Global IndianstoryShafat Qazi: The Kashmiri techie who built a global firm

Shafat Qazi: The Kashmiri techie who built a global firm

Written by: Lubna Reshi

(March 21, 2023) Time and time again, history has stood testament to the fact that the biggest successes often start with humble beginnings. When Shafat Qazi, a technologist by passion, left his well-established career midway to write code from his garage, he knew he was going to realise his dream one day. Having followed Einstein, Newton and their ilk from his childhood, Shafat had always dreamt of being a pioneer too. Qazi, who began his career in the US, is the founder of BQE Software, an all-in-one accounting and invoicing software that is used around the world.

Shafat Qazi

The great American dream

While pursuing his Bachelor’s in Engineering in NIT Srinagar, he gathered information on how he could go to America to study further. This was despite the dearth of resources and technology back then, which was even more predominant in a place like Jammu and Kashmir.

With US $700 in his pocket and big dreams in his eyes, Shafat left Kashmir to build a global enterprise through persistent and focused efforts. “I didn’t ask more from my parents; they gave me what they could manage. However, their support was more than I could ask for,” he tells Global Indian.

Early influences

Coming from an educational background, Shafat says his upbringing and his schooling at Burn Hall — which is a considered a reputed Christian Missionary School in Srinagar — played a great role in shaping him as a person he is today.

“My mother and father, who are both academicians, stood behind me like rocks. My mother would bring me books and introduced me to math and science from early childhood. She would encourage me to take part in all co-curricular activities and lots of science competitions, as I was passionate about math and science,” Shafat recalls.

Struggles in the USA

Life didn’t come easy to Shafat in the USA. His tuition fee at New York University was thousands of dollars. Besides borrowing some from a cousin, he took up several odd jobs.

“I worked at the University’s candy store as a cashier and took the dinner shift in the university café as a waiter. I worked very hard and with my earnings, I was able to pay my fee and other living expenses.” Shafat never hesitated to pick up the petty jobs because his mind remained stuck on his ultimate goal. “I never let the negativity drive my thinking. I knew this phase was temporary. The ultimate goal of my life was to build a technology company that would make the lives of people more comfortable,” he adds.

A talent for tech

“Technology came to me naturally and with my expertise and skill set, I could build a leading software company in the USA,” he says. “Even as a child, I knew I would do something in technology and America was my true destiny because it nurtured innovation. So, as a young boy, I left home to follow my dream and passion of creating cutting-edge technology and to simplify the lives of people around the world.”

After his graduation from New York, Shafat relocated to California and began to work at a local engineering firm named David C. Breiholz Inc. With his talent and expertise in technology, he was offered a partnership in the firm. “I was bringing a lot of business to the company and my employer recognised my value and offered me a partnership in his firm. The firm was then renamed to Breiholz Qazi Engineering Inc. (BQE).

Rise to the top

At the firm, Shafat was also selected to be the chairman of the Structural Engineers Association of California (SEAOC) Computer Applications Committee, a very prestigious position for a 24-year-old young engineer.

“When I was working as a partner, I learnt about the pain-points of professional service firms. They would face problems in accounting, time tracking, billing and project management. There was no good software to automate these jobs and to address simply business management.”

As chairman of a committee for structural engineers, Shafat had the opportunity to visit hundreds of professional service firms and he came across the same problems everywhere. So, one day, he decided to leave his full-time job, sell his ownership in the engineering company and start a technology company of his own.

Life as an entrepreneur

Shafat powered an office in his garage to devote himself full time to ‘BillQuick’. The mission was to build a one-stop solution to make the lives of engineers, architects, accountants, attorneys, and other professionals easy and comfortable, by automating repetitive tasks and improving their productivity.

The decision came as a shock to his spouse, who had just left her own job to take care of their newborn. “We had bought a new house; our son was six months old; we went through a lot of financial hardship in the initial years. We did a lot of cost-cutting, stopped going on vacations etc. but in the end, it paid off well.”

