What brand received recognition during PM Modi's White House visit?

Ecoline, a sustainable fashion brand, gained recognition with its blue sadri jacket made from recycled PET bottles.

How did PM Modi first come across Ecoline's jacket?

PM Modi wore Ecoline's jacket to the Parliament in February, catching their attention and earning his preference.

What inspired Senthil to start Ecoline?

After watching the film Guru and inspired by his father's resilience, Senthil pursued entrepreneurship and founded Ecoline.

What sets Ecoline apart from other brands?

Ecoline is the first Indian brand to recycle PET bottles into fashionable garments, promoting sustainability and eco-consciousness.

How is Ecoline contributing to sustainability and the environment?

Ecoline has recycled millions of PET bottles, saved water, achieved carbon neutrality, and prevented bottles from ending up in landfills.

Global IndianstoryIndian students in the ‘doc’ with huge loans to pay, and medical future uncertain in Ukraine

Indian students in the ‘doc’ with huge loans to pay, and medical future uncertain in Ukraine

Written by: Vikram Sharma

Even as students face a dark and uncertain future, the centre and the National Medical Commission of India are in talks to explore modalities to accommodate thousands of students left in the lurch due to the abrupt cessation of their medical education.

(March 5, 2022) Priyanka L had always been interested in studying abroad. A visit to a Hyderabad consultancy five years ago changed her life; she learnt about the top universities in Ukraine and decided to apply. Soon she was pursuing a six year MBBS degree at the Bukovinian State Medical University. Over the past five years, this Indian student has paid Rs 35 lakh of the Rs 40 lakh fees. However, the recent Russian invasion of Ukraine has now thrown things out of gear for this student who had to take a heavy loan to fulfil her academic dreams.

After completing MBBS, I wanted to complete my MCI and then go to London or Canada for my post-graduation. The war has ruined all my plans.

– Priyanka L, Indian medical student in Ukraine

As the war continues to take on a deadly turn, the 18,000 Indian students in the war-torn country face a bleak future. From trying to make their way back home, battling racism at the borders, to wondering what the future holds for them as they watch money invested in their education vanish in light of the war, thousands of medical students, who’d once made a beeline for Ukraine in hopes of quality education, are now stranded.

“After completing MBBS, I wanted to complete my MCI and then go to London or Canada for my post-graduation. The war has ruined all my plans,” says a dejected Priyanka, who was among the fortunate few Indians who managed to cross over to Romania and took a flight back home. Her worried family heaved a sigh of relief as she stepped out of Rajiv Gandhi International Airport a couple of days ago.

Priyanka L with her family in India

Parekh Disha, a first year MBBS student at Bogomolets National Medical University, tells Global Indian that students were forced to pay the second semester fees even as the threat of war loomed over Ukraine. “While there was speculation about the war, our University asked us to pay the fees in advance. We were also told that only those who pay their second semester fees could leave for India. I had no choice but to pay,” she says as she currently makes her way back to India. Disha’s six-year fee at Bogomolets costs Rs 36 lakh, while the hostel fee itself is about $1,000.

Thoughts are with all those Indian students, mostly from middle class families, whose parents risked every single penny they had, to send them for MBBS in Ukraine. Looking at the way things are, seems mostly a write off! #ukraineindianstudents

— Ajai (@Ajaijohn11) March 3, 2022

According to the ministry of science and education, Ukraine, about 24 percent of its overseas students are from India. Out of the total population of 20,000-odd Indians in Ukraine, about 18,000 are students pursuing medicine and engineering courses.

Bairam Shylaja who’d travelled to Ukraine just two weeks ago was forced to flee even before her course began. The first year MBBS student had coughed up a whopping Rs 8 lakh, which included university fees, food, accommodation, and consultancy fees. The young Indian student is still coming to terms with this swift turn of events.

Indian students boarding the flight to India from Romania

Shylaja, who’d lost her father, says her elder sister Gayatri took a personal loan to help pay her fees, which the family now has to repay. ”If we get a refund, well and good. If not, the money is gone,” says Shylaja, whose dreams of pursuing a medical degree have come to an abrupt halt. As Shylaja tracks the developments in Ukraine, she says, that although she had attempted Neet thrice and qualified, she fell below the 600 mark. “That is when I decided to go to Ukraine to study,’ she explains.

Incidentally, India with 84,000 medical seats lags behind other countries. In 2021 as many as 1.6 million students had registered for NEET. Several of them make a beeline for Ukraine, which does not have any entrance exam making it easier to get admission into its medical colleges. Moreover, the standard of education in Ukraine is also pretty good – the country ranks fourth in Europe in terms of graduate and post-graduate courses in medicine. The war torn country has over 30 medical colleges, most equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure which makes it a much sought-after destination for aspiring medicos from India.

Indian medical student Shylaja in Ukraine

According to Alka Kapur, a New Delhi-based educationist, Ukraine has been a popular destination for Indian students for decades. “Most Indian students study medicine in Ukraine because the country is recognised for providing excellent education, and reportedly ranks fourth for having the most significant graduate and post-graduate specialisations in medicine in the continent,” she says.

