Indian Designer | Shubhi Sachan | Material Library of India

Global IndianstoryIndian designer Shubhi Sachan giving sustainable living a fresh lease of life

Indian designer Shubhi Sachan giving sustainable living a fresh lease of life

Written by: Global Indian

(January 17, 2022) “People often think I love waste, the truth is I hate it so much that I want it to end at its generation point,” reads the welcome note on Indian textile designer and entrepreneur Shubhi Sachan’s website. The brain behind Material Library of India, she is on a mission to sift through tonnes of urban waste that’s generated every year and give it a fresh lease of life by reusing and repurposing it. From making shoes with aluminium waste to trendy pillows from industrial waste, the Lexus Design Award finalist (2018) is making sustainable living sing with her impressive body of work.

“A majority of the waste that ends up in landfills and dump yards can be reused and recycled. Unfortunately, not everyone is paying attention to it. So I took it upon myself to create alternative products using industrial and agricultural waste that are less destructive to the environment,” says the Noida-based Shubhi, whose work is currently being exhibited at London’s Design Museum.

Indian Designer | Shubhi Sachan | Material Library of India

How it all began

After six years of working with the fashion and textile industry, the 35-year-old’s journey with sustainability began in 2015, and since then, there has been no looking back for this consultant designer.

Born and raised in Lucknow to a government employee father and a teacher mother, Shubhi had to face a lot of rejection. The not so academically inclined girl, often found herself being compared to her older brother who aimed to be an engineer. “I was often told ‘Iska kuch nai no payega’,” reveals the 35-year-old Indian designer. However, this constant dismissal fuelled her to prove everyone wrong.

Passionate about art and crafts since she was a child, Shubhi was keen to test waters and try her hand at textile designing. “My mother was always supportive of my decisions but this one time my father gave me the liberty to experiment and I grabbed the opportunity with both hands,” Shubhi tells Global Indian. Her dream took her to Apeejay Institute of Design in Delhi where she studied for the next four years. “This was a turning point in my journey as I blossomed into a confident designer. From someone who was often neglected in school, I’d transformed into a shining star in college and it gave me the right boost,” says the designer.

Indian Designer | Shubhi Sachan | Material Library of India

New goals in sight

Her zeal to broaden her horizons landed her in Mumbai where she found her maiden job at Aditiany Inc, a design firm that works for international fashion houses. For the next five years, she worked as a surface designer with luxury brands like Givenchy, Ralph Lauren, and Alexander McQueen. “While working there, I realised the kind of waste that was being generated in the process. We had these stacks full of 1mm material pieces that couldn’t be used anywhere. It was while working on the Givenchy collection, it dawned upon me that these brands were chasing perfection on the surface while ignoring so much imperfection (waste) on the backend,” adds the Indian designer, who was keen to bring about change.

This quest took her to Central Saint Martins’ School of Art and Design in London in 2014 to do her MA in Material Futures. “It played a crucial role in my journey as it armed me with a multi-faceted approach towards the society,” says the mother of a three-year-old.

Upon her graduation from St Martins, she embarked on her journey to sustainability after realising the huge contrast between the materiality involved in the process of making products vs the presentation of the finished objects. “It was quite an unsettling feeling for me. I knew I had reached a point where talking about the problem wasn’t enough. I had to come up with a solution,” she adds.

Indian Designer | Shubhi Sachan | Material Library of India

To new beginnings

This idea gave birth to the Material Library of India in 2017, a hub of creativity and imagination that’s focused on investigating value chains and making waste material come to life again. “It’s a place for innovation where we design for repurposing and recycling,” adds the TEDx speaker whose R&D consultancy is dedicated to working with industrial and agricultural waste.

Recalling Project Punah with Godrej Boyce in 2015, Shubhi says that this was her first commission on sustainability with a corporate house wherein she recycled 1,80,000 pairs of protective rubber, cotton, and other gloves and turned them into raw material used in packaging. “We prepared a meticulously detailed data sheet about the products produced and the kind of waste that came out of it. We documented 734 materials and only 12 out of them could be recycled,” adds Shubhi pointing out the grim reality of waste material. Using the waste, she weaved a new fabric that could be used in apparel design or made into ropes that can be used to line chairs and tables. The textile designer calls it one of her most interesting projects as she saw “a conglomerate adopting repurposing and realising it as the need of the hour.”

Next, she created an ensemble collection for Lakme Fashion Week wherein she transformed everyday waste into everyday fashion. “Making people understand the utility of waste material was the idea behind it,” adds the founder of Material Library of India, who plans to open the library for people to visit.

Indian Designer | Shubhi Sachan | Material Library of India

Towards the larger picture

“We are categorising and cataloguing waste and the materials made from it. We want people to come and see the problem for themselves. We want to open the floor for discussion for people to understand the scale of the problem,” adds Shubhi.