Again, his hard work and determination paid off, for Shafat and his family. Success came his way and over the years, his business management firm, BQE Software, became known all over the world. The flagship product, BQE Core, is used by thousands of businesses around the world.

Global expansion – and acclaim

BQE Core was ranked number one in GetApp.com 2021 category leaders for Accounting Software. “The product connects with the banks, performs the transactions, and allows people to accept and make payment with credit cards.” Today BQE has become a top management and accounting software developer for professional service firms. BQE spans all over the world and apart from the US, has offices in Australia, India, Mexico, Philippines, Vietnam etc.

BQE also has a strong presence in Srinagar, from where services are provided to thousands of businesses all over the world. In 2018, Shafat Qazi was listed as one of the top 50 CEOs by USA Today. He has also been listed as a best CEO to work with by women in the US.

Under Qazi´s leadership, BQE Software had also acquired another software company, Orange Loft LLC in 2009, and received the Accountex User Favourite Award for Best Project Management – 2016.

A review from an international publication writes: “Even though Shafat leads a worldwide corporation, BQE continues at the forefront of customer-driven innovation under his leadership. The company debuted its initial Web-based product in 1997, a mobile app for the flip phone in 1998, and electronic bill pay in 1999. BQE and its personnel are forerunners in the industry.”

Literary pursuits

Today Shafat has replaced himself from the position of CEO and is now a part of the BQE board. He is also fulfilling his wish to travel to at least 100 countries by 2025. He has travelled to 51 countries so far.

Shafat Qazi is also a common name now in publications like Forbes, CPA Practice Advisor, Accounting Today and The Business of Architecture. Recently, BQE brought in private equity for investment which in a way states that the firm is steering for achieving bigger milestones in the near future.

Apart from technology, Shafat takes interest in movies, music, culture and non-profit activities. He recently completed the shooting of his movie ‘Songs of Paradise’ which is scheduled to release in May this year.

Follow Shafat Qazi on LinkedIn and Twitter

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Samina

March 23, 2023 1:16 pm

So so proud!!

Published on 21, Mar 2023

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Chef Manish Mehrotra’s decade-long reign in Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants

(May 17, 2023) It was in 2009 that Chef Manish Mehrotra opened the doors of Indian Accent to Dilliwallas, a fine-dining Indian restaurant that in no time became a phenomenon, taking over New York and London. If the chef took Delhi's iconic Daulat ki Chaat to New York, he introduced Indians to the Blue Cheese Naan and changed the way people perceive Indian food. It's this uniqueness that has yet again put Indian Accent on Asia's 50 Best Restaurants list for the 10th consecutive year. This year, his restaurant jumped three spots - from #22 to #19. For someone who enjoys bringing unique combinations to street chaat and regional cuisine, his unconventional approach to Indian food has made him stand tall. "I am eternally grateful for all the titles, but at the end of the day what matters to me is when someone walks out happy from my restaurant. They come with high expectations about the name, and it’s my job to fulfill it. Once you know you've done it, you've reached success," he told Elle. Manish's story is one of unyielding passion, relentless innovation, and profound respect for his culinary heritage. The celebration of food The Patna-born spent most

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The celebration of food

The Patna-born spent most of his childhood in the city. Though never the one to be seen in the kitchen, he enjoyed the food as it was something that was celebrated at his home. It was in the early 80s that he had his first fine dining encounter, and it had him hooked. So, when the time came to pursue a career, he picked hotel management as "it was then in fashion." This led him to the gates of the Institute of Hotel Management, Mumbai where he honed his culinary skills. It was here that he fell in love with food production. "When I joined my school, I found their kitchen the most interesting place. That is when I decided I want to become a chef," he said in an interview.

