Global IndianstoryAshish Vazirani: The Indian American management consultant who’s Biden’s top choice for key Pentagon role

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Ashish Vazirani: The Indian American management consultant who’s Biden’s top choice for key Pentagon role

Written by: Global Indian

(September 28, 2021) Last week, US President Joe Biden announced that he was nominating Indian American Ashish Vazirani to a key national security role at the Pentagon. Slated to be appointed as Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, Vazirani will be one of the 40 plus Indian Americans working in the Biden-Harris administration. Vazirani, who is currently the Principal of A2O Strategies, LLC, had earlier served in active duty with the US Navy as a submarine officer.

Coming from a military family, Vazirani had served in the Navy as Lieutenant from 1986 to 1993 before switching to a management consultant role. He spent 22 years with leading high tech and pharmaceutical companies such as Roche Pharmaceuticals, Analytika, Dendrite, MarketBridge, ZS Associates and National Academy of Sciences, where he worked to create transformational change while delivering customer-centric solutions and profitable growth.

Indian American Ashish Vazirani

Indian roots

Vazirani, who was born in India, moved to the US at the age of 3, where his step father, John Fales Jr, was a Vietnam-era Marine who had been wounded in combat. He went on to get his Bacherlor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Vanderbilt University, Nashville, before his Masters in Engineering from McCormick School of Engineering at Northwestern University in Illinois. Following this, Vazirani joined the US Navy as submarine officer in 1986 where he served until 1993.

By 1993 he had enrolled for an MBA at Kellogg School of Management and then embarked on a career as a management consultant with ZS Associates. Soon jobs with other notable companies such as Roche, Dendrite, and MarketBridge followed where he helped these technology and healthcare companies transform their GTM Strategy.

Ashish Vazirani from his US Navy days

According to his LinkedIn, two decades in, he realized that he was ready to pursue something new and wanted to focus on his priorities: Faith, Family, and Country. That was when he got the opportunity to work with the Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) and National Military Family Association (NMFA). In 2017 when he was appointed as Chief Development Officer at ASYMCA, Vazirani took over the organization’s financial growth by developing lasting engagement with donors and helped drive programs for young men and women of all five Armed Services (Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard) and their families.

In 2017, this Global Indian also joined A2O Strategies as Principal, where he provides advisory services to commercial and non-profit, high growth and large enterprises, on the development, implementation, and execution of growth strategies.

A bend in the road

Two years later, in 2019 Vazirani took over as Executive Director of NMFA taking over from Joyce Raezer. This was in addition to his role at A2O. The former Navy Lieutenant’s experience and the fact that he came from a military family himself – his father and son are both marines – made him the right fit for the job. According to Vazrina, his father continued in public service even after he left the military when he became an advocate for sensory-disabled veterans like himself. All of this urged Vazirani to do his bit for military families as well. In an interview with Military Families, Vazirani had said, “I think when I reflect on the time that I was in the submarine force, when we went to sea as a crew of 120 something people, one, you just recognize the importance of teamwork and the importance of relying on individuals who have expertise in particular areas and how those experts come together and coordinate as a team. Because you can’t just get the mission done by yourself.”

Ashish Vazirani with his son

He provided strategic and operational oversight and direction for all aspects of NMFA’s advocacy and programming to support military families. During his tenure, NMFA regained its four-star charity rating and expanded programming, included a child care fee relief program.

In April 2021, he also joined the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation as a member of the board of advisors where he continues to serve.

Family ties

While Vazirani’s stepfather was a Vietnam-era marine, his son is an actively serving marine as well. Vazirani grew up in Maryland where he and his wife Deborah continue to live.

Follow Ashish Vazirani on LinkedIn and Twitter.

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Published on 28, Sep 2021

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Indo-Canadian mathematician Sujatha Ramdorai awarded with Padma Shri 2023

(March 1, 2023) On Republic Day 2023, the Ministry of Home Affairs announced the names of the recipients of the highest civilian awards of India – the Padma Awards. The list included Sujatha Ramdorai, the Indian-origin mathematician who is a professor of mathematics and Canada Research Chair at University of British Columbia. The algebraic number theorist is known for her work on Iwasawa theory - the study of objects of arithmetic interest over infinite towers of number fields. Professor Ramdorai has earned several awards and accolades over the years for her contributions to mathematics. She became the first Indian to win the prestigious ICTP Ramanujan Prize in 2006 in recognition of her work, which has implications in the fields of complex geometry, topology, number theory and cryptography. She is also a recipient of the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award - the highest honour bestowed by the Government of India in the field of STEM. One of the finest Indian mathematicians, Professor Ramdorai received the Krieger–Nelson Prize in 2020 for her pathbreaking research by the Canadian Mathematical Society. [caption id="attachment_35602" align="aligncenter" width="401"] Professor Sujatha Ramdorai[/caption] Despite achieving so much both in India and abroad, the Global Indian remains humble and is not at all a fan of the pursuit of

Ramanujan Prize in 2006 in recognition of her work, which has implications in the fields of complex geometry, topology, number theory and cryptography. She is also a recipient of the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award - the highest honour bestowed by the Government of India in the field of STEM. One of the finest Indian mathematicians, Professor Ramdorai received the Krieger–Nelson Prize in 2020 for her pathbreaking research by the Canadian Mathematical Society.

