Entrepreneur | Pratik Thakker | Global Indian

Global IndianstoryPratik Thakker: Israel’s tech ambassador to India

Pratik Thakker: Israel’s tech ambassador to India

Written by: Namrata Srivastava

(September 17, 2022) His first day in Israel was a disaster. He felt so overwhelmed and homesick that he landed in an emergency room following an anxiety attack. “My first few months in Israel were very challenging. I longed to go back to Mumbai, but I knew that I couldn’t give up,” shares entrepreneur Pratik Thakker. Starting his journey as a young kid, who sold firecrackers and pickles in India, Pratik has come a long way to starting two tech-based companies – Webzoly and Testlify, in Israel. Often referred to as Israel’s tech ambassador to India, Pratik is Israel’s top LinkedIn influencer with over a hundred thousand followers.

Entrepreneur Pratik Thakker

“I have seen many failures in my life to understand that without falling you cannot expect success,” shares the entrepreneur as he connects with Global Indian during an interview, adding, “My companies have been helping Israeli tech companies grow in India and Asia-Pacific (APAC) by providing the local team, capital and drive the marketing, sales, and growth. India and Israel have a very long and deep relationship and I am quite proud to be a part of this journey.”

An entrepreneurial kid

Born in Kutch, Pratik grew up in a family of entrepreneurs. A mischievous child, he studied at a boarding school till Class 4. “That was a difficult time. Staying away from your family at such a tender age can have a very deep impact,” shares the entrepreneur, “In the middle of IV standard, my father shifted me to a convent school. It was a bit difficult for me to adjust and frankly, it took about three years to match up to the education level of the students my age. Eventually, I was able to top my class and even got a scholarship from the school.”

It was in Class 7 that Pratik began his entrepreneurial journey. Inspired by his father, who had a spice shop, and other relatives, the entrepreneur decided to test his business skills. “Diwali was around the corner, and I wanted to sell crackers – not the usual ones but the fancy firecrackers. After my father gave me about ₹3000, I got a friend on board whom I promised to share my leftover crackers with along with a treat at a Chinese restaurant,” Pratik laughs.

Entrepreneur | Pratik Thakker | Global Indian

Excited about his first venture, Pratik took off to a wholesale market in the Masjid Bandar area of Mumbai with his friend and father, and picked some really unique stock for their stall. “But due to the festive season, we couldn’t find a spot for our stall. So I took a small stool, and placed my carrom board on it upon which I put my stock. People were very intrigued by two young boys selling crackers and we earned a good amount,” he says, adding that the two friends continued to sell crackers for the next three Diwalis.

The land of Judah

Even during his college years, Pratik continued dabbling in entrepreneurial opportunities and even tried his hand in the stock market. Around the same time, he met his life partner, Nancy. “Nancy is a Jew of Indian origin. After our marriage, she motivated me to move to Israel. It was called the startup nation, and we thought it would be a great place to build our career.”

Pratik with his wife, Nancy

But all was not rosy. Soon after the couple landed in Israel, Pratik struggled with homesickness. Unable to find a job and having a hard time adjusting to the high-tech ecosystem of Israel, Pratik took up cleaning jobs. To get the ball rolling, the entrepreneur decided to offer something of value for free to the people. “On a Facebook group called Secret Jerusalem, I posted that I will help the first five people who approach me, with building a website for free. I had about seven customers in the first three months, and their testimonials got me my first high-tech job as a webmaster at Masa Israel Journey,” shares Pratik, who later became the Director of Digital Marketing in the same company.

Having gained much experience, the entrepreneur eventually decided to start his own company in 2016. “I was working as a freelancer on the side. One of my start-up clients requested if I could help them with sales development in India as they found it challenging to get the results. I immediately agreed and that’s how Webzoly was born. The idea was to start a customer service-centered and results-oriented outsourcing solution for companies. Currently, my team consists of highly trained skilled experts. From the beginning, Webzoly had an organic extension. We look into what is important for our clients and work on it,” he shares. Pratik’s other company, Testlify, which he co-founded in 2022, helps recruiters find the best candidates with deep analysis that’s accurate, automated, and unbiased.

