Indian Entrepreneur | Pritam Kumar Panda | Global Indian

Global IndianstoryThe defiant dreamer: The bioinformatics expert’s journey from Odisha to Europe

The defiant dreamer: The bioinformatics expert’s journey from Odisha to Europe

Written by: Vikram Sharma

(March 18, 2023) Pritam Kumar Panda had a tough childhood. A year after he was born, he lost his father. With great difficulty, his mother got a job as a primary school teacher earning Rs 400 per month. For the next 10 years, the mother and her son would stay in a hut and life was an everyday struggle. Pritam persevered and today, the researcher and computational scientist has built a life for himself in Sweden. The bioinformatics enthusiast and expert in computational methods has also forayed into entrepreneurship with his scientific management company, Nerdalytics.

A difficult childhood didn’t stand in the way of Pritam dreaming big and making his own choices. For instance, in 2008, when his peers advised him to pursue a field other than science to reduce the financial burden on his single mother, he ignored their advice and decided to pursue bioinformatics. His mother stood by his decision. It was a turning point in his life.

Pritam Kumar Panda

Finding himself in foreign lands

Sheer determination and courage took him to Germany and then to Sweden. “The challenges I faced, taught me how to be stronger in every aspect of life and not to lose hope. I am now in a position to face the world with dignity and grace,” smiles Pritam, a researcher and computational scientist with core training in bioinformatics, speaking to Global Indian.

Pritam is among the rare few who received funding from Colgate and Palmolive, USA, to carry out bioinformatics research in structure-based drug designing. He assisted the company in developing a pipeline for combinatorial synergy-based drug designing for photo-aging and hyperpigmentation.

A rocky start

Born November 1991 in Belaguntha, a small village in Odisha, Pritam and his mother moved to Baliguda after his father’s death. They used to pay rent of Rs 80 for the hut in which they lived. “My grandfather was a treasurer in a government office and helped us a lot in those days. I am forever indebted to him for his love and affection towards us,” recalls the researcher.

At the age of 11, Pritam went to boarding school, where he did his sixth and seventh grades in the native Odia language. For high school, he left Odisha and went to study at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, where he stayed until he graduated 12^th grade as an All-India topper. “My focus was only on studies and sometimes extracurricular activities related to scientific activities,” recalls Pritam, who received a prize from Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam for excelling in the ‘Intel’ project conducted by NVS, Delhi. Pritam went on to study Bioinformatics in an integrated master’s programme at Buxi Jagabandhu College, Utkal University, Bhubaneswar, graduating again with a gold medal. Years later, he moved to Mumbai for his double masters (Master of Technology with a bank loan of 4 Lakhs) at D Y Patil, School of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Navi Mumbai.

Learning from failure

Getting into foreign universities was a major challenge. “English was the main obstacle, as I was not very fluent in it,” says Pritam, who decided to pursue his second masters in bioinformatics simply to improve his English fluency. Before he finally made it to the EU, Pritam had applied to and been rejected from as many as 200 foreign universities! He credits some of his intellectual friends for teaching him how to speak fluent English with an accent.

Indian Entrepreneur | Pritam Kumar Panda | Global Indian

Two years later, he arrived in Germany, after getting an offer from the University of Freiburg at Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, University Medical Centre, Germany. For the next year-and-a-half, the Graduate scientist and NGS analyst performed next-generation sequencing analyses for cancer patients. “I learnt many computational techniques there,” says Pritam, who published one of the most impactful publications in Nature medicine in 2021.

Intersectional learning

After his tenure in Germany, Pritam finally got an offer from Uppsala University, asking him to do his PhD- in Quantum Physics! It had no connection to bioinformatics but Pritam decided to take the risk. “I decided that I will bring bioinformatics methods into quantum physics as well and I did that during my tenure as a PhD student,” informs Pritam, who made significant contributions in scientific publications by collaborating with many researchers, professors, and industry professionals around the globe.

He successfully compiled his thesis and gave a catchy moniker “GENOME2QUNOME” (an acronym for “Genetic organization of multicellular organisms and their enzymatic reaction 2 Quantum nanostructured materials for energy scavenging applications”), encompassing a combinatorial approach using computational methodologies in biophysics, bioinformatics, and nano/materials science.

Spurred on by the pandemic

In 2020, during the pandemic, Pritam started researching on COVID-19. “I started a project in drug designing aspects to find some treatments for Covid-19 and published a paper in Science Advances, which brought me worldwide recognition,” smiles the bioinformatician.

Indian Entrepreneur | Pritam Kumar Panda | Global Indian

He then started collaborating with many universities and industries and got in contact with one of his colleagues at Karolinska Instituet, Sweden.

Creating Nerdalytics

“I got a position as a researcher at Karolinksa Instituet and started my research in Immunoinformatics. We successfully filed a patent and published scientific works on chronic autoimmune diseases,” says Pritam, who married Suman Mishra, his batchmate at Buxi Jagabandhu college. The couple were blessed with a boy in 2022.

