Global IndianstoryBorn in Chicago, settled in India, Anjum Babukhan set up a school that makes a difference

Born in Chicago, settled in India, Anjum Babukhan set up a school that makes a difference

Written by: Vikram Sharma

(October 7, 2021) Anjum Babukhan’s is an unconventional story. Born and brought up in Chicago, she moved to India for her husband. But where she could’ve basked in the glory of her new life, she decided instead to channel her energies into branching out on her own. A keen learner herself, she found the education system in the country outdated and set out to make a change in her own small way. She founded Glendale Academy, a co-education school that laid an emphasis on holistic growth and a nurturing environment, in Hyderabad. The concept clicked and today, the brand has flourished into a chain of private schools that was ranked number 1 in Telangana and at number 8 in India by Education World.

For close to three decades now, Anjum has striven to transform lives through education, which remains her top priority even today. Otherwise, the award-winning educationist can teach you a thing or two about martial art form like Tai Chi or Chinese exercise Qigong, show off her urban sketching skills and Yin-Yang art, display her Ikebana expertise, become a dance choreographer or wow people with her Zumba and Yoga moves. In everything that she does, Anjum sets the standards high.

By leaps and bounds

“I do my best and let god do the rest,” smiles Anjum, settling down for an exclusive interview with Global Indian. Her desire to achieve and a passion to convert her dreams into reality led to the birth of Glendale Academy. She took off with one school in the early 2000s; 25 years later, Glendale has expanded by leaps and bounds.

“We now stand as number 1 in Telangana and top 10 in India; we are known for our pedagogy – the art of teaching and holistic curricular approach more than anything else,” informs a beaming Anjum, the Director of Glendale, as she looks back at her illustrious journey.

From America to Hyderabad

Born and raised in Chicago in the United States in a conservative family, Anjum is the eldest of four siblings. Her Indian Muslim parents immigrated from Hyderabad in the 1970s. “I keep traversing between continents, cultures and conditions. Whether it was adapting as a bicultural child of immigrants in the US to moving halfway across the world to India and adjusting to the social constructs of the society here, I pick out elements of what I choose to harmonize in my symphony of multi-layered and multi-cultural being,” says Anjum.

She was a high honor roll student, who won several scholarships on graduating from high school before she went on to study Psychology in the honors program at Loyola University, Chicago. While in her last year at the University, Anjum met an international student from Hyderabad, Salman Babukhan, whom she married after college. Anjum moved to India in 1995 after pursuing her Masters in Education Administration and Instructional Leadership at University of Illinois.

Entrepreneurial journey

Within months of her settling down in India, she discovered the education system here was outdated and rigid. She wanted to change things, so Anjum set out on a mission. “We wanted to create nurturing spaces that develop every child’s multiple intelligence spectrum, physical capabilities, creative potential, 21st Century life skills and multicultural awareness. At Glendale, our focus has always been and remains on cultivating competence and character,” she informs.

A lifelong learner, Anjum is not only keen on sharing her knowledge, but also adapts and evolves with the changing times. “Everyone changes and everyone evolves. From my teens, 20s, 30s, and now in my 40s, I have grown more effective in my career, confident in capacities, resilient in challenges and comfortable within my own being as time moves forward. In the biological paradigm, those who adapt not only survive, but thrive,” says the mother of three.

Anjum has many feathers in her academic cap. Among them are the outstanding academic achievement awards in the Presidential Academic fitness awards program signed by President Ronald Reagan in 1987 and President George HW Bush in 1990, as well as an “academic and leadership excellence” award presented by Hyderabad foundation of Chicago.

The eternal Global Indian

Describing herself as a Global Indian American Muslim, Anjum is constantly pushing the boundaries. Even now, she is strong in her academic pursuits in her quest for lifelong learning. With courses like Strategy in Action and Project Zero from Harvard, courses from Cambridge and recently a Design Thinking course from Stanford D school, she exemplifies her motto of learning every day. The visionary leader that she is, Anjum says she loves to learn anything that contributes to building her own multiple intelligence spectrum.

“One should explore their many sides across identities, capacities, cultures and ways of knowing the world. Every aspect one has in them can be channelized and optimized. There is no one like you and never will be. Be the best version of yourself always,” she advises all those embarking on a journey. A globetrotter, Anjum says she keeps wanting to bridge the best of both worlds with what she likes and lives in both places. “I guess we are all travelers in this world,” says Anjum, who is also a TEDx speaker.

Global Indian Anjum Babukhan

Staying true to her roots

With an experience of over two and half decades in implementing the best teaching methodologies, she has also authored a book, ABCs of Brain Compatible Learning, which is a guide for all educators.

The one Indian-ness, she says, that remains with her is the Hindustani language, be it Urdu or Hindi, which is a way to know, enjoy and be enriched by culture. “Nothing can be as colorful and vibrant as ethnic apparel and accessories. But even if I feel comfortable with the secular and pluralistic ideals of countries I call my own, my belonging may be questioned by the right-wing powers of the majority at times, whether it is in the US or India,” says Anjum, who has won innumerable awards, accolades and recognition not just individually but for her institutions as well.

Anjum, who received an honorary doctorate in education by the National American University and National Institute of Education and Research, has an interesting take on Brand India. “As long as Brand India maintains its pluralism, secularism and humane values on which the nation was founded upon, it will grow stronger, taller and wider by harnessing the strength of unity in diversity. If it is inclusive, striving for justice and opportunity for all, Brand India will be a potent force like no other.”