According to the Indian Embassy in Israel, approximately 12,500 non-Jewish Indians work in Israel, many of whom are students, employees in IT companies, or diamond traders. Speaking about Indians living in Israel and the opportunities there, the entrepreneur explains, “There are a few hundred Indians in Israel, who are pursuing engineering or MBA. Since Israel’s focus is on innovation and technology, youngsters can benefit from the curriculum here. Many Indians are working as caregivers as well. However, a major setback is that once they complete their education or finish their work contract, non-Jewish foreigners are asked to leave the country. So, you can study here and learn a lot, however, you cannot get an Israel passport.”

Inspiring millions

The young entrepreneur today is a LinkedIn influencer, with over a hundred thousand followers. However, building a brand for himself wasn’t an easy job. “No product would sell if it is not marketed well. And that is true even for people. When I first started posting on LinkedIn, I hardly got any likes, however being consistent got people to notice me. Earlier this year, the LinkedIn team reached out to me to help them build a creator community. Through my posts, I try to inspire and educate people about scaling up their careers, business strategies, and much more. It is great to impart the knowledge that I have about the industry with people who wish to start something of their own,” shares the entrepreneur.

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Published on 17, Sep 2022

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Creating history: Author Priya Satia’s novels narrate the tale of India under the British Raj

(January 11, 2023) For the past several generations, British historians have deconstructed and reimagined world history to suit the Empire's narrative. Their tales of development in various colonies of the empire across the globe - including India, the Middle East, Africa, and the Caribbean - licensed the brutal suppression of the colonial rebellion by imperial governance. While these narratives still echo in world history, author Priya Satia's latest release, Time's Monster: History, Conscience, and Britain's Empire, examines how the British historians not only twisted the fate of colonial politics but also shaped the futures of generations to come. [caption id="attachment_33728" align="aligncenter" width="526"] Priya Satia, author[/caption] "It shaped my family’s history and so much of the world, and I felt I could contribute – and correct influential myths – from the United States," the author shared during an interview while answering why it was important for her to write this book. The award-winning author of Empire of Guns: The Violent Making of the Industrial Revolution and Spies in Arabia - Priya compels her readers to look into the parts of world history that generally are never discussed. The Raymond A. Spruance Professor of International History and Professor of British History at

could contribute – and correct influential myths – from the United States," the author shared during an interview while answering why it was important for her to write this book. The award-winning author of Empire of Guns: The Violent Making of the Industrial Revolution and Spies in Arabia - Priya compels her readers to look into the parts of world history that generally are never discussed. The Raymond A. Spruance Professor of International History and Professor of British History at Stanford University, the Global Indian regularly writes for various media outlets including Financial Times, The Nation, and Washington Post.

The Arabian conquest

A Ph.D. scholar from the University of California, Berkeley, Priya grew up in Los Gatos, amidst a lot of books. An avid reader, she was always curious to know about the past of the nation to which she belongs - India. And it was this passion which led her to write several books on the British Raj in the country. In 2008, Priya released her first book, Spies in Arabia: The Great War and the Cultural Foundations of Britain's Covert Empire in the Middle East, which was well-received not just by the audience, but also by the critics.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaG_JMxQ9eI

In a recent interview, the author discussed why she chose to write about events in the Middle East. "I had an interest in South Asia before I had an interest in the Middle East. I was looking into the Indian Army, which did most of the fighting in Iraq during World War I, and became distracted by the Indian Army’s British officers. They arrived thinking that they were in the land of the Arabian Nights, that this place was mysterious and unknowable. But they were there to perform very practical tasks. I became curious how their cultural outlook shaped what they did and how they did it."

Uncovering several conspiracy theories, the author shares how off-base the British were and how outlandishly exaggerated their theories. "When I wrote Spies in Arabia, I was so sure that the British were so wrong in what they assumed about native inhabitants that I didn’t pay enough attention to their actual interactions. This dimension comes out more in my current work on global anticolonial networks than it did in Spies. I’m now looking at the conspiracy theory chapter from the other side, in a sense," she said.

