Shona Prabhu | Indian Sports | Global Indian

Global IndianstoryShona Prabhu: Helping Indian athletes unleash the power of nutrition for peak performances

Shona Prabhu: Helping Indian athletes unleash the power of nutrition for peak performances

Written by: Amrita Priya

(September 11, 2022) When Shona Prabhu started working as a nutritionist for India’s hockey team, the players were not used to having a sports nutritionist around. Thanks to the initiatives taken by the Sports Authority of India, most of the training centres across the country now have a nutritionist on board.

With a career spanning 11 years, sports and wellness nutritionist Shona Prabhu has been the nutrition consultant of state, national, and Olympic athletes of various sports, facilitating great performances for India. Some of the most impressive associations have been her stint as the nutrition consultant for men’s and women’s hockey teams of India (2017-2021), and the Delhi Capitals IPL team for the 2021 season. Shona has been a sportsperson herself in her growing up years, playing badminton for CBSE school nationals while she was growing up in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia where her parents were posted.

Shona Prabhu, sports nutritionist

The sports lover who also dons the hat of a corporate wellness nutritionist is the co-founder of NutrifyMyDiet, taking care of the wellness of some of the top CEOs in the country.

Talking about her experiences as a sports nutritionist to Global Indian, she mentions “It’s been very enriching. In the process, I have learned a lot about different sports, the struggles of athletes, and how they slog relentlessly to make everything work for them.” Shona has been serving tailor-made nutrition plans to suit the lifestyles, food habits, physical activities, and medical history of her clients with the philosophy – Nourish. Empower. Sustain.

Passionate about sports nutrition

“Do what you love and you will never work another day in your life. I am fortunate to be doing what I love every single day,” tells Shona who got into sports nutrition because as a young player she was always curious about how her food and nutrition can help her in her game. Having studied in Saudi Arabia until class 10, she went on to pursue her bachelor’s and post graduation in nutrition and dietetics in Bangalore, topping it up with MSc in sports and exercise nutrition from Loughborough University, UK.

Shona Prabhu with players of Indian men’s hockey team

“To be able to pass on the knowledge to others is something that I look forward to every day,” she mentions having garnered insights over the years about vital aspects of an athlete’s life from self-experience and education. She has been the nutrition guide to successful young athletes like Aneesh Gowda (international swimmer), Niki Kaliyanda Poonacha (former national champion in tennis), Tejaswin Shankar (Commonwealth Games bronze medallist 2022 in athletics), Bengaluru Football Club (BFC) – ISL League 2016-2017 and more. “Helping them in making a difference in their lives, especially in a country, where the value being given to nutrition has just started, feels nice,” says Shona. She looks at her industry with positive eyes.

From where I started to where it has come today is rewarding. It’s very good to see the slow but steady positive changes in the overall outlook towards sports nutrition – Shona Prabhu

Startling but true

Highlighting how the concept of nutrition which should be at the top of the priority list, has loomed in ignorance for many years, Shona mentions, “Since the majority of athletes come from middle class or lower middle-class backgrounds, it is somewhat startling but true that they do not know how important nutrition is for them to perform.” Perhaps this is why being their nutrition consultant has been so fulfilling to her. It’s like facilitating the professional growth of athletes and taking their careers forward in a significant way.

Shona with budding players of India

“Diet for a sportsperson is an integral part of the triangle or the pyramid that they should follow. The other two components are training, and sleep,” she says stressing how integral the three components are.

There are many athletes in our country who are talented and hard-working but without the right diet, lack the energy to train themselves well, giving just about 40-50 percent of what they really can – Shona Prabhu

Just filling the stomach is not sufficient

Shona points out that athletes feel they are getting nutrition if their stomach is full when that’s not the case. “I always try to make them understand the concept of nutritious food and how they can ensure the same in their diets.” She never fails to drive the point during her sessions that not just the right kind of food but also the right combination of it and eating at the right time matters on how one performs. Talking about anemia amongst female athletes of India she mentions, “Their immunity, stamina, endurance, and energy levels are directly affected, and is an important issue that needs to be addressed.”

Shona with her husband, Lester Cutinha, co-founder of NutrifyMyDiet, and team members

The expert nutritionist also believes that athletes need to learn how to cook. “This is a life skill that should be developed irrespective of gender because it comes in handy in different situations. You will be able to feed yourself the right way.”