He kickstarted his career as part of Ananda Solomon's team at the Thai Pavilion of the Taj Hotels, where he mastered the art of pan-Asian cuisine. Manish, who calls his mentor Chef Ananda - one of the finest chefs, learnt a great deal from him, one of the most important lessons being how to understand the guests' psyche. "That is what I learnt from Chef Ananda Solomon and that is what I still believe in. I still believe in feedback. One golden rule that I learnt from Chef Ananda is the plate that goes inside the restaurant was very important but the plate that comes back from the restaurant is even more important. He added that one can make out from the amount of food that is left on the plate whether someone liked the food or not," he told HT.

Manish Mehrotra | Global Indian

Indian cuisine with a twist

Working under the guidance of Solomon, Manish began to understand the depth and diversity of Indian cuisine. Solomon’s meticulous attention to detail, insistence on quality ingredients, and reverence for traditional cooking methods profoundly influenced Mehrotra. He learned the importance of balancing flavours and respecting the integrity of each ingredient, principles that would later become the bedrock of his culinary philosophy.

Later, he joined Old World Hospitality Oriental Octopus and travelled across Asia to train in Pan Asian Cuisine. He embarked on a journey to redefine and elevate Indian cuisine. He began to experiment, fusing traditional Indian flavours with contemporary culinary techniques to create dishes that were both familiar and remarkably innovative. His unique approach caught the attention of food enthusiasts across the globe, leading to the birth of Indian Accent.

Manish Mehrotra | Global Indian

The inspiration came while working in London when the Global Indian found that there was a huge disconnect between the youth of the time (2008-9) and Indian foods. And it was this gap that he wanted to fill in with Indian Accent. "London at that point in time was more than New York; it was a cosmopolitan city of a different culture, different nationality, and everyone's food was represented in that city at a different level and on a very good level also. Indian food chefs like Vineet Bhatia, Chef Atul Kochhar, Vivek Singh… they were all doing fantastic work and when you saw their work you got inspired, then you say why can't you do this kind of thing in India. Because one thing that I felt at that point of time was that the youth of India had a very big disconnect with Indian food at that point of time. Young Indians had stopped going to Indian restaurants and there was a big disconnect. That was one motivation that you have to do Indian food in such a way that it reconnects the young generation also," he said, adding, "The people coming outside India can relate to it and cuisine can move forward. The regional cuisine can come to limelight."

Putting Indian food on global map

With dishes as unique as Blue Cheese Naan, Doda Barfi Treacle Tart, and Meetha Achaar Pork Ribs on the menu, Manish saw an empty restaurant for the first few months. Since Indian Accent was nothing like any other Indian restaurant serving regular Indian khaana, many people would walk out after reading the menu. However, things started slowly picking up for the chef as people understood the concept. "Now, people are open to experimenting. With increase in travel, palettes have evolved and are ready to experiment. It will take more time but it's a good progress."

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Indian Accent, under his expert guidance, became a culinary sensation. The restaurant's innovative menu beautifully showcases the chef's understanding of Indian cuisine, while the novel presentations highlight his modern, inventive touch. Each dish is a testament to his ability to transform traditional recipes into contemporary masterpieces without compromising on authenticity.

In 2016, he decided to take Indian Accent to New York, a landscape that's already familiar with upscale Indian dining and created quite a stir by introducing Delhi's iconic Daulat ki Chaat to New Yorkers. With no previous exposure in the US, starting anew in unfamiliar scenery was challenging for the chef. However, it helped him push the creative envelope. But what surprised him the most was the reception that Indian Accent got in New York. "People already knew about Indian Accent New Delhi; they’d been there, or their friends and family had been there and they’d told them about it. That doesn’t make New York City easy to negotiate, of course: If this city doesn’t like something, it can be ruthless," he said.

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Manish's ten-year streak on the Asia's 50 Best Restaurants list is a testament to his culinary prowess and the consistent excellence of his Indian Accent. His remarkable journey from a young boy in Patna to an internationally recognized chef is not just the result of his talent and dedication but also his ability to re-imagine Indian food in a way that resonates with a global audience.