The bloody history of India

While it is not talked about or portrayed in world history, that the British were barbaric towards Indians is a truth that needs no further proof. And yet, everyone seems to have turned a blind eye toward the actual events of the time. Priya, however, shares that it was very important for her to uncover this part of history and present it to the world. “In public memory, redemptive myths about colonial upliftment persistently mask the empire’s abysmal history of looting and pillage, policy-driven famines, brutal crushing of the rebellion, torture, concentration camps, aerial policing, and everyday racism and humiliation,” the author explained in the book Empire of Guns, adding, "To be sure, there is a story about the ‘banality of evil’ to be told— about the automatic, conformist ways in which ordinary people become complicit in inhumanity. But in the case of the British Empire, the bigger story is perhaps that of inhumanity perpetrated by individuals deeply concerned with their consciences, indeed actively interrogating their consciences."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHldSyL8ouo

The book earned Priya the 2019 Pacific Coast Conference on British Studies Book Prize, the Wadsworth Prize in Business History, and the AHA's Jerry Bentley Prize in world history. "Empire of Guns told the story of a very important eighteenth-century gunmaker named Samuel Galton. As a Quaker, he was forced to defend his gun-making to fellow Quakers who felt it violated the sect’s pacifist commitments," shared the author, who was also the finalist for the LA Times Book Prize in History and shortlisted for the Laura Shannon Prize in Contemporary European Studies and the PEN Hessell-Tiltman Prize.

The author, who is also the curator of several tailored history seminars, wants young people to read and understand history from an unbiased point of view. "To those hoping to enter the world of history, I would suggest coming in with a strong, uncompromising sense of the purpose of that entry, else the academy will instill its own values of personal professional advancement, which are designed to perpetuate institutions as they exist now," the author shared during a class.

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Oxana Banshikova: Kazakhstan woman popularising Bharatanatyam across the globe

(April 2, 2024) As the curtains rise, Kazakhstan-born Oxana Banshikova takes the center stage. Clad in a beautiful silk saree with kohl-rimmed eyes, she is a vision of elegance and poise. Her fluid movements and intense eyes convey myriad emotions. Through every arched brow and subtle shift in expression, she breathes life into the narratives, seamlessly blending her own experiences with the Indian culture. With each step, she embraces the heritage of Bharatanatyam, the art form that's closest to her heart. Her performance is a celebration of diversity and the power of dance, and she leaves no stone unturned to mesmerise her audience with her artistry. Meet the woman who left her homeland in Kazakhstan to learn Bharatanatyam in India, and is now popularising the art form through her dance company Cosmic Dance. [caption id="attachment_50452" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Oxana Banshikova[/caption] A performance that changed it all Growing up in Kazakhstan, Oxana was always drawn towards dance and experimented with various forms, including jazz, ballet, and folk dances. But still couldn't find what she was really looking for. After completing her degree in International Relations and Foreign Policy, she had the opportunity to visit India - a country that captivated her mind

towards dance and experimented with various forms, including jazz, ballet, and folk dances. But still couldn't find what she was really looking for. After completing her degree in International Relations and Foreign Policy, she had the opportunity to visit India - a country that captivated her mind with its traditions, culture, bright colours, and beautiful music. During her maiden trip, she happened to witness a dance performance at Mahabalipuram. "A beautiful dancer, live orchestra, and ancient temple as a background. It was an unforgettable experience for me," she revealed.

Upon her return to Almaty, she couldn't get the memory of the surreal experience out of her mind and was fortunate to find a teacher - Akmaral Kainazarova - who had learnt Indian classical dance in India. It was at the Indian Cultural Center of Indian Embassy in Almaty that Oxana learnt her first-ever Bharatanatyam steps. "Deep within I knew straight away that I want to go forward, and find ways to become a professional," she added.

Kazakhstan to India - a learning curve

In a couple of months, fortune smiled upon her as she secured a four-year scholarship from the Indian Council for Cultural Relations to study Bharatanatyam at Kalakshetra College of Fine Arts. Passionate about her craft, she bid farewell to Kazakhstan and landed in Chennai to "learn the beautiful dance art."

Oxana Banshikova | Global Indian

Her hard work and perseverance paid off as she received a scholarship from the Indian government in 2002 to attend Kalakshetra College of Fine Arts in Chennai, India. "The Indian government sponsors foreign nationals to come and learn their culture. Once they return, they will promote Indian culture." For the next five years, she immersed herself in Indian classical music, dance, philosophy, and religion. Amid her academic pursuits, Oxana managed to enter into marriage, and in 2007, her husband's transfer led them to relocate to Hong Kong.

Promoting Bharatanatyam in Hong Kong

Moving to an "entrepreneurial city", Oxana harboured dreams of starting her own dance company. But was scared to take that leap of faith. "I wanted to practice my art, to teach, to perform but I couldn't find anyone who would employ me and give me a good salary. But I had students. So I started looking into legal opportunities to teach," she said in an interview. Despite trying various options like nonprofits and associations, nothing clicked for Oxana until she found people who were keen to learn Bharatanatyam from her. "I had to rethink my teaching ideas and make it interesting for regular students as well as newcomers. That was the biggest learning curve for me and the most valuable experience of making this traditional art form into something that would be interesting for people who had never tried it," revealed Oxana. This propelled her to start her company - Cosmic Dance - which found more clients through strong word of mouth.

