Indian Actor | Kabir Bedi | Global Indian

Global IndianstoryThe Order of Merit: Kabir Bedi, India’s cherished actor embraced in Italy

The Order of Merit: Kabir Bedi, India’s cherished actor embraced in Italy

Compiled by: Amrita Priya

(January 12, 2023)“Kabir keeps on playing, decade after decade, an extraordinary role in promoting better relations between India and Italy. His popularity is widespread across all generations in Italy. This is the reason why the President of the Republic of Italy has decided to present him one of Italy’s highest decorations – The Order of Merit. Kabir is very special for all of us Italians,” the Consul General of Italy, Alessandro de Mas said after reading aloud the Scroll of Honour signed by the Italian President Mattarella and counter-signed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in an event overlooking the Gateway of India in Mumbai. The acclaimed Indian actor was awarded the Merito della Repubblica Italiana (The Order of Merit of the Italian Republic) recently.

Kabir Bedi after receiving the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic

Bedi’s journey of life has been nothing short of a roller-coaster ride, attracting widespread attention due to its myriad ups and downs. His influence hasn’t been limited to Bollywood, where he made a mark with over 60 films and Hollywood, but went far beyond. In fact, his innings in Italy has by far been the most successful one, where people are immensely in love with the talented actor.

Household name in Italy

“I was awarded the “Order of Merit of the Italian Republic” (Merito della Repubblica Italiana), the most prestigious Italian civilian award,” an elated Bedi had tweeted soon after receiving the award.

Bedi is a household name in Italy. The recent honour got conferred on him, 13 years after he was knighted as Cavaliere (Knight) of the ‘Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana’ in 2010. “It was a very emotional award for me. Being presented the Order of Merit, Italy’s highest honour, is the fulfilment of my life’s work in Italy. It’s even higher than Cavaliere (Knight), which they gave me thirteen years ago. This double honour was a goose-bumps moment for me,” the Global Indian added in his tweet.

Rendezvous with Italy

Bedi’s connection with Italy began in the late 1970s when he starred in ‘Sandokan,’ a six-part Italian television series. The show depicted the story of an Asian pirate who fell in love with the daughter of an English Lord.

Following his role in Sandokan, Bedi appeared in six successful television series in the country. In 2022, he was honoured with the Filming Italy Movie Lifetime Achievement Award at the Italian Pavilion, an initiative led by the Directorate General for Cinema and Audiovisual (DGCA) of Italy’s Ministry of Culture.

Kabir Bedi in Sandokan

Reflecting on his career, the actor highlighted in one of the interviews that becoming a star in Bollywood meant conforming to the singing and dancing stereotypes, which had led him to seek career prospects abroad. “It was the Italians who changed the course of my career by providing me the opportunity to come to Italy, offering me the iconic role of Sandokan,” he remarked.

Journalism and advertising before acting

Kabir Bedi was not always an actor. He used to work for All India Radio (AIR) as a freelancer, and even worked at advertising agencies before becoming an actor.

Growing up he had seen his parents really passionate about India’s freedom and helping refugees, but they didn’t have much money. So, Bedi had to work while studying in college. During the day, he focused on his studies, and at night, he worked as a freelance English newsreader at the radio station in New Delhi. Later he moved to Bombay and became a copywriter with Lintas Bombay and Ogilvy & Mather.

The Beatles and the life-changing experience

While Bedi was a newsreader at New Delhi, something amazing happened. He got a chance to interview the famous English rock band, The Beatles, quite by chance.

The band was in Bombay, and the people in the media were highly excited about it. Bedi who was only in his teens then wanted to talk to his favourite band as a media person. When he sought permission from his boss, he and everyone around thought that it was impossible because lots of journalists wanted the same thing, and they thought Bedi to be too small and inexperienced. But Bedi wouldn’t give up. Finally, he was given a special pass and a recorder and he went to the hotel where The Beatles were staying.

Young Bedi convinced The Beatles’ manager to let him interview the band by saying that he was a radio journalist with AIR and that the Indian government wanted the interview. They agreed. The interview went on air and Bedi was in seventh heaven. Later, he was heartbroken to discover that the radio station had deleted the interview due to lack of storage space as they didn’t have enough money for new tapes.

Kabir Bedi

After graduating from St Stephens, Bedi moved to Bombay with a little money in his pocket, looking for new opportunities. He cashed in on his knack for writing and spent five years as a copywriter with Lintas Bombay and Ogilvy & Mather before stumbling into the field of acting.

Stumbling into acting

At Lintas, Bedi was working with legendary ad man Alyque Padamsee, who was also a noted theatre actor and producer. Padamsee decided to give Bedi a chance in acting by casting him in Girish Karnad’s play Tughlaq. The play was a huge hit and straight and soon, Bollywood offers started pouring in for Bedi. He grabbed them with both hands but remained associated with theatre, performing both in India and abroad.