So, what drove him to launch Nerdalytics? “I used to watch Shark-tank, USA and India all the time and got some entrepreneurial ideas from those shows,” smiles the CEO, who also got wondering why he was wasting his skills in publishing scientific papers for no money. “Instead, I could convert it to a start-up and have some extra income. Finally, Nerdalytics was born.”

The company provides bioinformatics consulting services with a focus on drug designing, next-generation sequencing and immunoinformatics perspectives.

There’s lots of data available and Pritam was determined to make sense of that data. “The idea was to collect, integrate data and convert into meaningful, actionable insight,” he says of the work in his company. As the CEO, he works with academics, clinics, entrepreneurs and business innovators.

Indian Entrepreneur | Pritam Kumar Panda | Global Indian

“We have been passionate about achieving better results than bringing success and great fame to a brand,” he says. As word about his extraordinary work spread far and wide, Various startups from Sweden, Finland, Israel and the US starts getting in touch with him.

Hackathons

“LongHack, a Finnish startup, approached me to be a part of the team to conduct hackathons on the topic longevity and ageing. Since, I had expertise in working in this topic before, I became the scientific advisor for the company,” says Pritam, who successfully completed three hackathons in the period of 2 years.

Another Israel-based company, Breath of Health, approached him to become a part of the team and appointed him as a General Clinical Consultant in their company to assist them in writing grants for fundings. Two more startups — FIBO Labs and Analysis Mode — also approached him to be part of their scientific advisory committee as well.

When not working, Pritam loves playing computer games. “I am a very fond of Far Cry series and I have specially a setup at home for the gaming,” says the tech-savvy Pritam, who splurges money on gadgets.

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Published on 18, Mar 2023

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Elizabeth Yorke: Upcycling spent grain from breweries to make food products

(May 18, 2024) Her city Bengaluru is home to 72 breweries, and chef-turned-food researcher Elizabeth Yorke couldn't help but think how the micro-breweries were using the spent grain. A concept she came across while interning with food historian William Rubel in California in 2018, who was recreating bread from the 16th century. She learnt that spent grain, a by-product of brewing, has the potential to be repurposed into flour, which otherwise makes its way to landfills. This led her to start Saving Grains in 2022, to upcycle spent grains from breweries into products like cookies, flour, granola, biscuits, and ladoos. "An average microbrewery in the city uses nearly 200 kg of grain/day that’s about 12000 kg of grain is potentially wasted every day within the city," according to Elizabeth. "We're rescuing these grains to make a 'Good Flour.' Why good? Because we're creating a model that derives value from waste by capturing food waste streams in cities - built for communities, through a human-centered approach." [caption id="attachment_51704" align="aligncenter" width="662"] Elizabeth Yorke is the founder of Saving Grains[/caption] How a chef turned into a food researcher Growing up in a family where food played an integral part as it brought people

t="662" /> Elizabeth Yorke is the founder of Saving Grains[/caption]

How a chef turned into a food researcher

Growing up in a family where food played an integral part as it brought people together, Elizabeth consciously gravitated towards culinary arts and pursued the course at the Manipal Academy of Higher Education. The route took her to multiple restaurants and hotels across the US and Mexico where she worked as a chef for almost six years before exploring food outside the kitchen space. "I have always been drawn to cooking naturally. A kitchen always brings family and friends together; an interesting space to be around. A kitchen is a place that can build perspectives on food and the supply chain," she said in an interview, adding, "Being around food has always prompted me to think of what happens to food before and after it is served on the plate. That curiosity and learning have shaped what my worth is as a cook."

The curiosity to learn more took her to California in 2016 for an internship with food historian William Rubel, who was recreating bread from the 16th century. While learning the history of bread, she discovered the concept of spent grain - a byproduct in the beer brewing process and also the relationship between the bakers and brewers. Throwing light on it, she said that brewers and bakers used to work in similar spaces. "They would share common ingredients, its byproducts, and work in a closed-loop circular system. For instance, bakers gave brewers their leftover bread to convert into beer, and brewers gave bakers leftover grain to make bread. Back then, bakers would bulk up grain because flour was an expensive commodity," said the Global Indian.

Elizabeth Yorke | Global Indian

Armed with this knowledge, she moved to Bologna in Italy in 2018 to work as a food innovation research fellow at Future Food Institute, where he focus was on understanding circular and sustainable food systems. This gave her an insight into ways of minimising food wastage as well as the lifecycle of food.

Circular food economy

Inspired, she returned to Bengaluru to start Saving Grains in 2021 as an attempt to upcycle the brewery grain. Explaining the process on the Saving Grains website, she wrote, "Brewing relies on grains, typically malted barley, which are first soaked in hot water. This step releases sugars that are crucial to the later production of alcohol. Once those sugars are released into the liquid, the grain is discarded. That discarded grain is called spent gain."