[caption id="attachment_35602" align="aligncenter" width="401"] Indian Origin | Sujatha Ramdorai | Global Indian Professor Sujatha Ramdorai[/caption]

Despite achieving so much both in India and abroad, the Global Indian remains humble and is not at all a fan of the pursuit of success. “Today we have put success in such a high pedestal that we have lost our moral moorings,” she said in an interview.

We worship others’ success without questioning how they really achieved that. Many people succeed by deliberately pushing others to the ground. I don’t think that kind of success should either be worshipped or appreciated.

The ace mathematician believes in acknowledging not just those who have attained success but even those who might not have succeeded but have done good work to help the society. “This approach should be applied to both individuals and nations,” she remarked. “How much money one has accumulated should not be an indicator of success. I don’t think that’s a good lesson to impart to youngsters,” believes the ace mathematician.

The math guru

In one of her TEDx Talks, Professor Ramdorai cited Galileo - the father of modern science, who made major contributions to the fields of astronomy, physics, cosmology, philosophy and mathematics. “Learn math because it’s the language in which the Gods have written the universe,” she shared, elaborating how Galileo’s words have affected her choices in life.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=--LI0ZRsglg

The illustrious professor is a member of the scientific committees of several international research agencies, including Banff International Research Station, International Centre for Pure and Applied Mathematics, and Indo-French Centre for Promotion of Advanced Research. In the past, she was also associated with the National Knowledge Commission, a think tank constituted by former PM Manmohan Singh, and Government of India’s Scientific Advisory Council.

A little-known fact…

While people may be aware of her achievements in maths, Professor Ramdorai is a true inspiration in many other ways. In 2015, she was diagnosed with brain cancer and had to undergo an emergency surgery. “For me the main concern was whether I would be able to do math again, she said during one of her TEDx Talks. “This deep concern led me to think about, why I love mathematics so much – there is a sense of mystery, there is a sense of being confronted with the unknown,” she told.

Throwing light upon the connections between math, and art she pointed out:

There is a component of mathematics which is pure art. In the sense, if you prove something in maths, small bits come together, it’s like crafting and planning a symphony.

Her road to recovery from brain cancer interestingly involved discovering a new hobby, and that was painting.

Making math more welcoming

Professor Ramdorai strongly believes in transforming learning of mathematics in the classroom in a way that encourages students to develop more interest in it. “We don’t have to make it competitive. Make it cooperative and make students aware that knowledge is a collective endeavour.” This, she believes, would turn the whole process of learning into a more equitable endeavour, making students embrace the subject wholeheartedly. “They would become more imaginative. It will give a ‘can do’ feeling to the learners,” she remarked.

[caption id="attachment_35603" align="aligncenter" width="351"] Indian Origin | Sujatha Ramdorai | Global Indian Photo Credit: International Centre for Theoretical Physics, Italy[/caption]

Along with her husband, Srinivasan Ramdorai and Indian mathematical writer VS Sastry, the Padma Shri awardee has partially funded the Ramanujan Math Park in Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh, which was inaugurated in 2017. The park is dedicated to mathematics education and honours the work of the great Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan, who is an inspiration for Ramdorai. “He is one of the greatest mysteries of the mathematical landscape. He had a great grasp on the subject and was self-taught. This to me is tremendously admirable,” she said.

Early years

Professor Ramdorai grew up in Bengaluru (then Bangalore) and loved mathematics, even as a child. “By the time I was in class five, I realised that maths was a subject where all you need to do is to understand what was happening. You didn’t need to learn by rote, like in History, where I faced problems remembering the details like the dates of wars, ascensions to the throne and how long the various rulers ruled and so on,” she said, reminiscing about her childhood.

For me mathematics was equivalent to the computer games that today’s children play.

Ramdorai used to indulge in the fascinating world of numbers wherever she could. “For instance, after I learned addition, whenever I went out in a car or a scooter, I used to add the digits on the number plates of the vehicles on the road. It became a game for me and my brother, both wanting to add the numbers faster than the other.”

One of the greatest influences in Professor Ramdorai’s life has been her grandmother from whom she imbibed the values of discipline and earnestness. “She taught me and my brother the dignity of labour. Whatever you do, do it to the best of your abilities is what she used to tell us,” she said in an interview.

