Academician | Professor Suresh Bhargava | Global Indian

Global IndianstoryFrom Meerut to Melbourne: Professor Suresh Kumar Bhargava is creating a new league of scientists

From Meerut to Melbourne: Professor Suresh Kumar Bhargava is creating a new league of scientists

Written by: Namrata Srivastava

(July 15, 2022) Oblivious to his nomination, Professor Suresh Bhargava was sitting in his office when he received a letter informing him that he was being conferred with the Queen’s Birthday 2022 honour – Member of the Order of Australia (AM). Though his initial reaction was that of surprise, the academician also felt extremely excited to be honoured by the Queen. “I have received numerous awards for my scientific research. However, this one was for my contribution to the betterment of my community,” shares Professor Bhargava, as he connects over a call from Melbourne. “It is incredible when people recognise your contributions that created a positive difference. I was thrilled that my adopted country valued my three decades of hard work.”

Professor Suresh Bhargava was conferred with the Queen’s Birthday 2022 honour – Member of the Order of Australia (AM)

A professor at esteemed Universities in six countries, the academician is a winner of several awards, including the most prestigious award in engineering, the ‘CHEMECA medal’. “I am happy and honoured that I can train the next generation of scientists,” shares the professor, as he talks about his 30 years in academia with Global Indian.

Academically inclined

Hailing from Meerut in Uttar Pradesh, Professor Bhargava’s father worked as a station master in the Indian Railways. Growing up in a middle-class family, the young academician was keen to do better at studies. “I was a bright student and my teachers encouraged me a lot. It was one of my school teachers who first introduced me to Chemistry,” share the academician.

Having discovered the world of elements and chemicals at an early age, Professor Bhargava was completely fascinated by Chemistry’s contribution to everyday life of an average man. “I realised that almost everything around us is somehow related to Chemistry. When we are very happy or sad, we tend to cry – which is nothing but a chemical reaction. Similarly, when we are stressed, it is again a chemical reaction in the brain. I am a scientist now and know much more than what I did as a young student – but Chemistry still fascinates me,” he smiles.

Academician | Professor Suresh Bhargava | Global Indian

The sudden death of his father due to an accident left the family shattered. Still pursuing his master’s, the idea of leaving his studies and taking up a full-time job did cross his mind. But it was his teachers who convinced his mother to let him carry on with his studies. “They took care of all the expenses,” shares the academician, who topped his university that year.

Road to the UK

Upon finishing his master’s, he became a lecturer at the young age of 19. Interestingly though, the esteemed academician of today had other ambitions as a young man. “When I was a kid, I dreamt of becoming a pilot someday. I cleared the Services Selection Board (SSB) examination to join the Indian Air Force. However, my family believed that I should not join the armed forces, and so I didn’t go,” he reminisces.

As he started taking classes, he realised that most of his students were his age. “So rather than becoming their teacher, I decided to teach them as a friend. And I was a very popular professor,” he laughs. However, his destiny was yet to reveal some interesting plans.

Professor Bhargava being conferred with NRI of the Year award, 2017

Recalling one of the happiest moments of his life, Professor Bhargava says, “It was on May 15, 1979, when I received a letter from the British Council announcing that my application to do a PhD in the UK had been approved.” The British Council offered to place him under a very esteemed English scientist and former president of the Royal Society of Chemistry, Professor Eddie Abel, and pay him a handsome salary. “It felt like all my prayers were answered,” shares the academician, who started his PhD programme at the University of Exeter the same year.

While most people take five years to finish their PhD, he finished his research work in just three years. “Professor Abel was very impressed with my work, which was published in various scientific journals. When it was time for me to leave for India, he asked me to stay back. However, I had a contract with the University Grant Commission, and I had to return,” shares the professor.

Land Down Under

Although he returned to India and rejoined his university, he knew he was meant for greater things. “My university management also encouraged me and I left for the UK again. My mentor spoke to his peers at the Australian National University and that is how I landed in Canberra in 1983,” shares the chemistry scientist.

Australia became his new home. With ground-breaking research work and 500 authored/co-authored journal articles, he made a splash in the new country. His research and scientific insights not just aided the big companies, but even helped governments solve many issues. In 1990, he joined the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) and established the Centre for Advanced Materials and Industrial Chemistry (CAMIC), a state-of-the-art research centre.