The spent grain is collected by Saving Grains from local breweries and then taken to the facility where it's dried and processed into products such as ladoos, biscuits, granola. cookies and flour, which has 22% protein, 45% fibre and 20% carb.

Elizabeth Yorke | Global Indian

Spreading awareness to create impact

However, convincing people to consume by-products of a waste product has been a challenge for Elizabeth. "Repurposing spent grain is an extra effort for most stakeholders. Also, it has nothing to do with the beer production. This mindset needs to be changed, and a sense of ownership of material needs to come into place," she added. Elizabeth, who upcycled 1200kg of spent grain, also found coming up with new recipes with the ingredients to be an obstacle. But she kept researching and experimenting and developing and has also written a handbook on how to make new recipes from spent grain.

Apart from partnering with breweries, she has collaborated with Kutumba Community Centre in Bengaluru to engage the community in a circular food economy. "The people at the community centre can freely use the flour to make rotis. This collaboration has been done to put people and the community at the heart of the circular food economy," she added. Being a food researcher and educator, she started the Serial Upcyclers Club which educates people about spent grain and the concept of recycling. She wants to create awareness among people and communities about spent grain. "There's a saying, ‘Waste is what is left when our imaginations fail’. It is time that we try to understand the potential of food as a resource and the strategies we can employ to reduce food waste," she added.

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Rao Remala: From Microsoft’s first Indian employee to philanthropic leader

(October 18, 2024) In a small village in the Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh, a young Rao Remala, the son of a peasant, walked six miles to school each day - unaware that his journey would eventually take him much further, leading to a key role in developing the first version of Microsoft Windows. Today, Remala lives in the affluent Yarrow Point in King County, Washington - a far cry from his humble beginnings in a small village with limited health and education infrastructure, no electricity, running water, or sanitation. Despite these stark differences, Remala remains deeply connected to his roots, dedicating much of his philanthropic efforts to improving the conditions in rural India. From a tiny coastal village to Microsoft in the United States Despite hardships in his childhood Rao Remala excelled in studies, doing exceptionally well in math and science. His journey into the tech world began with a passion for learning. After earning his bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from NIT Warangal and a master’s degree from IIT Kanpur, Remala worked at DCM, Computer R&D center. He then joined HCL, one of India's pioneering technology companies which was a startup at that time and was known as

t DCM, Computer R&D center. He then joined HCL, one of India's pioneering technology companies which was a startup at that time and was known as Hindustan Computers Ltd.

His career path took a significant turn in 1981 when a little-known company called Microsoft came calling, recruiting him as its first Indian employee. He moved to Washington in the U.S. along with his wife and a little daughter. "When I joined Microsoft, it was a far cry from what it is today," Remala, who became the company’s first South Asian hire and one of its first 50 employees, recalled in an interview. “There were just a handful of employees, and we worked out of a tiny office in downtown Bellevue.”

Indian philanthropist | Rao Remala | Global Indian

One of his first experiences at Microsoft still stands out: “The first day itself, someone walked into my office and explained the project I’d be working on. I had to ask him who he was, and he said, ‘I’m Bill.’” That “Bill,” of course, was none other than Bill Gates, who would go on to shape the future of global technology. Remala reported directly to Gates for the next three years, and the informal, startup-like atmosphere made it possible for him to interact closely with the tech visionary.

“Bill was very approachable and lacked even the faintest streak of arrogance,” Remala said. “He liked people who worked hard and tried their best. I was one of those, and we had a great working relationship.” Remala noted that the significant Indian presence at Microsoft didn't start to be truly noticeable until the late 1980s.

"Before 1987 fewer than 10 Indians worked at the company (Microsoft) and at that time it was common for them to know everyone and even meet regularly." - Rao Remala

Building Microsoft Windows from scratch

Remala’s work at Microsoft began with writing the original code for Windows 1.0 and continued through several key milestones, including Windows 2.0, MS Cobol, MS Office, OLE 1.0, OLE 2.0, Office 95, and Office 97. His tenure at the company was marked by both technical triumphs and grueling work hours. “In those early years, the work was so intense that some days I didn’t go home,” he shared, recalling how he only had a half-day off when his second daughter was born.

As Microsoft grew into a global tech giant, Remala’s contributions became essential to its core products. However, the fast-paced, ever-evolving nature of the company sometimes led to challenges. “We didn’t have the luxury of long-term planning. It wasn’t like today where you develop a thick manual and have teams of developers working on it for months. On a Wednesday morning, we’d be changing code, just like that.”