[caption id="attachment_35604" align="aligncenter" width="354"] Indian Origin | Sujatha Ramdorai | Global Indian Photo Credit: Indian Academy of Sciences, Bengaluru[/caption]

After finishing high school, the math enthusiast completed her B.Sc. in Mathematics at St. Joseph’s College, Bengaluru and went on to do her M.Sc. from Annamalai University. She completed her PhD from the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) where she worked for a few years before moving to Ohio State University to do her post-doctoral research.

Life then took her to Canada where she currently works and lives with her husband. “Whether you are a boy or a girl, just keep in mind that you can do anything. Gender does not come in the way of attaining knowledge if one is curious, focused and believes in deep learning,” believes Professor Ramdorai.

Follow Professor Sujatha Ramdorai on LinkedIn

Reading Time: 5 mins

Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni: The Indian American author who brings to life the complexities of being a woman

(October 30, 2021) Once upon a time there were five brothers who were the epitome of obedience. One fine day when one of them—the most dashing of the lot—brought home a beautiful wife, Kunti their mother commanded that they share whatever he’d brought home. The story of how Draupadi landed herself five husbands is a rather famous one. Paeans have been sung about the Pandavas’ obedience, but what of Draupadi? Was she happy to have unwittingly landed herself five husbands? What of her secret attraction to a man who could have made her a better partner, but she’d spurned due to misplaced pride and a quick tongue? [embed]https://twitter.com/cdivakaruni/status/1450933687961505795?s=20[/embed] These are questions that have probably risen in many a mind, but were finally given shape by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni. Her version of the Mahabharata, (Palace of Illusions) from a woman’s point of view, offered readers a new perspective on the mythology. The Indian American author, who has authored over 15 books, has turned the spotlight on women in each of her works. Be it exploring the travails of immigrants in Mistress of Spices and Arranged Marriage, the coming-of-age story in Oleander Girl, or giving her own spin to mythology and history with

ht on women in each of her works. Be it exploring the travails of immigrants in Mistress of Spices and Arranged Marriage, the coming-of-age story in Oleander Girl, or giving her own spin to mythology and history with Palace of Illusions, The Forest of Enchantments, and The Last Queen; every book has had its centre a woman with a heart of gold and nerves of steel. In a world where most mythologies have celebrated the male figure and have suppressed women’s voices, Chitra has brought forth the subtleties and complexities of being a woman. Her books turn social constructs on their heads and lend a voice to the forgotten women.

It all began in Calcutta

The inspiration for her works, she has said, was her mother, a strong-willed woman who raised Chitra and her younger brothers almost single-handedly in the face of great hardship. “My mother was a teacher and believed in the value of learning. She always wanted to become a writer, but she never got the opportunity to explore that facet of hers. Perhaps, I am fulfilling her dream,” she said in an interview with Travel + Leisure. Incidentally, Chitra herself is a teacher; she is the Betty and Gene McDavid Professor of Writing at the University of Houston Creative Writing Program.

Global Indian Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

Born in Calcutta in 1956, Chitra completed her BA from University of Calcutta in 1976. That same year she moved to the US to do her Masters at Wright State University and eventually did her PhD from the University of California, Berkley in 1985. While at college, she held various odd jobs to help get her through; from babysitting, working at an Indian boutique, to slicing bread and washing science lab instruments.

Writing to heal

All this while though, Chitra was homesick and felt like an alien in a new country. Life as an immigrant is never easy and back in the 70s with no internet connectivity and exorbitantly priced phone calls, there was little that she could do to stay in touch with her family back home in Calcutta. The only way for her to thus deal with her loneliness was through her writing. She began maintaining a diary where she’d put down all her thoughts. In an interview with Friday Magazine, she said, “Living an immigrant’s life was an extremely powerful and transformative experience for me and I wanted to explore that through writing."

Global Indian Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

But it was news of her grandfather’s death that really set her off. Since she couldn’t go back home, she channeled her grief into writing a poem about him. Soon more poems followed before she decided to switch to prose as she felt it was a better medium.

Writing turned out to be cathartic for this Global Indian as she began to come to terms with her new life and her distance from home. She enrolled at a community college to further hone her writing skills where a teacher who was impressed by her work, urged her to get in touch with a literary agent. The agent recognised Chitra’s talent and helped her publish her first book Arranged Marriage, a collection of short stories on immigrant women from India who were caught between two worlds. The book was a huge success and earned Chitra the American Book Award, a PEN Josephine Miles award, and a Bay Area Book Reviewers’ Award.

Global Indian Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

Lending voice to women

Soon other books like The Mistress of Spices, Sister of My Heart, and Unknown Errors of our Lives followed. Her work on the lives of immigrant women gave voice to the millions of Indian women struggling to straddle both worlds. However, the author was ready to explore other subjects and the first image that came to her mind was of her grandfather and his treasure trove of stories based on Indian epics and mythologies that had once filled her childhood.