In 2019, she joined forces with Mallika Reddy to develop Cancelled Plans, a streetwear brand made purely out of metal, paper, cloth, vinyl sheets, and plastic waste. “The idea was to come up with a way to treat waste as raw material. It’s the perfect example that brands can be conceived from waste and make sense to the economic world,” the Indian designer explains.

Some of her fabric products made from plastic waste are displayed at the ongoing exhibition at London. “We have used a variety of plastic to create a 100 percent waste fabric for the exhibition,” reveals Shubhi whose work has earlier been exhibited in Germany, Italy, and India.

It’s been six years since she began working on sustainability, but the design consultant has had her share of challenges. “Not many are open to the idea of accepting that waste can be repurposed, and that’s the reason not many are investing in the research,” says Shubhi, who adds the biggest challenge is the mindset – many believe that “it should be cheaper as it’s made from waste.”

When not providing consultancy services to corporate houses, Shubhi loves to paint using natural colours. “During the pandemic, I started collecting seeds of plants like guava and tamarind, and launched my seed library,” adds Shubhi, who likes to use her free time productively.

Live consciously is her advice to youngsters. “Don’t look for a quick fix to the problem, instead look at the larger picture. Conceive a design or product in a way that it can be repurposed at a later stage,” she signs off.

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Published on 17, Jan 2022

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Captain Fantastic: Sunil Chhetri leads India to SAFF glory

(July 6, 2023) On the night of July 4, 2023, as the Indian football team went up against Kuwait in the South Asian Football Federation championship game in Bengaluru, I abandoned the television to stand on the balcony instead, where the night resounded with 25,000 spectators singing 'Vande Mataram' in Sree Kanteerava Stadium nearby. India defeated Kuwait 5-4, clinching the cup with a penalty shot. The man of the hour - and the tournament, was India's 38-year-old striker and captain, Sunil Chhetri, who scored the highest number of goals in the series. A FIFA series on Indian footballers earned him the moniker 'Captain Fantastic', and Chhetri is now the stuff of legend - despite India's modest ranking of 100 in the FIFA charts, Chhetri is the third highest international goal-scorer today, after mega stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. He's the highest goal scorer of all time for the Indian national team, with a whopping 72 national goals. On his 34th birthday, the Asian Football Confederation named him an 'Asian Icon'. "Chhetri is in a category all by himself", wrote sports journalist Marcus Mergulhao in the Times of India. He's 38, and playing a sport that is demanding on the mind and

ian Icon'. "Chhetri is in a category all by himself", wrote sports journalist Marcus Mergulhao in the Times of India.

He's 38, and playing a sport that is demanding on the mind and the body. On the good days, like the stellar performance he gave at the SAFF championship series, he's surrounded by love and adulation. Then there are the bad days when even someone of Chhetri's calibre can miss an open goal, or falter in an important game and come home to a volley of abuse and disappointment from millions of fans. Whatever it might be, Chhetri's philosophy is simple: Stick with it and keep on going. To the public eye, Sunil Chhetri lives a very glamorous life and counts cricketer Virat Kohli among his close friends. Behind the scenes, though, discipline is everything, and the humbling knowledge that success comes through hard work and won't last forever, and that craft and discipline mean much more than talent.

[caption id="attachment_41163" align="aligncenter" width="538"] Footballer | Global Indian | Sunil Chhetri Sunil Chhetri after the award ceremony, as India beat Kuwait, winning SAFF Championship Final in Bengaluru.[/caption]

But above all, Sunil Chhetri has always loved sports - it motivates him to get out of bed in the morning (before 6 am, every single day). "You would be shocked by the number of games I can play," he chuckled, in an interview. "If you call me and say there's a five-a-side happening in Bombay, if I can come, I will come. I can play cricket, badminton - anything. If there is a sport, I am there." On good days, bad days, and terrible days, you keep going. Discipline is the only way. "There is a feeling that this is going to end soon, and there will come a time when I won't be able to compete - that drives me. I know if I don't do things to take care of my body, I won't be able to do this," he says.

The rebellious teen

A "proud Nepali," Sunil Chhetri was born in 1984 in Secunderabad, to K.B. Chhetri and Sushila Chhetri, into a budding football legacy. His father, an army man, played football for the Indian Army Football team. His mother and sister are accomplished footballers too and played for the Nepal women's national team. The family relocated frequently, and Chhetri studied in a number of schools, including Bahai School, Gangtok, Bethany's in Darjeeling, Loyola School, in Kolkata, and the Army Public School in New Delhi.