Professor Bhargava with S Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs of India

For his research, Professor Bhargava holds 12 patents, including one for gold-based metallodrug for cancer treatment. “When my mother was very ill, she only took ayurvedic medicines. One of her medicines was swarna bhasma, which is gold ash. That got me thinking about how metals affect the human body, and I started my research on how gold can be used as a medicine. We found that gold was about 200 percent better for cancer treatment than the drugs which are currently used. I am still working on the research to develop the medicine,” he explains.

Living by the principle that his research should contribute to enhancing the environment, the professor also developed a nanotechnology mercury sensor to monitor the toxic smoke emission from refineries for industrial use.

In a career spanning over 30 years, Professor Bhargava has supervised more than 60 PhDs. His teaching methods don’t just help his students excel in academics, but also make them industry-ready. A living bridge between India and Australia, the professor was conferred the PC Ray Chair by the Indian National Science Academy in 2014. He recently developed an award-winning PhD programme that connects laboratories of the Indian Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) with RMIT, giving the PhD scholars in India a platform for high-quality research.

Professor Bhargava with the molecular engineering group at RMIT

“A career in academics gives you a unique platform. You meet new students every year, but at the same time, it gives you a chance to work on many research works. As a professor, I have always tried to teach my students how they can become innovators and use their research to better the lives of people and the planet itself,” shares the professor, adding, “In Indian philosophy, we use the term guru for someone who helps his disciples with all-round development. I am aiming to be a guru for my students.”

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Published on 15, Jul 2022

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The Astronaut Maker: Dr. Ravi Margasahayam, the man who sent over 700 humans into space

(October 13, 2022) About 15 minutes into our conversation, Dr. Ravi Margasahayam told me that he once had a chance meeting with mountaineer Tenzing Norgay, who taught him a very important lesson - something he still lives by. "It was 1973, I was in engineering college. We friends were roaming the streets of Darjeeling, looking for a postcard of Tenzing Norgay – the first man who climbed Mt Everest, when we spotted the man himself, sitting nearby, and we introduced ourselves to him. As he chatted with us, he told me, 'You young engineers must be thinking of climbing Everest someday. But I have already done that. You must find your own mountain to climb'," shared the Global Space Ambassador for John F. Kennedy Space Center, NASA, as he connected with me over a video call. [caption id="attachment_30545" align="aligncenter" width="631"] Dr. Ravi Margasahayam (photo credit: Dr. Margasahayam)[/caption] Heeding Norgay’s advice, Dr. Margasahayam went on a quest to find his own peak to scale. And he found his

dian" width="631" height="841" /> Dr. Ravi Margasahayam (photo credit: Dr. Margasahayam)[/caption]

Heeding Norgay’s advice, Dr. Margasahayam went on a quest to find his own peak to scale. And he found his destination about 15,000 km away from Bengaluru, at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, USA. In a glorious career spanning over three decades, Dr. Margasahayam has played an instrumental role in launching over a hundred Space Shuttle missions, which took more than 700 astronauts to space, including Indian-born astronaut, Kalpana Chawla. He is the only person of Indian origin to work, manage, and conduct research on both launch pads - Complex 39A and 39B - the same from where NASA sent humans to land on the Moon.

"I once met former President of India, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam and had the privilege of showing him around the John F. Kennedy Space Center. He told me that he envied me, saying, ‘You did the one thing I couldn't ever do - launch humans into space. You are an Astronaut Maker'," shares the 69-year-old proud Global Indian.

The dream is alive

Born in Mumbai, to a civil engineer father and a homemaker mother, Dr. Margasahayam got an opportunity to explore the world right from when he was an infant. "My father was deputed to United Nations. Soon after I was born, we moved to Myanmar and then to Kabul, Afghanistan." A curious kid, he was always fascinated with machines, which helped him choose his career path.

A love for machines wasn't the only reason he became an aerospace engineer, Dr. Margasahayam was equally mesmerised by the glitz of Bollywood. "When I was around 10, I watched the Hindi film Sangam wherein Raj Kapoor played an Indian Air Force pilot, and it inspired me a lot. I thought of becoming a pilot as I would travel to exotic locations, and have a beautiful wife," laughs the NASA veteran, adding, "Well, I couldn't become a pilot, but I sent many to space, and I have a beautiful wife."

