Global IndianstoryArt in her heart: Gunjan Gupta is making India proud globally

Art in her heart: Gunjan Gupta is making India proud globally

Written by: Bindu Gopal Rao

(March 05, 2024) With a 20-year journey in design that started in London, Gunjan Gupta is an artist and designer of products and spaces and the owner and founder of Studio Wrap and Ikkis. She has showcased her iconic designs at leading design fairs like Design Miami, Art Basel, Fuorisalone Milan, and Design Days Dubai, among others.

Tale of two cities

Gupta grew up in Bombay, and her earliest influence was her mom’s kitchen, as her home was always full of guests and food. As a young kid, she enjoyed the clutter in the kitchen.

Art | Gunjan Gupta | Global Indian

“Bombay is very fast-paced, and its urban reality has always been an inspiration; it’s how the streets function in Bombay and the ingenuity of how people utilise various elements of daily living that were always fascinating for me and a true inspiration. I then married and moved to Delhi – the city sharply contrasted to Bombay. And it inspired me in another way – and my design practice is, in a way, a tale of these two cities – Bombay and Delhi. I studied in St Xaviers. I wanted to be a journalist, but then I studied Interior Design, and of course, my journey took a different direction,” the Global Indian reminisces.

A path well-trodden

Gupta started by researching Indian design history and crafts, which started with her questioning the lack of representation of Indian design internationally. She seeks to alter this narrative with her designs showcased at leading design fairs such as Fuorisalone in Milan, Design Miami, Art Basel, and Design Days Dubai. Global art collectors, including celebrities, institutional heads, and design critics, have sourced her work.

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A post shared by Gunjan Gupta Studio (@gunjanguptastudio)

“My work aspires to blur the boundaries between art and design. My work has been exhibited at the Triennale Design Museum in Milan and the Kochi Art and Venice Architecture Biennales in 2016. I have also taken up curatorial roles at the India design exhibition at Revelations Fine Craft Biennial (Paris, 2019) and Experimental Design Biennale (Lisbon, 2009),” she explains.

Study in Contrasts

Her creative endeavours are evident in pieces found within GG Collectibles, which skillfully navigate India’s cultural complexities. These creations explore the juxtaposition of master craftsmanship and jugaad, spanning various materials and forms, including furniture, jewellery, photography, and wall art. They comprise conceptual objects in a signature vocabulary of materials, crafting techniques, and unique narratives.

Art | Gunjan Gupta | Global Indian

“The piece ingeniously combines artistry with functionality, making them international quality aspirational artworks rooted in Indian culture and tradition. Using a distinctive, playful style through a research-based approach to material innovation, these pieces showcase an innovative re-imagination of India’s handmade and craft traditions, while staying true to its aesthetic legacies,” she explains.

Designs on Décor

Studio Wrap is a New Delhi-based luxury interiors, furniture, and product design studio that conceptually looks at how wrapping imbues any object or space with a new identity and set of values named after an obsolete Indian craft. Ikkis emerged as a design brand, debuting at Maison et Objet in Paris in 2019. Unveiling an iconic collection tailored for 21st-century living, Ikkis presented 21 meticulously crafted objects from its unlimited series, redefining contemporary design with innovation and elegance.

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Her creative pursuits intertwine the realms of luxury interiors and collectible design, underscored by a steadfast commitment to advocating for craftsmanship and democratising design through a research-driven approach. In addition to serving as the visionary force behind Studio Wrap, a prominent interior and furniture design studio based in New Delhi, Gunjan Gupta is also the founder of IKKIS, a product design brand. At IKKIS, classical forms are reimagined as contemporary design pieces tailored for modern homes. Gunjan articulates her creative philosophy: “My practice delves into cultural paradoxes, challenging assumptions surrounding Indian societal constructs and exploring the interplay between master craftsmanship and jugaad.”

French Connection

As a jury member, Gupta was invited to the 2022 Elysee Palace Paris – Le French Design 100. It was a global panel – from Tim Marlow of the Design Museum in London to Designer and Architect Philippe Starck. “We were invited by the president of France and his wife on account of the announcement of the winners. It was a highlight of my experience given the ‘who’s-who’ of design being flown in from different parts of the world – from Argentina to Singapore. It was an opportunity of a lifetime – to be in this historic palace that was the residence of the President of France and his wife. It is interesting to see how the First Family of France is so deeply involved in design – how the First Lady has used design within the historic palace,” she says.

