Until a couple of days ago, his was a little-known name. However, the Indian government’s ambitious Cabinet rejig has shot Ashwini Vaishnaw to the limelight. But he is not your typical Indian Politician; an IIT-Kanpur and Wharton Business School alumnus, Vaishnaw is a technocrat who managed to impress the ruling party’s top brass with his varied and vast experience. First as an IAS officer, then corporate honcho, and finally as an entrepreneur before he joined politics in 2019. Unafraid to evolve with time, Vaishnaw has portrayed each of his roles with elan. And now the 51-year-old former bureaucrat is all set to take charge as Minister of Railways, Minister of Communications, and Minister of Electronics and Information Technology.
His transformation as a politician is not without its sartorially comic moments. In an interview with Business Standard, Ashwini Vaishnaw said,
“I kept coming to Parliament in shirt and trousers, till the watch and ward staff accosted me asking if I was the private secretary to any MP. I showed them my identity card but from the next day changed to kurta pyjama.”
From Jodhpur to Wharton to the Cabinet
Born in Rajasthan’s Jodhpur Vaishnaw secured a gold medal in BE (electronics and telecommunication) from the University of Jodhpur. Ashwini Vaishnaw then did his M.Tech in industrial management from IIT-Kanpur before clearing the UPSC exam with an All-India Rank of 27 in 1994. His first posting was in Cuttack and over a span of 15 years he worked in various regions including Balasore and Sundargarh. In 2004, he was appointed as Deputy Secretary to former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s office where he worked on the public-private partnership model of developing infrastructure.
When the super cyclone hit Odisha in 1999, the Indian Politician was district collector at Balasore. He used information on cyclone patterns from a US Navy website to alert and update the state machinery, enabling them to take immediate relief and preventive measures. His work helped them save 10,000 lives with timely evacuations.
In 2008, Vaishnaw took a break from government services to pursue an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. When he returned, he voluntarily resigned from the Services to join the private sector. He went on to work with top companies such as Siemens and General Electric in leadership roles. In 2012, he decided to embrace entrepreneurship and ended his corporate stint to set up Three Tee Auto Logistics Private Limited and Vee Gee Auto Components Private Limited – both manufacturing units of automotive components – in Gujarat.
In an interview with NDTV, his Wharton batch mate and fintech startup Ula’s CEO Nipun Mehra said,
“Ashwini was one of the most brilliant people in my Wharton MBA class. He was older than most of us and had accomplished so much before coming to Wharton so the class learned quite a lot from him.”
By 2019, Vaishnaw had entered active politics and was elected as member of the Rajya Sabha. His appointment to the Union Cabinet has surprised many, as unlike others Vaishnaw has never held any post at the state level. Political experts say it is his wide experience in both public and private sectors that made him a prime candidate for the portfolios when Modi was finalizing names for the recent Cabinet reshuffle.
Vaishnaw will now don the influential role as India – one of the fastest growing markets for American companies – gears up for its confrontation with technology giants such as Twitter and Facebook.
Mobile based agro-advisory services are assisting even the small and marginal farmers. They can get alerts on market price, cultivation practices, weather forecast, pest and disease management etc.#DigitalIndia is changing the life of farmers. pic.twitter.com/LkuoGZQHRj
(November 27, 2022) He might have been born and brought up in Lavik, Norway, but he is still connected to his roots in New Delhi. Norwegian politician Himanshu Gulati has time and again spoken fondly about how his Indian heritage has influenced his life choices and the paths he has taken. A vocal advocate of human rights in Europe, Himanshu became the youngest state secretary in the Norwegian parliament, when, at the age of 25, he was appointed state secretary for Anders Anundsen in the Ministry of Justice and Public Security. But there is so much more to this politician than meets the eye. Having travelled to more than 160 countries, Himanshu has directed an International Art House feature film, starred in several cinemas and documentaries, and also participated in and hosted shows on Norwegian television. [caption id="attachment_32195" align="aligncenter" width="650"] Indian-Norwegian politician Himanshu Gulati[/caption] The Global Indian, who is currently a Member of the Norwegian Parliament for Akershus and the Delegation to the Nordic Council, Himanshu was conferred with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman 2019 in the field of public service. "I am proud to be a Norwegian but my soul, the way I think, the way my views have been
noopener">Global Indian, who is currently a Member of the Norwegian Parliament for Akershus and the Delegation to the Nordic Council, Himanshu was conferred with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman 2019 in the field of public service. "I am proud to be a Norwegian but my soul, the way I think, the way my views have been shaped, is very much influenced by my Indian heritage and I try to stay very closely connected to India," the politician shared during a recent interview.