He was a rebellious kid, even as a teenager in school, and completely driven by his passion for the game. He spent five years at the Army Public School in New Delhi, and admits he loved it there. However, the school never made it to the bigger tournament, which institutions like DPS and Mamta Modern School did. So, one day, he decided to transfer. "I took an impromptu decision without consulting Mom and Dad. I applied for my TC and went to Mamta Modern so I could play the bigger tournaments," he recalls. Chhetri also decided to move out of home and stay with the school's football team at the hostel instead. He was 16 years old, learning to take care of himself in every way - from arranging his clothes and textbooks to keeping up academically and continuing to play football. "It forced me to ensure I left no stone unturned," he says.

In the pro league

Chhetri's talent was spotted early on. In 2001, he abandoned twelfth grade to play for the Indian team at the Asian School Championship in Kuala Lampur. This was in 2001, and the start of Chhetri's football career. Soon, the then 17-year-old was playing for Delhi's City Club. His talent was quickly spotted by Mohun Bagan Super Giants, however, one of the oldest football clubs in India - and the world. He played for East Bengal and then arrived at JCT, as the successor to Baichung Bhutia, who was then the undisputed star of Indian football.

Footballer | Global Indian | Sunil Chhetri

Those were big shoes to fill, but Chhetri had great confidence in himself - perhaps too much, he admitted later, remarking, "I was very arrogant. I would look own on the other players - I would think, 'if you don't have my touch, my skill, what are you doing even." Then, he met Bob Houghton, who became the Indian team's first national coach. He could see Chhetri's talent, but also his arrogance. "For three months, he sat me on the bench and didn't give me a reason," Chhetri recalls. "My first impulse was to think, 'this is not my fault. It's his mistake, I have nothing to lose." Houghton left him on the bench until Chhetri began to realise that no matter how good he was, there's no fun if you're not playing. "Bob taught me what not to do," Chhetri often says. "I realised the importance of doing the right things everyday. Even if you don't like it, you do it. I started seeing life and football very differently."

A life of discipline

That was when he learned his biggest lesson - the importance of discipline. "If you want something really bad, you can't do what everyone else is doing," Chhetri believes. "If you want to be a Ronaldo, then your path is different. It is difficult, it is boring, it is monotonous, so not many people choose it."

The monotony that Chhetri describes is the sort that comes with great discipline. His day begins between 5.30 and 6 every morning - "I do some pushups, read for a bit and then do three Surya Namaskars. Depending on my day's training, I either eat or skip breakfast." He makes time to train, hit the gym, and spend time with his wife, but can't really manage anything more. "By 9, I'm in bed, with no phones. At around 10 pm, I'm out and then the next begins the same way," he says, describing his daily routine. He's also the first to admit that not every day is rosy. "Some days will be bad, but if this is what you want, this is the path."

In the global spotlight

In 2008, he scored three goals against Tajikistan in the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup, helping India qualify for the Asia Cup after 26 years. By the time he was twenty years old, Chhetri had received worldwide attention, and he went on to play in Major League Soccer USA in 2010 for Kansas City. He was the third Indian footballer to play outside India. Two years later, he joined the reserves team of Sporting Clube de Portugal. When that contract expired, he signed with the Bangalore Football Club and also made the city home. He continues to captain the club and is ranked 1 in the I-League.

[caption id="attachment_41162" align="aligncenter" width="601"] Footballer | Global Indian | Sunil Chhetri Sunil Chhetri along with his teammates celebrate as India beat Kuwait 5-4 on penalties to win SAFF Championship Final in Bengaluru.[/caption]

All this has paid off handsomely. The Global Indian has found himself in the ranks of football greats, has helped India win the Nehru Cup in 2007, 2009, and 2012 and ensured the country's qualification for the Asia Cup. He was named Player of the Year by NDTV and is a three-time winner of the IIFA Player of the Year Award. In 2021, he created history during the SAFF Football Championship against Nepal, held in Male, when he scored his 77th goal. He was now equal to Pele with 77 goals in international football. He surpassed that milestone the same year, and is now among the top three highest goal scorers among active players.

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Distinguished scientist, Prof Chennupati Jagadish is shaping the world of nanotechnology

(March 20, 2023) His village had no electricity till Prof Chennupati Jagadish was around seven years old. From studying by the light of a kerosene lamp as a young child and having lived with his high school maths teacher to be able to finish high school, the scientist is now recognised as a world leader in the field of semiconductor optoelectronics—with his work widely utilised in optical communication systems and infrared detectors in defence, biomedical and manufacturing. His research in nanotechnology is in one of the fields that are on the verge of ubiquity. Developing a new class of lasers with applications in telecommunications and new lightweight solar cells, Prof Chennupati Jagadish is creating waves in the scientific world. Recognising his contributions to the scientific world, the Government of India recently conferred the scientist with the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award in 2023. “The fact that the Government of India recognised me, a village guy from Andhra Pradesh, makes me grateful,”the scientist told Global Indian, "I am grateful to both India and Australia. One nurtured me from childhood to adulthood and provided me with education, whereas the other provided me the opportunity to prove myself as a scientist.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z67yl8a-bdg The

an.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Global Indian, "I am grateful to both India and Australia. One nurtured me from childhood to adulthood and provided me with education, whereas the other provided me the opportunity to prove myself as a scientist.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z67yl8a-bdg

