Global IndianstoryRemembering former PM Dr Manmohan Singh, the architect of Brand India’s growth story

Remembering former PM Dr Manmohan Singh, the architect of Brand India’s growth story

Compiled by: Darshana Ramdev

(December 28, 2024) In June 1991, amidst the backdrop of an unprecedented economic crisis, Dr. Manmohan Singh was at home in Delhi, having just returned from a conference in the Netherlands. The call came late at night—a harbinger of a decision that would change the trajectory of India’s economic history. P.C. Alexander, a close aide of Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao, informed Singh’s family that the Prime Minister wanted to meet him immediately. Singh, then the Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC), did not immediately grasp the significance of the summons.

“I didn’t take it seriously,” Singh later recounted. However, by June 21, he found himself at Rashtrapati Bhavan, taking the oath of office as India’s Finance Minister. Reflecting on the moment, the Global Indian said, “Everybody was surprised to see me as a member of the new team lined up to take the oath of office.” With this appointment, Narasimha Rao and Manmohan Singh embarked on a journey that would dismantle the restrictive Licence Raj and usher India into the era of liberalization.

The gentleman politician, and the architect of India’s market-economy reforms passed away on December 26, 2024, at the age of 92. Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the former PM’s passing as a “setback to the whole nation,” adding. “His life is an example for future generations regarding how we can rise above struggles and achieve greater heights. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Manmohan Singh one of the ‘greatest champions of the US-India strategic partnership,’ saying his “work laid the foundation for much of what our countries have accomplished together in the past two decades.” “India has lost one of its most illustrious sons,” wrote former Afghan President Hamid Karzai, in a heartfelt tribute to Dr Singh.

Manmohan Singh | Global Indian

Early Life and Academic Brilliance

Manmohan Singh was born on September 26, 1932, in Gah, a village in the Punjab province of British India (now in Pakistan). Orphaned at a young age, Singh was raised by his grandmother. His upbringing instilled in him a sense of discipline and a hunger for knowledge, traits that defined his illustrious career. After excelling in his early education, Singh pursued higher studies in economics at Panjab University, earning both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees with distinction.

In 1957, Singh graduated from St. John’s College at the University of Cambridge, completing his Economics Tripos with first-class honors. He credited his Cambridge mentors, Joan Robinson and Nicholas Kaldor, for shaping his understanding of economics and fostering his interest in development and equity. His academic journey continued at Nuffield College, Oxford, where he earned his D.Phil. in 1962. His doctoral thesis on India’s export performance became the foundation for his later work on trade and policy.

Building an Exemplary Bureaucratic Career

Upon returning to India, Singh began his career as a lecturer at Panjab University and later at the Delhi School of Economics, inspiring countless students with his depth of knowledge and passion for teaching. However, academia was just the starting point of his journey. In 1966, Singh joined the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), where he gained invaluable experience in global trade policy.

Manmohan Singh | Global Indian

By the early 1970s, Singh had transitioned into Indian government service, assuming the role of Chief Economic Advisor in the Ministry of Finance. Over the next two decades, he held a series of key positions, including Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, and Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission. These roles honed his expertise in navigating complex economic challenges and prepared him for the pivotal moment in 1991 when he was called upon to rescue India from its financial crisis.

Manmohan Singh’s tenure as RBI Governor from 1982 to 1985 was particularly noteworthy. Under his leadership, the institution implemented policies to stabilize inflation and maintain fiscal discipline. His subsequent appointment as Secretary-General of the South Commission in Geneva further cemented his reputation as a leading economist on the global stage.

The Economic Crisis and Bold Reforms

The India of 1991 faced a dire economic crisis. Foreign exchange reserves had dwindled to just $1 billion, barely sufficient to cover two weeks of imports. Inflation was in double digits, the fiscal deficit hovered around 8.5% of GDP, and international lenders had stopped extending credit. The Reserve Bank of India had even pledged 46.91 tonnes of gold to raise $400 million to avert bankruptcy.

Upon taking charge, Singh explained the gravity of the situation to the Prime Minister and the Congress Party. Facing resistance within his own ranks, Singh and P. Chidambaram argued that without deregulation, the economy would collapse. With Narasimha Rao’s backing, Singh initiated sweeping economic reforms, dismantling the Licence Raj that had long stifled entrepreneurship. “We’re no longer afraid of the future,” Singh declared during his budget speech, signaling a decisive shift towards liberalization.

Singh’s reforms included reducing state control, cutting import tariffs, and opening up sectors to foreign investment. The economy began to stabilize, and these measures set the stage for India’s transformation into a global economic powerhouse. Despite resistance from critics, such as the Bombay Club, Singh’s policies revived industrial growth and fiscal discipline. P. Chidambaram likened Singh’s role in India’s reforms to Deng Xiaoping’s in China.

Dr Manmohan Singh

Prime Ministerial Years: Growth and Challenges

After serving as Finance Minister until 1996, Singh’s political career took another turn when he became India’s Prime Minister in 2004, following Sonia Gandhi’s decision to step aside. Singh’s tenure as the 14th Prime Minister was marked by significant legislative achievements, including the Right to Information Act, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA), and the establishment of the Unique Identification Authority of India.