Block by Block

She says the best way to address challenges in a design career is to be persistent. “I began my career by striving forth a narrative leveraging the knowledge of contemporary design in India encompasses. I kept going, stayed true to my vision, and kept the design vocabulary intact. A long-term commitment was made to the practice. And this persistence and perseverance in one’s vision have genuinely paid off rich dividends,” she explains. As a creative person, she says there is little difference between being free and working time and that the boundaries between these are blurry.

Art | Gunjan Gupta | Global Indian

“Free time is your work time also. It is the time you probably think about things; you are not working on a timeline, deadline, or project – you are probably watching TV or listening to music, but you are always thinking and ideating.” With a thriving collectible design practice, she is launching Ikkis in Milan this year with Maria Cristina Didero. She has several ongoing interior design projects in the pipeline as well.

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Published on 05, Mar 2024

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Global Energy Award-winner Dr. Kaushik Rajashekara is working on futuristic machines

(December 9, 2022) Growing up, The Jetsons was one of my favourite cartoons. I was fascinated by the futurist gadgets on the show - especially their flying cars. And quite recently, I had an opportunity to interact with a scientist who is actually working on the concept of a 'flying vehicle' that can be used by individuals for their daily commute, easing road transportation across the globe. Dr. Kaushik Rajashekara, one of the world's leading experts in the field of transport technologies, is working on several futuristic projects that hold the potential to change the world and the way we travel. The recipient of the Global Energy Prize 2022 - the highest award in the field of energy - Dr. Rajashekara was one of the first engineers to work on conceptualising and also building an electronic vehicle, far before the technology became widely known. [caption id="attachment_32594" align="aligncenter" width="661"] Dr. Kaushik Rajashekara, winner of the Global Energy Prize 2022[/caption] "When I received the e-mail about my selection, I could not believe it for a moment. This award shows the importance of energy efficiency improvement and reducing emissions. I am proud of the contributions I have made to technologies that would improve

> Dr. Kaushik Rajashekara, winner of the Global Energy Prize 2022[/caption]

"When I received the e-mail about my selection, I could not believe it for a moment. This award shows the importance of energy efficiency improvement and reducing emissions. I am proud of the contributions I have made to technologies that would improve the environment. Also, I have travelled to about 60 countries giving seminars on various topics at universities and conferences. It is humbling to recognise how many people contributed to my success, expecting nothing in return. 'It takes a village' is very true in my case, and I am fortunate that my village included some of the most encouraging and inspiring engineers in the field," he shares with Global Indian.

Scholar | Dr. Kaushik Rajashekara | Global Indian

Currently a Distinguished Professor of Engineering at the University of Houston, Dr Rajashekara wishes to pass on all the knowledge he has gained in the last three decades to new-age engineers to ensure that the evolution of science and technology never stops. "After 35 years of working in the world's well-known Corporations, including ABB, GM, and Roll-Royce, I am very happy to be in the academic field. I am making use of every opportunity to educate and train the next generation of engineers. In a way, I worked all my life to be a professor and train others even when I was in the working industry," the scholar says.

A humble start

Born in a small village called Devarayasamudram in Karnataka, Dr. Rajashekara was a very bright student. Talking about his early life, the scholar says that while his parents were not very well-educated, they always encouraged him and his siblings to excel at school. "I think childhood is a fascinating time. My mother took care of us in the village as my father had to work in a town about 100-km away. He visited us about once a month. I had two elder brothers - one became a civil engineer and the other a medical doctor, both of whom are retired now. My parents did not have any formal education. My father could read and write a little Kannada, and my amma couldn't read either. But they valued education and wanted us siblings to do good well in life," shares the scholar.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmDimCE_sz4

After finishing his 10th standard from a Kannada-medium school, Dr. Rajashekara moved to Bangalore (now Bengaluru) for further education. "It was quite a difficult time. I didn't know a word of technical English, and the Bengaluru college was an English medium. While growing up in the village, I learned five languages - Kannada, Telugu, Hindi, Sanskrit, and English. In my professional career, I attempted to learn German, French, Spanish, Chinese, and Japanese. Now I can still manage German, but not the other four," laughs the scholar.

Passionate about learning more regarding the developments in the technology field, Dr. Rajashekara pursued a bachelor's degree in Engineering from Indian Institute of Science in 1971 and graduated in 1974. He soon started working at Cutler-Hammer and then Debikay Electronics, entering the field of power electronics. "I worked on thyristor drives for paper and rolling mills and learned that a solid foundation in the basic elements of engineering is a requisite for real-world practical systems," he says.