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Published on 08, Oct 2021

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Christine Ghezzo: Florida based singer’s tryst with devotional music of India

(November 18, 2022) Christine Ghezzo’s association with Indian music began even before she was born. Her parents, who had moved to New York City as refugees, were both musicians who happened to listen to a lot of Indian classical music, even when Christine was in her mother’s womb. Even Christine’s baby shower, which was hosted by an Indian family, was filled Indian music. Today, Christine is an accomplished singer, who can sing in more than 15 languages and is so deeply attached to India, she refers to it as a ‘past life connection’. The Florida based singer is the disciple of Pandit Radharaman Kirtane who is the senior disciple of Sangeet Martand, Pandit Jasraj. Christne has been learning Indian classical music for close to 18 years now and quite often performs bhajans and kirtans and other devotional chanting at temples, yoga studios and house concerts in her region. She has a kirtan group called Bhav. [caption id="attachment_31856" align="aligncenter" width="706"] Christine Ghezzo[/caption] Music and languages in the environment Speaking to Global Indian from St. Petersburg, Florida, the singer says, “My parents loved music from around the world including India. So, it was a part of my upbringing, and that’s how I

t="auto"> and kirtans and other devotional chanting at temples, yoga studios and house concerts in her region. She has a kirtan group called Bhav.

[caption id="attachment_31856" align="aligncenter" width="706"] Christine Ghezzo | Indian music | Global Indian Christine Ghezzo[/caption]

Music and languages in the environment

Speaking to Global Indian from St. Petersburg, Florida, the singer says, “My parents loved music from around the world including India. So, it was a part of my upbringing, and that’s how I picked an inclination towards this form of expression.” Both her parents have been professors of music. While her mother focused on history and research, Christine’s father was the director of the music composition department at New York University for 35 years. He was also a pianist and used to perform devotional songs in many languages internationally. Christine would travel with her father and in the process, began her own career as a performing artist from a young age.

“We all have different talents in different directions. My personal talent is sound and that is how I have been able to process different languages,” says the singer, who grew in Queens in New York City, where her Romanian father and Hungarian mother settled down as refugees. The sheer volume of immigrants in Queens meant Christine grew up listening to a “fusion of languages,” developing quite an ear for them in the process. She went on to do an undergraduate degree in creative writing and music and earning a Master’s in ethnomusicology.

[caption id="attachment_31857" align="aligncenter" width="652"] Christine Ghezzo | Indian music | Global Indian Christine performing as a child[/caption]

In 2011, Christine’s father passed away. Until that point, she had focused mainly on European devotional music but begun her training in Indian Classical music as well. “I remember, there was one piece in Raag Bageshree that I sang while my father accompanied me on the piano,” she says. After his passing, she moved to Florida with her husband, Ron Weiss. Now, Christine is even looking at putting European and Indian devotional music together to come up with a new genre.

The spiritual awakening

Eighteen years ago, in an Indian restaurant, Christine heard virtuoso Subha Mudgal for the first time. “I was having lunch there and they were playing Subha Mudgal’s Mathura Nagarpati Kahe Tum Gokul Jao, the soundtrack from the film Raincoat and something completely shifted in me. It was like a spiritual awakening hearing that piece of hers.”

Mesmerized, she asked the restaurant staff about the singer. They directed her to a shop across the road, saying, it had “lots of resources” for her. The shop sold a little bit of everything, from Indian CDs and DVDs to puja items and Ayurvedic herbs. Christine asked if she could be put in touch with a guru and was handed a business card. “That card belonged to my first teacher of Indian music, Poornima Desai of Shikhshayatan Institute in New York,” she says, and her journey began.

[caption id="attachment_31858" align="aligncenter" width="653"] Christine Ghezzo | Indian music | Global Indian Christine with Pandit Jasraj[/caption]

Shortly after, Christine came to India, where she travelled to places like Delhi, Varanasi, Agra and Jaipur.

I absolutely loved Varanasi, it was like being in another dimension. It was then that I started to feel the real spiritual connection. Music always carries the spiritual imprint with it and I had not experienced it until I went to Varanasi.

Strong connection with India

With a deep fascination for the country, Christine feels that there are two places where it seemed as if she has been there before, as if they are home to her – Varanasi and Kolkata. Over the time she even became a devotee of Goddess Kali and sings Shyama Sangeet, a genre of Bengali devotional songs dedicated to the Hindu goddess Kali who is also known as Shyama.

“I have been studying Indian classical music for many years but there is still so much to learn,” she says. Her current guru, Pandit Radharaman Kirtane in Florida has been her teacher for last eight years. Born and raised in Mumbai, Pandit Kirtane has had his own influence on her and Christine can now sing in Marathi, along with Hindi, Sanskrit, Bengali and Bhojpuri.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exSg5wwCC1g

I have become very familiar with different regions and languages of India and the richness of musical tradition of each region. It’s incredible. I probably need 200 life times to learn what I would like to from the rich legacy.

Connection with Bihar’s Chatth puja

During the famous Chatth puja of Bihar and Jharkhand, a devotional Chatth song that Christine sang six years ago continues to go viral, with people sharing it among friends and families during the festival season. She had received the lyrics from a friend, who suggested she try singing it, even helping her with the pronunciation. “It was just between friends and he put it on Facebook. Within hours of his posting, the following morning I woke up to messages and notifications in disbelief how quickly it had become popular.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ex1zMwOS1yg

Happy with the love and appreciation she has received from the Bihar-Jharkhand community, Christine says:

I am very grateful to the people of Bihar for making me a part of their Chatth Puja celebrations.

