Global IndianstoryVidya Vox: Indian-American singer creating waves in the world of music

Vidya Vox: Indian-American singer creating waves in the world of music

Compiled by: Charu Thakur

(November 15, 2023) Make some noise for Vidya Vox – the queen of mashups. One balmy morning in 2015, Vidya Vox exploded on YouTube with her first mashup – a perfect blend of Indian music and Western pop. This was when the Millennials took notice of this internet sensation who proudly wears her culture up her sleeve and gives it an international twist.

But it was the viral Kabira and Closer cover mashup that catapulted the Indian-American to new heights of success and fame. Her velvety voice, the beats, and the beautiful fusion of two chartbusters made the mashup cover an instant hit. In 2018, she was ranked among the top 10 Indian YouTubers. With 7.63 million YouTube subscribers and 1.1 million followers on Instagram, Vidya has truly become a social media sensation. and is also one of the highest-paid YouTubers.

Born in Chennai as Vidya Iyer (Vidya Vox is her stage name), she started training in Carnatic music as early as five years of age. The YouTuber and singer, who is well-versed in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, and English, moved to the US with her family when she was 8. Though she relocated to a new country, she felt rooted in India and music remained an integral part of her life.

Identity crisis

Brought up in Virginia, Vidya faced a sort of identity crisis in her growing-up years. With AR Rahman and bhajans playing at home, she was introduced to Shakira and Coldplay in school. “It was an identity crisis of sorts because the two worlds I was living in seemed so far apart,” she said in an interview. This identity crisis led to her being bullied in middle school and left her so scarred that she started hiding her Indian identity and stopped getting dosa for lunch at school. “But by the end of high school, I realized this was ridiculous. I started participating in bhangra groups, dancing to songs like Kangana Tera Ni. By the time I went to college, I had totally embraced my Indianness, but I still didn’t tell anyone I could sing,” she told another daily.

Never-ending collaboration with Shankar Tucker

It was her chance encounter with music composer and clarinetist Shankar Tucker during her final year of college that drew her to music once again. Vox was pursuing psychology and had plans of entering into a medical college.

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“It was then that I collaborated with Shankar Tucker who showed me that music is possible through YouTube. I had never thought about a music career but that collaboration changed my life. It gave me the itch to pursue music, which I did after I finished the degree,” she added.

She became the vocalist for Tucker’s band and his YouTube channel ShrutiBox. But it wasn’t until 2015 that she started making music for her channel.

The beginning of Vidya Vox

After her graduation, Vidya moved to Mumbai for a year to train in Hindustani music. It was during this time that the idea of creating her channel struck her, and as they say, the rest is history. “I grew up on Queen, ABBA, and at the same time, Nityasree. So, I thought, how can I marry the two worlds? People have been doing mashups for generations, and I realised that when I went to concerts. This was the best way to show that I can sing both styles in the same song and be from both cultures,” she added.

Moreover, Vidya, who believes in experimentation and calls complacency the death of an artist, always tries to incorporate a song “that is reflective of local culture and add my twist to it.” For her, this is what adds beauty to the song. “For each language, I have a coach to train me through the pronunciation. I give it a lot of importance,” she added.

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In the last 15 years, Vox has collaborated with various international artists and she is proud of putting Indian music on the global platform. Having performed at Festivals Des Artes in Reunion Island, Dubai, and the Meru Series in the Netherlands, Vox has become a modern-day ambassador for Indian music.

She has played a pivotal role in putting Indian music on the global map, and she says it’s high time. “India is more important in the world, more than ever. There are so many talented artists and musicians who are of Indian origin and grew up in different parts of the world, paying homage to their roots. By doing that, more parts of the world are learning about India and Indian music and culture.”

