the super talented Indian-origin professional was leading all products and engineering divisions at Google, overseeing vital platforms like Search, Gmail, Chrome, Play, Android, Maps, and Google Workspace.

[caption id="attachment_26158" align="aligncenter" width="803"] Indian CEO | Sundar Pichai | Global Indian From Left to right : Larry Page (Google's co-founder), Sundar Pichai (Google's CEO), Narendra Modi (India's PM), Eric Schmidt (Google's former CEO), and Ram Shriram (American businessman)[/caption]

When Google reorganized into Alphabet in August 2015, Sundar Pichai got selected as its CEO. In December 2019, he became the CEO of both Google and Alphabet, replacing founder Larry Page. In 2021, under Pichai’s leadership, Alphabet crossed $2 trillion in market value due to sales and profit growth during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Building impact with powerful breakthroughs

Bringing the world together through different platforms, and giving unique experiences to people has always been the core of what Sundar Pichai and his team thrive upon.

While talking about war drift Ukrainians at Google I/O Developers Conference 2022, he remarked:

“In countries around the world, Google Translate has been a crucial tool for newcomers and residents trying to communicate with one another. We’re proud of how it’s helping Ukrainians find a bit of hope and connection (in countries where they have taken refuge) until they are able to return home again.”

While many other technology giants embrace the metaverse as the next frontier of growth, Sundar Pichai sees Google’s future in its oldest offering - the Internet search. He foresees people asking computers more questions with voice and multimodal experiences.

From overseeing new investments like acquisition of YouTube and launching of Google Cloud, Pichai leads the organisation by advancing AI, digital technology, machine learning and quantum computing.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=NJ-juLXoFxM&list=PLjq6DwYksrzyHa9RtflCUniCMTFG4twFD

"AI can make humans more productive than we ever imagined," he remarked in the conference stressing that it can play a foundational role in every aspect of people’s lives, right from healthcare, education, manufacturing to how people consume information. Emphasizing on the significance of ML he said, “When machines would be programmed to simulate human mind, mimic human activity and solve problems, it will have a bigger impact than most of the breakthroughs in recent history."

Matters close to heart…

Keeping India close to his heart, Pichai has led Google to invest in the foundational infrastructure of the country by developing technology specific to its needs. Google Pay app is one such example. “India will be a global player in the digital economy,” he concluded in an interview.

In a statement the California, headquartered company has mentioned that it will invest ₹109 crore to support healthcare facilities and a further ₹3.6 crore to upskill frontline workers in India. The tech giant has entered into a tie-up with NGOs like GiveIndia, ARMMAN, PATH and Apollo Medskills to fulfill these commitments.

In the last five years, Google has granted funds to the tune of $57 million to India. Out of this $18 million was part of Covid 19 response.  In April 2020, Pichai made personal contribution of ₹5 crore to GiveIndia so that the country can fight the first wave of pandemic.

Love and life

Keeping his private life pretty private, Pichai stays with his wife Anjali who happens to be his heartthrob and classmate from IIT Kharagpur, son Kiran and daughter Kavya in California. The cricket buff is a Sachin Tendulkar fan. The love for the game comes from childhood aspiration to be a cricketer. As a high school student, he was the captain of the school cricket team, displaying his leadership skills on the field.

[caption id="attachment_26161" align="aligncenter" width="849"] Indian CEO | Sundar Pichai | Global Indian Sundar Pichai trying his hands at cricket[/caption]

Pichai’s love for sports does not end at cricket. He is also an ardent fan of FC Barcelona – the football club and seldom misses to watch it’s match when its competing on field.

The top CEO recently admitted in one of the interviews of the Wall Street Journal that he is not very good at meditation. Instead, he prefers NSDR (non-sleep deep rest), listening to podcasts or taking his dog for a walk.

Do you know how Sundar Pichai connects people?

Google’s flood forecasting technology sent flood alerts to 23 million people in India and Bangladesh in 2021 helping in timely evacuation of hundreds of thousands of people.
Around the world, Google Maps has mapped around 1.6 billion buildings and over 60 million kilometers of roads to date with the vision to keep everyone within the reach, and make the world a well-connected chain of individuals.
The number of buildings on Google Maps in Africa has increased by 5X. Google has made a dataset of these buildings publicly available so that international organizations like the United Nations and the World Bank can use it to better understand population density and to provide support and emergency assistance.
Google Translate broke down language barriers by recently adding 24 languages which together are spoken by 300 million people, bringing them closer to communities across the globe.
Google has been building augmented reality into many products like Google Lens to provide more interactive experiences and prevent technology from coming in the way of the real-world environment.
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Reading Time: 7 mins