“I really must thank Bollywood for getting me known through my first few big hits because that led to the Italian discovery. It was a huge decision for me to leave the security of the corporate world, where I was doing pretty well, and enter the uncharted waters and the perilous jungle of the Bollywood film industry. So that was certainly a decision that paid off, but at that time it was very scary,” Bedi remarked in an interview.

Love for Literature and lessons of life

In 2021, Bedi released his autobiography, ‘The Stories I Must Tell’. “My story is about my making, unmaking and remaking. My rise, ruin and resurrection,” he said after its release. Kabir had always loved writing. His father, Baba Pyare Lal Singh Bedi, was a philosopher and author while his mother, Freda Bedi, is considered the first western woman to take ordination in Tibetan Buddhism. “My mother was a very good writer, and my father was a very good speaker and thinker,” Bedi shared. Apart from his parents’ influence, he learned a lot of the craft of creative writing during his time as a copywriter.”

Kabir Bedi with his book

One of India’s most flamboyant stars, Bedi doesn’t hold back in his book. “Yes, I have lived a very flamboyant life. I’ve done a lot of extraordinary things. I’ve been in extraordinary relationships. But my life is not just about the triumphs. It’s also the tragedies,” he said. The darkest moment in his life was the suicide of his son, followed by the repercussions of a series of bad investments, which he had to learn to overcome.

“The way I did it was by remembering the spirit with which I had started my life,” he said “And also the meditation techniques I had learned as a Buddhist monk in Burma.” Bedi lives by the example of his parents, whom faced great financial adversity with great equanimity while he was growing up.

Giving back and setting an example

Bedi serves as the honorary brand ambassador for Italian charity Care and Share Italia. This organisation looks after and educates street children, from school to university, in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

He is also the brand ambassador for Rotary International South Asia for its Teach Programme and the Total Literacy Mission in India and South Asia. As the brand ambassador of the international organisation, Sightsavers he spreads awareness on eye health and care.

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A post shared by Kabir Bedi (@ikabirbedi)

He emerged from his low phase to begin a bright new second innings in his career, winning awards in India and abroad, and becoming the most beloved Indian in Italy is an example of the 77-year-old’s strong persona. He stands as an inspiration for people struggling to emerge winners in their own stories.

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Published on 12, Jan 2024

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Kebabs to Jackfruit Dabeli Bao: Chef Manav Tuli’s journey to a Michelin Star at Chaat, Hong Kong

(August 25, 2024) Rooted in tradition, Chef Manav Tuli, the man behind the Michelin-starred restaurant at Chaat, Hong Kong, likes to innovate. Now a chef-owner at Leela, Chef Manav’s love for improvisation has resulted in eclectic offerings like Oxtail Chakundar Gosht (cooked with beetroot and its leaves), Jackfruit Dabeli Bao and Tandoori pork ribs. From the iconic Chutney Mary in London, to winning a Michelin Star at Chaat in Hong Kong, and branching out as an entrepreneur, Chef Manav Tuli shares his incredible journey with Global Indian. Chef Manav Tuli’s career milestones have the knack of propelling him to the next one. As also the setbacks his family had witnessed, when they moved to India, post-partition. Chef Manav recalls how he chose to become a chef. “My grandparents came from a wealthy family but lost everything after the partition,” he says. His grandfather was offered a government grant, which he refused, and went on to set up a restaurant of his own. However, things ended badly, when he was cheated by his business partners. “He lost his will to live after the losses. When my father grew up, those people gave him a job at the same restaurant. By the

e lost his will to live after the losses. When my father grew up, those people gave him a job at the same restaurant. By the time I grew up, my father did not have good memories of those times and had a low opinion of the hospitality field. He was quite apprehensive of this profession and it was not considered prestigious during that time.”

[caption id="attachment_54518" align="aligncenter" width="340"] Chef Manav Tuli | Leela | Chaat Hong Kong | Global Indian Chef Manav Tuli[/caption]

A journey begins

To escape the pressure of pursuing a medical or engineering degree like the children of family friends were doing, Chef Manav joined the Indian Institute of Hotel Management, in faraway Thiruvananthapuram. “This led to my first job as a Commis at The Trident, Udaipur,” he says. This was followed by a post-graduate diploma at the Oberoi Centre of Learning and Development. During the two-year course, he travelled to Jaipur, Mumbai, New Delhi and Gurgaon between semesters and his final posting was at The Oberoi in Mumbai.”

Interestingly, Chef Manav witnessed the harrowing events of 26/11 at that time. He reveals, “I was leaving for Mauritius, and we had a party organised at the nearby Hotel Marine Plaza. Chef Matthew Crop’s (my boss) wife decided to leave the party early and went back to the hotel. That is when we heard about the terrorist attack and followed him there. We were not allowed to enter and all of us stayed near the Inox cinema complex across the road. It was a terrifying three days, but she was alright when the attack ended.”