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Published on 15, Nov 2023

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Raju Bhupati: Pioneering millet revolution with affordable nutrition

(June 15, 2024) "Can you imagine enjoying nutritious snacks for just ₹5? In a country where health and nutrition often seem like distant aspirations for millions, Troo Good emerged on the scene in 2018 with a revolutionary vision," states the website of a millet snack company that's on a mission to "nourish 1 billion Indians." It was six years ago that US-returned Raju Bhupati drew his inspiration to advocate for better nutrition in India from his father, who was both a spiritual leader and a healer. "He was a homoeopathic practitioner and would treat the poor for free. This was the base for my motivation to deal with the nutrition challenge in the country," he said in an interview. In a short span, Raju has become the millet movement pioneer in India making nutrition meet affordability, one snack at a time. Journey from IT to entrepreneurship But growing up, entrepreneurship was never on his mind. In fact, after finishing his MSc in Organic Chemistry, he made his debut in the world of IT as a lab assistant and later moved to Computer Science Corporation. Over the years, he climbed up the corporate ladder and soon became the youngest global director

But growing up, entrepreneurship was never on his mind. In fact, after finishing his MSc in Organic Chemistry, he made his debut in the world of IT as a lab assistant and later moved to Computer Science Corporation. Over the years, he climbed up the corporate ladder and soon became the youngest global director at CSC managing the Independent Testing Services vertical. His hard work and perseverance took him to the US where he helped accelerate the growth of several IT companies globally.

Having worked for years in IT for other companies, Raju knew that it was time to start something of his own. This desire to become an entrepreneur made him return to India to start Hello Curry, one of India's first cloud kitchens in 2013. He successfully pioneered India's first shared kitchen model, where multiple brands could operate from a single kitchen connected to Hello Curry, creating a unified platform for ordering food.

Raju Bhupati

Reintroducing millet

Riding on the success of Hello Curry, his ambition to further innovate in the food industry and provide affordable nutrition led to the establishment of Troo Good in 2018. This led Raju towards millets, an economical and nutritious grain. "Since I wanted to make the food affordable, I needed something locally available. Quinoa is a good, healthy alternative to wheat, but it is expensive and has to be imported. Then I found millets, which are the best choice," he added.

He began with selling millet paranthas to local schools and corporations and soon transitioned to millet snacks with chikki, owing to its long shelf life. Upon research, he found that ₹5 and ₹10 snack market is huge in India. "You mostly get chips, biscuits, and other snacks in that price range. I saw that existing options only cater to taste. I wanted to focus on three fundamentals through Troo Good — affordability, taste, and nutrition."

Having found the perfect vessel in chikki to turn his mission into reality, Raju collaborated with a team of in-house scientists to develop a millet chikki enriched with ragi, bajra, jowar and peanuts. In no time, the brand was recognised by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and the Indian Institute of Millets Research for its pioneering work in providing affordable nutrition.

Troo Good

Making an impact

While his mission has been to establish a healthy snacks market centered on millets as the star ingredient, he has also significantly contributed to inclusive growth by employing local workers, sourcing raw materials locally, and selling the products within the community, all of which help maintain the affordability of the snacks. However, the sudden surge in demand led him to set up three new factories in a fortnight by sending his employees to Chattisgarh and nearby states. "We needed skilled manpower. My team members went to villages and spent nights in the houses of contractors. We had to add factories at lightning speed. With a ton of courage, we added three factories in 15 days and increased our volumes to 5,000 kgs," added Raju.

To support their operations, they hire locally and create employment opportunities for women, who form 80 percent of their factory workforce, thus working towards women's empowerment. "Wherever we go, we train the women at the self-help groups. We also help farmers by directly buying from them, helping them increase their profits," said the entrepreneur. With over 250 employees across 8 states, Troo Good is India's largest non-NGO social enterprise. Their products are available in more than 12,000 small brick-and-mortar shops and 500 modern retail stores across various cities in India.

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Currently, they are collaborating with the Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Chhattisgarh state governments on several initiatives, including Poshan Abhiyan, young mothers' welfare, and the mid-day meal scheme. They have also partnered with The Akshaya Patra Foundation in Karnataka and Vedanta in Uttar Pradesh to enhance nutrition in Anganwadis.

Raju, who translated his dream into reality, says that his mantra is to go all out with every ounce of energy to achieve what you want in life.

