Global IndianstoryJyotsna Pattabiraman: The ambidextrous entrepreneur making India healthy

Jyotsna Pattabiraman: The ambidextrous entrepreneur making India healthy

Written by: Charu Thakur

(November 19, 2021) From one’s own inner yearnings comes change. That would be an apt way to describe health startup GrowFit founder and CEO Jyotsna Pattabiraman who has taken the onus of making India’s health her priority. Be it lean machine keto programmes for lunch or a low-carb high-fat diet that blasts fat, Pattabiraman’s Grow Fit offers diet charts, nutrition-based meals and fresh food, a click away. With the world turning health-conscious, every calorie and ingredient be it tempeh or plant-based foods, has a place on the food chart, and the Stanford graduate ensures that each ingredient and plan helps one “Grow Fit.”

The entrepreneur on a mission to create wholesome health quit a career in the internet space to startup a business that helps wellness. Stints at various IT biggies before health solutions became her zeitgeist, she calls this journey a progression. “Working with internet companies for the larger part of my career, I learnt the impact that the web can create. When I decided to start Grow Fit, I knew that an app would be the right way to reach out to millions,” she tells Global Indian in an exclusive interview.

Her brainchild is today a popular name in the start-up healthcare sector. And it took Jyotsna years of learning the internet of things to find a space where she can create greater impact.

Born in Bengaluru, she always had a taste for the new thanks to parents who worked for State Bank of India. Thus, her childhood was spent across nine school and different cultures. Tennis and drama in school, her upbringing helped her embrace change as she “never liked to be in one place for too long.”

Jyotsna Pattabiraman

This sense of adventure took her to the US in 1998 after a short stint at Cybercash. “My fiancé (now husband) moved to the US in the late 90s. I followed suit as it was a place of opportunities,” she recalls.

At the Silicon Valley, Jyotsna learnt her trade in the mobile and internet space at marquee companies like Oracle, eBay, and Yahoo, which helped her understand the industry better. After a decade-long stint in the US which included a great career, marriage, MBA at Stanford University, and the birth of her son Nandan, Jyotsna moved back to Bengaluru to be closer to her roots.
About her experience at Stanford, she says, “It was very open and welcoming. I was one of the very few women from techno engineering at my MBA.”

Armed with all the knowledge, Jyotsna came back to find family members and friends facing worrying health issues. She herself faced complications during her pregnancy in the US, and couldn’t fathom this generic unhealthy lifestyle pattern. “Everyone was taking pills for something or the other. Despite having access to the best healthcare infrastructure, many of them were unhealthy and it made no sense,” recalls Jyotsna.

Jyotsna Pattabiraman with husband and son.

This nudged her towards the perfect solution – nutritious meals, diet charts and in 2015, Grow Fit, a health and calorie-tracking app began, and it has since raised $6.5 million in funding over five years, with plans for expansion underway. “My experience with internet companies helped me understand the power of the internet and how it could reach out to a large population and make a change,” reveals the entrepreneur.

Grow Fit tapped into a niche market by providing customised diet charts with the help of nutritionists, doctors and food technologists. The word-of-mouth publicity catapulted the app into the league of the best, and soon diversified into food delivery and packaged foods. “When we started, there were very few such apps. We were one of the pioneers, and this helped us gain the right traction. It wasn’t just the people from big cities who were downloading the app but we managed to engage Tier-II and Tier-III cities as well,” says the Melton Fellow.

Jyotsna Pattabiraman

A year later, Grow Fit became a comprehensive health companion, and she launched Grow Self, a mental wellness app which shut a year later, and she is hoping to get that back on when the time is right. “We realised that there is so much stigma around mental health. People don’t talk about mental health issues in public. We were surprised to find people from Tier-II cities downloading the app. They could finally speak about their issues without the fear of judgment,” she says.

The pandemic was the perfect opportunity for this ambidextrous startup to scale up. With Indians feverishly tuning into their health-o-meter, Grow Fit got its moment in the sun, and the cloud kitchen also got a huge boost.
“Earlier, people thought that there were no consequences to their choices. But during the pandemic, things started to become real, as people started to take responsibility. They knew they had to make healthier choices as the pandemic made them aware of their mortality. They realised that life is fragile, and we need to take care of ourselves,” she adds.

For someone who did not set out to be an entrepreneur, Jyotsna is now a name to reckon with. “When I started, I didn’t know anything about food. But the desire to make my family members and friends healthy led me on this path. I learned on-the-go. Seeing my family healthy brings me great satisfaction. I am now reaping the fruits of the seeds that I planted almost six years ago,” says the founder of the Stanford Alumni Association in South India.