Growing up in Calcutta, Chitra would spend many holidays with her grandfather who would spend most evenings narrating stories from the Ramayana and Mahabharata to Chitra and her cousins. “He was a great storyteller and I grew up listening to some wonderful and complex tales. However, as I grew older, I was not satisfied with what I’d learned about the major women characters from these stories. Most of these epics were all about the men and their valour; what of the women? I often wondered what a Draupadi or a Sita felt as these great wars were fought; what did their tragedies feel like? I wanted to bring them alive,” she said.

Global Indian Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

That’s how Palace of Illusions and The Forest of Enchantments came about. They retold the Mahabharata and Ramayana from the point of view of Draupadi and Sita. They portrayed both women as strong, complex characters that were otherwise just invisible stories. Some of her works have also been adapted to the big screen: Mistress of Spices starred Aishwarya Rai and Palace of Illusions is also soon to be made into a film.

A passionate advocate for women’s rights, Chitra has ensured that she captures forgotten voices and stories in her books. Already busy with her next novel that is set around India’s independence, the author says that it will be a sort of follow up to The Last Queen, which was about Maharani Jindan whose kingdom was snatched away by the British.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIKE8SRjIQc[/embed]

Giving Back

Apart from juggling a full-time job as a professor and her work as an author, Chitra also ensures that she does her bit to give back to society. She is the president of MAITRI, a helpline for South Asian women, particularly victims of abuse and domestic violence. She is also involved with Pratham, a non-profit that seeks to improve literacy among disadvantaged Indian children.

For a woman who struggled to adapt to life as an immigrant in a new country to now lending a voice to forgotten and marginalised, Chitra has come a long way and has been doing her bit to further the complexities and beauty of Indian culture.

Follow Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni on Twitter.

Reading Time: 10 mins

Mississippi Masala to The Green Knight: How Sarita Choudhury wowed the West

(September 18, 2021) Mira Nair launched a new girl, one who worked with the great Italian director Federico Fellini, opposite Denzel Washington in the 1991 romantic drama Mississippi Masala. But little did this girl know that she would soon be going to wow the entertainment industry with her sheer talent. When Sarita Choudhury erupted on the big screen with her debut film, critics across the globe couldn't stop raving about this new talent. And now three decades later, the 55-year-old is still making the right noise with her choice of work. It was in college that Choudhury fell in love with acting, and knew that this was the course to be followed. While the journey wasn't all sunshine and rainbow for her, she kept delivering her best. Here's the story of this Global Indian who wowed the West with her stunning performances. College resurrected the dream of acting Born in London to an Indian father and an English mother, Choudhury was raised in Jamaica, Mexico and Italy as her dad was a scientist and had a moving job. Living her initial life literally out of the suitcase, Choudhary made a stop over in Canada for a while to complete her

was raised in Jamaica, Mexico and Italy as her dad was a scientist and had a moving job. Living her initial life literally out of the suitcase, Choudhary made a stop over in Canada for a while to complete her graduation in economics from Queen's University in Ontario. When Choudhury arrived on the campus in the fall of 1986, she had plans of becoming an economist. But Queen's helped her live her childhood dream of being an actress. It was here that she became interested in film studies and began experimenting with acting by making appearances in the films made her by her classmates. This exposure was enough for Choudhury to feverishly pursue a career in acting, and it was one of her professors at Queen's who played the perfect catalyst in bringing her closer to her dream.

"Prof. Frank Burke from Film Studies had written a book about Federico Fellini, the great Italian film director, and he gave me a letter of introduction. When I told my mother this, she said, 'Well, let’s get in the car and go see him.’ I thought she was crazy, but away we went. The address Frank Burke had given me was at Cinecittà Studios, in Rome. When I knocked on Fellini’s door, not only did he see me, he gave me a job translating scripts," she told Queen's Alumni Review.

The big break with Mira Nair

This opened up a sea of opportunities for a young Choudhury who made connections in the industry that led her to auditioning for film roles. One such audition helped her land her first big role in Mira Nair's Mississippi Masala alongside Denzel Washington. The film on interracial romance between a South African American man and an Indian woman became an art house hit and got Choudhury some rave reviews for her performance. Despite a grand start, Choudhury didn't find the landing she was looking for in Hollywood. So the 55-year-old focused on finding diversity through her work across theatre, television and films.