Economic growth during Singh’s first term was robust, averaging 8% annually. However, his government faced criticism for corruption scandals, including the 2G spectrum allocation controversy. Singh, often accused of silence in the face of such allegations, famously remarked, “I honestly hope history would be kinder to me than the contemporary media.”

The Indo-US Civil Nuclear Agreement defined his second term, nearly costing his government its majority. Despite the Left Front’s withdrawal of support, Singh’s leadership ensured the survival of the coalition. His quiet resolve was evident when he stated in 2008, “We are all birds of passage… it is our duty to be honest and sincere in the discharge of these responsibilities.”

Manmohan Singh | Global Indian

A Legacy of Transformation

Dr. Manmohan Singh’s career spanned academia, bureaucracy, and politics, leaving an indelible mark on India’s economic and political landscape. As Finance Minister, he steered the country away from economic collapse; as Prime Minister, he championed inclusive growth. His policies not only stabilized the economy but also laid the groundwork for India’s integration into the global market.

Even as detractors tried to demean him, Singh’s steadfast commitment to ethical governance earned him widespread respect. Reflecting on his journey, Singh’s measured words to Mark Tully encapsulated his humility: “That’s how I started in politics.”

Today, as India continues to build on the foundations of the 1991 reforms, Dr. Singh’s legacy endures as a testament to the power of quiet determination and visionary leadership.

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Published on 28, Dec 2024

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The desi Spice Girl: Urvashi Roe puts Gujarati food on Britain’s culinary map and in bookstores

(December 14, 2023) A passionate cook who holds a challenging corporate job, Urvashi Roe is the author of Biting Biting, based on Gujarati cuisine. Born in Dodoma, Tanzania, growing up in the UK, studying in Germany and France, Urvashi Roe had a sheltered upbringing with a close family and relatives always milling around. An early love for food was instilled in her with home-cooked traditional Gujarati food like dal, bhaath, rotli and shaak – dal, rice, chapati and vegetable curry. In an exclusive with Global Indian, Urvashi recalls, “I was raised in a sheltered environment, and we only ever ate what mom made at home. When I went to study in Germany and later, France, it opened up a whole new world of food for me. Until then, I might have eaten a pizza maybe three or four times in my life.” [caption id="attachment_47486" align="aligncenter" width="388"] Urvashi Roe[/caption] The Original Spice Girl Still, cooking her own kind of food while at university was a challenge. She says, “As kids, we begged our parents for cheese sandwiches to take to school as that was considered normal. But, when I actually started eating cheese sandwiches, I found them very boring and craved

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The Original Spice Girl

Still, cooking her own kind of food while at university was a challenge. She says, “As kids, we begged our parents for cheese sandwiches to take to school as that was considered normal. But, when I actually started eating cheese sandwiches, I found them very boring and craved spice. I would add chevro [chivda] and green chutney or lasun ni chutney to spice it up.” Additionally, she had learnt to cook quantities that would suffice for at least 15-20 people, given her large family. So, when she had to cook only for herself, it took her a while to whittle down portions of ingredients.

Familiar with cooking, as her mother insisted that Urvashi and her two sisters learn how to cook, exposure to the different breads of Germany, and the many desserts of France only fanned Urvashi’s love for food. She however, credits her husband Tone with exposing her to various cuisines which led to her experimenting with styles and ingredients. He is British, and they first met in England on a training course before living together in Japan for four years. She continues to keep a regular day job and has held various marketing roles. She currently works with one of the world's top four management consultancies looking after digital transformation. She loves her work too, but outside of that she says, "Food takes centre stage." Her husband, Tone was a chef when they first met, and has introduced her to various other foods during their travels together. "On my 40^th birthday I made a list of 40 new things I’d do as I didn’t want to get boring in middle age. One thing led to another and on a whim, I applied to participate in the Great British Bake Off and was chosen as one of the 12 finalists," she says. This was back in 2011, when the show wasn't as big a deal as it is now, but it served its purpose as a launchpad. "I started my blog, got on social media, started working with brands, doing demos on stage and running supper clubs. It was fantastic," she smiles.

Journey from Cafés to Supper Clubs

Then, Urvashi Roe also took a chance on running the café at her local library in Enfield, where she lives. She recalls, “I had taken a break from work to settle my girls into secondary school, but was getting a bit bored with freelance writing. I saw the notice inviting people to apply for the contract for running the café. I applied and I won the tender. At The Library Café, I wanted to create a community space that served eco-friendly coffee made well. I sourced everything for the café locally, including the staff; a few things came from further afield, like vegetables from Europe and on occasion, special ingredients from India and the Far East. The menu I created had everything made fresh everyday – good, homemade food; nothing was pre-packaged. We had a soup of the day, salads, cakes, sandwiches as you’d expect from a café, but specials included Channa Masala on toast or dal with fresh baked naan…. And because I feel strongly about breast-feeding mothers, we always had a table available for them to sit down and freshly pureed vegetables for them to feed their babies. But I’d never run a food business before, and towards the end, I got sucked into the non-creative part of running the café and that was not what I’d wanted. So, when the contract came to an end, I didn’t renew it.”

