Global IndianstorySabu Dastagir: The elephant boy who made it to Hollywood’s Walk of Fame

Sabu Dastagir: The elephant boy who made it to Hollywood’s Walk of Fame

Written by: Charu Thakur

(July 21, 2023) The West was an elusive concept for many Indians in the early 1900s. Not many had dared to step into the world that was unlike anything back home, especially films. But Sabu Dastagir was one of those rare exceptions who took off to Hollywood when very little was known of it in India. This teenager from a small village in Mysore was one of India’s earliest talent to make it to the international film circuit.

He wasn’t just India’s first-ever star to make it to Hollywood but also the the first one to make his debut on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame.

Here’s the story of this elephant boy who went across the ocean with stars in his eyes.

Sabu Dastagir

Real to reel – Elephant Boy

Born in 1924 in Mysore to a mahout (elephant rider) who served the Maharaja of Mysore, Sabu at the age of six started serving in the elephant stables after his father’s early demise. Like any average poor Indian kid of those times, he was determined to follow in the footsteps of his father and became a mahout. But destiny had a special plan for him. And that proposition came knocking on his door in the form of American documentary filmmaker Robert J Flaherty.

Flaherty was in Mysore to scout for location for his upcoming film Elephant Boy, when he chanced upon Sabu, who was mounted on an elephant. Seeing Sabu in his natural poise, the filmmaker knew he had found his lead star.

The film, based on a story Toomai of the Elephants from The Jungle Book by Ruyard Kipling, soon went into production. A real elephant boy was now on reel. After shooting for a few sequences in Mysore, Sabu was flown to England by producer and co-director Alexandra Korda along with his brother to shoot certain parts. And just like that a mahout from Mysore was ready for his debut in an English film.

In the cold winter of 1937, Elephant Boy opened to a spectacular reception in England, making Sabu an overnight star whose performance was widely appreciated by critics who called him a “complete natural.” Such was the success of the film that Flaherty and Korda shared the Best Director award at the Venice Film Festival that year. The epic win at the international film festival made Korda realise early that Dastagir had the potential to pull crowds, and soon signed him up for more films.

The Global Indian journey

This was the beginning of Sabu’s innings in English films. The next year brought with it the first technicolor film The Drum, and Sabu was roped in to play a prince. Based on the AEW Mason’s novel, the film revolved around a prince who is threatened by his uncle and becomes friends with a drummer. The film did well in Britain, however, back home in India, The Drum received backlash for being British propaganda material.

Sabu Dastagir in a still from Elephant Boy

Regardless, Sabu had become a star in his own right, and was busy signing films with British directors. One such collaboration led him to the 1940 fantasy adventure Thief of Bagdad. Known as producer Korda’s most expensive production ever, Thief of Bagdad saw Sabu give his finest performance. The film was a huge success and went on to win an Oscar for Best Cinematography, Best Visual Effects, Best Production Design and Best Original Score categories. Sabu found a fan in director Michael Powell, who was in awe of the actor’s “wonderful grace”.

In 1942, the actor shifted gears when Hollywood came calling and played Mowgli in Zoltan Korda’s The Jungle Book. Though the film steered away from Kipling’s original, it secured an Academy Award nomination for music and special effects.

That same year, he signed a contract with Universal Pictures. Arabian Nights was Universal Pictures’ spin on The Book of One Thousand and One Nights, and this adventure film marked his first appearance with actors Jon Hall and Maria Monez. He later went on to be a part of many such exotic-themed films like White Savage (1942) and Cobra Woman (1944).

The real-life hero

Well acquainted with America by now, he got his American citizenship in 1944 and the actor was also enlisted in the US Air Force. He wasn’t just a hero on screen, but in real life too — a distinguished war hero. He served as a tail gunner and ball turret gunner on B-24 aircraft during the World War II. His service earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross award.

At a time when everyone was reeling from the after-effects of the World War II, Sabu, too, started to see a downturn in his career. He struggled to get roles in Hollywood; for the next few years, he made appearances in a handful of films like Black Narcissus (1947) and Harringay Circus (1952). While his professional life was going slow, he found love in real life on the sets of his 1948 film The Song of India, where he met Marilyn Cooper and the two got married.

Sabu Dastagir | Global Indian

An almost Bollywood film

Though Sabu had a number of Hollywood and British films to his credit, his only chance of working with Bollywood was taken from him when he was denied a work permit in India. Had things worked in his favour, he would have been a part of one of the biggest Hindi films of all time — Mother India. Mehboob Khan considered him for the role of Birju, which was ultimately played by Sunil Dutt.

Though working in a Bollywood film remained an elusive dream, Sabu did find himself on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame in 1960, the first from India to do so. Shortly after, he died of a heart attack in Los Angeles at age 39.

The poster of Sabu and the Magic Ring

His career in Hollywood and European films made him the first-ever Indian actor to gain fame and popularity in the West. From being an elephant boy to making his name in Hollywood, the Global Indian can be truly called India’s original hero who paved the way for Indian talent abroad.