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A post shared by Oxana Cosmic Dancer (@oxanacosmicdance)

For someone who learned Bharatanatyam in India, teaching to non-Indian students got a little tricky at times. "A student learning Bharatnatyam outside India would get a lot of pressure trying to understand the devotional aspect and historical background of this art form. Non–Indian students usually have difficulty accepting and executing abhinaya, they are merely attracted by the technical beauty of Bharatanatyam," said Oxana. However, she believes that it's a good way to introduce a new art form, and the more they learn, the more their interest develops in the art form.

Taking the artform to Scotland

Having made Bharatanatyam popular in Hong Kong with her dance company, Oxana relocated to Edinburgh in 2019 where she is now working towards establishing herself in Scotland. "I am curious about how other dance/movement disciplines work, what their philosophical approaches are, what their applicable techniques are, and how they can be incorporated into my practice," she said.

It's been two decades that Bharatanatyam has become a big part of Oxana's life. "It is not only a matter of always practicing in order to stay in good physical shape, there is always the mental pressure of remembering hundreds of dance routines and choreographing new songs in a short period of time but in the end, it makes me happy," she said.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9kYYrK2EaM

Her journey from Kazakhstan to embracing the Indian dance form of Bharatanatyam is a true example of the power of art to bridge cultures and transcend boundaries. Through her dedication and passion, she has not only mastered this ancient art but has also become a guiding light of cultural exchange, spreading the beauty and richness of Bharatanatyam to audiences around the world. Oxana serves as an inspiring example of how individuals can embrace diversity and foster understanding through the universal language of dance.

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BSF officer Nabeel Ahmed Wani – The Wani who is the bridge between Kashmir’s youth and peace

(January 6, 2021) Back in the summer of 2016, Kashmir was on the boil. Violent clashes erupted across the valley following the killing of Burhan Wani, commander of terror group Hizbul Mujahideen, who was gunned down by the security forces. Close to a 100 people died and thousands were injured in an endless cycle of violence. Then aged 22, Burhan moulded insurgency in J&K through his strong presence on social media. Around the same time, BSF officer Nabeel Ahmed Wani, another youngster from the valley, had just topped the all-India examination for assistant commandant in the Border Security Force (BSF), a para-military force tasked with securing the country’s borders. He was the first one from the state to have topped the exam. As TV channels went on an overdrive, juxtaposing the stories of the two Wani's, Nabeel became a hero overnight and the new face of Kashmir unlike the other Wani, who chose to join the militant ranks and eventually met his violent end. Five years down the line, Nabeel has become the bridge between the youth of Jammu and Kashmir and the security forces. With his strong social media presence, Nabeel -- who braved all odds including multiple threats

luding multiple threats to his life -- has influenced thousands of youngsters in the valley, who have either joined the forces or have expressed a willingness to join. In fact, some were on the verge of joining the militant ranks but a quick conversation with Nabeel, led them to shun the path of violence and join the mainstream.

[caption id="attachment_18543" align="alignnone" width="1080"] Indian Heros | BSF Officer | Nabeel Ahmed Wani | Global Indian Nabeel Ahmed Wani[/caption]

“I interact with thousands of Kashmiri youth almost on a daily basis. I tell them about my life in the BSF, and give them the real picture. Many respond positively and have joined the forces,” smiles Nabeel Ahmed Wani, in an exclusive conversation with Global Indian. For any Kashmiri, joining the forces comes with serious threats to life but Nabeel, who is serving as assistant commandant (works) with the para-military force, has shown a beacon.

The Wani who propagates progress

Born and brought up in Udhampur district of J&K in November 1991, Nabeel’s father Rafiq Ahmed was a teacher, and mother Hanifa Begum a home maker. His forefathers had moved from Anantnag in the valley, considered a hotbed for terrorists, to Jammu long ago.

“I just wanted to don the uniform and serve my nation. I wanted to be the bridge of peace,” says Nabeel when asked what made him join BSF. “There was no plan and pattern, I was just preparing to get into the forces. I was trying hard for the Army, Navy or BSF. Turns out, my destiny was in the BSF and so here I am,” smiles the BSF officer. Nabeel is known not to mince his words while taking on the anti-national elements, both on the field as well as on social media. On the other hand, terror outfits are known to use social media to their advantage and propagate their ideology and Nabeel is leaving no stone unturned in motivating the people of the union territory through his posts every day.