[caption id="attachment_47463" align="aligncenter" width="382"] The Library Café[/caption]

Urvashie says she learnt a lot from the experience. “I learnt to say no and the value of time management. Now I cherry pick assignments outside of my corporate job and only do work that adds value and is meaningful for me. I get several offers from brands to develop recipes for them, but I say no because the purpose and brand fit needs to align with my values and aspirations. For example, working with a hotel to curate a Gujarati menu based on the book would be right up my street, but creating recipe cards to force fit an ingredient I rarely use, would not. I would rather organise a supper club for charity, because I enjoy feeding people and seeing them enjoy Gujarati food they have never tasted before.”

Biting into Books

Writing a book, Urvashi reiterates was always going to be a part of her culinary journey. She says, “It was frustrating that books on Indian food here were always generic and few explored regional cuisines. Additionally, Gujarati food is very simple, and there is often zero wastage as we recycle the leftovers into new dishes. I wanted to showcase that frugal, no-waste culture as well, because in Britain, I see so much food going waste.”

The book, titled Biting Biting, which reads like a memoir almost, is replete with fond memories of her relatives, some of whom have even inspired her own cooking styles. It is unpretentious in its vocabulary, with Urvashi sticking to the Gujarati names of the dishes, though an explanation in English follows right after. Uncles, aunts, cousins, grandparents… the warmth of these connections which shape who we become are generously mentioned in the book. She even attributes a few recipes to the ones who made them.

[caption id="attachment_47461" align="aligncenter" width="386"] Biting Biting[/caption]

From batata vada to bhakarvadi, patras to dhoklas and dabeli and other farsan items, main course dishes and lots of tips to help amateurs, the book is a like a close friend nudging you to start cooking. Recipes range from snacks that can be had with drinks, to ones that are a throwback to Indian street food; as well as those made from leftovers. And because she herself likes to experiment with ingredients and methods, there are some that are a medley of cultures, tastes, and ingredients, thrown in.

There is gentle humour too, in describing the Gujarati community, and she has even made fun of herself. The dhokla recipe has ingredients listed as ‘serves two, or one greedy Urvashi’.

With a book on Gujarati food finally on the bookshelves in Britain, where does Urvashi see culinary trends headed? She says, “I think the concept of eating comfort food is never going to go away. If a restaurant can serve comfort food cooked well, like a simple dal and rice, it would continue to strike a chord with people. Though it sounds simple, it is really hard, especially since people like to over-complicate everything. I really hope that people always have places to go where they can eat what gives them comfort, at any time of day with any cuisine.”

[caption id="attachment_47462" align="aligncenter" width="474"] Urvashi with her husband and daughters[/caption]

She believes that just like yoga and meditation are now global wellness practices, eating with mindfulness is a growing trend towards personal well-being. “People are always in a rush when they eat nowadays, and I feel that we are moving back to being a bit more intentional about what we put into our bodies; and eating at a pace that enables us to truly savour the food but also the benefits it brings.”

While travelling, Urvashi likes to eat at:

The Fish Market in Essaouira, Morocco – it’s the most beautiful place with a freshly caught fish cooked over ramshackle grills served simply with tomato and onion salad and great Moroccan bread.
The Bombay Canteen in Mumbai – I always make a stop here on work trips to the city. Last time the Seabass Ceviche Papri Chaat blew me away!
The Grand Central Oyster Bar in New York – I love the old charm of the location and the hustle of sitting at the bar slurping oysters from all over the US.
Maison Marou in Ho Chi Minh city – One of my favourite patisseries in the world! The chocolate and coffee are sourced from Vietnam and the Paris Brest is divine.
Tempura Kaneko Hannasuke in Nihombashi in Tokyo– A traditional tempura place in an old wooden building amidst modern skyscrapers and it serves the best tempura sets in the city for about $10.

Follow Urvashi Roe on Instagram.

Aparna Chennapragada: Indian-American woman spearheading generative AI at Microsoft

(October 18, 2023) "I've always thrived on building and scaling products that combine deep foundational technology and intuitive user experience to solve customer problems -- whether it is Search that instantly finds relevant information, Assistant that you can talk to, or Google Lens that lets you search what you see," wrote Indian-American tech veteran Aparna Chennapragada on her LinkedIn as she graciously accepted the new position of Corporate Vice President at Microsoft. She recently stepped down as chief product officer of stock trading app Robinhood. Indian Americans are increasingly making significant strides in various prominent companies, owing to their exceptional talent and contributions. With a strong emphasis on education and a culture that values hard work and innovation, many Indian Americans have risen to prominent roles in the corporate world. This trend is particularly evident in the tech industry as leaders have not only shattered glass ceilings but have also played pivotal roles in driving innovation and growth for their respective organisations. And Aparna Chennapragada is yet another Indian American who has jumped on the bandwagon of Microsoft to help accelerate its generative AI initiatives. The IIT-Madras alumnus, who later moved to the US for her MS in Computer Science

da is yet another Indian American who has jumped on the bandwagon of Microsoft to help accelerate its generative AI initiatives.