Scholar | Dr. Kaushik Rajashekara | Global Indian

However, just one year later, his pursuit of knowledge brought him back to academics. "Even though I had finished my undergraduate degree, when I got a chance to do the graduate course in electrical engineering from the Indian Institute of Science, I couldn't turn it down." The scholar went on to earn a master's and later a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from IISc, during which time he also served as the Senior Scientific Officer/Asst. Professor at the institution. "I worked under the supervision of Prof. Vithayathil. He was the first to start a power electronics research programme in India, and his guidance strengthened my skills in power electronics," the scholar reminisces.

The world of machines

Working as a faculty member at IISc, which is one of the leading scientific institutions in the country, opened several doors for the scholar throughout his career. He shares, "While at the institution, I got the opportunity to work for two years at ABB with Dr. Stemmler, who became my role model. Later, I met Mr. Schoenholzer of Neu Technikum Buchs, Switzerland, who taught me how to design and build inverters. I can only tell you how thrilling it was to witness a three-phase 6-kVA thyristor inverter working when I turned it on for the first time."

[caption id="attachment_32596" align="aligncenter" width="639"] Scholar | Dr. Kaushik Rajashekara | Global Indian Dr, Rajashekara with GM Impact electric vehicle in 1993[/caption]

In 1986, the scholar moved to Canada after the insistence of his friend Prof. Rajagopalan and joined the University of Quebec. After working there for a year, Dr. Rajashekara went to the United States of America to work for Viteq Corporation. During the same time, he became a member of the IEEE and the IEEE Industry Applications Society (IAS). "I worked with Viteq for close to three years, where I learned a lot from my bosses. In 1989, I joined the Delco Remy division of General Motors (GM) and started working on the electric vehicle (EV) programme. I believe this about two decades before the public even got to know what electronic vehicles were. Right now electric vehicles make up only about three percent of car sales worldwide. But, we project that number will top 50 percent by 2035. The future looks bright," he smiles.

[caption id="attachment_32599" align="aligncenter" width="689"] Scholar | Dr. Kaushik Rajashekara | Global Indian Dr. Rajashekara receiving the prestigious IEEE Kaugmann award from IEEE President, 2013[/caption]

"It was quite an exciting time. The technology we worked on led to the commercial version of EVs called the GM EV1. This experience formed the foundation for my future contributions in transportation electrification, for which I later received several awards, including being elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 2012," the scholar adds.

Building an exciting future

His tenure at GM not only helped him strengthen his research work but also provided him an opportunity to work on the energy programmes with several other countries. Dr. Rajashekara joined Rolls-Royce Corporation in 2006, where he became involved with yet another exciting technological project. "I worked on more electric aircraft (MEA) projects. This next-generation technology truly fascinated me. The MEA concept helps with aircraft performance, decreasing operating costs, increasing dispatch reliability, and reducing gas emissions. MEAs quickly became the new focus of my career and also led to my interest in working on flying cars, combining the technologies of automotive, aircraft systems, and power conversion systems. Something I am still working on," he informs.

[caption id="attachment_32600" align="aligncenter" width="652"] Scholar | Dr. Kaushik Rajashekara | Global Indian Dr. Rajashekara with his family[/caption]

Excited about the future of the transportation industry, the scholar finds tremendous promise in this next frontier. He says, "EVs have been around for about 100 years now, and the improvement in technology is making it possible for people to use these vehicles. I see flying cars and Vertical Take-off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft taking the same track of steady progress. They might first be introduced as air taxis. For example, you will be able to walk to the nearest launch center to take a flying taxi to the airport and skip the city traffic to reach there faster. There are numerous opportunities in this arena, people just need to explore them."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EUj6pretGo

Even though he was climbing up the corporate ladder at big technology companies, one dream that never left him was that of becoming a teacher. And thus, following that path, Dr. Rajashekara first joined the University of Texas at Dallas and is now working with the University of Houston since 2016. "Even as a child I always wanted to become a teacher, and I was good at it too. While I like researching and working on new technology, I really enjoy helping students or colleagues find success in their lives or their professions. I came from a small village in India and grew up in a house that was smaller than my current office, living there with my mother and two brothers. In addition to leaving behind a better world, I would like to help those around me realise how far they can go if they deploy a tremendous resolve to accomplish their goals," says the scholar.

