Global IndianstoryMindfulness on the menu: Sumukh Tallam celebrates the slow life at Maya

Mindfulness on the menu: Sumukh Tallam celebrates the slow life at Maya

Written by: Minal Nirmala Khona

(May 26, 2024) It is always heartening to meet a young person who follows his or her passion while caring about the environment. Their career trajectory feels like a victory lap – a win-win situation where they are doing what they love best, and simultaneously, saving the earth. One such determined young entrepreneur is Sumukh Tallam from Bengaluru. Though he comes from a family of jewellers, he had an early interest in cooking. One he attributes to his mother and grandmother. “I was always curious about what went on inside the kitchen. My mother and grandmother were feeding us haute cuisine, microgreens and edible flowers, and experimenting with regional cuisines, well before these concepts became trendy,” recalls Sumukh in an exclusive with Global Indian, adding, “My grandmother has also written a cookbook – Pakadharshi – by Bhoopalam Suryakaanthamma and Tallam Vijaayalakshmi.”

The freedom to pursue his calling led Sumukh to a post graduate degree in culinary arts at Manipal University. This was followed by a course in food styling and mixology at EBS, London. On his return to India, he worked with various food brands as a food stylist before launching his restaurant, Maya, in Jaya Nagar, Bengaluru.

Sumukh Tallam

Recollections in tranquillity

Maya is unique in several ways. Sumukh elaborates, “Firstly, I believe in the concept of the maker’s maya – that everyone has a creative side. You have an ikigai, as do I, and Maya gives you a platform to reflect on your creative side, whatever it may be – from painting to writing to cooking.” To each their own Maya. In keeping with this paradigm, the restaurant is on the first and terrace floors and the ground floor houses an art gallery. “We provide a platform for up-and-coming artists and my sister Anusha, who runs a creative studio named Ebbxflo, is also a curator. We have a different artist exhibiting every month and Maya is the first restaurant in India to have built a dining experience inside the premises of an art gallery where you can enjoy a slow, relaxed meal and art.”

The bungalow in Jaya Nagar is on a long-term lease and Maya has been designed in keeping with the Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa’s design philosophy. Seamless incorporation of lush greenery, natural elements and ventilation, open spaces, and a synergistic blending in with the surroundings. As a nature lover, Sumukh has planted over 100 species of plants there that have certification from the Lalbagh Botanical Institute. He plans to bring in 100 more to make it the greenest restaurant in the country.

Mindfulness on the menu

The ambience is all about tranquil and calm surroundings. The music playing in the background too is soothing. The icing on the cake? The food reflects all these artistic elements. Says Sumukh, “I believe that you eat with your eyes first. The entire concept of eating is an art to me. When you eat mindfully, your soul is appeased. I aim to create that experience with every meal. I want my guests to have a consciously relaxed, spatial and culinary experience. Maya has a homely feel amidst all the chaos; we chose this area because you won’t find a green belt like this anywhere in the city, and the locality represents old world Bengaluru.”

Maya

The most important aspect of course, is the food. Sumukh, who refuses to call himself a chef, but prefers the moniker ‘a passionate cook,’ has designed the menu to serve global cuisine in a farm to table concept. “We source most of our ingredients locally. Most of them are organically grown. Having said that, since the water and soil is contaminated with pollutants and pesticides from elsewhere, one can’t really say they are 100 percent organic. Our herbs however are certified organic. We source our produce fresh every day directly from farmers and they are all within an 80 km radius of the city. We have a zero plastic policy and within six months we aim to achieve a 100 percent zero-wastage in our kitchen too. Our crockery is sourced from a company that works with tribals who live around the Nugu river. The eggs and chicken come from a farm where they are not fed hormones or antibiotics and are completely free range. Our seafood comes from Mangalore.” All in all, with the best practices to bring in the best quality and freshest food to the table.

Beyond Maya

The cuisine is global with Pan-Asian, Italian and a smattering of Indian dishes on the menu. Sumukh reveals, “We did try cuisines of my choice – Greek, Ethiopian and a bit of Sri Lankan. For some reason, they were not popular so we stuck to global food with wood fired pizzas, freshly made spring rolls etc. The most popular dishes today are the Vietnamese Onion Flower – a starter made with the flower bloom of the onion, the pizzas, and the Vegan Spring Rolls with julienned vegetables and glass noodles. Though they take us five to ten minutes more, we roll the wraps freshly just before filling them. This makes them less oily and is in keeping with our fresh food-only philosophy. The Palak Stuffed Paneer and the Kokum Infused Prawn are popular dishes. I love working with unique and atypical ingredients like kokum, jicama, palm sugar, cayenne pepper, salt alternatives like soy, miso paste, parmesan rinds, and pickle juice.

Maya is an all-day diner open from noon till late night but comes with its inherent challenges. Sumukh believes they are commonly faced in the hospitality business. “Staff attrition is huge; it is the hardest because getting good skilled staff is difficult. The overheads eat into our profits as real estate costs in Bengaluru are quite high. Plus, we face constant harassment from the regulatory and compliance folks.”