In addition, private medical institutes in Ukraine have lower tuition fees than those in India. A medical degree at a private college in India could cost anywhere between Rs 60 lakh to Rs 1 crore; sometimes accompanied by hefty donations. More importantly, she says, the World Health Organization even recognises Ukrainian colleges and the Indian Medical Council recognises their degrees. “Besides, the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council, the European Council of Medicine, the General Medical Council of the United Kingdom among others also accept Ukrainian medical degrees,” she points out.

Amulya C, a first year MBBS student at Vinnytsia National Pirogov Medical University, spent a sleepless night at the railway station before crossing over to Hungary and returning home to India. The youngster, who took a loan to pay her second semester fees, says, “Now that a full-blown war has broken out, I don’t know what my future is going to be like.”

Indian medical students being evacuated from Ukraine

This is also a regret that Naveen Shekharappa’s family nurses. The 21-year-old Indian student, who tragically lost his life in the war at Kharkiv, had decided to study in Ukraine because getting admission in India was proving to be an expensive affair. “The medical seat under management quota is very expensive here and therefore he chose to pursue MBBS in Ukraine. We all contributed money to send him to Ukraine so that he could become a doctor,” his relative Siddappa was quoted as saying.

So what are the options before the students now? “I believe that the most important thing that matters right now is the lives of the students. First, they should return to their motherland so that they are safe and then wait for any favourable decision from the governments of Ukraine and India,” concludes Alka.

Decoding education in Ukraine

Pros

No entrance test and an age limit of 24 years.
Due to substantial government subsidies, most medical colleges have a low cost of education.
Student exchange programmes allow students to study and work in Ukraine at partner institutions or universities in the European Union.
Internship opportunities in nations such as the United Kingdom, Sweden, and others are available.

Cons

According to MCI, an Indian student who obtains a foreign degree in medicine must pass a licensing exam administered by the MCI before practising in India.
With Ukrainian and Russian being the most widely spoken languages, Indians are bound to face language barriers.
The extremely cold clime of Ukraine can take some getting used to.

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Kumar Nadesan: A Pravasi Bharatiya Samman awardee’s tale of transformations

(September 22, 2023) I had the pleasure of meeting Thiru Sivakumar Nadesan, more popular as Kumar Nadesan, on a pleasant afternoon at the Business Club of Taj Samudra, Colombo. The Indian cricket team was coincidentally staying at the same venue for the Asia Cup. Although their presence was unrelated to the essence of our encounter, their proximity added an enchanting touch to the ambience. Taj Samudra Colombo radiates a deep affection for Indians in Colombo, and amidst the opulence of the surroundings, Kumar Nadesan's arrival only heightened the vibrancy of the atmosphere. Nadesan, the recipient of the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award 2023, is widely recognised as the print magnate of Sri Lanka. He holds the position of Managing Director of Express Newspapers (Ceylon) (Pvt) Limited, a prominent print and web media organisation. It publishes Virakesari, one of Sri Lanka's foremost Tamil daily newspapers, amongst other publications. Founded in August 1930, Virakesari stands as the oldest and largest circulating Tamil newspaper in Sri Lanka at 93. [caption id="attachment_45216" align="aligncenter" width="798"] Kumar Nadesan receiving Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award 2023 from President Droupadi Murmu[/caption] “When Gandhi came here, he advised the Indian community to come up with a publication as he found

st 1930, Virakesari stands as the oldest and largest circulating Tamil newspaper in Sri Lanka at 93.

[caption id="attachment_45216" align="aligncenter" width="798"] Indian Origin | Kumar Nadesan | Global Indian Kumar Nadesan receiving Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award 2023 from President Droupadi Murmu[/caption]

“When Gandhi came here, he advised the Indian community to come up with a publication as he found that the diaspora lacked voice in the country at that time. This is how Virakesari started,” Nadesan told Global Indian. Over the years, the publication has diligently catered to Tamil speaking individuals irrespective of nationality and religion.

Apart from being at the helm of all the other publications of Express Newspapers which caters to a wide audience, Nadesan is the director of the Newspaper Society of Sri Lanka, and chairman of Sri Lanka Press Institute (SLPI). Established and operated by the media industry SLPI provides structured training for journalists, encourages self-regulation within the print media sector, and champions a free and responsible media environment in Sri Lanka. Talking about its uniqueness he shared, “We are the first in the world to have people with diverse outlooks all sitting together at one table. Our group includes working journalists, media activists, editors, and publishers, each with their unique perspectives."

As the chairman of the Press Complaints Commission of Sri Lanka, a self-regulatory mechanism of the media industry, Nadesan heads a simple, non-legalistic system by which people with a genuine grievance about the press can gain quick and easy redress, without hassle.

The Attorney at Law Sri Lanka, has played a major role in addressing the drug menace in the country as the Chairman of Sri Lanka Anti-Narcotics Association. The man of many hats loves being busy and is also the President of the Sri Lanka chapter of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO). He has been the president of the Sri Lanka India Society in the past.