Advice for young entrepreneurs? “Invest in yourself. Find meaning in your life. Entrepreneurship is a skill that no one can teach you, it can be self-learnt. Do something that makes a difference to yours and somebody else’s life,” says the girl who loves travelling, reading and binging on Korean dramas. For someone who simply wanted a meaningful life without august goals, she is well on her way to creating such a life.

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Published on 19, Nov 2021

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How locally-sourced milk becomes world class cheese in the hands of Luigi Avarelli, the cheese-master in Puttaparthi

(October 12, 2024) He came to India for a break; never left, but set up a dharmasala, a dental clinic and now, Luigi Avarelli runs a successful business making varieties of authentic Italian cheeses. Listening to Luigi Avarelli discuss how he runs his cheese business is a lesson in integrity, passion, and ethics. He lives on the outskirts of the Sathya Sai Baba Ashram in Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh. He’s been here since 1999 and tells Global Indian in an exclusive, how his tryst with India began. “I had been working for 16-17 hours every day for 23 years in Torino – but I am a native of Southern Italy – Cosenza. I was tired and needed a break. I came to the Sathya Sai Baba Ashram and stayed here. When I wanted to return, Baba told me not to go back and stay back in India. So I went to Italy, sold my business to my nephew and moved here permanently. My wife travels between India and Italy frequently.” Drawn to Satya Sai Baba of Puttaparthi, Luigi Avarelli left behind a chain of successful restaurants in Milano, along with a bevy of sports cars, to begin a new spiritual lease

behind a chain of successful restaurants in Milano, along with a bevy of sports cars, to begin a new spiritual lease on life. Today, his team works amid of whir of gleaming steel, operating top of the line machinery from Italy, with which they produce 500-600 kilos of cheese everyday. It's priced anywhere between Rs 1200 and Rs 1800 per kilo. Avarelli's cheeses make their way across the country to a list of top-tier clientele, including The Leela Palace, and Masque, in Mumbai. Even Mukesh Ambani is reportedly a fan of Avarelli's burratta, and the giant white pyramid-shaped dome in his garden, caught the attention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

[caption id="attachment_57766" align="aligncenter" width="342"] Luigi Avarelli | cheese maker | Global Indian Italian cheesemaker Luigi Avarelli[/caption]

Italian Cheese Made in India

When Luigi needed a break, he was working as a manager with a company, running his restaurant [he is also a chef] and is the third-generation cheese-maker in his family, which meant he was in the business of making cheese as well. On his return, after tying up loose ends in Italy, Luigi, with his friend Sai Krishna, decided to build a dharmshala. He says, “We built a dharmshala that provides food and accommodation at a nominal price to 600 people in support of the Super Speciality Hospital built by Sri Sathya Sai Baba. On Thursdays, we provide free food for all the poor in the surrounding area. Then in 2007-08, we built a dental clinic that would provide dental treatment to the poor for free.”

With no Trust funds or any NGO supporting his charitable efforts, he ran out of money in 2013. That is when he decided he had to do something sustainable. “I put my own money and built the structure where my cheese factory is. Sai Krishna helped with the land and I imported all the machinery from Italy.” To counter the heat of Andhra Pradesh, Luigi ensured the walls of the building were two feet thick. The company he set up is called Parthifoods and Caseificio Italia is the brand name under which the cheeses are made and sold.

As for the staff and ingredients, he sourced them locally. “I buy the milk directly from the local farmers and my staff can speak Hindi and Telugu. The vegetarian rennet for the cheese I import from Italy directly.”

Sweet Dreams are made of Cheese

The cheese range made by Luigi includes Mozzarella, Ricotta [low in fat and sodium, it is recommended for low-cal diets and is used to make Neapolitan pastries, Cassatas and Sicilian Cannoli]; Bocconcini and Ciliegine, [both of these are used for salads and appetisers] Mascarpone [excellent for cheesecakes and Tiramisu], Mozzarella “Fior Di Latte” [made from cow’s milk and predominantly used to make a Caprese and pizzas], and Burrata, a product typical of Southern Italy.

I ask why Parmesan cheese is excluded from his list and he explains, “There is no authentic Parmesan cheese in India. In Italy, Parmesan comes from two regions, Parma and Reggio Emilia, in Central Italy: the accurate phrase is ‘Parmigiano Reggiano’. The cows there, the grass they eat, and the milk they produce cannot be replicated in India. What you get here is duplicate Parmesan if it is made here. That is why I do not make Parmesan cheese.”