Celebrating millet

Millets, once a staple in rural India, are now celebrated as a superfood, leading a nutritional and environmental revolution across the country. Renowned for their high protein, fiber, vitamin, and mineral content, millets offer substantial health benefits, such as improved digestion, chronic disease prevention, and effective weight management. Interestingly, their resurgence aligns with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 12 (Sustainable Consumption and Production), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

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With strong backing from the Indian government and various enterprises, these grains are increasingly integrated into public welfare programs, including mid-day meals and Anganwadi nutrition supplements, thereby enhancing dietary habits and supporting local economies. This millet renaissance is a pivotal force in India's pursuit of sustainable and inclusive growth, and Troo Good is playing an important role in helping in taking the millet revolution a step forward.

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Meet Aruna Miller, Maryland’s first immigrant Lt Governor

(November 20, 2022) "We Leave No One Behind," Lt Governor Aruna Miller tweeted when the election results were announced. It's a big step for diversity in leadership, with Wes Moore, to whom she was running mate, becoming the first African American in the gubernatorial post. "Ever since I came to this country in 1972, I've never stopped being excited for the promise of America. I will never stop fighting to make sure that promise is available to everyone. And this promise begins with a commitment to deliver a Maryland where we Leave No One Behind," Miller tweeted. Passage to America "Wow, they're throwing confetti for us." Aruna Miller was seven years old when she first entered the United States with her family. Ensconced in her father's arms, the young girl's first emotion was excitement. "I thought everyone in the airport was waiting for us to arrive, that they were throwing confetti," she said in a recent interview, soon after she was chosen as the Democratic nominee for Lt Governor of Maryland. As it turned out, the confetti was snow. "I had never seen snow before," said Aruna (née Katragadda), who spent the early years of her life in her hometown,

Aruna Miller will be the second Indian-American woman to enter the House of Representatives after Pramila Jayapal. She is the running mate of bestselling author Wes Moore, who will contest the upcoming gubernatorial election as the liberal party's candidate. A civil engineer by profession, she spent over 25 years as a transportation engineer in Montgomery Country. Aruna's family relocated from Hyderabad in 1972, as her father, a mechanical engineer, worked with IBM. "My father came here to seek better opportunities for his family and my siblings," she said. She grew up in Poughkeepsie, New York, attending public schools upstate. She went on to study at the Missouri University of Science and Technology.

[caption id="attachment_27525" align="aligncenter" width="644"] Aruna Miller | Global Indian Aruna Miller. Credit: Facebook[/caption]

A lifetime of public service

By the time she graduated, she knew beyond doubt that she wanted to be a public servant, to "pay it forward" for the country that had given her so much. Aruna then moved to Montgomery County, where she lived for 25 years with her husband and their three daughters. There, she spent the entirety of her time working at the Department of Transport. Her career as a public servant has been dotted with many milestones - she has batted for issues like paid family leave, transportation policies, stood against domestic violence and emerged as a proponent of STEM education.

She first dabbled in politics in 2006, when she was elected to serve as an at-large member of the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, a position she held until 2010. She then became the first Indian American woman to be elected to the Maryland Legislature in 2011. Soon after she made history by entering the legislature, one of her first acts was to co-sponsor the Marcellus Shale Act of 2011, which laid the foundations for Maryland's fracking ban. She has also stood for education and was the lead sponsor of a bill that made it mandatory for high schools to offer at least one, high-quality computer science programme. Local schools were also encouraged to introduce computer science for younger students.

As one of ten lawmakers named to the Maryland Business Climate Work Group, she was part of the team that made recommendations and developed long-term plans to streamline business regulations. They also encouraged innovation and helped develop public-private partnerships to finance infrastructure.

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Also in 2011, Aruna returned to India with a delegation of 100 members that included business leaders, educators and state officials. Their first stop was her hometown - Hyderabad. The delegation went on to visit Mumbai and New Delhi, in a bid to strengthen business and cultural ties between India and the state of Maryland. The trip was fruitful, resulting in nearly $60 million in business deals for the state of Maryland.

In 2018, she raised around $1.47 million for the Congressional race. She went on to win, becoming the second Indian-American woman to enter the House of Representatives, after Pramila Jayapal.

A fateful tete-a-tete with Wes Moore

"In Aruna Miller's crystal ball," as she puts it, "There was no indication that I was going to be running as a lieutenant governor on anyone's ticket. She did, however, often hear the name 'Wes Moore' - friends and colleagues would often ask if she had met the man. At that point, she had not.