She looks forward to singing a song every year on the occasion and connecting to friends of Bihar. “It has become the most joyous time of the year,” she adds.

Woman of many talents

Last time that the singer was in India was three years ago, when she was invited to Silchar to perform a concert. Since she is also a professional photographer the programme entailed holding photography workshops in her month-long stay.

Christine has been receiving many invitations to come to India but owing to her fragile respiratory system, severe asthma and bronchitis, her pulmonologist restricts her travel to the country. “I feel so connected to India that I would have loved to even live there, if not for my health issues” she says. “But I am very connected to the people there through my circle of friends. Thankfully, in this digital era it is easy to stay connected.”

Christine works with her husband’s construction consulting firm and the couple also share a love for photography, often exhibiting their images together. The couple’s photography group was recently invited to the only museum in the state of Florida to exhibit their work, which was a huge honour for them.

Apart from all this, Christine is also a gifted cook. “I was probably the mother of 10 children in my past life and that is why I cook in huge quantities,” laughs the singer, who loves inviting her friends over to eat food cooked with organic vegetables freshly plucked from her garden. As far as Indian food is concerned, she likes anything that is fried, crispy and salty. Medu vada, batata vada and masala vada are few of the things that tops her list.

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The vegan singer, photographer and chef loves all lentil-based recipes, and is good at cooking chole. The extraordinary baker loves nature walks and staying connected to the roots of both Indian and European cultures.

Follow Christine Ghezzo on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube

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Sanya Malik: Breaking barriers in Mumbai’s art world through Black Cube

(October 30, 2023) This November, curator Sanya Malik, founder of Black Cube, an alternative art gallery in Delhi, is about to make her mark on the Mumbai art scene. But her journey in the art world goes beyond the debut. It's a story of passion, determination, and a mission to make art accessible to all. In this article, we delve into Sanya Malik's fascinating journey and her unique approach to art, featuring celebrated artists like Jogen Chowdhury who will be part of the upcoming exhibition, and artworks in bronze and stainless steel. Art possesses the remarkable ability to establish deeply personal and subjective relationships with those who engage with it. It serves as a unique language that transcends words, often revealing the complexities of our contemporary world and the societal challenges we grapple with. Her early years were steeped in a profound connection to the art world. “My family's close associations with modern and contemporary artists exposed me to the vibrant tapestry of Indian paintings and sculpture from an early age. This enriching experience afforded me the unique opportunity to forge personal bonds with some of my most admired artists,” Malik tells Global Indian. [caption id="attachment_46384" align="aligncenter" width="484"] Sanya Malik[/caption]

r">Global Indian.

[caption id="attachment_46384" align="aligncenter" width="484"] Sanya Malik[/caption]

After graduating from Central Saint Martins in London, Sanya decided to try curation. She went on to do a Master’s at the Royal College of Art, London. Her interest lies in understanding the visceral impact that art can have on people. “I am perpetually drawn to artworks that possess a multifaceted quality, ones that are intricately layered with the nuances of our era. These are the works that, to me, carry the echoes of not just the artist's creativity but also the resounding voice of our times, encapsulating the struggles, the aspirations, and the cultural zeitgeist,” she explains.

Creating a Platform

Black Cube's core ethos revolves around making art accessible to all and was born in 2017 out of a desire to break down the barriers that often intimidate visitors in traditional gallery spaces, where asking questions and engaging can be daunting. “We felt the need for a more inclusive approach. Our unique model doesn't rely on a fixed physical location. Instead, we adapt to the contextual demands of the art we showcase. This fluidity enables us to create spaces that align perfectly with the specific artworks on display, ensuring an engaging environment,” says Malik.

In the debut exhibition, Black Cube used an interiors-and-lighting studio in New Delhi has their canvas. At Art Mumbai this year, they will seamlessly transform into a ‘white cube space’. “Our commitment extends to working closely with artists, fostering collaboration, and supporting their creative processes. This approach results in fresh, innovative showcases that reflect our core values, making art accessible, engaging, and ever evolving,” she adds.

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Art Sojourn

In her early twenties, Sanya encountered numerous challenges, particularly as a young woman trying to break into a tightly knit industry with pre-established relationships and norms. The need to constantly prove herself, whether working as an employee or as the director of Black Cube, has been a continuous journey and one that fuels her determination each day. “As a young woman in the industry, I have faced the ongoing need to prove myself at every turn, defending my age, experience, knowledge, and capabilities. This journey has required me to challenge norms and carve out my own space within the industry, and it has been both gratifying and demanding,” she says.

Sanya’s progress has been a gradual process and the most rewarding aspect, she says, is the relationships they have cultivated with the artists they represent. “Those connections have been the highlight of my journey.” She believes the key to overcoming challenges, both in the past and today, is to trust oneself, to identify areas of improvement and hone one’s skills and above all, never giving up. Recognizing that learning is an ongoing process and being aware of how much more there is to discover is crucial for navigating a competitive landscape.

Lessons learned

Sanya emphasises that women need to be passionate about addressing a specific barrier and can identify a gap in the market they are eager to fill. “Don't hesitate—take the plunge immediately. However, be prepared for a long and challenging journey that will evolve and compound over time. Perseverance is your greatest ally during the entire process of building your venture. If you're seeking short-term validation, entrepreneurship might not be the right path for you, but if you are committed to the long-term vision, the rewards can be incredibly fulfilling,” she avers.

Quiz her on what she has learned, and she says that she has learned to develop thick skin and not let setbacks demotivate but rather encourage her. Determination is crucial to moving forward. The second pertains to building relationships. In the art world, connecting with the right people is pivotal. This journey has taught me the importance of putting myself out there and actively seeking opportunities to engage with artists, peers, and industry professionals. It is a dynamic space that is constantly evolving, so staying open to new ideas and fresh perspectives is essential.