I buy the milk directly from the local farmers and my staff can speak Hindi and Telugu. The vegetarian rennet for the cheese I import from Italy directly - Luigi Avarelli

[caption id="attachment_57765" align="aligncenter" width="552"] Luigi Avarelli | cheese maker | Global Indian Luigi Avarelli at work. He supplies to some of India's top restaurants and hotel including Araku in Mumbai and The Leela Palace[/caption]

Several hotel chains including The Leela Palace and ITC Gardenia were his clients when he started. While the former still buys their cheese from him, the latter no longer does – a fact he attributes to the changing staff who come with their preferences. However, he has other hotel groups like the Taj and the Oberoi and smaller restaurants and pizzerias buying his cheese in cities like Bengaluru, Chennai and even Hyderabad. When he started, he would personally teach the chefs how to use the cheeses with authentic Italian dishes that best showcased them.

When Luigi started, he was making 30 to 40 kilos of cheese a day in 2014. Today, his factory makes 500 to 600 kilos of cheese every day, all year round. The packaging is kept simple and functional. Depending on the cheese, the price ranges from Rs 1200 to Rs 1800 per kilo. He reiterates that his prices are based on the fact that his cheese is chemical-free, and ethically made with no shortcuts or compromise on the ingredient quality, it is completely natural and authentic. He owns temperature-controlled trucks, through which the cheese is transported with the temperature at a steady 4 degrees Centigrade. “How can cheese makers in India send cheese by train without any cooling? Plus, the cold storage trucks here are at -18 degrees which is too cold for cheese. Hence, I bought my trucks to transport the cheese the right way,” he states. When his business grew, Luigi brought in more machinery from Italy in 2016-17. He would like to expand his reach of customers but logistics are a challenge he says.

Luigi sends his trucks to Bengaluru twice a week and prefers to work with customers who understand the authenticity of his products and the value they add to their dishes. He says, “My goal is not only to make money; it is tough to work with those who don’t understand what I do. Other cheese brands will last a month or more, mine lasts for only one week.”

True Italian Style

With the cheese business keeping him busy, he still has several ideas for what he would like to do next. “I want to set up a food academy, where I can train people to make authentic Italian food. Here, no one has respect for genuine Italian cuisine. They want to add chilli and spices to everything, and ketchup on their pizza and if you give them the original, they say it is not good. People don’t understand that Italian food is different from Indian food and the spices are not the same. So, when I eat out, I eat Indian food, but if I want to have an Italian meal, I cook it myself.”

[caption id="attachment_57782" align="aligncenter" width="558"] Luigi Avarelli | cheese maker | Global Indian Luigi's staff[/caption]

The olive oil he uses to cook his food comes from the trees in his backyard in Italy. His commitment to authenticity shows in everything he does, not just in his products, but his personal life as well. Not surprising then, that only connoisseurs of true Italian cuisine buy his cheeses. And given the quantities he sells every day; it would appear there are quite a few. One can only hope he achieves his goal of setting up a food academy too someday, so people who love global cuisines can learn how to cook authentic Italian. Till then, they just have to make do with the real cheeses he makes.

‘Power’ hungry: Vivian Reddy, the Indian mogul who brought electricity to post-apartheid South Africa

(October 9, 2024) Vivian Reddy’s first memories are of the narrow, dusty streets of Greenwood Park, Durban. Born in 1953 into a family of nine children, his father, a schoolteacher, earned a meager R3 a month, barely enough to sustain them. Young Reddy saw the constant financial struggle up close, but it was his father’s unwavering dedication to integrity and service that left a mark on him. “Service to humanity is the best work of life,” his father would say—a mantra that guided Vivian Reddy through his life and business. Hailing from KwaZulu-Natal, Vivian Reddy wears many hats as the founder and chairman of Edison Power Group, a heavyweight in the electrical industry. His business interests include casinos, healthcare, finance, and property development. From being raised in poverty to accumulating an estimated net worth of R1.9 billion, Reddy has come a long way, and been instrumental in shaping the post-apartheid Durban story, as well as the legacy of the Indian diaspora in South Africa. At 71, Reddy is deeply committed to philanthropy in South Africa, supporting initiatives like the Orphans of AIDS Trust Fund and contributing to projects like the Wingen Heights Secondary School and a clinic in eThekwini Metropolitan

eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality.

[caption id="attachment_57577" align="aligncenter" width="542"] Vivian Reddy | South African billionaire | Global Indian Vivian Reddy[/caption]

Humble beginnings

Growing up in apartheid South Africa meant that Reddy, as an Indian, was subject to the institutionalized racial segregation that defined the country from 1948 to 1994. Apartheid confined non-white citizens to specific areas, dictated their education, and barred them from numerous career opportunities. Indians in South Africa, initially brought to the country as indentured laborers by the British in the 19th century, were politically and socially marginalized, despite being very wealthy and contributing significantly to the economy as traders, professionals, and workers.