Iconic brands and taking risks

Chef Manav admits he tends to keep asking himself, what next? From 2008 to 2011, he worked at the InterContinental in Mauritius. As far as cuisines went, he gravitated towards Indian cuisines. “At OCLD, we were taught all cuisines and I used to think, and even speak with my head chefs that I was wasting my time learning Italian or Japanese cuisines,” he admits. “I knew I would eventually be a chef making Indian food. This is because I believe that even if an Indian chef interprets something differently, an Indian making Indian food will always be accepted.” However, his diverse training paid off, resulting in his unique style.

Armed with early childhood influences of his grandmother cooking, and even pickling wild boar meat, Chef Manav, who was drawn to the nuances of fine dining, headed to London, where he joined Chutney Mary. It was a career milestone and Chef Manav and his wife lived in a studio apartment, saved as much as they could, and finally bought their own place. “My refinement as a chef happened in London.” There, he was also involved with the opening of Tamarind when it was rebranded with Chef Karunesh Khanna for the first year.

[caption id="attachment_54519" align="aligncenter" width="471"] Michelin Star Chakundar Oxtail Ghosht[/caption]

After eight years in London, Chef Manav was bogged down by monotony and wanted something more. The restaurant owners idea of rebranding was sending me to Mumbai with a list of restaurants to eat at and then recreating those dishes in London. That process did teach me a lot, but I also wanted to express myself more and discover uncharted waters.”

As luck would have it, Chef Manav joined Tamarind restaurant and did the opening as Head Chef. Soon, he got a call from his previous chef at Chutney Mary – Chef Siddharth Krishna – asking if he was interested in joining Rosewood Hotels at their flagship property in Hong Kong to launch Chaat, their Indian restaurant – the first Indian restaurant in Hong Kong at a five-star hotel. “I had no clue about Hong Kong, had never even been there, but I said yes.”

Success in the Orient

Moving to another country and city, despite being comfortable, was the result of Chef Manav’s philosophy. He says, “Your definition of success changes after doing the same job for seven years. It progresses with time, age and money. I knew that I would probably feel the same unrest at Tamarind after a while.” So, he decided to move, although his daughter was only eight months old and his wife had a steady job. The family landed in Hong Kong on 29^th August 2019; amidst social unrest and riots. “The project got delayed and I started thinking that maybe I had made the wrong decision. But, we finally launched in May 2020, during Covid.”

There were several challenges starting from the fact that Chef Manav did not even like the name Chaat. “The name did not excite me; the first impression was that we would be serving extensive chaats,” he says. “Later it did make sense when I came up with the idea of ‘serving street food of India in an elevated manner’ and gave it a story by including kababs, biryanis, and curries, all of which are also available on the streets.”

Chef Manav spent the lockdown doing menu testing and tasting, besides cooking for VIPs and the staff, using the experience as an exercise in understanding local tastes and preferences. The restaurant became a huge success and some of the bestsellers he created here include the Octopus Biryani, Tandoori Tomahawk, Tandoori Char Siu, Raj Kachori, Baked Samosa made like a cream horn, with stuffings ranging from lamb to plant-based meat derived from jackfruit.

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In 2022, under his leadership, Chaat won a Michelin star. He recalls how that panned out. “Michelin star for any Chef is the most unbiased and most prestigious award in the culinary world in my opinion. At Chaat, I was allowed to spread my wings and innovate. Pearl Yan, who was with Michelin Star approached us saying they were conducting interviews with chefs around the city. Halfway through it, she got a call which she answered. I found it rather odd that with all the camera people around, and in the middle of an interview, she was answering her phone. Then she gave me the phone and said, “This call is for you.” It was the Michelin team informing me that we had been awarded the Michelin Star! I started crying; I couldn’t believe it. It was one of the best days of my life,” he says.

The move to entrepreneurship

Again, the desire to move after the biggest achievement of a chef’s career struck. But he was now looking to be a chef-owner. It was a plan at the back of his mind that came to fruition sooner than he expected. He says, “At a chefs’ lunch, I met a friend, Chef Agustin Balbi and I asked him how he had launched Andō – the Michelin-starred Spanish Japanese restaurant. He had spoken to Yenn Wong, the CEO of the JIA group who helped him launch it. He connected me with her and we decided to launch Leela, at Causeway Bay.”

Leaving a well-established Michelin-star restaurant to launch a new brand was a risk. But Chef Manav was confident of his abilities despite the opening pangs. “I had peaked at Chaat, and was hungry for more. I wanted to leave before the monotony set in. Besides, as a partner, the perspectives are different from when you are working for someone.”

Tradition meets innovation meets fine dining

The cuisine at Leela is markedly different from that of Chaat despite the inevitable comparisons. Chef Manav says, “I cook traditional Indian food but I innovate too. The Oxtail Chakundar Gosht [meat cooked with beetroot and its leaves] and Paneer Chestnut are popular. The Tokri Chaat, Jackfruit Dabeli Bao, Tandoori Pork Ribs, Kandhari Lamb Chops and the Bone Marrow Biryani are bestsellers. We change the menu incrementally every three months. I intend to showcase royal recipes from Greater India – the area that was the Indian empire during the Maurya kingdom in the third century BCE. Essentially, recipes from Greater India.”