The Hygge land
In the early 1970s, in search of better work opportunities, a young doctor couple moved from New Delhi to Lavik. Starting their careers from scratch in Norway, the couple was able to start practicing independently in the small village. And this is where Himanshu was born. While the politician is quite private about his family life, he has shared that his childhood experiences pushed him to choose a career in public service. "My parents, like a lot of people, left India in the 70s-80s. They headed for Norway and started with two empty hands. My father is an educated doctor, and my mother is a physiotherapist. I am very grateful to them. Me and a lot of people who had been born to Indian parents abroad got opportunities served to them on silver platters while people who did the hard work were our parents’ generation. I am just a small example," he expressed during a conference.
Not unlike many Indian kids in the country, Himanshu grew up watching Indian movies and eating Indian cuisine for lunch and dinner. Even though the family wasn’t able to visit New Delhi every year, Himanshu's parents brought him up with all the same value systems within which they had been raised. "Indians, wherever they travel, are very good at preserving their culture. Although living away from India, my parents, like millions of other Indians abroad, closely watched Bollywood films, listened to Indian music. They made Indian food not just for themselves but for all the neighbours and sort of became ambassadors of Indian culture. Indians are very good at exporting their cultures to others,” Himanshu said.
When he was about 14 years old, the Gulati family moved from a small village to Lillestrøm in Akershus. After finishing school, the politician studied medicine for a while, before deciding it was not for him. He later received a bachelor's degree in Economics from BI Norwegian Business School, and also attended a six-month course in filmmaking at an academy in India.
Exploring the world
Since he was a young boy, Himanshu never missed an opportunity to go out on picnics with his schools friends or even on a one-day trip to Oslo with his father. So, after finishing his degree, he decided to take a break to roam the world, before 'settling down. “Travelling is the true passion of my life and I urge everybody to travel as much as possible. I travelled a lot within India also and was fortunate to see all parts of the country. Travelling truly expands one’s horizon and also teaches one that the world is not black and white," he shared.
[caption id="attachment_32196" align="aligncenter" width="714"] Himanshu with his family[/caption]
The politician, who has travelled to 160 countries, loves to meet new people and learn from various cultures. He said, "The world is full of nuances and people all over are very different in culture. I have travelled to some dangerous parts of the world like North Korea, which is one of the most isolated countries in the world. I was recently in Yemen, Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq and also have participated in several personal initiatives to help Norwegians stranded abroad to come home. So I do travelling for my soul and as a hobby."
Climbing the political ladders
After taking an early interest in local politics, Himanshu was keen on leading his people even when he was a graduate student. In 2007, the politician fought his first election at the age of 18 and became a representative on the Skedsmo municipal council, representing FrP. In 2010, he became the vice-chairperson of the Progress Party's Youth and was later elected as its chairperson in 2012.
In 2013, he became the youngest state secretary in Prime Minister Erna Solberg's cabinet and was appointed as the state secretary in the Ministry of Justice and Public Security. "I am truly very grateful for the opportunity to have high positions of office in politics at a young age and although it is less common in India, I am lucky it is not completely uncommon in Norway for people below 30 to be Members of Parliament or Deputy Ministers. I think it is important in every society that people of all ages, and the younger ones, have their voices represented in politics and play a part in how society is shaped. It helps to create better policies if all age groups are represented," the politician expressed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leJyxNEnAtg
While it was a commendable feat, his journey was not sans challenges. He shared, "I have been able to ascend high in politics at a young age. The challenge you face as an outsider being so young in politics is that people underestimate you. But we live in a world where what you do and the input you provide is more important than who you are. That is one of the reasons I could also be where I am.”
An outspoken critic of the Red-green coalition, especially on issues of foreign policy, immigration, and taxation, Himanshu has been heavily involved in the development of Akershus, as well as several immigrant minorities. Speaking about the Indian diaspora in Norway, the politician shared, "The Indian community in Norway is small but making a big impact. We are fortunate to have Indians on the highest level in all sectors. They are extremely respected and are fantastically contributing to the economy."
[caption id="attachment_32199" align="aligncenter" width="737"] Himanshu (extreme left), along with Sushma Swaraj, former Minister of External Affairs, Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, and Yogi Adityanath, CM of Uttar Pradesh, during the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman 2019[/caption]
During a recent interview, the politician recalled his experience of receiving the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award in 2019. "It was an out-of-the-world experience and for the motherland of my parents to honor the children of somebody who left India 40 years ago. Personally, to receive the Award from the President and Prime Minister was one of the greatest honors of my life and something I will never forget," he shared.