Unfazed by his accomplishments

When I extended my congratulations to him for the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman award that he recently received, Nadesan displayed remarkable humility, stating, "I was, of course, pleasantly surprised to receive it, but I am uncertain about the reasons for my selection." As Chairman of the major print media regulatory bodies his efforts to enhance professionalism within the Sri Lankan media industry is unquestionable and quite evident.

In his tenure as president of the Sri Lanka Anti-Narcotics Association, his dedication to the cause has been nothing short of tremendous, reflecting his unwavering commitment to the betterment of the community and the country, which is his home. Despite his impressive accomplishments he remained grounded as he spoke.

[caption id="attachment_45221" align="aligncenter" width="762"] Indian Origin | Kumar Nadesan | Global Indian Kumar Nadesan with Sri Lanka's PM, Dinesh Gunawardena and the High Commissioner of India, Gopal Baglay[/caption]

After returning from the Valedictory Session and Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards Ceremony in Indore, where he received the award from President Droupadi Murmu, his friends threw him a surprise party in Colombo. They had invited the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Dinesh Gunawardena and the High Commissioner of India, Gopal Baglay as special guests to honour him. When I mentioned the event to Nadesan, he humbly remarked, "I would have never allowed that if I had known my friends were planning something like that."

Bond with India

Despite being a fourth-generation Indian in Sri Lanka, Nadesan’s ties with India are deep-rooted. His initial connection with India was forged during his undergraduate years at Loyola College, Madras which he fondly recalled as ‘some of the most cherished days of his life’. “I even served as the student union president during those carefree days,” he said, talking about his tryst with India in the 1960s.

His bond with his country of origin grew stronger, particularly when all four of his sisters were married off to India. His late wife, who was a doctor by profession, also happened to be from India. Nadesan met her while they were students in Madras.

From law to publishing industry

After completing his bachelor's degree in commerce from Madras, Nadesan went to the United Kingdom to pursue law. Upon his return to Sri Lanka, he was a practising lawyer for two decades, accumulating valuable experience in the legal field.

However, a significant turning point occurred when he transitioned into the publishing industry. His involvement with the Express Newspaper, a position influenced by his family's business stakes in the publication house, marked a notable shift in his professional journey.

[caption id="attachment_45218" align="aligncenter" width="684"] Indian Origin | Kumar Nadesan | Global Indian Kumar Nadesan at a media event[/caption]

This career transition was driven by his belief that through the media, he could wield greater influence and potentially challenge government actions when they are unjust. “Newspaper is an ideal platform to expound whatever ideas you have and help the society,” he says.

Commitment to combat drug menace in Sri Lanka

Talking about his initiatives as the president of Sri Lanka Anti-Narcotics Association, he shared “I am a member of the Rotary Club of Colombo for more than 50 years. Anti-drugs initiatives started off as part of the Rotary project. In 1982-83, we found that drugs were infiltrating Sri Lanka, with young people being the primary target, and realised that something needs to be done to curb the menace.”

The drugs entered the country through the sea, as the fishermen who wondered whether they will ever afford to build a house got into the lure of bringing drugs into the country to earn money. A single consignment of the size of a jam jar of drugs could yield the resources to build more than two or three houses – a tempting proposition.

Considering the future of the country and the well-being of its human resources, it seemed imperative to Kumar Nadesan and his fellow Rotary members to initiate discussions about anti-drug programmes and take action in the sphere. “We conceptualised the idea of fostering human development because, even though drug-related issues may seem minor in scale, perhaps around 1 percent, the impact they create, including robbery and theft, is substantial,” he remarked “Our prisons have been overflowing with individuals unable to pay fines for drug-related offences,” he adds.

[caption id="attachment_45217" align="aligncenter" width="732"] Indian Origin | Kumar Nadesan | Global Indian Kumar Nadesan at a Rotary function in presence of President of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe[/caption]

Under Nadesan’s leadership, the initial initiative of the Rotary project proved to be highly successful. Soon after, the Sri Lanka Anti-Narcotics Association was established reflecting his commitment to addressing drug-related concerns in Sri Lanka. The association has done a commendable job over the past few decades. Nadesan received the 'Service above Self' award from Rotary International for his tireless efforts.

Purpose – to bridge heritage and history

Nadesan is in the process of envisioning a museum that will encapsulate the rich tapestry of Indian ethos, and the opulent flora and fauna of Sri Lanka. With the museum he aims to serve as a knowledge base of Sri Lanka’s natural beauty, promote the local artisans of the country through a handicraft bazaar and also create a tangible connection to the ancestral homeland for the younger generation of Indian-origin diaspora. Many of them often identify their roots with the picturesque towns in Sri Lanka's upcountry where their forefathers were brought to work as tea plantation workers.

“The intention is to guide them on a journey back to their origins, immersing them in the rich cultural history, and the earnest pride that once defined the lives of their great-grandfathers in the villages of India,” he remarked.