Chef Manav’s style remains rooted in tradition, but his creations are authentic and innovative with the application of two of his favourite expressions – refinement and balance. He is also working on a recipe book with all his recipes but claims he has a long way to go before it is ready. Knowing his questioning nature, it should appear soon.

Follow Chef Manav Tuli, Leela Hong Kong and Chaat on Instagram.

Anish Malpani: The social entrepreneur behind world’s first recycled sunglasses made from packets of chips

(April 14, 2023) "This has been the hardest thing I have ever been a part of. Finally, presenting the world's first recycled sunglasses made from packets of chips, right here in India," tweeted Anish Malpani, the founder of Ashaya. In no time, the tweet went viral, and within six days, 500 pieces of these sunglasses were sold in the pilot phase. Working with multi-layered plastic (MLP), which is the least recycled plastic globally, has been one of the hardest things Anish has ever done. "The recycling of emptied packets of chips is almost zero globally, and since you don't make money, no one wants to work in this space. That was essentially the reason I jumped into MLP," Anish tells Global Indian. It was the plastic waste and the difficult conditions faced by waste pickers in India that prompted the entrepreneur to start Ashaya, a social enterprise, in 2020. [caption id="attachment_37331" align="aligncenter" width="570"] Anish Malpani, the founder of Ashaya[/caption] "In India, the waste problem is not just the kachra problem, you have 1.5 to 4 million waste pickers who live multi-dimensionally poor lives. They have low income and have no access to education or healthcare," says the entrepreneur, adding that

, the founder of Ashaya[/caption]

"In India, the waste problem is not just the kachra problem, you have 1.5 to 4 million waste pickers who live multi-dimensionally poor lives. They have low income and have no access to education or healthcare," says the entrepreneur, adding that waste is a resource and he wants to increase the value of waste through his startup.

Having lived two decades of his life in Dubai and the US, returning to India to work on poverty alleviation was challenging for the entrepreneur. However, the 34-year-old was determined to make a positive impact and soon identified waste as a recurrent problem that needed attention. "With MLP, we realised that there is not enough technology that's working fundamentally on increasing the value of waste, along with helping empower waste pickers. And that's the key for everything that we do," he says.

Existential crisis led to epiphany

Born in Aurangabad, Anish moved to Dubai at the age of nine with his family, owing to his dad's job. After spending his formative years in the UAE, he moved to the US for his undergrad in finance and sports management from the University of Texas at Austin. "Shortly, I fell into the rat race." A career in finance kicked off and soon, he climbed the corporate ladder, becoming the youngest director of finance in the company at 26. But something was missing. "While they had applied for my green card and while I was making good money, I also wondered if there was any point of working hard as the environment was becoming toxic and I was becoming a worse person. People didn't understand why I was depressed because on paper I have everything. How dare I complain? But the best thing that happened was, it gave me a chance to reflect and understand the meaning of life."

Anish Malpani | Global Indian

However, he didn't take the leap of faith overnight. For Anish, it was a process. From finding the support system in his parents to getting the right exposure to what he wanted to do next, he took calculated risks. "I knew I wanted to go back to India and work on poverty alleviation through social enterprise." But at the same time, Anish was aware that he hadn't been to India in two decades and he "didn't want to be this guy from New York who knows everything." He laid out a plan - to spend six months in South America, the next six months in Africa, and the next six months in South East Asia before starting up in India.

On road to learning and self-discovery

"The goal was to work with the local entrepreneurs and learn by doing. I bartered my skills in finance in exchange for an opportunity." He kickstarted the journey in Guatemala, with a nonprofit that accelerates or incubates local social entrepreneurs. "Six months turned into fifteen months. I had just begun making an impact; however, I wasn't going deep enough. That's when I decided to do Sub-Saharan Africa because statistically, it struggles the most." This took him to Kenya where he worked with two entrepreneurs on a deeper level and knew that he was ready to take the plunge and start his work in India.

While he returned to India after decades, knowing he wanted to work on poverty alleviation, he knew nothing about poverty in India. He began with some research on "finding the poor of India - what their demographics are." He adds, "I wanted to look at poverty from a multidimensional lens. Not restricting it to the definition - living below $1.90 a day but also take into consideration access to income, healthcare, and education."

[caption id="attachment_37334" align="aligncenter" width="667"] Anish Malpani | Global Indian Multi-layered plastic[/caption]

Recycling and empowerment

The research presented to him the waste management space, which attracted him for two reasons. "Firstly, 1.5 million waste pickers who are living very multi-dimensionally poor lives. Secondly, there is the untapped potential in waste. I started focusing on how to fundamentally increase the value of waste and do that to empower waste-pickers out of poverty," says the entrepreneur, who while digging deep into the problem found that multi-layered packaging is a "notorious issue." This intrigued Anish enough to find a way to work with MLP, which gave birth to Ashaya in 2020 to produce high-quality products from MLP. Ask him about MLP, and he produces a packet of chips showing a metal layer inside and two-three layers of packaging outside. "It's called MLP as each layer has a purpose - some protect it from oxidisation, some from sun and some help in preservation for a long time."