(March 28, 2023) Just a few months into her third term as the only Indian American politician on the Seattle city council, Pune-born Kshama Sawant proposed a new tax regime against the corporate giants in the area. She knew that the fight would be long, with most people showing no confidence in her idea. Despite much resistance from the opposition and a months-long battle, the Indian-American politician was able to triumph over tech biggies, including Jeff Bezos, in their own backyard. And now - about two years after her victory over Amazon - the politician is in news again, and this time with yet another long-awaited reform. Written and piloted by Kshama, the Seattle city council introduced an ordinance to ban any kind of discrimination based on caste in the city - making Seattle the first city in the United States of America to o add caste to the list of anti-discrimination laws. "Caste discrimination is faced by South Asian American and other immigrant working people in their workplaces, including in the tech sector, in Seattle and cities around the country," the politician said after the law was passed by the council, adding, "We still have a long way to
Known as one of the boldest US politicians, Kshama has been at the helm of several historic reforms and laws that are changing the socio-economic in Seattle - and by extension the whole US. A member of the Socialist Alternative, she was first elected in 2013 and had notable success in 2015 when she managed to get the basic wage increased to $15 an hour. "My first week in office, two veteran politicians came by to inform me they would not allow me to pass any legislation, much less the $15 minimum wage, and that city hall would continue to run “on their terms". But they were unable to stop our movement. Six months later, our grassroots 15 Now campaign, working alongside labor unions and community activists, had won a groundbreaking minimum wage ordinance that made Seattle the first major city to pass $15. From here, minimum wage victories spread to more than a dozen cities and several states," the Global Indian recalled during an interview.
A young girl with big dreams
Hailing from a middle-class Marathi family based in Pune, Kshama's childhood was full of dreams of making a name for herself. A brilliant student, Kshama was equally talented in extracurricular activities, which won her several laurels. The dream, however, broke when her father passed away in a tragic accident when Kshama was just 13. "I grew up observing the consequences of the caste system and abject poverty — though I was part of a middle-class family from the Brahman caste. My earliest memory growing up in Mumbai was looking at the ocean of poverty and misery around me and seeing great wealth at the same time," the politician said in an interview, adding, that this exposure shaped her views and eventual conversion to socialism.
After finishing her schooling in Pune, Kshama pursued a bachelor's degree in computer science from the University of Mumbai and graduated in 1994. She soon married Vivek Sawant, a software engineer working for Microsoft, and moved to the United States. While she soon started working as a programmer, the discrimination faced by South Asians in the US motivated her to look into the problem. "Coming from India, what was striking is that you expect that in the wealthiest country in the history of humanity, there shouldn’t be any poverty; there shouldn’t be any homelessness… But when I came to the US I found it was exactly the opposite," she said in an interview.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uq4vMF1LMg
In 1996, the politician quit her job and enrolled in a Ph.D. programme in economics at North Carolina State University. Her dissertation was titled Elderly Labor Supply in a Rural, Less Developed Economy. The couple moved to Seattle in 2004, where Kshama taught at Seattle University and the University of Washington Tacoma for nearly a decade before venturing into politics.
Making of a politician
It was a cold day, when Kshama, who was on her way home from work, came across a pamphlet of the Socialist Alternative meeting. She decided to attend – it was an event that changed her life forever. Intrigued by their ideas and notions, the politician decided to join them. After running unsuccessfully for Position 1 in the 43rd district of the Washington House of Representatives, representing Seattle in 2012, Kshama decided to stand again in the mid-elections in 2013, and against everyone's hope won the elections by 41 votes.
In 2014, the became the first socialist politician elected to the Seattle City Council in 100 years, and she campaigned on a platform that included rent control, a revenue-raising tax on millionaires, and a $15-an-hour minimum wage. In almost one decade-long journey, the politician has brought in several historic changes and reforms to uplift and empower the people of Seattle. And quite recently, she addressed the one issue that has been bothering her since she was a young kid in Pune - caste-based discrimination.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3moyjRURvU
"It is not surprising that South Asian communities outside the US are not aware of the caste discrimination inside our country. But the reality is different. Since our victory, we got to know that caste discrimination is prevalent in other parts of the world as well. Wherever there is a significant concentration of South Asian immigrants, one can see the manifestation of caste discrimination. We’ve heard hundreds of gut-wrenching stories over the last few weeks showing us that caste discrimination is very real in Seattle. I couldn't just keep quiet," said the politician, who recently announced that she would retire from the city council at the end of the year, instead announcing that she would be launching Workers Strike Back, a national labour movement.