Indian Philanthropist | Rao Remala | Global Indian

In 1982, Bill Gates offered Rao Remala stock options, but the developer was initially unimpressed. “I was actually upset because I felt I wasn’t being paid enough,” he recalled. At the time, his annual salary was $22,000, a modest sum compared to others in the company. But those stock options, which Remala thankfully did not turn down, would ultimately make him a millionaire when Microsoft went public.

As Microsoft’s 29th employee and its first Indian hire, Remala held various roles, ranging from individual contributor to Group Manager, Product Unit Manager, and eventually Technical Director. He played an integral role in the team that helped define the personal computing industry.

The power of giving back

After 23 years at Microsoft, Remala retired in 2004. His retirement marked the end of an era for him, but not the end of his contributions. While many of his contemporaries went on to create startups, Remala found his calling in philanthropy, although he also dabbled in angel investing for few startups.

[caption id="attachment_58066" align="aligncenter" width="865"] Indian Philanthropist | Rao Remala | Global Indian Dr. McGarry Houghton, recipient of the inaugural Satya and Rao Remala Family Endowed Chair with Fred Hutch Cancer Centre President and Director Dr. Tom Lynch, Jr., and the Remala family | Photo Credit: Fred Hutch News Service[/caption]

Together with his wife, Satya, he established the Satya & Rao Remala Foundation in 1998, inspired both by his humble beginnings and by Satya’s parents, who had long served their own community in the family’s Eluru, India, home. Their focus has been on health and education for underserved communities. Grateful for their good fortune, the philanthropist and his family have committed themselves to creating opportunities for those in greatest need.

"We wouldn’t be where we are today without the help of a lot of people along the way." - Rao Remala

The couple set up a donor-advised fund at the foundation, and since then, their philanthropic efforts have only grown. “We wanted to give back, especially to communities of colour and immigrant communities like ours,” says Remala. Their daughters, Srilata and Srilakshmi, have since taken up the mantle, applying their own professional backgrounds to the foundation's grant making. They have been working closely with organizations such as the Technology Access Foundation (TAF), which aims to provide educational opportunities for children of colour.

Satya & Rao Remala Foundation supports underprivileged students in universities such as Seattle University, the University of Washington, and Carnegie Mellon amongst others apart from working on several health initiatives. Recently they have supported Dr. McGarry Houghton, a pulmonary physician-scientist focused on the immune system's role in cancer and early detection of lung cancer, by naming him the first recipient of the Satya and Rao Remala Family Endowed Chair at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center.

Indian talent in Microsoft’s global workforce

Microsoft employs a significant number of engineers from India, making it one of the largest employers of Indian engineers worldwide. Indian employees play a critical role in the company’s global operations, comprising a substantial portion of its workforce. As of 2024, Microsoft’s global workforce totals over 228,000, with many Indian professionals contributing to its success. These employees are spread across the United States, as well as the UK, Europe, Asia, and especially India. The company’s corporate headquarters located in Redmond, Washington, a part of the Seattle metropolitan area, with its thriving tech ecosystem, has become a major hub for the Indian diaspora, particularly for tech professionals. In India, Microsoft boasts over 20,000 employees engaged in sales and marketing, research and development, and customer services and support.

Prominent leaders, such as CEO Satya Nadella, emphasize the importance of Indian talent in driving Microsoft’s innovation and global strategy. Rao Remala, the company’s first Indian employee, stands as a key figure in this story, having opened doors for future generations of Indian talent within the organization.

A legacy beyond technology

Remala’s legacy is more than just the code he wrote for Microsoft. It’s the impact he continues to make through his philanthropic efforts, inspiring others from the South Asian community to give back. “We hope our story encourages other immigrants to get involved in philanthropy,” he said. He has also built an eye hospital in his village through his foundation’s initiatives.

Today, Remala enjoys a slower pace of life, traveling with his wife and staying connected to his roots. “We’ve come a long way from that tiny village in Andhra Pradesh but our hearts are still there,” he said. From a young boy walking six miles to school to a tech pioneer and philanthropist dedicated to empowering future generations, his journey is a true Global Indian story.

As the Remala family continues to support communities around the world, their story serves as a powerful reminder that success isn’t just about what you achieve but what you give back. Indian Philanthropist | Rao Remala | Global Indian

To know more about Satya & Rao Remala Foundation visit its website

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For the love of chocolate: La Folie by Sanjana Patel brings haute patisserie to Mumbai’s Kala Ghoda

(February 18, 2024) For a decade now, Chef Sanjana Patel's La Folie has elevated the French haute pâtisserie and chocolatery scene and continues to forge new paths. As a 14 year old, Sanjana Patel would love seeing her grandmother, a baker, work in her kitchen. It inspired her to start baking with her. As her grandmother loved gardening, she has fond memories of summer holidays spent making carrot halwa cake from carrots picked from her garden. “I was always excited about making everything with chocolate. Even today, I carry with me a lot of things I learned from her, you will find these practices in my kitchen even today. One significant thing that I learned from here is localisation and sustainability, which you will find intertwined with La Folie’s philosophy and practices,” Chef Sanjana tells Global Indian. [caption id="attachment_49183" align="aligncenter" width="513"] Chef Sanjana Patel, founder, La Folie[/caption] Starting out Patel did her early education at Maneckji Cooper and JB Petit and finished high school at St Hilda's in Ooty. In 2005, she moved to the UK and started at Le Cordon Bleu, College of Culinary Arts in London, followed by Ecole Gregoire Ferrandi in Paris, where she earned a master’s