However, it wasn't an easy journey and Anish faced many challenges on the go - from being ridiculed to scepticism about credibility to finding the right team. But he persevered.

[caption id="attachment_37336" align="aligncenter" width="726"] Wastepicker | Ashaya Wastepicker Rani shredding MLP[/caption]

After more than two years of research and experimentation, he launched the beta version of the world's first sunglasses made of plastic from used packets of chips under the brand name WITHOUT in February 2023, and he can't be grateful enough to be making a difference. "The recycling of packets of chips is almost zero globally, and that's why we wanted to focus on it. We are not here to make money, we are here to solve problems, creating sustainable business models - from the financial, economic, and environmental perspective." Within six days, they were able to sell over 500 pairs of sunglasses, and are now gearing up for the official launch of the sunglasses in June. "The frames have a QR code inside which you can scan to see where the waste came from and the story of the waste picker and how the product came about," reveals the entrepreneur who is keen to diversify into coasters, lamps, furniture and eventually sell material.

[caption id="attachment_37335" align="aligncenter" width="559"] Ashaya | Sunglasses Recycled sunglasses made by Ashaya[/caption]

The 34-year-old bookworm, who loves a game of football every Saturday morning, believes that waste is a resource that should be used again and again. "Normalise the reuse of waste without necessarily compromising lifestyle and standard of living." At the same time, through Ashaya, the entrepreneur wants to "create positive displacement of waste-pickers - access of education, healthcare and access of psychological health."

Anish's Ashaya is a perfect example of making a meaningful difference by joining forces of purpose with social objectives.

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From Meerut to Melbourne: Professor Suresh Kumar Bhargava is creating a new league of scientists

(July 15, 2022) Oblivious to his nomination, Professor Suresh Bhargava was sitting in his office when he received a letter informing him that he was being conferred with the Queen’s Birthday 2022 honour - Member of the Order of Australia (AM). Though his initial reaction was that of surprise, the academician also felt extremely excited to be honoured by the Queen. "I have received numerous awards for my scientific research. However, this one was for my contribution to the betterment of my community," shares Professor Bhargava, as he connects over a call from Melbourne. "It is incredible when people recognise your contributions that created a positive difference. I was thrilled that my adopted country valued my three decades of hard work." [caption id="attachment_26910" align="aligncenter" width="536"] Professor Suresh Bhargava was conferred with the Queen’s Birthday 2022 honour - Member of the Order of Australia (AM)[/caption] A professor at esteemed Universities in six countries, the academician is a winner of several awards, including the most prestigious award in engineering, the 'CHEMECA medal'. "I am happy and honoured that I can train the next generation of scientists," shares the professor, as he talks about his 30 years in academia with Global Indian. Academically

estigious award in engineering, the 'CHEMECA medal'. "I am happy and honoured that I can train the next generation of scientists," shares the professor, as he talks about his 30 years in academia with Global Indian.

Academically inclined

Hailing from Meerut in Uttar Pradesh, Professor Bhargava’s father worked as a station master in the Indian Railways. Growing up in a middle-class family, the young academician was keen to do better at studies. "I was a bright student and my teachers encouraged me a lot. It was one of my school teachers who first introduced me to Chemistry," share the academician.

Having discovered the world of elements and chemicals at an early age, Professor Bhargava was completely fascinated by Chemistry’s contribution to everyday life of an average man. "I realised that almost everything around us is somehow related to Chemistry. When we are very happy or sad, we tend to cry - which is nothing but a chemical reaction. Similarly, when we are stressed, it is again a chemical reaction in the brain. I am a scientist now and know much more than what I did as a young student - but Chemistry still fascinates me," he smiles.

Academician | Professor Suresh Bhargava | Global Indian

The sudden death of his father due to an accident left the family shattered. Still pursuing his master’s, the idea of leaving his studies and taking up a full-time job did cross his mind. But it was his teachers who convinced his mother to let him carry on with his studies. "They took care of all the expenses," shares the academician, who topped his university that year.

Road to the UK

Upon finishing his master's, he became a lecturer at the young age of 19. Interestingly though, the esteemed academician of today had other ambitions as a young man. "When I was a kid, I dreamt of becoming a pilot someday. I cleared the Services Selection Board (SSB) examination to join the Indian Air Force. However, my family believed that I should not join the armed forces, and so I didn't go," he reminisces.

As he started taking classes, he realised that most of his students were his age. "So rather than becoming their teacher, I decided to teach them as a friend. And I was a very popular professor," he laughs. However, his destiny was yet to reveal some interesting plans.

[caption id="attachment_26913" align="aligncenter" width="620"] Academician | Professor Suresh Bhargava | Global Indian Professor Bhargava being conferred with NRI of the Year award, 2017[/caption]

Recalling one of the happiest moments of his life, Professor Bhargava says, "It was on May 15, 1979, when I received a letter from the British Council announcing that my application to do a PhD in the UK had been approved." The British Council offered to place him under a very esteemed English scientist and former president of the Royal Society of Chemistry, Professor Eddie Abel, and pay him a handsome salary. "It felt like all my prayers were answered," shares the academician, who started his PhD programme at the University of Exeter the same year.