Vivian Reddy’s parents were committed to education as a way out of poverty. His father’s modest salary from his job as a schoolteacher barely provided for their large family, yet he instilled in Reddy a deep sense of responsibility and service. His mother, a homemaker, managed their household and nurtured her children with strength and patience. “We didn’t have much, but my parents made sure we had the right values,” Reddy recalls. These early values of integrity and service would shape Reddy’s path.

His first job, and confronting apartheid

Reddy’s first job as an electrician came after completing his education at Sastri Park Secondary School. Working at an electrical company in Pietermaritzburg, he quickly rose to branch manager. But apartheid’s discrimination soon reared its head. At a company Christmas party, the management arranged two separate celebrations—one for white workers and one for non-white workers. Outraged by the segregation, Reddy led the non-white workers into the whites-only celebration.

“I couldn’t just sit back and allow this injustice to continue,” Reddy says. His defiance, however, came at a cost. He was fired the following Monday. “Getting fired was painful, but it made me realize that if I wanted to succeed, I couldn’t rely on others to give me opportunities. I had to create my own.” That realization propelled Reddy into entrepreneurship.

[caption id="attachment_57578" align="aligncenter" width="593"] Cutting the ribbon, Vivian Reddy with His Majesty, King Goodwill Zwetithini kaBhekuzulu, Premier of KZN, at the re-opening of the Lakehaven Child and Youth Centre in Durban. Photo: The Bugle[/caption]

Building Edison Power: The Challenges of Being a Non-White Entrepreneur

In 1973, with just R500 and a borrowed bakkie (small truck), the Global Indian started his own electrical company, Reddy’s Electrical. The challenges were immense. Apartheid policies meant that government contracts were out of reach for non-white businesses, and private companies often preferred to work with white-owned firms.

Despite these barriers, Reddy was determined. He realized that his company’s name could be a hindrance in securing work, so he made a strategic decision: he rebranded the company as Edison Power. The name change gave him the credibility he needed to secure contracts with clients who might otherwise have been prejudiced against working with an Indian-owned business.

“People would ask for Mr. Edison,” Reddy recalls. “I would tell them he wasn’t available, but I could assist.” This clever rebranding opened doors, and Edison Power slowly started gaining traction in the industry.

The Big Break: Electrifying South Africa’s Townships

Reddy’s breakthrough came in the early 1990s when South Africa’s township electrification program was underway. Many white-owned companies refused to take on these projects due to safety concerns and political volatility. But Reddy saw it differently.

Edison Power was one of the first companies willing to take on the massive task of electrifying South Africa’s townships. “We were the only company willing to go into these dangerous areas,” Reddy says. “It was risky, but I knew it was our chance to prove ourselves.” Edison Power’s commitment to these underserved communities not only transformed the lives of millions but also positioned the company as a leading force in South Africa’s electrical industry. This bold move firmly established Reddy as a visionary businessman willing to take calculated risks for the greater good.

Diversifying His Empire

[caption id="attachment_57579" align="aligncenter" width="638"] Vivian Reddy | Oceans Mall | Global Indian Oceans Umhlanga in Durban, owned by Vivian Reddy, known as 'Dubai in Durban', created over 1000 local jobs.[/caption]

As Edison Power grew, so did Reddy’s ambitions. By the late 1990s, Reddy had expanded beyond electrical engineering and ventured into property development, real estate, and casinos. One of his most significant undertakings was the Sibaya Casino, a premier destination that became a cornerstone of his business portfolio.

The casino, situated near Durban, attracted major investment and created hundreds of jobs for local residents. Reddy’s ventures in casinos were not just about profits—they were about transforming the economic landscape of the region. The success of Sibaya Casino marked the beginning of his diversification into other high-value sectors.

Reddy’s most ambitious project to date is the R4 billion Oceans Umhlanga development, a luxury mixed-use property development that includes residential apartments, a hotel, and a shopping mall. This development has not only transformed Durban’s skyline but has also created thousands of jobs and brought international attention to the city. “I wanted to create something that would leave a lasting legacy,” Reddy says.

Mentorship from Nelson Mandela

One of the defining relationships in Reddy’s life was his mentorship under Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s first democratically elected president. Mandela’s guidance shaped Reddy’s approach to leadership and community impact. “Mandela taught me that success is meaningless unless you use it to help others,” Reddy reflects.

Vivian Reddy met Nelson Mandela during the post-apartheid era, when South Africa was undergoing massive social and political transformation. Mandela, who became the first democratically elected president of South Africa in 1994, sought to engage with and mentor influential business leaders across the racial spectrum to help rebuild the country after years of racial segregation and economic inequality.

Reddy, who had already begun making a name for himself as a successful businessman through Edison Power, caught Mandela’s attention through his bold efforts to electrify townships during the apartheid regime—a risky move that not only demonstrated Reddy’s business acumen but also his commitment to social upliftment. Their paths crossed as Mandela began to form relationships with key business figures who could contribute to the rebuilding of South Africa's economy and infrastructure.