Patel did her early education at Maneckji Cooper and JB Petit and finished high school at St Hilda's in Ooty. In 2005, she moved to the UK and started at Le Cordon Bleu, College of Culinary Arts in London, followed by Ecole Gregoire Ferrandi in Paris, where she earned a master’s in baking and Patisserie. Then, she moved to the University of Surrey for an M.Sc. in Food Science Management with honours in Chocolate Technology and did an M.Sc. in Marketing and Strategy at the University of Warwick (Warwick Business School). In 2008, she finished her master’s diploma C.A.P in bakery and patisserie with distinction at Ecole Gregoire Ferrandi in Paris. She then stayed in Europe for seven years and worked with chefs like Pierre Hermé, Jean-Charles Rochoux, Patrick Roger, Camille Lesecq, and Olivier Bajard. She also worked at award-winning restaurants like Hotel Le Meurice and Hotel Plaza Athénée in the Dorchester Collection under chefs like Christophe Michalak and Chef Alain Ducasse, among others.

The La Folie journey

In 2013, she decided to return to India and began her journey with La Folie as she opened the first outlet in Kala Ghoda, Mumbai a decade ago in January 2014. “My love for chocolate partially stemmed from Chocolaterie Jean-Charles Rochoux, where I served as a Chocolatier Intern. This experience has been the grounding stone of my journey into the world of chocolate,” she says. At La Folie she has introduced unique French haute creations. “Those things were very new, and people were not subjected to these kinds of tastes. So, a lot of education went in to help people understand what we were doing. However, over the years, I feel that with experimental cuisines expanding in India, people are now more open to trying out new flavours and foods,” she adds.

For someone who always wanted to offer something different, she started La Folie with a focus on natural flavours and says that now people appreciate their philosophy of using natural ingredients and the unique taste they bring. “My affair with chocolate began as a passionate hobby and soon cascaded into a magical journey of discovering myself through craft chocolate, a journey that led me on an adventurous road trip to numerous cacao farms across the world, to its native origins! The deeper I go, the more intrigued I am. Even chocolate tasting for me is not just biting into that heavenly piece but it is about setting on the journey of Emotions, Conversations, and Nostalgia. The more you taste, the more you indulge and build experiences with yourself and with others,” she adds.

'Chocolate tech'

In 2017, after a leg injury, Patel revisited the concept of making her own craft chocolate as she wanted to offer a different sensorial journey and taste to the Indian consumer and ultimately it had to be tied to the very source of chocolate, cacao. “I take an instinctive approach towards what I do, and not bounding myself by flavours, moulds, or recipes, but find my inspiration in trends, my journey, and experiences that have influenced me. I have always strived to explore ingredients and chocolates at the core, experimenting with ways to create an experience for the patrons. Also, as a Chocolate Technologist, I have not bound myself just to taste profiles, but have also collaborated with product designers to create customised chocolate moulds that elevate the chocolate experience to an art form,” she says. Incidentally, in 2016, she introduced a heartfelt journey ‘Down the Memory Lane’ with the creation of ‘Grandma’s Carrot Cake’ and this nostalgic masterpiece served as a heartfelt tribute to her grandmother.

Gender bender

For someone who has not seen gender biases, and in fact has never seen herself as being different as a female, Patel believes in making an impact and creating sustainable growth and a future for one’s vision and one’s passion. “I feel blessed having to do that slowly and steadily and changing chefs' and global culinary enthusiasts' approach to chocolate. It’s a happy place for me to see my customer's appreciation for our products and indirectly how it impacts at the farm level. I wish to continue doing that and building a stronger sustainable network across this field,” she avers. In her journey she has learnt many life lessons and one of them being the most important is to follow your vision and not get entangled in the vicious world of competition. “Staying and believing true to your identity will always take you forward strongly in a long way and yes always be willing to share knowledge and learn from others - there is nothing in withholding and being conservative about how your knowledge will be used,” she advises.

Looking ahead

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Now, one of the most important tasks for her is to work towards creating farmer co-operative programmes that can benefit the farmers to raise funds and improve crop fertility. “We also want to work towards government support through grants, funds and sponsorships for the post-harvesting process and crop yields. We want to create a supply chain system for the farmers where they can liaise with other chocolate makers with pre-order systems. This will empower the farmers to have economic support and eradicate uncertainty,” she says. And she is looking at making La Folie products available across tier one and tier two cities, as well as export orders for European and Middle Eastern countries. As someone who straddles the tightrope of nostalgia with global inspirations, Patel is making the case for craft chocolate in her own unique way.