The Global Indian who is currently working as the Distinguished Professor of Physics at the Australian National University Research School of Physics and is also the President of the Australian Academy of Science, also supports students and researchers from developing countries to visit Australia and pursue collaborative research. “I am passionate about doing science and making a difference in other people’s lives; any recognitions are a bonus. I’m grateful to both the Australian and Indian Governments for honouring me and recognising my efforts during the past 35-plus years," the scientist said.

A village lad

Hailing from a small village in Vallurupalem, Andhra Pradesh, Prof Jagadish's father was a school teacher, and his mother a housemaker. An intelligent child, Prof Jagadish would often choose to study over play with his friends. While his father always motivated and supported him, he didn't have the means to finance his education. "My father was a school teacher and he wanted me to be a scientist or engineer. My two high school teachers made a huge difference in my life," the scientist recalled adding that it was his maths teacher who helped him attend classes during his high school days.

Scientist | Chennupati Jagadish | Global Indian

"I wanted to study but didn’t have the means. My village had no high school, and I had to travel about three-and-a-half kilometres to attend the school in the neighbouring village. My maths teacher supported me for about three years during that time. I lived with him and my science teacher, and they offered me boarding and lodging, till I finished school, he said, adding, "One teacher taught me the importance of hard work, perseverance, and persistence whereas another taught me to be humble, simple, kind and generous to others. The influence of both of these on me was significant and without their help, I would be tilling the land in India."

Scientist | Chennupati Jagadish | Global Indian

Soon after finishing his schooling, the scientist obtained his B.Sc. degree in physics from Acharya Nagarjuna University in 1977, and proceeded to earn an M.Sc in applied physics with a specialisation in electronics from Andhra University in 1980 and M.Phil. and Ph.D. degrees in physics from the University of Delhi in 1982 and 1986, respectively. During the same time, the scientist started working as a lecturer in physics and electronics at Sri Venkateswara College in New Delhi.

The world of science

Having finished his doctorate, the scientist was looking to start his post-doctoral work at a renowned Indian university. But fate had its own plans. In 1988, the scientist received a mail from Queen's University in Canada, confirming his post-doctoral in the physics department - something he had never expected to happen. The two years he spent in Ontario opened several doors for this genius. Not only did he get a chance to work with several prominent scientists at the time, but soon got selected to join the newly established Department of Electronic Materials Engineering in the Research School of Physics, at the Australian National University.

During his long tenure, the scientist has received several prestigious awards, including the 2013 Walter Boas Medal, and the 2015 IEEE Pioneer Award in Nanotechnology. In 2016, the scientist was named a Companion of the Order of Australia for eminent services to physics and engineering on the Australia Day Honours. "When I received the letter I felt very humbled, grateful, and honoured,” he said, adding, "It was quite a surprise for me."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtgsaieG2_o

While his current focus is on developing the use of nanotechnology for applications in optoelectronics like lasers, photodetectors, energy (solar cells and photocatalysis), and neuroscience (growth of neuronal networks to understand brain functions), there is one other cause that is quite close to the scientist's heart - supporting and encouraging his students. "I am here because so many people especially opened various windows to the world for me. Today when I am in that position, I too want to do the same for as many students as I can," he said. To achieve the cause, his wife Vidya and he have initiated the Chennupati and Vidya Jagadish Visiting Scholarship and Fellowship Awards, through which they give students and researchers from developing countries the chance to travel to the Research School of Physics at ANU to pursue collaborative research for up to 12 weeks.

[caption id="attachment_36369" align="aligncenter" width="740"] Scientist | Chennupati Jagadish | Global Indian Professor Jagadish with wife Vidya and students[/caption]

Leading the university's Semiconductor Optoelectronics and Nanotechnology Group, the scientist has supervised 65 Ph.D. students, is currently supervising a further 12 and has mentored 50 post-doctoral and other fellows in his three-decade-long career in Canberra. Elected as the President of the Australian Academy of Science in 2022, to serve a term of four years until May 2026, the scientist will champion the cause of scientific excellence while leading the organisation in providing advice to the Australian Parliament.