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A post shared by Black Cube Productions (@blackcubeproductions)

Looking ahead

Black Cube collaborates with renowned modern and contemporary artists who are pushing boundaries in terms of themes, mediums, and scale. The dynamic Indian contemporary art scene is currently the most exciting space in the country. “Our debut at Art Mumbai’s inaugural edition in November is our first venture into the vibrant world of art fairs. We are thrilled about Art Mumbai, where we will present a diverse collection of sculptures, spanning from modern to contemporary, indoor to outdoor,” she says. The line-up includes celebrated artists like Himmat Shah, Thota Vaikuntam, Jogen Chowdhury, Krishen Khanna, Manu Parekh, Madhvi Parekh, Phaneendra Nath Chaturvedi, Yashika Sugandh, Arunkumar HG, Valay Shende, and Dhananjay Singh.

Among these artists, there are sculptors and then painters who have ventured into the realm of sculpture, imbuing their paintings with a three-dimensional vitality. “Post Art Mumbai 2023, we are eagerly anticipating a thrilling year ahead in 2024 for Black Cube. We are working on a series of contemporary art exhibitions in New Delhi. We are also excited to participate in more art fairs, expanding our reach and engaging with diverse audiences. Looking ahead to 2025, we are setting our sights on international exhibitions. Our goal is to take Black Cube's distinctive approach to global audiences and promote India's rich contemporary art scene across borders. Our future is characterized by innovation, exploration, and a commitment to expanding the horizons of art in a rapidly evolving world,” she signs off.

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Spices, splendor, and sizzle: Indian chefs elevating the dining experience around the world

(June 29, 2023) Over the past two decades, a league of visionary young chefs from the vibrant Indian diaspora has masterfully tapped into the latent potential of regional Indian fare. In a remarkable study conducted by German food ordering connoisseurs, Lieferando, the irresistible allure of Indian cuisine has surged to astonishing heights, cementing its position as the second most sought-after culinary indulgence on social media. Armed with an unwavering passion for their heritage, these chefs have elevated traditional recipes to dazzling new heights, infusing every dish with a mindful blend of consciousness, innovation, and boundless creativity. In fact, several Indian-American chefs and restaurateurs, dazzling beacons of culinary brilliance, ascended the grand stage of The James Beard Foundation Award 2022. Renowned as the Oscars of the food realm, this prestigious annual ceremony has long been enchanted by the artistry of Indian chefs. Now, these trailblazers are preparing to etch their names into the annals of gastronomic excellence. Global Indian showcases a few exceptional chefs, who are poised to rewrite the narrative surrounding Indian cuisine on the global stage. Their unrivalled talent and sheer audacity have dismantled the shackles of convention, unravelling the perception of Indian food as mere spice-laden fare. Chef

have dismantled the shackles of convention, unravelling the perception of Indian food as mere spice-laden fare.

Chef Rohit Ghai

Born amidst the flavours that whispered in his mother's kitchen in Gwalior, a young Rohit Ghai discovered his passion for the culinary arts. Guided by an insatiable love for food, he embarked on a gastronomic pilgrimage, immersing himself in the vibrant world of Indian cuisine. His journey led him to Institute of Hotel Management in New Delhi, where he honed his skills, breathing life into the very essence of Indian culinary finesse. With unwavering determination, he embarked on a culinary voyage that saw him gracing the kitchens of renowned hotel groups such as the legendary Oberoi Hotels and Resorts and the iconic Taj Hotels and Resorts.

[caption id="attachment_26090" align="aligncenter" width="609"] Chef | Rohit Ghai | Global Indian Chef Rohit Ghai[/caption]

Today, Chef Ghai stands tall as a beacon of culinary brilliance, reigning over his own gastronomic realm at the acclaimed Kutir in London. His culinary prowess has been awarded the prestigious Michelin Star, an accolade that solidifies his status as one of the United Kingdom's most accomplished and imaginative Indian chefs. In a dazzling display of culinary innovation, Chef Ghai unveiled Koolcha, a street food concept that beckons guests to indulge in authentic Indian favourites such as the tantalising kulchas and the iconic Chowpati vada pav. Yet, he also infuses the menu with ingenious creations like the irresistible chicken popcorn masala, elevating street food to unparalleled heights.

[caption id="attachment_26092" align="aligncenter" width="611"] Chef | Rohit Ghai | Global Indian A glimpse of Chef Ghai's table[/caption]

To further enrich the culinary world, Chef Ghai recently unveiled his debut cookbook, a treasure trove of innovative vegetarian and vegan Indian dishes that transcend boundaries and touch the soul. Titled Tarkari: Innovative Vegetarian and Vegan Indian Dishes with Heart and Soul, this literary masterpiece encapsulates his passion, his artistry, and his relentless pursuit of culinary excellence.

Follow Chef Rohit Ghai on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter

Chef Manoj Sharma

In the heart of Paris, where culinary dreams intertwine, this maverick chef from Delhi unveils his revolutionary creation - Jugaad. This avant-garde establishment marries the charm of a Parisian bistro with the vibrant allure of Indian kitsch. With a bold vision in mind, this culinary maestro sought to redefine the Indian dining experience, urging guests to relinquish their preconceptions and embark on a tantalising journey of the senses.