Follow Dr. Kaushik Rajashekara on LinkedIn

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Creative eye: How designer Geethika Kanumilli overcame a health crisis to achieve global fashion success

(December 13, 2023) Designer Geethika Kanumilli’s world collapsed when she was diagnosed with anti-phospholipid syndrome, an irreversible immune system disorder that leads to abnormal blood clots. It led to the loss of vision in one of her eyes and threatened to put a full stop to her childhood dream of becoming a fashion designer. Geethika Kanumilli was not one to give up, however, not even when her eye condition worsened to the point where she had to drop out of fashion school. The iron-willed designer decided to take her challenges head-on, went on to launch her own fashion label and expanded her brand’s customer base to 12 countries and 45 cities. She has also dressed many celebrities including Kiara Advani, Madhuri Dixit, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Trisha Krishnan, PV Sindhu and Allu Arjun. [caption id="attachment_47426" align="aligncenter" width="477"] Fashion designer Geethika Kanumilli | Photo: Instagram[/caption] Learning through mistakes “Everyone has their own idea of learning. Some believe it comes from earning a degree, reading books, or gaining work experience. For me, learning meant taking action,” points out fashion designer Geethika Kanumilli, in an exclusive with Global Indian. With no business or fashion background and no degree, Geethika has proved that through determination

arning. Some believe it comes from earning a degree, reading books, or gaining work experience. For me, learning meant taking action,” points out fashion designer Geethika Kanumilli, in an exclusive with Global Indian. With no business or fashion background and no degree, Geethika has proved that through determination and hard work, one can do the impossible.

The Hyderabad-based fashion designer has come a long, long way, and even if she had to take a long, difficult road to achieve her dreams, her creations are making waves across the globe. “I embraced the mindset of ‘doing’, being willing to make small mistakes and allowing circumstances to become my teacher,” she smiles. “Eventually, I realized that I had developed skills that surpassed what some of the highest educational institutions could offer,” she adds

Timeless designs, eco-friendly fashion

Geethika’s collections capture timeless sentiments with organic shapes, flowing fabrics and unique designs, creating an ambience that communicates volumes via touch and texture. “I intend to incorporate natural fabrics into occasion wear,” says Geethika, who is all about making her label eco-friendly and going zero waste. She also designs luxury craft items, tote bags from waste fabrics.

Her newly launched collection ‘Wilderness’, embraces the pure connection between Mother Earth and human emotions. “It captures timeless sentiments through organic shapes, flowing fabrics and unconventional designs,” says the 29-year-old. The heaviest piece in this collection took more than 300 working hours to create.

[caption id="attachment_47427" align="aligncenter" width="511"] The 'Gilded Noir saree set' (hand-embroidered, natural crepe) from the Wilderness collection[/caption]

She has done several exhibitions across the world, including Singapore and US, where she has a huge fan following. Her creations are also available at select stores in the US, UK and Dubai.

A childhood dream

Born in Chennai, Geethika always had a deep fasincation for clothing and fashion, and desired, deep down, to pursue a career that involved it. “Although I did not know what to call it at the time, I later discovered that people referred to this as being a Fashion Designer,” Geethika recalls.

She was so passionate about designing clothes that she would lock her door and play dress-up games on her computer instead of getting ready for school. “When I turned 14, I found myself contemplating how to become a fashion designer, but I had no idea where to begin. I was desperately searching for answers until a relative came into my life and showed me the path,” recalls Geethika, who did her schooling in Chettinaad Vidyashram, Chennai. She then moved to Hyderabad, where she has remained since.

A temporary deviation

However, when the time came to join the 11th grade, she encountered a common tradition in Hyderabad: the expectation to pursue either Engineering or MBBS (medical studies). “Anything other than these options was considered inadequate, and surpassing them was deemed abnormal. Unfortunately, I fell into this trap as well.”Since her math skills were not strong, Geethika chose to study BiPC as a compromise to satisfy the desires of those around me. “After completing my 12th grade, when I wanted to take the entrance exam for a Fashion Design college, everyone tried to convince me to pursue MBBS instead. It took great effort, but I managed to convince them and prepared for the entrance test,” says the ace fashion designer, who has been featured in many international magazines.

A health crisis

However, as she was looking forward to writing the entrance test to get admission in the fashion design institute, fate threw a severe health problem her way. Her vision began to blur. She was taken to various hospitals to find out what was wrong. “After visiting multiple hospitals, we finally discovered that it was anti-phospholipid syndrome, an irreversible immune system disorder that leads to abnormal blood clots,” informs Geethika.