Despite all this, once the zero wastage in food milestone is achieved, Maya will become the greenest restaurant in India due to its sustainable practices. Sumukh’s company is called The Food Smith and Maya is one of its brands. Next on the agenda is a new project in Hyderabad, and, at Maya – virtual art exhibitions, artisanal food pairings where the artist’s vision is echoed through the food. He plans to hold an exhibition of the wildlife photographs shot by Chef Michael Swamy, Sumukh’s mentor and a photographer as well. He also wants to grow herbs where guests can walk through the garden and pick their herbs as ingredients or garnishes for the dish they have chosen.

With Maya on such a solid footing, where Mama Earth and her well-being is as important as serving good food, Sumukh is bound to be blessed by the universe to achieve greater heights.

While travelling, Sumukh likes to eat at:

Michelin star or guided restaurants as well as street hawkers, “I love jumping into the authenticity of the regional cuisine and trying local specials. Here are some of the best restaurants I have tried around the world,” he concludes.

Gaggan Anand, Bangkok – Opera of Food
Les Fondus de la Raclette, Paris – Grill and Meat
Moeders, Amsterdam – Translates to Mother’s Authentic Dutch cuisine
Dishoom, London – Modern Indian
Savoy, Sthalika, Mussorie – Garhwali cuisine

Follow Maya on Instagram.

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Published on 26, May 2024

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Mississippi Masala: Chef Vishwesh Bhatt is serving global food with an Indian touch in America’s South

(December 24, 2023) Moving to the US as a teenager, gradually finding his ikigai and making a success of it are all part of incredible culinary journey of Chef Vishwesh Bhatt. He believes fusion is a dirty word in the world of cuisine, yet masterfully creates dishes that are the epitome of global influences. He considers himself as a Southerner from India and is the Executive Chef at Snackbar, the restaurant he has set up from scratch with his mentor John Currence. Chef Vishwesh Bhatt, originally from Gujarat in India, has reinvented dishes with local ingredients, serves some traditional ones with a twist and has incorporated some of the typical foods of the South into his menu, to great success. [caption id="attachment_47759" align="aligncenter" width="473"] Chef Vishwesh Bhatt[/caption] Making Mississippi Home Living in Oxford, Mississippi, where he came to study for his Master’s, where his father was teaching physics, Vishwesh, or Vish as he is popularly known, made this southern university town his home. In his cookbook, I am from here, Stories and Recipes from a Southern Chef, which won the James Beard award for best cookbook in 2022, he candidly reveals that he did not struggle like other immigrants. In

n, made this southern university town his home. In his cookbook, I am from here, Stories and Recipes from a Southern Chef, which won the James Beard award for best cookbook in 2022, he candidly reveals that he did not struggle like other immigrants. In an exclusive with Global Indian, Vish says, “At grad school I realised this is not what I wanted for a career. My mother used to cook a Gujarati thali meal once a week at Harvest Café, a progressive local restaurant in Oxford. She was going to India for the summer and I offered to step in. I found that I enjoyed cooking during those two months. Though I couldn’t roll out chapatis, I knew a couple of things.”

Eventually, the vegetarian Vish overcame his hesitation about meat. He admits, “My parents were okay with it, though it took me a while to summon the courage to try some. This way, I had a lot more choices in food. To date, I like some meats and I don’t eat everything.”

While in Oxford, Vish used to work at a local restaurant called City Grocery, owned by Chef John Currence. Wanting formal training in western basics of cooking, Vish enrolled at a culinary school in Miami, Florida. Following which he took up a job in Denver, Colorado, but always kept a lookout for opportunities in Oxford. He even met his wife Teresa, a nurse, during this time.

Sure enough, in 2002, they got a chance to move back – and he joined City Grocery once again. Vish has been with the City Grocery Restaurant Group ever since. He refers to John Currence, the owner, as “a great boss, a better mentor, and an even better friend.” Currence for his part, in the foreword, shares details about their many travels together over the last 20 years and the deep and abiding bond they share.

[caption id="attachment_47763" align="aligncenter" width="968"] Indian Chef | Vishwesh Bhatt | Global Indian Chef Vishwesh Bhatt with his Snackbar team[/caption]

Fusion or Confusion

Vish became the Executive Chef at Snackbar, launched by Currence in 2009. He says, “It was a neighbourhood bistro-style café. I wrote the menu and it has been my baby from the start.” From typical Creole, French style food, he gradually morphed it by adding more Indian flavours. He says, “The dishes have worked really well over the last 15 years.”

Surprisingly, though Chef Vishwesh Bhatt has served an Okra Chaat with chaat masala and has made upma from grits [ground corn with the texture of idli rawa, very popular in the South], he considers fusion to be a dirty word. He candidly says, “Fusion is a dirty word; because if you observe the evolution of food, some flavours that came together make sense – for example cooking jeera with alu – cumin and potatoes go well. I find that mashing up different ideas just because you are good it without any knowledge of the food doesn’t work. It is more confusion than fusion. Randomly putting cheese on bhelpuri just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.”