[caption id="attachment_10660" align="aligncenter" width="495"] Denzel Washington and Sarita Choudhury in a still from Mississippi Masala.[/caption]

If she played a Pakistani singer in Wild West (1992), she essayed the role of a Chilean maid in Bille August's adaptation of The House of the Spirits. After five years, Nair once again collaborated with Choudhury for Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love. The film was screened at the Cannes Film Festival and was nominated for the Golden Seashell award at the 1996 San Sebastián International Film Festival. It was by the late 90s that Choudhury added a touch of Hollywood to her repertoire with films like A Perfect Murder (1998) and Gloria (1999). Simultaneously, Choudhury found interesting scripts on the small screen. Be it NBC drama Kings or Homicide: Life on the Street, the actress pulled off each character with elan.

Diversity in Hollywood

Choudhury kept going strong at a time when diversity was something that Hollywood completely ignored. It was her faith in herself and her hard work that worked in her stride. "How the business perceives us is something I’ve never concerned myself with. I just try to beat the odds of rejection by preparing a lot for auditions, and hopefully changing someone's mind. Minds and the gate keepers have to change. It's an exciting time, it’s still slow, but we're all part of this change," she told Hindustan Times in an interview.

[caption id="attachment_10662" align="aligncenter" width="502"] Sarita Choudhury as Mira and Mandy Patinkin as Saul Berenson in Homeland.[/caption]

This same grit got her roles in films like Lady in the Water, Midnight's Children, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay and The Last Photograph. But it's her film A Hologram for the King with Tom Hanks that she is most proud of. "It took me to another level," she told Mint Lounge.

Choudhury, who paved the way for many South Asians in Hollywood, is truly a global icon. She has worked with the best talent in the industry and has some very powerful roles to her credit. But for her, being a global actor has never been her intention. In an interview with WION, she said, "As actors we don’t really have any intent to be perceived globally in a certain way. But if that is the result of following your dream no matter what the obstacles that is amazing. My dad had seen Satyajit Ray’s films in India when he was young, my mum had seen the same films in England, I saw them in Canada when I was at university. That's global! And (that) makes me proud."

Despite two decades of good work to her credit, Choudhury is unstoppable in her 50s. After making heads turn with her performance in fantasy film The Green Knight, the actress has now grabbed a plum role in Sex and the City reboot.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcOHajVcl44

Indian at heart

Choudhury is a popular actress in the West but her heart is still in India. " I feel like if I don’t go to India once a year, I lose my sense of roots. I have an Indian father, and when you grow up in a house with an Indian father, culturally that’s what becomes dominant in the house. So that’s the tradition we grew up with. And it’s not a coincidence that my dad retired and moved back home to Calcutta. So, no matter which country my brother and I grew up in, we would come home to my father. And that stayed with me, that’s my heart," she told Times of India.

Choudhury is one of those rare South Asian actresses who made a mark in the West at a time when diversity wasn't the focus point of Hollywood. However, with her determination and grit, she kept breaking the stereotypes and wowing the global audience with her stellar performances.

Reading Time: 6 min

Abhishek ‘Lucky’ Gupta: Seoul’s most beloved Indian bridging cultures between India and Korea

(September 20, 2024) Abhishek Gupta, widely known as Lucky, is one of the most famous Indian-born residents of Seoul. He was awarded the honorary citizenship by the Seoul Metropolitan Government in December 2022. For the Indian origin entertainer who has been living in Korea for close to three decades, this recognition came in appreciation of his efforts in promoting the city and for his charitable work for children living in poverty. The honorary citizenship is granted to foreign residents who have lived in Seoul for several years and have made significant contributions to enhancing the city’s global image. The Indian entertainer and actor who gained fame on TV and YouTube for his fluent Korean has promoted Seoul both online and offline. As a television personality one of Lucky’s most noteworthy appearances has been on the popular South Korean TV show Non-summit (also known as Abnormal Summit), which featured non-Korean men living in South Korea discussing various topics, including Korean culture through the eyes of a foreigner. Besides his career as an entertainer, Abhishek is also a businessman, running Lucky India, an Indian restaurant and IndiAgro a business venture that imports Indian sesame seeds to Korea. View this post on

g Korean culture through the eyes of a foreigner. Besides his career as an entertainer, Abhishek is also a businessman, running Lucky India, an Indian restaurant and IndiAgro a business venture that imports Indian sesame seeds to Korea.

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A post shared by 럭키 lucky (@luckyinkorea)

Recently, Lucky was appointed as the honorary Ambassador for the King Sejong Institute Foundation. It’s an honour he shares with two fellow expats, Italian Alberto Mondi and German Daniel Lindemann. The King Sejong institute operates in 80 countries, with 250 branches and over 80,000 students learning Korean worldwide. “Being chosen as a global ambassador for such a prestigious institution to promote the Korean language feels amazing, as it is the language that has shaped my entire career,” Lucky remarked in an interview with KBS World Radio.

From India to Korea

Born in New Delhi, he graduated from the Delhi University in Economics before moving to South Korea in 1996 to study the Korean language at the Seoul National University’s Language Education Institute.