[caption id="attachment_47428" align="aligncenter" width="482"] Rashmika Mandanna | Geethika Kanumilli | Global Indian 'Animal' actor Rashmika Mandanna wearing a design by Geethika Kanumilli[/caption]

Losing vision in one of her eyes was an incredibly challenging and distressing period for Geethika and her family. A few months of medications later, she was ready to take her entrance exam. “Unfortunately, it was too late, and the registration had already closed until the following year. I had no choice but to wait. This tested my patience to the extreme, and it felt as if some greater force was at work.”

A time of uncertainty

Geethika ended up taking a one-year break, hoping the illness would ease. Nevertheless, her determination to become a fashion designer remained unshaken. The following year, she took the entrance test and got admission into the top Fashion Design college in Hyderabad. “Finally, nothing stood in the way of my dream. I was fully charged and motivated to make the most of this opportunity,” she says.

However, during her second year of college, the same health issue resurfaced and started to affect her working eye, particularly during stitching sessions. “Initially, I managed with the support of my classmates, but eventually, I realized that continuing like that was not feasible. It was at this moment that I recognised the need to let go of my dream of becoming a Fashion Designer permanently,” says Geethika, who felt helpless, and quitting college in the middle of her second year was a significant blow.

“People around me made fun of my decision, and I felt embarrassed for not having a degree. I endured insults and criticism, but I chose not to disclose my health issues to most of my relatives and friends. I didn't want to use it as an excuse.” It was an intense period of uncertainty, and Geethika spent an entire year feeling lost and exhausted from the cycle of quitting and resting.

The decision that changed her life

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A post shared by Geethika Kanumilli (@kanumilli)

However, one fine morning in 2015, she took a decision, regardless of the outcome. She decided to start my own fashion label as a designer. “I was only 20 then, without any professional work experience or a degree. Many people, including my own family, were against the idea of pursuing something different,” recalls Geethika.

Despite the challenges, she gathered the resources to start a small-scale business, targeting customers within a three-kilometer radius. “I had no prior knowledge or experience in running a business, but I was determined to learn as I went along.”

The initial days of running a business were incredibly challenging. “There were times when my vision would blur, and I would fear that each hard day of work would be my last day of sight. But whenever the choice to quit or continue arose, I was clear from the beginning that I was working for glory, not just for money,” she says.

After three years of consistent hard work, Geethika’s brand's customer base expanded to 12 countries and 45 cities through online sales. “This success brought appreciation from friends and family, who were unaware of the true reason why I had dropped out of college,” she says.

The creative process

When she begins to design a dress for a client, she approaches it with an intense thought: "This person must look their best wherever they go." Although it may sound simple, the intensity with which I think this thought is abnormally high. This mindset drives me to create the most unique color combinations possible,” she says of her work.

For Geethika, her clients are not just customers; they are the medium through which she expresses herself. “Their satisfaction and joy in wearing my designs fuel my passion and remind me that my journey as a fashion designer is far from over.”

Geethika believes her life taught her an important lesson. “When you achieve success, the flaws that others once saw in you become examples for them to follow. The secret is to remember this and strive to reach that point,” she feels.

Telling her story

While many of her friends and relatives were unaware why she had to drop out of college, Geethika revealed it through TEDx. “I have always desired to connect with individuals who may have experienced similar situations, believing that their pain is their enemy. However, looking back, I now understand that pain can be a friend. In my case, without the pain, I would not have been driven to achieve what I have today,” says the fashion designer.

Follow Geethika on Instagram and her website.

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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Nimal Raghavan: The ‘Son of Rain’ transforming lives and revitalising agricultural cycles in India and Kenya

(January 3, 2024) Environmentalist Nimal Raghavan, who has revived 180 lakes in India, has won people’s heart in Kenya as well. He has earned himself the moniker ‘Wa Muva’, or ‘Son of Rain’ in the drought-stricken country, through his efforts to tackle water scarcity. “I have revived six lakes so far in Kenya, working along with the Ministry of Water,” Nimal tells Global Indian. “I was invited by the Green Africa Foundation to collaborate on their lake revival drives.” Leaving behind a thriving career in Dubai, Nimal redirected his efforts to environmental activism, focusing on causes like organic farming and the rejuvenation of water bodies, along with tree planting, rainwater harvesting and the fight against climate change. So far, Nimal has overseen lake restorations in seven states across India and the planting of over 1.8 million saplings. Now, he aims to restore water bodies in 10 African countries, especially in areas where the water scarcity problem is most acute. “Last year, we brought water to one of the driest places in India (Ramnad) and to drought-stricken Kenya.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nimal Raghavan (@being_nimal) Recently, Nimal was awarded the title of Jal

z aya ayb ayc ayd aye ayf ayg ayh ayi ayj ayk ayl aym ayn ayo ayp ayq ayr ays ayt ayu ayv ayw ayx ayy ayz aza azb azc" dir="ltr">water bodies in 10 African countries, especially in areas where the water scarcity problem is most acute. “Last year, we brought water to one of the driest places in India (Ramnad) and to drought-stricken Kenya.”