[caption id="attachment_25594" align="aligncenter" width="612"] Indian Chef | Global Indian Chef Manoj Sharma[/caption]

At Jugaad, the kitchen becomes an arena of culinary alchemy, unlike any other - with its menu, an exquisite tableau of innovation and tradition, showcases the chef's ingenuity. “I try to use my childhood memories with food and twist them with local produce and tectonics. I use local favourite dishes for inspiration and try to connect them with Indian flavours. Hence even one dish can consist of different regions of India," the chef had said during a press interaction. Interestingly, about 75 percent of his customers are local French.

Follow Chef Manoj Sharma on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter

Chef Srijith Gopinathan

From the hallowed halls of the illustrious Taj Campton Place Hotel in San Francisco, where he reigned as executive chef for over a decade, to the dawning of a gastronomic kingdom entirely his own, Chef Srijith Gopinathan has orchestrated a symphony of flavours at his opulent California establishment, Ettan. A true luminary of the culinary realm, Chef Sri stands tall as one of the most revered Indian chefs in the United States today, a culinary virtuoso whose voyage began amidst the fragrant embrace of his grandmother's kitchen in a humble town nestled within Kerala's verdant embrace.

[caption id="attachment_29089" align="aligncenter" width="645"] Chef | Srijith Gopinathan | Global Indian Chef Srijith Gopinathan[/caption]

Championing the revolutionary Cal-Indian culinary genre, Chef Sri has commanded the prestigious Taj Campton Place kitchen since 2008, weaving culinary enchantment that has consistently earned him the covetable distinction of two Michelin stars. Embarking upon his culinary education at the esteemed Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, his fervent passion led him to further refine his artistry through captivating "stages" at the legendary Michelin two-star Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons in the heart of England. There, amidst the clinks of copper pans and whispered secrets of classical European techniques, he honed his repertoire to perfection.

[caption id="attachment_29090" align="aligncenter" width="613"] Chef | Srijith Gopinathan | Global Indian Sea bass collar spice roasted with coconut, turmeric, tamarind and curry leaves[/caption]

A maestro of flavours, Chef Sri's culinary artistry transcends borders, effortlessly melding the rich tapestry of Eastern and Western influences into a harmonious and captivating gastronomic symphony.

Follow Chef Srijith Gopinathan on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter

Chef Hari Nayak

In the enchanting realm of the epicurean, one name shines bright, encompassing the roles of chef, restaurateur, author, and culinary consultant. Let us immerse ourselves in the extraordinary journey of Hari Nayak, a luminary who wears many hats and leaves an indelible mark on the culinary landscape.

[caption id="attachment_25597" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Indian Chef | Global Indian Chef Hari Nayak[/caption]

Embarking upon his odyssey at the prestigious Culinary Institute of America, Hari Nayak emerged as one of the most coveted Indian chefs of our time. His magical touch has graced the finest establishments in India, and his culinary artistry has mesmerised the discerning palates of the New York metro area. Beyond the realm of the kitchen, Chef Hari's influence extends far and wide, his astute expertise as a restaurateur shaping the triumph and prosperity of acclaimed establishments across the globe. From the irresistible Sona in New York to the tantalising Charcoza in Riyadh, from the mystical Alchemy in Bangalore to the vibrant Jhol in Bangkok, his visionary guidance leaves no corner of the world untouched by his culinary brilliance.

Beyond the world of sizzling pans and aromatic spices, Chef Hari weaves tales through his renowned cookbooks. A revered author, his literary creations showcase the elegant simplicity and eclectic allure of his dishes.

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Chef Prashant Chipkar

Emerging from the sun-kissed shores of Goa, Chef Prashant Chipkar embarks on a gastronomic odyssey that captivates palates across the globe. With a degree in Hotel Management from Mumbai as his foundation, he takes his first steps into the culinary realm under the prestigious Taj Group of Hotels. Today, as the esteemed executive chef of the renowned Masti restaurant in Dubai, he unveils a culinary symphony that transcends borders, elevating Indian cuisine to astonishing heights.

[caption id="attachment_25589" align="aligncenter" width="504"] Indian Chef | Global Indian Chef Prashant Chipkar[/caption]

His culinary masterpieces have won the hearts of Indian cuisine aficionados, who flock to indulge in the allure of his signature creations. Delight in the smoky elegance of the salmon khakhra, revel in the harmonious union of saag paneer lasagna, and surrender to the tantalizing marriage of khandvi prawns moilee. These culinary gems showcase his visionary approach, an innovative fusion of tradition and contemporary finesse.

“We began by thinly slicing paneer and layering it with sautéed spiced spinach,” he said about the saag paneer lasagna, in an interview, adding, “To add a new dimension of flavour, we served it on a base of coconut and lemongrass makhana sauce. This dish is served with mashed potatoes coated in raw mango powder to add another element of texture.”

Follow Chef Prashant Chipkar on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube

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Candida Louis: How this biker girl rode 28,000 km Bengaluru to Sydney to pay tribute to Alistair Farland

(December 28, 2021) Vrooming on her Bajaj Dominar, Candida Louis revved up on the open road solo for a trip from Bengaluru’s Vidhana Soudha to Sydney. It was August 2018 and she covered 28,000 km across 10 countries. Not just an ordinary road trip across continents, it was an emotional tribute that culminated into an epic journey. The 31-year-old biker girl’s journey was homage to an Australian biker who died riding a motorcycle from Alaska to South America. “I won a photography contest and was invited to the US where I first heard about Alistair Farland, an Australian biker who died in a highway accident in North America. It’s every parent’s wish to see their child return home after a trip. I kept thinking about Alistair’s parents after the tragic incident, and just couldn’t shake off that feeling. So, I decided to take a trip from Bengaluru to Sydney to meet his parents, and complete the trip on his behalf as a tribute to him,” Candida tells Global Indian in an interview. [caption id="attachment_18277" align="alignnone" width="1080"] Candida Louis is Sydney[/caption] It was a personal voyage yet sponsors were ready to help, and Candida made the journey as a part of

size-full" src="https://stage.globalindian.com//wp-content/uploads/2021/12/candida1.jpg" alt="Biker Girl | Candida Louis | Traveller | Global Indian" width="1080" height="720" /> Candida Louis is Sydney[/caption]