Change the outlook

Just as she organically learned about the value of nutrition by reading about it as a child and observing adults around her, she wants the kids of India to be self-aware. It is required on society’s part to change the way they are inculcating food habits in children. With the popularity of sports as a profession, many children in the country are aspiring for a career in the field.

Parents of aspiring athletes should support nutrition and a healthy environment at home. You can’t just have the aspiring athlete in the family eat certain things, while the rest of the family is eating whatever they feel like including junk food. It needs to be a family affair – Shona Prabhu

Shona at a training session at BFC soccer school

Getting into multiple shoes

The demand of each sport is different for Shona, and she handles her responsibilities as a nutritionist depending on the domain of sports that a player belongs to. “When I work with the hockey players, the way I deal with the demands as a professional is somewhat different from working with cricketers as they are comparatively better in terms of luxuries and privileges offered to them as players.” Similarly, being a consultant to athletes who give individual performances on the field is altogether a different ballgame.

Shona with Delhi Capitals IPL team members

Recent initiatives – a boon

Shona is all praise of some good steps that have been taken lately to prioritise the concept of nutrition in sports and the support that is being given to young athletes by the government. They have access to professionals in different areas of the domain now. “Corporates coming forward to sponsor athletes is a cherry on the cake making the sports ecosystem better,” she remarks.

The sports and wellness nutritionist loves interacting with people of all ages and has been spreading awareness about the benefits of nutrition and a healthy lifestyle through nutrition and fitness talks at corporate houses, schools, and sports academies.

Follow Shona Prabhu on LinkedIn and Facebook
Follow NutrifyMyDiet on Instagram, Facebook and its website

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Published on 11, Sep 2022

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Plot twist: How Dev Raturi went from waiter to restaurateur to one of China’s best loved actors

(October 24, 2024) Dev Raturi fondly remembers his pahad in Uttarakhand, although nearly 20 years have passed since he last called it home. In 2005, armed with a job offer from a friend, and lots of dreams for his future, Raturi scraped funds together to buy himself a plane ticket to Beijing. As promised, he began his career as a waiter, serving food and wiping down tables at his friend's restaurant and earning a meagre monthly salary of 1650 RMB. Five years later, he was fluent in Mandarin, had a steady diet of Bruce Lee films, and had risen through the ranks to become general manager of a steakhouse. He went on to open his own restaurant chain, and in 2015, found the break he had been waiting for all his life - the chance to act in a film. Now, he has worked in over 20 films and web series, and still owns a chain of successful Indian restaurants. He is now such a popular name in China that his life story has found its way into a Chinese textbook. The Global Indian, who has become a self-appointed cultural bridge between India and China, is a prominent member of

l Indian, who has become a self-appointed cultural bridge between India and China, is a prominent member of a small-ish Indian diaspora comprising around 45,000, a mix of professionals, traders and students. Most of these people are located in major cities like Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. In Beijing, where Dev Raturi started his journey, Indian professionals are found in fields like IT, finance, and education. Additionally, Indian-owned businesses, including restaurants, play a key role in representing Indian culture.

[caption id="attachment_58490" align="aligncenter" width="308"] Dev Raturi | Actor | Global Indian Dev Raturi[/caption]

Early Life: Leaving Home for Opportunity

Dev grew up in Kemriya-Saur, a village in Uttarakhand’s Tehri Garhwal district. His family lived off farming, and money was always tight. Like many young men from his background, he had to leave school early to help out. He moved to Delhi in the late 1990s, working a series of jobs—anything that paid the bills. But Dev wanted more than just to scrape by. He dreamed of making it big, especially in films. Inspired by Bruce Lee, he was fascinated by the world of cinema.

In 1998, he tried his luck in Bollywood. He auditioned, waited, and hoped, but it never clicked. Dev didn’t have the connections or the polish to break into an industry known for being tough on outsiders. After several years, it became clear he needed to find another path.

"Acting was something I had given up on, but China gave me a second chance." - Dev Raturi

The Move to China: A Gamble That Paid Off

In 2005, a friend told him about a job opportunity in Beijing. It wasn’t glamorous—a waiter job at an Indian restaurant—but it was a chance to start fresh in a place where no one knew him, and where he might just find his break. “I remember everyone telling me I was making a mistake,” Dev said. “But I had to try something new. I felt stuck.”