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Published on 21, Jul 2023

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Raj Echambadi: Indian American iMBA pioneer and first person of color to helm a 131-year-old American university

It was like being “forged by fire” says Raj Echambadi as he describes his first tryst with the American academia; he stands to take charge as the 10th president of the illustrious Illinois Institute of Technology. The India-born educator will be the first person of color to head the 131-year-old research-focused university. Considered a pioneer in online iMBA which he conceptualized in 2016, Echambadi has also been working with the Indian government to build entrepreneurial hubs in Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati and Utkal University in Odisha. The incident he mentions is an episode from his early academic years in the mid-1990s which is etched in his mind and shaped his outlook towards education. As a young PhD scholar at the University of Houston, Echambadi had thought that the dissertation proposal he’d submitted was pathbreaking. “During a discussion with my mentor, we spent the first five minutes talking about my Indian roots in what seemed like a casual conversation,” he says. “For the next 15 minutes, however, my mentor launched a professional criticism of my dissertation. It was eye-opening. He dissected my dissertation and told me why it was wrong. I was stunned.” “The funniest thing was that after the meeting ended we had coffee and spoke about tennis; just like friends. He made sure I was comfortable with his criticism.” This incident, he says, was demonstrative of the quality of US

PhD scholar at the University of Houston, Echambadi had thought that the dissertation proposal he’d submitted was pathbreaking. “During a discussion with my mentor, we spent the first five minutes talking about my Indian roots in what seemed like a casual conversation,” he says.

“For the next 15 minutes, however, my mentor launched a professional criticism of my dissertation. It was eye-opening. He dissected my dissertation and told me why it was wrong. I was stunned.”

“The funniest thing was that after the meeting ended we had coffee and spoke about tennis; just like friends. He made sure I was comfortable with his criticism.”

This incident, he says, was demonstrative of the quality of US academic dissemination, and the caliber of culturally sensitive faculty members.

From Chennai to the US

[caption id="attachment_4282" align="aligncenter" width="413"] Indian American Raj Echambadi will be the first person of color to helm the 131-year-old Illinois Institute of Technology. Raj Echambadi with his friend Ramesh Kumar during his MBA days in India[/caption]

Born in Chennai, Echambadi graduated in Mechanical Engineering from Anna University in 1989. He went on to work as a sales executive at Castrol in Chennai before moving to the US to do his PhD in Marketing from the University of Houston. He then went to work at the University of Central Florida for 11 years, before joining the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It was during his time here that Echambadi conceptualized and launched the first-of-its-kind MOOC-based online MBA (iMBA as it is popularly known) in partnership with Coursera. The iMBA has now reached over 80 million people around the world and is considered one of the most disruptive and breakthrough programs in graduate MBA.

Following this, Echambadi was appointed the Duncan Family Dean at D’Amore-McKim School of Business at Northeastern University in Boston.

In pursuit of excellence

Echambadi belongs to a generation of Indians who migrated to the US in pursuit of excellence in diverse fields such as academia, medicine, and technology. Their success stories, in turn, sculpted India’s repute in the global order. Asked what worked for the diaspora, he says: “When I came here, there was no safety net. We had to survive. And, the Indian middle class’ emphasis on the value of education played a role too.” This is precisely what the Indian-American educator wants to impart to the next breed of aspirants.

[caption id="attachment_4283" align="aligncenter" width="569"] Indian American Raj Echambadi will be the first person of color to helm the 131-year-old Illinois Institute of Technology. Raj with his brother Rajnarayan and cousin Sreedevi in the US in 2013[/caption]

The democratization of education by making it both affordable and accessible has been central to his initiatives such as the iMBA program at the University of Illinois – which scaled up the institution’s outreach and gave access to global learners. The breakthrough iMBA project brought down the cost of the two-year program from $100,000 to just $22,000. A significant number of Indians from both inside and outside the US benefited from it.

Besides, the academic research expert’s initiatives – through collaborations between American institutions and the Andhra Pradesh government – to teach entrepreneurial skills to high school and college students are beginning to bear fruits. “The Indian government has invited us after seeing our pilot project in Andhra Pradesh. I’m hoping this model will benefit over 10,000 students by 2025.”

Hoping to make a similar impact in his new role at Illinois Institute of Technology from August onwards, he reveals the recipe for the success of any project.

“Start small, dream big, experiment, iterate, and scale-up very fast,” he says.

As a parting shot, Echambadi ends on a somewhat philosophical note on his continuing educational endeavors and giving back to the global community. “Action is thy duty, fruit is not my concern,” quoting Bhagavad Gita.