In 2021, Aruna and her husband met Wes and his wife in Baltimore. Only a month earlier, her husband had bought her Wes' book, The Other Wes Moore as a birthday present. "I completely OD'd on Wes Moore', she told Maryland Matters in a late 2021 interview. One month later, the two had teamed up for the gubernatorial race.

"I looked at his remarkable resume - he has a very compelling life story." Wes, she thought to herself, was an "engaging speaker and more importantly, an engaging listener." She came away from that meeting with a strong sense that she had met the next governor. "I have never had that gut reaction to anyone before but I did with Wes," she remarked.

[caption id="attachment_27526" align="aligncenter" width="553"] Aruna Miller | Global Indian With gubernatorial candidate Wes Moore. Source: Facebook[/caption]

If she wins, Aruna Miller intends to hit the ground running, taking on three major issues - education, the climate and the economy. Investing in public education and job creation is a top priority, she says, it is also a means to create safer public spaces. "The Moore-Miller administration will continue to invest in public education," she said. They also intend to tackle climate change on a war footing - in 2021, schools in Maryland were closed due to the extreme heat.

As for Wes, he's all praise for his running mate. "I have found someone who is a loving mom who has raised three remarkable young women here in Maryland and someone whose own immigration story has inspired her to a life of public service," he said, adding, "This is someone who I just truly admire."

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Celebrating Amrita Sher-Gil on her 110th birth anniversary

(February 6, 2023) As the viewer approaches The Bride's Toilet, one of the best-known works by artist Amrita Sher-Gil, they are immediately struck by the intimacy of the scene. A young bride, resplendent in her wedding finery, sits before a mirror, surrounded by the trappings of her toilette. Her eyes are downcast, her expression thoughtful. In that moment, the viewer is transported to a private world, where the bride can reflect on the joys and challenges of her future as a married woman. As Sher-gil remarked, in a letter to a friend, "I want to paint the joy and sadness, the laughter and tears of people, to show the different aspects of life, and above all to be true to life. "Sher-Gil's paintings are marked by a powerful sense of empathy, as well as a keen eye for capturing the social and political realities of India in the early 20th century," wrote Yashodhara Dalmia, Indian art historian and author of "Amrita Sher-Gil: The Passionate Life and Art of India's Greatest Modernist". Her bold approach to her craft and refusal to conform to traditional norms have earned her the nickname "India's Frida Kahlo". Global Indian takes a look at the iconic

ach to her craft and refusal to conform to traditional norms have earned her the nickname "India's Frida Kahlo". Global Indian takes a look at the iconic artist Amrita Sher-gil, who would have turned 110 on January 30, delved into themes of gender, class and sexuality, making her a true feminist icon who was far ahead of her time.

[caption id="attachment_34748" align="aligncenter" width="477"] Amrita Sher-Gil. Source: Wikimedia Commons[/caption]

Early life

Amrita Sher-Gil was born in 1913, in Budapest, Hungary, to a Punjabi Sikh father and a Hungarian-Jewish mother. Her parents were both accomplished individuals in their own right - father, Umrao Singh Sher-Gil, was a scholar and her mother, Marie Antoinette Gottesmann, was an trained opera singer. From a young age, Sher-Gil showed a talent for the arts, and began painting at the age of just five years old. In 1926, during a visit to Shimla, her uncle, the Indologist Ervin Baktay, visited Shimla and noticed the young girl's artistic talent. She would paint the servants in her house, and get them to model for her, capturing their dignified and expressive faces in her drawings.

Art historian Yashodhara Dalmia writes, in her biography, Amrita Sher-Gil: A Life, "From the very start, her interest was in capturing people and the social milieu they inhabited." Amrita's early paintings were marked by a naturalistic style, a deep empathy for her subjects, and a remarkable sensitivity to their emotions.

Sher-Gil in Paris

In 1929, she enrolled at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, and discovered the European modernist masters like Paul Cézanne, Pablo Picasso, and Henri Matisse. It was here that she realized the immense potential of art to challenge and shape cultural norms. In a letter to her friend, she wrote, "I want to paint not just aesthetically but also socially. I want to do something for my country and its people."