He has pushed the boundaries of what is considered Indian cuisine, transforming it from a largely misunderstood food culture into a globally recognized and respected culinary art form. Chef Manish Mehrotra has not only changed how the world perceives Indian cuisine but also inspired a generation of budding chefs to explore the rich tapestry of Indian flavours and techniques. "Our ultimate goal is to get real Indian food to the world and tell the world that India is not wholly about the northwest frontier. There is east, west, south, every different part of India has a unique cuisine to offer which is happening."

Chef Manish Mehrotra, who is a self-proclaimed movie buff, enjoys South Indian-dubbed movies, along with listening to music and watching cricket. Moreover, he is an enthusiastic reader and has a collection of more than 1200 Cookbooks from across the globe.

As Indian Accent continues to dazzle the culinary world, one can't help but admire the man from Patna who dared to reimagine Indian food, leaving an indelible Indian Accent on the world's culinary map.

Follow Chef Manish Mehrotra on Twitter and Instagram
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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.

Follow Krishna Vavilala on Facebook
Follow Foundation for India Studies on its website

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Polyester from PET bottles: Meet the father-son duo behind PM Modi’s sustainable attire at the White House

(July 7, 2023) PM Narendra Modi's recent White House visit attracted cheers not only from the Indian-American community but also the Ecoline team, sitting 8631 miles away in the small town of Karur in Tamil Nadu. It was a proud moment for the sustainable fashion brand as their blue sadri jacket, crafted from recycled PET bottles, took center stage as PM Modi made a powerful statement during his visit. Founded in 2020, Ecoline has earned the distinction of being PM Modi's preferred brand in recent times. It was in February this year that PM Modi first wore their jacket to the Parliament. "It was a pleasant surprise for all of us, and things changed after that," says Senthil Sankar, the founder of Ecoline, adding, "There has been a tremendous response and a huge interest in sustainability, especially since PM Modi wore our jacket. He also wore it to the G7 summit in Japan, which was a different colour, Chandan. He wore our jacket at the White House too, which means he likes it and wants to send a message (about sustainable fashion)." [caption id="attachment_41197" align="aligncenter" width="714"] Ecoline's sadri jacket gifted to PM Modi[/caption] Made from 20 PET bottles, the sadri

="714"] Ecoline | Global Indian | Ecopreneur Ecoline's sadri jacket gifted to PM Modi[/caption]

Made from 20 PET bottles, the sadri jacket is one of their most-inquired garments - an idea that struck Senthil's father K Sankar, the founder of Shree Renga Polymers (the parent company of Ecoline). The father-son duo is on a mission to revolutionise fashion by recycling PET bottles to make them into fashionable garments, making Ecoline the first Indian brand to pursue this path. "We thought of taking the initiative of bringing the thought process (of sustainable fashion) to consumers," Senthil tells Global Indian. It takes eight PET bottles to make a shirt, twenty to make a jacket, and twenty-eight to make a blazer.

The beginning

Ecoline’s journey begins from Shree Renga Polymers, as Senthil's story begins from his father's. An IIT-Delhi graduate in Polymer Science and Technology, K Sankar worked abroad in many roles and capacities in various companies, predominantly in polymers and plastics, before returning to Karur in 2008 to start Shree Renga Polymers, recycling PET bottles to make polyester yarns. However, this wasn't K Shankar's first foray into business. In 1996, he started his first venture, recycling nylons and fish nets, but experienced significant setbacks. The debt-ridden family vowed to never get into business again. Chennai-born Senthil saw his dad struggle through hardships and knew this wasn't his path. After his BTech in Mechanical Engineering from Vellore Institute of Technology, he joined Tata Consultancy Services.

[caption id="attachment_41192" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Ecoline | Global Indian | Ecopreneur Senthil Sankar with dad K Sankar[/caption]

However, his perspective took a transformative turn after watching the Bollywood film Guru in 2007. "I was inspired by the life of Dhirubhai Ambani and felt that being an entrepreneur is much more empowering," he says. He decided to work for a few years, pursue an MBA, and then embark on his entrepreneurial journey.