[caption id="attachment_45215" align="aligncenter" width="570"] Indian Origin | Kumar Nadesan | Global Indian Kumar Nadesan[/caption]

Kumar Nadesan’s family originates from Trichy in Tamil Nadu. His forefathers were brought by the British to Sri Lanka from India as tea plantation workers. Over the generations, becoming one of the well-known figures in the country is an inspirational success story that Kumar Nadesan exudes.

Reading Time: 5 mins

Polyester from PET bottles: Meet the father-son duo behind PM Modi’s sustainable attire at the White House

(July 7, 2023) PM Narendra Modi's recent White House visit attracted cheers not only from the Indian-American community but also the Ecoline team, sitting 8631 miles away in the small town of Karur in Tamil Nadu. It was a proud moment for the sustainable fashion brand as their blue sadri jacket, crafted from recycled PET bottles, took center stage as PM Modi made a powerful statement during his visit. Founded in 2020, Ecoline has earned the distinction of being PM Modi's preferred brand in recent times. It was in February this year that PM Modi first wore their jacket to the Parliament. "It was a pleasant surprise for all of us, and things changed after that," says Senthil Sankar, the founder of Ecoline, adding, "There has been a tremendous response and a huge interest in sustainability, especially since PM Modi wore our jacket. He also wore it to the G7 summit in Japan, which was a different colour, Chandan. He wore our jacket at the White House too, which means he likes it and wants to send a message (about sustainable fashion)." [caption id="attachment_41197" align="aligncenter" width="714"] Ecoline's sadri jacket gifted to PM Modi[/caption] Made from 20 PET bottles, the sadri

="714"] Ecoline | Global Indian | Ecopreneur Ecoline's sadri jacket gifted to PM Modi[/caption]

Made from 20 PET bottles, the sadri jacket is one of their most-inquired garments - an idea that struck Senthil's father K Sankar, the founder of Shree Renga Polymers (the parent company of Ecoline). The father-son duo is on a mission to revolutionise fashion by recycling PET bottles to make them into fashionable garments, making Ecoline the first Indian brand to pursue this path. "We thought of taking the initiative of bringing the thought process (of sustainable fashion) to consumers," Senthil tells Global Indian. It takes eight PET bottles to make a shirt, twenty to make a jacket, and twenty-eight to make a blazer.

The beginning

Ecoline’s journey begins from Shree Renga Polymers, as Senthil's story begins from his father's. An IIT-Delhi graduate in Polymer Science and Technology, K Sankar worked abroad in many roles and capacities in various companies, predominantly in polymers and plastics, before returning to Karur in 2008 to start Shree Renga Polymers, recycling PET bottles to make polyester yarns. However, this wasn't K Shankar's first foray into business. In 1996, he started his first venture, recycling nylons and fish nets, but experienced significant setbacks. The debt-ridden family vowed to never get into business again. Chennai-born Senthil saw his dad struggle through hardships and knew this wasn't his path. After his BTech in Mechanical Engineering from Vellore Institute of Technology, he joined Tata Consultancy Services.

[caption id="attachment_41192" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Ecoline | Global Indian | Ecopreneur Senthil Sankar with dad K Sankar[/caption]

However, his perspective took a transformative turn after watching the Bollywood film Guru in 2007. "I was inspired by the life of Dhirubhai Ambani and felt that being an entrepreneur is much more empowering," he says. He decided to work for a few years, pursue an MBA, and then embark on his entrepreneurial journey.

Witnessing his father dive back into business with Shree Renga Polymers inspired Senthil. "It takes a lot of gumption and courage, especially when you have had a first bad experience. To restart at the age of 50 was inspiring for me," says Senthil. He had a strong desire to assist his father in the business, despite initial doubts. K Sankar fondly recalls, "I thought he would run away. He was more accustomed to city life. How would he adapt to working in the waste industry and living a less glamorous lifestyle?" However, Senthil interjects with a smile, "I was determined to become an entrepreneur and build a thriving enterprise."

Senthil turned down a lucrative offer to relocate to Canada, opting instead to join his father's business and make a positive impact on society. "Back in 2006, I started reading a lot and realised that India has massive potential. The country will grow in a big way in the 21st century. That thought process struck a deep chord and I am a patriotic person, not only in cricket matches but otherwise as well," says the ecopreneur, who happily bartered a cushy job in Silicon Valley for "a thorn bed in Karur, empowering 500 people through employment." "Being in a fancy job in Silicon Valley can give me likes and shares on Facebook and LinkedIn but not the satisfaction."

Ecoline | Global Indian

The making of a sustainable fashion brand

Senthil moved to Karur with his wife, who is a criminal lawyer, and his commitment to growing the family business resulted in the birth of Ecoline in 2020. "We knew the end-to-end of the textile spectrum, the only natural extension was to create a brand," adds Senthil, who calls sustainable fashion the future. "With the climate crisis and growing population, we have to find ways to sustain humanity with the available resources. Sustainable consumption is the only way to do that."