The IIT-Madras alumnus, who later moved to the US for her MS in Computer Science at the University of Texas, was always interested in technology that could transform lives. Interested in building software, she joined her first job as a software engineer in 1999. After gaining experience for a decade, she had the thirst to learn more and enrolled in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's System Design and Management program, where she won third place in the MIT Venture Capital Competition 2008.

This led her to the doors of Google in 2008 where started as a product manager and in a span of 12 years made it to the Vice President of the company. "The biggest exciting moment for me is the combination of data and algorithms with useful user problems like looking for information to buy something. Everyone needs information on the go, and you need quick and bite-sized answers. Phones are turning into remote controls for our daily lives," she said in an interview.

Aparna Chennapragada | Global Indian

But now with AI taking over in almost every area of life, Aparna will be spearheading the generative AI initiatives within Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Designer. "Every few decades, there is a key shift in computing e.g., PC, the internet, mobile, and most recently AI that opens new possibilities for new helpful products. Just like mobile redefined areas such as news and navigation, I believe that generative AI has the potential to redefine creativity and productivity," she said, adding, "With generative AI, there is an opportunity to build products that instantly and easily bring your intent and imagination to life. That's why I am super excited to share that I am joining Microsoft as Corporate VP leading efforts on AI-first creation experiences, across #Microsoft365 and #MicrosoftDesigner.

Before her tenure at Microsoft, Chennapragada held positions at various organizations, including Robinhood, Google, eBay, and Akamai Technologies. Her journey at Google began as a product manager, eventually culminating in her role as Vice President and General Manager overseeing consumer shopping operations across the company. She also spearheaded augmented reality (AR) and visual search products, including Lens. Her impressive stint at the tech giant spanned over 12 years.

Additionally, she served as a board member at Capital One, a financial institution offering a wide range of financial products and services to consumers, small businesses, and commercial clients.

This action occurs within the context of a fierce rivalry in the artificial intelligence sector between Google and Microsoft. Chennapragada's appointment follows a trend of Indian-American experts assuming significant positions at Microsoft. Previously, Rohini Srivathsa took on the role of Chief Technology Officer at Microsoft India and South Asia in September, and in August, Puneet Chandok was named Microsoft's Corporate Vice President for India and South Asia.

Praising Satya Nadella, the CEO of Microsoft, with whom she had conversations in the last few months, Aparna has come to appreciate "his vision to empower people and organizations across the world using." "I'm looking forward to diving in and putting AI to use to unleash our collective creativity," she wrote in the LinkedIn post.

Follow Aparna Chennapragada on LinkedIn

Reading Time: 4 min

Shobha Tharoor Srinivasan: From first Amul baby to her mom’s biographer

(June 30, 2023) “My family’s association with the Amul brand is intensely personal,” wrote Shashi Tharoor, Member of Parliament in one of his gripping articles. Elaborating on the association he shared, “Way back in 1961, Amul’s advertising agency, ASP (Advertising & Sales Promotion Ltd), was looking for a baby to front their milk powder in a first-of-its-kind ad campaign. They went through hundreds of pictures of babies – 712, to be exact – until ASP’s creative head, Sylvester da Cunha, asked my father, his friend and Secretary of the Advertising Club of Bombay: “you have a baby too, don’t you? Mind if you show me a picture?” Shashi Tharoor reminisced talking about how his sister Shobha Tharoor Srinivasan became a model when she was just 10-months-old. Senior Tharoor shared Shobha’s picture with Sylvester da Cunha and the rest is history. “My sister Shobha became the first-ever Amul baby,” remarked the proud brother, who is known for his gift for words. No less of a wordsmith herself, Shobha Tharoor Srinivasan is a celebrated children’s book author and has churned several books for top publishing houses in India and the US. She brought her mother into limelight when Penguin launched her first

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No less of a wordsmith herself, Shobha Tharoor Srinivasan is a celebrated children’s book author and has churned several books for top publishing houses in India and the US. She brought her mother into limelight when Penguin launched her first book outside her world of children’s literature - a biography on her mother, Lily Tharoor.

[caption id="attachment_40898" align="aligncenter" width="535"] Indian Author | Shobha Tharoor Srinivasan | Global Indian Shobha Tharoor Srinivasan[/caption]

Good Innings: The Extraordinary, Ordinary Life of Lily Tharoor, has received rave reviews and garnered immense curiosity among readers to get a peek into the life of the Tharoors. “This story is definitely a tribute to my mother, but it’s not just that. It’s a tribute to all you women, your mothers, our mothers, our grandmothers, our sisters who hold up our part of the sky,” remarked Shobha at a literary event in Kolkata.

The California-based author is also a poet, translator, editor and has been a former non-profit development professional spending two decades as an advocate and fundraiser for persons with disabilities. A celebrated voice-over talent, she received the National Award for best narration / voice over for the film Rhapsody of Rains: Monsoons of Kerala at the 68th National Film Awards ceremony by President Droupadi Murmu in 2022.