“While in school, my father made sure we learn and respect all religions, and we used to celebrate all festivals,” informs Nabeel, who describes his younger sister Nida Rafiq as a warrior. Having completed engineering, Nida is looking forward to getting into Army Public School as a teacher.

When BSF called out to him

“When I joined BSF, people appreciated my move because they chose a Wani who wanted to fight for the nation and rejected the other Wani (Burhan) who was against the nation. I have been boycotted by a section of extremists and they still hate me. I am aware of the threats but I won’t stop. I am not scared of death,” says the 30-year-old, who is presently posted in J&K.

[caption id="attachment_18544" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Indian Heros | BSF Officer | Nabeel Ahmed Wani | Global Indian Nabeel Ahmed Wani[/caption]

So how is life on the border with Pakistan? “Tough and challenging. But we are way ahead of Pakistan in every aspect. We ensure the borders are completely sealed which has made it impossible for terrorists to enter the country. That is exactly why Pakistan is now resorting to sending drones instead of men. But even the drones are being shot down. Pakistan is a weak nation now,” says the BSF exam topper.

While Nabeel has faced threats to his life, his sister too has faced abuse of the worst kind - threatened with rape and acid. “She is my hero and a very strong-willed person who is as fearless as I am. We are a family for whom the nation comes first,” he says.

A determined Nabeel is doing everything he can to portray J&K as a peaceful and prosperous state. “There is a significant decrease in militancy in the valley over the past few years. There are just a few people left who are feeding innocent youth the venom of hatred and brainwashing them,” says Nabeel, who has guided many youths with lengthy conversations. “Some youths are misunderstood and misguided, but they are back on track,” smiles Nabeel.

Since topping the BSF exams, Nabeel’s status is no less than a celebrity. Wherever he goes, people take selfies, want to know about his success story. Even within the force, he is loved and respected. “I think in five years, I have attained respect and love with my work in BSF, and not by fame. And yes, I took a tough decision of joining the forces and it’s the best decision of my life,” he says, pointing to the fact that locals in Kashmir have now taken to the streets protesting for more vacancies in BSF.

[caption id="attachment_18545" align="alignnone" width="1080"] Indian Heros | BSF Officer | Nabeel Ahmed Wani | Global Indian Nabeel Ahmed Wani[/caption]

Ordinary, but extraordinary

His typical day starts at the crack of dawn after which all BSF officials undergo PT training for an hour. Nabeel looks after the infrastructure in the BSF besides coordination and information from sister agencies. “I am also entrusted with the task of liasioning between different government departments,” he says, stopping short of disclosing further for security reasons.

Nabeel was perhaps the first Kashmiri in uniformed services to openly laud the Narendra Modi government’s move of abrogating Article 370, and bifurcating Jammu and Kashmir into two Union territories, and even wrote a letter appreciating the move. “People in J&K have been exploited by local leaders for years. Scraping of 370 has definitely boosted the morale of the youth, and has opened all doors of opportunities for better careers. The decision was historic and brave and made all Indians equal,” says Nabeel, who wrote to the PM at a time when Kashmiris serving in the armed and paramilitary forces and J&K police were under tremendous pressure from some of their own to quit the services in the wake of Centre’s move. The Prime Minister wrote back saying the move was “historic.”

However, revoking the state’s special status is contentious among many in Kashmir, even today.

Making the most out of BSF

Soon after Nabeel was inducted into BSF, he was posted in Shillong and Guwahati. His first days were tough but having mentors helped Nabeel, who has been posted in J&K since July 2018.

Since he joined BSF, there have been instances when Kashmiri men, who joined the security forces, were killed by terrorists. “Every time such incidents take place, I feel the pain and sorrow of the family members. But I also feel a lot of anger. We are not here to kill anyone; we are just protecting our nation. We will not stop protecting our nation due to such mindless killings and every ounce of blood will be avenged,” says the BSF officer, who married Dr Tanveer Ul Nisa, a government ayurvedic doctor in March 2021. On their wedding, the Prime Minister congratulated the couple over phone, and sent a gift too.