“Back in the day, many of my friends went to English-speaking countries like the UK, the US or Canada to study. I wondered why my parents sent me to Korea,” Lucky remarked in an interview with The Korea Herald. However, he is thankful to his late father who decided to send him and his elder brother to Korea from India at a time when not many were doing so. “He was forward-thinking and saw the potential long before,” he added.

When Lucky Gupta first landed in Korea as a 19-year-old, he had never imagined that he would become one of the most beloved Indians in the country. “In a report released by the Indian Embassy in Korea in 2000, my elder brother and I were among just 10 Indian students who could speak Korean at the time. It’s remarkable how much has changed since then, as today, people from all over the world are learning the Korean language,” Lucky remarked.

Indian origin | Lucky | Abhishek 'Lucky' Gupta | Bridging Cultures between India and Korea | Global Indian

Settling down in Korea

As a 19-year-old Lucky’s focus was just on adjusting to a new country and overcoming homesickness when he landed in Seoul for the first time.

In the pre-internet era, he arrived with limited knowledge about the country. Rather than experiencing a culture shock, he found the process of discovering its differences from India challenging but at the same time intriguing and interesting.

“I came during the analogue era; things are much more digital now. Back then, there was no Internet, no smartphones, no Google to find the top ten restaurants or things to do. It was a different and more challenging time,” he said.

After a challenging first year in the foreign country, Lucky got acclimated to the food, language, and new experiences, making his life in Korea much more enjoyable.

Since his nickname 'Lucky,' used by family and close friends in India, was easier for people in Korea to pronounce compared to 'Abhishek,' he began introducing himself by that name. This is why he is more popularly known as Lucky rather than Abhishek Gupta even now.

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A post shared by 럭키 lucky (@luckyinkorea)

One of the few foreign-born TV personalities in Korea

It was in 2000 that his life took an unexpected turn, shortly before South Korea gained international attention by hosting the 2002 FIFA World Cup. “They (a television channel) were looking for a foreigner who could speak Korean. They needed someone to travel around Korea, try the food, and speak Korean—they wanted to show how a foreigner experiences life here,” he recalls of his time on Good Morning World, the KBS show that marked his first big break.

Through this experience, Lucky discovered his passion for being in front of the camera, and gradually, his career began to align with the world of entertainment.

In the early 2000s, Lucky became one of the few foreign-born TV personalities, featuring as a supporting character in the popular SBS period drama Rustic Period (2002-2003). Despite his growing presence on screen, he had no plans to stay in Korea long-term or pursue naturalization, a step he would take much later.

“TV programs featuring foreigners were not a major trend at first. Our roles were very limited,” he said.

[caption id="attachment_56295" align="aligncenter" width="529"] Indian origin | Lucky | Global Indian Lucky with famous expats in Korea during Chuseok, the harvest festival of Korea[/caption]

Entrepreneurship and TV success

While busy in some acting assignments he also laid the foundation of his sesame import business. While he was expanding his business, Lucky was invited to appear on the local talk show Wednesday Foodtalk to share his insights on curry. This opportunity led him to the opportunity to join the cast of JTBC’s hit show non-summit, where he gained immense popularity among Korean viewers, debating current issues with expats from around the world who had made Korea their home.

During his time on the show, Lucky and his fellow cast members presented a compelling example of global interconnectedness, earning acclaim for the variety of topics and perspectives they brought to the table. While Abhishek has appeared on numerous television programs before and since, he is best remembered for his role on non-summit, where he represented India in 103 of the 144 episodes that were shot before, he left it. He eventually stepped away from the show to focus on his second entrepreneurial venture.

“I’m very thankful to the Korean audience; they’ve loved me, they gave me so much love and support, and whenever I meet them, they always tell me that they actually came to know about many things of India through me, and that India seems a much closer country to them because of me.”

Indian origin | Lucky | Global Indian

Promoting intercultural understanding between India and Korea

Lucky launched his YouTube Channel 354 in 2020, aiming to satisfy the curiosity of travel enthusiasts eager to explore Korea. Through the channel, he highlights lesser-known yet fascinating aspects of the country.

The entrepreneur and well-known TV personality, believes his life in Korea is no longer just about making a living. His focus has shifted towards promoting intercultural understanding between India and Korea.

Having spent more years in Korea than in India, the 45-year-old feels a strong connection with the country, and promotes it in whichever way he can. Deeply proud of his Indian heritage, he also strives to introduce various facets of India to Korean audiences.

