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Global IndianstorySix Indians in new list of Forbes’ World’s 100 Most Powerful Women

Six Indians in new list of Forbes’ World’s 100 Most Powerful Women

Compiled by: Amrita Priya

(January 7, 2022) As India enjoys the status of being amongst the best-performing large economies across the globe, the finance minister of India, Nirmala Sitharaman has an instrumental role to play in this fillip. In the wake of the upcoming budget, all eyes are set on her to give India a further boost. During her busiest time of the year, she has been in news for being listed in Forbes’ world’s 100 most powerful women. This is the fourth consecutive year that the finance minister of India is part of the coveted list.

Sitharaman is just one Indian face amongst the other Indian stalwarts that are part of the latest list – Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Roshni Nadar, Falguni Nayar, Soma Mondal, and Madhabi Puri. Apart from the six Indian citizens, Indian- American vice president of America, Kamala Harris enjoys one of the top slots in the list.

Global Indian turns the spotlight on these movers and shakers. They were selected on four main metrics – wealth, media, spheres of influence and impact. ‘For political leaders, we weighed gross domestic products and populations; for corporate leaders, revenues and employee counts; and media mentions and reach of all,” stated Forbes, at the time the list was released, in December 2022.

Nirmala Sitharaman

Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, Government of India

The Indian economist and politician is serving in the minister of finance and corporate affairs since 2019. Born in Madurai, Sitharaman previously served as the Defence Minister of India, becoming the country’s second female defence minister and the second female finance minister after Indira Gandhi. Sitharaman is the first full-time female minister to hold each of the two coveted portfolios.

Nirmala Sitharaman

She is set to present the union budget on February 1 2023 for the fifth consecutive year. India boasts of reaching the $3.8 trillion economy mark under her able leadership. “Between 2020 and today, we seem to have come out to a situation where the challenges continue, newer challenges are also building up but India is seen as an island of a certain level of calm,” the finance minister said at a Global Investors’ Meet.

Roshni Nadar

Chairperson of HCL Technologies

The Indian billionaire businesswoman and the chairperson of HCL Technologies is the first female entrepreneur to lead a listed IT company in India. She also works as the CEO of HCL Corporation, the holding company of all HCL Group entities. The entrepreneur was raised in Delhi by her parents, Shiv Nadar, the founder of HCL, and Kiran Nadar.

Roshni Nadar

Roshni worked in several organisations before joining HCL Group and was associated as a trustee of the Shiv Nadar Foundation, prior to becoming the CEO of HCL Corporation. The organisation is scaling new peaks under Roshni’s leadership and is one of the top fifteen global technology companies with a revenue of more than $10 billion. “If you’re able to have an entrepreneurial spirit, and more than that, to have an entrepreneurial gut to be able to take risks – with people or with your ideas – I think it shapes you in a very different manner,” Roshni said, speaking at a FICCI event.

Madhabi Puri Buch

Chairperson of Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)

The first woman and non-IAS officer to lead SEBI, chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch has been leading the securities regulatory body since 2017. Madhabi is also the first person from the private sector to be appointed to this position. The SEBI chairperson has been credited with corporatization of the organization to improve efficiency, and other such rapid changes conducive to the growth of the system. “While technology is being used as a tool by fraudsters, we can use the same technology to evade fraud,” she said at an event organised by Indian Audit and Accounts Department.

Madhabi Puri Buch

The Mumbaikar pursued her college education from Delhi, which she followed up with an MBA from IIM Ahmedabad. Starting her career in 1989 with ICICI Bank she has lent her expertise across various profiles in different companies.

Soma Mondal

Chairperson of Steel Authority of India (SAIL)Born and brought up in Bhubhneshwar, Soma Mondal is the first woman to be functional director of SAIL. She also enjoys the distinction of being the first female chairperson of the organisation. After graduating with a degree in electrical engineering from NIT Rourkela, Soma’s 35-year-long career began as a trainee with NALCO. In 2017, she joined SAIL as its director (commercial operations) and rose to Chairperson three years later, in 2020.