The Southerner from India

So how would he describe his cooking style? “Southerners use a lot of greens; and they have a serving of three vegetables with meat. Instead of spinach for example, I make saag with collard greens that are used here. And while they use pork fat, I do a jhonk or tadka with dill and asafoetida in ghee. The same greens then taste different and my customers love it. While making fried chicken, instead of barbecue sauce, I use chhundo [a Gujarati pickle made with grated raw mango] instead. They have similar flavour profiles.” Having said that, Vish does serve dhoklas and khichdi too, and khandvi – described as gram flour noodles – though he draws the line at undhiyo due to the lack of authentic Surti papdi – one of the beans used in making this dish.

His food makes a statement, and the international footprints blending synergistically also won Vish the James Beard Best Chef of the Year [South] in 2019. His mind is always questioning things most of us take for granted. He says, “I wrote the book because I wanted to talk about why these dishes matter to me. I like to dive into history, like how did okra get to America for example.”

And the ingredients he loves to work with? “I enjoy working with okra, eggplant. And I love anything to do with rice. There are so many varieties and ways of cooking it. Across cultures, it is a simple grain with such a complex story.” He uses spices from all over the world too in copious amounts. “I love using cumin and pepper; even as a combination they work well. If you consider the North African spice blends, they are similar to ours, except that the ratios are different. Tunisia, Egypt, Morocco – I like working with their flavours.”

[caption id="attachment_47761" align="aligncenter" width="511"] Indian Chef | Vishwesh Bhatt | Global Indian Chef Vishwesh Bhatt with his book[/caption]

I Am From Here

In the book, Chef Vishwesh Bhatt has talked about growing up in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, in a large family, helping his mother in the kitchen and shopping for fresh vegetables with his father. He has fashioned the book somewhat differently from other cookbooks. Individual chapters are dedicated to rice, catfish [a very popular Southern staple], pork and meat, chicken, prawns and seafood, beans and pulses, potatoes and sweet potatoes, corn and one especially for okra, or bhendi as we know it. There are chapters dedicated to peanuts and greens – more so collard greens – again a southern mainstay.

The recipes are underlined with global influences. From Morocco to Mumbai, Ahmedabad to Afghanistan, Turkey to Trinidad and Italy to Spain – they are all reflected in a glorious coming together of seemingly disparate ingredients, in a medley of tasty and hearty food. The Indian influences are strong though; from recipes for chaat and garam masalas to baingan ka bharta – they co-exist with other international dishes.

Food for Thought

Chef Vishwesh Bhatt is a generous man. In the book, besides sharing his much loved and evergreen recipes like the evergreen hit, Okra Chaat [which stays on his menu all through okra season], he has shared recipes for spice mixes, techniques, and tips about ingredients like coriander seeds, ajwain and asafoetida, explaining how to use them and the best way to do so. Perhaps aimed at the Western reader interested in cooking but unfamiliar with these condiments. There is even a helpful recipe finder segment where he suggests what dish you could make for a picnic lunch to a brunch, a cocktail party, one-pot dinners and weeknight meals.

[caption id="attachment_47762" align="aligncenter" width="531"] Indian Chef | Snackbar | Global Indian A Snackbar preparation[/caption]

In the acknowledgements, he gives credit to all the family members, chefs and other people who have influenced his journey. He mentions using his fellow Southern Chef and friend Meherwan Irani’s spice brand – Spicewalla. For further reading too, he has helpfully shared names of recipe books authored by other chefs. A less secure person would consider that competition!

Global trends in food Vish believes are moving towards Indian food getting appreciated in the way it should be. “Finally, people are realising how good the cuisines of India are. And that they are not a monolith as one. People are becoming more aware of how ingredients have moved and they are also experimenting with spices and condiments like fenugreek, mustard seeds and turmeric.” What’s next? “Working on a second book project,” he concludes, succinctly.

Chef Vishwesh likes to eat:

Ponk under the bridge in Surat
Thali: At Gopi Dining Hall and Ashrafi Kulfi in Ahmedabad
O Pedro: almost all of the menu
Bombay Canteen: Thepla tacos
Ashok Vada Pav: Vada Pav [both in Mumbai]
Any of the Unapologetic Restaurants Group’s restaurants in NYC
South Indian at Semma
Bheja Fry at Dhamaka
Compere Lapin: Any pasta dish and the Goat Curry
Gautreau’s: The fresh fish of the day or Crab Remoulade
Mr Mao in New Orleans: Snacks
Botiwalla in Atlanta: Kathi Roll, Dahi Sev Purii

Follow Chef Vishwesh on Instagram

Reading Time: 5 mins

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.

Follow Ann D'Silva on Twitter, Instagram and Linkedin

Reading Time: 7 min

Madhav Gadgil: Ecologist who returned from Harvard to shape India’s green future wins UN’s highest honour

(December 18, 2024) Madhav Dhananjaya Gadgil, one of India’s most celebrated ecologists has received the 2024 United Nations’ Champions of the Earth Lifetime Achievement Award—one of United Nation’s top honours, for decades of dedication to community led environmental conservation in India. “This is a validation of the idea that people and nature must coexist, and that science can thrive alongside local knowledge,” Gadgil remarked following the announcement. Despite being a Harvard PhD graduate in the late 1960s, when most Indian students preferred to stay abroad, Gadgil made the resolute decision to return to India. While his peers pursued careers in prestigious Western institutions, Gadgil chose a path of returning to India's underfunded academic environment in the 1970s, driven by a vision to integrate ecological science with local wisdom. "The idea of field ecology fascinated me," he shared. "I wanted to explore and contribute to the landscapes that shaped me." [caption id="attachment_61839" align="aligncenter" width="760"] Madhav Gadgil | Photo Credit: Sanjoy Ghosh[/caption] Shaping India’s green future Gadgil’s work has had a powerful impact on India, shaping policies and practices in environmental conservation. From pioneering India’s first biosphere reserves to advocating for People’s Biodiversity Registers (PBRs), his initiatives have empowered local communities to