[caption id="attachment_56294" align="aligncenter" width="574"] Indian origin | Lucky | Abhishek 'Lucky' Gupta | Bridging Cultures Between India and Korea | Global Indian Lucky with fellow Koreans during Great guide India shoot[/caption]

Follow Lucky on Instagram
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From the US to Switzerland: How Indians rule the roost

(May 1, 2022) India has the largest diaspora in the world - over 13 million Indians live outside the country, with 17 million individuals of Indian origin. While they are known to be skilled IT professionals, several Indian-origin politicians have earned important designations in governments worldwide. According to the latest report by Indispora, a US-based nonprofit community of global Indian diaspora leaders from various backgrounds and professions, more than 200 persons of Indian-origin hold the highest positions around 15 countries - which included elected officials, diplomats, legislators, heads of central banks and senior civil servants. They also listed over 60 leaders, who hold cabinet positions in various countries. Global Indian takes a look at few notable politicians, who have made their mark as immigrants or children of immigrants. Kamala Harris – vice-president of the United States During a civil rights protest on the Berkeley campus, when Shyamala Gopalan asked her toddler daughter “What do you want?” she replied, “Fweedom!” [caption id="attachment_23845" align="aligncenter" width="597"] Kamala Harris, vice president of the United States[/caption] Today, the journey of Kamala Harris is an inspiring story of many firsts. Probably one of the most famous Indian-origin politicians in history, Kamala is not just a woman, but

Kamala-Harris.jpg" alt="" width="597" height="896" /> Kamala Harris, vice president of the United States[/caption]

Today, the journey of Kamala Harris is an inspiring story of many firsts. Probably one of the most famous Indian-origin politicians in history, Kamala is not just a woman, but also the first Black and first Indian-American vice-president of the United States. Born in Oakland, California to parents who emigrated from India and Jamaica, Kamala and her sister, Maya, grew up embracing both their South Asian and Black heritages. But it was her mother, a breast cancer scientist and pioneer in her own right, who instilled a strong sense of justice in Kamala from a young age. Her parents took the little Kamala to civil rights demonstrations and introduced role models—ranging from Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall to civil rights leader Constance Baker Motley—whose work motivated her to become a prosecutor.

In 2010, Kamala was elected as the first African American and first woman to serve as California’s attorney-general. Six years later she was elected as a senator for California, becoming only the second African-American woman to ever be elected to the US senate. Because of the politician's commitment to fighting injustice, her eloquence, and capabilities for leadership and governance, President-elect Joseph R Biden chose Harris as his running mate in 2019.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-cbGOYjBfU&t=103s

Since her attorney-general days, Kamala rallies for women’s rights — supporting women in our workforce, addressing the maternal health crisis, and defending reproductive rights. During one of her many famous speeches, Kamala told the Generation Equality Forum at a summit hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron that gender equality was paramount to strengthening democracy. “Use the tools for democracy, whether that is the freedom of speech or the freedom to vote. And if you do not yet have those freedoms, fight for them and know we will fight alongside you,” the politician said, adding, “If we want to strengthen democracy, we must fight for gender equality. Because here is the truth: Democracy is strongest when everyone participates, it is weaker when people are left out.”

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Leo Varadkar - Tánaiste and minister for enterprise, trade and employment, Ireland

Leo Varadkar knew since early childhood he wanted to enter politics - announcing to his mother’s friends he would be minister for health at just seven. Born to Dr Ashok Varadkar and Miriam Howell, in Dublin, Leo became the first Indian-origin, openly gay and youngest-ever Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) in 2017.

[caption id="attachment_23846" align="aligncenter" width="581"] Leo Varadkar, Tánaiste of Ireland[/caption]

Currently serving as the Tánaiste (Irish deputy prime minister) and minister for enterprise, trade and employment, Leo studied medicine at Trinity College, Dublin, where he was an active member of the campus Young Fine Gael organisation, and also served as the vice-president of the youth organisation of the European People’s Party, an amalgam of dozens of centre-right youth political groups from across Europe. In 2007, at age 28, the politician emerged on the national stage by winning election to the Dáil representing Dublin West.

Often called the Celtic Tiger, Leo has been able to pull Ireland out of an economic crisis, and incorporated a road map for achieving a low carbon economy. During his first address as Taoiseach, Leo said that his government would be “one of the new European centres.” Given Ireland’s staunchly Catholic past, Leo’s sexuality was always a talking point across the globe. However, the Taoiseach believes that Irish society is changing. During an earlier interview, he had said, “I think other people, perhaps people braver than me, who campaigned for equal rights before the law changed things for me - To them I’m very grateful. But it does add additional responsibility on me, that I do want to use the office that I now hold to advance equality of opportunity, to advance the concepts of equal rights before the law. That’s not just for people from the LGBT community here in Ireland, but also in Northern Ireland, and around the world where such rights are under threat.”

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Harjit Sajjan - minister of international development, Canada

The first Sikh Canadian to command a Canadian Army reserve regiment, and later becoming the country’s minister of national defence, Harjit Sajjan has been one of the most beloved ministers of Canada. The politician, who was born in Punjab in 1970, immigrated to Canada with his family when he was five years old. He grew up in South Vancouver, and benefitted from everything the area’s diverse and culturally rich community has to offer.

