Global IndianstoryFrom the perspective of NRIs: Why India’s election and its results matter

From the perspective of NRIs: Why India’s election and its results matter

By: Amrita Priya

(June 5, 2024) India has the biggest diaspora in the world followed by Mexico, Russia and China as per UN’s latest data. According to India’s External Affairs Ministry, there are over three crore Indians currently settled abroad. Of this, close to 1.35 crore are NRIs while the remaining are Persons of Indian Origin (PIO). Addressing tens of thousands of people of Indian origin, the Indian Prime Minister has built a strong connection with the diaspora in the last one decade. Added to that, the external affairs minister Jaishankar’s skillful foreign relations have boosted the interest of Indian diaspora in their native country and resurrected a sense of pride.

The leaders’ consistent outreach to the Indian diaspora worldwide has been a significant feature of their foreign policy. Understanding the value of building ties with the diaspora, even Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has been on several visits abroad, primarily at foreign universities addressing the Indian natives. The Indian diaspora across the globe has keenly observed the 2024 elections due to the foreign policies which have a massive impact on them especially from the perspective of the migration policies. While counting of votes was in progress, Global Indian spoke to a few members of the diaspora asking their opinion on the significance of elections for Indians staying abroad. Here‘s what they had to say:

Paras Khuran

Paras Khurana, AI, Cybersecurity & HR Professional, Ontario, Canada

India’s elections hold immense significance for millions of NRIs, as the outcome can directly impact the lives and connections with our homeland. The election results will shape India’s economic trajectory, influencing factors such as investment opportunities, taxation policies, and remittance regulations. NRIs often contribute substantially to India’s economy through remittances, which amounted to a staggering $87 billion in 2021, according to the World Bank. Furthermore, the elected government’s stance on issues like dual citizenship, voting rights for NRIs, and diaspora engagement initiatives will have a profound impact on the NRI community. The election outcome will also influence bilateral relations between India and the countries where NRIs reside, affecting their lives and prospects. As India’s global influence continues to grow, NRIs have a vested interest in the nation’s political landscape and the policies that shape its future.

Sanjay Gupta

Sanjay Gupta, Business Executive, Dubai, UAE

What I realised in my two decades abroad is that a powerful image of India brings a lot of global opportunities for Indians staying within the country and those working abroad. Coming from a country that can boast of a good economy, education, and innovation adds immense value to professionals of the country in a foreign land. As an Indian native, I feel proud highlighting the country’s positive developments in the global arena. Staggered image or poor image of a country, and struggling government would not add value to me as an NRI. Clean and a digitally strong image is what we are looking for and support. I am looking forward to the same good image of India in the coming decade and that is why staying abroad I have been keenly observing the election related developments in India. Stability of government would mean a lot of boosts in the sectors of business economy, trade, startups, foreign collaborations, sustainability, energy efficiency, women empowerment, innovation and research development. The way the government performed in the last one decade has evoked patriotism, nationalism, strength and power at the global platform.

Harold D’Souza

Harold D’Souza, President, Eyes Open International, Ohio, United States

As an NRI, the significance of Indian elections across borders serves as a powerful reminder of our deep-rooted connection to our homeland. Despite living abroad, our nationality, culture, and heritage remain integral to our identity. Keenly following the electoral process of India allowed us to stay connected to our roots, affirm our solidarity with our fellow citizens back home, and ensure that our voices abroad contribute to shaping our nation’s future. It is our continued commitment to the values and principles that define us as Indians, no matter where we reside. To me, India’s elections and results influence policies and decisions impacting not only those living in India but also the global Indian community.

Suresh Jayaraman

Suresh Jayaraman, Technical Auditor, Sharjah, UAE

Staying abroad, I feel so proud to be an Indian and witness how our elections, the world’s largest electoral festival, uphold the spirit of our democracy under the supervision of our Election Commission. As NRIs, we continuously think about the people back home and take an active interest in the electoral process, hoping for a strong government to form at the center and for our country’s values to be showcased to the entire world. However, there are certain areas where the political arena appears unpleasant from the perspective of a common man. Some individuals in politics do not come with the motive of serving the nation; instead, they view politics as a means to make a lot of money. Like every election, I hoped that in this election too, people would think carefully and cast their ballots with the nation’s growth in mind, electing the right candidates.