Soma Mondal

Mondal has been instrumental in increasing SAIL’s revenue by 50 percent, bringing it to over ₹ one lakh crore after becoming chairperson. Today, she’s a popular and well-respected part of the aluminium industry. “The mantra is to work hard in a focused manner and instead of looking for leadership from the top at all times, create a leader within each of you in every activity of yours,” she said, during an interaction with young executives at the Rourkela Steel Plant.

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw

Executive chairperson and founder of Biocon Limited and Biocon Biologics Limited

Born in Bangalore to Gujarati parents, Kiran Mazumdar is an Indian billionaire entrepreneur and a now-familiar face in the Forbes list of 100 Most Powerful Women. She has always worked with the vision of affordable innovation and has made it a driving philosophy to expand Biocon’s reach. Motivated by the urge to provide affordable drugs to less-affluent countries, the entrepreneur has tried to develop cost-effective techniques and low-cost alternatives through her Bangalore based organisation.

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw

One of India’s richest self-made women, Kiran has successfully forayed into the lucrative markets of the west, and runs Asia’s largest insulin factory in Malaysia. “You have to work like your life depends on it. You cannot say, let me give it a shot,” was her advice to women during an award ceremony.

Falguni Nayar

Founder and CEO, Nykaa

The Indian billionaire businesswoman founded the beauty and lifestyle retail company formally known as FSN E-Commerce Ventures, an acronym of her own name. The Mumbaikar was raised in a Gujarati household and after graduating from IIM-Ahmedabad, worked with Kotak Mahindra for 19 years. Using the $2 million she had earned over the years, she made an investment in her own company. In November 2021, it was listed at a $13 billion valuation soon after going public.

Falguni Nayar

Falguni is the wealthiest female Indian billionaire, with a net worth of more than $6.5 billion – it puts her in the list of India’s top 20 richest people. Reflecting the ethos of the woman at its helm, Nykaa is a celebration of the feminine. “Curiosity will always give you an edge because learning is integral to growth. Whether it’s a road less travelled or not, take the path you want to take,” she advised youngsters during her convocation address at Bennett University.

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Mausam Narang: The girl who mastered artisanal Norwegian cheese and got a “silver”

(December 1, 2021) Brunost cheese may be of Norwegian origin, but a Mumbai-based artisan cheesemaker knows how to make it better In the heart of Mumbai is a UK-studied and Italy-trained artisan cheese maker making Norwegian cheese. Mausam Jotwani Narang, from Mumbai, entered an elite club of cheese connoisseurs and makers with her carefully handcrafted brunost, a Norwegian-style whey cheese that is standing shoulder to shoulder with cheese royalty. The cheese maker became the first Indian to win a silver in the brown cheese category at the prestigious World Cheese Awards 2021 in Oviedo, Spain. She stole their cheese Narang did an MBA in human resources at the University of Birmingham, studied German for four years, and has a B.Com from RA Podar College in Mumbai. She worked at Cape Gemini in HR for a while and then cheese mongering became her calling. [caption id="attachment_17117" align="aligncenter" width="574"] Mausam Narang at Eleftheria[/caption] It is widely believed that cheese travelled to India from the West, even though the local favourite cottage cheese (paneer) finds pride of place in most households. The more gourmet varieties are a tad exclusive. As a cheese artisan who has put India on the world cheese map, Narang,

om the West, even though the local favourite cottage cheese (paneer) finds pride of place in most households. The more gourmet varieties are a tad exclusive. As a cheese artisan who has put India on the world cheese map, Narang, has been dedicated in learning the craft for a few years. She began her initial training at informal workshops in Italy where she heard about the World Cheese Awards for the first time in 2019. Learning and fine-tuning her skills at two Italian creameries, she was on song. “I thought, ‘Why can’t any Indian cheese maker participate?’” she tells Global Indian. The self-taught cheese maker who has no formal course in cheesemaking, was helped with the insights she got in Italy. Today, Mausam is enthused and proud of her handcrafted brunost.

When the world slowly started opening up in 2020 after the first wave of Covid-19, Mausam got her hands wet in the whey, literally, with the awards on her mind.
The World Cheese Awards are a platform to identify varieties of cheese from across the world, that are then judged by technical experts, buyers, retailers and food writers. This year, India-crafted cheese sat pretty confident with the other 4,000 entries from 45 countries. Then it was down to business – as 230 judges went on their tasting and observation medley and chanced upon this Indian-made brunost. That Narang was among the winners was monumental, and she inadvertently opened the doors for other Indian cheese makers with her delicious brown cheese. “I was ecstatic when I heard the news. It was a huge moment for all Indian cheese artisans,” she says.