[caption id="attachment_23847" align="aligncenter" width="726"] Harjit Sajjan, minister of international development of Canada[/caption]

At the age of 19, Harjit joined the British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught’s Own) as a trooper and was commissioned as an officer in 1991. He eventually rose to the rank of lieutenant-colonel and was deployed overseas four times in the course of his career: once to Bosnia and Herzegovina, and three times to Afghanistan. In 2011, he became the first Sikh to command a Canadian Army reserve regiment. Harjit was also a part of the Vancouver Police Department, before being elected for the riding of Vancouver South during the 2015 federal election.

During one of his interviews, Harjit had said that he hopes his years in uniform will help motivate the troops, and maybe Canadians in general. “If someone looks at that image and thinks, ‘Wow, if this guy can do this stuff, I can too,’ then I’ve inspired people along the way, which has always been my goal,” the politician said, adding, “But it is just a picture, and life has a way of humbling you if you have any type of arrogance.”

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Vivian Balakrishnan - minister for foreign affairs, Singapore

A doctor by profession, an activist at heart, Vivian Balakrishnan serves as the minister for foreign affairs in the Singapore government. Born in 1961 to an Indian Tamil father and a Chinese mother with ancestry from Fuqing, Vivian has raised his voice against injustice since childhood. The politician, who studied medicine at the National University of Singapore, was elected president of the student’s union (NUSSU 1981 to 1983), and chairman of NUSSU (1984 to 1985).

[caption id="attachment_23848" align="aligncenter" width="695"] Vivian Balakrishnan, minister for foreign affairs, Singapore[/caption]

Following his dream Vivian then pursued postgraduate specialist training in ophthalmology and was admitted as a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in 1991. However as soon as he returned to Singapore he started noticing the many problems his people faced. While he has made many famous speeches, one of the most liked videos is of a 29-year-old Vivian debating the then newly elected PAP MP K Shanmugam on Lee Kuan Yew’s remarks that questioned the loyalty of Malay Singaporeans.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPHD72AKGn4

In the 2001 general election, Vivian was elected as a member of parliament for Holland – Bukit Timah GRC, and in January 2002, he was appointed minister of state at the ministry of national development. An environmentalist, Vivian has been aiming for sustainable development in Singapore. “Singapore is both a small island developing states (SIDS) and a city-state. Since independence 50 years ago, we have pursued sustainable development. Despite, and perhaps because of, our natural constraints, we had to achieve economic progress whilst preserving a good living environment. Although we have one of the world’s highest population densities, we have maintained our greenery and biodiversity, and enhanced our citizens’ quality of life. This year, we were honoured that our Singapore Botanic Gardens was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site," the politician had said while representing Singapore at the UN SDG conference.

Though a hardworking politician, Vivian is also a devoted family man. Married to Joy Balakrishnan, the politician is father to one daughter and three sons.

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Nik Gugger - member of the national council, Switzerland

In 1970, a Malayali woman gave birth to a baby boy in Udupi, Karnataka, and told the doctor to give her child for adoption to a family that will look after him well, before abandoning the newborn. Five decades later that child, now known as Niklaus-Samuel Gugger, became the first Indian to be elected to the Switzerland parliament. Within a week of his abandonment, Gugger was adopted by a Swiss couple — Fritz and Elizbeth Gugger. His new parents took him to Kerala when he was just 15 days old, and they lived there for around four years before moving to their native in Switzerland.

[caption id="attachment_23849" align="aligncenter" width="635"] Nik Gugger, member of the national council, Switzerland[/caption]

Through his father’s work at the Uetendorfberg Foundation, which offers housing and work opportunities for people with hearing, speech and multiple impairments, Nik came into contact with disabled people early on. After finishing his school, Nik did pioneering work in the development of school social work and was a member of the working group for the development of the model for open youth work in Winterthur. At the same time, he studied social work and social management at the Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz from 1995 to 1999. Since his adoptive parents were not rich enough to finance his higher studies, Nik had to drive trucks and work as a gardener to pay his fees.

Soon after he finished graduation, he became a member of the central board of the Swiss Evangelical People's Party (EPP). From 2014 to 2017, he was a member of the Zurich Cantonal Council, and in the 2017 National Council elections, Nik Gugger made it to the first substitute seat. Currently, the politician is a member of the Foreign Policy Commission and also a member of the Council of Europe.

A devoted father of three, the politician is deeply connected to his roots, and often visits Thalassery in Kerala – a place he calls his hometown. He also founded the aid organisation, Gundert Foundation, in Thalassery, which is committed to modern education for children of all castes. In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, Nik launched a fundraising campaign to enable ventilator purchases in Odisha.

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