While in Paris, Amrita Sher-Gil continued to evolve as an artist. She painted several portraits of Parisians, capturing their refined elegance and bohemian spirit. She also painted landscapes, still life, and nudes, which showed her mastery of the human form and her deep understanding of light and color. An anecdote from Sher-Gil's time in Paris illustrates her determination and commitment to her artistic vision. During a critique session at the École, her professor criticized her painting, stating that the figures in her work were not proportionate.

[caption id="attachment_34750" align="aligncenter" width="512"] Portrait of Young Man, painted by Amrita Sher-Gil at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts. Source: Wikimedia Commons[/caption]

Sher-Gil's response was simple but powerful: "I don't paint people to please the academic eye, but to give voice to the emotions that stir within me." She was also dissatisfied with the restraints of her upper-crust life, she ventured, as was fashionable at the time, into underbelly of Paris' party circuit, into the small, often seedy cafes frequented by artists and bohemian intellectuals. "She was also very free in her relationships with men and there is more than one reference of her having been with women, too," Dalmia told me in an interview. "She would stay out late and had a number of admirers."

The return home

Amrita Sher-Gil returned to India in December of 1934, after studying in Paris for several years. Here, she found herself in the midst of a thriving art scene, where artists were exploring new techniques and styles, drawing inspiration from traditional Indian art forms as well as European modernism. One of the leading voices of the time was art historian and critic, B.N. Goswamy, who once said, "Amrita's return to India marked the arrival of a new voice in Indian painting, one that would challenge prevailing norms and bring fresh perspectives to the table."

In 1937, touring South India, she was greatly moved by the local women and depicted, in the bold colours inspired by the paintings in the Ajanta Caves, their pathos and their poverty. "I can only paint in India. Europe belongs to Picasso, Matisse, Brazque... India belongs only to me," she wrote, in a letter to a friend. Her work went on to inspire, some years later, Rabindranath Tagore, Abanindranath Tagore and Jamini Roy, founders of the Bengal School of Art and also the Progressive Artist's Group with artists like FN Souza, M.F. Husain and S.H. Raza. One of her most famous works from this time, Hill Women, is a testament to Amrita's dedication to capturing the essence of Indian life. In this painting, she masterfully portrays the rugged beauty of rural women, working in the fields amidst a stunning backdrop of hills.

[caption id="attachment_34751" align="aligncenter" width="640"] The Bride's Toilet. Source: Wikimedia Commons[/caption]

An unparalleled legacy

In 1934, Amrita held her first solo show in Bombay, which was a critical success. Her paintings, inspired by her travels and the people she met, such as Hill Women and South Indian Villagers Going to Market, brought a new perspective to the Indian art world, capturing the beauty and struggles of everyday life. "I believe that an artist has a social obligation and must use his art as a means of helping the suffering humanity, Amrita Sher-Gil wrote, again to Marie Louise Chassany.

She also produced The Bride's Toilet, The Three Girls, and Young Girls, which became her most famous works. In an anecdote, historian R. Siva Kumar tells of how Amrita, who was always in search of new inspiration, would often travel to remote villages in India, seeking out new subjects to paint.

Sher-Gil died at 28, shrouded in mystery, days before the opening of her first major show in Lahore and Khushwant Singh writes of being among only a "handful of mourners" present at her cremation. Still, her work went on to influence modern Indian masters and the Indian government declared her paintings, most of which are housed at the National Gallery of Modern Art in Delhi, as national treasures.