Shaping India’s green future

Gadgil’s work has had a powerful impact on India, shaping policies and practices in environmental conservation. From pioneering India’s first biosphere reserves to advocating for People’s Biodiversity Registers (PBRs), his initiatives have empowered local communities to become stewards of their natural heritage. His leadership on the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel brought ecological sensitivity into national discussions, influencing both government policy and public awareness.

Recognizing his extraordinary contributions, the Government of India had awarded him the Padma Shri in 1981 and the Padma Bhushan in 2006, acknowledging his role as a transformative figure in Indian environmental science. Gadgil’s efforts have not only preserved critical ecosystems but also inspired a generation of ecologists and conservationists to adopt inclusive, community-driven approaches.

[caption id="attachment_61845" align="aligncenter" width="761"] Conservationist | Madhav Gadgil | Global Indian Madhav Gadgil[/caption]

The early years: Seeds of curiosity

Born in Pune in 1942 to an illustrious family, Gadgil’s father, Dhananjaya Gadgil, was a prominent economist and creator of the “Gadgil Formula” for resource allocation. Influences from his father’s interests and interactions with luminaries like ornithologist Salim Ali and sociologist Iravati Karve shaped his childhood. Gadgil’s curiosity about nature was sparked early when he wrote to Salim Ali with questions about bird moulting. To his amazement, Ali replied with detailed explanations, encouraging the budding scientist. “It was a transformative moment,” Gadgil said, “to see someone so accomplished take time to mentor a curious teenager.”

Gadgil also credits his upbringing in Pune, surrounded by the Western Ghats, as pivotal. "The Ghats were my first love," he said, "a place where my fascination with biodiversity and human interaction with nature began." His early treks with his father, observing forests, birds, and rural life, planted the seeds for his lifelong commitment to ecology and social justice.

[caption id="attachment_61841" align="aligncenter" width="821"] UN's Champions of the Earth Lifetime Achievement Award Winner | Global Indian Gadgil with ornithologist Salim Ali Bandipur National Park in Karnataka in 1977 | Madhav Gadgil Archives[/caption]

Harvard and the road home

At Harvard University, Gadgil explored mathematical ecology under the guidance of professors William Bossert and E.O. Wilson, graduating with a PhD in 1969. Harvard’s rigorous academic culture and opportunities to collaborate with prominent scientists like Paul Ehrlich and Jared Diamond left an indelible mark on him. Yet, the pull of India remained strong. “I saw science as a means to address real-world problems,” he explained, “and I wanted to contribute to India’s ecological and social landscapes.”

Rejecting lucrative offers at Harvard and Princeton, Gadgil returned to India upon completion of his PhD. He joined the Agharkar Research Institute in Pune, where he initiated research on sacred groves—traditional forest areas preserved by local communities. Gadgil’s observations contradicted the prevalent belief that conservation was purely religious. Instead, he demonstrated that sacred groves were valued for the ecological services they provided, such as water conservation. This early work laid the foundation for his later advocacy of community-led conservation.

[caption id="attachment_61842" align="aligncenter" width="441"] Champions of the Earth Lifetime Achievement Award Winner | Global Indian Gadgil at his ancestral home in Pune | Photo Credit: Sanjoy Ghosh[/caption]

Pioneering contributions at IISc

In 1973, Gadgil joined the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, where he founded the Centre for Ecological Sciences (CES). Over three decades, he built CES into a hub of interdisciplinary ecological research. Gadgil’s work ranged from quantitative studies of ecosystems to using advanced tools like remote sensing. "The IISc’s interdisciplinary ethos allowed me to bring together ecologists, engineers, and statisticians under one roof," he recalled.

A landmark achievement during this period was the establishment of India’s first biosphere reserve in the Nilgiris in 1986. Gadgil advocated for an inclusive conservation model that integrated local communities—an approach inspired by UNESCO’s biosphere reserve framework. “Protecting nature isn’t about excluding people; it’s about working with them,” he explained. This philosophy, though unconventional at the time, would become a hallmark of his work.

Another of Gadgil’s groundbreaking initiatives was the development of People’s Biodiversity Registers (PBRs), which enabled communities to document and protect their local biodiversity. "The PBRs gave villagers a sense of ownership over their ecological heritage," Gadgil said, "and empowered them to challenge destructive policies and practices."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSemc89OVpU&t=12s

The Gadgil Commission: Controversy and vision

In 2010, Gadgil was appointed as the chair of the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP), tasked with identifying ecologically sensitive zones in the Western Ghats, a biodiversity hotspot. The panel’s 2011 report recommended designating 64 percent of the region as an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA), balancing conservation with sustainable development.