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Madhubani to Mississippi: Prakash Kumar Jha cultivates success in agricultural sciences and mentorship

(June 19, 2024) After earning a fully funded admission into a PhD program in Crop and Soil Sciences at Michigan State University, Prakash Kumar Jha, a native of Madhubani in Bihar, first landed in the US nine years ago. He was met with culture shock and a desperate need to fit in, which required improving his English and adjusting his accent to match the new environment. This adjustment took months. Having experienced the struggles of gaining admission abroad and then striving to excel and integrate as a student, Prakash found his calling in helping others transition smoothly from students in India to scholars abroad. "In my initiative, I have mentored more than 1,000 young graduates by offering them advice on academic and career opportunities," Prakash tells Global Indian. [caption id="attachment_52471" align="aligncenter" width="560"] Prakash Kumar Jha[/caption] His professional and voluntary accomplishments led the assistant professor of Mississippi State University to receive the Foreign Fellow Award recently from the Society for Science of Climate Change and Sustainable Environment (SSCE), an NCR-based organisation. "Usually, the Fellow Award from SSCE is conferred on senior members who are in their 50s and 60s, but for the first time in their history, they have awarded a

and voluntary accomplishments led the assistant professor of Mississippi State University to receive the Foreign Fellow Award recently from the Society for Science of Climate Change and Sustainable Environment (SSCE), an NCR-based organisation. "Usually, the Fellow Award from SSCE is conferred on senior members who are in their 50s and 60s, but for the first time in their history, they have awarded a member who is below 40," the 34-year-old remarks.

Mentoring – a passion

Apart from working as a researcher and academic in the US, Prakash is part of several professional organisations. As a mentor, he not only guides young people on how to improve their competency but also connects them with the professional organisations he is involved with, helping them enhance their exposure and increase their networking opportunities.

One such organisation is SYAHI - Society of Young Agricultural and Hydrology Scholars of India, which he co-founded in 2019. "Now, it's a group of 1,000 members from 40 countries," he says. Prakash is also associated with Agricultural Scientists of Indian Origin, a voluntary organisation with members from across the globe. For a two-year term, he has been designated as the Liaison Officer to build collaborations between Indian and US agricultural scientists. He also serves as the chairperson of the agricultural vertical and secretary of the Global Indian Scientist and Technocrat Forum (GIST)—USA.

[caption id="attachment_52466" align="aligncenter" width="749"] Indians in USA | Prakash Kumar Jha | Global Indian Prakash Kumar Jha[/caption]

Staying connected with roots

Although Prakash looks at the US as the place that helped him build his identity, develop confidence, and find his path in life, his love for India and his fellow countrymen is central to many of his initiatives and associations.

He is associated as the adjunct faculty of agricultural meteorology, University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Shimoga, Karnataka, and precision agriculture, Shere-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Jammu.

As a mentor of Indian students aspiring to study abroad, he says he tries to respond to queries immediately, even if it is late hours in the US. "I find satisfaction in helping others and sharing my expertise whenever I can."

Calling SYAHI his passion project, Prakash and his team have built a consortium of early career researchers to develop collaboration, build networks, share research, and make more connected actions in the field of hydrology and agricultural sciences. "Helping develop the overall agricultural ecosystem is something that I am deeply passionate about," he says.

[caption id="attachment_52467" align="aligncenter" width="555"] Indians in USA | Prakash Kumar Jha | Global Indian Prakash Kumar Jha[/caption]

The team also mentors young graduate students focusing on training them to gain admission abroad, submit research proposals, secure research grants, write research papers, and work on agritech startup ideas.

Looking at adversities as advantage

Prakash had been a good student in his childhood, earning admission to Navodaya Vidyalaya on merit — a remarkable achievement given his humble background. This achievement entitled him to free education, clothing, lodging, and food from standard six to twelve. However, he also faced failures. "I do not hide the fact that I was not able to clear the medical entrance exams despite two attempts," he says. "Rather, I now feel happy that it led me to the path of agriculture." Someone suggested he take up agricultural sciences when he was unable to clear the medical entrance exams, and he now feels grateful that the initial plan did not work out, as it led him to a field he finds most interesting.

After completing his bachelor’s in agricultural sciences from BHU, Prakash pursued a master’s in environmental sciences from the Centre for Environment Science and Climate Resilient Agriculture at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. Following this, he earned his PhD in crop and soil sciences from the Department of Plant, Soil, and Microbial Sciences at Michigan State University.

[caption id="attachment_52469" align="aligncenter" width="519"] Indians in USA | Prakash Kumar Jha | Global Indian[/caption]

As soon as he completed his PhD, the world was engulfed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The appointments at universities where he wanted to work as faculty were stalled. It was a sudden disruption in his career plans. Nevertheless, he took the setback in his stride and found a postdoctoral research opportunity at Kansas State University. “During this time, I focused on creating a repertoire of research papers, which helped enhance my CV,” he says.

After three years, he finally landed a job as an assistant professor at Mississippi State University. Prakash now has more than 50 research papers to his credit.