Celebrating the many Christmases of India

(December 25, 2023) Christmas, moving beyond its roots as a Christian celebration, has transformed into a truly Indian festival. Last year, Speaking Tiger, a publishing house led by former heads of Penguin India and Cambridge University Press India, launched an anthology titled 'Indian Christmas.' This book encapsulates the unique essence of Christmas in India through a collection of essays, images, poems, and hymns—presented both in English and translated from various Indian languages. The anthology vividly portrays how Christmas has become a significant festival in India, celebrated not only by Christians but also by diverse communities in their own distinct ways. [caption id="attachment_47777" align="aligncenter" width="321"] Cover image of the book 'Indian Christmas'[/caption] Jerry Pinto and Madhulika Liddle, two acclaimed Indian writers, not only edited the anthology but also penned the introduction. The anthology features contributions from distinguished authors like Damodar Mauzo, Vivek Menezes, Easterine Kire, Hansda Sowvendra Shekhar, Elizabeth Kuruvilla, Jane Borges, Mary Sushma Kindo, and others. Their writings explore Christmas traditions and celebrations in regions such as Goa, Nagaland, Kerala, Delhi, Ranchi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Shillong, and rural Jharkhand, offering insights into the essence of Indian Christmas. The books description on Amazon reads: “Charming family traditions, ‘chutnified’ Christmas lunches and dinners,

i, Shillong, and rural Jharkhand, offering insights into the essence of Indian Christmas.

The books description on Amazon reads: “Charming family traditions, ‘chutnified’ Christmas lunches and dinners, quintessentially Indian versions of Christmas decorations and rituals—all find a place in the pages of Indian Christmas, a first-of-its-kind collection that pays tribute to a great Indian festival. It is a unique and beautiful book to possess and to gift.”

The book highlights the rich and multiple ways in which Christmas is celebrated in India through content like Arul Cellaturai's poems of the Pillaitamil tradition about Baby Jesus and the moon, tappe-boliyan by Punjabi singers portraying Mary and her infant, Mughal miniatures illustrating Jesus' birth, artworks by Jyoti Sahi and Sister Marie Claire inspired by folk art, and photographs capturing Christmas moments in Aizawl, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Kochi, contributed by different photographers.

Jerry Pinto on ‘Indian Christmas’

“Christmas is a festival of hope. I think all literature hopes to work against hate, to further the common cause of humanity. If this book contributes to that, I should be delighted,” told Jerry Pinto, the anthology’s co-editor in an interview adding, “I think we need to remember that we are the nation that was visited by St Thomas the Apostle and that Christianity has 2000-year-old roots here.”

Pinto utilised the fond memories of the several Christmases of childhood to remain excited throughout the making of the book.

“I come from a non-traditional Christian family,” he shared, “We weren’t the kind of family who cooked up storms though we could eat our way through mountains of food.” The family enjoyed the cake from the local shop and relished eating delicious food in loving company of each other.

[caption id="attachment_47780" align="aligncenter" width="280"] Indian Culture | Jerry Pinto | Global Indian Jerry Pinto[/caption]

Madhulika Liddle on ‘Indian Christmas’

“I think, besides the fact that a festival like Christmas goes beyond religion and reinforces values of peace and goodwill, there is the very fact of it being a very ‘local’ festival when it comes to how Indians celebrate it,” remarked Madhulika, Pinto’s co-editor of ‘Indian Christmas’. Born in Haflong, Assam she spent her first 12 years moving across different towns in the state due to her IPS officer father's transfers. The family finally relocated to Delhi, where she completed her schooling and college education at the Institute of Hotel Management, Catering and Nutrition (IHMCN).

“Growing up, Christmas was for me the most exciting part of the year. I always looked forward even to the run-up to Christmas, the decorations we put up around the house, the cake, doughnuts, gujiyas and other goodies we helped make, the music, the warmth and joy,” she shared. Beautiful childhood experiences associated with the festival played a great role in making her attached to the anthology since the very start.

[caption id="attachment_47779" align="aligncenter" width="231"] Indian Culture | Indian Christmas | Global Indian[/caption]

The many Christmases of India

For a country as diverse as India, different regions have their own unique way to celebrate. Christmas is the time to enjoy and spread joy not just within families but with the entire community in India.

Goa is place where the joy of Christmas radiates an exuberant atmosphere. A sizable Roman Catholic population and Portuguese heritage add a touch of splendour to the festive fervour. The streets start buzzing with the spirit of Christmas, bedecked with Poinsettia flowers and twinkling holiday lights. Midnight carolers serenade till dawn, while beachside venues offer festive lunches with live music, extending celebrations to beaches like Anjuna and Candolim.