Witnessing his father dive back into business with Shree Renga Polymers inspired Senthil. "It takes a lot of gumption and courage, especially when you have had a first bad experience. To restart at the age of 50 was inspiring for me," says Senthil. He had a strong desire to assist his father in the business, despite initial doubts. K Sankar fondly recalls, "I thought he would run away. He was more accustomed to city life. How would he adapt to working in the waste industry and living a less glamorous lifestyle?" However, Senthil interjects with a smile, "I was determined to become an entrepreneur and build a thriving enterprise."

Senthil turned down a lucrative offer to relocate to Canada, opting instead to join his father's business and make a positive impact on society. "Back in 2006, I started reading a lot and realised that India has massive potential. The country will grow in a big way in the 21st century. That thought process struck a deep chord and I am a patriotic person, not only in cricket matches but otherwise as well," says the ecopreneur, who happily bartered a cushy job in Silicon Valley for "a thorn bed in Karur, empowering 500 people through employment." "Being in a fancy job in Silicon Valley can give me likes and shares on Facebook and LinkedIn but not the satisfaction."

Ecoline | Global Indian

The making of a sustainable fashion brand

Senthil moved to Karur with his wife, who is a criminal lawyer, and his commitment to growing the family business resulted in the birth of Ecoline in 2020. "We knew the end-to-end of the textile spectrum, the only natural extension was to create a brand," adds Senthil, who calls sustainable fashion the future. "With the climate crisis and growing population, we have to find ways to sustain humanity with the available resources. Sustainable consumption is the only way to do that."

[caption id="attachment_41193" align="aligncenter" width="651"] Ecoline | Global Indian Discarded PET bottles[/caption]

Around 60 million plastic bottles end up in landfills every day (that take years to degrade). However, India recycles 90 percent of its PET bottles. Classified as engineering plastic, PET bottles offer higher remuneration and better returns to ragpickers. Senthil and K Sankar are helping convert 15 lakh bottles daily into polyester fabric. "We are buying more time by turning plastic into fashionable garments. There will always be demand for polyesters because activewear as a segment is big globally and is also gaining prominence in India. Polyester is going to have a continuous demand. This helps the planet and also helps the brand be eco-conscious."

From PET bottles to garments

Senthil demonstrates the process by presenting a PET bottle during our video call. He explains that only the bottle’s plastic body is utilised to create the polyester fibre used to make garments. However, Senthil mentions, "The bottle caps are sold to individuals who manufacture battery cases, while the wrappers are sent to cement factories for burning." The process begins with ragpickers collecting PET bottles, which are then sent to suppliers responsible for transforming them into cubes. These cubes are delivered to the Ecoline factory, where a sorting process takes place. "The bottles are crushed, cleaned, dried, melted, and transformed into semi-finished fibres. The fibres then undergo a five-stage finishing process and converted into yarn, which is used to create fabric on a knitting machine. Finally, the fabric is fashioned into garments."

Ecoline | Global Indian | Ecopreneur

While many companies are announcing plans to become carbon neutral, Shree Renga Polymers has achieved carbon neutrality for the past decade. K Sankar proudly shares, "Not only have we recycled plastic, but we have also planted over 5000 trees and implemented renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and biomass." Senthil adds that nothing goes to waste in their factory. He explains, "The bottles come dirty to us, so we use water to clean the plastic. The mud gets separated and the water is recycled. With the mud, we make paver blocks. Every input we get is made into some value-added product and sold. We also save water by using dope-dyed technology (dyeing without water)."

Sustainability is the future

Within just two years of entering the market, Ecoline has successfully garnered clients from across India. When asked about their reaction to wearing clothes made from PET bottles, Senthil responds, "Most people are amazed by the concept. However, for those who are apprehensive, we take the time to explain the meticulous process. Since the polymer is subjected to temperatures of 300 degrees Celsius during processing, no bacteria or virus can survive. Once it is transformed into polyester fibre, it becomes like any other product." The 37-year-old ecopreneur acknowledges that the consumer's perspective on sustainability presents an ongoing challenge. "Yes, PM Modi wore it, that's a big statement but is it fashionable? Does it look good? Is it a part of fast fashion? These are the things that sustainability has to discover."