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Knotting it right: Haresh Adnani is crafting bespoke carpets with artistic legacy

(May 29, 2024) Over the years, Haresh Adnani has skillfully woven his entrepreneurial spirit into Nodana (from the Latin word Nodus meaning knot), a bespoke carpet venture that elevates his family's three-decade legacy in home textiles by creating the most exquisite carpets. The entrepreneur has turned his carpet brand into his signature achievement while steadfastly supporting artisans in preserving their craftsmanship. To him, rug-weaving is an art form that demands precision, technique, and creative talent. The Spirit of Entrepreneurship Born in 1973, Haresh was raised in Mumbai, where he completed his schooling from Greenlawns and did his B.com from the popular HR College of Commerce. While studying, he began to intern at a garment export firm. “I have always wanted to be an entrepreneur, with a business in a different line, away from the family run company, so I started with manufacturing and exporting of garments in 1996. Bulk of my products were sold across Europe that included importers, retail chains and mail order companies,” Haresh tells Global Indian. Marketing his garments meant he had to travel extensively across Europe which he truly enjoyed as it meant getting work done and exploring, meeting, and seeing people and countries with its

chains and mail order companies,” Haresh tells Global Indian.

Marketing his garments meant he had to travel extensively across Europe which he truly enjoyed as it meant getting work done and exploring, meeting, and seeing people and countries with its various cultures and food. “Travelling has always fascinated me and to add to this, beautiful landscapes, natural beauty, and the richness of history across Europe made it even more worthwhile and exciting. With the family business growing quite swiftly, in the year 2002, I moved into the home textile division of the company which was also concentrated in exports,” he says.

Haresh Adnani | Global Indian

Business Mantra

Nodana is a part of Adnani Exports Ltd. which is a family owned and run company for over 35 years of manufacturing and exporting home textiles across Europe. “We have always wanted to foray into the Indian market with something special. I was always fascinated by the intricate designs and textures of carpets that I would encounter during my research trips. This felt like the right moment to materialize my wish with the concept of customised carpets. Backed with the experience and expertise of home textiles we marched right ahead in this new venture. India felt like a huge carpet ahead of me to be walked on,” he recollects.

Artisan Cues

The artisans play a crucial role in the creation of their intricate and beautiful pieces of art with many carpet weaving techniques being passed down through generations within artisan families and communities. They often draw on this rich tradition of knowledge and craftsmanship, preserving and honouring ancient techniques while also adapting to modern innovations.

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Carpet weaving is a highly skilled craft that requires years of training and experience to master. Artisans develop a deep understanding of weaving techniques, knotting methods, and design principles through apprenticeship and hands-on practice.

"Nodana has its manufacturing base in a small town called Bhadohi, located in Uttar Pradesh, known as the Carpet City of India. A lot of the artisans are normally contract staff and are given daily wages but at Nodana, our aim is not just based on commercial interest but also a social and emotional responsibility towards this invaluable art that's why all our weavers are on permanent payroll of the company. This helps in creating a family and oneness with the karigars which then eventually transpires in our work and designing,” he says, adding, “We recognise the legacy of this beautiful art and truly believe in it and want to take it forward and hence encourage the newer generation to be a part of this tradition. Our karigars take pride in their workmanship and strive for perfection in every aspect of the weaving process.”

Haresh Adnani | Global Indian

Making the Journey Count

Being very passionate about his work is what makes him start each day with renewed energy and hope."This is why even if I have failed, I have still picked myself up and started from scratch. Results have never defined my direction. I believe in perseverance and hard work, and then sooner or later results will fall in place. Willingness to learn each day, no matter how many years spent in this industry is what keeps me going," says Adnani. His advices potential entrepreneurs to be patient, hardworking and persistent. "Rome wasn’t built in a day and so goes with every business. Nothing comes easy. There are no shortcuts to success. So, it is important to dream and put yourself out there no matter how hard it is," he adds.

Beating Challenges

Like every business, they too have faced challenges at different times. For most, it would be financial and mental challenges but for Adnani it is emotional as well. "Being calm, collected and determined to resolve the issue at hand helps in having a clarity of thought. Sometimes, I have noticed that we try too hard to find a solution, and if we just disconnect and view the problem from a distance, it becomes easier to find the solution," says Haresh, who believes in the concept of community and working together. "You can never overcome a challenge completely on your own. Personally, I belong to the old school of thought, and I treat and respect every person working with me as family, where they also feel they are an integral part of the company and contribute to the process of resolving problems that arise."

Looking Ahead

For someone who has been fond of sports and athletics, he admits that it has stayed with him through the years and he enjoys a good game of cricket and tennis. “Travelling is also something I am very fond of, especially quiet countryside places, close to nature. All this really helps me to unwind and relax. I also love going to the theatre and catching up with friends,” says Adnani.

For his brand, he hopes to take his business to great heights but more important than that is the invaluable smile of the customer on receiving their product and giving space in their home. “I truly believe in the saying that the customer is the king. With every small step, we hope to take this legacy forward for years to come,” he signs off.