[caption id="attachment_18546" align="aligncenter" width="768"] BSF Officer for Kashmir Peace | Global Indian Nabeel Ahmed Wani[/caption]

The BSF official’s free time goes into helping the locals. “I help them get jobs in showrooms, petrol bunks, schools etc. People in J&K never say ‘no’ to me as they respect me,” informs Nabeel, who is a fitness freak and hits the gym regularly besides following a strict diet plan.

“I would like to see Kashmiri youth get into top positions in the army, police, navy, administration and all other fields. Seeing Kashmir prosper and develop on all fronts is my dream and we will accomplish it,” adds Nabeel.

Understanding Article 370 and Article 35a

The state of Jammu & Kashmir’s temporary special status (given on 17, October 1949) allowed the state to have its own constitution, flag and take decisions except for matter related to defense and foreign affairs. It dates back to 1947 when Maharaja Hari Singh of the then colonised Jammu & Kashmir signed a Treaty of Accession for the state of J&K to join the Indian side.

Article 35a was added to the constitution in 1954 under Article 370, giving the state the right to decide who its permanent residents are, apart from giving special rights to residents in government jobs, property and education. This abrogation and the manner in which it was done has come under severe scrutiny.

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Reading Time: 8 min

On Top of the World: No mission is impossible for Captain Zoya Agarwal 

(January 9, 2022) Zoya Agarwal dared to dream the impossible quite early in life. As a child, she would often spend hours on the terrace of her home, stargazing while all her friends were busy playing games. She imagined herself touching the sky and the stars. Back then, anybody who would asked her what she wanted to become when she grew up, her only reply would be “a pilot.” Over the years, she braved many odds as she set out to make her dreams come true. Eventually, they did. [caption id="attachment_33619" align="aligncenter" width="445"] Captain Zoya Agarwal[/caption] Captain Zoya Agarwal became the first Indian woman to fly the world’s longest air route from San Francisco (SFO) to Bengaluru, covering the North Pole, making aviation history by travelling a record-breaking 16,000 kilometres in 2021. It is the longest non-stop commercial route undertaken so far. “It was a significant turning point in my career to be recognised as an Indian woman who is making a difference around the world. My journey was super exciting and magical,” smiles Zoya Agarwal, who led the all-women crew on that flight, speaking exclusively to Global Indian. Taking the world by storm The senior pilot with Air India, who not only made her parents proud but

aviation history by travelling a record-breaking 16,000 kilometres in 2021. It is the longest non-stop commercial route undertaken so far.

“It was a significant turning point in my career to be recognised as an Indian woman who is making a difference around the world. My journey was super exciting and magical,” smiles Zoya Agarwal, who led the all-women crew on that flight, speaking exclusively to Global Indian.

Taking the world by storm

The senior pilot with Air India, who not only made her parents proud but took the world by storm with her mammoth feat, is the only human to have found a place in the San Francisco Luis A Turpen Aviation Museum in August 2022. The museum recognised Zoya’s illustrious career in aviation and her passion for empowering women worldwide. 

Becoming the world’s youngest lady captain to fly to the North Pole has been my dream. This feat has given flight to young girls across the world.

Coming from a humble middle class family of Delhi, Zoya opted for science in her 11th and 12th of schooling and went on to do her B.Sc from St Stephen’s college, Delhi.

Indian Leader | Captain Zoya Agarwal | Global Indian

Being the only child in a middle-class family meant that she was expected to follow the traditional path and settle down after marriage. “My dream of becoming a pilot seemed like an unusual career choice to my parents,” recalls Zoya, who was by then, firm in her mind that she wanted to pursue her passion.

Shattering the gender bias

She divided her time between her aviation classes and her STEM degree. “The first half of the day was for STEM and the second for my aviation classes,” says the pilot, who has motivated millions of young women and girls to achieve their ambitions.

The fact that many airlines didn’t even consider hiring female pilots until 2016 came as a big stumbling block for Zoya. “With career and responsibilities back home, women play a dual role. Therefore, an airline bears additional expenses when they need to support women on maternity leave. There’s no room for errors and additional expenses in this industry,” she says of her initial days.

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However, times have changed for the better, with more women pilots now being hired. “I’ve had to fight hard to show everyone around me the strength of women in this field and to shatter the gender biases associated with aviation,” says the senior pilot, who was glad to get into Air India, a company, she feels, has always valued equality of the sexes. 