Ecoline | Global Indian | Ecopreneur

Since its establishment, Shree Renga Polymers has successfully prevented 200 crore PET bottles from ending up in landfills. K Sankar, with evident pride, highlights, "Each day, we save 1.5 million bottles from reaching the landfill. If left unattended, these bottles would occupy a space equivalent to a football stadium spanning 700,000 square meters. Our efforts have also resulted in the prevention of 14,400 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions, thanks to the conversion of 2 billion bottles." Additionally, the water conservation achieved through their process is equivalent to the capacity of Tamil Nadu's Veeranam lake, which can store 1,465 million cubic feet (mcft) of water.

Senthil embarked on a transformative journey, forsaking his white-collar job to venture into the realm of entrepreneurship. His path was rife with challenges and valuable lessons, one of which was the realisation that pursuing an MBA was unnecessary before diving into business. "Being on ground and involved in the nuts and bolts is the best learning. No B-School can teach you passion, persistence, patience, vision, direction – all key aspects of entrepreneurship."

Through their unwavering commitment and relentless efforts, the father-son duo has transformed their venture into a ₹100-crore company, and their ambitions now extend to international expansion. For Senthil and K Sankar, revenue and profit are merely by-products of their journey, with their true driving force being their vision. "Every single plastic bottle that we recycle today, 15 lakh bottles will turn into 30 lakh bottles in two years. All these bottles getting converted into a finished product with a brand name Ecoline and getting sold in some part of the world is what exactly will give us joy."

Follow Senthil Sankar on LinkedIn

Reading Time: 8 min

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

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

rabadi.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Reading Time: 6 mins

A tale of courage: Droupadi Murmu’s accession to the Rashtrapati Bhavan entails a series of many firsts

(July 23, 2022) The first tribal leader, youngest candidate, and first head of state born post-independence - are just some of the terms which are now being associated with Droupadi Murmu. Winning by a phenomenal margin of 64 percent, the Adivasi leader from Odisha scripted history on July 21, as she became the 15th President of India. After four rounds of polling, where she received 2,824 votes, the former Governor of Jharkhand emerged victorious against Yashwant Sinha, the former Minister of Finance of India. [caption id="attachment_27266" align="aligncenter" width="550"] President Droupadi Murmu with Prime Minister Narendra Modi[/caption] Hailing from the Santhal tribe of Odisha, Murmu has a long and glorious political career behind her. Despite several personal setbacks, she kept working towards uplifting the marginalised communities, not just in her state, but across the country. Global Indian takes a look at the life journey of the next Indian President. Early years Born in 1958, in Uperbeda, a small village situated approximately 285 km away from Odisha’s capital, Bhubaneswar, Murmu was the only daughter among three kids. Inspired by her father, Biranchi Narayan Tudu, who was the chief of the village, a young Murmu would stay up late at night to study

rong>Early years

Born in 1958, in Uperbeda, a small village situated approximately 285 km away from Odisha’s capital, Bhubaneswar, Murmu was the only daughter among three kids. Inspired by her father, Biranchi Narayan Tudu, who was the chief of the village, a young Murmu would stay up late at night to study one chapter ahead of what was being taught at her school. The President, however, was not just good at academics. She was also an athlete, who won many medals in school competitions.

[caption id="attachment_27267" align="aligncenter" width="724"] President | Droupadi Murmu | Global Indian An old image of Tudu family. Droupadi Murmu can be seen standing second from right.[/caption]

After finishing her seventh standard at the Uperbeda Middle English School, Murmu moved to Bhubaneswar, where she completed her high school and moved on to pursue a bachelor of arts at the Rama Devi Women's College. Married soon after her graduation, she never let anything come in the way of her career. An ambitious youngster, Murmu's first job was at the Odisha State Irrigation and Power Department, where she worked as a junior assistant from 1979 to 1983. The couple subsequently became parents to two sons and a daughter.