Mandela admired Reddy’s determination to succeed despite the restrictions of apartheid and recognized the impact Reddy’s work had on marginalized communities. Through their shared values of integrity and a commitment to improving the lives of others, the two developed a close relationship. Mandela would go on to mentor Reddy, shaping his views on leadership, philanthropy, and the importance of using success to uplift those around him. Mandela’s mentorship reinforced Reddy’s belief that businesses should be a force for good, and that personal success comes with a responsibility to uplift the less fortunate. This relationship would serve as the guiding principle for Reddy’s expansive philanthropic efforts.

We didn’t have much, but my parents made sure we had the right values. - Vivian Reddy

Philanthropy: A Commitment to Uplifting Communities

Reddy’s philanthropic work is as impressive as his business empire. He has donated more than R250 million to various causes, focusing on education, healthcare, and skills development. One of his most significant contributions is the establishment of Wingen Heights Secondary School, a state-of-the-art educational institution aimed at providing high-quality education to children in underserved communities.

Reddy has also heavily invested in healthcare initiatives, particularly in the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, where he funded clinics and medical centers to provide essential services to marginalized communities. “I believe that true success is about giving back to the community that helped you succeed,” Reddy explains.

In addition to education and healthcare, Reddy has sponsored multiple skills development programs, helping thousands of young South Africans gain the training and qualifications needed to improve their economic prospects.

[caption id="attachment_57580" align="aligncenter" width="563"] Vivian Reddy | South African billionaire | Global Indian Vivian Reddy with his wife[/caption]

Legacy

Today, Vivian Reddy’s empire spans multiple industries, employing thousands of people across South Africa. .His son, Shantan Reddy, now plays a critical role in running Edison Power, ensuring the continuity of the family legacy. From Edison Power to Oceans Umhlanga, Reddy’s impact on South Africa’s economy is profound. But perhaps more importantly, his legacy of philanthropy and service continues to uplift communities across the country.

Reddy’s journey from a young boy growing up in apartheid-era Durban to one of South Africa’s most influential businessmen is a testament to vision, determination, and a commitment to service. “It’s not about how much you have; it’s about how much you give back,” Reddy says, a reflection of a life dedicated to leaving the world better than he found it.

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How social entrepreneur Vandana Suri’s Taxshe empowers women to ‘drive’ progress

(February 9, 2022) Turning adversity into an advantage is a winning formula that Vandana Suri, founder, Taxshe enhances. The global Sustainable Development Goals and Her awardee (2019) for her entrepreneurial venture, an exclusive all-women driver-on-demand cab service in Bengaluru and NCR, seeks to empower women. As the pandemic hit hard, and transportation was worst-hit, Taxshe felt the blow too. Uncertainty loomed large after paying salaries for eight months without any business. Suri had a debt of ₹70 lakh, but not one to give up, she was resolute. Born and brought up in Mumbai, Vandana’s family shifted to Bengaluru where she pursued graduation and chartered accountancy. After 25 plus years as an investment banker, she began her first entrepreneurial venture at a real estate consultancy. A year later, she founded Taxshe. “It was like a calling in life,” says Vandana Suri in an interview with Global Indian. “People don’t have to tell me to fight their battles, I do it for them. Since childhood, I’ve been a fighter. A girl in school who was good at karate wanted to go to an inter-school competition, and the principal refused as there was a drawing exam on the same day. I spoke up

inter-school competition, and the principal refused as there was a drawing exam on the same day. I spoke up for her,” reminisces Vandana, adding, “During those day, Doordarshan’s serial Rajni sparked a desire to stand up for your rights. My mother would say, ‘You have already become Rajni, now stop watching it!’” she chuckles.

[caption id="attachment_19649" align="aligncenter" width="593"] Social Entrepreneur | Vandana Suri Vandana Suri, Founder, Taxshe[/caption]

Empowering women forward

Starting Taxshe in 2014, Vandana put out her first post on Facebook, asking people whether they could provide references of lady drivers for an all-women taxi service. “To my utter surprise, the post went viral,” says Suri, overwhelmed with 3,000 calls.

The challenge was no woman with driving skills was willing to become a taxi driver. Women from poorer sections could have, but they did not know how to drive. “I became the first driver of Taxshe. I started a chauffeur model, drove other’s cars, picking and dropping their children. It was amazing that parents were so at peace with the idea of a lady driving their children around,” she smiles.