Making a mark

Prakash is grateful to his mentors, including Professor Vara Prasad, Professor of crop ecophysiology and Director of the Centre for Sorghum Improvement in the Department of Agronomy at Kansas State University.

Through his hard work, he achieved notable recognitions, such as the Best Graduate Student Award in 2017 from the Department of Plant, Soil, and Microbial Sciences at Michigan State University. In 2019, Prakash was awarded the Dr Delia Koo Global Student Scholarship for his contributions to South Asia scientific collaboration at Michigan State University. The same year, he was honoured with the National Young Scientist Award by the All-India Agricultural Students Association and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research.

Later, he received the Outstanding Postdoc Award at the annual meeting of the Association of Agricultural Scientists of Indian Origin held in Salt Lake City, Utah. Recently, he was conferred the International Young Scientist Award from Bihar Agricultural University. "I see awards as inspiration to achieve more," he says.

[caption id="attachment_52470" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Indians in USA | Prakash Kumar Jha | Global Indian Prakash Kumar Jha conducting a field visit[/caption]

As a scientist and academic, Prakash specialises in agronomy and plant sciences. His research interests include investigating the impact of agronomic management on crop growth and development. His work focuses on understanding the complexities of agricultural systems, integrating crop simulation models, remote sensing, and climate forecasts to develop decision support systems for improved management strategies in crop production.

Prakash Kumar Jha’s journey of transition from a Madhubani boy to a researcher and academic in the US, and a mentor to aspiring students, is a result of his dedication to agricultural sciences and his commitment to guiding the next generation of scholars - all while taking setbacks in stride and turning them into opportunities for growth and success.

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Meet Jason Shah, who plays Inspector Cartwright in Heeramandi

(May 25, 2024) “I’m a go-go kind of person. There is a lot that I want to achieve,” grins Jason Shah. The breakout star of Netflix’s magnum opus Heeramandi, the Indo-British actor who plays the antagonist Inspector Cartwright, has managed to impress the audience with his acting chops and stand out amongst a bevy of established performers. Referring to himself as a ‘Bombay boy’, the 36-year-old is currently soaking in the adulation after Heeramandi. “It shows the power of OTT platforms and their immense reach,” he shares, adding, “People from across the world, from Bengaluru to Brazil, have been sending me DM's on Insta, and it's incredible to receive so much love.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by @jasonshah The actor, who is typecast into similar roles (usually playing the villain), has been in the industry for over a decade. Apart from roles in movies including Partner, Fitoor, and Salaar, he has also been part of many television shows, including Big Boss. Heeramandi’s success has been a huge shot in the arm for the actor, who is now excited by the wealth of opportunities that are pouring in from across industries. A Bombaywallah Jason calls

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The actor, who is typecast into similar roles (usually playing the villain), has been in the industry for over a decade. Apart from roles in movies including Partner, Fitoor, and Salaar, he has also been part of many television shows, including Big Boss. Heeramandi’s success has been a huge shot in the arm for the actor, who is now excited by the wealth of opportunities that are pouring in from across industries.

A Bombaywallah

Jason calls growing up in Bombay an unusual experience full of fond memories. “My father is a Kutchi-Jain, while my mother is a British citizen, so I grew up in extremely cosmopolitan surroundings. The city in the 90s was so different—we just used to hang out at Marine Drive, and there was a lot of liberty to explore. Bombay, being a port city, has so much to offer—the best of food, culture, and experiences.”

Exposed to a lot of classical movies like Ben Hur and Sound of Music, thanks to his father (entrepreneur Kantilal Shah), who was very worldly and well-traveled, Jason had a cosmopolitan upbringing that put him at ease both at parties and making friends with his Nepali staff.

[caption id="attachment_51947" align="aligncenter" width="614"] Indian Artists | Jason Shah | Global Indian Jason Shah[/caption]

Acting grew on him, owing to the multiple experiences he has had. He states, “My father was socially conscious and always took us out to help people. In a sense, I was always in front of people, which gave me the confidence to get in front of people.”

Having spent a few years working for his year, Jason also pursued his dream of playing cricket for a short while training in Australia but soon realized that his calling was in front of the camera.

Movie magic

His initiation into movies was very straightforward. Having acted in commercials, he attended a casting call for the movie Partner, where he was selected in a heartbeat. “I was just a kid back then,” he recalls. “The entire experience was so glamorous. I mean, imagine working with stars like Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif in your first major outing. I really cherish working on the film.”

What followed was a bunch of roles on the small screen where Jason got to understand and explore his craft. Roles in serials like Jhansi Ki Rani and Barrister Babu ensured that he was a familiar face to audiences. Long compared with another British-Indian actor, Tom Alter, his stint on the small screen usually had him playing similar characters who spoke Anglicized Hindi or English.