However, the report sparked fierce debate. While environmentalists lauded its scientific rigour, state governments and interest groups opposed it, fearing economic losses. Gadgil’s commitment to grassroots participation—organizing village meetings and essay competitions for schoolchildren to understand local perspectives—was both praised and criticized. “We put people at the heart of conservation,” he stated, “even if it ruffled feathers.”

The rejection of the report’s recommendations didn’t deter Gadgil. In 2018, devastating floods in Kerala reignited discussions around the report, with many citing its unheeded warnings. “Science cannot serve the vested interests of a few,” Gadgil asserted, “it must serve the people and the planet.”

Conservationist | Madhav Gadgil | Global Indian

Writing for change

A prolific writer, Gadgil has authored over 250 scientific papers and numerous books, including This Fissured Land and Ecological Journeys. He also wrote extensively in Marathi, bridging the gap between science and society. “Writing in regional languages brought my work closer to the people,” he shared, recounting letters he received from farmers and craftsmen inspired by his articles.

In 2023, Gadgil published his autobiography, A Walk Up the Hill: Living with People and Nature, simultaneously in nine languages. Reflecting on his journey, he said, “The book is not just about my work but about the people, landscapes, and cultures that shaped me.”

Gadgil’s ability to connect with a wide audience, from academics to rural communities, has been instrumental in his success. His writings often highlight the symbiotic relationship between humans and ecosystems, challenging the notion that conservation must come at the cost of development.

An enduring legacy

Throughout his career, Madhav Gadgil championed the integration of traditional knowledge with scientific research. His work on People’s Biodiversity Registers empowered communities to document their ecological heritage, ensuring grassroots participation in conservation. His advocacy for equitable resource management has inspired policies worldwide.

Even in retirement, Gadgil’s optimism remains undiminished. “I see hope in the implementation of community forest rights,” he remarked. “When people reclaim their connection with nature, ecological prudence follows.”

Gadgil’s influence extends beyond academia. His mentorship has shaped a generation of ecologists, many of whom carry forward his vision of community-driven conservation. He taught his students to look at local communities as allies, not adversaries, in the fight to protect nature.

Conservationist | Madhav Gadgil | Global Indian

A life well-lived

When asked if he made sacrifices by choosing a less lucrative path, and returning back to India after a Harvard education, Gadgil smiled. “I have made no sacrifices,” he said. “Every challenge, every climb, whether literal or metaphorical, has been a joy. To live amidst India’s landscapes and its people has been the greatest privilege of my life.”

Madhav Gadgil’s life exemplifies the power of staying rooted while reaching for global heights—a reminder that the greatest impact often comes from those who choose to serve their own soil.

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The TIME AI Vanguard: 6 Indian innovators redefining the future of artificial intelligence

(November 25, 2024) Artificial intelligence (AI) has become one of the most transformative forces of our time, reshaping industries, redefining creativity, and influencing global policy. In 2024, TIME magazine recognized the individuals steering this revolution with its "100 Most Influential People in AI" list. Familiar names like Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google, and Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, continue to dominate global conversations about AI. But this year’s list also sheds light on a host of other Indian innovators making profound, yet often understated, impacts on the field. Global Indian puts the spotlight on the Indians who form the vanguard of AI tech, making their mark in unconventional ways. From policymakers like Ashwini Vaishnaw, who is putting India at the forefront of AI development, to pioneers like Anil Kapoor, addressing ethical challenges in entertainment, the breadth of Indian contributions is vast. Innovators such as Rohit Prasad of Amazon and Aravind Srinivas of Perplexity are redefining how AI interacts with everyday life, while thought leaders like Amandeep Singh Gill and Divya Siddharth are ensuring the technology is guided by principles of fairness and inclusion. Ashwini Vaishnaw: Architect of India's AI Revolution [caption id="attachment_60575" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Ashwini Vaishnaw. Minister for Railways, lnformation

img class="size-full wp-image-60575" src="https://www.globalindian.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/CJv4vGmN9WDeNndhwSWF.webp" alt="Ashwini Vaishnaw | Time 100 AI 2024 | Global Indian" width="640" height="360" /> Ashwini Vaishnaw. Minister for Railways, lnformation and Broadcasting, Electronics & Information Technology, Government of India.[/caption]

Ashwini Vaishnaw, India’s Minister of Electronics and Information Technology, is spearheading the country’s ambitious plans to become a global leader in artificial intelligence. His tenure has been marked by a strategic focus on innovation, skill development, and democratization of AI technology.

At the heart of these efforts is India’s AI Mission, which Vaishnaw describes as a collaboration between “industry, government, and academia.” In partnership with Meta, the government launched the Center for Generative AI at IIT Jodhpur and introduced the YuvAI Initiative to train 100,000 students in large language models (LLMs). “Our AI mission is advancing with strong collaborations,” Vaishnaw said after meeting Meta’s AI Chief Scientist Yann LeCun. These programs aim to bridge the talent gap while fostering ethical AI innovation.