Ludhiana adds a Punjabi flavour to the Christmas festivities. Christmas carols in Punjabi and dhols add a local touch to the celebrations. Few churches even organise langar, a trademark Punjabi community kitchen. A shobha yatra is taken out from Temple of God Church at Saleem Tabri which pass through various areas of city and end at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Sarabha Nagar. More than 150 churches of Ludhiana participates in the Shobha Yatra.

Puducherry, influenced by French heritage, hosts a serene yet fervent Christmas celebration. With a notable Roman Catholic community. The union territory transforms into a jubilant spectacle with festive spirit in the air. Landmarks like the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and other churches hold mesmerising services, exuding a serene yet joyful ambiance.

Delhi gets bustled with a commercial fervour during Christmas. Malls and Christian neighbourhoods dazzle with lights, while theme parties gets hosted in clubs and bars. The Midnight Service at Sacred Heart Church in Connaught Place witnesses a diverse congregation, showcasing the city's inclusive celebration of Christmas, where the festive warmth overcomes even the wintry weather, making Delhi's Christmas festivity a spectacle worth experiencing first-hand.

[caption id="attachment_47784" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Indian Culture | Indian Christmas | Global Indian An image from Goa's Christmas[/caption]

Kolkata witnesses one of the largest Christmas carnivals of India on Park Street. The themed lighting starts from St Xavier's College and ends at Mullick Bazaar. The themed lighting gets designed by artisans from the nearby town of Chandannagar who also light up the city during Durga Puja. Bands and various choir groups perform at different places and a two-hour Christmas Parade is organised where hundreds of school children participate

Cochin is one of the liveliest place in India other than Goa for Christmas and New Year celebrations. The famous 10-day long Cochin Carnival takes place during this time, with activities like beach bike races, beach football, fire displays and the grand carnival procession lined up with floats, bands, fancy dress art forms, and decorated elephants. The churches remain open throughout the night, and local eateries offer delightful meals with exceptional local flavours.

Shillong offers a quieter yet charming Christmas celebration. Homes and streets shimmer with sparkling lights, echoing with traditional hymns and carols, while local gospel musicians add a unique touch to the celebrations.

Ranchi immerses itself in joyous celebration with a sizable Christian and tribal communities, embracing traditions with fervour. The festivities centre on traditional delicacies like Dhuska, a local snack, and dancing around bonfires to melodies honouring Jesus Christ and Mother Mary. Modest yet heartfelt Christmas gatherings take place in homes, radiating warmth and festivity.

Global Indian celebrates the spirit of love, kindness, and togetherness that unites us all, irrespective of our backgrounds or beliefs on all Indian festivals. May this joyous occasion of Christmas fill our hearts with warmth and goodwill, and spread happiness and peace throughout our communities.

Reading Time: 5 mins

Fondly called the Indian James Bond, Ajit Doval ensures nation’s security as national security advisor to PM

(October 7, 2022) The fifth and current National Security Advisor (NSA) to the Prime Minister of India, Ajit Doval was the youngest police officer in the country to be awarded the Kirti Chakra, one of the highest defence gallantry awards. He has always been the determined achiever. When he was in school, his teacher chose him to be part of the school boxing team because even as a kid, he never did accept defeat. The retired Indian Police Services (IPS) officer of the Kerala cadre and a former Indian intelligence and law enforcement officer started off his police career in 1968. He retired as director of Intelligence Bureau in 2005. Due to his exemplary services over the years, Doval is fondly known as the James Bond of India. His list of achievements is impressive. He was actively involved in anti-insurgency operations in Mizoram and Punjab. The officer played a key role as one of the three negotiators in the release of passengers from the hijacked IC-814 in Kandahar in the year 1999. Between 1971 and 1999, Doval successfully terminated at least 15 hijackings of Indian Airlines aircrafts, becoming a hero of the nation. Difficult projects handled successfully Doval successfully supervised

played a key role as one of the three negotiators in the release of passengers from the hijacked IC-814 in Kandahar in the year 1999. Between 1971 and 1999, Doval successfully terminated at least 15 hijackings of Indian Airlines aircrafts, becoming a hero of the nation.

Difficult projects handled successfully

Doval successfully supervised the September 2016 Uri surgical strike and February 2019 Balakot air strikes across the border in Pakistan. He also contributed towards ending the Doklam stand-off, taking decisive measures to tackle insurgency of the Northeast.