[caption id="attachment_19650" align="aligncenter" width="674"] Social Entrepreneur | Founder of Taxshe and Taxshe Breakfree A woman driver of Taxshe[/caption]

Since 2015, Taxshe, that was incidentally triggered by a cab rape incident where the victim’s statement, “If a woman would have been driving me, this would have not happened,” deeply affected Vandana. Women were unsafe, and Taxshe was the answer. “Another major concern were the lack of toilets making it a non-women-friendly profession. So, I designed a flexible business model around ladies where there was no threat from passengers as they were driving children, and they had the luxury of working in the vicinity of their homes. It was business-friendly too as we got contracts for the whole year thus a yearly income,” she adds.

Spreading the word

Reaching out to slums, talking to women and families, after devoting six months to a year training, she has women professional drivers. “When I sent them for training, they were ridiculed. Empowering them, I started training them myself. Over the past seven years, we must have trained 350-400 girls,” says Vandana.

She likens the service (pre-Covid) to being oxygen masks for children, corporate women and female late-night flight passengers. Then Covid wiped all these avenues.

[caption id="attachment_19651" align="aligncenter" width="765"] Social Entrepreneur | Vandana Suri Forever happy with kids[/caption]

Vandana then started a new business vertical – the Taxshe Breakfree that addressed fear of infection and women being stuck at home. “Just like the actor in Titanic who floated across even when the ship sank, we were able to sail across the pandemic. Invariably, we have a very high rating whether it is Taxshe or Breakfree,” she beams.

When the drive became a movement

Getting in touch with educated women who had lost jobs, she roped them in as franchisee partners, and trained them in training others. An out-of-work 62-year-old school principal with 35 years experience (driving) joined in. “We call her super naani. We have other franchisee partners too who have lost high-paying jobs. They are happy to join Taxshe Breakfree,” adds the social entrepreneur.

Then, another vertical - women in mobility business (WOMB) was started. Engaging women with a strong network to motivate others to join Taxshe Breakfree, she adds, “They are akin to a business development arm, and earn revenue. WOMB women are like backend buddies of franchise partners. We have four franchise partners, and have trained 300 +women so far. We are incubating more women under WOMB. By April, we plan to rope in 25 more.”

[caption id="attachment_19654" align="aligncenter" width="648"] Social Entrepreneur | Vandana Suri Vandana with the Taxshe Breakfree team[/caption]

Vandana’s mother is her backend buddy and critic. “When my mother heard that I was starting a cab business, she fell off her chair. Later when my brother Sushil joined in, as co-founder, she was assured that I must be doing well enough for him to join,” laughs Vandana. Her mother is proud of Suri’s award - chosen out of 1,200 applicants. “She wonders when I’ll learn to cook,” grins Vandana, a mother of a teenage son.

[caption id="attachment_19652" align="aligncenter" width="533"] Social Entrepreneur | Founder of Taxshe and Taxshe Breakfree Vandana with her mother and son[/caption]

On rare off days, painting is her go to, “I will pursue it after retirement,” she chuckles. Of course, music and thumkas aside, she admits to being the first on a dance floor, and the last off it.

Chop Chop Boys and SingleSisterz are her new nascent ventures - One trains young lads how to cook and the other helps single women rent together. “We wanted to work on an alternate family structure so that someone is there to take care of children,” signs off this serial entrepreneur with her pulse on social upliftment.

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Shivali Bhammer: Blending East with the West through devotional fusion music

(August 4, 2023) The nondescript bhajans, which were once confined to temples and pujas at home, are now charting a new path, thanks to the devotional fusion music genre. It's the amalgamation of mantras with jazz and hip-hop music that's grabbing the attention of the younger generation, and one such artist who is making this genre a hit in the UK is Shivali Bhammer. The British-Indian singer, who calls herself a spiritual being, is blending the beats of the West with the bhajans of the East and how. Brought up in a family that's quite spiritual, Shivali started making music at the age of 15. But it was devotional music that pulled her and she was keen to give it a modern twist so that people could identify with it. This Global Indian has achieved that with her music. From equity trading to devotional music Born in London to Gujarati parents, Shivali comes from a family that delves deeper into the philosophy of life. It was her great grandmother and great aunts who introduced her to spiritual music and at 15, she started making her own music. For the 35-year-old, her musical talent wasn't something that she discovered instead it

orn in London to Gujarati parents, Shivali comes from a family that delves deeper into the philosophy of life. It was her great grandmother and great aunts who introduced her to spiritual music and at 15, she started making her own music. For the 35-year-old, her musical talent wasn't something that she discovered instead it was a gift bestowed upon her. "Singing comes naturally to me than anything else I do, to me it is like breathing. I can't separate it from who I am. I began nurturing it when I was 15 years old with my best friend Arjun. We didn't think of talent then, we just thought of what makes us happy and what we enjoy doing," she told a magazine. For the next few years, the duo kept making devotional music and titled their collection Basement Bhajans, however, not without adding a bit of zing with their fusion.