Coming out of comfort zone

When Penguin approached Shobha Tharoor Srinivasan with a request to pen a biography on her mother, she was hesitant. Undoubtedly, her well-travelled mother has lived a remarkable life motivating her children (Shashi Tharoor, Shobha Tharoor Srinivasan and Smita Tharoor) to think out of the box and reach their maximum potential, but ‘would we like to put all that in a book’ she wondered.

The fiercely self-dependant octogenarian, Lily Tharoor is a strong matriarch who believes that ‘the only ground that is stable enough to stand on is the one created by your own hand’. She has had her own share of tragedies, travails and triumphs, but Shobha was unsure to document those.

However, Penguin was persistent. Looking at the journey of the feisty octogenarian who renewed her driving license at 82, and was forthcoming enough to support her son atop the election campaign vehicles, had raised an interest in them to chronicle her life. Finally, Shobha gave in to their request encouraged by her brother who later wrote the foreword of the book.

[caption id="attachment_40901" align="aligncenter" width="863"] Indian Author | Shobha Tharoor Srinivasan | Global Indian Shobha Tharoor Srinivasan with her siblings Smita Tharoor and Shashi Tharoor[/caption]

“When I presented the book to my mother, she said, why you have written a book on me. What have I done that needs a book? You should’ve have written about your brother,” shared Shobha.

The author knew that there are many people who could write a book on Shashi Tharoor as he is a public figure but Lily Tharoor’s story could only be written by her children who have seen the marvels of the lady and her amazing everyday story unfolding before their eyes.

“My mother thought it was criminal not to live up to our full potential,” Shobha shared and used the book as an opportunity to inspire younger generation to ‘grow and act’.

Storyteller’s voice matters

“I have been a ‘storyteller’ and communicator all my adult life writes Shobha on her website. In both India and the United States, Shobha’s voice has been used in documentaries, advertisements, corporate training manuals, stage productions, travelogues, educational and journalistic projects, and audio books.

Before becoming a voice over talent, the Global Indian spent two decades in the non-profit sector serving people with disabilities as a grant writer. Even as a grant writer, she utilised the power of words and stories to attract funders to programs they wished to support.

[caption id="attachment_40910" align="aligncenter" width="601"] Indian Author | Shobha Tharoor Srinivasan | Global Indian Shobha Tharoor Srinivasan receiving award from President Droupadi Murmu[/caption]

“I take this same love of words to my writing and voice career,” she shared. As the voice over talent with a natural and elegant speaking style and a global accent, Shobha has been the perfect choice for Silicon Valley companies looking for a voice to showcase their products and for their training manuals. While her books are part of some of the school curricula.

Shobha has a home studio in Campbell, California from where she delivers many of her voice-over assignments for all types of media - from individuals to small businesses to large broadcasting organisations.

Miss Calcutta’s journey of life

Raised with the awareness of their Kerala heritage, Shobha spent the early years of her life in many places. “I was the responsible middle child with an overachieving older brother and a mischievous, younger sister so my childhood was full of learning and fun,” she said in one of the interviews. “We were diasporic Malayalees as my parents had lived from a young age away from their roots in Kerala, including abroad in London,” she remarked.

From a very young age, Shobha had developed an immense love for literature and acted in Shakespeare and Osborne plays during a pan-Indian childhood, without missing summer vacation in Kerala every year. “We were raised to be as comfortable eating with our fingers on a plantain leaf as we were dining at the table with appropriate cutlery,” she shared.

[caption id="attachment_40903" align="aligncenter" width="730"] Indian Author | Shobha Tharoor Srinivasan | Global Indian Shobha Tharoor Srinivasan with her parents and siblings when they were young[/caption]

During her teenage years the family was living in Kolkata. Her mother always encouraged Shobha and her siblings to make every minute count by delving in not just academics but a wide array of activities - dramatic arts to tennis to French classes. When Miss Calcutta contest happened, she sent both her daughters – Shobha and Smita to participate with the intuitive wisdom that they would be able to fair well. And, she was right, While Shobha got crowned as Miss Calcutta, her younger sister ended up being the first runner up.

After leading a protected teenage life in Calcutta, Shobha moved to the US for higher studies. Starting from her bachelor’s studies there she went on to complete her master’s in English at Syracuse University. It was during those days that she met the guy who would be her husband, married him and settled in California. It has been four decades since then. Regular visits to India for work and family commitments continues. The multi-talented author and voiceover artist considers herself more of a ‘global citizen than an Indian or Indian-American'.