A defining feature of Vaishnaw’s approach is the democratization of technology. India’s public AI platform, featuring computing power equivalent to 10,000 GPUs and high-quality datasets, is designed to make cutting-edge resources accessible to startups, researchers, and entrepreneurs. “The government invests in the platform, and everybody becomes a part of it,” he stated, likening this to India’s digital public infrastructure strategy.

Vaishnaw’s leadership also extends to international diplomacy, particularly as India chairs the Global Partnership on AI (GPAI). At the Global IndiaAI Summit 2024, he remarked, “AI can solve many problems simultaneously, but we must contain its risks. The solution must come through a global thought process.”

With Vaishnaw at the helm, India is steadily positioning itself as a global leader in ethical and innovative AI.

Anil Kapoor: A Landmark Victory for Personality Rights in the AI Era

Anil Kapoor | Time 100 AI 2024 | Influential People in AI | Global Indian

In a list often dominated by technologists and policymakers, Anil Kapoor’s inclusion in TIME’s "100 Most Influential People in AI 2024" is both unconventional and highly significant. As one of India’s most celebrated actors, Kapoor has taken on an expected new role as a crusader for ethical AI practices in the entertainment industry. His recent legal victory against unauthorized AI usage of his likeness has not only secured his own rights but also set a precedent for others in the creative field.

In September 2023, Kapoor filed a lawsuit to prevent the misuse of his name, image, voice, and other personality traits by 16 entities that had used them without permission for commercial purposes. The Delhi High Court’s interim order, widely regarded as a landmark judgment, restrained these platforms from profiting off his identity without consent. Speaking about the case, Kapoor remarked, “My personality is my life’s work, and I’ve worked hard to build it. With this lawsuit, I’m seeking protection of my personality rights to prevent their misuse, particularly in the current scenario with rapid changes in technology and tools like artificial intelligence.”

Kapoor’s victory is being hailed globally, with Variety describing it as a “landmark judgement against AI.” Reflecting on the court’s decision, Kapoor said, “Justice must, and does, prevail. I’m very happy with this court order, which has come in my favor, and I think it’s very progressive—not only for me but for other actors as well.”

Rohit Prasad: Transforming AI Through Voice and Vision

[caption id="attachment_60577" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Rohit Prasad | Time 100 AI 2024 | Influential People in AI | Global Indian Rohit Prasad, the brains behind Alexa and the vanguard of AI at Amazon[/caption]

Rohit Prasad, Amazon’s Senior Vice President and Head Scientist of Alexa AI, stands at the forefront of voice technology and artificial intelligence innovation. As the architect behind Alexa, Prasad revolutionized how millions interact with technology daily, embedding AI seamlessly into everyday lives. Now, he leads Amazon’s charge to reclaim its competitive edge in the rapidly evolving generative AI landscape.

Born in India and inspired by science fiction classics like Star Trek, Prasad’s fascination with AI began early. He pursued his undergraduate degree at BIT Mesra, Ranchi, before moving to the United States to earn a master’s degree in electrical engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology. Reflecting on his academic journey, Prasad credits his mentor for shaping his practical approach to AI. “It’s not just about having the best algorithm,” he says, “but proving it works in real-world settings. That preparation—to make inventions matter in the real world—was invaluable.”

Prasad spearheaded Alexa’s natural language capabilities, redefining human-machine interactions. “We dreamed of making computers respond like a Star Trek computer, and Alexa brought that to life,” he has said.

The rise of generative AI, however, introduced new challenges. As competitors like OpenAI’s ChatGPT surged ahead, Amazon tasked Prasad with revamping its AI strategy. Leading the development of Titan and Olympus, Amazon’s latest large language models, Prasad is integrating generative AI across Alexa and Amazon’s ecosystem, from smart-home devices to AWS cloud services.

Aravind Srinivas: Disrupting Search with AI Innovation

[caption id="attachment_60578" align="aligncenter" width="691"] Aravind Srinivas | Perplexity AI | Time 100 AI 2024 | Global Indian Aravind Srinivas, founder, Perplexity[/caption]

Aravind Srinivas, co-founder and CEO of Perplexity AI, represents the new wave of entrepreneurs who are blending technical excellence with disruptive ambitions in artificial intelligence. At just 30, Srinivas has steered Perplexity into the Unicorn club, raising its valuation to over $1 billion and challenging industry titans like Google in the AI-driven search space.

Born in India, Srinivas’s journey into AI began during his undergraduate studies at IIT Madras. Despite starting in electrical engineering, he credits his mentors and friends in computer science for introducing him to the nascent field of machine learning. “If I hadn’t been at IIT Madras, I might never have ended up in AI,” Srinivas reflects. From there, he went on to complete his doctoral studies at UC Berkeley.

In 2021, he briefly worked at OpenAI before co-founding Perplexity AI in 2022. Perplexity’s “answer engine” aims to reshape search by delivering concise, AI-generated answers with linked citations, rather than traditional search results. “Google doesn’t want to replace its business model with lower-margin AI search,” he says.

While Perplexity has gained tens of millions of users and processes over 230 million queries monthly, it has not been without controversy. The company has faced accusations of plagiarism from outlets like Forbes and Condé Nast, leading to legal threats and public criticism. “Perplexity Pages had some rough edges,” Srinivas admitted, as the company revamped its citation practices and rolled out a revenue-sharing model for publishers. Despite these challenges, Perplexity’s growth continues, fueled by innovative features like its Pro service, which integrates third-party models like OpenAI’s GPT-4.