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Celebrating 50 years: Madhur Jaffrey’s culinary legacy

(January 16, 2024) Renowned for securing the best actress award at the 1965 Berlin Film Festival for her portrayal of a pompous Bollywood star in Merchant Ivory's film 'Shakespeare Wallah', Madhur Jaffrey is a trailblazer in the culinary world. She has brought the delights of Indian cuisine, along with its diverse regional nuances, to successive generations of Western cooks. Recently, the 50th anniversary edition of her debut cookbook 'An Invitation to Indian Cooking' got released by the publishing group, Knopf. With its original edition 50 years back, the book had announced the arrival of a culinary star. 2023 also saw the release of the 40th anniversary edition of Madhur's another popular cookbook, 'Indian Cookery', updated with 11 new recipes. The first edition of the book was groundbreaking, coinciding with a BBC series of the same name featuring Madhur, and it went on to sell lakhs of copies. Madhur has authored more than 30 cookbooks in her illustrious career. At 90, the workaholic is far from slowing down. One of the biggest living authorities on Indian cuisine, Madhur keeps herself busy by educating Gen Z and Gen Alpha through her Masterclass on digital media. “Nobody knows spices like we do, we

ducating Gen Z and Gen Alpha through her Masterclass on digital media. “Nobody knows spices like we do, we are masters,” she announced proudly in its trailer.

[caption id="attachment_32665" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Indian Cuisine | Madhur Jaffrey | Global Indian Madhur's debut cookbook is celebrating its 50th anniversary edition[/caption]

“When my programme came on air, there weren’t any Indian cookery shows, it was an immediate hit,” Madhur Jaffrey told the BBC, talking about her ground breaking cookery programme that premiered in the United Kingdom 40 years ago.

The Padma Bhushan 2022 awardee grew up in Delhi and left for London in her 20s to study at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. She became an actress and later, turned to writing cookery books and presenting cookery shows. Little did she know that this career transition would turn out to be a significant step towards introducing India’s soft power to the western world.

[caption id="attachment_32663" align="aligncenter" width="544"] Indian Cuisine Madhur Jaffrey Madhur Jaffrey[/caption]

Indian food is a magical world where the art of using spices is so advanced that we’ve created a cuisine that exists nowhere else in the world!

Her debut cookbook, an Invitation to Indian Cooking (1973) introduced Indian food to western hemisphere for the first time. It was later inducted into the James Beard Foundation’s Cookbook Hall of Fame in 2006.

When she was hired by BBC to present her cookery show - Madhur Jaffrey’s Indian Cookery, it was meant to be an educational programme. The aim was to make people learn about Indian culture by introducing them to authentic food cooked in different regions of India. The show mesmerised people so much that Madhur soon became known as ‘spice girl’, thanks to the plethora of South Asian spices she introduced to the western homes. She was popularly called ‘the actress who can cook.’

Building respectful image of South Asians

“Until then, the South Asians were not represented the way they would have loved to see themselves on the television and cinema,” she said, in the interview with BBC.

[caption id="attachment_32664" align="aligncenter" width="574"] Madhur Jaffrey[/caption]

Madhur’s career transition had filled in the much-desired space with elan. Her show was the first mainstream series about Indian food to be broadcast in the UK and also the first one to be presented by an Indian.

Characteristically dressed in a crisp cotton saree, Madhur Jaffrey became the face of the South Asian diaspora in the UK. She knew this, tailoring her image to that of an attractive Indian who is modern, yes, but remains tied to her roots. That was the pre-internet era, so Madhur used to get flooded with letters of appreciation from her fans.

Ruling the supermarkets

If Madhur was exotic, the food she cooked seemed even more so to the uninitiated Western audiences. In fact, her recipes became so popular that Indian food was "tried by everybody all over England and beyond’. “The day I cooked chicken with green coriander, they ran out of green coriander in Manchester,” laughs the food expert.

The demand for Indian spices and ingredients grew so much that supermarkets started overstocking the ingredients that the Global Indian used in her cookery show.

[caption id="attachment_32666" align="aligncenter" width="598"] Indian Cuisine Madhur Jaffrey Madhur Jaffrey presenting her cookery show on BBC in 1980s[/caption]

The spice girl from India

In the introduction to her cookbook, At Home with Madhur Jaffrey, she writes, “The techniques used in Indian cooking are not any different from those used the world over: roasting, grilling, steaming, frying, stewing, braising and so on.” Yet it is distinct she emphasises.

What gives Indian cuisine its uniqueness, its tingling excitement, and its health-giving properties is the knowledgeable use of spices and seasonings, ancient in its provenance.