From the Archives:

[caption id="attachment_40904" align="alignnone" width="355"] Indian Author | Shobha Tharoor Srinivasan | Global Indian Shobha Tharoor Srinivasan as the first Amul baby[/caption]

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Reading Time: 5 mins

Saare Jahan Se Achha: Space pioneer Rakesh Sharma’s story evokes national pride

(September 4, 2023) “I think I was born a little early because I’m already 75 and the remarkable era of space exploration programmes begins now but as an Indian, I join my hands and congratulate ISRO for the great success,” said cosmonaut Rakesh Sharma, on the success of Chandrayaan-3 mission while speaking to National Geographic. Whenever people talk about important milestones in India's space exploration, the name of Rakesh Sharma is bound to come up. It's a name that no well-informed Indian can ever forget. Though many Indian-origin people have gone to space; in the population of 1.4 billion people, Rakesh Sharma remains the first and the only Indian citizen so far to have achieved this feat. The conversation between astronaut Rakesh Sharma and the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi while he was in space is still widely remembered. His response, 'Saare Jahan Se Achha' (better than the entire world), when she asked how India looked from space, became a source of pride for the entire country. This interaction contributed to Rakesh Sharma's status as a national hero. [caption id="attachment_44465" align="aligncenter" width="535"] Rakesh Sharma[/caption] From space the world seems borderless “When you go into the space, the first thing you

ational hero.

[caption id="attachment_44465" align="aligncenter" width="535"] Indian Heroes | Rakesh Sharma | Global Indian Rakesh Sharma[/caption]

From space the world seems borderless

“When you go into the space, the first thing you do when you look out from the window is to look for your country. You say, ‘yes, it’s quite like what the Geography books have said’. After seeing it over and over again when you shift your focus, you look at the neighbouring countries and then you start realising from up there that boundaries are not visible – that they are man-made, and then you start developing that global outlook,” Rakesh Sharma told children when he visited one of the schools.

When you have the tricolour on your arms, your performance goes beyond your potential. It’s like having a purpose higher than yourself, and when you have that purpose, things become a lot easier.

Rakesh Sharma remarked

The trailblazer’s story

In January 1982, a decision was made that an Indian would go to space on a Soviet spacecraft. It was a joint mission of ISRO and the Soviet Interkosmos Space Programme.

This big decision inspired Squadron Leader Rakesh Sharma to volunteer for this tough mission. After a very careful selection process, including a thorough medical test, he was chosen as one of the two candidates to become astronauts from a group of 150 highly qualified Indian Air Force pilots.

Once he was selected, Sharma went through extensive astronaut training at the Yuri Gagarin Centre in the USSR. During this time, he showed strong dedication and commitment, which impressed the experts of the Soviet Space Programme. The Squadron Leader successfully finished a very tough training programme, standing out for his exceptional professionalism and great performance.

Then, on April 3rd, 1984, he scripted history by becoming the first Indian to complete a space mission in orbit. Throughout the joint Indo-Soviet Space Mission, he did all the planned scientific experiments and other tasks really well, showing impressive skill and excellence. Through his achievements, Rakesh Sharma not only earned his place among respected space pioneers but also brought a lot of honour and pride to the country.

[caption id="attachment_44469" align="aligncenter" width="796"] Indian Heroes | Rakesh Sharma | Global Indian Rakesh Sharm with his team members Yury Malyshev and Gennadi Strekalov[/caption]

It takes your breath away…

Right from his childhood Rakesh Sharma was captivated with the news of space. He followed every development related to space and the lives of the astronauts, oblivious of what the future beholds for him.

“There were no television sets then but our generation closely followed each and every information that they came across in the print media to know all about the astronaut training and experiences in space,” he told the school children.

I was the 128th guy in the world to go to space. By that time, there was already a lot of information available in the print, audio and visual media. So, I was pretty much prepared for what to expect but still, it takes your breath away when you go up there.

Rakesh Sharma shared

Sharma’s space odyssey

The first Indian citizen to travel into space accomplished the historic feat by embarking on a journey aboard the Soviet rocket Soyuz T-11, which was launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic on April 3, 1984. The spacecraft carried a crew that included Sharma, the ship's commander Yury Malyshev, and flight engineer Gennadi Strekalov to the Salyut 7 Orbital Station.

During his time aboard the Salyut 7, which lasted for 7 days, 21 hours, and 40 minutes, Sharma and his team conducted a range of scientific and technical studies. These encompassed 43 experimental sessions, with a primary focus on fields like bio-medicine and remote sensing.

In their celestial voyage, they captured mesmerising views of space in the absence of gravity.

The crew held joint television news conferences from space, connecting with officials in Moscow and India's Prime Minister at the time, Indira Gandhi. This mission made India the 14th nation to achieve the remarkable milestone of sending a human into outer space.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hfccr3KIWc&t=8s

All praise for ISRO

“ISRO was working on a very carefully crafted plan of the luminaries like Vikram Sarabhai who envisioned that all our efforts on space must have a socio-economic focus and everything must trickle down to the common man,” he said.

Speaking highly of ISRO, Sharma remarked, “It has never competed with any other nation, and has received spectacular success.”

Yoga and music in space

“One problem with space flight is that people can become less productive because of space sickness in the environment of zero gravity,” Rakesh Sharma mentioned.

While aboard, his other two Russian crew members followed their own training profile to address the space sickness issue but Rakesh Sharma had strong belief in Yoga.

“Two-three months before the launch of our space programme, I had stopped training as per their profile. I did only yoga. It was my way to check whether yoga would prove to be helpful in addressing the space sickness problem,” he remarked. “The other two were experienced cosmonauts so they adjusted pretty well to zero gravity and I being the first timer did not face any problem either,” added the Global Indian.