[caption id="attachment_17109" align="aligncenter" width="632"] Cheese Cheese by Eleftheria[/caption]

As for the coveted brunost, it has a unique taste, “That’s quite like a fusion of khoya (milk cake), the traditional Indian milk solid and whey,” she explains.

Prepared from discarded whey, brunost was already a well-known cheese when Narang experimented with it. It took her a few weeks to perfect the texture and flavour of the brown cheese. “It was exciting to do that. The cheese is also unique to the Indian market. It tastes almost like salted caramel milk fudge. Brunost goes well with your morning breakfast of toast and pancakes too,” she suggests.

How the “umami” came together

Narang's interest in fromage began nine years ago. Working at Capgemini, she missed her comfort food of bread and cheese from her years at Birmingham, which is also where she first fell in love with a wide variety of cheese. “Back then, my fridge had a huge collection,” she smiles.

When she came back to Mumbai, Mausam baked bread and crafted homemade cheese to complement her loaves. An idea that began with an inherent urge to taste good cheese, her passion saw her parents wondering where to store the cheese she was churning out. “My parents are very supportive, but they were worried about the amount of cheese I was making during weekends. We Indians don't learn about cheese-making from our forefathers. Similarly, my parents were clueless,” she laughs. After a great response for her milk-laden bites from loved ones, she decided to quit corporate life to pursue cheese and became a true turophile and cheesemonger.

[caption id="attachment_17113" align="aligncenter" width="450"] Mausam Narang[/caption]

The freedom to “cheese”

Eleftheria, her brand was born in 2015, which is the Greek word for “freedom.” She tackled it with the same spirit. Three years of R&D on cheese making, creating new varieties, attending workshops and meeting fromagers - she was ready with the artisanal Eleftheria. The micro creamery in Mumbai’s north-east suburbs supplies artisanal cheese to over 50 restaurants across Mumbai, Pune, Calcutta, Bengaluru, Delhi, etc. It is also available at Foodhall. “We plan to expand to Chennai soon,” she adds. What started as a venture with two people, is now 25 staff strong. A 150 gm brunost costs Rs 350, 200 gm burrata Rs 400 and 200 gm mozzarella is Rs 350.

The resourceful fromagere is at the creamery every morning when the first milk arrives. “I don't like getting up early, but the milk forces me,” she laughs. She personally monitors the quality and processes.

One thing that cheese has taught Narang is patience. “The craft teaches you to be patient. Milk is the main ingredient and it's so tricky, especially when preparing a fermented product. You have to be very careful, and never give up. With lots of patience, you can achieve great results,” she says. Her personal favourite cheese is a well-aged cloth bound traditional cheddar.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSDaKp0uX0o

Chuffed about flying the Indian flag high, she is hopeful, “India is not that big for cheese artisans, but the number is increasing steadily. People are travelling and have developed a palate and now know about different food combinations. I feel a lot of cheese makers will come up from India in the next five to six years,” says cheese story teller.

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Ashok Aliseril: UK-based engineer who built a plane in his backyard and now travels the world

(September 23, 2022) Freedom is magical, and it was in this very quest for enchantment that Essex-resident Ashok Aliseril Thamarakshan decided to build a four-seater airplane in his backyard in Billericay during the lockdown - to fly around the world at his convenience. What began with watching planes pass by in the skies above took the shape of curiosity to try his hand at the same. Years later, Ashok took his first flying lesson to the Isle of Wight in a microlight. It got him hooked, so much so that he thought of building a four-seater plane to take his family on adventures. "The sense of freedom that anytime the weather is good, we can go out anywhere without having to worry about airline tickets is exhilarating," Ashok tells Global Indian. Ashok and his wife Abhilasha began this labour of love together. It took them two years to come to fruition with 1600 hours of meticulous effort and £160,000. While Ashok sat through painstakingly long hours to work on his plane after wrapping up his regular shift (7 am to 3 pm) at work, Abhilasha dealt with the complicated paperwork. When asked if she was initially sold on the idea

t work, Abhilasha dealt with the complicated paperwork. When asked if she was initially sold on the idea of building an airplane, the 35-year-old says, "I was fully onboard with the build as brand new 4-seater aircraft cost £1 million upwards. And we didn't have money straightaway to buy a share in an already built airplane."