After spending a few years in Afghanistan, the engineer came back to Mumbai to pursue his education. "Some failures are successful failures. My father wanted me to pursue engineering, however, my percentage in Class 12 wasn't enough to get me in a Mumbai college. So, I came to Bengaluru to do mechanical engineering and earned a degree in 1975," says Dr. Margasahayam.

Lift off!

After completing his degree, he moved to Oman where his dad was posted at that time. However, the lack of opportunities in Muscat led the NASA veteran to move to Chicago, where one of his aunts lived. "I went on a tourist visa in 1975, with no clothes, no books, no money, and no ambition - just my aunt's house," the NASA researcher smiles, adding, "I remember landing in New York and was completely amazed. It was a big city and so glamourous. I hadn't seen anything like that before. From there, I went to my aunt's place in Chicago."

[caption id="attachment_30548" align="aligncenter" width="645"] NASA | Dr. Ravi Margasahayam | Global Indian Photo credit: Dr Margasahayam[/caption]

Although he hoped to return to the country after six weeks in the US, destiny had other plans for him. His aunt’s connections helped him apply for a master's programme at the Illinois Institute of Technology. "I met the Chairman of the engineering department, Dr. Sudhir Kumar. He offered me a contingent admission, asking me to convert the visa for a semester. I managed to do that and earned my master's in aerospace engineering in 1978."

However, he still had more hurdles to cross. "One of the biggest issues was understanding their English accent, even though I was a fluent English speaker," he says, adding, "By the second semester, I had to take up several odd jobs to make ends meet, including one at a Mexican restaurant and another at a welding shop." Six months into his Ph.D. work at the same institution, he started applying for jobs and found one as a railroad engineer at Conrail in Philadelphia.

The aero world

About one-and-a-half years later, Dr. Margasahayam bagged an opportunity to work for Boeing, in Colorado. "My boss was so impressed with my CV that he asked me join from the next week itself. However, I was getting married in a few months and had to return to India. So, I joined them about nine months later in 1981."

[caption id="attachment_30552" align="aligncenter" width="713"] NASA | Dr. Ravi Margasahayam | Global Indian Dr Margasahayam working on NASA's launchpad (photo credit: Michael Soluri)[/caption]

It was a usual afternoon in 1986 when Dr. Margasahayam heard the news about the space shuttle Challenger disaster which left him deeply shocked. About two years after the fateful accident, he applied for a job at NASA. "During my interview, the person asked if I had ever launched or even seen a rocket, and I said no. When he said how can he hire someone with no knowledge about rockets, I told him that a car and a plane both vibrate when they function - and so does the rocket. And as a vibration engineer, I can fix several problems for NASA," he shares.

[caption id="attachment_30553" align="aligncenter" width="670"] NASA | Dr. Ravi Margasahayam | Global Indian Dr Margasahayam and his father with Dr APJ Abdul Kalam (photo credit: Dr. Margasahayam)[/caption]

In 1989, Dr. Margasahayam became the first Indian to work and research at NASA's Moonpad - the same launchpad from where Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins left Earth for the Moon. "I was given free access, making me the only Indian to date to work on both the launchpads of NASA. I studied the field of Vibroacoustics - which is the science of how sounds can create vibrations and become a load on a structure and affect our space shuttles," he explains.

Only in his first year, he played a pivotal role in NASA launch probes to the Sun (Ulysses), Venus (Magellan), and Jupiter (Galileo). He was also the core member of the team that launched the Hubble Space Telescope - which completely changed the human's fundamental understanding of the Universe. "I can hardly express how incredible it was for a Mumbai boy to launch these 2-million-kg shuttles to various planets. The entire Universe was now my playground," shares Dr. Margasahayam. He was also a part of the team that build the International Space Station (ISS) - or a "Taj Mahal in the heavens" as he calls it - and send the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) there to study the dark matter.