The crew was allowed to take one kilogram of personal stuff in space. The Russian astronauts carried a guitar while Sharma carried a cassette player and a cassette of his favourite music.

A naughty child

Rakesh Sharma was born on January 13, 1949, in Patiala, Punjab. Growing up in a modest household he had an affinity for flying from a young age.

He was a naughty child who often got punished by his teachers who made him stand at the back of the class.

After completing his schooling from St. George Grammar School, Hyderabad, and graduation from Nizam College, he joined the National Defence Academy (NDA) as an air force plebe. Subsequently he joined the Indian Air Force as a test pilot in 1970. Sharma was only 21 then.

Maths was never my favourite subject – English literature, English language and biology was. But during my test pilot training I did a master’s level aeronautical science course with mathematics as an important subject. Maths was coming out of my ears but I did manage to finish that course.

Sharma said in an interaction with children evoking laughter.

Difficulty in getting parents’ consent

Rakesh Sharma’s father worked for Punjab National Bank and later switched to state government service. His mother was an educationist. “I had difficulty in getting consent from my parents to allow me to fly fighter aircraft because we didn’t have any other family members in the air force except for a cousin of mine who had died in an air crash two months after he was commissioned,” he shared.

But looking at how adamant he was to join the Airforce, Sharma's parents gave in. However, his mother set a condition. “I want you to promise that you will be very good at what you are choosing because that will keep you ahead of the game, and that’s the only way you will be safe,” she said.

[caption id="attachment_44470" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Indian Heroes | Rakesh Sharma | Global Indian Rakesh Sharma[/caption]

Sharma's dedication and skill earned him the opportunity to fly various aircrafts. While serving as a military pilot, he participated in dangerous combat missions on board a MiG-21 aircraft during the 1971 Bangladesh War.

From fighter pilot to astronaut

Progressing through numerous levels, Sharma was promoted to the rank of squadron leader in the IAF.

It was his exceptional performance as a pilot that caught the attention of the authorities when the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) sought to send an Indian into space. In 1982, Rakesh Sharma was chosen for this historic mission.

If it hadn’t been for my career as a fighter pilot, I wouldn’t have gone to space. If I were to live my life again I would again try to become a fighter pilot. It still remains an interesting job with new verticals like automation and artificial intelligence added to it now.

Rakesh Sharma remarked

Awards and honours

After his return from space, Sharma was conferred the prestigious title of the Hero of the Soviet Union. He continues to hold the unique distinction of being the sole Indian recipient of this honour.

In India, Sharma and his two Soviet mission companions, Malyshev and Strekalov were honoured with the highest peacetime gallantry award, the 'Ashoka Chakra'.

Life after retirement

After retiring as a wing commander of the Indian Air Force, Sharma joined Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in 1987, assuming the role of chief test pilot at the HAL Nashik Division. In 1992 he moved on to HAL's Bangalore division. In 2001, his flying career came to an end.

Immediately after that, Sharma held the position of non-executive chairman at Cadila Labs, a company based in Bengaluru that specialises in innovative automation solutions. He also played a significant role in ISRO's Gaganyaan National Advisory Council, supervising the astronaut selection programme.

Sharma has been leading a life full of tranquillity in the quietude of Coonoor in Tamil Nadu with his wife, Madhu. They savour the pleasures of golfing, gardening, yoga, reading, watching films and listening to music which ranges from Hindustani classical, to western and Sufi numbers.

[caption id="attachment_44475" align="aligncenter" width="884"] Indian Heroes | Rakesh Sharma | Global Indian Rakesh Sharma during an interaction session with students[/caption]

Inspiration for all

Rakesh Sharma has extensively travelled across schools and colleges of India sharing his first-hand experience of being in space with youngsters.

Sharma's impact reverberates through the pages of history books and India's journey among the stars. He continues to symbolise boundless exploration of space and the aspirations of humanity.

Reading Time: 5 mins

Down the Cardamom Trail with chef Chetna Makan

(June 6, 2022) Chetna Makan was all set for a career in fashion, complete with a degree and experience with well-known fashion brands. She had even designed clothes for a couple of music videos and looked forward to her future in Mumbai. Marriage, however, changed it all when her husband, a doctor, decided to move to the UK for training. There, she discovered a love for baking. At 41, she’s a baker, cookbook author, YouTuber, chef and fashion designer, with a sixth book, Chetna's Easy Baking, to be out in June. The Indian chef tells Global Indian about her journey from Jabalpur to Great Britain and the transformations it brought to her life. [caption id="attachment_25318" align="aligncenter" width="626"] Chef Chetna Makhan, with all her books[/caption] Born in Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh, Chetna would dream of a glamorous life as a fashion designer. She certainly had the talent for it – always a good student, she moved to Mumbai when she was 17 to study at the National Institute of Fashion Technology. “After training for a few years, I ended up designing and working at a few companies,” Chetna says. Later, she joined Benzer, a Mumbai-brand known for ethnic fashion, western-formals, casuals

always a good student, she moved to Mumbai when she was 17 to study at the National Institute of Fashion Technology. “After training for a few years, I ended up designing and working at a few companies,” Chetna says. Later, she joined Benzer, a Mumbai-brand known for ethnic fashion, western-formals, casuals and even bridal wear. It was an exciting time – Chetna designed clothes for a couple of music videos, worked as a fashion stylist for a few magazines and even started her own label. “All in all, it was a great experience,” the Indian chef reflects.