[caption id="attachment_41193" align="aligncenter" width="651"] Ecoline | Global Indian Discarded PET bottles[/caption]

Around 60 million plastic bottles end up in landfills every day (that take years to degrade). However, India recycles 90 percent of its PET bottles. Classified as engineering plastic, PET bottles offer higher remuneration and better returns to ragpickers. Senthil and K Sankar are helping convert 15 lakh bottles daily into polyester fabric. "We are buying more time by turning plastic into fashionable garments. There will always be demand for polyesters because activewear as a segment is big globally and is also gaining prominence in India. Polyester is going to have a continuous demand. This helps the planet and also helps the brand be eco-conscious."

From PET bottles to garments

Senthil demonstrates the process by presenting a PET bottle during our video call. He explains that only the bottle’s plastic body is utilised to create the polyester fibre used to make garments. However, Senthil mentions, "The bottle caps are sold to individuals who manufacture battery cases, while the wrappers are sent to cement factories for burning." The process begins with ragpickers collecting PET bottles, which are then sent to suppliers responsible for transforming them into cubes. These cubes are delivered to the Ecoline factory, where a sorting process takes place. "The bottles are crushed, cleaned, dried, melted, and transformed into semi-finished fibres. The fibres then undergo a five-stage finishing process and converted into yarn, which is used to create fabric on a knitting machine. Finally, the fabric is fashioned into garments."

Ecoline | Global Indian | Ecopreneur

While many companies are announcing plans to become carbon neutral, Shree Renga Polymers has achieved carbon neutrality for the past decade. K Sankar proudly shares, "Not only have we recycled plastic, but we have also planted over 5000 trees and implemented renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and biomass." Senthil adds that nothing goes to waste in their factory. He explains, "The bottles come dirty to us, so we use water to clean the plastic. The mud gets separated and the water is recycled. With the mud, we make paver blocks. Every input we get is made into some value-added product and sold. We also save water by using dope-dyed technology (dyeing without water)."

Sustainability is the future

Within just two years of entering the market, Ecoline has successfully garnered clients from across India. When asked about their reaction to wearing clothes made from PET bottles, Senthil responds, "Most people are amazed by the concept. However, for those who are apprehensive, we take the time to explain the meticulous process. Since the polymer is subjected to temperatures of 300 degrees Celsius during processing, no bacteria or virus can survive. Once it is transformed into polyester fibre, it becomes like any other product." The 37-year-old ecopreneur acknowledges that the consumer's perspective on sustainability presents an ongoing challenge. "Yes, PM Modi wore it, that's a big statement but is it fashionable? Does it look good? Is it a part of fast fashion? These are the things that sustainability has to discover."

Ecoline | Global Indian | Ecopreneur

Since its establishment, Shree Renga Polymers has successfully prevented 200 crore PET bottles from ending up in landfills. K Sankar, with evident pride, highlights, "Each day, we save 1.5 million bottles from reaching the landfill. If left unattended, these bottles would occupy a space equivalent to a football stadium spanning 700,000 square meters. Our efforts have also resulted in the prevention of 14,400 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions, thanks to the conversion of 2 billion bottles." Additionally, the water conservation achieved through their process is equivalent to the capacity of Tamil Nadu's Veeranam lake, which can store 1,465 million cubic feet (mcft) of water.

Senthil embarked on a transformative journey, forsaking his white-collar job to venture into the realm of entrepreneurship. His path was rife with challenges and valuable lessons, one of which was the realisation that pursuing an MBA was unnecessary before diving into business. "Being on ground and involved in the nuts and bolts is the best learning. No B-School can teach you passion, persistence, patience, vision, direction – all key aspects of entrepreneurship."

Through their unwavering commitment and relentless efforts, the father-son duo has transformed their venture into a ₹100-crore company, and their ambitions now extend to international expansion. For Senthil and K Sankar, revenue and profit are merely by-products of their journey, with their true driving force being their vision. "Every single plastic bottle that we recycle today, 15 lakh bottles will turn into 30 lakh bottles in two years. All these bottles getting converted into a finished product with a brand name Ecoline and getting sold in some part of the world is what exactly will give us joy."

Follow Senthil Sankar on LinkedIn

Reading Time: 8 min

Aadith Moorthy and Boomitra: From TIME 100 to Earthshot Prize and Forbes 30 Under 30

(July 22, 2024) Founded by Indian origin Aadith Moorthy, Boomitra, which means ‘friend of the earth’ in Sanskrit, has been receiving well-deserved acclaim. The organisation was named in the TIME 100 Companies list of 2024 for being a disruptor in carbon sequestration and supporting smallholder farmers worldwide. Last year, it won the prestigious Earthshot Prize, considered the Oscars for the environment in the ‘Fix Our Climate’ category for successfully removing 10 million tons of carbon from the atmosphere. Aadith Moorthy has made it to the 2024 Forbes 30 Under 30 North America list for creating social impact. Aadith’s journey towards making a difference started eight years ago. During his visit to a remote village in South India, he witnessed a funeral procession of a farmer who had committed suicide, devastated by the hardships he faced due to failed monsoon rains. “This tragic event made me question why farmers, the backbone of society, were forced to struggle,” the Global Indian shared, talking about the reason behind starting Boomitra. This led him to think about how modern technology could offer a solution to such a problem in different geographies. Soon after, driven by the desire to make a change, he laid the

about the reason behind starting Boomitra. This led him to think about how modern technology could offer a solution to such a problem in different geographies.