[caption id="attachment_29678" align="aligncenter" width="688"] Ashok Aliseril | Engineer | Global Indian Ashok and Abhilasha Aliseril with their daughters at the hangar (Photo courtesy: Ashok and Abhilasha Aliseril)[/caption]

Building a plane sounded like the perfect idea as the Aliserils were "saving a fortune" by not paying for their kids' nursery fees and cutting down on commuting expenses. They even put their grocery expenses on credit cards to reserve as much as they could from their salaries. However, Abhilasha's only concern was "the time it will take and whether we will be able to do it whilst working full time and having the children at home during the lockdown." Nevertheless, the family pulled it off with minor challenges and took their first trip to the Isle of Wight which was an "emotional yet positive" experience for Aliserils, who are now the proud owners of G-DIYA, named after their youngest daughter.

For the love of planes

While growing up in Alappuzha in Kerala, Ashok loved taking things apart and later reassembling them. This passion led him to pursue mechanical engineering at Palakkad Engineering College in Kerala, which ignited in him a passion for automobile engineering which he ended up pursuing at the University of Hertfordshire, UK in 2006. Now an engineer with Ford, he met Abhilasha, a data analyst, online and the two tied the knot in 2011. Over the years, he did work on some cars in the driveways but it was the light aircraft in the sky that intrigued him. And when the couple moved to Billericay in 2013, he would often find himself immensely distracted by the planes, which always looked "liberating." However, work and the birth of their first daughter, Tara, kept him too occupied to go forward with the plan of exploring the opportunity of learning to fly, until Abhilasha gifted him a 30-minute flying experience.

[caption id="attachment_29679" align="aligncenter" width="724"] Engineer | Ashok Aliseril | Global Indian G-DIYA, a four-seater built by Ashok Aliseril (Photo courtesy: Ashok and Abhilasha Aliseril)[/caption]

"I used to look at the skies during the weekends gazing at the aircrafts flying above. My first flight was a 30-minute trial lesson and in the second, which was along with the instructor, we took off and landed at the Isle of Wight. It was the sense of freedom that came with just being able to take off, got me hooked," adds the 39-year-old. In no time, he applied for a standard Europe-wide pilot’s license which requires 45 hours of flying time.

The real deal

However, the anticipation of taking his wife and two daughters on adventures was nipped in the bud as Ashok could only find two-seaters, while the four-seaters available were either obsolete or very expensive. That's when Ashok decided to build a plane, and he zeroed in on Sling TSi. "Jabiru J430, Vans RV10, and Sling TSi were the three options that could be done in the UK as a home built. Obviously, there are options that you can buy outright but they are really old aircraft and if you want to buy something new, you have to fork out quite a bit of money," he explains.

[caption id="attachment_29695" align="aligncenter" width="694"] Ashok Aliseril Sling TSi in the making (Photo courtesy: Ashok and Abhilasha Aliseril)[/caption]

He first saw the Sling TSi (a four-seater) listed on the Light Aircraft Association website, "but the model wasn't available in the UK or anywhere in Europe. So, I had to go to South Africa to test fly one." Impressed with its functioning, Ashok was moreover amazed by its making - with two fuel tanks that hold 88 liters of the petrol, the kind people put in their cars, and burns around 20 liters an hour. Ashok was sold. Fresh off the plane from Johannesburg, he ordered the plane's £3,500 tail kit, and in between started building a hangar in his spacious backyard with the help of friends and £700.