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Indo-Canadian musician Rehan Dalal is vibing to his own tunes

(March 14, 2024) His affair with music started when he was merely a kid, and he hated it. While Rehan Dalal loved playing the keyboard and listening to jazz and rock music even back then, he felt restricted in music classes and stopped attending them soon. Today, a musician based out of Toronto, Canada, Rehan is on an exciting journey to make music that he finds solace in. His songs, such as That Old Fashioned Feeling, Caramel on Porcelain, and Walk With Me, have been received very well by listeners on various audio platforms, including iTunes, Rdio, Spotify, Amazon, Deezer, and Ok Listen. "Ironically, today I am a big proponent of learning music," laughs the 33-year-old musician, during an interview with Global Indian. The musician, who moved from Mumbai to Canada in 2005 to pursue a degree in computer eventually picked up a guitar and began writing songs. "I was always in music, but I started making music only after coming to Canada. During my University days, I used to spend a lot of time alone in my dorm room, and that's when I started writing some songs. Frankly, it was a hobby for me. However, my teachers and friends

2005 to pursue a degree in computer eventually picked up a guitar and began writing songs. "I was always in music, but I started making music only after coming to Canada. During my University days, I used to spend a lot of time alone in my dorm room, and that's when I started writing some songs. Frankly, it was a hobby for me. However, my teachers and friends were quite encouraging and I started writing more. I even started performing at the local open mics, and that really helped my music," adds the musician has done several national and international stage performances, including gigs at NH7 Weekender (Bengaluru, Delhi, and Pune).

A born musician

Born in Mumbai, the musician was very young when he discovered he really loved the sound of a keyboard. "My father was a great admirer of jazz, hip hop, and R&B music - which is also referred to as Black American music. And I grew up listening to that. My grandfather, I remember, listened to a lot of Hindustani classical music. But back then I didn't appreciate it. That is something I still regret," shares the musician. While he absolutely didn't like the idea of sitting in a class for an hour and learning the nuances of music, he still loved playing the keyboard, "Which at that point of time I didn't know how to play very well," Rehan adds. Eventually, Rehan's aunt gifted him a guitar, which he learned to play.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpc3B_zyk-w&pp=ygULcmVoYW4gZGFsYWw%3D

Interestingly, Rehan loved computer coding as much as he loved music, and that pushed him to move to Waterloo, where he pursued a bachelor's degree in Computer Science. "Actually, when I first came here it was to study Economics. I found the subject quite boring, so I shifted to computer science, as I had been coding since I was nine years old. However, I already knew most of what was being taught in the college. And so, I quit college in my second year," the musician shares. It was around the same time that he had started writing and performing at small gigs in Waterloo. "I received a lot of appreciation from my audience, and decided to move to Toronto in 2007, as most musicians in Canada lived there," he adds.

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Finding his tune

Though his passion for music had brought him to Toronto, it didn't take much time for Rehan to realise that the road he had chosen was full of challenges. While he had several amazing ideas for a song, he found it difficult to communicate his thoughts to other musicians. "I had many ideas, but I lacked skills. I knew how the song would sound and which note would go where, but all this was in my head. I didn't know how to translate these sounds into words and present them to other musicians who could help me develop a song," shares the musician, adding, "I think this was the point that I understood how formal education in music would have helped me." However, as the saying goes 'where there is a will there's a way', Rehan soon learned the required skills and started working with various big names.

Musician | Rehan Dalal | Global Indian

One of his biggest breakthroughs was when his song Walk With Me, from the 2013 album Got To Feel It, scored a top-10 radio hit in India. "I truly feel blessed that I was able to work with those musicians, whom I was a fan of. Got To Feel It was my first debut record, which was produced by Justin Abedin, who goes by the stage name Jacksoul and is a huge name in the Canadian music scene." says the musician who has shared the stage with the likes of Mark Ronson, Flying Lotus, and Divine Brown. "One of my most memorable performances was opening for David Ryan Harris. He was so generous to me. I met a number of musicians during that time, whom I grew up listening to. It was surreal," Rehan adds, who was spotlighted as a featured musician at the 28th Toronto International Jazz Festival.

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Facing the music

Art seldom pays bills. Like many budding musicians trying to carve a niche for themselves, Rehan has a job that helps him pay his bills. However, unlike several others, this musician loves what he does. "I am a software engineer with a firm. I didn't complete my degree, but I had the knowledge and they hired me. I have many hobbies which I feel can be a viable source of income as well. I love to design logos and websites. Nowadays, I am also into furniture designing," shares the musician, who wishes to retire at 45.

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Rehan, shares that his latest album, Fruit of a Poison Tree, is his most ambitious effort yet shares that his music draws from his love of neo-soul and jazz. "My music is inspired by a lot of things, including the emotions I feel and what is happening around me. I am still learning, as I believe that is one process that should never stop," shares the musician, who is looking to collaborate with an Indian musician in his next project.