(December 31, 2022) Indians across the world cheered and clapped as Rishi Sunak took the oath as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom earlier this year. But, this is not an isolated case. 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 designation in governments worldwide. Global Indian takes a look at a few notable politicians and diplomats, who have made their mark as immigrants or children of immigrants around the world this year. Rishi Sunak, Prime Minister, United Kingdom “Trust is earned and I will earn yours,” said Rishi Sunak, soon after being sworn in as the Prime Minister of the UK on October 25. It’s cause for celebration by Asians the world over. Understandably so – it’s an accomplishment with many firsts (he is the first Hindu and the first person of colour to hold the PM’s office. He is also the youngest and richest ever). Although his family’s connections with Africa go back two generations, Rishi has never doubted that his roots are truly Indian. [caption
irsts (he is the first Hindu and the first person of colour to hold the PM’s office. He is also the youngest and richest ever). Although his family’s connections with Africa go back two generations, Rishi has never doubted that his roots are truly Indian.
[caption id="attachment_31380" align="aligncenter" width="619"] Rishi Sunak, Prime Minister, United Kingdom[/caption]
Having grown up in the UK, Rishi found success soon after college, working with two hedge funds and going on to become a partner at one. Despite a life of privilege, the politician has hardly been the man to choose the easy way – whether it’s taking off across the Atlantic or choosing to enter politics as a Conservative candidate. His first bid for Prime Minister was thwarted by Liz Truss although he burst back onto the scene with the overwhelming support of 190 MPs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C42NkLdSjyY
"The U.K. and India share so much. I'm excited about what our two great democracies can achieve as we deepen our security, defense, and economic partnership in the months and years ahead," the youngest PM of the UK shared in a recent interview.
Leo Varadkar, Taoiseach (Prime Minister), Ireland
After serving as the Minister for Enterprise, Trade, and Employment from June 2020 to December 2022, Leo Eric Varadkar took over as the new Irish Prime Minister for the second time, earlier this month. 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, the politician said that his government would be “one of the new European centres.”
[caption id="attachment_23846" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Leo Varadkar, Taoiseach (Prime Minister), Ireland[/caption]
Given Ireland’s staunchly Catholic past, Leo’s sexuality was always a talking point across the globe. However, Taoiseach believes that Irish society is changing. During an earlier interview, the politician 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.”
Niklaus Samuel Gugger, Member of the Swiss National Council
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-origin politician 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_24686" align="aligncenter" width="613"] Niklaus-Samuel Gugger, member of the Swiss National Council[/caption]
In 1997, after the Luxor massacre – which claimed the lives of 62 people – Nik was approached by the members of the Evangelical Peoples Party (EPP) to join their ranks, an invitation that he readily accepted. "Much of my work has been around the development of people and socio-political issues. My goal has been to integrate the weakest in the society through socio-ethical management and empowerment,” the politician shared with Global Indian.
A social entrepreneur, Nik has worked extensively to coach the next generation. Nik is the co-founder and member of the board of directors of the consulting company Herzkraftwerk AG in Winterthur, which offers coaching for decision-makers from business and non-profit organisations. A life coach and motivational speaker, Nik is also the Vice President of the environmental organization BirdLife Switzerland. He is also the owner of the famous Ayurvedic ginger drink in Switzerland – Zingi.
Gautam A. Rana, US Ambassador to Slovakia
A lawyer by profession, Gautam A Rana is a member of the Senior Foreign Service, class of Counselors, and was recently appointed as the US Ambassador to Slovakia, for which he was nominated by President Joe Biden. Having served at various US embassies, including India, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Algeria, Gautam is a proud Indian-American.
[caption id="attachment_31264" align="aligncenter" width="680"] Ambassador Gautam A. Rana with former US President, Barack Obama[/caption]
The diplomat feels that the diaspora has grown from being just immigrants to holding important positions in various spheres of the country. “I think that the Indian diaspora in the United States of America has a lot of reasons to be proud of themselves. There are so many people of Indian lineage who are in decision-making positions now in the USA, including the Vice President, Kamala Harris. But that is the story of America. People who have come to this land, and have worked hard, have been able to achieve so much in the USA. I think Indian Americans will continue to reach great milestones.”