Building with love

Around the same time, the lockdown was announced in the UK in 2020, and Aliserils were left to build the plane on their own. He was working with a seven-part kit that came with instructions for assembling on DropBox and all the while, he did as much research as he could, even referring to YouTube videos. After the tail, the wings arrived, and with the help of their six-year-old daughter, Tara, who helped with unpacking, Ashok was able to build the plane in two years. But with constant delays in the arrival of kits due to Covid, Ashok had to deal with his share of challenges.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7TpYTTaAfo

"The biggest challenges were mostly psychological - looking at the scale of the project, you sometimes times think that it is never going to finish. But you need to make a little bit of meaningful progress each day to reach your goal," he says, adding, "Project management is another big part of it as you get these individual kits and there will be parts that are damaged or not matching or on back order, so you start on the job but you cannot finish it until you get the next part. Logistics and project management are a big aspect of this built."

Off to see the world

After months of working on his labour of love, Ashok started the engine of the plane for the first time in June 2021, and it was in February 2022 that G-DIYA finally made it to the skies. Calling the first trip to Isle of Wight an exhilarating experience, Abhilasha adds, "The girls were also able to see what we have achieved so, that they can get involved with aviation early on their lives. It’s something Ashok and I didn't have when we were younger as childhood was very different back in the 80s."

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A post shared by Abhilasha Aliseril (@fly_home_or_away)

The Aliserils have already been to Manchester, Skegness and the Isle of Wight in the UK and France, Germany, Belgium, Austria and Czech Republic in Europe on G-DIYA, are in love with the freedom. "The freedom and independence to take off wherever you want, as long as it’s well within the distance, of course, makes it all worth it," signs off Abhilasha.

Video courtesy: SlingUK

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Odisha’s red ant chutney hailed by Gordon Ramsay gets GI tag

(January 24, 2024) "Now this is what I have travelled into the wild for, the chutney," says Michelin-star chef Gordon Ramsay in his documentary when he travelled to India in 2010. Clad in a blue tee and beige cargo pants, he tries the red ant chutney served on a leaf. "It's hot but absolutely delicious," he remarks, adding, "I am never going to touch mango chutney for the rest of my life." Keen to know what makes the chutney so delicious, he finds himself escorted to a nearby jungle where a man climbs up a tree and cuts a branch that has what looks like a nest. Upon closer examination, he finds that it's a nest for fire ants - and the chutney in question is Odisha's Kai Chutney which has bagged the GI tag recently for its unique taste and texture. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hz7L_DKNDBE Rich in protein, zinc, vitamin B-12, calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron et al, the Kai chutney, made from weaver ants, is found in the Similipal forests of Mayurbhanj district and has become a quintessential part of their culinary culture. If experts are to be believed, the savoury chutney helps boost the immune system and prevent diseases. Early this

e system and prevent diseases. Early this month, red ant chutney was awarded GI (Geographical Indication) tag for its exceptional health benefits and nutritional value. The tag serves to safeguard the unique flavour profile, preventing the dilution or replication of the dish, and the global recognition will help pave a deeper understanding of the superfood.

The making of the chutney

In the Mayurbhanj district, numerous tribal families earn a livelihood through the collection and sale of these insects and chutneys. They have cleverly included red ants in their daily lives by harvesting and making tasty dishes that highlight their unique flavours, finding sustainable and innovative ways to use this natural resource. They collect kai pimpudi (red weaver ants) and their eggs from nests, meticulously clean them before making a semi-solid paste chutney by grinding a blend of salt, ginger, garlic, and chilies in a pestle mortar, which increases its shelf live to one year.

Red Ant Chutney | Global Indian

"The chutney is popular not just for its delicious taste but also for its medicinal properties. It addresses coughs, colds, aches and pains. The ants' high levels of formic acid, amped up by seasonings, make this chutney extremely hot," Pobitra Mandal, a Mayurbhanj native said in an interview, adding that ants are tastiest as larvae or adults. "This is when the ants are optimally developed and produce maximum flavour."

About 500 tribal families make a living by collecting and selling these insects, along with a chutney made from them. Due to high demand, they can sell large amounts at village markets and fairs. The price for a kilogram of live kai pimpudi is around ₹400-600, and the chutney sells for ₹1,000.

According to Nayadhar Padhial, the secretary of Mayurbhanj Kai Society, each year around three quintals of kai pimpudi is collected by tribals from the forest in the district. "We started the society in 2018 to promote kai pimpudi chutney by organising tribal food festivals and awareness meetings," he said in an interview.