Follow Rehan Dalal on Instagram, YouTube, Apple Music, and Spotify

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Meet Krishna Vavilala, the winner of US Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award 2022

(December 28, 2022) When AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism of the United States government, called up Krishna Vavilala informing that he has been selected for the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award 2022, the long-time Houstonian thought it to be a hoax call. However, when the realisation of the authenticity of the message dawned on him, he was taken aback by surprise. Endorsed by President of America, Joe Biden, and Vice President, Kamala Harris, the award is considered a symbol of highest recognition of the commitment of outstanding citizens of America who have given their time to volunteer and help their community. [caption id="attachment_33290" align="aligncenter" width="685"] Krishna Vavilala with his wife Prabhat Lakshmi Vavilala at the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award Ceremony[/caption] “I strongly believe in the virtue of sincerity and commitment, and that is why, as you must have noticed, the byline of my email is ‘Commitment is key. Everything else is an excuse,’ remarks the 86-year-old Samaritan, while connecting with Global Indian from Houston for a video chat. Krishna Vavilala, who hails from Andhra Pradesh, and immigrated to the United States in 1974, was felicitated on December 4 at a glittering ceremony in Texas. He has been

s ‘Commitment is key. Everything else is an excuse,’ remarks the 86-year-old Samaritan, while connecting with Global Indian from Houston for a video chat.

Krishna Vavilala, who hails from Andhra Pradesh, and immigrated to the United States in 1974, was felicitated on December 4 at a glittering ceremony in Texas. He has been volunteering to bring the Indian community together in America for close to four decades now and has won several awards and accolades along the way.

Indians in USA | Krishna Vavilala | Global Indian

The humanitarian and changemaker is the founder and chairman of the Foundation for India Studies (FIS), a 16-year-old non-profit, whose signature initiative 'Indo-American Oral History Project' won the 2019 Mary Fay Barnes Award for Excellence.

Tryst with Gandhi

A strong believer in promoting peace and racial harmony, Vavilala has participated in several Martin Luther King (MLK) Jr. parades, dressed as Mahatma Gandhi. A trend he began in 2006 ‘to bring Indian and Black communities together and to spread the message of peace and nonviolence, which both the leaders - MLK and Gandhi followed’. " Martin Luther King Jr fought for the civil rights and then adopted Gandhiji's principles of non violence," he tells.

“I must be one of the very few people in America who has seen Gandhi in person,” he laughs. “The memory of me as a nine-year-old seeing Gandhi during his visit to Rajahmundry, my home town in 1946, is still stuck in my mind,” he remarks.

[caption id="attachment_33293" align="aligncenter" width="891"] Indians in USA | Krishna Vavilala | Global Indian Krishna Vavilala dressed as Gandhi at MLK Parade, 2006[/caption]

My grandmother had taken my two sisters and me on a bullock cart to see Mahatma Gandhi. The train on which he had arrived moved back and forth to give everybody an opportunity to see the Mahatma.

Still mesmerised by the experience, Vavilala has tried to keep Gandhi relevant in Houston over the years. The childhood experience left such an indelible mark on him that the immigrant Samaritan later proposed the idea of installation of a Gandhi statue at Herman Park, Houston - first in a peace rally and then to the board of the India Culture Centre. "There should be a statue of Mahatma Gandhi as a constant reminder of peace in a cowboy state like Texas," he proposed. Not only was his idea readily accepted but he also got appointed as the Project Chair in 2003.

“It took me a year to raise $23,000 for the project,” he says. Though he had budgeted the project cost to be not less than $50,000, since ICCR accepted his request of sponsoring the statue cost and Air India flew it free of cost, Vavilala was able to make his dream come true in half of the budgeted amount.

[caption id="attachment_33292" align="aligncenter" width="648"] Indians in USA | Krishna Vavilala | Global Indian Krishna Vavilala with Gandhi Statue at Herman Park, Houstan - a dream come true[/caption]

“Millions of tourists from across the world, who come to Houston, have seen the statue and paid their tributes to the Mahatma,” he mentions.

The humble beginnings

Since Vavilala’s father never had a paid job, he and his two sisters grew up in a household with limited means. “I studied in the light of the paraffin lamp,” he says, adding, “I have bought one such lamp in a store here to show my children, ‘this is how your dad studied’.”

Until he went to college, there was no electricity in the house. As an inquisitive student, he was always interested in science and technology, especially physics.

[caption id="attachment_33294" align="aligncenter" width="591"] Indians in USA | Krishna Vavilala | Global Indian Krishna Vavilala at the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award Ceremony[/caption]

“Though I was a science student, I was a thinker, always reflecting on the issues related to the society at large.” Caste system and dowry was something that Vavilala was vocal about. “When I was in high school, I wrote about what a menace dowry was and how people indulging in it should be punished and sent to jail.” It got published, and to the utter surprise of the entire family, a ₹15 money-order landed as stipend to his doorstep.

Vavilala went on to study electrical engineering at BITS Pilani. Talking about it, he mentions, "I am proud of my alma mater, which is a premier institute of India. I was in one of its early batches,1956-1960."