The first job was as basic as it sounded. Dev’s salary was 1,650 yuan a month, barely enough to live on. The language barrier was huge, and he knew little about China beyond what he’d seen on TV. But this was where Dev’s stubbornness came in handy. He learned Mandarin on the job, listening carefully to how customers spoke and picking up phrases from his colleagues. By 2007, he had learned enough to be promoted to manager, and his salary rose significantly. “I was always good with people, and I think that’s what helped,” he said. “Even when I didn’t understand everything, I listened.”

[caption id="attachment_58493" align="aligncenter" width="574"] Dev Raturi | Actor | Global Indian A still from a Dev Raturi film[/caption]

By 2010, Dev had become the area director for a hospitality chain. He was responsible for multiple restaurants, handling operations and marketing. But he wasn’t satisfied with just being an employee. He saw the gap in how Indian culture was represented in China and thought he could do it better. He heard his Indian friends speak ill of China, and his Chinese friends' unflattering opinions of India, and was hurt by both. However, he came to understand these prejudices came from ignorance, rather than any real malice or hatred. "I realised it is not an easy job being a proud Indian in China. So I thought I must fill this gap because there were very few Indian restaurants, but none of them present you with Indian culture, they just sell the food. I realised that no, this is not enough."

Entrepreneurial Success: Building a Restaurant Chain

In 2013, Dev opened his first restaurant, Redfort, in Xi’an. This wasn’t just another Indian eatery. Dev wanted it to be an immersive experience of Indian culture, from the decor and music to the food and service. The restaurant became a hit, not just because of the food, but because it gave people something they hadn’t seen before—a glimpse into India. “We didn’t just sell food; we sold an experience,” Dev explained. “When people walked into Redfort, I wanted them to feel like they were in India, not just another restaurant.”

Redfort was successful enough that Dev expanded it to other cities. Over the next few years, he opened more branches across China, each one adding a little more to the experience. Today, he owns a chain of eight restaurants, as well as two Chinese restaurants specializing in local cuisine. His success earned him numerous media appearances, and in 2018, he was named one of the “Top 100 Entrepreneurs in Shaanxi.” His story even became part of a class 7 English textbook in Xi’an.

[caption id="attachment_58491" align="aligncenter" width="622"] Actor | Global Indian Red Fort, the Indian restaurant in China owned by Dev Raturi[/caption]

Breaking into Films: An Unexpected Twist

While his restaurants were thriving, Dev’s childhood dream of acting hadn’t disappeared. His big break came out of nowhere. In 2016, while preparing to open a new restaurant in Sichuan, he was approached by a director looking for an Indian actor for a small role in a Chinese film. “I didn’t think much of it,” Dev recalled. “I thought, why not? It had always been my dream.”

The film was a low-budget project, but it gave him a taste of what he had always wanted. The role wasn’t big, but it was enough to get him noticed. Over the next few years, Dev landed more roles in films and TV shows, playing a variety of characters. By 2019, he had appeared in over 20 productions, including “The Ark,” where he played an astronaut, and “My Roommate is a Detective,” a popular TV series. “I never thought I’d get to do this,” he said. “Acting was something I had given up on, but China gave me a second chance.”

Impact

Dev’s story is now well known, both in China and back home in India. He’s been featured on CCTV, Xinhua News, and other media platforms. His restaurants are popular not just for their food but for the cultural experience they offer. He regularly organizes events that showcase Indian music, dance, and festivals, making his restaurants more than just places to eat—they’re a way for people to learn about Indian culture. “I wanted to do more than just serve food,” he said. “I wanted to bridge a gap. There are so many misconceptions about India in China, and I wanted to change that.”

In 2018, Dev was recognized as one of the “Top 100 Entrepreneurs in Shaanxi,” and his achievements earned him roles such as Deputy Director of Foreign Affairs Committee of Xi’an Baoji Chamber of Commerce. Today, his story continues to inspire many, especially those who feel limited by their circumstances.

Dev Raturi | Actor | Global Indian

Dev is also planning to invest further in his home state of Uttarakhand. “I want to give back,” he said. “I’m working on a plan to open a business there, maybe something similar to what I’ve done in China. It’s important for me to contribute to where I came from.”

For Dev Raturi, success didn’t come the way he expected, but it came nonetheless. From waiting tables to running a chain of restaurants, from dreaming of Bollywood to acting in Chinese films, his journey is a reminder that sometimes, taking the unexpected route leads to the most surprising destinations.