Red Ant Chutney | Global Indian

Promoting the rich culture of the state

The red ant chutney is not just restricted to Odhisa but is a pivotal dish among the tribes of Chattisgarh's Bastar region. Chefs from India and abroad often indulge in tours that showcase the process of harvesting and storing red ants in indigenous communities. Even the Belgadia Palace in Mayurbhanj takes pride in showcasing its culinary delight to the world. "Our property has its trees and we have enlisted a member of a local tribe to collect the ants from the trees. Then, our chef, also from a tribe, prepares the chutney the traditional way," Sautam Pramanik said in an interview.

Red Ant Chutney | Global Indian

The recognition of red ant chutney with a GI tag has propelled Odisha's superfood onto the global culinary map. This unique culinary creation, crafted by around 500 tribal families, not only showcases the innovative use of a natural resource but also highlights the rich culinary traditions of the region. With its distinctive flavors and sustainable harvesting practices, red ant chutney stands as a testament to the diverse and remarkable gastronomic offerings emerging from different corners of the world. This GI tag not only adds value to the local economy but also positions Odisha as a hub for culinary innovation, inviting global attention to the intriguing and delicious world of red ant-infused delicacies.

Meet Sunil Chhetri the charismatic Indian footballer who recently surpassed Pele’s record of international goals

(October 26, 2021) His diminutive figure shuffles with alacrity across the football field as he dons the mantle of playmaker with ease. Before you know it, Sunil Chhetri scores. The football skipper of the Indian national football team and Bengaluru FC has another special moniker to his name nowadays – of having surpassed Brazilian legend Pele’s record of international goals scored (when India beat Maldives at the SAFF Championship 2021). Pele scored 77 goals for Brazil, Chhetri now has 80 goals under his belt. Yet, ask the purposeful striker, and he would much rather speak about more important things – like the beautiful game, the Bengaluru FC women’s team or the heart of training. The 37-year-old has been wearing the Indian jersey since 2005, and while 2011 was his best season ever with 13 goals, 2021 comes a close second with eight goals, and counting with the season starting soon. In football years, that is an achievement in itself. [embed]https://twitter.com/chetrisunil11/status/1449596701933666304?s=20[/embed] Football in the family The boy born to KB Chhetri (Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers, Indian Army), and Sushila Chhetri in Secunderabad had a childhood entrenched in the basics of football as his father played for the Indian Army's team, and his

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[embed]https://twitter.com/chetrisunil11/status/1449596701933666304?s=20[/embed]

Football in the family

The boy born to KB Chhetri (Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers, Indian Army), and Sushila Chhetri in Secunderabad had a childhood entrenched in the basics of football as his father played for the Indian Army's team, and his mother and twin aunts played for Nepal women’s national team. The little Chhetri imbibed tenets of the game as a toddler, and no doubt got lessons that gave him a foundation that has added to his prowess. Similar to how Tiger Woods learned watching his father swing his golf club in the garage as a toddler.

Indian Athlete | Sunil Chhetri | Indian Football Captain

COVID-19 lockdowns and bio bubbles were tough to adapt to but Chhetri was busy using social media to get help. “It was a time when everyone came together in such amazing ways. It was overwhelming to see people go out of their way to help complete strangers. I was happy to lend my social media platforms to some fantastic people who were doing so much to gather resources. They were the real heroes,” says Chhetri.

The Indian captain is the third-highest active international goal scorer. Both Goats - Lionel Messi (80) and Cristiano Ronaldo (115) are ahead of Chhetri in goal scoring, yet the affable and modest skipper would much rather concentrate on his next game, and give his best. With clubs like Mohun Bagan, JCT, Dempo, and international seasons with Sporting Clube de Portugal (also called Sporting Lisbon (B)), Kansas City Wizards of Major League Soccer during his stellar career, there have been many an international transfer rumour in the past. At the heart of it lies a leader, mentor, and player who believes in being proactive.

Indian Athlete | Sunil Chhetri | Indian Football Captain

The leader in him

Chhetri always has a motivating word for his teammates. Videos of his positive words dot his twitter account, and he himself is extremely driven. His secret? “There is no secret. When you love what you do, you don’t have to search for reasons to turn up. It’s hard work, yes, but it’s all worth it at the end of every training session, every game, every season,” says Sunil to Global Indian from Maldives.