In the early 90s, the family moved to Rairangpur, where Murmu worked as an assistant professor at the Shri Aurobindo Integral Education and Research Institute.

A glorious political journey

As a teacher, Murmu took stock of the many social ills that plagued Rairangpur - such as high illiteracy, bad sanitation, and rampant health issues. Moved by the people's plight, the President took up voluntary teaching and worked toward educating kids from the most remote parts of Odisha. She entered politics in 1997, contesting in the local polls as a BJP candidate. She won, becoming Rairangpur's councillor. An able leader, Murmu would personally supervise the sanitisation work in the town, making sure that the drains and garbage were cleaned properly. An excellent orator in Odia and Santhali, Murmu's persistence and reputation helped many young kids, especially girls, get back to school.

[caption id="attachment_27269" align="aligncenter" width="643"] President | Droupadi Murmu | Global Indian An old staff photograph of Integral School, Rairangpur. Droupadi Murmu is standing fourth from left[/caption]

A member of the Bhartiya Janata Party, Murmu was elected twice to Odisha's Legislative Assembly - in 2000 and 2009 - from the Rairangpur seat. In the Biju Janata Dal - BJP coalition led by Naveen Patnaik, Murmu even took care of the commerce and transport, and fisheries and animal resources portfolios. Between 2006 and 2009, BJP made Murmu the state president of its scheduled tribe's wing, during which Murmu worked extensively with the remote Adivasi communities, suffering from social and economical disadvantages. It was during this period that she was conferred with Nilkantha Award for the best MLA by the Odisha Legislative Assembly.

A tragic turn

Her professional career was flourishing. As she climbed higher in Odisha's politics, Murmu's life came to a sudden halt after she lost her eldest son, Laxman Murmu, in 2009. According to reports, the 25-year-old was found unconscious by his bed. Although the family rushed him to the nearby hospital, he couldn't be saved. About three years later, Murmu lost her second son in a road accident. "I was devastated and suffered from depression," Murmu had shared, during a 2016 interview with Doordarshan, "I spent sleepless nights after my son's death. It was when that I visited Brahma Kumaris, I realised I had to move on and live for my two sons and daughter."

[caption id="attachment_27270" align="aligncenter" width="639"] President | Droupadi Murmu | Global Indian Murmu family[/caption]

While she was still picking up the pieces of her life, Murmu's encountered another tragedy. In 2014, Murmu's husband succumbed to a major cardiac arrest, leaving behind an inconsolable wife. But realising that she had to take care of her teenage daughter, Murmu pulled herself together and continued her work towards the betterment of her community. She later became the National Vice-President of BJP Scheduled Tribes Morcha.

Road to Raisina Hills

After suffering through several personal setbacks, Murmu's life was slowly coming back on track. Impressed with her work for the socially and economically weaker communities in Odisha, the Government of India appointed her as the Governor of Jharkhand. The first female to be sworn into the office, Murmu took several hard decisions to protect the rights of the tribal community of Jharkhand. This included her refusal to approve the bill seeking amendments to the Chhotanagpur Tenancy Act, 1908, and the Santhal Pargana Tenancy Act, 1949.

[caption id="attachment_27272" align="aligncenter" width="632"] President | Droupadi Murmu | Global Indian Droupadi Murmu during her presidential campaign[/caption]

BJP-led National Democratic Alliance considered Murmu's name as their official candidate for the 2017 Presidential election. However, the party picked Ram Nath Kovind over her. In June 2022, Murmu was nominated by the NDA as their candidate for the 15th President of India. Sixty-four and still enthusiastic to work for the people, Murmu visited numerous states, including Odisha, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra, and met the head of governments there during her presidential campaign. As many as 73 percent of Members of Parliament and 74 percent of Members of the legislative assembly, of 6,76,803 value, voted for the tribal candidate, who is set to be sworn in as the 15th President of India on July 25, 2022.

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Reading Time: 7 mins