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Published on 05, Jun 2024

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Japanese twins, Indian dream: Mai and Asuka Hatta’s Hasora venture

(December 1, 2023) In an unexpected tale of cultural fusion and entrepreneurial spirit, Mai and Asuka Hatta, Japanese twins hailing from Chiba Prefecture near Tokyo in Japan, have orchestrated a unique narrative in India. Their journey commenced with a passion for discovering India, organic farming and a dedication to empowering local farmers. The twins ventured into India leaving behind the lucrative prospect of working in the United States where they studied, and their homeland, Japan, to set up base in a country they only knew through studies and a close Indian friend. Mai, who studied Political Science and Economics in the US, felt a deep connection to India through academic explorations and friendships. Her determination to understand the nation first-hand led her to find a job in an organisation in Jaipur that was seeking a Japanese employee. Later, she moved to an NGO in Dehradun which was working to economically empower the marginalised communities. [caption id="attachment_47144" align="aligncenter" width="924"] Mai and Asuka Hatta[/caption] Asuka, also educated in the US, had initially planned a brief visit to the country to meet her sister but found herself captivated by the uniqueness India offered and decided to stay on, finding a job in the

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Asuka, also educated in the US, had initially planned a brief visit to the country to meet her sister but found herself captivated by the uniqueness India offered and decided to stay on, finding a job in the country. "It was my destiny; I followed my passion, my heart," said Mai in a conversation with Global Indian. She wanted to explore the India that lay beyond the confines of her textbooks and lectures. Mai has been living in India for the last 13 years, while Asuka is in the eleventh year of her stay in the country.

Turning to entrepreneurship

In 2016, they founded Hasora, after seeing fellow expats struggle to find fresh and safe vegetables that are native to Japanese cuisine. They also recognised the plight of local farmers at the hands of intermediaries. It motivated the twins to partner with local organic vegetable farmers around where they lived, in an attempt to reshape the traditional supply chain by offering farm-to-table produce within days of harvest.

However, Mai and Asuka’s journey wasn't without hurdles. Overcoming the challenges of establishing trust with local farmers was a significant learning curve. Some farmers initially exploited their trust, by taking money but never fulfilling the orders. However, this lead Mai and Asuka to devise new strategies in engaging and collaborating with reliable partners. “Now we do not pay until we get the produce,” laughs Mai.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYJ-ZnIDbvg

By bridging the gap between farmers and consumers, the twins aim to diminish the role of intermediaries and ensuring fairer returns for farmers who are marginalised in the current system. The sisters' dedication extends beyond commerce. They are actively involved in an initiative called the "Oishii Nippon Project," encouraging the cultivation of Japanese vegetables in India by providing seeds and technical know-how of growing such vegetables to their suppliers - the local farmers of NCR and Uttarakhand. Their venture seeks to create sustainable agricultural practices that uplift both the farming community and the environment.

Cultivating culture and commerce

‘Hasora’ in Japanese means green leaves growing under the expansive blue sky," Mai explains adding, “The name symbolises growth, serenity and happiness.” Hasora is also a term derived from the Hindi word 'Hasna,' meaning 'to laugh.” Thus their venture’s brand name encompasses the essence of growth and happiness resonating deeply with both Japanese and Indian cultures.

Mai and Asuka have learned to communicate in Hindi which is an essential requirement while engaging with local farmers of NCR and Uttarakhand. Mai, with a modest grin, admits, "I'm slightly more proficient in Hindi than my sister."

Beyond their thriving online ecommerce platform, the twins have established a physical outlet in Gurgaon. This space serves as a hub for an eclectic fusion of offerings, ranging from fresh Japanese vegetables and grocery items to some Korean specialities and a variety of Indian everyday essentials such as tea and coffee.

Mai and Asuka Hatta | Startups | Global Indian

In their quest to fuse cultures, Hasora's outlet in Gurgaon also serves as a haven for authentic Japanese food like Teriyaki chicken, fresh vegetables roll sushi, tofu rice bowl matcha and more. Mai, showcasing her culinary prowess, personally prepares meals along with a chef specialising in Japanese cuisine. “95 percent of both our online as well as offline clientele comprise of Japanese and Korean expats while the rest of the five percent are Indian customers,” Mai says.