His tryst with BFC has taken the club to greater heights. With 203 appearances, he has scored 101 goals. His joie de vivre is evident in his demeanour and dedication to football. With many accolades, and monikers, he is humble, and would much rather leave his past laurels behind, and look at creating more.

Indian Athlete | Sunil Chhetri | Indian Football Captain

“I’ve been fortunate enough to share the dressing room with some stalwarts of Indian football. Seniors like Bhaichung Bhai and Renedy Singh took me in and showed me the ropes of pro football. There were so many others who I shared dressing rooms with, and looked up to,” says Chhetri, who has always tried to pick the best qualities to emulate from those around him.

Chhetri had also met Argentinian footballer Diego Maradona in Kolkata to kick off a game years ago. He recalled the magic he great brought on his passing. His aura was infectious, and Chhetri was awestruck.

Indian Athlete | Sunil Chhetri | Indian Football Captain

Practice makes perfect

Practice makes perfect, and Sunil’s pre-game routine is like clockwork – now a habit. “When it comes to must-dos, it’s more about resting enough, eating correctly and on time, getting my time with the masseur – regular, boring stuff,” says the footballer.

Different teams, different management styles have only enhanced Chhetri’s adaptability and enterprise. Any favourite managers? The diplomat says he has learned from many, “Football comprises so many aspects and you find these elements in different people.”

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrQK9it84eI[/embed]

Cheering Team India

The constant motivator, he can be seen egging on Olympians, footballers, teams and other sports people. When Bengaluru FC recently announced starting age-group women’s teams in September 2021, a thrilled Sunil welcomed this move. “It’s fantastic that the club has come forward with the intent to have a full-fledged women’s team. It took a while in the coming, but they wanted to do it right and that’s how Bengaluru FC approaches things. Women’s football needs a big push and we’ve got to do it together. I’m optimistic that things will only get better,” says the skipper.

Chhetri married his girlfriend Sonam Bhattacharya in 2017. Sonam is former Indian international and Mohun Bagan player Subrata Bhattacharya’s daughter. Thus, personally too football made its mark, or match. “Marriage is wonderful. Sonam and I have been together long enough now. You appreciate many aspects as time goes by. It helps a lot that she has had an upbringing that involved football because we footballers can be a very tough species to understand and deal with. More so, when things aren’t going well, she’s been a real blessing, I am grateful for that,” says the husband, who is admittedly not big on talking about himself.

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Reading Time: 8 mins

Dreams in Space: Akshata Krishnamurthy’s journey from MIT to NASA

(December 9, 2023) A tiny satellite called ASTERIA, no bigger than a briefcase, did something once only big telescopes could do. It detected 55 Cancri e, a planet twice the size of Earth and possibly made of diamond inside, 41 light years away from earth. ASTERIA was only 10×20×30 cm in size and weighed 10 kg, the smallest planet-hunting satellite ever. Astronauts from the International Space Station (ISS) had put it into space in late 2017. It lasted 18 months before burning up in earth’s atmosphere in 2020. It was a NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and MIT project to test if a tiny telescope on a small satellite could focus on stars for a long time. Detecting 55 Cancri e went beyond expectations, showing small satellites could discover exoplanets as well. Following this achievement, the ASTERIA team earned the NASA Group Achievement Award for their innovative use of a CubeSat in scientific research. Dr Akshata Krishnamurthy, an MIT alumna and deep tech advisor working as principal investigator and mission science phase lead at NASA JPL, made it a moment of pride for India as part of this important mission. "We made news! We built the smallest satellite capable of

noopener">55 Cancri e went beyond expectations, showing small satellites could discover exoplanets as well.

Following this achievement, the ASTERIA team earned the NASA Group Achievement Award for their innovative use of a CubeSat in scientific research. Dr Akshata Krishnamurthy, an MIT alumna and deep tech advisor working as principal investigator and mission science phase lead at NASA JPL, made it a moment of pride for India as part of this important mission. "We made news! We built the smallest satellite capable of detecting an exoplanet,” Akshata had shared after this achievement. For her key role in instrument characterisation and science data analysis for ASTERIA she was quoted by major science journals in their press releases.