The people’s man

Although, a retired engineer, Krishna Vavilala addresses himself, a ‘sociologist’. He loves people, spends time listening and telling stories and takes deep interest in understanding others’ problems.

Making a difference is very important for every human being. This planet gives us so many opportunities to serve society - Krishna Vavilala

[caption id="attachment_33303" align="aligncenter" width="1029"] Indians in USA | Krishna Vavilala | Global Indian Krishna Vavilala with FIS participants of MLK Parade, 2019[/caption]

A volunteer for strengthening civic engagement, Vavilala has played an instrumental role in starting the celebration of Indian American Heritage Day in Houston in collaboration with Houston Public library.

Foundation for India Studies

Vavilala established Foundation for India Studies (FIS) in 2005 as a non-profit with a vision to promote knowledge about India’s contribution in the field of languages, literature, arts, sciences, engineering, politics, economics and spirituality.

The Foundation’s first successful project was the India Studies program at the University of Houston, instituted in 2006. The program, which initially began with Hindi language courses and classes in Hinduism and Jainism, went on to expand to 12 courses and was funded by the university itself. Students taking these courses were awarded a minor certificate in India Studies.

[caption id="attachment_33296" align="aligncenter" width="883"] Indians in USA | Krishna Vavilala | Global Indian Krishna Vavilala with University of Houstan, President and Chancellor[/caption]

FIS initiated several other measures to keep the value of Indian culture intact amongst Indian immigrants and Houstonians in general like – lectures, seminars, conferences, workshops, town hall meetings and student and faculty exchange programmes.

Since Indian diaspora is becoming bigger and bigger, it needs organisations like Foundation for Indian Studies to help them stay connected - Krishna Vavilala

FIS members routinely participate in the annual MLK Grande Parade. It attracts a large crowd and millions of views on TV and digital media. “MLK Parade Grand Marshall Award was awarded to FIS in 2015, which is a matter of great pride,” says the FIS founder.

[caption id="attachment_33295" align="aligncenter" width="884"] Indians in USA | Krishna Vavilala | Global Indian Krishna Vavilala leading the FIS parade, dressed as Gandhi[/caption]

FIS has expanded the India Studies programme at Texas Southern University, and remains committed to commemorating Gandhi and Dr King's legacies of non-violence and peaceful co-existence.

Curating life stories

“Human stories are very diverse and interesting. They are fantastic. No matter which part of the globe you are in, you have a story to tell,” Vavilala believes. With this in mind, he embarked on the journey of the ‘Indo-American Oral History Project’ in 2011 which focuses on recording life stories of first-generation Indian immigrants to Houston. “Most of the early immigrants came to the country in the sixties and seventies and had humble beginnings.”

The project was started in partnership with Houston Public Library (HPL) and Houston Community College (HCC). “Life stories and experiences of the Indo-Americans living in Houston are recorded through their interviews.” The video recordings as well as the transcripts are being stored for posterity in Houston Metropolitan Research Centre's digital archives.

[caption id="attachment_33297" align="aligncenter" width="1037"] Indians in USA | Krishna Vavilala | Global Indian Krishna Vavilala at the launch of Oral History Project with University of Houston President, Dr Renu Khator and other FIS members[/caption]

Vavilala’s own story is nothing short of an inspiration. The man, who landed in the US with just a suitcase, and a few dollars, without knowing anyone there; worked his way up the corporate ladder. Building a good life for himself and his family, he eventually became a strong pillar for the entire Indian community in Houston by bringing them together through several social initiatives.

“It’s an ongoing project to create a resource for the future generation so that they can trace back their roots and understand how they came to the foreign land”, he tells.

By going through the archives of the Indo-American Oral History Project, the younger generation would be able to learn about the backgrounds of their fathers and forefathers and understand how those people are reason behind their well-being in America - Krishna Vavilala

Popular Houstonian

Vavilala has served in senior leadership positions in a number of organisations and non-profits including President of the American Society of Indian Engineers, President of Telugu Cultural Association, Houston and President of Telugu Literary and Cultural Association.

[caption id="attachment_33298" align="aligncenter" width="734"] Indians in USA | Krishna Vavilala | Global Indian Krishna Vavilala shares stage with Rajiv Gandhi (the then PM of India ) and Sonia Gandhi during their visit to Houstan in 1985[/caption]

“You just get going deeper and deeper,” he talks about his whirlwind of social engagements. Vavilala was part of many significant contingents - Whether it was sharing stage with Rajiv Gandhi, who visited Houstan or representing FM1960 area, as Secretary of the Precinct at 1996 Democratic Party State Convention held in Dallas, which was attended by Hillary Clinton.

He has received several awards and accolades from organisations like the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston, the Indo-American Press Club, and US Customs and Border Protection Agency.

On August 15, 2021, on the occasion of the 75th Anniversary of India’s Independence, the humanitarian was honoured with India Culture Center’s lifetime achievement award from Stafford City Mayor.