It wasn't until she was 22 that she dipped her toes into the world of music as a professional. Before exploding into the music scene, Shivali, a graduate in Economics and Philosophy, worked as an analyst for global investment firm Goldman Sachs, and even contributed articles to the Financial Times and other major publication. However, the 9 to 5 grind made her realise her true calling - music.

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While she loved devotional music, she wanted to layer it with new melodies and modern instruments in order to make it accessible to the youth. At 22, Shivali pitched the idea to Sony Music and this was the beginning of her musical journey.

A musician in the making

"I felt passionate about music, and about devotion, and that the two should merge and include more than just a harmonium. It was only when I was 22 that I got signed with Sony Music BMG and suddenly my work that I had called Basement Bhajans became The Bhajan Project and it changed my life," the singer said in an interview.

Her maiden album wasn't just a collection of mantras but a blend of beats and sounds from the genres of R&B, soul, rock and pop sprinkled with a generous dose of acoustic guitar. This fusion worked wonders for this talented singer who grabbed eyeballs with The Bhajan Project.

The album earned her two nominations at the Global Indian Music Awards at the age of 23, and soon she was listed among the Top 25 under 25 South Asian Artists in England. "When I look back on that it was a magical moment, where the universe did most of the just done the preparation and arrived on time,"
she added.

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Blending East with West

Since then, Shivali has been busy perfectly blending Western instruments with her Eastern rhythm. The singer, who calls herself a blend of the East and West, believes that merging the two worlds come naturally to her as she is an Indian who grew up as a British girl.

Without any formal training in music, Shivali has managed to cast a spell on music lovers especially in the devotional music genre with The Bhajan Project and Urban Temple, both of which reached No 1 on the iTunes World Chart. In fact, the 35-year-old has made devotional fusion music quite popular in the UK. "London has a big Asian network and it really embraces people with a different sound. It is receptive of talented young artists – we see them sprouting every day," she told DNA.

The singer is also a motivational speaker who never misses a chance to talk about mindfulness and meditation. Interestingly, she is the only Indian artist to be invited to the prestigious De Doelen Theatre in the Netherlands to story-tell Hindu Mythological love stories. For her, music is art which is an expression of one’s creative love.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0WBjRsyceM

Her East meets West sound has put her music at the centre of the world fusion movement in the devotional genre. Her albums are a soothing reminder that devotion exists in every action, and that’s what makes her music appealing to most of the people. Her intention with her music has been to deliver a message with love. When Shivali stepped into the music world, she wanted to change the landscape of the devotional music industry and take it to new heights. And a decade after her first album, Shivali has been able to create a niche for herself in the music world.

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Reading Time: 5 min

Istanbul-based Indian author Ann D’Silva’s debut book turns into a Bollywood film

(November 10, 2022) Amid the chaos, one often finds hope. And usually, the darkest times bring one closer to the light. That's the workings of the Universe, in which Istanbul-based Indian author Ann D'Silva has immense faith. It was this strong belief that led her to leave a corporate career in India and relocate to Istanbul as an author. An activist and a champion of women's empowerment, she has given the literary world women-oriented stories that are glazed with a strong narrative. And one such work of hers - Footprints in the Sand - is set to turn into a Bollywood film soon. The author has joined hands with Bollywood director and producer Prem Raj Soni for the Indo-Turkish project that's set to go on floors sometime next year. It was in 2021 that Prem Raj Soni connected with Ann, asking her to send him her book. "Impressed by the story of Hannah (the main character) - a modern-day woman who is a survivor and a warrior, he decided to make the film as he believes that people need stories like that. And in August this year, he made the official announcement," says Ann who is excited to collaborate with

that people need stories like that. And in August this year, he made the official announcement," says Ann who is excited to collaborate with Prem Raj Soni for the film.

[caption id="attachment_31554" align="aligncenter" width="526"] Author | Ann D'Silva | Global Indian Ann D'Silva moved to Istanbul in 2019[/caption]

India and Türkiye have played an important role in her journey, and it's her way of giving back to the two nations that have nurtured her as an individual and a professional. While her first book is about a modern woman, her second book focuses on displacement. "These are the subjects one cannot ignore. Cinema is the medium to bring stories about humanity beyond borders," Ann tells Global Indian.

Deepening cultural ties through cinema

Cinema transcends barriers, and Ann believes it holds true in India-Türkiye scenario too. She has seen Turkish people swoon over Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan, as some of the Indian content is dubbed in Turkish. "If you tell someone in Türkiye that you are from India, the first thing they say is Raj Kapoor. They still remember Awara Hoon; that's the power of Indian cinema," she adds. And now the author is keen to explore the cinematic experience for the people of India and Türkiye through the screen adaptation, which she is writing as well as co-producing.