It was a personal voyage yet sponsors were ready to help, and Candida made the journey as a part of the Change Your World Fund travel project. “I have taken many international road trips before, but this was special,” adds Louis who stayed with Alistair’s family for a week in Sydney, and visited his grave. “It felt like I managed to finish the trip for Alistair,” she adds.

“Travel is empowering. Your perspective on life changes. I have realised how we are just a speck in the universe. Getting to know people and multi-cultures is what makes it exciting,” adds the girl on a mission to educate the world on the importance of travel.

The Hubli-born girl has always been enchanted by travel. “I would accompany my dad on road trips to Goa from Hubli on his bike - it gave me a sense of freedom,” says Candida. This passion for exploration extended to her youth and when her dad gifted her a bike on her 21st birthday, she was ecstatic. While her love for travel was simmering, Louis, like everyone, opted for a steady job. Her days as a financial analyst with Oracle were a good balance of work and travel. The 31-year-old then began questioning herself when she moved to Infosys. “With crazy timing, immense world load, the urge to be outdoors was even stronger,” reveals the biker girl.

[caption id="attachment_18278" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Biker Girl | Candida Louis | Traveller | Global Indian Candida Louis on her road trip in Australia.[/caption]

Travel opens up new perspectives

Without further ado, she packed her bags and went biking from South to North India on a three-month sabbatical. It gave her a sense of purpose. “I knew this was my calling. I wanted to see the world and experience it first-hand. That trip made me realise that I could never go back to a desk job. On my return, I quit and went on another trip across India,” declares the biker who covered 32,000 km and 22 states in four months.

While spreading her wings gave her the quintessential freedom, she did face resistance initially from her parents. “It wasn’t an easy decision to quit my job. For my parents, a job meant security and financial stability. They were aghast that I was leaving all for biking. But I was adamant. I asked them to give me a year to prove myself, and told them if things didn’t work out, I would resume my job,” reveals Candida whose bargain paid off, and she bid farewell to her corporate life.

The initial journey was bumpy as women bikers were not a norm in 2015. “The only job I got was that of a store manager at bike rentals. However, Wicked Ride (a bike rental in Bengaluru) gave me a chance, and specially created an opportunity for me to lead tours. This opened doors,” chirps Candida. In no time, she was planning and organising bike tours across India, and has led more than 40 trips across seven countries ever since.

[caption id="attachment_18279" align="aligncenter" width="1080"] Biker Girl | Candida Louis | Traveller | Global Indian Candida Louis with her group of bikers.[/caption]

The sensation across border

Her road trip from Bengaluru to Sydney made Candida a social media sensation. Louis kickstarted her journey from Bengaluru, moved to the East Coast, headed towards North-East before entering Bhutan. She then rode the beautiful roads of Myanmar, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia from where she loaded her bike on a ship to Perth and then rode to Sydney.

It was the best of experiences, as people cheered her throughout. “I remember posting on social media, and found over 100 people waiting for me at Vidhana Soudha to flag off my journey. Often, people were waiting on highways to show their support,” recalls the girl who has 159k followers on Instagram. She started using Facebook to keep her friends and family updated, and found innumerable supporters. “I was an accidental content creator. But over the years, content has helped me find sponsors,” says the adventure enthusiast. However, she warns amateurs about the risks. “It can be tricky as there are days where you don’t know how you are going to make money. During the pandemic, I didn’t make money for seven months. It’s a risk you take for something you love,” adds the girl.

[caption id="attachment_18280" align="alignnone" width="1080"] Biker Girl | Candida Louis | Traveller | Global Indian Candida Louis[/caption]

In the past six years, Candida has become patient and accepting owing to her travel. Confined to her home during Covid 19, she adapted by spending time with family, doing art and hiking. “Being a biker, you are mostly on the road. So, the pandemic was a blessing in disguise as I got to be with my parents. I didn’t miss being on the road much as I like being in the moment,” says the avid gardener.

For someone who has been on the road for a very long time, she recalls an incident in Cambodia as one of her most special moments. "When I was riding in Cambodia for a month in 2017, 20 days into the trip and I started missing Indian food. As we were riding through one of the remotest areas, it was impossible to find that. But we happen to find an Indian man on a tractor while stopping at a water stream who told us that many Indians work in a nearby factory. He invited us for lunch and we had sumptuous rice and sambhar. I think it was one of the best moments for me," says an ecstatic Candida.

When Candida started as a woman biker, she was among a handful to take the road less travelled. Every passing day, more women are breaking gender stereotypes and venturing into riding but she says there’s still a long way to go. “There are 4,000-5,000 female bikers right now in India, a very small number,” she says, adding that family support is the real game-changer. “I am happy that my parents have been my biggest support system. But many are not getting such support,” she adds. “Do not give up on your dreams,” is her advice, “It took me 10 years to prove myself. Nothing comes easy and it needs constant dedication, hard work, and passion. Just keep going.”