India through Japanese eyes

While embracing India's rich culture and landscapes, the twins, now seasoned explorers of the subcontinent, express a sense of wonderment at the country's diversity. Apart from NCR, Uttarakhand and Rajasthan, they have also visited Maharashtra, West Bengal, Karnataka and Kerala.

Although their Japanese upbringing has instilled a penchant for discipline, contrasting starkly with the disorderliness they occasionally observe in public spaces of North India, they love the country too much to let it be a spoke in the wheel.

Their parents live in Japan, where their father manages a consultancy business, while their mother is a danseuse and dance instructor.

In a family cantered around their two daughters, their parents were on top of the world when Mai and Asuka secured admission in San Francisco State University and California State University respectively. “My mother was in tears when I had informed her that I am moving to India after completing my studies,” smiles Mai, recalling how the safety of women, especially in the northern India 13 years ago was a matter of big concern. Added to that, neither the daughters nor the family had previously set foot in India.

[caption id="attachment_47146" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Mai and Asuka Hatta | Startups | Global Indian Japanese expats in India during an event organised by Hasora[/caption]

In the first five years, Mai and Asuka’s parents did not visit India as every time the girls went back to Japan on a vacation, they thought it would be their final trip back home. However, contrary to their beliefs, when the girls transitioned into successful entrepreneurs, their parents understood that their passion for India runs deep. “They are our biggest supporters now,” smiles Mai.

Having visited India three to four times since, the twins’ parents have cultivated a genuine love for exploring its rich cultural diversity. Yet, amid their admiration for the country, one aspect remains perplexing - the lack of discipline, contrasting Japan's ingrained culture of everyday discipline.

But Mai and Asuka hardly complain. They are part of the milieu and love everything about the country of their choice. “While I’m in love with Palak Paneer, I can even make chapattis now,” Mai smiles.

As they continue their Indian journey, Mai and Asuka envision a future where organic farming and fair trade practices flourish. Happy that their enterprise not only ensures fresh, pesticide-free vegetables but also champions economic empowerment, Mai says, “Our goal is to make Hasora bigger in its operations so that along with us the farmers associated with us also witness financial growth.”

Follow Hasora on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and its website

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Top Gun: Capt Monicaa Khanna, the pilot who dodged a disaster with her right ‘approach’

(December 6, 2022) On June 19 this year, when one of the engines of the Delhi-bound Boeing 737 SpiceJet aircraft caught fire mid-air, moments after take-off from Patna airport, the top most priority before Captain Monicaa Khanna, the Pilot-in-Command of the aircraft, was the safety of passengers. After all, there were 185 passengers on board and their lives depended entirely on Captain Monicaa and her moves. The situation was grave and one wrong move could up in a disaster of enormous proportions. But Monicaa kept her cool and so did the first officer Balpreet Singh Bhatia. She swiftly took the well-thought-out call of switching off the affected engine, followed all SOPs and made an emergency landing at Patna airport saving all lives on board. [caption id="attachment_32451" align="aligncenter" width="626"] Captain Monicaa Khanna[/caption] “Duty comes first in such challenging times. My job demands situation awareness and spontaneity,” smiles Captain Monicaa Khanna, speaking exclusively to Global Indian. Her wit and bravery not only earned her accolades worldwide, many even compared her to Chesley Burnett “Sully” Sullenberger, known for his heroism after he landed a US Airways flight 1549 in Hudson River following a bird strike which disabled both engines, saving all 155 lives

hanna, speaking exclusively to Global Indian.

Her wit and bravery not only earned her accolades worldwide, many even compared her to Chesley Burnett “Sully” Sullenberger, known for his heroism after he landed a US Airways flight 1549 in Hudson River following a bird strike which disabled both engines, saving all 155 lives on board. “In my case, the passengers remained calm and I am grateful to them for that,” says Monicaa.

The pilot says there was no moment to sulk in, that day. “Our reflex actions quickly triggered us into taking all necessary steps to safely land the flight on ground,” recalls Monicaa, who has flown to Dubai and Hong Kong besides several routes domestically.