Follow Dev Raturi on his website.

Oscars to Paris Haute Couture: The rise and rise of India’s soft power

(March 4, 2023) The world fawned over actress Jennifer Aniston's Indian look in the upcoming movie, Murder Mystery 2. Dressed in an intricately embroidered white lehenga, from Indian designer Manish Malhotra, the actress looks stunning in the film's trailer. But while fans are going gaga over the look, this is not the first time that an international celeb has been seen donning an Indian designer's creation. Come to think of it, the last few years have seen tremendous growth in the Indian fashion and movie industries, with our celebrities and artists representing India on various international platforms. [caption id="attachment_35784" align="aligncenter" width="726"] Jennifer Aniston in an intricately embroidered white lehenga by Manish Malhotra[/caption] On one hand, we have celebrities including Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Priyanka Chopra, who have been able to make a name for themselves in the international movie industry and open doors for many Indian artists to work abroad. On the other hand, we have celebrity designers who are now taking the Indian handloom craft to various international fashion weeks, giving Indian artisans the credit they have been denied for a long time. To top all this, with brilliant movies like RRR, which have done exceedingly well in foreign

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[caption id="attachment_35780" align="aligncenter" width="600"] India Celebrities | Global Indian RRR's Naatu Naatu has been nominated for the Academy Awards for Best Music category[/caption]

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Gaurav Gupta styling ace international celebrities

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[caption id="attachment_35777" align="aligncenter" width="600"] India | Global Indian American rapper Cardi B in Gaurav Gupta's design[/caption]

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Rahul Mishra's bold designs rule the Paris Haute Couture Week 2023

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[caption id="attachment_35776" align="aligncenter" width="599"] India | Global Indian Rahul Mishra, the first Indian fashion designer to showcase at the Paris Haute Couture Week[/caption]

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[caption id="attachment_35775" align="aligncenter" width="599"] Indian Celebrities | Global Indian Gaurav and Ritu Taneja at the NYFW[/caption]

Celebrating designer Archana Kochhar, the team further increased the representation of Indian influencer presenters on global platforms by roping in #meninskirt fame Jainil Mehta to open the show with a poetic freestyle dance. The show highlighted the importance of sustainability in fashion and focuses on handmade locally grown textiles with a low carbon footprint curated by women weavers from the interiors of the state of Madhya Pradesh.

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

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

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

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

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

The Wani who propagates progress

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

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

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

When BSF called out to him

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ordinary, but extraordinary

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

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

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

Making the most out of BSF

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

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

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

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

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

Understanding Article 370 and Article 35a

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

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

Follow Nabeel Ahmed Wani on Instagram and Twitter

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Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla: Meet the second Indian to travel to space

(August 15, 2024) It was in the April of 1984 that Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma along with two cosmonauts from the Soviet Union (flight engineer Gennady Strekalov and commander Yury Malyshev) flew on board Soyuz T-11 to the space station Salyut 7. This historic moment had his name etched as the first Indian to travel to space. And now 40 years later, another Wing Commander from Indian Air Force Shubhanshu Shukla has been selected by ISRO to travel for the Axiom-4 mission, making him the second Indian to travel to space. When PM Modi visited the US in 2023 to meet President Joe Biden, the two agreed on a joint effort to the International Space Station in 2024. Keeping up with their promise, earlier this month, the Indian Space Research Organisation sent two astronauts selected for its maiden human spaceflight mission Gaganyaan to the US for training. It was Indian Air Force Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla who had been handpicked by ISRO as the prime astronaut, while Group Captain Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair was named as the backup. [caption id="attachment_53708" align="aligncenter" width="485"] Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla[/caption] Shukla and Nair, both members of the Indian Air Force, are set to represent India

t="Shubhanshu Shukla | Global Indian" width="485" height="991" /> Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla[/caption]

Shukla and Nair, both members of the Indian Air Force, are set to represent India in an upcoming high-profile space mission. This mission comes after ISRO’s Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) finalised a Space Flight Agreement with Axiom Space, a US-based space infrastructure company. As part of the Axiom-4 mission, Shukla will serve as the primary mission pilot, with Nair designated as the backup pilot.

NASA Chief Bill Nelson congratulated ISRO on their selection of astronauts for the upcoming mission to the International Space Station. "Congratulations ISRO. We look forward to welcoming the first ISRO astronaut to the International Space Station. This is a monumental step forward for US-India partnership in space," he wrote on X.