Indian Hero | Ajit Kumar Doval | Global Indian

Talking about the atmosphere of conflict in the world right now, the Global Indian said in a recent conference:

If we want to tackle this atmosphere, it is important to maintain the unity of the country, and move as a united nation. The way India has been developing and progressing over the past few years, it will benefit every citizen of the country.

While answering questions related to his life, art of decision making and his journey to success, his advice for youngsters during a leadership talk with Dr Abhijit Jere, chief innovation officer, ministry of HRD was, “first consider the worst possible outcome and see if it’s affordable in such a way that the country can deal with it. Then work on this outcome by trying to make it better. Also have a backup plan so as to be prepared.”

The veteran of undercover operations

‘India’s James Bond’ spent seven years as an undercover operative in Pakistan gathering intelligence on active militant groups. The master spy managed to stay in disguise all those years, mastering Urdu and expertise in the country's history, culture and politics.

Indian Hero | Ajit Kumar Doval | Global Indian

The veteran had also played a key role in gathering intelligence for ‘Operation Black Thunder’ throttling Khalistan’s militancy in 1984. He worked in disguise of a rickshaw puller in the areas surrounding the Golden Temple, and then later posed as an ISI agent, befriended the militants inside the temple. He managed to earn their trust, and entered the Golden Temple, gathering all information from there and passing it on to security agencies. In 1990s, he went to Kashmir and convinced hardcore militants and troops to become counter-insurgents, for facilitating Jammu and Kashmir elections of 1996.

The major part of Ajit Doval’s career has been spent as an active field intelligence officer with the Intelligence Bureau (IB). His service to the nation has been honoured with several awards, honours, and records to his credit.

His views on the future of war and terrorism are firm. In the leadership talk hosted by the ministry of HRD, he said:

In today’s scenario cyber security and information is the key.

Retired yet super active

Doval became the founder director of Vivekananda International Foundation (a public policy think tank) after his retirement from Indian Police Services in 2009.

The die-hard patriot’s expertise was sought thereafter, for a top-secret mission for which he flew to Iraq in 2014 to understand the position on the ground, made high-level connections in the Iraq government, and ensured release of 46 Indian nurses who were trapped in a hospital in Tikrit, Iraq, after a month of his being there in the country.

Indian Hero | Ajit Kumar Doval | Global Indian

Later, the super cop also headed a successful military operation in Myanmar along with the then Army Chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag against National Socialist Council of Nagaland militants operating out of Myanmar.

Having served from 2014-2019 as National Security Advisor, in the year 2019, Ajit Doval got reappointed to the post for the next five-year term and was offered a cabinet rank in the second term of the Narendra Modi-led government.

Staying away from social media

Interestingly, in this era of the internet, for any personal communication Ajit Doval does not use the computer as ‘it can be compromised’. The top official has never signed up for any social media account. All his social media accounts are created by his fans and well-wishers. He believes that he is more of a solo person and likes doing things differently.

The national security advisor said in the leadership talk:

Live every second as the first second of the rest of your life.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZe1DrZ_zdk

Son of an Indian Army officer, Doval grew up in Ajmer, Rajasthan and completed his school education from King George's Royal Indian Military School. He graduated with a masters in economics from University of Agra.

When faced with a choice between what you should do because of your duty and what you should do because of your passion, always choose the second option.

Doval advised students during his recent leadership talk.

Why Ajit Doval enjoys so much respect:

He has worked many years as an undercover agent not only in Pakistan but also in the northeast, Arakan, Myanmar and deep inside China to gather intelligence information on active insurgent groups that were a threat to India.
He managed to win the trust of hardcore Kashmiri militant, Kuka Parray in troubled Kashmir and persuaded him to surrender.
When the security forces charged inside the Golden Temple to get Khalistani terrorists out from there in 1984, Ajit Doval was one among them.
He has prevented 15 hijackings of Indian Airlines aircrafts.
He was the key negotiator which led to the freedom of hostages from Taliban when they hijacked the plane, IC-814 at Kandahar in 1999.

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