She completed her flight training from Bluebird Flight Academy in Canada, which is one of the best flying schools, internationally.

Always on the move

Born and brought up in Delhi, Monicaa always saw herself and her two siblings on the move as her father, Ashok Kumar Khanna, who was an engineer at BHEL, had a transferable job.

Monicaa Khanna

“It was a challenge to make new friends and accustom to new culture at such young age. But those experiences taught me a lot,” says the ace pilot. By the time she reached eighth grade, the family shifted back to Delhi and she completed her schooling from Adarsh Public School, Vikas Puri and went to Delhi University for B Com.

Among the siblings, Monicaa was the closest to her father, who, by then had shifted to a private company - a job that took him to frequent tours.

A dream that turned into passion

As a child, Monicaa would get very disheartened and even start crying whenever her father left home for work-related tours. He used to console her saying he would ask the pilot of his plane to fly over their house so that they could wave at each other. “How joyful will that be?” he used to tell her and leave.

Monicaa would then spend hours in her balcony waiting for an aircraft to fly above her house. While at it, a thought hit her. “What if I become my dad’s personal pilot so that he will not have to leave me behind?”

Monicaa Khanna

The thought triggered her interest in flying and soon decided to become a pilot. “Flying is my passion. Every day, I get to fly with someone new which provides an opportunity to know my colleagues within the company, collaborate and deliver the best customer experience,” informs Monicaa, who recently switched over to Air India Express from SpiceJet.

A believer of work ethics

So how does the flight commander prep up prior to flying aircrafts? “On flight days, I take enough rest before flight, practice mindfulness and exercise. I have a nice home-cooked meal if I am flying from Delhi,” smiles the pilot, who firmly believes that mental and physical health are the most important assets which one needs to work upon regularly.

She has different schedules every day. It ranges from 3-4 hours of flying time to maximum of 8 hours. “After a long flight, I crave for some coffee on the way back home,” says Monica, adding that the atmosphere in the cockpit is professional and demands high work ethics.

[embed]https://twitter.com/monicaakhanna/status/761771379926577152?s=20&t=xHMAdu3mM8N9l8052WRAdQ[/embed]

Once home from work, she gets all the affection from her pet Tobby. After a quick meal, she catches up with friends and family. The pilot has a habit of reading a book before going to bed without fail.

Monicaa’s mantra in life is to live in the moment. “Life is short and I can’t afford to miss these moments,” says the pilot who practices mindfulness for improving her concentration.

She has fond memories of her trip to Mauritius with her mother Kusum Khanna. “She has been my inspiration ever since I was a child. While my father would be away at work, she held the family together, imparting the best values in the three of us,” says Monicaa, who loves listening to Bollywood and Punjabi music besides binge watching Netflix.

Follow Captain Monicaa Khanna on Instagram and Twitter

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Kishore Indukuri: The US techie who founded a thriving dairy farm

(July 10, 2022) "Sid's Farm has given me everything that I have ever wanted." Kishore Indukuri, the founder of what is one of Telangana's most successful dairy farms, speaks straight from the heart. "It wasn't a typical business, but it pushed me to my limits. It showed me what I was capable of enduring to survive. That's what I truly cherish." What began as a means to ensure his two-year-old son was drinking fresh and pure milk, a small operation that started with 20 cows on a piece of leased land in Shamshabad, is a leading dairy brand today, with an annual turnover of Rs 65 crore. Named Sid's Farm, after Kishore's son, Siddharth, the company distributes over 25,000 litres of milk a day. Fresh, raw milk is procured each day from local farmers and put through a series of stringent tests, "an average of 6,500 daily," Kishore says, during an interview with Global Indian. "The emphasis is on purity - no antibiotics, no hormones, and no preservatives." From Massachusetts to Telangana, polymers to pasteurisation [caption id="attachment_26759" align="aligncenter" width="614"] Kishore Indukuri[/caption] Always a bright student, Kishore chose the conventional, much-revered Indian Institute of Technology route to building a career. After

e-26759" src="https://www.globalindian.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/RAJ03087.jpg" alt="Kishore Indukuri | Sid's Farm | Global Indian" width="614" height="409" /> Kishore Indukuri[/caption]

Always a bright student, Kishore chose the conventional, much-revered Indian Institute of Technology route to building a career. After he graduated from IIT-Kharagpur, he took the full scholarship he was offered at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and moved to the United States for a master's and Ph.D. "Everything was paid for and I enjoyed my research," Kishore recalls. "But all the while, I felt something was missing in my life."