Taking care of people's trust

Zoya feels that anyone can learn to fly but one needs nerves of steel to work in the airline industry. “One has to be fully prepared for emergencies and land the plane safely,” says Zoya, who became the youngest pilot in India to fly a Boeing-777 in 2013.  She also piloted  Air India’s first Boeing 777 aircraft over the Hindu Kush mountain range.

[caption id="attachment_33624" align="aligncenter" width="643"] Indian Leader | Captain Zoya Agarwal | Global Indian Captain Zoya Agarwal with one of the passengers on board[/caption]

"Making the passengers feel safe is the most satisfying part of the job," says Zoya, who garnered attention for her role in saving a passenger’s life on a Delhi-New York flight in 2015. The passenger complained of breathlessness mid-air and Zoya swiftly turned the aircraft around, going back to Delhi where the passenger was taken to the hospital.

Being a pilot is not an easy profession. One has to work diligently and remained focused all the time. After all, people trust the pilot with their lives.

Avoiding all distractions and maintaining proper mental equilibrium is a must for pilots. “In my profession, the safety of passengers always comes first. Pilots have to be tough and selfless,” says Zoya, adding that the job requires her to be alert, have swift decision-making abilities and multi-task. Perseverance and passion (for the job) is what drives the pilot.

On top of the world

Zoya’s job takes her across the world but the journey excites her more than the destinations themselves. “I love looking out over the world when in the clouds,” smiles the ace pilot, who made an appearance on Indian Idol for its Republic Day special episode, soon after she and the other crew members completed their longest flight ever.

Her favourite destination? “Being on top of the world,” smiles Zoya, who was chosen by the United Nations as its spokesperson for Generation Equality.

Captain Zoya Agarwal is the first Indian woman to fly world’s longest air route from San Francisco (SFO) to Bengaluru, covering North Pole.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, when India initiated the ‘Vande Bharat mission’ in May 2020, Zoya was chosen to co-pilot the first repatriation flight, which evacuated thousands of Indians from different countries.

“One of the memories I cherish the most is the flight from San Francisco to Mumbai which I had piloted. Every member of the crew greeted me with a loud round of applause. I can never forget that experience,” says Zoya, who was witness to emotional family members reuniting with their loved ones. 

Follow Captain Zoya Agarwal  on Instagram

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Meet Teja Chekuri, the global F&B maverick who shaped India’s craft beer market

(August 7, 2023) How does a young engineer end up as the President of a company that owns a chain of restaurants, microbreweries the size of a gated community, and other food and beverage hotspots that are perennially popular? Teja Chekuri is one such entrepreneur born with vision and foresight. He says, in an exclusive with Global Indian, “After my master’s at Gannon University in Eire, Pennsylvania, I worked at Metlife and UPS. Then I set up my own IT services company. While travelling around the US, I observed that microbreweries were popular and I thought of setting up one in India. I was planning to move back to India and there were three cities with microbreweries already running – Bengaluru, Pune and Gurgaon. I saw the opportunity, wanted to have the early mover advantage and decided to go for it.” [caption id="attachment_43334" align="aligncenter" width="441"] Teja Chekuri, founder of the microbrewery Prost, in Hyderabad.[/caption] Microbreweries to Macro Businesses Teja’s food and beverage outlets span across India, the US and Canada. He started with Prost, a microbrewery, in Koramangala, Bengaluru in 2012. Though hailing from Telangana, the lack of permissions made him choose Bengaluru; he eventually launched Prost in Hyderabad in

Teja’s food and beverage outlets span across India, the US and Canada. He started with Prost, a microbrewery, in Koramangala, Bengaluru in 2012. Though hailing from Telangana, the lack of permissions made him choose Bengaluru; he eventually launched Prost in Hyderabad in 2016.

Simultaneously, based on his observations of the Indian cuisine served in the US, he decided to set up a chain of restaurants that would be unapologetic about their spicy foundation – essentially Andhra and Telangana food – not tweaked to suit the American palate. “In 2015, we launched Godavari in Woburn, 20 minutes away from Boston, Massachusetts. We did not want to do the sweetened versions of curries. We were not afraid to make it spicy; why should we change our food?” he asks.