"There is a lot of similarity between the cultures and storytelling of the two countries. Most of the content has been dubbed, but there has never been a crossover. And that's what we are going to do with our film. It's for the first time that the talent from both nations will work together on a project, thus helping deepen the friendship and ties between the countries." Calling it a "first-mover advantage," Ann says that the story of Footprints in the Sand is woven in both the cultures. "Both the countries share histories and cultures, and it will be shown through the film."

[caption id="attachment_31555" align="aligncenter" width="514"] Author | Ann D'Silva | Global Indian Ann D'Silva's debut book is set to be made into a film[/caption]

Ann explains that the ties between India and Türkiye go centuries deeper, and her book has in-depth mentioned the blossoming friendship between the two nations. "Not many know but Mahatma Gandhi and Mustafa Kemal Ataturk were friends who exchanged letters. Both of them were visionaries who gave freedom to their countries. They were both fighting the British, while one fought a war for Independence, the other chose the course of non-violence," reveals Ann, adding, "Almost 5000 Hindi words are a part of Türkçe (Turkish dialect)."

A home, away from home

Ann, who now calls Istanbul her home, is its resident for the past three and a half years. For someone who lived across India, moving to a new country was a leap of faith. Having intriguing recurrent dreams about Türkiye led her to her maiden visit to Istanbul in 2017, and the author instantly knew this is where she belonged. "I believe in the magic of the Universe, and I know I am supported and guided. It was this guidance that led me to Istanbul. I didn't know anybody in Türkiye, but the country drew me in," says the 50-year-old who has now become a part of the Indian diaspora, which she says includes 500 families in Türkiye.

[caption id="attachment_31556" align="aligncenter" width="555"] Author | Ann D'Silva | Global Indian Ann D'Silva in Istanbul[/caption]

"Turkish people are very polite, warm, and welcoming. When I initially moved here, I instantly felt a sense of belonging," says Ann, whose only challenge was the language barrier. However, she is bridging the gap by constantly brushing up on her language skills. Moreover, she calls Turkiye a country that's devoid of any racism. "There is no colour bias. I am considered exotic here because of my colour," she smiles.

The short stint in Türkiye has made her realise that the people of the country are very much in love with everything Indian. "They love yoga, chakra healing, and aura healing techniques. Oh, and they are majorly into astrology too," smiles Ann, as she connects with me from a cafe overlooking the Bosphorus in Istanbul. "I love observing people, and it's them who inspire me to develop the characters for my stories."

Championing women issues

Her move to Turkey was a blind bargain laced with adventures and learnings. If Ann released two of her books that made her a bestselling author, she also fell in love with a man in Istanbul who she ended up marrying after a whirlwind romance. However, things started looking down soon after. The abusive marriage and an ugly divorce led her to stand in the face of adversity and rise like a phoenix from the ashes. "I built an ecosystem of Turkish friends who have been my biggest support system during trying times," says Ann, who reveals that those hard days made her an "insightful writer and an activist."

[caption id="attachment_31557" align="aligncenter" width="493"] Author | Ann D'Silva | Global Indian Ann D'Silva is also an activist[/caption]

The Global Goodwill Ambassador and the recipient of the Books for Peace Award - Italy 2022, Ann champions the idea of inclusivity, diversity, and women empowerment. "In some parts of the world, women are emancipated and empowered. In others, many are still struggling for their fundamental rights like what's happening in Iran right now. Though there is a collective consciousness right now, where women believe it's high time to change the narrative." She reveals that according to a UN report, around 1.3 billion women face some sort of sexual assault, and it's the fear that keeps them silent despite the atrocities meted out to them. "That's what I want to change through my writing and activism," says Ann, who is currently working on a script for a Hollywood film based on the prostitutes of Kamathipura. "I want to put the spotlight on subjects that are often brushed under the carpet. It is stories like these that give courage to the women to come out as survivors and not victims."

With a few months left for her to begin working on the script of the film, Ann is currently immersed in writing the third installment of Kun Faya Kun in the trilogy - which speaks about the power of nature. "Man has abused nature so much, and tsunamis and droughts are the results of it. Since it's the final book, it talks about the good and bad, and how nature corrects the imbalance," adds the author who shuts herself each day for a few hours to write her book, which is expected to hit the stalls in 2023.

[caption id="attachment_31558" align="aligncenter" width="481"] Author | Ann D'Silva | Global Indian Ann D'Silva is currently writing her third book[/caption]

For someone who moved countries to chase her dreams, Ann is grateful for all experiences - good or bad. She calls "today - the biggest gift". "Today is all we have. The past with its traumas and lessons is behind us. Whatever we choose to do today, impacts our future," she signs off.

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Reading Time: 7 min