Kishore stayed in the US to work at Intel for the next seven years. "It was an amazing time, I got to travel to countries like Japan, South Korea, and Canada. Still, I needed to do something more. I knew that. I just didn't know what it would be." One day, he knew he had to take the leap. He walked up to his boss and announced that he was moving back to India with his wife and their infant son. "We sold the house, packed up, and moved back."

Got Milk?

Back in India, he tried his hand at several business ideas, including providing coaching for competitive exams like the GRE. And every day, he wondered if the milk his son was drinking was safe and pure. The answer wasn't clear. The Food and Safety Standards Authority of India has strict guidelines on dairy and its affiliate products, but "how far are these implemented?" Kishore asks.

[caption id="attachment_26754" align="aligncenter" width="672"] Kishore Indukuri | Sid's Farm | Global Indian Kishore Indukuri[/caption]

"India has done so much good work. You can walk to any shop and get a packet of milk," he adds. "We are the largest producers of milk and we consume all of it." In this pursuit of plenty, however, the emphasis on quality took a backseat.

As he did his research, Kishore found that India's dairy industry continues to thrive, recording an annual growth of 12 percent CAGR. Having grown up in an agrarian household, he felt a natural affinity for the industry. "I also learned that dairy had lots of potential as a business venture," he recalls.

The trial-and-error business model

With two degrees in industrial chemistry and polymer science and engineering, as well as a doctoral thesis on the "squalid mechanics of polymeric materials," Kishore entered the dairy business as a rookie. So he did what he knew best - hit the books. A veterinarian friend, Ravi, helped him choose his first batch of cows. "He told me, 'you have to look at the cow's beauty'. I had no idea what that meant," Kishore laughs.

He and his wife visited numerous farms across India, learning everything they could. They hired staff to milk the cows and started in the wholesale market. The plan didn't work. "We were selling at Rs 15 per litre when the cost of production was anywhere between Rs 25 and Rs 30," he says. So, they decided to sell directly to customers. It meant visiting them personally, distributing pamphlets that his wife designed, explaining the benefits of milk that contains no preservatives, antibiotics, hormones, or thickening agents.

[caption id="attachment_26757" align="alignnone" width="1370"] Kishore Indukuri | Sid's Farm | Global Indian Graphic courtesy: Sid's Farm[/caption]

"Milk doesn't take a break," Kishore says. "We were transporting fresh milk twice a day, 730 times a year, starting 2013." The obstacles were many, especially on the distribution side. There were accidents and numerous untold delays. "It doesn't matter how good the milk is, if the customer didn't get it in time for his morning coffee, he will go elsewhere." Eight years later, they do 16,000 deliveries a day and have separate apps for customer interaction as well as delivery. "We didn't even stop during COVID," he says.

He recalls another occasion when the staff, who would milk the cows threatened to go on strike, demanding more money. The team was at a loss, the cows needed to be milked. Local farmers took pity on their plight, milked their cows, and then came to help them. "That's how we started working with farmers, we sell their milk for them."

Put to the test

Fresh, raw Indian milk is among the best in the world, Kishore remarks, sourced from smaller farmers who keep grass-fed, free-range cows. However, with little implementation of the regulations, thickeners, preservatives, hormones, and antibiotics are a common presence. Making sure their dairy farm produces pure and unadulterated is a point of pride for Kishore, who has never held back from spending on the best equipment. "A lot of the technology is available in India because of our thriving dairy industry," he says.

Kishore Indukuri | Sid's Farm | Global Indian

First, raw milk is tested for thickeners, using an ultrasound pulse. Salts, sugar, urea, and maida are commonly used thickening agents, to help the sellers get more value for money. Hormones are also commonly found and used to increase milk production. "When antibiotics are given to a cow, they go from the bloodstream to the milk," he says. Consuming trace amounts of antibiotics causes microbial drug resistance within the human body - when the medicines are needed, they will not work.