[caption id="attachment_33300" align="aligncenter" width="899"] Indians in USA | Krishna Vavilala | Global Indian Krishna Vavilala honoured with India Culture Center’s lifetime achievement award from Stafford City Mayor in 2021[/caption]

Life Abroad

After getting trained at BITS Pilani, the Andhra Pradesh boy got his first job at Tata Iron and Steel Company, Jamshedpur and later moved to Calcutta and worked for MN Dastur & Co. His boss recommended him to work in the UK. Vavilala moved there for six years. It was in the UK that both his daughters, Monica and Amanda were born. "Since my parents were getting old, I came back to India for them. Had they relocated to Calcutta from Rajahmundry to stay with me, perhaps I would not have not thought of my next stint abroad, but they did not want to permanently leave their hometown," he remarks.

The turmoil and economic crisis of West Bengal in the 70s led him to seek a better life, and he made a move to the US. Spending early days at the YMCA hostel in Manhattan, leaving his family behind in India, Vavilala worked hard. Later his family joined him, and they moved to Houston in 1981. Some years later, Vavilala was sent to Saudi Arabia by his organisation, where he worked on a project for three years.

[caption id="attachment_33301" align="aligncenter" width="826"] Indians in USA | Krishna Vavilala | Global Indian Krishna Vavilala and his wife Prabhat Lakshmi Vavilala at the installation ceremony of Gandhi statue at Herman Park, Houston[/caption]

Over the years, Vavilala has not just tried to excel professionally but has been super involved in the various social initiatives. Talking about the US Presidential Lifetime Achievement award, he mentions, “I was able to do whatever I wanted to because of Lakshmi, my wife of 61 years. This award is for her." She created an environment for him to work on his life's calling. "All I had to do was to earn the paycheque,” he smiles adding, “We led a life of a traditional Indian family here.”

All that the Samaritan hopes is that the younger Indo-Americans, who were born in America, feel proud of their Indian heritage and continue to pass it on to their children and grandchildren, something that he has indulged in, over the years.

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Ayo Shanti: The native American in love with the Ganges and the indigenous Indians

(Jun 7, 2023)“I don’t usually talk about this but I think I can talk more freely about it with Indians – I am sure I had many lifetimes in India,” smiles Ayo Oum Shanti,” as she connects with Global Indian from New York City. The founder of the nonprofit World Water Hub (WWH), Ayo was born Roberta Weiri and changed her name later, to be in tune with her spiritual side. WWH began with Ayo’s passion project, The River Project–Ma Ganga (RPMG), which is a convergence of her experiences and fascination with the Ganges, her partner's love for his native country, and her acumen to bring people together to find solutions. “I was raised to be a citizen of the world,” says the eighty-year-old, who is working to build meaningful communications around water and raise funds for the Ma Ganga project in India. Her nonprofit was created to give local communities from around the world a voice, and the chance to participate and collaborate in developing viable solutions to problems involving rivers and other water related issues. [caption id="attachment_39678" align="aligncenter" width="414"] Ayo Oum Shanti[/caption] “We have just officially become part of the Pennsylvania based HSI (Humanitarian Social Innovations) fiscal

pan data-contrast="auto">“I was raised to be a citizen of the world,” says the eighty-year-old, who is working to build meaningful communications around water and raise funds for the Ma Ganga project in India. Her nonprofit was created to give local communities from around the world a voice, and the chance to participate and collaborate in developing viable solutions to problems involving rivers and other water related issues.

[caption id="attachment_39678" align="aligncenter" width="414"] Ayo Oum Shanti | Philanthropist | Global Indian Ayo Oum Shanti[/caption]

“We have just officially become part of the Pennsylvania based HSI (Humanitarian Social Innovations) fiscal sponsorship, and are addressing ourselves as HSI-WWF,” she says.

Passion to make a difference

Before her retirement, Ayo worked at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center – one of the top cancer hospitals in the world. It was a setting where shared information and collaboration were at the heart of research to find cures. As a coordinator, Ayo helmed various collaborative and outreach efforts like conferences, seminars, symposiums and PRSS.

Using this experience, Ayo aimed to create a similar model with HSI-WWH, to solve global water-related problems like floods, drought, pollution and sewage. “I truly believe that there is a solution to all these problems. Education is important. We need to just open our minds to change the situation. Once humanity has the will to make changes, it will happen. Lots can be done with the change of mindsets,” she remarks.

HSI-WWF works as an open access educational resource. “In essence we are creating a global hub around river restoration and water management for education, sharing information and solutions, and for creating a platform for collaborations,” she says.

How did it start…

During her visits to India, Ayo would spend many afternoons at the Assi Ghat in Varanasi. “I love rivers in general but there was something really magical about the Ganges,” she says. This was when the seed of starting a non-profit around water and river restoration germinated in her mind.