Currently stationed at Bratislava with his wife and two kids, Gautam is heading the US convoy to the land of the Slavs. While he hasn’t been able to visit India since he moved back in 2014, he wishes to bring his boys to the country he was born in, someday.
Aruna Miller, Lt Governor, Maryland
Aruna Miller was seven years old when she first entered the United States with her family back in 1972. About four decades later, she became the second Indian-American woman to enter the House of Representatives after Pramila Jayapal, and the first immigrant Lt Governor of Maryland. An alumnus of the Missouri University of Science and Technology, the politician spent over 25 years as a transportation engineer in Montgomery Country.
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. Her career as a public servant has been dotted with many milestones – she has batted for issues like paid family leave, and transportation policies stood against domestic violence, and emerged as a proponent of STEM education.
In her new role as the Lt Governor of Maryland, the politician 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.
(May 19, 2022) Five decades ago, a Brahmin widow, Anasuya, gave birth to a boy at the CSI Basel Mission Hospital in Udupi, Karnataka. Unable to keep the child, she gave him up to Dr Marianne Pflugfelder, and trusted the missionary hospital to find the best place for him. While several orphan kids live an underprivileged life, he was rescued by a Swiss couple - Fritz and Elizabeth, who adopted and named him Niklaus-Samuel Gugger. [caption id="attachment_24686" align="aligncenter" width="647"] Niklaus-Samuel Gugger, member of the Swiss National Council[/caption] 52 years later, Nik Gugger is now the first Indian-origin politician to be elected as a member of the Switzerland's National Council, and was recently awarded as the best bridge building/networking Parliamentarian in Switzerland. "My biological mother, Anasuya, kept me safe in her womb for nine months. While I never saw her, I think that she must have been a very powerful, compassionate and loving woman. I highly appreciate her. She passed those qualities to me too," shares Nik, while speaking to Global Indian over a video call from Switzerland. "After I was born, two angels came to my bed and gave me the life I have today. My parents are the best
assed those qualities to me too," shares Nik, while speaking to Global Indian over a video call from Switzerland. "After I was born, two angels came to my bed and gave me the life I have today. My parents are the best parents any child could have asked for," he adds.
Despite living in Switzerland for about 48 years, Nik hasn't lost touch with his Indian roots. To honour his birth mother, Nik named his eldest daughter, Anasuya.
From the coast of Kerala to the Swiss Alps
After he was adopted by the Swiss couple, Nik stayed in Thalassery, Kerala where they were working for a development project of the Aid Organisation of the Swiss Evangelical Churches. Nik's father, Fritz, ensured that Nik had several beautiful memories from his childhood, and recorded videos of the little Nik running around at the NTTF compound, where they lived for four years. The videos, Nik shares, are still with him. "My parents taught me that one should never forget their roots. That is the reason, why I still feel so connected to India."
[caption id="attachment_24655" align="aligncenter" width="725"] A childhood image of Nik, with his parents and two sisters in the Alps, Switzerland[/caption]
Nik's parents moved back to Switzerland when he was four. However, all was not peachy after he shifted to Switzerland. Being the only Indian child in the neighbourhood, he did have his melancholy moments. "For the Swiss people, it was strange that someone adopted a brown-skinned boy. I was the only Indian-origin kid in my class as well," shares the politician, who also faced trouble with his employers and in politics later in the life.
With his father working with the deaf and dumb home Uetendorfberg Foundation, and later, his parents managing a retirement home, service to the society was a lesson learnt early in life by Nik. During his high-school years, the politician decided to pursue a dual-education as a mechanic in Fritz Studer AG, Steffisburg. After he finished his degree in mechanics, he took on various jobs - from a truck driver to a gardener - to support his higher education. "It is not uncommon here for students to work part-time, to pay for their studies. My parents taught several great lessons, but they weren't very rich," he adds.
A subsequent social internship in Colombia led him to become a youth and social worker. "This was during the time of narcoterrorist, Pablo Escobar in Colombia. I did an internship in social work and worked with the street children there," shares Nik, adding, "After few years of working, I studied social work and social management at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern, from 1995 to 1999." Nik, later, went on to pursue innovation management at the Center for Agogik ZAK in Basel and University of Amsterdam from 2004 to 2006 and Political communication at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences.