"Preservatives are commonly added too. Nature designed milk to be drunk immediately, but we don't do that. Bacteria feed on the milk and convert the lactose into lactic acid. The thinking seems to be, if you add a base like hydrogen peroxide or caustic (to neutralise the acid), or modify the pH levels, it won't go bad." The answer to this is effective chilling systems - and Kishore insists on the best. "Antibiotic testing alone costs us up to Rs 4 lakhs a month," he says.

The journey so far

The dairy farm has grown tremendously over the last decade, branching out over the years into other dairy products like paneer, ghee, (made with lemon juice, not synthetic chemicals), curd, and butter, all made in-house. Cow milk and buffalo milk are processed and sold separately. Kishore also hopes to expand to other states soon.

As our conversation draws to a close, Kishore smiles, adding, "There's one more thing. When we bought this land, there was nothing on it. We have planted over 500 trees in 10 years. We also harvest rainwater to recharge the groundwater table."

Follow Sid's Farm on Instagram or visit their website

Reading Time: 8 mins

Indian-origin Rita Kakati-Shah is empowering people in second innings of their career through Uma

(May 6, 2023) After passing out of King’s College London, when UK-born Rita Kakati-Shah joined investment bank Goldman Sachs’ sales training desk in 2001, she discovered that there were very few women at the training floor of the London headquarter. This perturbed her, and over the next ten years that she worked with the firm, she made some changes while climbing up the hierarchical ladder. "I got involved in diversity and inclusion initiatives along the way. Those were the times when the terms 'diversity, inclusion and equity' were not really used, and I just went ahead with the purpose of building community and bringing people together,” she tells Global Indian. Fifteen years later in 2016, Rita turned an entrepreneur with her business focusing on diversity and inclusion in a powerful way. [caption id="attachment_38175" align="aligncenter" width="599"] Rita Kakati-Shah, founder and CEO, Uma[/caption] Now a resident of New York in the United States, Rita Kakati-Shah is the founder and CEO of Uma that works to empower women and minorities to re-enter the workforce. The name of her business venture resonates with the idea with which she forayed into entrepreneurship. “Uma is the Hindu Goddess who is an epitome of a daughter, a

ian Diaspora | Rita Kakati-Shah | Global Indian " width="599" height="860" /> Rita Kakati-Shah, founder and CEO, Uma[/caption]

Now a resident of New York in the United States, Rita Kakati-Shah is the founder and CEO of Uma that works to empower women and minorities to re-enter the workforce. The name of her business venture resonates with the idea with which she forayed into entrepreneurship. “Uma is the Hindu Goddess who is an epitome of a daughter, a mother, a sibling and a wife, and represents strength, courage and confidence. She is the Goddess of go-getting,” smiles the award-winning gender, diversity, inclusion and career strategist, who is also a speaker, author and advisor to Fortune 500 companies.

Uma is an international platform that partners with organisations across the globe to attract, retain and develop women and minorities in the workforce by boosting their confidence levels, and building leadership and resilience in them to succeed. Headquartered in New York, with presence in London, Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area and Toronto, Rita’s entrepreneurial venture empowers women to: ‘Be Bold. Be You. Be Uma’.

Rita also hosts the popular South Asian television show, The Uma Show, on Mana TV International, and has written a book The Goddess of Go-Getting: Your Guide to Confidence, Leadership, and Workplace Success, that was launched by the Consulate General of India in New York last year. She has co-authored three books on leadership, has written multiple research papers and is actively involved in volunteerism and advocacy.

[caption id="attachment_38177" align="aligncenter" width="691"] Indian Diaspora | Global Indian | Rita Kakati-Shah Rita Kakati-Shah with her book[/caption]

The empowerment journey

After a decade of experience in finance, Rita’s career saw a transition into the pharmaceutical industry, which led her to move to the US. After working for a few years there, she got married and took close to four years of break to raise her two kids. "Out of all the jobs I had done, by far the most challenging and rewarding was the new journey of motherhood and fulltime parenthood. Without getting a day off as parents we make an impact on our future generation,” she remarks.