The food expert has authored close to thirty bestselling cookbooks on Indian, Asian and world vegetarian cuisine, and has appeared in several related television programmes. Apart from Madhur Jaffrey’s Indian Cookery that premiered in 1982, she presented Madhur Jaffrey's Far Eastern Cookery (1989) and Madhur Jaffrey's Flavours of India (1995).

[caption id="attachment_48280" align="aligncenter" width="456"] Indian Cuisine | Madhur Jaffrey | Global Indian Madhur Jaffrey[/caption]

What made her shows and books relevant for decades was the fact that she adapted to the time constraints of her fans. In one of her book introductions, Madhur shared, “My own cooking has changed over the years. I am often as rushed for time as perhaps you are. I am often asking myself is there an easier way to do this?”

Madhur made sure, therefore, to simplify her cooking to match with the times.

I now try to reach real Indian tastes by using simpler methods and fewer steps

The seven times winner of James Beard award wrote in one of her books.

As she made a huge name for herself in the traditional yet novel segment, Madhur went on to associate herself as food consultant of one of the most popular Indian restaurants in New York City - Dawat.

Madhur has also written three children’s books and two memoirs – Sweet Memories (2002) and Climbing the Mango Trees: A Memoir of a Childhood in India (2006).

Strengthening cultural relations between continents

Before becoming a television personality and delving into the domains of food and travel writing, Madhur had made a mark for herself as an Indian-British-American actress, starting with minor acting roles on BBC television and radio. One of her notable works is the film, Shakespeare Wallah (1965) for which she won the Silver Bear for Best Actress award at the 15th Berlin International Film Festival.

[caption id="attachment_32667" align="aligncenter" width="714"] Madhur Jaffrey Global Indian Madhur Jaffrey in one of her television shows[/caption]

During the course of her acting career, she enthralled audiences with her performances in television, films, radio and theatre. Perhaps this background contributes to her eloquence as a food presenter.

Her cookery shows have always been lively with powerful punchlines like:

Each grain of rice should be like brothers, close to each other but not stuck together.

After a divorce from Sayeed Jaffery, the notable actor who is father to her three daughters, Madhur married an American violinist. The couple have now been together for 56 years.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2GKfjaZQZE

In recognition of her contribution to cultural relations between the UK, India and the United States, through film, television and cookery, Madhur was named the honorary Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2004. Padma Bhushan 2022, the third highest civilian award from the Government of India, is a testament of her service to Indian culinary art.

Follow Madhur Jaffrey on Twitter

Reading Time: 5 mins

Istanbul-based Indian author Ann D’Silva’s debut book turns into a Bollywood film

(November 10, 2022) Amid the chaos, one often finds hope. And usually, the darkest times bring one closer to the light. That's the workings of the Universe, in which Istanbul-based Indian author Ann D'Silva has immense faith. It was this strong belief that led her to leave a corporate career in India and relocate to Istanbul as an author. An activist and a champion of women's empowerment, she has given the literary world women-oriented stories that are glazed with a strong narrative. And one such work of hers - Footprints in the Sand - is set to turn into a Bollywood film soon. The author has joined hands with Bollywood director and producer Prem Raj Soni for the Indo-Turkish project that's set to go on floors sometime next year. It was in 2021 that Prem Raj Soni connected with Ann, asking her to send him her book. "Impressed by the story of Hannah (the main character) - a modern-day woman who is a survivor and a warrior, he decided to make the film as he believes that people need stories like that. And in August this year, he made the official announcement," says Ann who is excited to collaborate with

that people need stories like that. And in August this year, he made the official announcement," says Ann who is excited to collaborate with Prem Raj Soni for the film.

[caption id="attachment_31554" align="aligncenter" width="526"] Author | Ann D'Silva | Global Indian Ann D'Silva moved to Istanbul in 2019[/caption]

India and Türkiye have played an important role in her journey, and it's her way of giving back to the two nations that have nurtured her as an individual and a professional. While her first book is about a modern woman, her second book focuses on displacement. "These are the subjects one cannot ignore. Cinema is the medium to bring stories about humanity beyond borders," Ann tells Global Indian.

Deepening cultural ties through cinema

Cinema transcends barriers, and Ann believes it holds true in India-Türkiye scenario too. She has seen Turkish people swoon over Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan, as some of the Indian content is dubbed in Turkish. "If you tell someone in Türkiye that you are from India, the first thing they say is Raj Kapoor. They still remember Awara Hoon; that's the power of Indian cinema," she adds. And now the author is keen to explore the cinematic experience for the people of India and Türkiye through the screen adaptation, which she is writing as well as co-producing.