It is precisely why acting in Heeramandi was a challenge. “I really had to put in a lot of work to speak Urdu. It is such an evocative language. In English, love conveys a singular meaning. But in Urdu, you can say ishq, pyaar, or mohabbat to showcase the levels of intensity. Emotions are better conveyed in Indian languages.”

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Heeramandi brought him much acclaim. Audiences, confusing him with his character, bombard him with comments saying they hated him, which Jason feels only shows that he was successful in portraying his character.

Calling the whole experience surreal, he explains, “The massive sets and the big ensemble—it was all an amazing opportunity for me. I must say that while I was shooting, I felt disconnected, as I knew my own role and not the entire story. Also, I did not shoot at a stretch. Added to these constraints was the fact that I did not know anyone on the set. All these helped my character create a distance, and when I see it now, it makes a lot of sense because my character needed that space from the others.”

The world is his oyster

While he has predominantly played the antagonist in his career so far, Jason is ready for a change of scene. He says, “I’m looking for challenging parts. I wouldn’t mind playing a good character once in a while (laugh). I’m not so much concerned with the length of the role as with the impact it can create.”

While he looks western, Jason is an Indian at heart. He thinks his appearance is only an asset that helps to create a brotherhood wherever he goes, be it in London or New York.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” he smiles. “In fact, I have fun because Indians, especially abroad, don’t really expect me to speak Hindi, and when I do, it really shocks them. It has gotten me many free dinners and kebabs. Jokes apart, Hindi brings a touch of home to Indians abroad, and whenever I travel, I instantly connect with Indians, Pakistanis, and Bangladeshis because of the fact that I speak Hindi.”

[caption id="attachment_51948" align="aligncenter" width="678"] Indian Artists | Jason Shah | Global Indian Jason Shah[/caption]

When not working on movies, Jason likes to relax by playing cricket, traveling, and reading. A very ‘in the moment person’, he prefers to savor the moment rather than clicking selfies incessantly! Sit, watch, and breathe are his mantras.

What is his focus currently? “There are a lot of interesting roles and projects. There are a couple I’ve been offered, and I’m keen to work on Telugu and Tamil projects too, as they are larger-than-life. I’m excited about what’s about to come. I also hope to play positive characters at times,” he signs off.

As he looks to the future, Jason remains grounded in his roots and grateful for the journey. With his blend of Western looks and Indian heart, the actor is ready to explore new horizons and leave a lasting impact in the entertainment world. Whether as a beloved hero or a despised villain, one thing is certain: Jason Shah is here to stay, and his journey has only just begun.

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Reading Time: 5 mins

2022 Recap: Indian-origin politicians rule the roost

(December 31, 2022) Indians across the world cheered and clapped as Rishi Sunak took the oath as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom earlier this year. But, this is not an isolated case. India has the largest diaspora in the world – over 13 million Indians live outside the country, with 17 million individuals of Indian origin. While they are known to be skilled IT professionals, several Indian-origin politicians have earned important designation in governments worldwide. Global Indian takes a look at a few notable politicians and diplomats, who have made their mark as immigrants or children of immigrants around the world this year. Rishi Sunak, Prime Minister, United Kingdom “Trust is earned and I will earn yours,” said Rishi Sunak, soon after being sworn in as the Prime Minister of the UK on October 25. It’s cause for celebration by Asians the world over. Understandably so – it’s an accomplishment with many firsts (he is the first Hindu and the first person of colour to hold the PM’s office. He is also the youngest and richest ever). Although his family’s connections with Africa go back two generations, Rishi has never doubted that his roots are truly Indian. [caption

irsts (he is the first Hindu and the first person of colour to hold the PM’s office. He is also the youngest and richest ever). Although his family’s connections with Africa go back two generations, Rishi has never doubted that his roots are truly Indian.

[caption id="attachment_31380" align="aligncenter" width="619"] Politician | Rishi Sunak | Global Indian Rishi Sunak, Prime Minister, United Kingdom[/caption]

Having grown up in the UK, Rishi found success soon after college, working with two hedge funds and going on to become a partner at one. Despite a life of privilege, the politician has hardly been the man to choose the easy way – whether it’s taking off across the Atlantic or choosing to enter politics as a Conservative candidate. His first bid for Prime Minister was thwarted by Liz Truss although he burst back onto the scene with the overwhelming support of 190 MPs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C42NkLdSjyY

"The U.K. and India share so much. I'm excited about what our two great democracies can achieve as we deepen our security, defense, and economic partnership in the months and years ahead," the youngest PM of the UK shared in a recent interview.