[caption id="attachment_30550" align="aligncenter" width="646"] NASA | Dr. Ravi Margasahayam | Global Indian Dr. Margasahayam receiving the prestigious Silver Snoopy award in 1996, from eminent American astronaut, Pamela Melroy (photo credit: Dr. Margasahayam)[/caption]

With one of the most eminent American astronauts, Pamela Melroy, being his mentor, Dr. Margasahayam won the most prestigious honour in the field of engineering - Silver Snoopy award in 1996. He became NASA’s international expert and lead scientist on Rocket Launch-induced Noise and Vibration technology, and the only engineer at NASA who was allowed to install his own structure, designed to measure acoustic loads and structural vibration of pad structures. As the VIP Tour Guide, he escorted several eminent guests, who visited the John F. Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

A tale of two Indians

Around the same time that Dr. Margasahayam received the Silver Snoopy award, another Indian, Kalpana Chawla, was training to become an astronaut. It was during a visit to the Kennedy Space Center, in Florida, that the two Indians first met, and later became good friends. "Pamela informed me that there was a new girl in the NASA Astronaut Corp from India, Kalpana Chawla. That was the first time I had heard of her. Kalpana visited the launchpad after she got the assignment to go to the space in STS-87 - Space Shuttle Columbia - in 1997. I was a part of the team that trained that crew about the terminal countdown demonstration, where we teach the astronauts how to shield themselves in case of any accidents and escape from there. I remember standing two feet away from Kalpana when she was boarding the space shuttle. The mission was successful," shares the NASA veteran, who later arranged for the then-Indian Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral to speak to Kalpana, while she was in space.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rK2kaPc7c5o

Six years later, Kalpana again donned the astronaut suit, boarded the ill-fated space shuttle Columbia and died as the shuttle re-entred into the Earth's atmosphere. "I was the last person to see her before she boarded the shuttle," Dr. Margasahayam recalls, "Space shuttles are never late for the landing. If they are late, it means that there is something wrong. So, when Columbia was late for its landing on February 1, 2003, I remember the Centre Director saying that there was no hope that they would make it. It was quite tragic. I and several NASA people went walking for miles to collect the parts of shuttle debris and the remains of the astronauts."

A few weeks before her ill-fated mission, Kalpana told Dr. Margasahayam that they should return to India and encourage more people to take up careers in aerospace technology. While that could never happen, in 2019 Dr. Margasahayam inaugurated the National Space Society's Mumbai chapter to engage Indian youth in the space sciences - honouring one of the astronaut's last wishes.

The journey never stops...

In 2016, Dr. Margasahayam officially retired as the Co-Chair of the Ground Review Safety Panel (GSRP), which reviews safety for all payloads going to the International Space Station (ISS), from anywhere in the world. In 2019, he was nominated by NASA Astronauts and held the position of Solar System Ambassador for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, in Pasadena, California. An eloquent public speaker, the NASA veteran has encouraged several young people to explore the secrets of the Universe.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLZXZB3ug88

"For me what matters is to inspire the next generation to ride on our shoulders and do better than us. We have opened a path to human spaceflight - live and work in space. What did not happen in 60,000 years, we have been able to do in the last 60 years. Humankind is much benefitted by space exploration, and we have a long way to go from here," signs off Dr. Margasahayam.

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

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

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

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

Empowering women forward

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

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

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

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

Spreading the word

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

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

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

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

When the drive became a movement

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Reading Time: 6 min

Namaste, from Russia: Why India is home for Russian rockstar Yegor Svysokikhgor

(July 10, 2024) When Russian rockstar Yegor Svysokikhgor visited the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi for the first time during ‘Mahashivaratri’ in 2019 — he could feel the vibes and the energy that engulfed the world's most ancient city. It introduced him to the power of Lord Shiva, with whom his connect was instant. It's that deep sense of devotion which keeps bringing Yegor and his friend Alesya Izlesa back to Varanasi, again and again — making the holy city by the river, a home away from home. [caption id="attachment_52997" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Yegor Svysokikhgor and Alesya Izlesa[/caption] As Prime Minister Narendra Modi wound up his two-day visit to Russia, with a warm hug with President Vladimir Putin — among the keen watchers of the bonhomie between the two leaders were Yegor and Alesya, who make the bond between India and Russia much stronger in their own ways. Their connection with India runs deep, from their love of samosas and chai, the time they spent in Varanasi's Assi Ghat, to joining the first wave of foreigners to trek all the way up to the Amarnath shrine in Jammu and Kashmir. Varanasi connect "Each time we visit the Kashi Vishwanath temple, we

ey spent in Varanasi's Assi Ghat, to joining the first wave of foreigners to trek all the way up to the Amarnath shrine in Jammu and Kashmir.