"During my motherhood journey I became a pro at certain skills like negotiation and communications, and really learning to listen and have empathy with my toddlers, which I realised were completely translatable into the corporate and paid salaried world," she adds.

It was her journey into motherhood that played a catalyst in helping her identify a new direction in life. Like many mothers when Rita took a career break, returning to work - she discovered - required self-motivation and the skill to market one’s capabilities in such a way that they are perceived as indispensable for the workforce as they are for their families.

This idea gave birth to Uma. “Founding Uma has been an empowering journey to address the issues companies were missing,” tells Rita.

[caption id="attachment_38173" align="aligncenter" width="698"] Indian Diaspora | Rita-Kakati Shah | Global Indian Rita Kakati-Shah addressing students at the USC Marshall School of Business[/caption]

“Too many smart, talented women or even men who left the workforce to raise children or for any other reason are unable to find jobs that match their credentials and lifestyle commitments when they try to return,” she says, adding, “Not enough is being done to retain, retrain or re-engage this talent pool. Companies that once hired and trained these incredible people now suffer an intense loss of headcount and huge drain of hiring and training resources, too.” This is the gap that UMA addresses.

Rita Kakati-Shah and her team try to change the status quo of people for the better, and work with like-minded employers to create opportunities that match the credentials and lifestyle goals of people planning the second inning of their careers.

Giving back and getting recognition

Apart from her business, advocacy and volunteerism is an integral part of Rita’s life. She is actively involved with her alma mater King’s Leadership, Diversity and Entrepreneurial Institute mentoring programs, and is also a member of the New York and Los Angeles Alumni Committees. She coaches and mentors survivors of domestic violence, schoolgirls and students, and serves as an advisor, ambassador, and diversity and inclusion expert to multiple boards and global organizations like the JCC of Manhattan, ACP Women Veterans’ Founding Circle, New York City Bar Association, Democracy Without Borders India, and the Global Council for the Promotion of International Trade.

At Goldman Sachs in London, Rita was awarded the prestigious Excellence in Citizenship and Diversity Award and since then has received several international recognitions for her contributions.

[caption id="attachment_38196" align="aligncenter" width="536"] Indian Diaspora | Rita Kakati-Shah | Global Indian Rita Kakati-Shah with her family at King's Distinguished Alumni Awards ceremony[/caption]

Involved in advocacy since the time she was a teenager in London, Rita remarks, “My parents brought up my brother and I to always give to others rather than expect to get, and to always remember our roots,” she says, adding, “But I hadn't realised what giving back actually meant till I was in my late teens during a brief encounter with His Royal Highness Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh who congratulated me and other recipients of the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme for community work.” He had said that it was wonderful that all winners had shown endurance, leadership and community service, but our duties as award recipients had only just begun. ‘And that duty was to serve’.

More than two decades later, those words still resonate with Rita. This year, she won the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award for a lifelong commitment to building a stronger nation through voluntary service by the executive office of the president of the United States, and the AmeriCorps. Last year she received the Mahatma Gandhi Samman medal in London for her advocacy and community work.

The entrepreneur is a regularly invited speaker and guest lecturer at various academic institutions, multinational corporations and global policy forums such as UNESCO in Paris, European Parliament in Brussels and many more spanning Assam, Meghalaya, Delhi, London, Madrid, New York, San Francisco, Sochi, Toronto and Zambia.

She has been featured as an expert on multiple international television and news shows, interviewed and quoted in various podcasts and publications such as the Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, Thrive Global, Dell Technology, CBS News, Fox News, Yahoo Finance and iHeartRadio.

[caption id="attachment_38174" align="aligncenter" width="801"] Indian Diaspora | Rita-Kakati Shah | Global Indian Rita Kakati-Shah receiving Mahatma Gandhi Samman medal at the Palace of Westminster, House of Parliament in London[/caption]

Love for India

Whether it’s being part of the London Bihu Committee or adorning the traditional Assamese mekhela chador woven affectionately on the handloom in her ancestral home in Sualkuchi, Assam, Rita embraces all with elan. “Growing up in the UK, I was brought up to read and write Assamese with other second-generation Assamese kids. Being an Assamese means a lot to me and I want my kids to pick the heritage, the roots, the culture of Assam. I try to cook the food that my mum taught me as best as I can,” she signs off with a smile.