"There is a lot of similarity between the cultures and storytelling of the two countries. Most of the content has been dubbed, but there has never been a crossover. And that's what we are going to do with our film. It's for the first time that the talent from both nations will work together on a project, thus helping deepen the friendship and ties between the countries." Calling it a "first-mover advantage," Ann says that the story of Footprints in the Sand is woven in both the cultures. "Both the countries share histories and cultures, and it will be shown through the film."

[caption id="attachment_31555" align="aligncenter" width="514"] Author | Ann D'Silva | Global Indian Ann D'Silva's debut book is set to be made into a film[/caption]

Ann explains that the ties between India and Türkiye go centuries deeper, and her book has in-depth mentioned the blossoming friendship between the two nations. "Not many know but Mahatma Gandhi and Mustafa Kemal Ataturk were friends who exchanged letters. Both of them were visionaries who gave freedom to their countries. They were both fighting the British, while one fought a war for Independence, the other chose the course of non-violence," reveals Ann, adding, "Almost 5000 Hindi words are a part of Türkçe (Turkish dialect)."

A home, away from home

Ann, who now calls Istanbul her home, is its resident for the past three and a half years. For someone who lived across India, moving to a new country was a leap of faith. Having intriguing recurrent dreams about Türkiye led her to her maiden visit to Istanbul in 2017, and the author instantly knew this is where she belonged. "I believe in the magic of the Universe, and I know I am supported and guided. It was this guidance that led me to Istanbul. I didn't know anybody in Türkiye, but the country drew me in," says the 50-year-old who has now become a part of the Indian diaspora, which she says includes 500 families in Türkiye.

[caption id="attachment_31556" align="aligncenter" width="555"] Author | Ann D'Silva | Global Indian Ann D'Silva in Istanbul[/caption]

"Turkish people are very polite, warm, and welcoming. When I initially moved here, I instantly felt a sense of belonging," says Ann, whose only challenge was the language barrier. However, she is bridging the gap by constantly brushing up on her language skills. Moreover, she calls Turkiye a country that's devoid of any racism. "There is no colour bias. I am considered exotic here because of my colour," she smiles.

The short stint in Türkiye has made her realise that the people of the country are very much in love with everything Indian. "They love yoga, chakra healing, and aura healing techniques. Oh, and they are majorly into astrology too," smiles Ann, as she connects with me from a cafe overlooking the Bosphorus in Istanbul. "I love observing people, and it's them who inspire me to develop the characters for my stories."

Championing women issues

Her move to Turkey was a blind bargain laced with adventures and learnings. If Ann released two of her books that made her a bestselling author, she also fell in love with a man in Istanbul who she ended up marrying after a whirlwind romance. However, things started looking down soon after. The abusive marriage and an ugly divorce led her to stand in the face of adversity and rise like a phoenix from the ashes. "I built an ecosystem of Turkish friends who have been my biggest support system during trying times," says Ann, who reveals that those hard days made her an "insightful writer and an activist."

[caption id="attachment_31557" align="aligncenter" width="493"] Author | Ann D'Silva | Global Indian Ann D'Silva is also an activist[/caption]

The Global Goodwill Ambassador and the recipient of the Books for Peace Award - Italy 2022, Ann champions the idea of inclusivity, diversity, and women empowerment. "In some parts of the world, women are emancipated and empowered. In others, many are still struggling for their fundamental rights like what's happening in Iran right now. Though there is a collective consciousness right now, where women believe it's high time to change the narrative." She reveals that according to a UN report, around 1.3 billion women face some sort of sexual assault, and it's the fear that keeps them silent despite the atrocities meted out to them. "That's what I want to change through my writing and activism," says Ann, who is currently working on a script for a Hollywood film based on the prostitutes of Kamathipura. "I want to put the spotlight on subjects that are often brushed under the carpet. It is stories like these that give courage to the women to come out as survivors and not victims."

With a few months left for her to begin working on the script of the film, Ann is currently immersed in writing the third installment of Kun Faya Kun in the trilogy - which speaks about the power of nature. "Man has abused nature so much, and tsunamis and droughts are the results of it. Since it's the final book, it talks about the good and bad, and how nature corrects the imbalance," adds the author who shuts herself each day for a few hours to write her book, which is expected to hit the stalls in 2023.

[caption id="attachment_31558" align="aligncenter" width="481"] Author | Ann D'Silva | Global Indian Ann D'Silva is currently writing her third book[/caption]

For someone who moved countries to chase her dreams, Ann is grateful for all experiences - good or bad. She calls "today - the biggest gift". "Today is all we have. The past with its traumas and lessons is behind us. Whatever we choose to do today, impacts our future," she signs off.

Follow Ann D'Silva on Twitter, Instagram and Linkedin

Reading Time: 7 min

The defiant dreamer: The bioinformatics expert’s journey from Odisha to Europe

Written by: Vikram Sharma

Finding himself in foreign lands

A rocky start

Learning from failure

Intersectional learning

Spurred on by the pandemic

Creating Nerdalytics

Hackathons

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