The Axiom-4 mission, set to launch on a SpaceX rocket, will include astronauts from Poland, Hungary, the United States, and India, with Shukla among the crew.

Who is Shubhanshu Shukla

Born in Lucknow in 1985, Shubhanshu was only 14 when the Kargil war broke out. Then a high school student at City Montessori School, he was inspired by the tales of heroism and bravery. Two years later, he applied to the National Defence Academy, without informing his parents. On June 17, 2006, he was commissioned into the Indian Air Force's fighter stream, making him the first in his family to join the defence forces. Shukla, a Fighter Combat Leader and test pilot, has accumulated nearly 2,000 hours of flight experience. He has piloted a variety of aircraft, including the Sukhoi-30MKI, Mig-21, Mig-29, A then-32, Dornier, Hawk, and Jaguar.

Shubhanshu Shukla | Global Indian

Shukla entered the astronaut selection process in 2019 through the Institute of Aerospace Medicine (IAM), a division of the Indian Air Force. He was later shortlisted as one of the final four candidates by IAM and ISRO. In 2020, he travelled to Russia with three other selected astronauts for basic training, which he completed in 2021. Upon returning to India, he continued his training at the Astronaut Training Facility in Bangalore. Shukla is among the four astronauts whose names were announced by PM Modi earlier this year for Gaganyaan - India's maiden human spaceflight mission in 2025. Now, he has been picked for a mission which is testimony to the friendly relations between India and the US. At 39, he is the youngest astronaut-designate ever selected, representing a significant milestone in his career.

On the other hand, Backup astronaut Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, hailing from Thiruvazhiyad, Kerala, is a distinguished recipient of the Sword of Honour from the Air Force Academy. With more than 3,000 hours of flight experience, Nair has also served as a Category-A flying instructor and test pilot.

Axiom-4 mission

Originally scheduled for launch in October 2024 and now delayed by a few months into 2025, the Axiom Mission-4 will be a private spaceflight to the International Space Station, operated by Axiom Space. Supported by a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, the mission will lift off from Florida's Kennedy Space Center aboard a Falcon 9 rocket. With a planned duration of 14 days, Axiom Mission-4 follows the successful missions of Axiom-1, Axiom-2, and Axiom-3. This partnership between ISRO, Axiom Space, and NASA marks a significant advancement in global space collaboration.

"The assigned crewmembers will be finally approved to fly to the International Space Station by the Multilateral Crew Operations Panel (MCOP). The recommended gaganyatris will commence their training for the mission from the first week of August 2024," ISRO said, adding, "During the mission, the 'gaganyatris' will undertake selected scientific research and technology demonstration experiments on board the ISS and engage in space outreach activities".

Shubhanshu Shukla | Global Indian

As the second Indian man to travel to space, Shubhanshu Shukla represents a significant milestone in India’s space exploration journey. His rigorous training, exceptional flying experience, and dedication have paved the way for his historic spaceflight. Shukla’s achievement not only highlights the remarkable progress of India’s space program but also inspires future generations to pursue careers in space science and exploration. His mission embodies the spirit of international collaboration and the boundless possibilities of human ingenuity.

Oorja to Log 9: Cleantech startups paving the way for a sustainable future in India

(October 4, 2023) By 2030, India aims to meet fifty percent of its electricity requirements from renewable energy sources, causing a tectonic shift in the global fight against climate change. With eight years left, certain cleantech startups have jumped the bandwagon to help the country inch closer to its goal by producing technologies that aim to reduce carbon print by producing eco-friendly products. Global Indian puts a spotlight on startup that are at the heart of transformation and sustainability. Karma Recycling What do you do with your old mobile phones? While most waste makes it to the landfills, not much has been thought about disposing of e-waste in India, and to tackle this problem, Aamir Jariwala and Akshat Ghiya launched Karma Recycling in 2013 - a company that buys mobile devices and sells refurbished ones at much cheaper rates. It was while studying electronic waste space in the US that the duo found that their learning could be applied to India. Aamir first chanced upon the idea of recycling and refurbishing while working for a private equity firm that was keen to invest in clean technology. That's when he decided to join hands with Akshat to launch their startup. [caption

m that was keen to invest in clean technology. That's when he decided to join hands with Akshat to launch their startup.