Amandeep Singh Gill: Guiding AI Ethics on a Global Scale

[caption id="attachment_60579" align="aligncenter" width="783"] Amandeep Gill | Time 100 AI 2024 | Influential People in AI | Global Indian Amandeep Gill, United Nations Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology[/caption]

As the United Nations Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology, Amandeep Singh Gill plays a pivotal role in shaping the ethical and equitable use of artificial intelligence worldwide. With a background in diplomacy and technology policy, Gill’s work emphasizes international cooperation to ensure AI benefits humanity while mitigating its risks.

Gill’s vision for AI governance balances innovation with safeguards. “AI must be a tool for inclusivity and sustainability, not a driver of division,” he said at a recent global summit. Under his leadership, initiatives such as the Global Digital Compact aim to establish guidelines for responsible AI development. Gill has also championed collaborations through platforms like the Global Partnership on AI (GPAI), where he facilitates dialogues between nations, researchers, and industries.

One of Gill’s key priorities is addressing the ethical implications of AI in areas such as privacy, misinformation, and economic disparities. He has consistently called for AI regulations that protect vulnerable populations while fostering innovation. “The risks posed by AI can only be tackled through collective global action,” he believes.

Divya Siddharth: Redefining AI Governance Through Collective Intelligence

[caption id="attachment_60580" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Divya Siddharth | Time 100 AI 2024 | Influential People in AI | Global Indian Divya Siddharth[/caption]

For Divya Siddharth, AI is more than a transformative technology—it’s an opportunity to reimagine how societies govern and collaborate. As the co-founder of the Collective Intelligence Project (CIP), Siddharth has dedicated her work to ensuring that transformative technologies like AI are shaped by and for the collective good, rather than being monopolized by a few powerful entities.

“The world can be transactional and cruel,” Siddharth acknowledges, but she believes in countering this through collective intelligence—systems that “bring out the best and cancel out the worst.” In collaboration with AI company Anthropic, Siddharth and her team ran an “alignment assembly,” engaging 1,000 everyday people to define the values an ideal AI assistant should uphold. Their input not only reduced bias in Anthropic’s chatbot Claude but also introduced principles, like ensuring accessibility for people with disabilities, that were later integrated into the live product.

Siddharth’s belief in democracy as a solution, not a problem, stems from a diverse career spanning global AI governance initiatives and grassroots efforts. In a recent TED Talk, she argued, “We’ve gotten used to seeing democracy as a problem to be solved, but I see it as a cutting-edge social technology.” Her work has ranged from addressing data rights to guiding AI governance in collaboration with policymakers in India, the U.S., and the U.K. During her tenure at the U.K.’s AI Safety Institute, Siddharth established programs for public input on AI risks, ensuring that ordinary voices help shape regulatory frameworks.

“Tech expands what we are capable of,” she says. “Democracy is how we decide what to do with that capability.”

These six innovators are proof that AI is not just about machines or algorithms—it’s about people, decisions, and values. Whether through policy, ethics, or technology, they are shaping a future where AI serves society in meaningful ways.

Who is Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar? The scientist after whom Elon Musk named his son

(December 8, 2023) Early this November, a conversation between billionaire Elon Musk and India's IT Minister, Rajeev Chandrasekhar at AI Safety Summit, UK, unearthed a revelation. The 52-year-old disclosed that his son with Shivon Zilis has an Indian connect. He bears the middle name "Chandrasekar," a homage to the Nobel Laureate Professor Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar. Making the revelation, Rajeev Chandrasekhar tweeted, "Look who i bumped into at #AISafetySummit at Bletchley Park, UK. @elonmusk shared that his son with @shivon has a middle name "Chandrasekhar" - named after 1983 Nobel physicist Prof S Chandrasekhar." Look who i bumped into at #AISafetySummit at Bletchley Park, UK.@elonmusk shared that his son with @shivon has a middle name "Chandrasekhar" - named after 1983 Nobel physicist Prof S Chandrasekhar pic.twitter.com/S8v0rUcl8P — Rajeev Chandrasekhar 🇮🇳 (@Rajeev_GoI) November 2, 2023 Replying to Rajeev Chandrasekhar's tweet, Shivon Zilis tweeted, "Haha, yes, that’s true. We call him Sekhar for short, but the name was chosen in honour of our children’s heritage and the amazing Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar." Indian scientist Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar won the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1983 "for his theoretical studies of the physical processes of importance to the structure and evolution of the stars." Global Indian puts the

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Replying to Rajeev Chandrasekhar's tweet, Shivon Zilis tweeted, "Haha, yes, that’s true. We call him Sekhar for short, but the name was chosen in honour of our children’s heritage and the amazing Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar."

Indian scientist Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar won the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1983 "for his theoretical studies of the physical processes of importance to the structure and evolution of the stars." Global Indian puts the spotlight on the Indian physicist.