Varanasi connect

"Each time we visit the Kashi Vishwanath temple, we feel the powerful energy of Shiva,” says Yegor, greeting with the traditional 'namaste' as he connects with Global Indian.

After his brief visit in 2019, just days before PM Modi laid the foundation stone for the grand Kashi Vishwanath temple, Yegor returned to Varanasi with Alesya in 2023 and again in 2024. "When Shiva calls, we come (to Varanasi),” smiles Yegor, while his friend nods in agreement. Both are members of Russian rock band Ciolkowska.

While 60,000 Indian tourists visited Russia in 2023, the figures, more or less have been the same, if not more when it comes to Russians visiting India for tourism. According to Indian embassy, there are about 14,000 Indians living in Russia.

Love for ghats

Hailing from St Petersburg, Yegor and Alesya are in awe of the various ghats in the temple town, especially the Assi ghat and Tulsi ghats, where they have given several live performances. If not, they would simply sit for hours at the ghat gazing at the shimmering waters of the holy Ganga.

The moment Yegor's fingers begin to glide over his acoustic guitar, it would captivate the random audience almost instantly. Alesya only complimented him with a ukulele.

Yegor Svysokikhgor | Global Indian

Yegor's skilful renditions of Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here and Nirvana’s Come As You Are or the other slow-tempo covers of Bob Marley, Deep Purple, Bob Dylan and the Beatles used to be a hit with the locals, even those who knew nothing about music.

“We have our original Russian songs but the language is not understood in India. Many people ask me to sing Bollywood songs or Punjabi songs, I quickly pass on the microphone to them and play along on the guitar if someone wanted to sing,” smiles Yegor, who would keep a donation box at the venue for anyone interested in donating money voluntarily.

Video in Russian

Besides entertaining people, the Russian couple ended up making a video highlighting all the important places, including temples and ghats of Varanasi, in Russian language, which was a first.

This video comes handy for many Russians who intend to undertake a visit to the holy city, which is also called Kashi and Banaras. “When we came to Varanasi, we searched for information about Ghats in Varanasi in Russian language but could not find one. We decided to do something about this. We took the help of a local and made a video about Varanasi in Russian,” informs Yegor.

Friendly people

Yegor says that during each of his visit, he met good people in Varanasi. “People in Kashi (Varanasi) are friendly and kind. They understand, feel and love music. They are smart and enlightened. Overall, people in Varanasi are very different when compared to other places,” says the repeat visitor to the holy city.

Yegor, who has been visiting the holy city since 2019, has witnessed the city’s fast-paced growth under PM Modi, who has been elected for the third consecutive time from his constituency of Varanasi this year.

From improved infrastructure to cleanliness, renovation and expansion of Kashi Vishwanath temple and restoration works of the ghats — Varanasi has come a long way, making it a global destination.

According to the tourism department, about 53.8 million tourists visited Varanasi in 2023, of which 13,700 were foreign guests, mostly from the US, UK and Europe.

Visit to Amarnath

During his India visit in 2023, Yegor and Alesya undertook the Amarnath Yatra as well. “It was very difficult to get permission for the Amarnath Yatra. We spent more time and power for this. I spoke to the local police chief and convinced him why it’s important for us to visit Amarnath. Finally, he allowed us,” recalls the musician. He says the power and energy he felt in Amarnath was similar to Kashi Vishwanath.

Besides Amarnath, the musical duo visited Delhi, Goa, Tamil Nadu, Mumbai, Dharamsala, Shimla in Himachal Pradesh besides Punjab, Ladakh, Bodh Gaya, Puri in Odisha among other places.

Modi's Varanasi

Prior to 2014, the year Narendra Modi stormed to power, Varanasi with 3.7 million population was chaotic, with crumbling infrastructure. Its congested roads filled with filth, its poor upkeep of touristy places, its haphazard traffic and little visible beautification or developmental works, made for an unpleasant experience for tourists.