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Recently, Nimal was awarded the title of Jal Prahari here in India, a recognition by the Ministry of Jal Shakti. “It was an immense pleasure to have received the award from ‘The great Waterman of India’, my inspiration Rajendra Singh,” he remarked.

Rising above odds

Born in Nadiyam Village, nestled in Tamil Nadu's Peravurani district, often known as the ‘rice bowl of Tamil Nadu’, Nimal’s childhood came with challenges. When he was six months old, his father was diagnosed with a brain tumour and the family’s financial stability crumbled.

“My family spent everything on his treatment. Although we managed to save him, people began seeing me as a bearer of misfortune," Nimal recalls. "Passers-by would deliberately alter their paths upon seeing me on the streets."

[caption id="attachment_47946" align="aligncenter" width="570"] Environmentalist | Nimal Raghavan | Global Indian Nimal Raghavan[/caption]

Determined to rise above adversity, Nimal pursued engineering and secured his first job in Pune and eventually relocated to Dubai. His life took a positive turn financially after this move, allowing him to even construct a house in his native village.

The twist of tale

When he was on a vacation in his village in 2018, he witnessed devastation caused by a cyclone. The place was severely affected. In every house that Nimal visited he saw people crying and sobbing due to the misfortune caused by nature. “90 percent of the livelihood got affected,” he shared.

Deeply in love with his native place, Nimal extended his leave. “Instead of retreating, I rallied a team,” he says. Starting from his own village, he lent a helping hand to 90 nearby villages affected by the cyclone. This natural calamity unveiled an overlooked crisis—the mismanagement of water resources due to poor knowledge on the part of the villagers.

Realising the severity of water wastage in his region, Nimal embarked on a mission – to manage the water resources. His efforts didn't just revive lakes, rather they resurrected hope. With meticulous planning, Nimal's team rejuvenated water bodies, elevating water levels from 700 to 60 feet within six months, revitalising agricultural cycles in the process.

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“We realised that due to poor management of water resources, the farmers who previously cultivated crops thrice a year could barely manage once annually, Nimal says. Their efforts involved desilting, erecting boundaries, establishing inlet-outlet connections, and facilitating water retention. “Gradually, we successfully escalated the water level from 700 feet to 60 feet within a mere six months. This success sparked a realisation that if six months of dedicated work could resolve a three-decade-old problem here, why not replicate this in other regions?” remarks Nimal.

The power of action

Each revitalised lake symbolised more than water; it represented restored livelihoods. Nimal's impact echoed when a grateful elder, previously unable to farm for many years due to water scarcity, handed him the first produce from his revived land—a gesture that remains Nimal's most cherished moment. “The old man said I have been offering my first harvest to God since I have been farming but this time I'm giving this to you.” This gesture meant a lot especially when Nimal had seen times when people used to change their paths when they saw him coming.

Driven by a simple yet profound belief—no one should go hungry, no one should pay for water—Nimal's vision is colossal. He yearns for a world where simplicity sparks profound change. He believes that even a drop of effort can cause ripples of transformation.

[caption id="attachment_47953" align="aligncenter" width="586"] Environmentalist | Nimal Raghavan | Global Indian Nimal Raghvan in Kenya[/caption]

“I work with the simple goal that no one should die of hunger. I don't want anyone to pay for water. Through simple mind-set, we can bring powerful changes. With this attitude, I have set to achieve my big dreams,” he signs off.