[caption id="attachment_31127" align="aligncenter" width="648"] Cleantech startup | Global Indian Aamir Jariwala and Akshat Ghiya co-founded the startup Karma Recycling[/caption]

"When we started looking at the ways people dispose of e-waste in India, we found that most of the market was owned by kabadiwalas (scrap dealers). There was very little emphasis on reuse. So, we knew there was a mountain of mobile devices lying in people’s homes and no one knew what to do with them," Akshat told Better India.

The company accepts phones in any condition, as Akshat revealed that most of them have small problems. So, they furbish almost 25 percent of them, and if they can't be repaired, they break them into working and non-working spare parts. "Working parts are used to repair other phones. And the parts that cannot be repaired are recycled responsibly according to our zero-landfill policy. We are also a Government of India authorised electronic waste collector and segregator," added Akshat, who grew up in Italy and went to college at Northwestern University in Chicago, where he met Aamir.

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Oorjan

Solar energy is the future, and India itself is witnessing a joining of forces and commitment from government, industry and entrepreneurs which has brought momentum to the sector. And IIT-Bombay graduate Gautam Das with his batchmates Roli Gupta and Hrishikesh Deshpande are one of the leading entrepreneurs in this space with Oorjan which they founded in 2014 to take solar energy to the maximum number of people.

[caption id="attachment_31128" align="aligncenter" width="631"] Cleantech startups | Global Indian Gautam Das is one of the founders of Oorjan[/caption]

"Our focus remains on distributed solar for end consumers - residential, commercial, and industrial. Our technology-enabled design tool offers solar proposals instantly in site so that customers can make purchase decisions faster," Roli told Mercom India in an interview, adding that the rooftop solar panels sector is growing at the rate of 60-70 percent every year. "There is an endless demand for 1 billion Indians and one is hard-pressed to find a company focused on delighting them. The industry, due to its lack of ideas and innovation on how to acquire customers economically, gravitates to larger projects," she added.

With operations across 14 Indian states, Oorjan is now planning to come up with solutions that will help recycle solar panel waste.

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Log 9

A year after Oorjan, Log 9 - a nanotechnology company - jumped the bandwagon of cleantech startups to revolutionise the energy sector with an innovative zero-emission and low-cost aluminium-air fuel cell. A brainchild of Akshay Singhal and Kartik Hajela, Log 9 Materials develops aluminium fuel cell technology for both stationary and automotive applications. It was in 2017 that they realised that energy storage or battery technologies will be important in the larger scheme of climate change, and that's when they started using material science competency to create battery technologies.

[caption id="attachment_31129" align="aligncenter" width="750"] Cleantech startup | Global Indian Akshay Singhal and Kartik Hajela are the co-founders of Log 9[/caption]

The startup, which raised $2 million in funding from Petronas Ventures in 2021, understood that none of the batteries were made keeping Indian climate conditions in mind. And it was the need of the hour to build a battery technology from the ground up in India. Talking about the seed funding, Akshay told ET, "enables us to accelerate our ongoing mission of introducing our breakthrough InstaCharge (rapid charging) battery technology to a plethora of end-users, and in positioning the startup as the largest Indian player in advanced cell chemistries."

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OxyGarden

In a post-covid world, hygiene has become of utmost importance as airborne transmission is considered one of the hazards in the spreading of viruses. To curb this, cleantech startup OxyGarden has found a solution by building air sanitizers that help improve the quality of indoor air. It was in January 2020 that OxyGreen launched its first product - Forest- after two years of prototyping and testing. The IoT-enabled garden, which produces 700 litres of oxygen per day and reduces carbon emission, purifies and humidifies indoor air naturally.

Launched in 2019 by Abhishek Gupta, the idea started growing in 2016 after he discovered that the then-existing electric air purifiers worked on only about 51 percent of pollutants. "I wanted 100 percent clean air in my room, but there was no product in the market that worked on the entire spectrum of pollutants," he told YourStory. That's when he chanced upon research from NASA that showed the role of plants in purifying the air and eliminating the chances of airborne infections.

[caption id="attachment_31130" align="aligncenter" width="523"] Cleantech startup | Global Indian Abhishek Gupta launched OxyGarden in 2019[/caption]

“It has been scientifically proven that the right IAQ index reduces airborne transmission of biological contaminants. Many viruses fail to infect people if the relative humidity level is maintained at around 40 percent. This not only increases the time and distance of the transmission but also reduces the percentage of people contracting the virus,” added Abhishek.

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