A leader of the masses
In 1997, after the Luxor massacre - which claimed the lives of 62 people - Nik was approached by the members of Evangelical Peoples Party (EPP) to join their ranks, an invitation that he readily accepted. From 2002 to 2014, he was a member of the City Council of Winterthur. After working as a member of the Zurich Cantonal Council, from 2014 to 2017, Nik moved up to the National Council, in November 2017. "Much of my work has been around development of people and socio-political issues. My goal has been to integrate the weakest in the society through socio-ethical management and empowerment," he shares.
Soon after the 2004 Tsunami struck, affecting the several countries including India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Indonesia, Nik was in the coastal city of Phuket, Thailand to work with the victims of the natural disaster. “Back then, Elvia Insurance and Swiss Foreign Department sent me to Thailand to rescue the victims, recognising my intercultural knowledge,” shares the global leader.
Interestingly, Nik was recently in news for protecting children in Switzerland from internet pornography - something he got to know about from several parents living in the neighbourhood. "One day my 12-year-old son came home from school and informed me that his classmates watch porn. That worried me a bit and when I looked into it, I found that there were no checks available before one could enter the websites. So, I called for action to protect the Swiss children. I hope that other countries will follow suit," explains the politician, who is also the patron for the much-talked about movie, Kavita & Teresa.
[caption id="attachment_24661" align="aligncenter" width="658"] Nik at the Swiss Parliament[/caption]
For years now, Nik has been involved in numerous projects for children and young people in India. In 2018, the Member of Parliament was awarded an honorary doctorate from the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology in Odisha. The Global Ambassador of the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology and the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences, Nik also launched a fundraising campaign to enable ventilator purchases in Odisha and Kerala, in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Nik was also working with Gundert Foundation in Thalassery, which gives modern education to children of all caste.
[caption id="attachment_24660" align="aligncenter" width="566"] Nik with Meenakshi Lekhi, Indian Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture[/caption]
The founder and President of Swiss Indian Parliamentary Group, Nik shares a cordial relation with all the Indian MPs. He was recently in India looking at possibilities for extensive collaboration in fields like healthcare, telemedicine and technological advancements. "We Indians have so much to give to the world. However, we have a lot to learn from the world as well. I have been working with many Indian ministers. With the Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture, Meenakshi Lekhi, I have been working extensively towards women empowerment. Also, I really hope that India incorporates dual education in its education system," he expresses.
[caption id="attachment_24659" align="aligncenter" width="707"] Nik speaking at the 30th Independence Day at the Ukrainian Parliament, in 2021[/caption]
A proud Swiss, Nik stands firmly in support of Ukraine, as the war-struck nation continues to fight against Russia. "I am strongly against any aggression. There can be differences between two nations, but bombing is never the solution for that," expresses the politician who visited Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, in April 2022 by the invitation of the speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament.
A man who dons many hats
A social entrepreneur, Nik has worked extensively to coach the next generation. Nik is the co-founder and member of the board of directors of the consulting company Herzkraftwerk AG in Winterthur, which offers coaching for decision-makers from business and non-profit organisations. A life coach and motivational speaker, Nik is also the Vice President of the environmental organization BirdLife Switzerland. He is also the owner of famous Ayurvedic ginger drink in Switzerland – Zingi.
[caption id="attachment_24654" align="aligncenter" width="623"] Nik enjoys skiing with his friends in the Alps[/caption]
A doting father of three, Nik has varied interests outside the world of politics. "I love to ski and go on motorbike rides with my friends, through Europe," shares the politician, whose wife, Beatrice, works as a pediatric nurse and is a very proud "wife of Indian-origin". The busy politician is currently working on a book about empowerment and life-balance, called Against All Odds, which is set to hit the bookshelves very soon.
(October 26, 2022) "Trust is earned and I will earn yours," said Rishi Sunak, soon after being sworn-in as the Prime Minister of the UK. It's cause for celebration by Asians the world over. Understandably so - it's an accomplishment with many firsts (he is the first Hindu and the first person of colour to hold the PM's office. He is also the youngest and richest ever). Poetic justice has definitely been served. Although his family's connections with Africa go back two generations, Rishi has never doubted that his roots are truly Indian. Having grown up in the UK, Rishi found success soon after college, working with two hedge funds and going on to become partner at one.Still, he left it all behind to head for the sunny, very promising California climes, where he quickly a name for himself with hedge funds and to graduate as a Fulbright Scholar from Stanford University, where he would also meet his wife, Akshata. Despite a life of privilege (which has caused controversy), Rishi has hardly been the man to choose the easy way - whether it's taking off across the Atlantic or choosing to enter politics as a Conservative candidate. His first bid
choosing to enter politics as a Conservative candidate. His first bid for Prime Minister was thwarted by Liz Truss although he burst back onto the scene with the overwhelming support of 190 MPs. As congratulations pour in from around the world, Global Indian takes a look at his journey.