All of that started to change once Modi, also an ardent Lord Shiva devotee, took over and kept a close watch on all the developmental activities in his constituency.

Prior to the revamp of Kashi Vishwanath corridor, the temple was limited to 3,000 square feet. Once completed and inaugurated by Modi in December 2021, the temple spread over by about 5 lakh feet, attracting tourists. The temple has been destroyed and rebuilt over the centuries.

Modi in Moscow

Modi's visit to Moscow marks his first trip to Russia since the country's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

During the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit, Modi and Putin assessed and exchanged a wide spectrum of multifaceted relations between the two nations and exchange perspectives on current regional and global issues of mutual concern.

Ciolkowska

Ciolkowska was born in 2012 with four band members led by Yegor. Alesya joined the band a year later on ukulele. They released their debut EP “Pistolet Buduschego” on Russian Association of Independent Genres (R.A.I.G.) records in 2015.

The album was well received, especially during the Europe tour. In 2016, the band released its second album “AvtomatProshlogo” and played main stage at Moscow and SPB psych fests. In 2018, they toured with Transnadeznost in Europe. Two years later, they released the third album “Psychedelia.” Yegor informs the band will be releasing their fourth album soon.

“My dream was to perform on the streets and clubs of Indian cities. Varanasi allowed me to fulfill it,” says the talented musician.

Ukraine’s Vijaya Bai: How Viktoria Burenkova promotes Bharatanatyam in Kyiv

(November 3, 2023) Viktoria Burenkova, who goes by the stage name Vijaya Bai, is a passionate Bharatanatyam dancer and teacher based in Kyiv, Ukraine. Even during the tough times of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, she's kept the spirits of her students and herself high through Bharatanatyam. Viktoria deeply connects with the soul of this ancient Indian dance form and has been pouring her heart into it. For the last ten years, she's been a key figure at Nakshatra, a dance school started by the famous dancer Ganna Smirnova Rajhans. The school even got recognized as a 'National Studio' by Ukraine's Ministry of Culture. “My father chose the stage name 'Vijaya' for me, as 'Viktoria' and 'Vijaya' have the same meaning (victory)," she shares with Global Indian while connecting from Ukraine. Her father, who has once visited India, holds a deep fascination for yoga and Indian classical culture, a passion that he and Victoria's mother shared long before the birth of their two daughters. [caption id="attachment_46472" align="aligncenter" width="900"] Viktoria Burenkova[/caption] Born and raised in Kyiv, the talented dancer has deep affection for India, a place that she is yet to visit. "From our earliest days, our lives were steeped in classical music,

"aligncenter" width="900"] Indian Art and Culture | Viktoria Burenkova | Global Indian Viktoria Burenkova[/caption]

Born and raised in Kyiv, the talented dancer has deep affection for India, a place that she is yet to visit. "From our earliest days, our lives were steeped in classical music, dance, and yoga. Our natural affinity for these Indian arts grew organically," she remarks.

Carrying forward the legacy

Viktoria holds a deep sense of gratitude towards her guru, Ganna Smirnova Rajhans, who introduced the art of Bharatanatyam not only to Viktoria and her sister when they were just seven and five years old but also to their mother. Due to Ganna's extensive international commitments, the responsibility of managing her dance school and studio, Nakshatra, fell upon her accomplished student, Viktoria. With Ganna's relocation to the UK owing to the war, the entire onus now rests on Viktoria's capable shoulders. Her guru is more than impressed with the way Viktoria has skilfully carried forward the legacy.

"One of the most rewarding facets is our ability to stage dance dramas in the Ukrainian language, incorporating Bharatanatyam hand gestures that visually convey the narrative,” Viktoria tells Global Indian about Nakshatra. The approach, she says, allows their mainly Ukrainian audience to comprehend and appreciate the ‘hasta’ language, because they don’t know any Sanskrit. “Our dance dramas are presented in such a way that they do not pose a challenge to the Ukrainian audience in following the storyline."