While most people take five years to finish their PhD, he finished his research work in just three years. "Professor Abel was very impressed with my work, which was published in various scientific journals. When it was time for me to leave for India, he asked me to stay back. However, I had a contract with the University Grant Commission, and I had to return," shares the professor.

Land Down Under

Although he returned to India and rejoined his university, he knew he was meant for greater things. "My university management also encouraged me and I left for the UK again. My mentor spoke to his peers at the Australian National University and that is how I landed in Canberra in 1983," shares the chemistry scientist.

Australia became his new home. With ground-breaking research work and 500 authored/co-authored journal articles, he made a splash in the new country. His research and scientific insights not just aided the big companies, but even helped governments solve many issues. In 1990, he joined the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) and established the Centre for Advanced Materials and Industrial Chemistry (CAMIC), a state-of-the-art research centre.

[caption id="attachment_26914" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Academician | Professor Suresh Bhargava | Global Indian Professor Bhargava with S Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs of India[/caption]

For his research, Professor Bhargava holds 12 patents, including one for gold-based metallodrug for cancer treatment. "When my mother was very ill, she only took ayurvedic medicines. One of her medicines was swarna bhasma, which is gold ash. That got me thinking about how metals affect the human body, and I started my research on how gold can be used as a medicine. We found that gold was about 200 percent better for cancer treatment than the drugs which are currently used. I am still working on the research to develop the medicine," he explains.

Living by the principle that his research should contribute to enhancing the environment, the professor also developed a nanotechnology mercury sensor to monitor the toxic smoke emission from refineries for industrial use.

In a career spanning over 30 years, Professor Bhargava has supervised more than 60 PhDs. His teaching methods don't just help his students excel in academics, but also make them industry-ready. A living bridge between India and Australia, the professor was conferred the PC Ray Chair by the Indian National Science Academy in 2014. He recently developed an award-winning PhD programme that connects laboratories of the Indian Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) with RMIT, giving the PhD scholars in India a platform for high-quality research.

[caption id="attachment_26915" align="aligncenter" width="660"] Academician | Professor Suresh Bhargava | Global Indian Professor Bhargava with the molecular engineering group at RMIT[/caption]

"A career in academics gives you a unique platform. You meet new students every year, but at the same time, it gives you a chance to work on many research works. As a professor, I have always tried to teach my students how they can become innovators and use their research to better the lives of people and the planet itself," shares the professor, adding, "In Indian philosophy, we use the term guru for someone who helps his disciples with all-round development. I am aiming to be a guru for my students."

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Reading Time: 8 mins

Palakkad to Poland: Two entrepreneurs from Kerala have successfully launched a beer called Malayali, in Poland!

(October 6, 2024) Chandramohan Nallur and Sargheve Sukumaran used rice flakes (poha) that were going waste, to make a beer which is fast becoming a much-loved brand in Europe, and not just with the Indian diaspora. Serendipity would be a key factor if a case study is ever done on the Malayali beer brand. What else could explain two enterprising young men from Palakkad, Kerala, meeting in far-off Poland and launching a beer that is popular among Europeans and the Indian diaspora? It’s a story where chance, creativity, and opportunity come together – serendipitously. [caption id="attachment_57470" align="aligncenter" width="767"] Chandra Mohan Nallur and Sargheve Sukumaran[/caption] Poha + Hops = Hybrid Lager Chandramohan (Chandu) Nallur, a corporate consultant who is also the youngest Director of the Indo-Polish Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IPCCI) in Poland, completed his Master’s degree in international business and politics, in Spain. While studying, he worked part-time at an Irish bar and discovered he enjoyed creating and serving drinks. A teetotaller himself, Chandu worked with Lyca Mobile and moved to Poland when the company wanted to set up a branch there. He headed the telecom and operations departments. He recalls, “After four years of corporate life, I became

litics, in Spain. While studying, he worked part-time at an Irish bar and discovered he enjoyed creating and serving drinks. A teetotaller himself, Chandu worked with Lyca Mobile and moved to Poland when the company wanted to set up a branch there. He headed the telecom and operations departments. He recalls, “After four years of corporate life, I became a consultant and then, as the Director of the IPCCI, would represent clients here. One such client from Varanasi, who was into rice exports, approached me because five tonnes of his shipment of rice flakes was on hold, days before it was to get here. The buyer backed off due to the start of the Ukraine-Russia war and he wanted to know what could be done instead of having it sent back.”

Speaking of the war, Chandu says, “My friend Pradeep Nayar and I were the first people from the civilian end who went to the border during Operation Ganga. I created a network of 298 volunteers who worked for a week with the MEA and arranged 5000 SIM cards for people crossing the border so they could contact their families.”