From Africa to the UK
For Rishi, it has been a long way here, a journey that began with his grandparents, who left India in search of a better life nearly a century ago. His parents were both born in Africa- his father in Kenya and his mother in Tanganyika, which later became part of Tanzania. It was part of a long and shared history - after the creation of the East African Protectorate in 1885, many Indians migrated there. Both regions were under British control at the time.
This symbiosis didn't last long, with vast numbers of Indians leaving East Africa in the second half of the 20th century. Politics had changed and Idi Amin's expulsion of the Indian minority from Uganda made life very difficult for the diaspora, who packed up their bags and moved. In 1966, Rishi's maternal grandfather Raghubir Sain Berry set off to the UK with his family. His wife sold her wedding jewellery to fund that trip.
Rishi's father went on to study medicine at the University of Liverpool while his mother studied pharmacy at Aston University. Rishi, who even did a stint waiting tables at an Indian restaurant, has spoken often of the sacrifices his parents made. "But it was Britain, our country that gave them, and millions like them, the chances of a better future."
Warmest congratulations @RishiSunak! As you become UK PM, I look forward to working closely together on global issues, and implementing Roadmap 2030. Special Diwali wishes to the 'living bridge' of UK Indians, as we transform our historic ties into a modern partnership.
A glowing article in The Tatlerdescribes Rishi Sunak from his days waiting tables at an Indian 'curry house' named Kuti Miah. The restaurant's owner was friends with Rishi's parents, Yashvir and Usha. Which is not to say that RishiSunak comes with a tear-jerker of a rags-to-riches, immigrant in the UK origin story. Far from it. Born to a physician father, Yashvir, while his mother, Usha, ran a pharmacy, his life was decidedly upper-middle class.
Still, even if there are doubts raised about his privileged upbringing, Rishi's capability as a leader is well-known and greatly appreciated among his party MPs. In 2015, he made his political debut by winning the constituency of Richmond, North Yorkshire, in the general elections. Despite early hurdles, he was quickly picked out as a rising star - according to The Tatler, this quality was spotted early on, even by his former boss at Kuti Miah. That year, in 1998, as the then 18-year-old Rishi was all set to enter Oxford University, his boss remarked, "You're going to be someone, Rishi." Sure enough, the fiercely patriotic young man, who grew up, thanks to his parents, immersed in the local community, never looked back.
His broad grin, which he flashes generously, belies the seriousness that lies beneath - Rishi's flawless record goes back a long way, he was Head Boy at Winchester College, an independent boarding school for boys and also editor of the school paper. He went on to read Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Lincoln College, Oxford, where he first dipped his toe in politics, as an intern at the Conservative Campaign Headquarters. He graduated in 2001, which was also the year he gave the fateful interview about his 'working class friends' to Middle Classes: Their Rise and Sprawl.
California dreaming
After graduating from Oxford in 2002, Rishi joined Goldman Sachs, where he worked for three years as an analyst. Then, he worked with The Children's Investment Fund Management, a hedge fund firm and became a partner in 2006. After he moved to California, he worked in hedge funds and experienced the buzz of genius and enterprise that comes with being in the Silicon Valley. Eventually, he went to Stanford University for his MBA. Those were golden days in sunny California, a love affair that hasn't quite died out for Rishi Sunak.
Appearing on the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuennsberg, he said, "You make the point about California. I have lived and worked in California and I actually think it's one of the reasons I would be good at this job.
Rishi went on to reflect on the "culture" of enterprise he witnessed during his two years living on the West Coast. "I think it's incredibly inspiring and empowering. If I was a young person, I'd want to go and do something like that." Rishi went on to add, causing some controversy as he geared up for the Prime Ministerial race that Liz Truss went on to win, that he will not rule out moving to his Santa Monica home if he loses the election.
Meeting Akshata Murthy
[caption id="attachment_31061" align="aligncenter" width="379"] Rishi Sunak and Akshata Murthy at their Bengaluru wedding in 2009[/caption]
The first time they met, Rishi said in an interview, he knew there was "clearly something." Akshata, the daughter of Indian billionaire and Infosys co-founder Narayana Murty was in Stanford University too and Rishi recalls re-arranging his schedule to take the same classes so he could "sit next to her." The couple married in 2009.