[caption id="attachment_39681" align="aligncenter" width="580"] Ayo Oum Shanti | Philanthropist | Global Indian One of the ghats of the Ganges in Varanasi[/caption]

“There can be thousands of river restoration projects in the world and there could in hundreds in India alone, but there are hardly any platforms to bring all of them together,” says Ayo. “We are creating a space where people (those involved in river restoration and water management) can collaborate and share their experiences of what’s working for them and how others can benefit from those strategies.

The significance of indigenous communities

In addition to her NGO, Ayo has plans to establish a think-tank which would focus on the Ganges and other significant water bodies, supporting geo-hydrologic eco-systems worldwide.

In her last visit to India, she spent a lot of time with the rural communities of Rajasthan. I felt an instant connection with them. “I am grateful to the Gravis (Gramin Vikas Vigyan Samiti) for connecting me to their communities at Gagadi and Bap. I am thankful for the organisation’s generosity to teach me their amazing water management systems and to the community support on so many levels,” she says.

With first-hand experience interacting with indigenous people in Rajasthan Ayo has learned a lot. She strongly believes that they have the knowledge that we need. “I would like to group these indigenous knowledge-keepers with scientists in the envisioned think tank to come up with sustainable solutions” she says. “We should not be arrogant about our knowledge because indigenous communities have more knowledge than us. Their language is not that much of a barrier - if you want to communicate, you will be able to communicate with them.”

[caption id="attachment_39682" align="aligncenter" width="344"] Ayo with a person from rural Rajasthan, India[/caption]

World Water Quilt

To spread awareness on pressing issues, Ayo and her team have big plans for World Water Day 2024. The team is inviting, artists, photographers and poets to share their creations with them. All their creations will then be collated on fabric, in the form of a quilt and presented to the UN on World Water Day 2024 which falls on March 22. “We are hoping participation of creative minds from all over the world. Later, a book featuring the contributors of the project is also being planned,” she informs.

How Roberta Weiri became Ayo Oum Shanti

Like some Americans, Ayo follows the shamanic tradition. It revolves around the principle of being devoted to the knowledge and care of other souls and, on nurturing the ecstasy of one’s own soul.

“20 years ago, when I got divorced, my entire life changed except my name.’ Fellow followers of Shamanism said - “In our tradition when you are starting a new phase of life, you give yourself a new name that’s in harmony with what your intention is for the new phase of life. Why don’t you do the same."

Ayo liked the idea and chose a name which is in tune with her utmost intentions. – “Ayo is an African name that means ‘joy.’ I look at my middle name ‘Oum’ as the music of the spheres and ‘Shanti’ is peace – so these are my intentions,” she says. “Spirituality is my top priority,” she smiles.

Connection with India

The spiritual soul nurtures a deep bond with India in her heart. “I grew up in what is called the Unitarian church. Under its umbrella, in Sunday school you spend the first three years learning about other religions before you learn about your own,” she mentions.

“So, the church used to bring people from other religions to talk about their beliefs,” Ayo says narrating a childhood incident. “I still remember, when I was six, an Indian woman came to give a lecture in a gorgeous red sari. I was extremely shy to speak but very clearly, I remember thinking, I come from where she comes from, although I had no idea where she came from,’ she smiles. That was the first time that Ayo had met an Indian but she felt as if she belonged to her culture.

[caption id="attachment_39683" align="aligncenter" width="378"] Ayo in Rajasthani attire[/caption]

By the time she turned a teenager she had made lots of Indian friends, and all her friends would wonder, “Why are you so comfortable with Indians?” Perhaps as Ayo believes, she has lived many past lives as an Indian. Later, when it was time to choose a partner, she chose an Indian.

Impact of early years

Growing up Ayo was profoundly influenced by her father, a first generation American, an artist, a machinist engineer, and a Spanish Civil War and WWII veteran. “He had a big heart and a deep respect for life, nature, and all humans. It was through him that I learned what it means to have unconditional love,” she shares. Her mother has had an equally powerful influence on her life.
 
“My mother was referred to as a ‘crusader for lost causes’ as she was always searching for common ground in all that she did. She was involved in UN-NGOs and was an organizer for the Gray Panthers - a series of multi-generational local advocacy networks in the United States which confronts many social justice issues,” she tells.

Her parents’ influences are evident in Ayo’s passion for putting community first. “We (WWF) are functioning out my retirement fund,” tells the change maker for whom ‘future of humanity’ matters more than her own ‘future’.

Impressive zeal at eighty

After the birth of her first child, education had taken a backseat for Ayo. “I returned to my college (Hunter College, NYC) after 45 years to get my bachelor's degree," she says excitedly. Ten years later in 2019, she did her master's in EDM (Emergency and Disaster Management).

[caption id="attachment_39684" align="aligncenter" width="488"] Ayo in Kochi[/caption]

 
A published poet and writer, a dancer, choreographer, world traveller, and astrologer, Ayo has held managerial positions in many industries. “If you look at my resume you would say, whoa! What exactly was she trying to do,” she laughs. “All that I have done gives me a broader perspective of different domains of the society,” she signs off.

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