Sargheve Sukumaran, the co-founder, is a product and experience designer with extensive experience in designing mobile phones, consumer electronics, and packaging. He has been living in Poland for over a decade. He and Chandu, both of whom have Polish spouses, met during their early years in the country and have remained great friends. When this opportunity arose, they got talking. They had initially considered various ideas, including pet food, which didn’t gain much traction. Inspired by Komban beer, launched in the UK by another Keralite, they decided to create a hybrid beer. As Sargheve recalls, “We drew up a list of brewers and asked them to craft it for us using rice flakes and European hops.”

Indian Entrepreneur | Malyali Beer | Global Indian
As for zeroing in on the recipe, Sargheve elaborates, “We experimented with various combinations, collaborating closely with brewers from the brewery we partnered with, as well as independent consultants. Our primary goal was to create ‘the smoothest beer’—an idea which, at the time, only existed in our imagination. The existing recipes were merely starting points, and we knew we had to refine and iterate to achieve the perfect balance. The minimum order was for 2000 litres or 4000 bottles. After the third try, we were satisfied with our product. We made sampling boxes, shared them with restaurants and friends and families. I am a social drinker and the exposure to design research due to the profession came in handy during the tasting process. We tweaked it until we got it right.”

Rooted in Kerala

Both the founders were clear they wanted a brand and logo that had deep Indian roots. Sargheve, the designer of the brand’s logo explains, "We wanted a logo that reflected our Indian heritage while resonating with a global audience." The design draws inspiration from the traditional face masks of Kathakali and Theyyam, with elements borrowed from the iconic Ray-Bans sunglasses and moustache sported by Mohanlal in his blockbuster film Sphadikam. This combination captures the essence and swag of the actor, alongside Kerala’s most celebrated dance forms. The brand name Malayali instantly connects emotionally with people, especially the growing Kerala community in Poland.

Chandu reveals how the beer became popular. “We started stocking it at Indian restaurants – and 39 out of the 144 restaurants in Warsaw served our beer. The local Polish people and the female crowd too liked it. Through distributors, we expanded into Indian supermarkets and recently, we started exporting to Lithuania, Germany, Malta, Austria, Latvia, Italy and the UK. Currently, we are in talks to supply it to the UAE, Bahrain, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore. By the end of this year, we will be launching in a couple of these markets.”

[caption id="attachment_57456" align="aligncenter" width="460"] Malayali lager's logo[/caption]

The beer also sells at a few Indian supermarkets in Poland and if price points are to be compared, the price is similar to that of Heineken in restaurants but is 40% cheaper in supermarkets. And, out of the seven brands commonly served at Indian restaurants, the Malalyali has successfully pushed four off the shelves and proudly stands with Cobra and Kingfisher – other brands with an Indian association.

Malayali Superstars

Within six months of their November 2022 launch, the partners sold 50,000 bottles. Sargheve shares the current varieties and their taste profiles: “We offer beers with 4.8% and 7.2% alcohol content, as well as a non-alcoholic version at 0.2%. This year, we plan to introduce a zero-alcohol version and a 12% alcohol beer for those who prefer a stronger drink. If I were to describe the taste, our flagship lager is exceptionally smooth with a light body, offering a well-balanced interplay of subtle malt sweetness and just the right amount of hop bitterness. It’s crisp, refreshing, and easy to drink, with a clean finish. Feedback shows it not only complements the bold, spicy flavours of Indian cuisine, but also pairs effortlessly with mainstream European dishes, making it versatile for a wide range of palates.”

With their beer in so much demand that they are unable to match the supply, plans are afoot to expand production. Says Chandu, “We are looking to lease a brewery. Since the business is self-funded, the pace is slower. The plan is to go from the current 12000 litres to 40,000 litres.” The duo also wants to create a brand of tequila, and enter into the black water arena [alkaline water high in minerals] besides expanding the Malayali brand and taking it to other countries.

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For now, the Malayali beer is going strong with Indians and locals alike in Poland and its neighbouring countries. With the kind of demand it is facing, the beer is soon likely to become a global brand in the days to come. Good going for these lads from Palakkad.

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Chidananda Naik on Kannada short film in Oscars 2025 race: Reflects the power of regional stories

(December 8, 2024) What happens when a childhood tale from Karnataka finds its way to Hollywood's biggest stage? For filmmaker Chidananda S Naik, it turns into an Oscar selection. His short film, Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know, has not only created a stir at the international film festivals but has also been qualified for the Oscars 2025 in the Live Action Short Film category. The 16-minute Kannada masterpiece, rooted in folklore, is proof of India's brilliant storytelling tradition. "It feels really happy and humbling to have been qualified for the Oscars 2025," Chidananda tells Global Indian. "The feeling has truly sunk in, and it has created a strong connection with my audience. It’s a rewarding journey that keeps me motivated to create even more meaningful stories." The Oscar selection is yet another milestone for the Kannada short film which made headlines a few months ago for winning the prestigious La Cinef Award at Cannes Film Festival. Inspired from Ajjiya Jamba, a Kannada folklore, it tells the story of a village thrown into chaos when an elderly woman steals a rooster, causing darkness to engulf the land. In just 16 minutes, Chidananda tells a story where night becomes a

s a rooster, causing darkness to engulf the land. In just 16 minutes, Chidananda tells a story where night becomes a character, exploring themes of superstition, community, and human emotions.