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Indian-origin Google CEO Sundar Pichai receives Padma Bhushan

(December 4, 2022) “India is a part of me and I carry it with me wherever I go,” Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai said after receiving the Padma Bhushan award from the Indian envoy to the US. The Indian-origin CEO is among the 17 others who have been bestowed with India’s third-highest civilian award. "I am deeply grateful to the Indian government and the people of India for this immense honour. It is incredibly meaningful to be honoured in this way by the country that shaped me," added the 50-year-old while accepting the award from Taranjit Singh Sandhu. [caption id="attachment_32421" align="aligncenter" width="979"] Sundar Pichai received Padma Bhushan award[/caption] The CEO of tech giant Google and its parent company Alphabet Inc hardly needs any introduction. In the last 18 years with the Google, Sundar has contributed immensely to the trade and industry sector, thus making his mark. Interestingly, the email service provided by Google, Gmail, was launched on the very day Pichai joined the company – April 1, 2004. Unaware of this new product, he admitted his ignorance in the job interview of the organisation. Luckily for Pichai, that moment of uncertainty got viewed as one of the qualities that

by Google, Gmail, was launched on the very day Pichai joined the company – April 1, 2004. Unaware of this new product, he admitted his ignorance in the job interview of the organisation. Luckily for Pichai, that moment of uncertainty got viewed as one of the qualities that Laszlo Bock, Google’s former senior VP of people operations was looking for in a candidate. Bock remembers Sundar Pichai as the candidate with "intellectual humility”. Today, Pichai’s meteoric rise from humble beginnings to a top CEO is a success story that people cherish globally.

[caption id="attachment_26171" align="aligncenter" width="991"] Google CEO Sundar Pichai Sundar Pichai, Google's CEO[/caption]

The first non-white CEO of Google also serves on Alphabet’s Board of Directors. He has been focused on developing products and services with the vision to be of value in all big and little moments of people’s lives.

Talking at Google’s flagship I/O Developers Conference 2022, Pichai informed:

“Throughout the pandemic, Google has focused on delivering accurate information to help people stay healthy. Over the last year, people used Google Search and Maps to find where they could get a COVID vaccine nearly two billion times!”

His zeal for leadership with purpose got recognised in India in the form of Padma Bhushan award 2022. Global Indian turns its spotlight on the journey of the man who inspires millions.

The academic flight

Ironically, the CEO of American multinational technology company has not studied computer science, rather metallurgical engineering from IIT Kharagpur. Coincidentally, he has also studied inside the campus of IIT Chennai. His school, Vana Vani happened to be located inside the sprawling Chennai campus.

[caption id="attachment_26157" align="aligncenter" width="984"] Google CEO Sundar Pichai In India Sundar Pichai interacting with IIT Kharagpur students in one of his India visits.[/caption]

Born in 1972, he was raised in a middle-class household by an electrical engineer father who worked at General Electric Company (GEC) and a stenographer mother. Interested in the world of engineering, he was keen to explore the field, and he did so when he enrolled in the IIT Kharagpur. The passion for material sciences and engineering later took to Stanford University for a master's degree and then to Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania for an MBA. But making that first trip to the US wasn't that easy for someone who came from a humble background. His father had to spend a year’s salary to buy a plane ticket for him to go to the US for his studies. That was Sundar's first flight journey. The sincere student did not let his parents down and got recognised in his foreign academic institutions as one of the best in the batch.

Foundation of the effervescent leader

Before his association with Google, Pichai worked at Allied Materials and McKinsey & Co. Though both the organisations specialised in metallurgy, the stints groomed him well. He picked up the nuances of product strategy, execution, and team building that eventually set the foundation for his pivotal beginnings at Google. Pichai nurtured his career by aligning it to Google’s success.

“We try to work on things that billions of people will use every day”

No wonder Google is part of everyday conversations and happens to be a significant part of the vocabulary of kids and adults alike across the world!

[caption id="attachment_26172" align="aligncenter" width="817"] Google CEO Sundar Pichai With Team Sundar Pichai with Nigerian Google team during his visit to Africa[/caption]

It has established itself as the organisation that cares with breakthroughs like use of machine learning (ML) to make web images more accessible to people who have vision problems. It generates real-time captions for online videos to help those who struggle with hearing.

Rise and rise of Google under Pichai’s leadership

Sundar Pichai joined Google as its vice-president of product management. He was entrusted with the responsibility of development of Google Toolbar and Google Chrome. These went on to become the world’s most popular internet browser. Undoubtedly, with these quantum leaps, Sundar Pichai climbed the hierarchical ladder. He launched Chrome OS and Chromebook in 2011 and went on to launch Android operating system in 2013. By 2014, the super talented Indian-origin professional was leading all products and engineering divisions at Google, overseeing vital platforms like Search, Gmail, Chrome, Play, Android, Maps, and Google Workspace.