Soon after, driven by the desire to make a change, he laid the foundation of his startup to address this issue. The Florida native had always been an exemplary student in geography and social sciences, winning the 22nd National Geographic Bee competition in the US when he was just 13. Over the years, he developed an interest in technology and AI, going on to study at the California Institute of Technology for his graduate studies and at Stanford University for his master’s degree. Boomitra became an amalgamation of his interests, aimed at solving societal problems.

[caption id="attachment_53158" align="aligncenter" width="555"] Indian Entrepreneur | Aadith Moorthy | Global Indian Aadith Moorthy with Prince Williams during the Earthshot Prize ceremony[/caption]

Connecting needs of farmers and corporates

Farmers seek carbon-rich soil to enhance crop yields, while corporations aim to neutralise their CO2 emissions. Boomitra connects these two needs. Utilising his expertise in materials science, computer science, and artificial intelligence, Aadith founded Boomitra in 2016 with a mission "to unlock climate action at a gigaton scale through science-backed technology." Ever since, the entrepreneur and his team have been working to "empower farmers and ranchers to create a planet that thrives." Today, Boomitra operates across four continents and twelve countries.

In its eight-year journey, the organisation has established itself as the world’s leading soil carbon marketplace. Boomitra helps farmers and ranchers worldwide drawdown carbon from the atmosphere and store it in their soil. By regenerating soils globally, Boomitra is pioneering a greener future characterised by food system resilience and equality for all. The company has been empowering land stewards and enables businesses to meet their sustainability goals effectively.

As per a statement of Boomitra, “It has been able to reduce 10 million metric tons of CO2 from the atmosphere through the efforts of 150,000 farmers who use company's proprietary AI and remote sensing technology to measure soil carbon stocks, and to restore grasslands through carbon farming.”

[caption id="attachment_53163" align="aligncenter" width="553"] Indian Entrepreneur | Aadith Moorthy | Global Indian Image credit: Boomitra[/caption]

Whether it's restoring grasslands in Northern Mexico, empowering pastoralists in Kenya or supporting ranchers in Chihuahua, Sonoran deserts, lowlands of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay in South America, Boomitra has played a transformative role making lives of the smallholder farmers better.

“Effective climate action requires prioritising those most profoundly affected—communities in the Global South,” believes Aadith. Hence in his native country India, his efforts have benefited smallholder farmers through carbon farming initiatives. The organisation has been working to unlock agricultural sustainability in states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.

Merging AI and farming

Aadith’s unique approach utilises satellites and AI-driven technology to measure soil carbon levels and verify carbon credits for sale on the open market. This method bypasses the need for expensive and time-consuming soil sampling, ensuring that a greater share of the revenue from carbon credits goes directly to farmers.

Under his leadership, Boomitra has been helping farmers adopt techniques like minimal tillage and the use of cover crops, which improve soil quality, capture carbon dioxide, boost crop yields, and mitigate climate change. “It’s not just about technological innovation; it’s about fostering climate solutions that resonate with the heartbeat of our global community,” Aadith Moorthy remarked, highlighting why his organisation is considered a leader in climate action.

The organisation is working on the goal to distribute $200 million in carbon finance to tens of thousands of marginalised farmers by 2025.

[caption id="attachment_53160" align="aligncenter" width="466"] Indian Entrepreneur | Aadith Moorthy | Global Indian Aadith Moorthy[/caption]

Always on the top-of-the-game

The only child of an immigrant computer engineer father and a homemaker mother, Aadith confidently clinched the 22nd National Geographic Bee in 2010. He told National Geographic News at that time, "I wanted to win—that was my goal," adding that he "thought the questions would be harder.”

Just before the final round of the championship, which saw nearly five million fifth- to eighth-grade students vying for spots in the national competition through bees held in all 50 U.S. states, Aadith had mesmerised audiences with his electrifying Carnatic performance.

Along with the U.S. $25,000 college scholarship, the then highschooler of Palm Harbor Middle School had bagged a lifetime membership in the National Geographic Society and a trip to the Galápagos Islands in Ecuador.

After passing out of school when Aadith joined Caltech, he was able to earn yet another scholarship for his further studies which took him to Stanford.

[caption id="attachment_53161" align="aligncenter" width="798"] Aadith Moorthy | Global Indian 2010 National Geographic Bee winner Aadith Moorthy (center) with fellow competitors | Image credit: National Geographic[/caption]

Joining a cohort of students from 20 countries, Aadith had joined the inaugural class of Knight-Hennessy Scholars, a scholarship program founded by Stanford University. The scholarship covered his full tuition, boarding expenses, and a living stipend. The program provided leadership training, and brought him into contact with national and world leaders.

It was not an easy selection process as Aadith and other candidates were interviewed by stalwarts in their fields like the former Secretary of State, former U.S. Ambassador to Russia, the founder of Nike, former Stanford president and the then chairman of the board of Alphabet, Google's parent company.