Leo Varadkar, Taoiseach (Prime Minister), Ireland

After serving as the Minister for Enterprise, Trade, and Employment from June 2020 to December 2022, Leo Eric Varadkar took over as the new Irish Prime Minister for the second time, earlier this month. Often called the Celtic Tiger, Leo has been able to pull Ireland out of an economic crisis, and incorporated a road map for achieving a low-carbon economy. During his first address as Taoiseach, the politician said that his government would be “one of the new European centres.”

[caption id="attachment_23846" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Politicians | Leo Varadkar | Global Indian Leo Varadkar, Taoiseach (Prime Minister), Ireland[/caption]

Given Ireland’s staunchly Catholic past, Leo’s sexuality was always a talking point across the globe. However, Taoiseach believes that Irish society is changing. During an earlier interview, the politician had said, “I think other people, perhaps people braver than me, who campaigned for equal rights before the law changed things for me – To them, I’m very grateful. But it does add additional responsibility on me, that I do want to use the office that I now hold to advance equality of opportunity, to advance the concepts of equal rights before the law. That’s not just for people from the LGBT community here in Ireland, but also in Northern Ireland, and around the world where such rights are under threat.”

Niklaus Samuel Gugger, Member of the Swiss National Council

In 1970, a Malayali woman gave birth to a baby boy in Udupi, Karnataka, and told the doctor to give her child for adoption to a family that will look after him well, before abandoning the newborn. Five decades later that child, now known as Niklaus-Samuel Gugger, became the first Indian-origin politician to be elected to the Switzerland parliament. Within a week of his abandonment, Gugger was adopted by a Swiss couple — Fritz and Elizbeth Gugger. His new parents took him to Kerala when he was just 15 days old, and they lived there for around four years before moving to their native in Switzerland.

[caption id="attachment_24686" align="aligncenter" width="613"] Niklaus-Samuel Gugger, member of the Swiss National Council[/caption]

In 1997, after the Luxor massacre – which claimed the lives of 62 people – Nik was approached by the members of the Evangelical Peoples Party (EPP) to join their ranks, an invitation that he readily accepted. "Much of my work has been around the development of people and socio-political issues. My goal has been to integrate the weakest in the society through socio-ethical management and empowerment,” the politician shared with Global Indian.

A social entrepreneur, Nik has worked extensively to coach the next generation. Nik is the co-founder and member of the board of directors of the consulting company Herzkraftwerk AG in Winterthur, which offers coaching for decision-makers from business and non-profit organisations. A life coach and motivational speaker, Nik is also the Vice President of the environmental organization BirdLife Switzerland. He is also the owner of the famous Ayurvedic ginger drink in Switzerland – Zingi.

Gautam A. Rana, US Ambassador to Slovakia

A lawyer by profession, Gautam A Rana is a member of the Senior Foreign Service, class of Counselors, and was recently appointed as the US Ambassador to Slovakia, for which he was nominated by President Joe Biden. Having served at various US embassies, including India, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Algeria, Gautam is a proud Indian-American.

[caption id="attachment_31264" align="aligncenter" width="680"] Ambassador | Gautam Rana | Global Indian Ambassador Gautam A. Rana with former US President, Barack Obama[/caption]

The diplomat feels that the diaspora has grown from being just immigrants to holding important positions in various spheres of the country. “I think that the Indian diaspora in the United States of America has a lot of reasons to be proud of themselves. There are so many people of Indian lineage who are in decision-making positions now in the USA, including the Vice President, Kamala Harris. But that is the story of America. People who have come to this land, and have worked hard, have been able to achieve so much in the USA. I think Indian Americans will continue to reach great milestones.”

Currently stationed at Bratislava with his wife and two kids, Gautam is heading the US convoy to the land of the Slavs. While he hasn’t been able to visit India since he moved back in 2014, he wishes to bring his boys to the country he was born in, someday.

Aruna Miller, Lt Governor, Maryland

Aruna Miller was seven years old when she first entered the United States with her family back in 1972. About four decades later, she became the second Indian-American woman to enter the House of Representatives after Pramila Jayapal, and the first immigrant Lt Governor of Maryland. An alumnus of the Missouri University of Science and Technology, the politician spent over 25 years as a transportation engineer in Montgomery Country.

[caption id="attachment_27524" align="aligncenter" width="697"] Aruna Miller, Lt Governor, Maryland[/caption]

She first dabbled in politics in 2006, when she was elected to serve as an at-large member of the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, a position she held until 2010. Her career as a public servant has been dotted with many milestones – she has batted for issues like paid family leave, and transportation policies stood against domestic violence, and emerged as a proponent of STEM education.

In her new role as the Lt Governor of Maryland, the politician intends to hit the ground running, taking on three major issues – education, the climate, and the economy. Investing in public education and job creation is a top priority, she says, it is also a means to create safer public spaces.

Reading Time: 7 mins