[caption id="attachment_26158" align="aligncenter" width="884"] Google CEO Sundar Pichai With Modi From Left to right : Larry Page (Google's co-founder), Sundar Pichai (Google's CEO), Narendra Modi (India's PM), Eric Schmidt (Google's former CEO), and Ram Shriram (American businessman)[/caption]

When Google reorganised into Alphabet in August 2015, Sundar Pichai got selected as its CEO. In December 2019, he became the CEO of both Google and Alphabet, replacing founder Larry Page. In 2021, under Pichai’s leadership, Alphabet crossed $2 trillion in market value due to sales and profit growth during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Building impact with powerful breakthroughs

Bringing the world together through different platforms, and giving unique experiences to people has always been the core of what Sundar Pichai and his team thrive upon.

While talking about war drift Ukrainians at Google I/O Developers Conference 2022, he remarked:

“In countries around the world, Google Translate has been a crucial tool for newcomers and residents trying to communicate with one another. We’re proud of how it’s helping Ukrainians find a bit of hope and connection (in countries where they have taken refuge) until they are able to return home again.”

While many other technology giants embrace the metaverse as the next frontier of growth, Sundar Pichai sees Google’s future in its oldest offering - the Internet search. He foresees people asking computers more questions with voice and multimodal experiences.

From overseeing new investments like acquisition of YouTube and launching of Google Cloud, Pichai leads the organisation by advancing AI, digital technology, machine learning and quantum computing.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=NJ-juLXoFxM&list=PLjq6DwYksrzyHa9RtflCUniCMTFG4twFD

"AI can make humans more productive than we ever imagined," he remarked in the conference stressing that it can play a foundational role in every aspect of people’s lives, right from healthcare, education, manufacturing to how people consume information. Emphasizing on the significance of ML he said, “When machines would be programmed to simulate human mind, mimic human activity and solve problems, it will have a bigger impact than most of the breakthroughs in recent history."

Matters close to heart…

Keeping India close to his heart, Pichai has led Google to invest in the foundational infrastructure of the country by developing technology specific to its needs. Google Pay app is one such example. “India will be a global player in the digital economy,” he concluded in an interview.

In a statement, the California-headquartered company has mentioned that it will invest ₹109 crore to support healthcare facilities and a further ₹3.6 crore to upskill frontline workers in India. The tech giant has entered into a tie-up with NGOs like GiveIndia, ARMMAN, PATH and Apollo Medskills to fulfill these commitments.

In the last five years, Google has granted funds to the tune of $57 million to India. Out of this $18 million was part of Covid 19 response.  In April 2020, Pichai made personal contribution of ₹5 crore to GiveIndia so that the country can fight the first wave of pandemic.

Love and life

Keeping his private life pretty private, Pichai stays with his wife Anjali who happens to be his heartthrob and classmate from IIT Kharagpur, son Kiran and daughter Kavya in California. The cricket buff is a Sachin Tendulkar fan. The love for the game comes from childhood aspiration to be a cricketer. As a high school student, he was the captain of the school cricket team, displaying his leadership skills on the field.

[caption id="attachment_26161" align="aligncenter" width="849"] Google CEO Sundar Pichai Sundar Pichai trying his hands at cricket[/caption]

Pichai’s love for sports does not end at cricket. He is also an ardent fan of FC Barcelona – the football club and seldom misses to watch it’s match when its competing on field.

The top CEO recently admitted in one of the interviews of the Wall Street Journal that he is not very good at meditation. Instead, he prefers NSDR (non-sleep deep rest), listening to podcasts or taking his dog for a walk.

Do you know how Sundar Pichai connects people?

Google’s flood forecasting technology sent flood alerts to 23 million people in India and Bangladesh in 2021 helping in timely evacuation of hundreds of thousands of people.
Around the world, Google Maps has mapped around 1.6 billion buildings and over 60 million kilometers of roads to date with the vision to keep everyone within the reach, and make the world a well-connected chain of individuals.
The number of buildings on Google Maps in Africa has increased by 5X. Google has made a dataset of these buildings publicly available so that international organizations like the United Nations and the World Bank can use it to better understand population density and to provide support and emergency assistance.
Google Translate broke down language barriers by recently adding 24 languages which together are spoken by 300 million people, bringing them closer to communities across the globe.
Google has been building augmented reality into many products like Google Lens to provide more interactive experiences and prevent technology from coming in the way of the real-world environment.
Follow Sundar Pichai on Twitter and Instagram

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