"This is a culmination of the past four years of my efforts at Caltech,” Aadith had remarked after getting successful in the tough selection process of Stanford's life changing Knight-Hennessy Scholars program.

No stranger to scholarships, Aadith had earned the Barry Goldwater Scholarship before this achievement, which funded the cost of college tuition, other fees, books, and boarding charges for an entire academic year at Caltech.

After winning the 2010 National Geographic Bee at the age of 13, Aadith had correctly answered every question on the AP calculus exam, becoming one of only 11 people to do so that year, at the age of 16.

Love for Carnatic music

Although Aadith was raised in Florida, growing up he visited his native city Bangalore, every year - spending more than a month learning Carnatic music from his gurus there. "I started singing when I was four, and my first lessons were learned in the US," he shared in an interview. Since online classes were not the norm then, he stayed in touch with his gurus in India through 'phone classes,' he said. Despite being a busy entrepreneur his passion for Carnatic music continues. The well-travelled entrepreneur and singer describes himself as a singer first, a traveller second, and then the CEO of Boomitra on social media.

[caption id="attachment_53159" align="aligncenter" width="503"] Indian Entrepreneur | Aadith Moorthy | Global Indian Aadith Moorthy during a Carnatic performance[/caption]

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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

Surabhi Yadav: Launching dreams through Sajhe Sapne

(April 26, 2023) “One day, women of Indian villages will be known for their potential, not their pain, for their aspirations, not their needs, for being leaders, not being led. We will make it happen, one Sapna Center at a time.” This is social entrepreneur Surabhi Yadav’s vision, which she realises through her project, Sajhe Sapne (Shared Dreams). The IIT-Delhi and University of California, Berkeley alumna has been working relentlessly to launch the careers of rural women in modern workforce. Since 2020, Surabhi and her team have enabled rural young women grow their skills, salary, satisfaction, support system and most importantly, their opinions. With her dream of Har gaon ko ho sapna center ki chaon (to create a series of Sapna centers in every village), Surabhi has been working on her cause starting with Kandbari, a picturesque Himachal Pradesh village. [caption id="attachment_37766" align="aligncenter" width="373"] Surabhi Yadav, founder and CEO, Sajhe Sapne[/caption] Popularly known as ‘Sapna Centres’, the Sajhe Sapne training centres are run for a cohort of trainees called ‘Sapnewaalis’ (women who dare to dream). “Sajhe Sapne’s first cohort was from Bihar's Musahar community, one of India's poorest and most socially ostracised castes,” says Surabhi, in an interview with Global Indian.

p-image-37766 size-full" src="https://www.globalindian.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Screenshot-2023-04-25-170549.jpg" alt="Indian Social Entrepreneur | Surabhi Yadav | Global Indian" width="373" height="523" /> Surabhi Yadav, founder and CEO, Sajhe Sapne[/caption]

Popularly known as ‘Sapna Centres’, the Sajhe Sapne training centres are run for a cohort of trainees called ‘Sapnewaalis’ (women who dare to dream). “Sajhe Sapne’s first cohort was from Bihar's Musahar community, one of India's poorest and most socially ostracised castes,” says Surabhi, in an interview with Global Indian.

Launching dreams

“There is no channel or pathway that connects modern workforce with villages,” says Surabhi and this is the gap she has chosen to address. Her non-profit is not into just providing livelihoods and creating gig workers but focuses on working towards the career development of rural women.

“I have put into Sajhe Sapne all that I have learned over the years,” remarks Surabhi. Growing up in a Madhya Pradesh village, she was no stranger to rural women resigning themselves to sub-optimal dreams. She thought it was a matter of courage and wondered why these women refused to dream big. “I remember many women in my extended family telling me that when you grow up, employ me as your chaprasi (peon).” Why do they want to be just be satisfied with that, Surabhi often wondered.

[caption id="attachment_37760" align="aligncenter" width="581"] Indian Social Entrepreneur | Surabhi Yadav | Global Indian Sapnewalis at work[/caption]

“With Sajhe Sapne, my goal is to shift the mindset of rural women from that of a livelihood to one of career development,” Surabhi says. “The ideas that encompass a growth path make the full form of ‘Sajhe’ – “S for skills, A for agency, J for job retention, H for hope and sense of possibilities and E for ecosystem of support,” she adds.

Over the last three years, Sajhe Sapne has trained a cohort of women from states like Himachal Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, MP, UP, Punjab and Maharashtra, from its Kandbari facility. “Our Sapnewalis have fire in their bellies and Sajhe Sapne fans that fire,” tells the founder and CEO.

The Sajhe Sapne model of growth

When Surabhi started out in 2020, she was brimming with ideas, but funds were scarce, so she settled on crowdfunding. She set out to arrange ₹15 lakhs for the startup but ended up getting ₹26 lakh within three days of her crowdfunding campaign. It wasn’t just family and friends – celebrities also took notice and re-tweeted her initiative, helping her exceed her collection target. “In fact, more people were willing to contribute but I stopped the campaign midway because I did not want to use so much money on the pilot run of my project, despite friends advising not to do so and allow money to come.”