In 2004, Chetna found herself moving to Broadstairs, Kent, in the UK, with her doctor husband. It was a big change and when her husband was away, Chetna began looking for ways to keep herself occupied, trying different things to find what she loved. As it turns out, she loves baking. First, she noticed her family enjoyed her creations and then praise began pouring in from friends. And slowly, a simple hobby turned into a passion.

The Great British Bake Off

In 2004, ten years after she first began dabbling with baking as a hobby, came the Great British Bake Off and with it, the start of a new career. “In 2014, I applied to be a part of the biggest baking show. Getting in became a turning point and it is how I began my career in food. It wasn’t actually a planned shift,” says the Indian chef.

[caption id="attachment_25322" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Indian chef | Chetna Makan | Global Indian Chetna in the green room with other bakers[/caption]

Being part of the show involved a rigorous, four-round elimination process. “It was nerve-wracking but an amazing experience on the whole,” Chetna recalls. “Being in the tent with the group was exciting, I made amazing friends and we are all in touch with each other still. The shoot went on for four weeks and each episode involved shooting for two days straight.” Her vibrant canapes blew the judges away and there has been no looking back since.

On the cook-book trail

Chetna’s earliest memories of the kitchen come from her childhood, when she would watch her mother cook, never once imagining that it would be her own profession one day. Later on, as she explored the kitchen in her own right, she found that she truly enjoyed the process of baking and cooking – it relaxed her. “I enjoy every step, from cooking to cleaning up afterwards. Feeding the people I love and watching them enjoy the food is very rewarding.” These personal experiences have found their way into The Cardamom Trail, Chetna’s first recipe-book.

[caption id="attachment_25319" align="aligncenter" width="703"] Indian chef | Chetna Makan | Global Indian Chetna with her first book, The Cardamom Trail[/caption]

Soon after emerging as a semi-finalist from the Great British Bake Off 2014, the Indian chef, who was now more confident in herself, made a pitch for her debut book, The Cardamom Trail. Described by the Evening Standard as "a sumptuously styled cookbook (that) brings to life Chetna's background in fashion and recipes infused with fragrant Indian spices," the book covers cakes, pies, tarts and breads. There's also information on Indian spices, scattered generously across the pages, made compelling by a warm narrative style that includes Chetna's own childhood memories. “The show gave me the confidence to experiment with Indian flavours and western baking. It also gave me a platform for my book.”

Two years in the making, The Cardamom Trail was published in 2016 and “is loosely based on what I did on the show,” the Indian chef says. “I knew Indian food as I grew up with it, and I love western bakes and I thought, why not combine those two and create something new and different. And that is what I tried to bring out.”

Since then, Chetna has published five more, with her 2020 book, Chetna's 30-minute Indian: Quick and Easy Everyday Meals receiving a great response. "We all have busy lives but that doesn’t mean we don’t want delicious food at the end of the day. I see people across the world learning from my book, which offers simple recipes.”

Finding fame on YouTube

Apart from working on her book, she runs a YouTube channel called Food With Chetna. If you browse through her food channel, you will come across very simple, easy recipes, even for the biryani! "I started my YouTube channel after I finished writing my first book and the idea was to just share my everyday food with the audience."

[caption id="attachment_25317" align="aligncenter" width="635"] Indian chef | Chetna Makan | Global Indian Chetna with her mum, cooking for her YouTube channel[/caption]

The channel is mostly dedicated to vegetarian food and there is a reason. "We are vegetarian for six days a week at home, which is why those recipes dominate my YouTube channel,” the Indian chef explains. Her channel has over 200k subscribers.
Despite being a well-known name, running a food channel and writing cookbooks, her own restaurant has never figured in the plan. "Restaurants are not for me, really; it's not the kind of work I want to do. I just love cooking and baking."

Family time

[caption id="attachment_25321" align="aligncenter" width="521"] Indian chef | Chetna Makan | Global Indian Chetna with her family[/caption]

Both her kids enjoy Chetna's YouTube channel. In fact, after the first lockdown in 2020 because of the pandemic, her kids (age 10 and 12) started filming her YouTube videos. "They play a big part in my channel. My husband is a doctor and a huge support to me." When she’s not baking or cooking, you will likely find her at the gym. "A bit of exercise is what I enjoy in my downtime. I also love gardening, so now that we are in spring, I like to spend a lot of my time in the garden," she wraps up.

Follow Chetna Makan on Youtube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and her blog

Reading Time: 7 mins

Remembering former PM Dr Manmohan Singh, the architect of Brand India’s growth story

Compiled by: Darshana Ramdev

Early Life and Academic Brilliance

Building an Exemplary Bureaucratic Career

The Economic Crisis and Bold Reforms

Prime Ministerial Years: Growth and Challenges

A Legacy of Transformation

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