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The film's journey to the Oscars add to the growing list of Indian films gaining international recognition. From RRR's historic win for Best Original Song with Naatu Naatu to The Elephant Whisperers winning Best Documentary Short at the 2023 Oscars, Indian cinema continues to shine globally. And Chidananda's film builds on this legacy putting the spotlight on the power of regional stories.

The 28-year-old filmmaker is "super proud" to represent a Kannada film at the Oscars. "We've been shown time and again by our seniors that good stories have no boundaries. India is a country of many languages, and our strength lies in our diversity," he says, adding, "This recognition is a testament to that, as it reflects the power of stories that transcend language, culture, and geography. It's a reminder that storytelling is universal, and every region has its own unique narrative to offer the world."

Competing in the Oscars Live Action Short category is a happy and privileged moment for Chidananda. "It's an incredible feeling to be among the best films from around the world. Our film is currently streaming in the Academy screening room, accessible to Academy members for voting purposes. The preliminary round of voting begins on Monday, December 9, 2024, and ends on Friday, December 13, 2024. It's a huge step for our work."

Chidananda Naik | Global Indian

India's history with Oscars

India's tryst with the Oscars began in 1958 when Mother India became the first Indian film to earn a nomination in the Best International Feature Film category (then called Best Foreign Language Film). Though it narrowly missed the award, it paved the way for Indian films on the world stage. Years later, Bhanu Athiya brought India its very first Oscar in 1983 for Best Costume Design for her work in Gandhi. Since then, India has had several memorable moments at the Academy Awards, from Lagaan’s 2001 nomination to Slumdog Millionaire sweeping eight Oscars in 2009, including two wins for AR Rahman. More recently, Naatu Naatu from RRR and The Elephant Whisperers continued this legacy by winning Oscars in 2023, reflecting India's growing presence in global cinema.

Winning big at Cannes

In May 2024, the French Riviera witnessed history in the making as for the first time a film made by a first-year student at FTII won the La Cinef award at the Cannes Film Festival. Competing with films from top film schools worldwide, Chidananda’s victory was a historic moment for Kannada cinema and Indian filmmaking.

[caption id="attachment_61341" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Chidananda Naik at Cannes Film Festival[/caption]

Calling it a huge honour to represent India, the Mysuru-based filmmaker said that awards like La Cinef support the next generation of international filmmakers. "Our success at Cannes has opened new doors and inspired us to continue creating films that resonate globally." The 16-minute film stood out for its unique narrative and evocative storytelling. The big win at Cannes not only spotlighted his talent but also marked a growing appreciation for regional stories told with authenticity and heart.

ALSO READ: Chidananda Naik on winning La Cinef Award at Cannes 2024: This is just the beginning

Bringing folklore to the world

When Chidananda began filming Sunflowers Were The First Ones to Know as coursework at FTII, little did he know that the Kannada folklore would resonate with a global audience. In a short span, the film has gained international recognition, cementing Chidananda's belief in the universal power of local stories. However, making the film was as challenging as the tale it tells. Shot in four days with a tight-knit crew composed of his batchmates, every scene required meticulous planning and execution. “It was extremely difficult to shoot with all the limited resources and rules. We were super exhausted but really satisfied with the shots we achieved,” Chidananda recalls. Despite these challenges, the team brought their vision to life, blending minimal resources with maximum creativity to produce a film that is both hauntingly beautiful and culturally profound.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAmKq-Nwq6s&t=5s

From Healing Bodies to Crafting Stories

The filmmaker, who is gaining popularity globally, once wanted to be a doctor. Born in Shivamogga in Karnataka and raised in a family steeped in academia, he initially pursued medicine, earning an MBBS degree from Mysore Medical College and Research Institute. But somewhere along the way, his fascination with the human condition evolved from healing bodies to exploring emotions through art. “In medical school, we learned about anatomy and the physical aspects of being human, but I was constantly drawn to understanding emotions and feelings,” he recalls.

The shift from doctor to filmmaker wasn’t an escape but a deliberate choice to find meaning and joy in self-expression. Armed with a curiosity about life and a passion for storytelling, Chidananda joined FTII, Pune, a decision that changed the course of his life.

Dreaming on

Today, as his work gains international recognition, Chidananda’s journey shows the importance of following one’s passion, even when it means taking an uncertain path.

Chidananda Naik | Global Indian

For Chidananda Naik, the journey from a folklore-inspired short film to Cannes and now the Oscars is a dream come true. “I have always believed in the positive energies of the universe. When you stay open to possibilities and remain committed to your passions, things tend to align in ways you might not expect. It’s amazing how the right intentions and resilience can bring your dreams closer to reality,” adds the young filmmaker.

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