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After the successful mission, the Space & Satellite Professionals International (SSPI) announced its fourth annual 20 Under 35 list in 2021, recognising Akshata as one of the exceptional honourees.

The rocket scientist has played a vital role in multiple NASA-backed space missions. She has been involved in conducting robotic operations on the Martian surface, contributing to the Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover mission, and is being hailed as the first Indian to operate the rover on Mars. At the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), the MIT alumuna offers extensive knowledge in flight systems engineering, small satellites, instrument calibration, performance modeling, processing science data for exoplanet discovery, and developing mission concepts.

Inspirational journey of working at NASA

"I came to the United States a little over 13 years ago with almost nothing but a dream to work at NASA and lead breakthrough science and robotic operations on Earth and Mars," Akshata shared recently in a social media post. "Everyone I met told me that this was impossible as a foreign national on a visa, and that I should either have a plan B or change my field completely. I'm glad that I didn't listen to anyone. I persevered until I found a way!" the Global Indian remarked.

From getting her PhD at MIT to knocking hundreds of doors for employment to finally getting hired full-time at NASA, nothing came easy to Akshata. "Today, I work on multiple cool space missions including the Perseverance Rover collecting samples to bring back to Earth," she shared adding, "No dream is ever too big or crazy. Believe in yourself, keep those blinkers on and keep working! You'll get there if you work hard."

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A proud MIT alumna

Reflecting on her time at MIT, Akshata remarked, "Going to MIT changed my life," expressing happiness about being surrounded by the 'smartest people' and having exciting opportunities for learning and growth.

At the renowned institution, which is a dream for many, Akshata recalled feeling outside her comfort zone every day, relishing the discomfort. She continues to value MIT's unparalleled exposure and freedom to explore, even as a NASA scientist.

MIT instilled in her the resilience to face challenges without intimidation. The institution's motto, 'mens et manus'— mind and hand — has equipped her, like other esteemed alumni, to merge academic knowledge with practical applications.

"Every MIT graduate shares a love for problem-solving and finding creative solutions." Her MIT experience taught her that challenges are opportunities. She views challenges as chances to learn and grow, advocating for learning from mistakes and persevering toward dreams, as success often rewards those who persist.

[caption id="attachment_47345" align="aligncenter" width="693"] Indians in USA | Akshata Krishnamurthy | Global Indian Akshata Krishnamurth[/caption]

Putting social media to good use

"My goal is to inspire and motivate 1 million people to dream big and live their best lives," she shared on Instagram that boasts of nearly 50,000 followers. Akshata utilises social media to share insights about her journey as a rocket scientist involved in exciting missions.

She addresses common queries from aspiring youngsters aiming for successful STEM careers as engineers or scientists. Her message emphasises perseverance, encouraging individuals to pursue their goals despite others' opinions. Akshata believes one shouldn't explain their dreams or seek approval, advocating for self-belief, ambitious thinking, and resisting limitations imposed by others or societal norms.

“I am eternally grateful to the opportunities and support from family, friends, teachers, mentors and anyone I’ve crossed paths along the way,” shared the rocket scientist who moved to the US to pursue her higher studies, 13 years back.

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Awards and accolades

Apart from the NASA Group Achievement Award that she received after the successful ASTERIA mission, Akshata has received several awards and accolades throughout her career. She was honoured with the Emerging Space Leader Award, and the Luigi G. Napolitano Award from the International Astronautical Federation (IAF). She has also received recognitions like the MIT Graduate Women of Excellence Award, Dr. Robbin Chapman Excellence Through Adversity Award, and multiple educational fellowships such as the Schlumberger Faculty for the Future Fellowship, Zonta Amelia Earhart Fellowship, and SPIE Optics and Photonics Fellowship.

Beyond her professional commitments, Akshata has served as a peer reviewer for journals like Universe, Aerospace, and Remote Sensing. She has been the global judge for NASA's Space Apps Competition and has delivered talks at platforms like the Apollo 50+50 event at MIT. In the past she served as the MIT Sandbox Fund Fellow, mentor and reviewer of early-stage technology startups, and was also appointed by the MIT President L. Rafael Reif to the MIT Presidential Advisory Cabinet (PAC).

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