In a poignant letter to his daughter in 2016, Narayana Murty describes coming to terms with the man who stole his daughter's heart. "I, too, was a little sad and jealous when you told us you had found your life partner. But when I met Rishi and found him to be all that you had described him to be-brilliant, handsome, and, most importantly, honest-l understood why you let your heart be stolen. It was then that I reconciled to sharing your affections with him," he wrote. Akshata continues to manage her father's venture capital firm, Catamaran Ventures in the UK and together, the couple are the 222nd richest people in Britain, with a combined net worth of GBP 730 million as of 2022.
The political route
Rishi's entry into politics began in 2015 when he won the constituency of Richmond, North Yorkshire in the general elections, becoming the Conservative Party's rising star almost instantly. His entry, however, was not well-received by other conservative candidates, who resented this apparent upstart claiming territory they believed to be theirs. His victory was even more noteworthy because he contested "as a rank outsider," according to the Business Standard, "in the 97 percent white, prosperous rural Conservative bastion of Richmond in Yorkshire, where, the joke goes, there has been no immigration since the Norman conquest in 1066." However, his right-wing economic views - Rishi is an enthusiastic believer in free markets and a vocal critic of Brexit - helped him secure a historic win.
In 2018, Rishi was inducted in the UK government by then British Prime Minister Theresa May. Then 37-years-old, Rishi was a Conservative party MP (Richmond, Yorkshire) with great promise, entering the government as the parliamentary-under-secretary of state in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. Incidentally, he was joined by another Indian-origin MP, also a pro-Brexit campaigner - Suella Braverman, who was Suella Fernandes at the time.
Rishi went on to make several contributions in the House of Commons, on issues like digital economy, social mobility and foreign direct investment. "From working in my mum's tiny chemist shop to my experience building large businesses, I have seen how we should support free enterprise and innovation to ensure Britain has a stronger future," Rishi told the media back in 2018.
[caption id="attachment_31063" align="aligncenter" width="744"] Rishi Sunak with his family[/caption]
The Conservative man of colour
As a conservative candidate of colour, Rishi's position is always likely to be precarious. Will he usher in a post-race era, or speak up for the hyper-local, ethnic problems that minorities face in the UK? Always fiercely patriotic, his loyalty to the UK cannot be called into question. However, he remarked, to the Business Standard, "British Indian is what I tick on the census, we have a category for it. I am thoroughly British, this is my home and my country, but my religious and cultural heritage is Indian, my wife is Indian. I am open about being a Hindu." Although he is given to phrases like "oh crikey," he does speak a smattering of Hindi and Punjabi.
Making history
In 2019, Rishi became the first Indian-origin to be named Chancellor of the Exchequer, taking over 11 Downing Street as one of the most powerful people in England. His term was, admittedly, fraught with controversy - he was charged with breaking lockdown laws, for instance. Finally, Akshata stepped in, saying she would pay the taxes, not because she had to because she “wanted” to do so.
On July 5, 2022, Rishi resigned from his post as Chancellor of the Exchequer, withdrawing support from PM Boris Johnson over a sexual harassment scandal within the government. He contested then as something of an underdog, with Liz Truss eventually being named the Prime Minister. He tenure was short-lived and tumultuous and on October 25, Rishi Sunak, who stood unopposed, was named the Prime Minister –in-waiting of the UK. Perhaps Rishi will have his own chance at rewriting history after all.
Himanshu with his family[/caption]
Himanshu (extreme left), along with Sushma Swaraj, former Minister of External Affairs, Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, and Yogi Adityanath, CM of Uttar Pradesh, during the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman 2019[/caption]
Rishi Sunak, Prime Minister, United Kingdom[/caption]
Leo Varadkar, Taoiseach (Prime Minister), Ireland[/caption]
Niklaus-Samuel Gugger, member of the Swiss National Council[/caption]
Ambassador Gautam A. Rana with former US President, Barack Obama[/caption]
Aruna Miller, Lt Governor, Maryland[/caption]
A childhood image of Nik, with his parents and two sisters in the Alps, Switzerland[/caption]
Nik at the Swiss Parliament[/caption]
Nik with Meenakshi Lekhi, Indian Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture[/caption]
Nik speaking at the 30th Independence Day at the Ukrainian Parliament, in 2021[/caption]
Nik enjoys skiing with his friends in the Alps[/caption]
Rishi Sunak and Akshata Murthy at their Bengaluru wedding in 2009[/caption]
Rishi Sunak with his family[/caption]