Follow Rita Kakati-Shah on LinkedIn and Instagram
Follow Uma on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and its website

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Stick to roots, conquer the world: Pullela Gopichand’s journey as an athlete and coach

(Vikram Sharma, May 19) From a 10-year-old, who would walk several miles to receive badminton training in his hometown in erstwhile Andhra Pradesh to becoming one of the top names in the world of badminton, the journey of Pullela Gopichand has been incredible. Soft-spoken and gentle, spotting talent comes naturally to this 47-year-old, who has given India some of the best badminton players ever. Throughout his phenomenal journey, which took him to almost every corner of the world, he remained on top of his game -- both on and off the court. But Gopichand's feet are firmly on the ground, which becomes evident when he says that people who stuck to their roots and grew in their respective fields went on to show what India is to the world. Gopi sir, as he is fondly known, says he takes pride in being Indian, being a Telugu and a Hyderabadi. "The entire journey has been full of challenges, pride and a sense of responsibility. A lot of things I have done on this journey were not about what I wanted to do, but it needed to be done. From 1991, when I first played my first international badminton to 2004 when I

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"The entire journey has been full of challenges, pride and a sense of responsibility. A lot of things I have done on this journey were not about what I wanted to do, but it needed to be done. From 1991, when I first played my first international badminton to 2004 when I started coaching till now, these 30 years of my journey have been huge,'' smiles Gopichand in an exclusive chat with the Global Indian.

His sheer determination and hard work saw him become the captain of a combined Indian universities team in 1990-91. He clinched gold in the SAARC badminton championship in 1996 and went on to defend the crown in the next games held in Colombo. At the international level, he represented India in Thomas Cup tournaments thrice. "Looking back at the badminton journey, I think we have shown what is possible. We have demonstrated that if we do well, we can do the best in the biggest tournaments despite stiff competition," says Gopichand.

Pullela Gopichand Born in a middle-class family in 1973, a young Gopichand was interested in cricket while his parents were keen he pursued engineering. But it was his brother who introduced him to badminton. Soon, the passion for the game kicked in and he rose through the ranks. "As a player, it was all about being the best today, giving it all you had. Every time I moved up, I could see the next ladder and figured out a plan to achieve the target. As a coach, it was to prove we as Indians can do it," he says. The ace shuttler-turned-mentor says there needs to be involvement in what you do, love and risk-taking ability. "There will be a lot of ups and downs but you need to maneuver your way out. Be tough at heart and keep pushing," advises the father of two.

Coach Gopichand took a host of young players under his tutelage and crafted them into world-beaters, from Saina Nehwal and K Srikanth to PV Sindhu. He turned Hyderabad into India’s badminton training hub and his early morning training route for proteges is well documented. Crucially, he has changed a country’s outlook towards a sport where the great wall of China has for long looked insurmountable.

Ask him if he considers himself a Global Indian, pat comes the Padma Shri awardee's reply: "I consider myself as somebody who has his roots in the Indian system. That we are from a country which is endowed with such great history and culture is amazing. If you have strong roots, then you can be comfortable wherever you are. If that means you are a Global Indian, so be it."

Gopichand considers people like Swami Vivekanand, Sundar Pichai, NR Narayana Murthy and Sadhguru, among others, as true Global Indians. "They are huge motivators. These are the people who stuck to their roots and showed what India is to the world," he says.

On his multiple trips abroad, Pullela Gopichand often carries the autobiography of Yogi and MS Subbulakshmi's Vishnu Sahasranamam which help him deal with problems coming his way. The 'Dronacharya' of Indian badminton recalls some of his not-so-pleasant experiences abroad. "When our contingent went to China or Europe for tournaments, the locals there would start giggling the moment they looked at us. I think their perception and knowledge of India was very limited 20-30 years ago. But now, we have a stature in the world in various fields and people abroad recognise India's innate qualities, culture and history more than ever before," Gopichand says of Brand India’s rising equity.

He feels that a lot more needs to be done for badminton in the country. "To convince people to invest in the sport, make them believe that we can be world-beaters is a challenge. Players have huge potential but after reaching a certain level, many of them did not grow to match their full potential," says Pullela Gopichand.

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