[caption id="attachment_43320" align="aligncenter" width="581"] Prost Prost, Hyderabad.[/caption]

It might have seemed risky to many but incredibly, Godavari received a positive response, and is now in over 30 locations across the US and in Toronto, Canada. With plans to launch 21 more branches in the near future, with the latest ones set up in Denver, Colorado and Princeton, New Jersey, Godavari is present in Delaware, Toronto, Tampa, Jersey City, Minneapolis, Orange County, Atlanta, Columbus, Woburn, Philadelphia, Naperville, Houston, Schaumburg, Kansas, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Edison, Hartford, Herndon, Morrisville and Rhode Island etc. Despite 30-40 per cent of the menu changing once a year, the thali, the Andhra Chicken Curry and the Hyderabadi Dum Biryani are its most popular items. Godavari also serves idlis, dosas, sambar and rice and uluvacharu – dishes familiar to the fairly large Telugu speaking diaspora. And, the flagship Woburn restaurant, is still the biggest crowd puller, contributing over 300,000 USD to the company’s turnover every month.

Expanding Indian Cuisine’s Frontiers

Under the Godavari Group of Restaurants in the US, Teja continued to expand. Following the quick service restaurant model, Vaanga, serving fusion Indian food was started in 2017 in Boston. He then launched Madras Dosa Company [MDC] in 2021 in Seaport and Harvard Square, in the same city. He refers to MDC as a “Subway for dosas with a set menu – two kinds of batters, two chutneys [coconut and ginger; peanut is not used due to people’s allergies] and toppings like karam podi, sweet chocolate, onion, Horlicks, and more. There is even a Lays [chips] and an ice cream dosa available for kids. We are now looking to launch MDC at Times Square in New York too,” he reveals.

This was followed by 1947 – Truly Indian – a fine dining brand serving North and South Indian cuisine in Norwood, Massachusetts also in 2021. The next two ventures he has lined up for Boston include an Indian gastro bar called ‘Don’t Tell Aunty’, serving fusion food, and drinks concocted with Indian spices. The other is Boston Halal, following the quick service restaurant model, serving Mediterranean food.

[caption id="attachment_43322" align="aligncenter" width="692"] Prost Madras Dosa Company, Seaport.[/caption]

This year, Teja incorporated all his brands into the Golden Horn Company, of which he is the President. His initial investment of six crore rupees now fetches a neat turnover of Rs 250 crore. In the US, his partner who handles operations is Kaushik Koganti and Sree Harsha Vadlamudi partners him in India.

The company has clearly defined roles and demarcations. He says, “Every menu goes through six months of trials and tests; we have streamlined operations and 40 staff members oversee different departments for all the chains. Maintaining the highest standards is a must. It was tougher to get permissions and licenses in some cities and others were easier. But, ensuring that all the dishes taste the same across the outlets remains a challenge.”

The India Growth Story

Next on the anvil is Pangeo – a lounge bar on Bengaluru’s Brigade Road, spread over 20,000 square feet – to be launched shortly. And the world’s largest microbrewery spread over two acres, or 1.4 lakh square feet, in Marthahalli in Bengaluru again. Teja is looking at opening new outlets in Hebbal, Kanakapura and cities like Nagpur. Purple Potato, in Hyderabad’s Financial District, serving what he calls borderless cuisine, is also due to open its doors shortly.

Milestones and More

What could perhaps be his company’s biggest milestone this year though, has been his investment of buying a whopping nine franchises of Dunkin’ Donuts in the US. He says, “For two years, we have been trying to acquire these franchises. The company has very stringent rules about who they give them to. After evaluating us for a long time, they gave us their approval. We invested 18 million USD into acquiring nine of them in different locations.”

How does he stay ahead of the game? It is almost like he knows what is going to be the next big trend and gets on it before his competitors do. He says, “The food and beverage market is a volatile one. If you want to grow, you have to keep changing and evolving. You have to know what people want to eat when they dine out, all over the world. Currently, pan-Asian food is the popular trend.”

[caption id="attachment_43335" align="aligncenter" width="639"] Pangeo lounge bar, Bengaluru.[/caption]

If he didn’t have enough on his plate already, Teja has also been nominated to the Forbes Business Council, a prestigious networking platform where he is expected to give advice as a mentor, write articles and be part of expert panels, in business affairs.

With a busy lifestyle, long hours included, how does he maintain a work-life balance? He says, “I travel a lot for work, but when I am in Hyderabad, I make it a point to go home early to spend time with my wife and two daughters. I go to the gym every day and I catch up on my reading on flights.”

Teja’s career trajectory seems unstoppable with multiple food and beverage venues. His business could well become a case study at a business school in the future.

Follow Teja Chekuri on Instagram and on his website.

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