[caption id="attachment_18281" align="alignnone" width="1080"] Biker Girl | Candida Louis | Traveller | Global Indian Candida Louis[/caption]

Candida has travelled across continents on her hot wheels, knows how to fix almost any problem herself, but Covid 19 has been a spoiler. However, her fingers are crossed for her next big adventure. “With the Omicron strain, many trips are getting cancelled. But if all goes well, I will be riding to Europe in 2022,” says the girl who is following her dreams, one ride at a time.

How to chart your own road trip across continents

Visa: Since Indian passport isn’t too strong, it’s best to get visa for all the countries you are planning to travel to before the commencement of the journey.
Fuel: Finding petrol pumps across the countries is quite simple. In remote places, if you might not find petrol pumps, petrol in bottles is always easily accessible.
Police checkpoint: Every country has their own rules, but one needs to show passport, visa, bike registration number at most checkpoints while entering a country.
Documents needed:

Passport: It is stamped at all border crossings while entering and exiting countries.
Carnet: In simple terms, it acts as a customs document for your motorcycle and has all details about your bike number, engine number and bike registration number. For India, you can get it from WIAA, for Europe, you can get it from ADAC and for the US, you can get from Boomerang. This document keeps you away from paying heavy tax that are levied on imported vehicles on road and states that the bike will return to India in a year.
International Driving Permit: You can get this document by submitting your passport, visa, flight tickets and filling a form to the Regional Transport Office. This is valid for one year.
Motorcycle Registration: Make sure to carry the original document, however, do carry photocopies that you can hand out at borders.

Biker’s checklist

Travel as light as possible.
Only carry the essentials.
Pack more food and water, and less of clothes.

Women’s checklist

Always have a GPS tracker on the bike.

Follow Candida Louis on Instagram

Reading Time: 6 min

Polar Preet: The first woman of colour to ski solo to the South Pole

Setting out at the break of dawn (so to speak, there's no real nightfall during the Antarctic summer), enduring temperatures as low as -50°C, tackling the formidable sastrugi and battling winds up to 60 mph, Preet Chandi, or Polar Preet, as she calls herself, undertook one of the most arduous journeys in the world - the icy ski route across Antarctica. As she planted her flag, the culmination of a 700-mile, forth day journey to the South Pole, she created history - In January 2022, 33-year-old Preet Chandi, a physiotherapist in the British Army, became the first woman of colour to ski solo across the continent of ice and snow. "I don't just want to break the glass ceiling, I want to smash it into a thousand pieces," she wrote on her website. "I was told no on so many occasions, called stubborn or rebellious because I wanted to do things that were out of the norm and push my boundaries. I want to encourage others to push their boundaries, it is amazing how much your world opens up when you start to do so." In June, the polar trekker was named in the Queen's Birthday Honours List as a

Member of the Order of the British Empire.

[caption id="attachment_26218" align="aligncenter" width="644"] Preet Chandi | Polar Preet | Global Indian Polar Preet on her skis and dragging her pulk in Antarctica. Photo: Instagram[/caption]

The rule-breaker

Born in Derby, England, to an immigrant couple, Preet raised many eyebrows in her conservative Sikh community when she decided to join the army. She did it anyway; she trained in physiotherapy and currently serves as a captain in the Royal Army Medical Corps. She's a seasoned ultramarathoner and had already finished the Marathon des Sables, the 156-mile race across the Sahara Desert, widely regarded as the toughest (and hottest) foot race on earth. Even so, she considers her mammoth journey across the Antarctic as her greatest feat to date.

The idea to take on the South Pole first cropped up three years prior to the expedition, although she never really considered it at the time. However, completing the Marathon des Sables boosted her morale and nudged her to push the envelope further.

It's always sunny in Antarctica - and windy too

The austral summer is the best (and the only) time to travel across the Antarctic. Don't let the term 'summer' fool you, as the warmest temperature one encounters is a 10°C, which is near the coast. Over the elevated inland, at an altitude of 9,300 ft, Preet was likely braving temperatures of -30°C. Then, there are the winds - Antarctica also has the distinction of being the windiest continent, known for its deadly katabatic winds. Wind speeds can exceed 100 km/h for days at a time, which carry drifting or blowing snow, making for whiteout conditions with very little visibility.

Preet chose the most traversed route – the 700-mile journey that begins at the Hercules Inlet, on the southwestern section of the Ronne Ice Shelf. The route begins at sea level, along the Antarctic coast but travellers must climb 9,300 feet to the polar plateau.

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A post shared by Preet Chandi (@polarpreet)

Even if the austral summer conditions are more tolerable than the winter, when the sea freezes over and the continent effectively doubles in size, movement is still extremely difficult. Matthieu Tordeur, the youngest person to ski across the Antarctic described it as being "like peddling your bicycle in sand." It's a precarious situation, when food and drink are limited.

Journey to the end of the earth

For Preet, the two-and-a-half-year prep period started where most journeys do these days - Google. She began from scratch, poring over stories of polar explorers. She saw them wearing thick, fur-lined jackets and bought herself one. Then, she put herself through intense training six times a week, to build strength and endurance of some of the harshest conditions on earth.

But it was funding that was her primary concern. "I would email 10-15 companies in the evenings after work, trying to get sponsors," Preet wrote in a social media post, shortly after her return. "Most wouldn't respond and when they did, they couldn't commit due to COVID." In the end, her first big sponsor came on board 10 months before the expedition.