Now, Surabhi has come up with a unique model in which she instils a sense of responsibility in the alumni group (Sabal Sapna Dal), She tells them, “Once you graduate with a job, pay for someone just like someone paid for you.”

She wants to make her alumni network strong enough to be the biggest investors, influencers and inspiration for the future batches. There is an expenditure of ₹96,000 on each trainee in the year-long residential programme at Sapna Centre. Surabhi is proud of the fact that her funding model has already started gaining momentum. “So far ₹4.5 lakhs have already been donated by former trainees,” she shares joyfully.

[caption id="attachment_37761" align="aligncenter" width="630"] Indian Social Entrepreneur | Surabhi Yadav | Global Indian Sajhe Sapne team[/caption]

Sajhe Sapne has three career tracks for women to choose from to shape their careers - project management, primary math teaching and coding and web development. After they finish the year-long training programme, while Surabhi and her team try to bring employment opportunities, the programme also prepares women to look for job opportunities and apply on their own. “We try to bring in work opportunities from progressive organisations that value diversity,” Surabhi explains.

The organisation also runs a one of its kind podcasts by rural women where people get to learn from their life and derive leadership lessons from what they have done differently to change their lives for the better. Such has been the impact of Sajhe Sapne's idea that apart from Surabhi’s eight-member team, some very well-placed individuals like a San Francisco based product designer working in Uber are volunteering for the organisation deeply believing in the cause.

Life in IIT-Delhi

Surabhi grew up in Khargone Madhya Pradesh and studied there until standard 12, after which she went on to do her BTech and MTech in bio-chemical engineering and biotechnology from IIT Delhi.

Breaking barriers, she was the first person in her village to move to a big city to study. People in her community didn’t even understand the magnitude of her achievement when she secured an admission to IIT. “It was just another technical institute to them,” she says. “When I came to IIT, I realised it’s a big mela where you get to engage in so many things. I was awestruck with the three floors of library that had books that I could touch. It was such a beautiful experience for me coming from a village of scare resources,” she adds. “IIT became a big playground for me to explore interesting things.”

[caption id="attachment_37764" align="aligncenter" width="620"] Indian Social Entrepreneur | Surabhi Yadav | Global Indian Team of friends[/caption]

Surabhi’s interest in social development had begun early in her life, so after her M.Tech, she remained at IIT to work with a Professor of the Humanities and Social Sciences department as a research assistant. While thinking, reading, and writing about inclusive innovation and how to use technology for social good, she was soon neck-deep into development studies. It was the impetus that led her to University of California, Berkley to do a masters in development practice.

Realising her dreams

When she returned from California, Surabhi worked for an NGO for a short while and then started on her dream project.

“My father is the first person in the village to get a full education and a sarkari job. My mother fought to study until class eight. Since they worked very hard for their own education, they were very committed to their children’s education. Also, they treated social work as a way of living and not as a moral obligation,” Surabhi tells. This is where her dedication for social development stems from.

[caption id="attachment_37768" align="aligncenter" width="445"] Indian Social Entrepreneur | Surabhi Yadav | Global Indian Surabhi with her mentors[/caption]

Now a retired horticulturist, her father has helped many farmers without any benefit. “Being raised by such parents filled me with a sense of responsibility towards my community. In my formative years, I might not have known the phrase ‘social development’ but I grew up learning the importance of giving back to my community,”

Project Basanti and BIRD

Surabhi has been involved in other projects around gender equity and the rural development space. Her feminist bent led her to also launch Project Basanti – Women in Leisure, a multi-media project named after her late mother. “It explores time as a feminist issue and consists of a rich repository of photos and videos of women and girls taking time out for themselves.” Surabhi has been happy to see more than 20,000 people participating in interesting social media conversations around women in leisure. “Have you seen a well-rested woman,” asks Surabhi. Project Basanti is all about capturing such rare moments.

Surabhi is also a co-lead at Billion Readers – BIRD, an IIM-Ahmedabad project. There, she assists the BIRD team to support the government’s language literacy initiative and improving reading habits of individuals. While people watch entertaining content on television or YouTube, subtitles encourage them to read, without pushing them to do so.

Driven by purpose amidst nature

To be able to work from Kanbadi is like living a dream for Surabhi. “Nature was important, a small place was important, not having a crowd was important. I get the quiet, I get the mountains and I get this beautiful organisation to run with a wonderful team,’ she smiles. “This place gives me the tranquility that requires to think creatively,” tells Surabhi who has been learning flute and sitar amidst the blissful quietude.

[caption id="attachment_37769" align="aligncenter" width="618"] Indian Social Entrepreneur | Surabhi Yadav | Global Indian Sapnewalis at work[/caption]

“I am walking in my balcony with the Dhauladhar mountain range and lush green fields in front of me,” she smiles as we come to the end of our conversation. Life is just the way she wanted it to be. Working amidst the beauty of nature, Surabhi is polishing up her development model while corporates line up to partner with her to open Sajhe Sapne's Sapna Centres in other villages as part of their CSR activities.

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Reading Time: 5 mins