The child prodigy

It was in the Pre-Independent India that Chandrasekhar was born into a free-thinking and Tamil speaking Brahmin family in Lahore to a civil servant father CS Ayyar. For him and his siblings, education began at home where their mother Sitalakshmi taught them Tamil and English, and their father would take the charge of teaching arithmetic and English before leaving for work every day. At the age of eight, he moved to Madras with his family as his father was promoted to the role of a deputy accountant general, and by 1921, he started going to a regular school. In the second year of his school, he was introduced to algebra and geometry, and he was so fascinated by the subjects that he ended up devouring the books the summer before the start of the school.

[caption id="attachment_47310" align="aligncenter" width="689"] Subramanyam Chandrasekhar | Global Indian Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar[/caption]

This interest led him to Presidency College in 1925, where he studied physics, maths, chemistry, Sanskrit and English. While his interest in physics and maths kept going, he was also inspired by S Ramanujan who had gone to England and was counted among the world’s most distinguished mathematicians. Though he eyed mathematics honours, his father was keen that his son too becomes a civil servant. But it was Chandrasekhar's mother who backed him up and asked him to follow his heart. Chandrasekhar opted for Physics honours in order to placate his father because his paternal uncle CV Raman was a noted physicist who had won a Nobel Prize in 1930.

The discovery that led to Nobel Prize

At the age of 17, he spent a summer working in his uncle's lab but soon realised that experimental physics wasn't his calling. However, in those days he befriended one of Raman's colleagues who introduced him to the work of Arnold Sommerfeld, one among a group of theorists revolutionising the field of physics through the principles of quantum mechanics. This group also had Ralph H Folwer who helped Chandrasekhar publish his first professional paper in the Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Towards the end of his college, he was offered a scholarship from Govt of India to study in England, and in 1930, he set off sail for the University of Cambridge. It was during his voyage that the 19-year-old, while reading physics publications, came across an insight that led him to win a Nobel Prize in 1983.

Almost seven decades ago astronomers saw a white dwarf for the first time. It's a tiny, hot, and super dense leftover from a star that ran out of fuel. But something didn't add up—this object should have collapsed under its own gravity. Fowler, who was going to be Chandra's teacher for a Ph.D. at Cambridge, figured out the mystery by using quantum theory to explain why the white dwarf didn't collapse. He explained that when the nuclear energy source in the center of a star such as the Sun is exhausted, it collapses to form a white dwarf, and he demonstrated that there is an upper limit — now called the Chandrasekhar limit — to the mass of a white dwarf star.

Subramanyan Chandrasekhar | Global Indian

Moreover, up until that time scientists used to think that when a star used up all its fuel, it would become a cold ball of ashes—a white dwarf star. Chandra's math proved that a white dwarf heavier than the sun couldn't exist. Instead, it would collapse forever into an incredibly tiny point with infinite density. This collapse would create something called a black hole, a place in space where nothing, not even light, could escape. Chandra's work was the first undeniable proof, backed by math, that black holes, as we now call them, had to be real.

The controversy that changed it all

Excited about his discovery, he thought that he would be welcomed with open arms in Cambridge, however, his hoped were dashed as the scientists ignored his discovery. Depressed, he continued and finished his doctorate in 1933. The same year he also won a fellowship to continue his work at Cambridge. Feeling encouraged by these achievements, he went back to studying what happens to stars in the future. Surprisingly, the well-known Sir Arthur Stanley Eddington, a leader in astrophysics, started visiting him often to check on his progress.

Encouraged by his support, Chandrasekhar prepared a paper for a meeting of the Royal Astronomical Society in London in 1935 that was to have all the leading figures in astrophysics in attendance. He presented the paper, showing a chart that if a star was heavier than a certain amount, it would definitely shrink away to nothing and even more. However, Eddington didn't back Chandrasekhar's conclusions and even stating that it has no basis in reality. His reputation was so strong that nobody felt brave enough to disagree with him. Chandrasekhar wasn't even allowed a chance to respond. The argument continued for many years in papers and during scientific meetings.

Subramanyam Chandrasekhar | Global Indian

The confrontation had a lasting effect on Chandrasekhar, who for decades, didn't follow up on his discovery and even turned to a different field, and took up a position in University of Chicago. A few decades later, scientists trying to make the hydrogen bomb noticed that it resembled an exploding star. In 1966, at the Livermore National Laboratory in California, scientists started using computer codes for both astrophysics and hydrogen bombs. This breakthrough led the scientific community to accept that a star could indeed collapse and turn into a black hole.

Six years later, scientists identified the first black hole, named Cygnus X-1. Since then, many more black holes have been discovered. This meant that, 40 years after Chandrasekhar's first discovery, he was proven right, and Eddington was proven wrong. Chandra received the Nobel Prize in 1983 for his research on white dwarfs.

Subramanyam Chandrasekhar | Global Indian

The scientist breathed his last in 1995 and four years later, NASA's premier X-ray observatory was named the Chandra X-ray Observatory in his honour.

And now the Nobel laureate is again in news as Elon Musk has named his son after Chandrasekhar. His groundbreaking contributions to astrophysics, particularly his work on the Chandrasekhar limit, significantly advanced our understanding of stellar evolution. Musk's choice to honour this scientist underscores the enduring impact of scientific pioneers and the importance of recognising their invaluable contributions to humanity.

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