Building strength and endurance

Preet devised a rigorous regimen, working out six days a week to achieve the intense strength training required to navigate soft snow and haul a pulk (a small sled that carried her possessions). On November 24, 2021, when the Twin Otter aircraft dropped Preet off on the subcontinent, her pulk weighed a whopping 87 kg, which included tents made for polar conditions and the foods that are made to last and provide adequate nourishment in such demanding terrain.

As she filled out a form online, Preet realised she needed to experience Antarctic conditions beforehand and took trips to Iceland and Greenland to practice walking across glaciers and climbing ice walls.

The polar explorer's diet

"I really wanted a Coke Zero," Polar Preet confessed to National Geographic after her return. "But to be honest, I really liked some of the dried food. I finished the cheese and salami first, even though they stay frozen out there. You just put them in your mouth and let them melt." High calorie consumption is an absolute must - it's a matter of staying alive. Preet was consuming around 5000 calories a day and "burning double that."

The journey is planned in terms of daily progress and she needed 48 days' worth of food and equipment. There were obstacles galore, more so because of delays and restrictions caused by the pandemic and the Brexit regulations.

[caption id="attachment_26224" align="aligncenter" width="754"] Preet Chandi | Polar Preet | Global Indian Living in a polar tent. Photos: @polarpreet[/caption]

A song of ice and snow

By Day 3, the cold was beginning to bite and the harsh winds made their presence felt. "The last thing I want is anything to get blown away by the wind," she wrote on Instagram. "The tent also takes a little longer to put up and as soon as I'm in the tent it's time for my admin." Inside, her chores begin with melting ice for water to drink and cook her food and include her daily check-in-calls as well.

When the visibility was good, Preet would ski for 90-minute intervals and then take a break. On good weather days, she would ski for up to 11 hours a day, "listening to music for most of the day and just daydreaming." A week in and the extreme loneliness was being acutely felt.

Around December 14, 'Polar Preet' made it to Thiels Corner, her halfway mark. The location had a toilet, a great luxury after a month squatting in holes she dug for herself in the snow. She didn't allow herself the brief respite, though, "I didn't want to get used to that little bit of comfort of sitting on a toilet," she wrote. She did, however, treat herself to salmon pasta.

The latter half of trip brought her up against the sastrugi, as well as uphill terrain and headwind. On Day 30, in whiteout conditions, she wrote, "I had to use my arms to pull the pulk out from the deep Sastrugi areas. They can go a few meters high so when it's a whiteout and you can't see you're stepping very carefully."

[caption id="attachment_26223" align="aligncenter" width="648"] Preet Chandi | Polar Preet | Global Indian The South Pole. Photo: Instagram[/caption]

Homeward bound

Nine days later, reporting a temperature of -45°C with heavy winds in the morning, Polar Preet announced that she was close to the end of her journey. On January 3, 2022 came her triumphant declaration: "Hello everyone, checking in from day 40. I made it to the South Pole where it's snowing. Feeling so many emotions right now. I knew nothing about the polar world three years ago and it feels so surreal to finally be here." Ten days later, she was back in Chile.

Upon her return to her home in the UK, she wrote, “It's the simple things that you miss while on an expedition. Sitting on a toilet seat, sleeping in a bed, having a coke zero... I'm still learning how capable I am and I hope I can help so many more people realise how capable they are too."

Follow Preet on Instagram and LinkedIn or take a look at her website

Did you know?

Antarctica’s average annual temperature ranges from about 10 °C on the coast to −60 °C at the highest parts of the interior.
In summer temperatures can exceed 10 degrees celsius near the coast but the elevated inland remains at a bone chilling average of minus thirty degrees celsius.
In winter, the elevated inland temperature can fall to below minus 80 degrees Celsius. Needless to say, there are no skiiers or ultramarathoners around then.
Antarctica is the windiest continent on Earth. It is known for Katabatic winds, created by radioactive cooling over the elevated Antarctic ice sheet, which produce very cold, dense air that flows downhill. Wind speeds can go up to 200 km/h.
Whiteouts are common, even in summer. They are a dangerous optical phenomenon when uniform light conditions make it impossible to distinguish shadows, landmarks or the horizon. They can make navigation difficult and distort perspective.

Want to travel to Antarctica? Here's how.

Trips range from eight days to over three weeks and you can take a cruise, go hiking, skiing, swim in the polar waters or even take a helicopter ride, depending on your level of daring and your budget. Bear in mind that even the most basic trip doesn't come cheap but it promises to be the adventure of a lifetime. The journey always involves flying out to Chile or Argentina, where Antarctic expeditions begin. Here are some things you can do:

Go on a cruise. The majority of Antarctic voyages depart from Ushuaia Port, Argentina, which is a three-and-a-half hour direct flight from Buenos Aires. Most of these voyages pass through the infamous Drake Passage and you may even spot wildlife like the great wandering albatross. If you want to skip the Drake Passage, you can fly out of Punta Arenas in Chile and land directly an an airstrip that's adjacent to the Antarctic Peninsula and board an expedition ship from there.
Ski trips: This is not for beginners but those with experience can ski through some of the most untouched, breathtakingly beautiful and advanced ski slopes in the world. Ski Antarctica by Alaska Heliski and Ice Trek specialise in Antarctic cross-country and downhill skiing.
Hiking: Companies like Epic Antarctica offer hiking expeditions that take you walking over the remote parts of the continent.
Take a helicopter trip (for a hefty price).
If you're feeling truly adventurous, you can take the 'Polar Plunge' and jump or cannonball into the icy polar waters.
Penguin safari: Take a trip to the seldom-visited South Georgia Island and revel in beaches teeming with king penguins and elephant seals. You can also pay tribute to the famous explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton.

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