[caption id="attachment_46480" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Indian Art and Culture | Viktoria Burenkova | Global Indian Nakshatra Team[/caption]

Nakshatra has been also connecting with its audiences through a series of video lessons and master classes available on their YouTube channel. “Our online classes are open to anyone in the world as long as they are eager to dance,” Viktoria remarks. The option has been a blessing to many students who live outside of Ukraine and to those who had to leave the country because of the war. “Irrespective of circumstances our classes have always been on schedule,” she says.

Bharatanatyam amidst war

Talking about the current situation in Ukraine, she says, “It varies depending on the region. We all believe that God is with Ukraine and the victory of Ukraine is predetermined.” As an educator and performer, Viktoria has faced challenging moments in the past year, but has never given up on her passion and purpose of life due to the moral support of her family, her Guru, and the entire Nakshatra community.

“The Embassy of India in Ukraine has always supported all the activities and initiatives of Nakshatra. We feel very honoured to be part of cultural events and celebrations organised by the Embassy,” says Viktoria.

Dance classes have been the most constant part of my life for so many years. So in many ways for me and for Nakshatra students the art has been a huge moral and psychological support during the hard times. We restarted the classes online two-three weeks after Russia invaded Ukraine. Ever since it has been either online or offline depending upon the situation but we have never stopped.

The performer and teacher has received several recognitions for her craft but what she finds most fulfilling is that her students continue to attend the classes even during the turmoil, enjoy the art even in these trying times, and have not stopped exploring its wonders.

Bharatanatyam is life

Viktoria has devoted her entire life to Bharatanatyam. “My entire life is structured around Bharatanatyam. My schedule, plans, and goals are all centred on it,” she says, adding, “Even the modest sewing skills that I have are dedicated to stitching dance uniforms for classes and costumes for performances.”

[caption id="attachment_46479" align="aligncenter" width="617"] Indian Art and Culture | Viktoria Burenkova | Global Indian Viktoria Burenkova during a training session[/caption]

Although she finds performing in public ‘amazing’, dancing in solitude is an ‘absolutely surreal experience’ for her that she savours. “I have tried Kuchipudi as well but my heart always felt that Bharatanatyam is the dance I want to continue pursuing lifelong.”

The performer prefers group performances over solo. “Whenever we organise programmes, my mother says 'Vika, do a solo at least once.' It always brings a smile to my face looking at her desire as a parent to see me perform solo, even when she understands how much I cherish dancing in a group.”

Apart from ‘feeling truly blessed’ to have found such a ‘world-renowned guru’, Viktoria acknowledges her parents' pivotal roles. She credits her father for initiating their Bharatanatyam journey by seeking out a teacher in Kyiv for both her and her sister. Moreover, when her guru entrusted her with the role of a teacher, her father's knowledge of Sanskrit and Yoga proved invaluable for translating and comprehending the Sanskrit texts used in dance pieces. Her mother has always provided support, constantly believing in Viktoria and offering valuable guidance.

Love for India

While Viktoria has yet to set foot in India, she had started learning Hindi at the age of 18, followed by a bit of Telugu. Currently, she is also in the process of acquiring proficiency in Punjabi.

India has an outstanding culture that is deep, spiritual, and meaningful in so many ways. Every note, every musical instrument, and every ornament has such a profound meaning connected to the structure of the Universe. It is absolutely astounding and I wish more people could see, understand, and experience all the aspects of culture, which my father so correctly calls a 'Universal' one.

Viktoria’s biggest goal is to keep working, keep dancing, and keep promoting the art of Bharatanatyam in Ukraine. “By God's grace, the community of classical dancers and the understanding of the true meaning behind the art will continue to grow in Ukraine as well as in the world,” she says.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q48hGFPDUzc

Currently all the students attending Nakshatra’s offline classes are Ukrainians. Before the war the student group was more diverse with Indians in Ukraine attending the classes as well. “Hopefully, soon we will have Indians coming back to Kyiv and joining the classes,” signs off Viktoria.

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

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

eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality.

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

Humble beginnings

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

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

His first job, and confronting apartheid

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Big Break: Electrifying South Africa’s Townships

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

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

Diversifying His Empire

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

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

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

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

Mentorship from Nelson Mandela

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

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

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

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

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

Philanthropy: A Commitment to Uplifting Communities

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

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

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

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

Legacy

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

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

Reading Time: 10 minutes